You're Strong, Sir, but My Art Style Is Above Yours!

Even her huge appetite could count as an adorable trait~

Of course, none of that was important. What mattered was that Iori had taken a liking to her pure and noble soul. It had absolutely nothing to do with her looks, mhm!

"Preferential treatment? To use my earlier words, it should be 'favoritism.'"

Iori spread his hands. "You know I'm a man who never hides his feelings."

"..."

Akame touched her cheek awkwardly. To be honest, she liked Iori too—not merely because he had helped her, but because Iori himself gave off a mysterious charm that made Akame want to get closer. The occasional tenderness that showed through his wild and arrogant words and actions moved her deeply as well.

But the way this guy usually spoke and acted always made him seem like he was not very serious... Akame could not tell whether he was telling the truth or joking.

The black-haired, straight-haired girl felt vaguely uneasy about it, to the point that she did not want to delve further into the matter.

What if Iori is serious? How should I answer?

From childhood to adulthood, Akame had only been taught various techniques for killing people and disposing of corpses. She had no experience in romance, nor any examples to refer to.

For an assassin, rashly entering an unknown Shura Field without intelligence was an extremely dangerous act!

So Akame shamefully retreated... but it had to be said, it worked quite well!

Sure enough, Iori did not continue discussing the matter. Instead, he brought up another topic.

"Oh, right. There's something I wanted to ask... Um, does your Revolutionary Army have any private contact with the Anning Dao?"

The Cult Leader and His Lamb

The Anning Dao was a typical "commoner religion" that had spread rapidly amid troubled times.

Here, "commoner" meant that the primary targets of its preaching were the lower and middle classes, especially those struggling at the poverty line. By drawing them in, it expanded its influence and strength. At the same time, it provided people living difficult lives with a certain amount of material support and spiritual comfort, giving it some of the qualities of a mutual aid society.

The earliest form of Christianity on Earth had been similar.

Of course, wool came from the sheep. To continuously provide relief to the people and spread the faith, there had to be a stable source of income. Usually, that meant seeking donations from wealthy believers in the middle and upper classes... but even then, expenses generally exceeded income, so the "relief" offered by commoner religions was often little more than cheap gestures.

Yet even that could make the people grateful. After all, even a small kindness was far better than the bone-scraping Imperial officials.

By analogy, it was easy to understand why the Great Teacher of Virtue had been able to stir up such a massive wave back then—never mind whether talisman water was mystical nonsense, he had actually dared to enter plague zones and treat the sick!

Wasn't that far better than a court that let the plague run rampant and left the people to fend for themselves?!

The darker and crueler the era, the more important such visible hope became. Even if it was only a faint spark, it was enough to win the people's faith.

The Anning Dao was like that. It had begun as a small sect, but rapidly developed into a major organization with considerable influence around the Imperial Capital and even in the border provinces.

A large part of that was because the Anning Dao's Cult Leader was very unusual. It was said that he possessed extraordinary personal charisma, as well as innate abilities to heal wounds and foresee the future. He could see through people's hearts and even remember every believer's name and number.

—He was practically the perfect template for a religious leader!

Because of his healing ability, the powerful and wealthy of the Imperial Capital were generally willing to befriend him, and often made things convenient for the Anning Dao's activities.

Now that the situation had deteriorated, his influence among the people had made him someone all sides wanted to win over. The Revolutionary Army, the nobility, and local powers had all privately sent people to speak with him. However, the Cult Leader himself had yet to make a clear statement, perhaps to preserve the Anning Dao's independence... or perhaps because he was waiting for the best offer.

Although his status had become increasingly distinguished, he had never forgotten his original intentions. He still often personally went to the slums to provide relief. He also heard confessions and treated illnesses for high-society figures, using that to build connections and raise funds for his activities.

Today, the Cult Leader received two letters of introduction. One came from the Empire's official side. Apparently, a general was very curious about the Anning Dao's teachings and wanted to give them a try.

The other had no sender, but its code indicated that it came from the Revolutionary Army.

Neither visitor named in the two letters of introduction had left a name, only their personal seal. Interestingly, the seals of these two people, who were supposedly from opposing camps, were exactly identical!

It was a blue character for "Soul." Though the Cult Leader did not understand its true meaning, he was very familiar with it, because this seal design had recently become widespread among the people.

It was said to be the mark of a general who hated evil. Wherever this seal appeared, it meant that the local governor or lord was about to be purged.

Some people who could no longer endure oppression would secretly carve this symbol into doors or walls, silently praying for that general to arrive sooner, using it to vent their dissatisfaction.

