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

Thus, she had already made up her mind: she would rather kill herself than let Iori manipulate her!

Yet Iori's next words far exceeded her expectations. "Lay down your butcher's knife and become my subordinate, Esdeath!"

"...What did you say?!"

The female general's first reaction was disbelief. Though she had chosen to join the Imperial Army and nominally pledged loyalty to the Young Emperor, she was in truth an independent armed leader with the nature of a warlord. Her relationship with Honest, the minister who held real power in the Empire, was merely one of cooperation—not Master and Servant.

She did indeed believe in the law of the jungle, and she recognized the basic logic that the weak followed the strong. Quite a few of her subordinates had been subdued by her force before being completely conquered by her charisma as a leader.

But she herself had no intention of following that law of the jungle, because the weak had only one innate right in this cruel world—choosing "death."

If she did not fear death, she could simply refuse Iori's invitation.

Esdeath was certainly not someone afraid of death. She was about to mock Iori when the boy spoke first. "Don't you want to go even further and obtain greater power?"

"—?!" The Huntress drew a deep breath and emptied her mind of every thought. Only Iori's words remained in her head.

Greater power—of course she wanted it!

That was what Esdeath had always pursued so desperately!

"Though we stand on different sides, I bear you no personal ill will."

Iori spoke seriously. "Because in this era where beasts devour men and monsters run rampant, you have always kept your interests confined to the battlefield. You only torture your enemies and never target unarmed civilians—that alone is already rare."

It was rather ridiculous when one thought about it. A cold-blooded warlord like Esdeath should have been someone to be purged, but her peers made her look good... In Akame ga Kill!, she was actually considered one of the more conscientious nobles!

At the very least, she truly had no interest in bullying ordinary people. Nor would she suddenly say something like, "I don't eat beef." Whenever she killed, she always had a legitimate reason—at least from her own perspective.

In fact, one could tell from her ability to lead troops. A general who could make her subordinates willingly die for her could never be scum like Syura. She might be a villain, but she was an immensely charismatic one!

"Talent is hard to come by... I can give you an opportunity."

Standing above Esdeath, Iori looked down at her as their gazes met. "Cast aside your pride. Follow behind me and clear the obstacles in my path!

And as your reward, once you have rendered great service, I will give you another chance to challenge me!"

"...Really?"

Unexpectedly, Esdeath was actually tempted!

To outsiders, Esdeath—who had already reached the pinnacle of the world at merely twenty—was undoubtedly a prodigy to be envied and feared. But Esdeath herself knew that as she grew stronger, there were fewer and fewer opponents worthy of fighting her.

Before meeting Iori, it had been a long time since she had encountered a battle that made her blood boil.

Perhaps for the next two years, she could still regard General Budo as an opponent, and she had no doubt that she could defeat him... But what would come after that?

For a combat genius, having no suitable opponents to temper herself against was undoubtedly despairing.

Top-tier Imperial Arms users were impossible to find, Super Dangerous Species were nearly extinct, and the few remaining ones were hidden and difficult to locate...

She was simply too powerful for this world!

But today, Esdeath had gained a new choice:

The man before her, who could defeat her with ease, unquestionably possessed strength beyond General Budo or a Super Dangerous Species. He would be a peak she could not surmount for a long time to come!

Was this not a trial bestowed upon her by heaven?

One defeat proved nothing. A warrior was not truly defeated until her heart surrendered!

And the price she had to pay for such an opportunity was merely loyalty. It was an incredible bargain.

Submitting to him was nothing. As long as she surpassed Iori in the future, she could turn around and "tame" her master instead.

When that day came, Esdeath would be even more domineering and overbearing than Iori. She would turn this man into her dog and make him regret it beyond measure!

"Fine!"

Esdeath smiled with utter confidence, never doubting her choice.

Beneath his mask, Iori smiled faintly as well. He could guess Esdeath's thoughts, but he was not concerned. After all... the gap between them would only grow wider. If Esdeath became too obsessed, she would likely fall into an abyss of despair!

"Did you see that?"

"I saw it. It was Lord Esdeath... Ah, Lord Esdeath lost!"

"What? Impossible!"

