You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

But even if he was a hands-off boss who was only responsible for killing and not burying, this place was still much more prosperous than during the imperial rule.

Facts have proved that as long as you don't make reckless moves, even if you just "rule by inaction", you can already surpass most regimes - I really hope that Emperor Yang of Sui and Emperor Ming Baozong can understand this truth.

"Even though you say that, it's actually quite remarkable."

The girl with long black hair was in a very happy mood. She had received extremely cruel combat training since she was a child and had spent most of her life practicing how to kill people. A quiet and peaceful daily life was quite far away from her.

In fact, she didn't have much of a real sense of "happy life" because she had never really experienced it. She could only seek comfort from her sister... but this didn't stop her from feeling happy for these people from the bottom of her heart.

She felt like she was watching all this through the window. Even though she couldn't fit in, just seeing the smiles on people's faces made her feel extremely satisfied.

Isn't the reason why he betrayed the Empire and joined the Revolutionary Army just to make everyone smile like this?

Sooner or later, no more children like her will be sent to the cruel Shura field... As long as this vision can come true, then their sacrifices and efforts will be worthwhile.

“You’re awesome… I’m not talking about anything to do with fighting.

I have always wanted to save them from suffering, but I can't do it by myself, because I can't do anything. The only thing I am good at is killing... It was Nadezhda who told me that killing one bad guy can protect ten good people, and then I found a reason to swing the knife again.

Nadezhda taught me a lot. I believe that once the world is pacified, people like her can lead the people out of their sorrow and build a better country!

But...even Nadezhda can't compare to you.

From the changes in this small town, we can see that those stubborn diseases that seem difficult to eliminate in the eyes of the imperial court and the revolutionary army, and those evil parties that seem extremely powerful to the people, are like pebbles on the roadside to you. You don't even need to clean them up specifically, you can just kick them away.

"You can say it so easily because it's not difficult at all, right? Is this... the calmness that only a truly strong person can possess?"

The girl was silent for a moment. She subconsciously looked at Iori's face, but because of the mask, she could not judge Iori's expression at the moment.

She was really curious about how Iori did it, as it seemed impossible to explain it simply by force.

Seriously speaking, in terms of strength, Esdeath and General Budd both have the fighting power of an army of one person. In terms of status and position, the combination of the minister and the little emperor is impeccable. In terms of public support and influence, many churches represented by An Ning Dao can penetrate into almost every village and town.

However, with so many capable people gathered together, no one could do the same thing as Iori.

Even from a more macro perspective, the empire's overall national strength is still strong. Even though it is divided into several factions, it can still firmly suppress the surrounding ethnic minorities.

There haven't been any large-scale natural disasters in recent years...

But the world is getting worse day by day!

Farmers grew food but could not eat enough, craftsmen built magnificent palaces but lived in simple shacks, the treasuries in various places were empty, but the officials' own coffers were full.

Emperors, ministers, generals, religious leaders, revolutionary armies... these big men who either had great justice, power, or violence, watched helplessly as similar phenomena prevailed... It's not that they were incapable of changing it, but very few of them would really put their heart into it.

——Isn’t this strange?

She thought about it seriously for a moment, and then came to a conclusion:

Iori is a special case!

"Sometimes it dawns on me that you're a great man."

Chi Tong's usually extremely sharp eyes became gentle, and it was a pure smile without any distractions.

"It seems that as long as you are willing, there is nothing in this world that cannot be done!"

"Maybe that's true."

Iori deliberately put on a serious look: "So why don't you hold on to my thighs? The merit of following the dragon is very valuable!"

"It would be better if it could be more serious."

Automatically ignoring Iori's strange and half-intelligible words, Akame had been with him for a long time and was already used to these inexplicable short sentences, so her tone remained gentle.

"It would be better to have more towns like this. When there are similar places everywhere in the empire, we can really retreat from the front line."

"That will take a lot of effort, and I don't have enough manpower." Iori turned to her and asked half-seriously, "Are you interested in changing jobs?"

Akahime didn't care. She and Iori were old friends and they even had a little affair in private. Although this topic was sensitive, there was no need to worry about it given their relationship.