Apparently, some officials really had become terrified after many such symbols appeared in their jurisdictions, becoming much more restrained in their usual conduct.

As a result, stories of the Masked General spread even more widely. Even near the Imperial Capital, many commoners were interested in him.

Naturally, the Leader of the Anning Dao paid extra attention to someone who seemed to be in the same line of work. He just had not expected that, before he could send anyone to investigate, the other party would come directly to his door—with letters of introduction from both the Revolutionary Army and the Empire!

Was he here to demonstrate his power, or to imply something?

A fellow whose intentions were hard to guess and whose identity was unknown... quite interesting~

The Cult Leader was not intimidated by the two letters. With a gentle, spring-breeze smile, he welcomed the mysterious guest who had concealed himself entirely beneath a cloak and mask.

Iori really did ask about the Anning Dao's teachings, and the Cult Leader readily obliged. In a magnetic voice, he gave Iori a detailed introduction. He had no intention of preaching, merely explaining, and he was extremely thorough—perhaps even... overly candid.

For example, he frankly admitted that believing in the Anning Dao could not truly free one from suffering. It could only bring spiritual "peace." He could only heal ordinary illnesses as well, and did not possess the ability to "save the world" as described in the teachings.

He even said this without avoiding other people!

Four attendants had been serving behind him the entire time. They turned a deaf ear to those words, apparently long accustomed to them.

"Is it really all right to be so honest with an outsider like me?"

Iori asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid I'll spread it around and damage your prestige?"

"Those who truly believe in the Anning Dao from their hearts will automatically ignore the truth even if you tell it to them. Likewise, those who harbor doubts about the Anning Dao will pretend they did not hear it. This does not mean they are foolish. On the contrary, it proves they are wise enough—they understand how to survive."

The Cult Leader admitted openly, "The relief that the Anning Dao itself can offer believers is very limited. There are simply too many people for us to attend to every one of them.

But the very act of 'joining the Anning Dao' is meaningful to believers. Through their identity as believers, they can unite and support one another through hardship.

Human beings are fragile as individuals, but when gathered in sufficient numbers, they can produce considerable strength... Even the poorest commoners understand the importance of huddling together for warmth."

"I see. The fundamental reason the Anning Dao was able to grow so quickly was that it gave ordinary people a legitimate reason to band together." Iori understood.

"Some people genuinely believe."

The Cult Leader said calmly, "After all, when everyone around you follows the same teachings, it is only natural for your mind to be influenced."

"Interesting... Sorry, I thought you were some charlatan or decorative puppet before. I really underestimated you.

Now it seems you're actually a very rational, intelligent man with an exceptionally clear view of things.

Legend says you possess the ability to foresee the future and read minds... Perhaps that really is true."

Iori smiled faintly behind his mask, but his voice was unusually cold. "But that confirms another of my guesses:

Your deputy, Berik, uses your name to amass wealth and seduce female believers. Outsiders all think he does these things behind your back, taking advantage of your trust in him...

But the truth is actually the exact opposite. He is merely a 'lamb' you raised, ready to be thrown out as a sacrifice at any time, isn't he?"

The four attendants all gripped the blades hidden within their wide sleeves. As for the Cult Leader—

He merely smiled without speaking.

Take Down the Whole Damn World!

The Cult Leader raised a hand, signaling his attendants to release their weapons. He said to Iori with composed calm, "I have always trusted Berik. I know nothing about what you mentioned... Let us assume that is the case for now."

"Heh~"

"Though both the Revolutionary Army and the Empire believe I possess great influence among the commoners and hope I will declare support for one side, I know very well that my believers are merely farmers, small merchants, and craftsmen. They already have to exhaust every effort merely to survive in this world."

The Cult Leader looked deeply at Iori. Though he could not see the expression beneath the mask, he felt that this person was not saying such things merely to test him.

"Today's sermon is over. Sir, you should leave. I have no interest in which side you belong to—"

Thud~ Thud~ Thud~

A series of muffled groans and falling sounds rang out, followed by the sound of heavy objects hitting the floor.

The Cult Leader turned around in shock, only to find Iori standing three or four meters behind him at some unknown point. His attendants had all rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious onto the ground.

What alarmed him even more was that two white-clad, masked figures had fallen as well... These were guards secretly assigned to protect him, and they were quite skilled. But now...

"They merely passed out. Don't misunderstand. I just think it is easier to speak openly when we are alone."

Iori made no attempt to hide his dominance. "Besides, you need to understand who is in charge here."

"Killing me would benefit neither the Revolutionary Army nor the Empire." The Cult Leader remained calm.