"Damn it... Look, that guy beat Lord Esdeath to her knees. He's probably going to take her back as a sex— I Always Welcome Criticism

"Esdeath, as a hound of the Empire, has committed countless unforgivable crimes. Yet the realm is in chaos, vicious enemies surround us, the people face the danger of slaughter, and the common folk hang in desperate peril. Thus, in troubled times, harsh measures must be used; extraordinary people must do what others cannot! For today's matter, I shall cut off my hair in place of my head, and we shall see what follows~"

Iori let out a long breath, his gaze sweeping across the dumbfounded crowd. "I'm done speaking. Who agrees? Who objects?"

"...I... I?"

"Hmm?"

The boy's eyes immediately sharpened, though his tone remained gentle. "Speak freely. I have always welcomed criticism."

"It's not that I have any objections."

The speaker was the current owner of Possession of the Evil Spirit, the burly man Bulat. He looked at the short-haired Esdeath standing proudly beside Iori, then turned back to Iori.

"I just... didn't really understand what you said earlier. Could you explain it again? What does cutting off your hair in place of your head mean? I've never heard of it!"

"That is a famous anecdote from my homeland. Its specific meaning is..."

After thinking for a moment, Iori chuckled. "Translated, it means—

What? You don't like it?"

"..."

Everyone fell silent. Bulat turned to look at the frozen hell several hundred meters away. The battle that had lasted less than three minutes had completely changed the terrain. The two people before them looked human, but inside, they were indescribable monsters~

"No, I like it very much."

Even Bulat, who had always possessed tremendous backbone, had no desire to clash with Iori at this moment. Especially since they were allies, there was no need to push such a powerful friendly force to the other side.

As for him bringing an Imperial hound under his command... Look carefully. That was called abandoning darkness for the light!

Now even the strongest Imperial Arms user had become an ally. Was there anything more reassuring than that?

"Your fist is bigger. We'll listen to you."

—Bulat delivered the final conclusion. Whether they were Night Raid members or the Imperial Arms users under Iori, after witnessing that battle, no one dared raise an objection.

Especially Bruce and the others. Iori had drawn them under his command through various means. If they had once regarded him as a superior, benefactor, or teacher, they were now looking at him as some kind of "inhuman" existence.

As for whether that was admiration for a god or awe of a demon, Iori did not care in the slightest... Perhaps it was a mixture of both.

The Three Beasts had initially been unconvinced, but after Esdeath formally announced that she had joined Iori, the three Imperial Arms users led by Wali lowered their proud heads as well.

They were Esdeath's private army and held no particular loyalty to the Empire. Some worshipped Esdeath's power, while others had been conquered by the Ice Queen's force of character. In any case, they would obey the Huntress completely.

Iori did not pay much attention to the Three Beasts. Although he had subdued Esdeath, he had no plans to directly manage the military forces under her command—he had neither the relevant experience nor that much energy.

When it came to military affairs, Iori had always believed that professionals should handle professional matters.

This was, after all, a supernatural world where individual strength could crush armies. As long as Iori ensured that his own power remained above Esdeath's, he could control the overall situation without worrying that those below would conspire to rebel.

"Esdeath, you don't need to go to the Imperial Capital. Return to the northern frontier and consolidate your army. Keep the foreign tribes in check. You do not need to interfere in the chaos inland for now."

Iori did not avoid the Revolutionary Army members as he directly gave Esdeath her orders. "But remain ready at all times. When the necessary moment arrives, I will transfer you to the Imperial Capital."

"What?"

"Wait, Iori, you—"

"...You're just letting me go back?"

Everyone was shocked, and Esdeath was equally surprised. "What if I change my mind after returning to the army? Won't you take any precautions?"

"Precautions?"

Iori spread his hands. "Drugging you? Making you write a blood oath? Don't be ridiculous. Do you look like someone who could be bound by such methods?

Our Master and Servant relationship is founded upon the difference in our strength. As long as you do not abandon the idea of surpassing me, you will never betray me.

Since that is the case, why would I need precautions?"

"You really are confident."

Esdeath pulled down the brim of her hat, a faint curve forming at the corner of her lips. "Though that is indeed true."

"...Iori, there are some things I want to discuss with you. Would you honor me with a moment?"

