I, Yorii Tsugikuni, Must Do Something Chapter 35

Yorii Tsugikuni wasn't watching, though he had once given up swordsmanship training because he couldn't stand seeing others in pain from being beaten.

However, he had returned to his physical peak.

Yorii Tsugikuni wanted to try even harder than before, to improve his strength once more.

Holding the black hilt and scabbard, with a single "Destroy" character carved at the base of the blade, the blade itself was black and red, and the guard was a black, wide cross shape. Yorii Tsugikuni closed his eyes.

Although he made no outward movement, the thirteenth form of Sun Breathing began to play out in his mind.

"Circular Dance, Blue Canopy, ... Flame Dance," a cycle from one to twelve, making the thirteenth form. Yorii Tsugikuni contemplated further possibilities.

With just a moment's thought, countless ideas surged in his mind.

When he created the thirteenth form, it was to counter the demon king's special physical structure.

In the end, the demon king, to escape, had shattered himself into one thousand eight hundred pieces.

He had slain fifteen hundred of those pieces.

But it was those remaining three hundred pieces that allowed Muzan Kibutsuji to ultimately escape.

'Perhaps I can increase the number of slashes.'

Although many thoughts raced through his mind, Yorii Tsugikuni decided to focus his practice on increasing the number of slashes he could make.

However, while it sounded simple.

It was difficult to achieve. Each additional slash meant his speed had to be even faster than before.

To possess such speed, his physical condition would need to improve again.

But even with the difficulty, Yorii Tsugikuni had returned to his youth. He didn't consider it particularly challenging.

In truth, he hadn't trained much at all for the past few decades.

If he put in a little effort, he believed he could achieve good results.

The morning training passed quickly.

After finishing his morning routine, Yorii Tsugikuni returned to his office.

Unlike when he was a regular member and had to patrol the streets himself.

Now, he was more involved in directing and strategizing.

"Master, I've gathered everything you asked for."

"And there are also some invitation cards from wealthy merchants in the Imperial Capital."

Sayo entered from outside.

The appointment letter Yorii Tsugikuni received not only appointed him as the Captain-General of the Imperial Guard but also granted him five appointment rights.

Because he was familiar with Sayo, Tatsumi, and Ieyasu.

He had transferred all three to his side. Compared to the other members of the Imperial Guard.

They, along with Sayo, were undoubtedly the ones with the cleanest backgrounds.

Sayo's current main role was to assist him with tasks like handling documents.

Tatsumi and Ieyasu, like Sayo, had become three squad leaders within the Guard.

They were responsible for pursuing criminals and handling daily affairs.

"Thank you for your hard work."

What Yorii Tsugikuni had been looking for were the evidence of Oka's bribery. This information was all contained within the letters left by Night Raid.

However, he decided to verify it again.

Looking at the confessions presented before him, Yorii Tsugikuni could confirm that Oka was indeed a corrupt individual.

Although this matter would be quite a shock to Sayo, Yorii Tsugikuni considered it and still decided to inform her.

From their time together, Yorii Tsugikuni had learned that Sayo yearned for justice.

However, at times, she was too fixated.

As Sayo's friend, Yorii Tsugikuni did not want her to become a fanatic.

"Please return all these invitation cards. You don't need to collect things like this in the future."

After reviewing the confessions from the merchants who had collaborated with Oka.

Yorii Tsugikuni returned the invitation cards Sayo had brought. Without much thought, Yorii Tsugikuni could guess what those merchants intended.

They likely wanted to befriend him or perhaps bribe him.

Holding a position means fulfilling its responsibilities. Since he was in the position of Captain of the Guard, he would naturally do his job well.

Until the day he stepped down.

"Return them, return them."

A-Dai, pacing around, mimicked Yorii Tsugikuni's words.

Yorii Tsugikuni glanced at A-Dai, who seemed like a child, not very bright.

He couldn't help but wonder if the Imperial Arms he was looking for was a bad one.

"Then I'll have them sent back right away."

"But what about these things?"

Gently patting Adou's head on the ground, Sayo covered her mouth and giggled.

She and Tatsumi, along with a few others, were very fond of this little robot.