So she asked casually: "To be your subordinate? Not really——"

"I'm here to be the boss lady."

"——It's not that I can't consider it."

After saying that, Chi Tong blinked and suddenly realized: "Hey? What did I say just now? It doesn't count, it doesn't count!"

Ding~ Your friend Chi Tong has withdrawn a message~

Iori slowly raised the corners of his mouth under the mask, revealing a rather nasty smile, as if he really enjoyed the feeling of teasing others.

"You seem to be resisting. Do you hate me so much?"

"Hate? No! I definitely don't hate you, it's more like... it has nothing to do with this!"

The girl with long black hair was a little incoherent, but she quickly calmed down and realized that she had fallen into Iori's "trap" again.

"Is this interesting? Are you trying to make me look bad on purpose?"

"I can't help it. After all, you're so funny when you panic~"

"You guy..." Akagi never thought that one day he would be made to laugh by someone, but before he knew it, his hand had already grasped the hilt of the knife.

But then Iori said something else, which made her suddenly nervous——

"Since you object, I'll go ask Esdeath."

Volume 74: The White Moonlight of the Seireitei: Chapter : It’s a pity that there is no cane

Just like a conditioned reflex, after Iori said the name "Esdeath", Akame felt a sharp pain deep in her head and her mood suddenly became gloomy, which also affected her expression.

She had realized that Iori was joking, but she still felt an indescribable conflict.

"Really? Can you please be serious? I'm discussing something serious with you."

"No, I'm serious."

Iori asked in surprise, "When someone rejects you, you naturally have to find another target. Why do you think I'm joking?"

"..."

"Do you expect me to continue to cling to you after my confession was rejected?"

"This..." Akahime's eyelids twitched slightly, and she suddenly realized that she had fallen into a trap and was unknowingly forced into a desperate situation by Iori's words.

How to explain her attitude next?

"Wait a minute, I really don't understand... Why did you choose Esdeath? You and her have only met once in total!"

"It's love at first sight, isn't it?"

Chi Tong narrowed his eyes: "I seem to have heard someone say something similar."

Hidden by the mask, Iori smiled freely: He had teased Akame with such words before.

"It's the same situation." Iori said as if it was a matter of course, "Although her personality is a bit weird, the Queen is really pretty, isn't she?"

"...I have to admit it." Akahime put Esdeath and her own image together in her mind and evaluated them from an objective perspective.

As for facial features, everyone has different preferences, so let’s skip this for now.

In terms of temperament, Esdeath is undoubtedly the winner. Although Akame is not bad either, she is indeed slightly inferior to the queen who looks down on everyone else.

As for the figure...well, the comparison is too tragic!

Akame is not flat, and can even be said to be quite curvy, but that is just the normal level for a girl of this age. However, Esdeath's development... is completely like that of a supermodel, with an upright posture, plump upper body, perky buttocks, and long, straight legs.

Akame felt that even if she grew up to be twenty years old with good nutrition, she would probably not be able to catch up with the queen.

No! Why should I worry about this?

I didn't intend to agree to it, so who he went to find had nothing to do with me? Such a ridiculous thing, let others worry about it!

Akame changed her mind, but the moment she opened her mouth, the words she uttered had a different tone: "Do you like Esdeath so much? What do you like about her?"

Perhaps because she felt that this acted too much like jealousy, in order to prevent Iori from misunderstanding, Akame added: "Why did you choose Esdeath?"

Nice breasts, uniforms, long legs - several labels flashed through Iori's mind.

But he was someone who couldn't be so straightforward, so he embellished it a little:

"It's a bit embarrassing to say, but it's sexual desire."

"..."

Akahime was dumbfounded, and it took her a while to recover. She was suddenly embarrassed, annoyed, and a little disappointed in him. Her eyes reflected Iori's appearance, as if saying, "Look at what you have achieved!"

“There are other benefits, too.”

Iori listed them all: "Firstly, it can build a stronger alliance. Although I conquered her a few days ago, it is clear that only verbal promises are too weak.

Secondly, it can increase the stability of the army. When the soldiers know that their boss and the rebel leader have a very good relationship and can wear the same pants, then the anxiety caused by the "uprising" will naturally disappear.

