Your Excellency Is Strong, but My Style Is Above Yours!

Although he looked like a bloated fat man, he had both knowledge and ability. He had even once read through the royal archives, so he knew that the Empire had dealings with the Eastern Island Nation a thousand years ago, and that the warriors there indeed dressed this way.

Furthermore, he had received intelligence that a ronin warrior who had crossed the sea had carried out a massacre somewhere, causing quite a bit of trouble. It seemed that this was the Masked Man.

To think his useless son had managed to recruit such a murderous demon... Forget it. At least he could still produce an heir for him, so he might as well keep him around.

"Why haven't you gone to fetch Mr. Fashion to treat my son? Wuwuwu, you've suffered so much~"

"..."

As he continued coldly watching the minister's performance, Iori was bursting with the urge to complain, but forcibly held himself back.

Could he cut down on the exaggerated acting and get to business already?

I had Akame return the brainwashing device to me and used precious enhancement drugs on Syura. I didn't do all that just to play house with you people!

Iori Was Absolutely Loyal to the Empire!

In the dimly lit audience chamber, suits of full armor lined both sides like steel cans. A thick, soft, luxurious carpet covered the cold marble floor, and at the end of it stood a towering, frigid throne.

The young Imperial Emperor sat upon it, dressed in noble robes and wearing a crown that symbolized power. Yet his face, which ought to have been majestic and imposing, was childish and innocent. He had ascended the throne at merely thirteen or fourteen years old, and seemed utterly lacking in the bearing such a position demanded.

He had no name, because "Emperor" was a unique title in this world. To emphasize the Emperor's divinity, every person who inherited the throne abandoned their previous name and forbade anyone from addressing them by any other title. Even their parents, siblings, wives, and children could only respectfully call them "Your Imperial Majesty."

This was a rule established by the First Emperor. It meant becoming truly alone from then on, and it also meant no longer living as an "individual," but existing as the master of the crown and the ruler under the Empire's control.

Thus, although the First Emperor had not attained immortality, his will had endured and deeply influenced the Empire...

But judging from the present, even the most exalted title could not withstand the power of time. It would eventually rot and decline.

Anyone who saw the tiny body struggling to fill that enormous throne would probably sigh at the sight of a great building about to collapse!

It would have been fine if the Young Emperor had wise ministers to assist him, but unfortunately, Akame ga Kill! had no Zhuge Liang, nor even Yi Yin or Huo Guang. Would it have hurt to give him a Cao Cao? Instead, all he had was an Honest who looked like Grand Tutor Dong...

And the most tragic part was that the Young Emperor did not even know Honest was Dong Zhuo. He truly trusted him as though he were Zhuge Liang!

"Your Imperial Majesty, please allow me to introduce two people to you."

The Akame ga Kill! version of Grand Tutor Dong politely lowered his head in salute, placing a hand over his chest to demonstrate his loyalty to the Emperor.

It was admittedly far too simple for an audience with the Emperor, but Honest performed it as though it were only natural. After all, after the Previous Emperor had been murdered by him... Ahem, died unexpectedly, he had killed the other contenders and supported the Previous Emperor's orphan—the Young Emperor—in taking the throne.

To reward him for his service in securing the throne, the Young Emperor had granted him many privileges, raising his status above that of the other nobles.

In simpler terms, he was granted the privilege of being praised without having his name called, entering court without hurrying, and ascending the hall with sword and shoes—

As everyone knew, aside from Xiao He, anyone who received such treatment was a "greatly loyal minister." This showed just how devoted Honest was!

At least, that was what the Young Emperor believed. He looked at his trusted minister with a smile. "What sort of people could make you personally introduce them, Minister? They must surely be remarkable heroes, right?"

"I dare not accept such praise. They are actually my son Syura and his close friend Izou. These two have been traveling abroad, gathering intelligence on foreign tribes and enemy nations. They risked their lives solely to protect the Empire and Your Majesty. They possess both loyalty and martial valor."

""Greetings, Your Majesty!""

Syura and Iori spoke in unison, merely lowering their heads without performing any further ceremony.

The Young Emperor did not mind. In his eyes, the minister's son was surely loyal as well. Perhaps he might even become one of his right-hand men in the future, so it was good to become acquainted early.

However, he gave the two an odd look. "You two do indeed look extraordinary, but why are your... outfits so strange?"

His words were rather restrained, because Syura and Iori were far more than merely strange-looking.

Iori wore a loose trench coat, with bandages wrapped around both his face and hands, like a mummy freshly unearthed from the ground or a patient who had just walked out of intensive care.

Syura was even more absurd. Metal frames resembling exoskeletons were attached to both his arms and legs, making him look like some bizarre modified human.

"These are sacrifices they had no choice but to make for the Empire!"

Honest immediately said in grief, "Those despicable rebels ambushed my son and brutally tortured him, trying to force him to betray the Empire. But my son's loyalty to Your Majesty could be witnessed by heaven and earth! Even after all four of his limbs were broken, he still refused to yield!

