55: Struggles in the Imperial Capital, Esdeath's Return Is Imminent / 56: Famine, the Nobles Gather

The Struggle in the Imperial Capital, Esdeath Was About to Return

Ten days passed quickly.

Over those ten days,

Yorii Tsugikuni's life was extremely simple, consisting of nothing but traveling between his residence and the Security Force every day.

Although he occasionally went out with Sayo and the others to inspect various places,

most of the time, Yorii Tsugikuni remained at the Security Force.

Of course, just because Yorii Tsugikuni stayed at the Security Force did not mean he did nothing.

From the materials Chelsea had sent over, Yorii Tsugikuni gained an understanding of some of the things Honest had done.

With an objective mindset, Yorii Tsugikuni had also had Sayo, Tatsumi, and the others conduct some investigations over the past ten days.

He had gained a new understanding of Honest, who had once seemed like a friendly uncle next door.

Overall, in Yorii Tsugikuni's eyes, Honest was a complete politician.

And a deeply calculating one at that.

Yorii Tsugikuni had seen people like that in his hometown before.

He had always kept a respectful distance from such people.

He did not want to have any dealings with Honest.

At the same time, Yorii Tsugikuni understood why Night Raid had handed those materials to him.

They feared he would join Honest's camp.

The struggle within the Empire really is intense.

Yorii Tsugikuni stood before the window, looking toward the Imperial Palace outside.

During this period, he had gradually learned about some of the Empire's internal political affairs.

Combined with the materials Night Raid had sent over, Yorii Tsugikuni finally gained some understanding of this unfamiliar place.

Overall, aside from external unrest, the Empire was also plagued by extensive internal conflict.

Officials, factions, and different camps were all engaged in mutual struggles and power plays.

As an outsider, he had already stepped halfway into this vortex.

"Master, these are nobles we investigated. They have serious problems."

"However, their relationships with Honest are all rather delicate."

Tatsumi and Ieyasu entered from outside. After Yorii Tsugikuni took control of the Imperial Guard, the two had become squad leaders and begun investigating some backlogged cases.

As the investigation progressed, they uncovered a great deal.

However, because the people involved were connected to Honest, the most powerful man in the Empire, neither of them made an immediate decision.

Instead, they came to discuss it with Yorii Tsugikuni.

Although the two of them came from the countryside, that did not mean they understood nothing.

They did not want their momentary recklessness to cost Yorii Tsugikuni his position as captain of the Security Force.

"Arrest them according to Imperial law."

"There is no need to be concerned about anything else."

Yorii Tsugikuni did not hesitate for long before directly issuing the order.

He was not targeting Honest.

Now that he held the position of captain of the Imperial Guard, he naturally had to do what that position required.

Therefore, he acted only according to Imperial law, without any personal bias.

"Understood."

As Tatsumi heard Yorii Tsugikuni's words, he felt some joy.

At the same time, he quietly worried for Yorii Tsugikuni.

After spending so many days in the Imperial Capital, he was no longer the foolish country boy who had just arrived to make his way there.

He had also learned many things about the Imperial Capital.

Thus, he fully understood what Yorii Tsugikuni's actions meant.

To a certain extent, it was no different from directly challenging Minister Honest's authority.

Yet at the same time, he deeply admired his master for not fearing authority.

Unlike Tatsumi and Ieyasu, who hesitated over this matter,

Yorii Tsugikuni had no unnecessary thoughts.

He made his decision entirely from the standpoint an enforcer of the law should possess.

And because he had never cared about the position of Security Force captain, he had no need to consider what Honest might think.

Northern border.

As far as the eye could see, everything was completely covered in ice and snow.

A figure stood quietly beside a frozen river.

She wore a pure white military uniform. Stockings of the same color reached the roots of her slender thighs, intricately tied cords fastening them in place. The crystal-like high heels beneath her feet were as sharp as blades.

She wore an Imperial military cap, beneath which her ocean-blue hair fell all the way to her knees, fluttering in the wind like towering waves upon the sea.

Her skin was as white as snow, and two sapphire-like eyes were set within her peerlessly beautiful, icy face.

Yet at that moment, her exquisite features wore a wicked smile.

She was Esdeath.

"Those people really are timid."

"They have already fled hundreds of miles away. Have they even abandoned the border?"

Looking at the endless snow-white plains in the distance, where not even a single Foreign Tribes soldier could be seen,

Esdeath's arrogant tone carried a trace of regret.

A sense of boredom born from having no opponents rose within her heart.

"With the general here, how would those people dare come over?"

Daidas of the Three Beasts walked over to Esdeath with a smile.

Ever since setting out on this campaign with Esdeath, the sight of her single-handedly facing an army of hundreds of thousands still appeared in their minds from time to time.

That absolute strength filled them with pride.

"Looks like it is time to return."

"There is nothing interesting left here."

After the Northern Foreign Tribes were defeated, the border had become completely quiet.

Esdeath had no interest in being stationed at the border.

"Honest said the Imperial Capital has been quite lively lately."

"A group called Night Raid has appeared."

Although Esdeath was at the border, intelligence concerning the Imperial Capital continued to reach her without interruption. In a letter Minister Honest had written to her several months ago,

he had mentioned Night Raid before.

Although Minister Honest had not openly asked her for help,

it was clear between the lines that Night Raid had caused Honest considerable trouble.

So, after resolving the matter of the Foreign Tribes, the bored Esdeath decided to return and find some amusement, while also doing things she had never done before.

Dealing with Night Raid could count as one source of amusement.

"I happened to hear some news today that will surely interest you, General."

"An outsider has arrived in the Imperial Capital and defeated five Imperial Arms Users from Night Raid."

Nyau covered her mouth and giggled as she looked at Esdeath. After speaking with the messenger from the Imperial Capital, she had heard about this incident from more than half a month ago.

"His name is?"

"Yorii Tsugikuni."

Hearing Nyau's words, Esdeath's interest was slightly piqued.

She became a little more serious.

Famine, the Nobles Gathered Together

Imperial Capital.

Inside a small restaurant.

Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, Sayo, Tatsumi, and Ieyasu sat gathered around a table.

This was a small gathering among friends after their daily work had ended.

Koro and Adai crouched by the entrance, watching the sunset in the west.

Ever since the two had met, Adai often rode Koro around everywhere.

"Master, have some tea."

"I'll hand out the tableware."

Sayo poured tea for Yorii Tsugikuni and the others, while Ieyasu began distributing the tableware.

The dishes on the table were simple home-cooked fare. Since this little restaurant was close to the Security Force and offered both good food and good prices,

this was not the first time they had come here.

"Thank you."

Yorii Tsugikuni liked such small gatherings.

Back when he was in his hometown, many of his friends had passed away one after another.

In his old age, he had often spent his days alone.

Now that he was young once more, he cherished this kind of companionship among friends.

Even if they were merely eating simple rice balls together and chatting about ordinary daily matters,

this had once been the life he had always longed for.

"Yorii, don't always eat rice balls."

"You should eat some meat too."

Sayo watched Yorii Tsugikuni eat the rice balls on his plate as usual.

She smiled and placed a piece of meat onto Yorii Tsugikuni's plate.

After this period of adjustment, Sayo had moved on from some of what had happened before.

She had changed greatly compared to before.

Yorii Tsugikuni could feel that much of her impatience had faded.

"That's right, how could rice balls be as tasty as meat?"

"I feel like being able to eat meat is the happiest thing in the world."

Ieyasu put a piece of meat into his mouth, narrowed his eyes, and chewed with an exaggerated expression.