Thirdly, she is a great... well, she is a very good candidate for a spouse, isn't she?"

After listening to it, Akahime actually felt that it made sense. At least on the surface, she couldn't find any reason to reject Esdeath.

“No, no… I still can’t imagine that Esdeath would marry and have children like a normal woman.” The black straight-haired girl frowned, “I always thought she would live her life like a lone wolf…”

"Apart from her identity as an imperial general, Esdeath is still a normal person, a young girl who is just beginning to fall in love. Naturally, she has considered the possibility of getting to know and falling in love with someone.

Maybe you all think she is a monster, but behind her tough record and style, she also hides a soft girlish heart, you just haven’t noticed it.”

"Girl's heart? Haha, you must be kidding." Akagi smiled casually, looking as if she didn't believe it.

"She is only interested in challenging the strong. I don't think she would be like an ordinary girl, blushing and fluttering her heart for the one she loves~"

"Being too confident is not a good thing. People are complicated. How do you know what Esdeath is like in private?"

"Don't talk like you know everything!"

Akame secretly rolled her eyes at Iori: You've only met him once, why do you have to act like you have everything under control?

"Besides, even if you pursue her, Esdeath may not like your type, right?"

"Well, this is indeed a problem." Iori reached out and touched the mask, "It's inconvenient in every sense..."

Chi Tong looked at him deeply, paused, and shifted her gaze elsewhere.

She was very curious about what Iori looked like under the mask. Even if he was completely disfigured and unrecognizable, she still wanted to take a look...but she would not take the initiative to ask for it, so as not to touch on Iori's sad memories.

"Well, since you are so opposed to this, I will not ask Esdeath."

"Varied--"

Chi Tong was anxious: "Why do you say it as if I have ulterior motives!"

"Hahaha……"

The two continued walking in the market, and Iori teased Akame mischievously several times, making the heroic female killer exhausted both physically and mentally.

As the conversation was about to end, Iori mentioned Esdeath again, but he did not dwell on personal feelings, but instead focused on her war with the northern foreign tribes.

Then they talked about the recent institutional reforms led by the ministers, and the rapid expansion of Anning Dao's power made all parties feel uneasy...

"The situation is becoming increasingly tense. The empire is now facing internal and external troubles. Although the revolutionary army has occupied a lot of territory, it has no spare capacity to restore people's livelihood. The lives of the lower-class people are still difficult."

"No spare energy?" Iori suddenly sneered, "Do you think they have really tried their best and have no other options, or are they unwilling to invest resources in areas other than the war at this critical juncture?"

“……” Chi Tong was silent for a moment, and he already had the answer in his heart.

The revolutionary army is not some grassroots force that suddenly emerged. They had been brewing in secret for a long time before they raised their flag, and they have also existed as a separatist force for a long time. It is impossible that they have no spare strength, right?

Judging from the fact that they were able to provide logistical and intelligence support for the [Night Raid] remotely, allowing them to wreak havoc in the Imperial Capital, the Revolutionary Army clearly had plenty of spare capacity!

So has the revolutionary army ever paid attention to the people's livelihood issues in its own territory before?

The answer is that they paid attention to it, dealt with it, and tried hard, but eventually gave up. Because they found that if they carried out a thorough reform, they would create many enemies for themselves, and those local governors would fight to the death when they expanded abroad... This greatly affected their strategic planning.

In order to win over more fence-sitters, they must of course make certain promises and reserve certain benefits for those people.

Based on the same logic, they can even form alliances with other ethnic groups!

Not to mention the Revolutionary Army, isn't it the same for the Empire?

There are many people who can see where the problem lies, but there are few who are willing to offend others and take risks to change it all, and among those who can succeed...

On the contrary, Iori, a bounty hunter of unknown origin, had only started doing things for a few months, but he had already become quite capable.

Big names like Ernest, Esdeath, and Bud are definitely capable of doing the same thing, but no one has ever actually done it...

Akame is not a politician and her education level is average. She only has doubts because she has seen a lot with Nadezhda and Iori, but she can't say anything more specific.

She only knew one thing:

Iori is indeed special, he can really see the common people one by one!