Later, Mr. Izou voluntarily disfigured himself and infiltrated the Revolutionary Army, finally managing to rescue him!"

"What? Such a thing happened? Those damned rebels have become this arrogant already!"

The Young Emperor immediately flew into a rage. "If I cannot even protect my most loyal subjects, what right do I have to protect the Empire? I will arrest every one of these rebel criminals and subject them to the harshest punishment!"

"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. Leave this matter to me. It will also allow me to avenge my son. However, the rebels are powerful, with many skilled fighters among them. Quite a few have even infiltrated the area around the Imperial Capital. I propose establishing an elite force specifically to garrison the Imperial Capital."

"That makes sense... But will General Budo agree?" The Young Emperor hesitated.

"General Budo is responsible for guarding the palace fortress. It is the glorious duty passed down through his family for generations, and I naturally would not dare overstep my bounds. But this new force would operate only within and around the Imperial Capital. It would not interfere with the guards inside the palace fortress," Honest explained.

"Oh, then there is no problem. This would also ease the defensive burden on the Imperial Guard. General Budo would surely welcome it."

The Young Emperor nodded, then suddenly had an idea. He said to Syura and Iori, "Syura, you were born of noble blood and are so loyal to me. Though Izou is a commoner, he possesses the spirit of a knight, as well as heroic courage and righteousness.

You are both pillars of the Empire's future and must be promoted. I have decided that the two of you will command this new army!"

"By your command. We will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty."

"Good. I grant you the rank of 'General.' Go and deal with the rebel army!"

In times of national crisis, one thought of capable generals. Seeing such loyal and courageous subjects in this difficult hour, the Young Emperor felt that the situation was excellent and that suppressing the rebellion was just around the corner!

"Overthrowing the Empire is just around the corner!"

Nadjeta could never have imagined that after only a few days, Iori had transformed into an Imperial General.

Thinking of how hard she had worked to climb the ranks, then looking at the magnificent transformation of Iori, a wanted criminal... Even though she had long since given up on the Empire, she could not help but say, "The Empire is doomed."

Honest and the Young Emperor probably could not have imagined that the trusted General they had conferred a title upon in the Imperial Palace during the day would relocate to a secret wilderness base that very night and meet with Revolutionary Army officers.

All one could say was that Shangri-La was really useful~

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

Nadjeta was deeply puzzled. "Join the army and reform it from within? Or go undercover? I'm not trying to discourage you, but that probably won't work."

She herself had risen through the Imperial Army, so she naturally knew how difficult internal reform was and just how rotten military discipline had become. She did not think highly of Iori's choice.

"Who said I wanted reform? I simply wanted the position." Iori smiled faintly. "After all, it's easier to get things done when you have an official title~"

"I don't understand... Every move you make is so unexpected."

Nadjeta shook her head. Though she did not understand what Iori was planning, she was certain that he was not the Empire's lackey. Their positions were aligned, and that was enough.

"What do you want to trade this time?"

"Intelligence and heads."

Iori said without concealment, "I want intelligence on powerful local families, landlords, and corrupt officials across the land. In return, I'll give you their heads."

"Assassinations?" Nadjeta considered it. "That's a rather large number. By yourself—"

"Not assassinations, and not by myself."

Iori cut her off, smiling faintly. "I'll openly lead an army as an Imperial General to crusade against potential enemies colluding with the rebel army!"

"...Are you joking?" Nadjeta looked utterly stunned. "Your official position was granted by the minister and the Emperor. How could they possibly allow you to do that?"

"Because they are colluding with the Revolutionary Army."

Nadjeta was even more speechless. "It's not collusion just because you say it is."

"If it were only my word, of course it wouldn't work. But don't you have an assassin who can change her appearance a thousand ways?"

"...Huh?"

"If Minister's son Syura receives intelligence, Imperial General Izou discovers evidence, the traitor herself—Chelsea—confesses in person, the Revolutionary Army tries to break her out of prison, and the men I recruited—the island warriors—keep their mouths shut, then I send half the confiscated wealth to Honest—

Tell me, would anyone believe it?"

Nadjeta: "...Huh?"

Akame: A Female Boss Is Such a Turnoff!

The residence of a certain local governor was especially bustling today. Squads of stern-faced soldiers with strange hairstyles surrounded the governor's estate, sealing its four gates and forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. They disarmed every guard and brought all personnel in the residence under control.

A local governor was already considered upper class among the Empire's ruling elite, and in his own territory, he was effectively a regional lord. To dare surround a governor's residence in broad daylight was no different from rebellion!

Yet strangely, aside from the guards of the governor's estate putting up some resistance, the troops stationed inside and outside the city remained silent. None came to offer support, collectively watching as the highest-ranking local official was seized.

There were two reasons for this:

First, the force that had raided the governor's estate was extremely elite. There were only a hundred men, yet every one of them was a highly skilled swordsman. More than ten of them possessed Ministerial Arms.

