I'm in Morioh, just joined a chat group for cute girls.

Leone excitedly rushed forward, "We all saw it! It was amazing! The Empire's two strongest warriors, just like that..."

Before she could finish speaking, the space in the center of the conference room suddenly distorted, and a huge white light gate appeared out of thin air.

Everyone immediately assumed a fighting stance.

"who?!"

From the portal, a black and gold train engine slowly pulled out and stopped in front of everyone.

The car door opened, and Gu Ye was the first to get out.

"Hey, we're back."

He greeted them casually.

Following closely behind, Mei, the Sword Saintess, and the others also came down one after another.

When they saw the last figure step off the car, Leone and Akame's expressions froze instantly.

"E...Esdeath?!"

Leone rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.

That icy blue figure, that face they knew all too well, was their greatest enemy, Imperial General Esdeath.

Esdeath simply stood calmly behind Gu Ye, her head slightly bowed, like a submissive maid.

Najenda took a deep drag of her cigarette, slowly exhaled the smoke, and shifted her gaze from Esdeath to Gu Ye's face.

"Welcome back, Mr. Gu Ye. And... everyone."

"How's things going on the Empire's side now?"

Gu Ye asked directly, pulling out a chair and sitting down as if this were his own home.

The others found their seats, but Esdeath and her three subordinates remained standing straight behind Gu Ye, like four statues.

Najendan stubbed out her cigarette, her expression returning to its usual seriousness.

"As you can see, the two pillars of the Empire have fallen. General Bud has died in battle, and General Esdeath... has chosen a new path. Once this news spreads, the morale of the Imperial Army, which is already demoralized due to years of oppressive rule, will inevitably collapse completely."

She paused and glanced out the window.

"Right now, the entire empire is being held together by Minister Ernest and his cronies. Although there may still be some forces hidden within the empire, they are no longer enough to pose a fatal threat to the revolutionary army. The horn of a full-scale counter-offensive has been sounded."

A resolute look appeared on her face.

"The main force of the revolutionary army has begun to assemble in the capital. Our night raid has two main tasks: first, to assassinate Minister Ernest; second, to stop the 'Hunter' squad, which is being organized by the minister's son, Sheila."

"Hunter?"

Gu Ye repeated the sentence.

"Yes,"

Najenda nodded. "After General Esdeath left, the remaining members of the 'Hunters' did not disband; instead, they were recruited by Sheila. According to our latest intelligence, they have begun their operation, with the goal of assassinating high-ranking Revolutionary Army leaders lurking around the Imperial Capital."

“Shilla and Ernest must die.”

Mei, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up.

The earth-shattering lightning punishment was still fresh in everyone's mind, and no one would doubt the weight of her words.

"Owner!"

Esdeath immediately stepped forward and bowed to Gu Ye, requesting permission to serve.

"Please allow me to take care of your worries! The hunting of Sheila and his so-called 'hunter' squad is enough for me and my men."

Her words were filled with longing, both to share the burden of her new master and to prove her worth.

"No."

Akame stood up, staring directly at Esdeath without backing down.

"This is our night raid mission."

Gu Ye's gaze swept between Akame and Esdeath, finally settling on Akame.

⑴檪１２２⑧⒊○⒐⒏

"If the 'Hunters' are being integrated, is Black Eyes among them?"

Akame's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded gently.

"Yes. They've already started their operation, so our night raid is also necessary."

Her hand never left the village raincoat around her waist.

"Do you need help?"

Gu Ye asked.

"Do not."

This time, it was Najenda who answered.

She stood up, walked up to Gu Ye, and bowed deeply to him.

"Mr. Gu Ye, everyone. What you have done for the Revolutionary Army today has far exceeded our expectations. Now, please rest well. The rest is our own battle."

Her stance was clear: this was an internal matter for the Revolutionary Army, especially the long-standing feud between Akame and Kurome, and she did not want any further external interference.

"rest?"

Gu Ye smiled and shook his head. "Now is not the time to rest. We need to strike while the iron is hot, don't we?"

He stood up and looked around at everyone in the conference room.

"How about this, let's split up."

He looked at Najendan, “You will launch a night raid to deal with the ‘Hunters’ and settle your ‘family matters’.”

Then he turned to Mei and Vishdale, “Let’s deal with Ernest and Sheila. Quickly, and then this farce in the country will come to an end.”

The proposal was so straightforward that Najendan couldn't refuse.

She looked into Gu Ye's calm eyes and finally nodded.

"...Alright. Then, I wish you all good luck in your martial arts endeavors."

Meanwhile, in the heart of the capital, at Minister Ernest's extravagantly luxurious mansion.

Inside the enormous restaurant, mountains of roasted meat and fine wine exuded an enticing aroma.

Minister Ernest, whose body was as large as a mountain of flesh, sat on a specially made huge chair, holding a whole roasted leg of lamb in his hand, tearing into it with large bites, grease dripping down the corners of his mouth.

Opposite him sat a tall, sinister-looking young man, his son Sheila.

"...That's how it is, Father."