Besides being able to spar with it, it could also help them by wiping the floor with a damp cloth when tidying up their rooms.

And it could help fix things.

Although it seemed a bit slow, it was very quick to learn.

It could learn many things after being taught just once.

"Leave it to Sayo."

"She has the right to know about this."

After a moment of thought, Yorii Tsugikuni made his decision.

Chapter 53: News of the Ice Queen, Night Raid's Worries

"We won, we won!"

"Long live the Empire, long live the Empire!"

Just as Yorii Tsugikuni was thinking about how to comfort Sayo.

The usually quiet Imperial Guard, and many places outside the city, suddenly erupted in noise like a tsunami.

This huge wave of sound, from far to near, was incessant.

'Did something happen?'

Yorii Tsugikuni looked out the window in surprise, the suddenly lively Imperial Capital leaving him somewhat bewildered.

"Master, we won."

"General Esdeath defeated those foreign tribesmen."

Just as Yorii Tsugikuni was wondering whether to go out and find out what had happened.

Tatsumi and Ieyasu rushed in from outside. Seeing the ecstatic expressions on their faces, Yorii Tsugikuni, although he didn't immediately understand the whole story.

He knew it must be something worth celebrating.

"Can you tell me about this?"

Because he didn't grow up in the Empire like Tatsumi and the others.

Yorii Tsugikuni's understanding of the Empire was very limited. The first time he learned of the existence of foreign tribes was from the markings on a map he had bought.

And this was the first time he had heard the name Esdeath.

"I forgot Master doesn't know General Esdeath."

"General Esdeath is one of the Empire's two great generals, and she is also the Empire's strongest..."

Seeing the confused expression on Yorii Tsugikuni's face, Ieyasu began to tell him about Esdeath.

Although they lived in poverty in the countryside.

Because Esdeath's reputation was so resounding, they had heard many stories about this legendary female general from a long time ago.

Although Ieyasu was usually carefree, he was good at telling stories.

Under his narration, a gifted and powerful Ice General began to appear in Yorii Tsugikuni's mind.

He also quickly learned some things about the foreign tribes.

He understood why the residents of the Imperial Capital were so excited to hear that Esdeath had pacified the foreign tribal army on the border.

It had caused such a huge sensation throughout the entire Imperial Capital.

"It would be great to meet General Esdeath."

"Ieyasu, can you stop being so infatuated?"

After telling everything he knew about Esdeath, Ieyasu began to fantasize.

Sayo, who was beside him, rolled her eyes and quickly left.

'It seems the Empire isn't as hopelessly bad as I thought.'

Although the news brought by Ieyasu, that Esdeath had buried 400,000 people alive, shocked Yorii Tsugikuni.

He didn't comment much on it.

There was no right or wrong in wars between nations, nor was there any distinction in methods.

Before this, he had seen many incompetent and corrupt people in the Empire. Now, after learning about Esdeath.

He had a more optimistic view of the Empire's dire situation.

"That guy is quite unexpected."

"He dealt with those foreign tribes so quickly."

Nadjeshda leaned against a high tower of a castle, the members of Night Raid gathered around her.

Looking at the noisy scene within the city, her expression was somewhat complex.

As one of the former Imperial generals, she and Esdeath had known each other for a very long time.

The reason Night Raid had been so active over the past year, besides the decision of the Revolutionary Army's high command, was partly due to Esdeath resisting the foreign tribes at the border.

Her strength was enough to make any force hostile to the Empire feel apprehensive.

"It's always a good thing that the border has been pacified."

"However, if that person returns, our subsequent actions will be a bit troublesome."

Lubbock leaned beside Nadjeshda. Seeing her take out a cigarette, he skillfully lit it for her.

Although he was usually one of the more laid-back members of Night Raid, and had joined the Revolutionary Army solely to be with Nadjeshda, Lubbock was very clear about the current situation.

They had just suffered a blow from Yorii Tsugikuni, and if Esdeath returned as well, they all knew without a doubt that Night Raid would be in a very passive position.

"The border has only just been pacified, so Esdeath shouldn't be returning that quickly."