"But I belong to neither side." Iori chuckled.

This time, the Cult Leader could no longer remain composed...

"Can't you distinguish lies and see through people's thoughts? Then you should know that everything I'm saying is what I truly think." Iori said leisurely. "Let's have a heart-to-heart talk, Esteemed Cult Leader."

"Which faction are you from, then? Don't tell me you're one of the Royalists..."

"They are unworthy. No one can control me, so this is merely a personal conversation between you and me. There is no need for concern."

The young man asked gently, "I'm curious. What exactly is your stance in this chaotic era?"

"...I cannot control which side my believers choose, nor will I use my own will to influence them.

All I can do is try my best to maintain the Anning Dao and provide relief to as many people as possible."

"Even so, you are rather indulgent toward Berik."

Iori strolled leisurely through the hall, admiring the exquisite paintings on the walls as he spoke unhurriedly. "A religious leader capable of developing a sect to this scale could never be a foolish man, especially when rumors abound that you possess the ability to 'see through people's hearts.'

How could such a wise Cult Leader not know what his right-hand man does every day?

If you were merely a figurehead, that would be one thing. But the strength of religion lies in public recognition. You possess incomparable prestige among the believers. Berik has no chance of sidelining you, much less controlling everything alone.

Then there is only one answer: this is the result of your deliberate indulgence."

The Cult Leader's gaze shifted for an instant before quickly returning to Iori's, meeting his eyes. "Berik is no good person. He is greedy, incompetent, and easy to see through—a very suitable puppet. Although he thinks himself a collaborator of Minister Honest, that is not actually the case.

However, precisely because he is incompetent and foolish, even when he commits evil, he only pursues personal pleasure and cannot shake the larger situation."

Hearing this, Iori became even more pleased. He had initially only wanted to see what was happening within the Anning Dao and whether it had any value to exploit, but now he had become interested in the Cult Leader himself.

This guy really had something to him!

"Then let me guess...

You have always maintained neutrality publicly, but privately lean toward the Revolutionary Army. Berik, as your deputy, is secretly Minister Honest's man, and his words have immense influence over the 'weak and incompetent' you.

—As long as this balance continues, both the Revolutionary Army and the Minister will believe the situation is under their control and will not move against the Anning Dao, because that would mean pushing this organization into the opposing camp.

Then, once the situation gradually becomes clear, if the Empire holds the advantage, you will continue being a 'muddled' Cult Leader. If the Revolutionary Army wins, you will eliminate Berik as the chief culprit—allowing you to wait for the best offer. Is that right?"

An expert! Iori could barely stop himself from applauding!

These methods were so brilliant that they did not seem like something a character from Akame ga Kill! could possess!

Had he wandered here by mistake from the set of Legend of the Galactic Heroes?

"...Wait for the best offer?"

The Cult Leader fell silent for a moment. For the first time, the smile disappeared from his face. He asked Iori in return, "What else can I do?

If I call upon my believers to join this cruel beast fight, they will be the first side sacrificed. Even if they win, they will pay a terrible price.

And though the Empire is corrupt, its border army and central guard remain powerful. If the Anning Dao fails... do you know how the Empire treats 'heretical cults' and 'traitors'?

The Revolutionary Army is far gentler toward the people, but they have yet to demonstrate any ability to govern. Even if they take the realm, they will be unable to restore the ruined farmland and cities in a short time. After all, no one can conjure food from thin air. The lives of the lower classes will not immediately improve... And if the war drags on, with massive casualties among the young and strong, the surrounding foreign tribes will begin to harbor ambitions.

What am I supposed to do at a time like that?

All I can do is shelter a few more believers and preserve a little more strength."

"And yet you turn a blind eye to Berik's actions?"

"Anyone fooled by Berik's rhetoric is foolish themselves. Besides, this is a necessary sacrifice for the sake of stability in the larger situation!"

"I see. I understand what kind of person you are now. A little twisted, perhaps... but a rather good target to use."

Iori nodded, then suddenly said, "Wait here for a moment. Don't wander off. I'm going to buy you a gift."

"...What did you say?"

Before his words had even faded, the Cult Leader blinked, and Iori had already vanished. He stood there blankly by himself for a moment.

"What was that?"

He had wanted to leave, but after seeing the unconscious guards and attendants on the ground, he considered it seriously and decided to obediently remain where he was.

Sure enough, Iori kept his word. He soon returned to the hall and tossed a spherical gift to the Cult Leader.

The sphere rolled to the Cult Leader's feet, leaving a trail of blood behind it. Even the well-traveled Cult Leader was horrified when he saw the face clearly.

"Berik!"