Sheila wiped her mouth, a smug smile on her face. "I used Shangri-La to teleport that kid named Gu Ye and his accomplices, along with the traitor Esdeath, to a remote island in the southern sea. It's a hundred and eight thousand miles away from the empire's mainland. Even if they have a ship, it will take them more than half a year to get back."

"Oh? Hehehe, well done, my son!"

Ernest let out an unpleasant laugh, tossed aside the nearly eaten lamb leg bone, and picked up a huge steak. "As long as you're here, those clowns are nothing to fear."

He seemed completely unconcerned about Bud's death.

"However, that woman Esdeath... actually bowing down to the enemy, she has utterly disgraced the Empire. Hmph, she really is just a woman, all looks and no substance."

His words were full of disdain and contempt for Esdeath.

"Hey, I think she's pretty much my type."

Sheila licked her lips, a lewd glint in her eyes. "The way that proud female general looks when she's been completely conquered must be delicious. Too bad that boy beat me to it."

"There are plenty of women in the capital; you can have as many as you want."

Ernest said nonchalantly.

"indeed."

Sheila nodded, then, as if remembering something, a cruel smile appeared on her face. "By the way, Father. I've organized those useless 'Hunters' and sent them to deal with the Revolutionary Army's assassination squad. After all, they were that traitor's subordinates; it's time to let them make the most of their remaining strength."

"A bunch of ungrateful bastards," Sheila cursed inwardly.

Especially that little girl named Hei Tong, she's quite cute. I wanted her to sleep with me, but she dared to refuse me?

That idiot Will dare to stop me?

Since that's the case, don't blame me for sending you all to your deaths.

He picked up his wine glass and downed the red wine in one gulp, as if he could already see those people dying in despair.

……

The capital city under the cover of night was as silent as a lurking beast, except for Minister Ernest's mansion, which, like a malignant tumor embedded in an animal skin, radiated a morbid light.

Countless expensive oils burned in the lamps, illuminating the entire manor as bright as day. Extravagant music and muffled laughter faintly escaped from within the high walls, creating a stark contrast to the deathly silence in the alleys outside.

The group appeared silently in the shadows outside the mansion, like avengers born from darkness.

"Ha, this guy is really fearless."

Vishdale crossed his arms, a mocking glint in his crimson eyes. "They're in dire straits, yet they're acting like it's a holiday. Anyone who didn't know better would think they're throwing themselves a grand funeral in advance."

She stuck out her tongue and licked her sharp canine teeth, looking as if she couldn't wait to offer her "condolences".

"He probably thought that Sheila's Imperial Arms had teleported us to some remote place that we couldn't easily return to."

The Sword Saintess stood beside Gu Ye, saying, "When faced with incomprehensible power, people always try to understand it with their limited knowledge. In his view, it will take us at least a year and a half to escape this predicament, which will be enough time for him to deal with all the potential troubles."

Shoko Toyokawa stood silently at the back of the crowd. This was the first time she had ever truly come into contact with the "power center" of another world.

The glaring lights and the seductive music made her feel uncomfortable.

She instinctively hugged her arms tightly, and her simple white dress looked particularly frail in the shadows.

Is this... what they call nobility?

A carnival built upon countless human skeletons...

Her gaze swept over her companions: the fanatical and warlike Vishdel, the calmly analyzing Sword Saintess, and... the Empire's strongest general, who had just been arrogant but was now quietly following behind Gu Ye.

All of this seems so absurd, yet so incredibly real.

"Then go in."

Raiden Mei spoke, her long purple hair tied into a neat high ponytail. Her words were concise and powerful, setting the stage for the night raid.

No further words are needed.

Ernest's crimes are too numerous to list, and for everyone present, there is no doubt that he should be eliminated from this world.

"Master, please allow me to clear the obstacles ahead for you."

Esdeath stepped forward and bowed slightly to Gu Ye.

Her posture was respectful, but her eyes burned with a bloodthirsty flame.

This is her first battle after swearing allegiance, and she must demonstrate her irreplaceable value.

After receiving Gu Ye's silent nod, Esdeath's lips curled into a cruel smile.

She gave a brief order to the three beastmen behind her: "Liva, you take your men and clear out the surrounding foes, and guard all possible escape routes. Don't let a single rat escape."

"Yes, Lady Esdeath!"

The three beastmen instantly disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter 139 Xiangzi: Are there many people like Sheila?

The next moment, Esdeath's figure transformed into a white lightning bolt, rushing straight towards the mansion gate, which was carved with intricate patterns and made of pure copper.

Without the slightest hesitation, she raised her right leg, clad in a white high-heeled boot, and kicked it hard.

"boom--!"

With a deafening roar, the heavy bronze door, strong enough to withstand a battering ram, caved inwards and twisted as if it were made of paper, finally collapsing with a crash and kicking up clouds of dust.

The guards who were patrolling and the servants who were laughing inside the gate were instantly stunned by this sudden change.

Esdeath stepped through the twisted doorway and slowly entered the brightly lit hall.

Her high-heeled boots clicked on the smooth marble floor, each step like a hammer blow to everyone's heart.