The Firewood King Ascends the Throne (Just Kidding) (5.2K)

They talked from night until dawn, and no one went to sleep. Even if someone dozed off, they would be mercilessly Mahiro up by Mahiro.

Even when it was time to change shifts, he didn't stop. He simply let those who were supposed to stand guard leave, and Nahashu and Green even thoughtfully kept watch for them.

This was also the first time these girls had seen such a terrifying side of Yotsuba Mahiro.

I'm even more curious about why he's so eloquent.

That's obvious; otherwise, why would Mayumi have jokingly asked him to go on stage and help with the debate?

"So, did you all remember that?"

"... I... I've remembered it..."

The four people in front of him answered listlessly.

As dawn broke, they finally escaped the hell of preaching. They were very envious of the people who had patrolled the night before, who were Akame and Kurome, and resented that it wasn't their group.

They had truly witnessed how terrifying Yotsuba Mahiro was.

Without exception, they all silently vowed in their hearts that they would never make the same mistake again, and that they would never let something like this happen again!

Time passed day by day.

During this nearly week-long period, nothing particularly dangerous happened. However, Minister Honest secretly sent people to visit the young prince twice to check on his condition.

That night, when the atmosphere was so tense it felt like it had frozen, finally, there was movement in the palace as news of the old emperor's passing arrived!

The young prince trembled with fear, his face pale, but he did not shed a single tear.

She knew very well what this meant; even seeing her father one last time was a pipe dream, and she understood the perilous situation she had fallen into from this moment on.

Although she was young, she knew that from this moment on, she had lost her greatest protection.

If she were to leave this place now, many people would probably want to kill her.

Because the struggle for the throne among the princes has reached its final moment, even those brothers and sisters who seem kind on ordinary days may turn into ruthless beasts at this moment!

Right now, she can only rely on one person—

"Big brother Yotsuba Clan, you'll protect me, right?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

He comforted the young princess.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a loud commotion erupted outside—clearly the sound of fighting!

Immediately afterwards, someone barged in.

"Yotsuba Clan, a small team outside is attempting to force their way into the inner courtyard. Your men are currently holding them off!"

The visitor was one of the guards arranged by Minister Honest.

The current situation is indeed as he said: the eight-man group led by Nahashu is desperately resisting the attack of dozens of armored soldiers.

Judging from their attire, they must be the palace guards!

These guards were all highly skilled. Although Nahashu and his companions had experienced a leap in physical fitness and were able to unleash tremendous combat power with the aid of their improved equipment, they were still able to achieve great results.

However, they were ultimately slightly inferior in skill and could not compare to these battle-hardened veterans, not to mention the vast difference in numbers.

The veterans worked together and easily separated the eight men, allowing them to fight independently.

Even with superhuman strength and terrifying regenerative abilities, it was only a matter of time before they were worn down by nearly a hundred elite soldiers.

"You ungrateful wretch! Get out of my way, I need to take the Princess to see His Majesty one last time!"

If Mahiro now, he would definitely recognize that voice.

Because it was none other than his former superior, the Minister of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps!

"Don't think you can fool us with lies. If your goal is to take the young prince to see His Majesty, why did you bring a group of armed soldiers with you?"

Nahashu wiped the blood off his sword, stepped forward, and calmly stood on the corpse, his expression completely unmoved!

"Hmph, you have no right to question me! Go and call your superiors out, or you'll be killed on sight!" the garrison commander said sternly, his voice full of threat.

He and Minister Honest were not in the same camp, and he supported another crown prince.

If the prince he supports can ascend the throne, then Minister Honest will be absolutely doomed to defeat.

No matter how powerful he was in the court, with just one word from the new emperor, Minister Honest would be dead without a doubt!

As for the issue of non-compliance, there's no need to consider it at all.

The empire's most powerful general, General Budo, was in charge of suppressing all dissent, especially the staunch royalists who only obeyed the emperor's orders.

It is the last and most solid line of defense protecting the empire!

So at this moment, he borrowed a small squad from the palace guards, intending to take advantage of the current chaos within the palace to kill the princess that Honest was going to support, thus cutting off Honest's hopes!

"Big brother Yotsuba Clan, what... what should we do now?"

Seeing that she was in danger, the princess grabbed Mahiro, her big, watery eyes filled with tears.

Will she be able to be saved?

She herself was unsure, given the sheer number of the opposing side; the chances were practically nonexistent.

But the next second, a familiar feeling came from above her head. Mahiro's large hand was once again placed on her head, gently stroking her long hair.

"Don't worry, I've said it before, as long as I'm here, no one can touch a hair on your head."

Mahiro smiled slightly, then looked up through the crack in the window at her former boss, and said softly:

"How about this, Your Highness? Didn't he want to take you to see the old emperor one last time? Why don't you step forward and tell him your true thoughts?"

Chapter 138 The King of Cinder Ascends the Throne (Big Fog) (5.2K)

"Stop!"

"Your Royal Highness!"

Upon seeing the newcomers, the head of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps was delighted and immediately ordered his men to cease their attack.