What did that mean? Forget the increasingly rotten local forces—even if the most elite Imperial Guard were brought in, the same number of them would not be able to win!

They only earned a few hundred copper coins a month. Why risk their lives against those people? Shout a few slogans toward the heavens, and that was enough to justify the salary the court paid them.

Second, these people were neither bandits nor rebellious insurgents. On the contrary, they had an official designation!

They were the legitimate Imperial Capital Garrison Force!

Just hearing the name made them sound far more impressive than country bumpkins like them. Since they had come under orders to arrest the governor, the old man must have offended some big shot and was about to be removed from office.

At a time like this, if they did not hurry to distance themselves, were they supposed to go crawling over and get involved?

Not only the soldiers, but even the captured governor himself was uneasy and panicked, looking exactly like a man with a guilty conscience.

—If he had no guilt, why would Iori have come after him?

"Hmph, old man, you secretly colluded with the Revo—cough, with those rebel traitors. Now that the evidence and culprit have both been caught, what else do you have to say?!"

"Rebel traitors?"

The governor, held under guard, froze for a moment before suddenly shouting, "I've been wronged! I have never colluded with rebel traitors!"

"You won't give up until you see the coffin. How do you explain the many letters found in your residence?!"

"How could this be... It is indeed my handwriting, but I... No, you're framing me! Why? Why would Lord Honest do this?

We agreed to split the tax revenue seventy-thirty! I only took thirty percent—I didn't dare withhold even a single coin more!"

The governor seemed convinced that this was political persecution, because he knew that he really had not colluded with the rebels... Strictly speaking, he simply had not gotten around to it yet.

The Revolutionary Army had actually contacted him, but the governor had sternly rejected them. The Empire was still powerful, and the Revolutionary Army did not seem to have much of a future. If the Revolutionary Army ever truly gained power one day, it would not be too late to side with them then.

But if this was political persecution, then the mastermind could only be Honest—wasn't his son leading the force?

Yet the governor could not understand why Honest wanted to get rid of him... It was true that he had tampered with the tax revenue a little. They had agreed on a seventy-thirty split, but in truth, he kept more than he handed over to Honest.

But if you were dissatisfied, you could have just talked to me! It was only a matter of money. Why did it have to come to this?

"I want to see the minister! I want to see His Majesty! I have rendered service to the Empire! I have shed blood for the court! You can't do this to—Mmph mmph mmph!"

Iori impatiently waved his hand. The warriors from the Eastern Island Nation immediately stepped forward, gagged the man, and dragged him away.

He was truly beyond saving... He had committed countless acts of bullying men and women, murder, and arson, yet at this crucial moment, all he could think about was tax revenue. It proved that he had never cared about the lives of ordinary people. Instinctively, he believed those were not serious crimes, nowhere near as important as splitting spoils with the minister.

After the governor was arrested, his family was also gathered for supervision. Iori casually swept his gaze over them, singled out several people—including the governor's son and first wife—and had them specially detained. The rest were released on the spot and allowed to come and go freely.

Iori was not afraid of wronging good people, because he had previously observed the governor's estate for an entire day in spirit form. Combined with the intelligence he had gathered beforehand, he already knew exactly who deserved to die, who had merely gone along with the current, and who was entirely innocent.

As for why he had personally investigated despite already having intelligence from the Revolutionary Army—it was simple. He had no desire to become anyone's "blade"!

He would only act against genuine evildoers. That way, he would bear the least mental burden and avoid leaving behind inner demons that could affect his future Bankai.

And Iori could not completely trust the Revolutionary Army. Who knew whether they might add a few political enemies who were innocent in the first place to the list?

He could cooperate with others, but he would never foolishly let himself be used!

After a while, under Iori's orders, Syura gathered all the prominent figures in the city at the central square. More than ten prisoners, including the governor, were also escorted there.

Such a grand display naturally drew many commoners to watch the excitement. Once they discovered that the people kneeling in the square were all important figures, more and more people gathered until the area was soon packed solid.

Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Iori stepped forward and briefly read out several charges against the governor, including collaborating with the enemy, corruption, and murder. The pale-faced governor confessed to them all, immediately causing a huge uproar!

The people burst into commotion. They had suffered much oppression in the past, and now that they saw the governor about to fall, they were naturally ecstatic. Curses rose one after another.

The officials looked at one another, their legs trembling. None dared say a word.

Although they did not know what conflict existed between the minister and the governor, judging others by themselves... they felt that the minister would not mind killing a few more people. They absolutely could not stand out at a time like this!

Moreover, no one doubted that the minister was behind it. Syura was leading the force, after all. With such obvious facts, what was there to ponder?

After the people's cries died down somewhat, Iori waved his hand and had the governor—or rather, the assassin Chelsea—taken away. Then he brought forth several other principal criminals.

They were all the governor's accomplices, some from the Yakuza and some from legitimate circles. They had helped the governor "manage" this city for years, committing countless atrocities.