Nadjeta, who had remained silent from beginning to end and had merely watched Esdeath, suddenly spoke up and invited Iori to talk somewhere private.

Iori readily agreed. He did not allow anyone to approach, giving Nadjeta the chance to speak with him alone.

"This truly exceeded my expectations. Defeating Esdeath was already an unparalleled feat, but making her sincerely submit... I fear even if the First Emperor returned to life, he would find it difficult to achieve."

Nadjeta began by flattering Iori, but every word was sincere. She had indeed been stunned by the strength Esdeath had displayed, and Iori, who stood even above that... was simply an existence beyond all standards.

She had always believed that strategy and deployment could reduce or eliminate differences in combat strength. For the first time, she realized there was a truth in this world:

Some monsters were simply powerful beyond reason!

"You had already recruited many Imperial Arms users and commanded an exceptionally elite army. Now you also have Esdeath as support... Though you are nominally still only a general, your actual influence has already surpassed General Budo's. You are truly the foremost figure in the Imperial Army!"

Nadjeta had come from the military herself, and she knew that the garrison corps across the land only appeared massive. In truth, they were bloated and mediocre in combat. The only forces truly capable of fighting were Budo's and Esdeath's troops.

And of those two, Esdeath's legion, which often fought on the frontier, was superior.

It could be said that gaining Esdeath's loyalty meant gaining both the strongest commander and the most elite army at once!

Honest had ruled in a cruel and perverse manner, murdered the previous Emperor, propped up a puppet child, and eliminated dissidents through every despicable method imaginable. Yet why had he remained unshakable?

Because Esdeath had been his powerful support!

Holding the Son of Heaven hostage to command the nobles was only part of the reason. True justice and popular sentiment lay in strength!

He controlled the center from within, while a great army answered his call from without. Which opposition faction could shake his authority?

For the same reason, although Honest lashed out at everyone else, he had never moved against General Budo. After all, Budo was also the strongest Imperial Arms user and held military power in his hands~

Strictly speaking, Budo possessed the ability to flip the table. But... a gentleman could be manipulated through principle.

Nadjeta was an exceptionally capable military and political talent. Though her worldview had been shattered repeatedly today, after organizing the information at hand, she keenly recognized an opportunity:

"Your series of strikes against the local powers has already created a huge rift between them and Honest. And now Esdeath has jumped ship to your side. Of the three pillars supporting the minister—

the bureaucracy, military power, and the Emperor—you have already cut off two!

If you are willing, you could wipe out Honest's faction almost instantly!"

"Oh." Iori nodded and asked, "And then?"

"...Then we can complete the revolution at a smaller cost, and the country can move in a better direction, can't it?" Nadjeta frowned.

"Perhaps."

Iori raised five fingers and explained to Nadjeta as though listing treasures. "In terms of scale, the only forces that can truly influence the situation now are the Revolutionary Army, Honest, General Budo, Esdeath, and the Young Emperor.

The Young Emperor is essentially a puppet with only symbolic prestige. But as the symbol of a thousand-year imperial system, many nobles and officials still truly serve him. General Budo is their representative.

Honest can no longer cause much trouble. If Esdeath declares her cooperation with the Revolutionary Army and I then execute Honest, we can stage a Great Political Restoration.

That is, we would outwardly recognize the Young Emperor as the shared sovereign, while the Royalists led by myself, Esdeath, the Revolutionary Army, and General Budo—the three sides—would govern jointly. It could indeed stabilize the country quickly and avoid too much turmoil."

"...Yes!"

Nadjeta had only possessed a rough idea and had not seen the situation as clearly as Iori. Now that he had laid it out, the entire situation suddenly seemed clear.

"In that case, the country and its people would—"

"Nothing would change."

Iori said emotionlessly, "There would be no real 'revolution.' It would merely be a redistribution of power among the upper ranks.

This so-called peace would only hide the contradictions rather than truly resolve them.

Sooner or later, the people would discover that their lives had not changed at all. Those ruling and oppressing them would still be nobles and bureaucrats. The only difference would be... this time, the upper class would possess absolute force, leaving the people with zero hope of resistance.

In the end, it would merely create a sturdier birdcage.

—Nadjeta, do you truly believe such a future would be good for the country... no, for the people at the bottom?"