But then he noticed that there were other people with the young princess, and he was immediately taken aback!

"Vice Minister Yotsuba Clan, what are you doing here?"

At this moment, the minister of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps's face had darkened.

He never expected Yotsuba Mahiro to be here. He had tried so hard to get him involved, but to no avail, and now—

"Have you already sided with Minister Honest?"

"Seek refuge? When did that happen? How come I didn't know?"

Yotsuba Mahiro's reaction was calm, with a faint smile on her face that was hard to decipher.

"Since you haven't pledged allegiance, then I, as the Minister of the Guard, hereby order you to bring the princess to me!" the minister said coldly.

Although it was the first time the minister had given him an order, he felt that Yotsuba Mahiro was a wise man who knew how to seize opportunities, after all, he had been promoted by bribing him.

"That's impossible, Your Excellency," Makoto said Mahiro, shrugging. "My orders are to protect the young prince, and he's not really willing to go with you."

"... No, that's right! I will absolutely not go with you! You traitors and rebels, get out of here at once!"

Mahiro and the young prince sang in unison.

Seemingly because he had someone backing him up, the young prince became unusually assertive and displayed his authority.

The minister didn't even bother to glance at the young prince, his gaze fixed on Yotsuba Mahiro, his eyes filled with gloom.

"Are you really going to go against me?"

"Using the word 'oppose' is an overstatement, Minister." Mahiro smiled faintly. "I've said it before, my mission is to protect the young prince. Apart from that, you can do whatever you want, even kill that fat pig Honest, I have no objection."

When the young prince heard him call Honest a fat pig, he was slightly taken aback at first, then burst out laughing.

That's a very accurate description; it really does look like him, considering how fat he is.

However, that wasn't what the minister cared about.

"Who gave you this order? I don't recall giving such an instruction."

As for General Budo, that's even more impossible.

That person never cared about the affairs of the guards, always leaving them to him, while he devoted himself entirely to the palace guards, solely responsible for protecting the royal family.

"It's the Assassination Department. I forgot to tell you, Minister, that I recently took on the additional role of Deputy Minister of the Assassination Department."

"Then how are you any different from siding with Minister Honest?!"

The head of the security forces almost choked on his breath.

Everyone knows that the Imperial Assassination Corps was established by Minister Honest and the head of the intelligence agency, Shikou, who colluded with each other and stood on the same side.

The so-called Assassination Department was essentially the minister's private army!

"That's not right, Minister. I don't know if you've heard this saying, but my superior's superior isn't my superior. In other words, you can say that Minister Bill is Honest's man, but I'm not."

"That's sophistry!"

The minister retorted coldly, but then immediately changed his tone.

"Fine, I don't want to waste any more time with you. I'll give you one last chance. If you abandon your allegiance and help me capture the princess, I guarantee you'll be promoted to Minister of the Guard in no time. Don't waste this golden opportunity for advancement!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, the little prince tugged at Mahiro's sleeve and said seriously:

"Vice Minister Yotsuba Clan... as long as you can protect my safety, I... I will never forget you. I can even promote you to Minister of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps! And I will give you full command of the Assassination Department!"

"Look, Minister, someone has offered a higher price than you. What should we do?"

Mahiro smiled mockingly.

"Besides, what kind of nonsense is this 'abandoning darkness for light'? Are you really that much better than that fat pig Honest? It's just the pot calling the kettle black."

That's absolutely true.

Was the empire's decay solely caused by Minister Honest?

No, that's not the case.

It is the highest level of Imperial Capital, and all factions are corrupt.

Gresham's Law applies here: Gresham's Law applies here. This group of people ousted capable ministers with conscience from their posts and turned the entire Imperial Capital and even the whole empire into their backyard!

His words made the minister's face turn very ugly.

He never imagined that the deputy minister he had recruited out of momentary greed would become his biggest threat!

"Hmph, since that's the case, don't blame me for not showing any mercy! I just heard back in the military that you, Yotsuba Mahiro, have defeated General Esdeath several times. Let me see if you're as exaggerated as the rumors say!"

"All personnel, listen to my command: kill without mercy!"

The guards exchanged glances for a moment, then grabbed their weapons and charged forward.

They were indeed the Imperial Palace Guard, but in reality, they were also assassins trained by the Minister of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps, specially planted within the guard for this very day.

Moreover, the minister had previously obtained the order from General Budo under the pretext of protecting the crown prince.

In other words, no one will come here for some time to come. Even if the princess is killed, the blame can be placed on Minister Honest and his Assassination Department, which would ensure Minister Honest's death!

However, plans never keep up with changes, and he failed to anticipate the variables involving Yotsuba Mahiro and his elite team.

The nearly 100-strong guard was stopped by only eight men!

"How is that possible!"

"Why not? Don't blink now, Your Excellency Minister."

Yotsuba Mahiro his move.

He pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at the night sky.

"Bala" activated!

Suddenly, hundreds of strange halos of light appeared in the sky, swirling slightly.

Immediately afterwards, thousands of sharp hailstones burst forth!

It fell from the sky like a torrential downpour.

"Ah!!!"