Esdeath returns (please send flowers and boost the stats-thank you all)

"Yes, Master!"

"Understood, Master!"

After answering, Leone and Akame resumed their sparring.

"So handsome!"

Only then did Mine notice Lin Luo. She couldn't help stealing glances at his handsome face.

So this was that Devil?

He didn't look dangerous at all.

Stare!

Sheele, meanwhile, remained expressionless, betraying no emotion.

Off to the side, Najenda's eyes widened.

M-Master?

She stared at Leone in disbelief.

How long had she even been gone? Leone had already given herself away.

Did she have to be that fast?

The next day!

The entire Empire's court was shaken to its core.

Under Lin Luo's control, the emperor issued one decree after another.

First, Minister Honest was dismissed, and Najenda was appointed in his place.

Akame took over Budo's former position as grand general.

Leone was appointed governor of the Imperial Capital, with overall command of the guard.

There were only three appointments, but they completely reshuffled those who held power.

Naturally!

Countless ministers and nobles voiced fierce opposition.

Never mind the positions—the backgrounds of Najenda and the others were already deeply problematic.

And that day, those who objected never left the Imperial Palace again.

As for the former minister, Honest, he hadn't appeared at the morning court session at all.

For a time!

Everyone in court and beyond waited for Honest to make his move.

They knew that this ruthless man, who had long held the Empire's power in his hands, would never allow himself to lose it.

The night lay still as water!

Yet the Imperial Palace's great hall was brightly lit.

"You said Honest wants to invite me to a banquet?"

Lin Luo, who was reading on the throne, glanced up, his eyes flickering.

"That's right. Right now!"

Najenda said, "I didn't expect him to lose patience so quickly."

"You can't blame him. Everyone at court is watching him. If he doesn't react quickly, he'll really be finished."

Lin Luo put away his book and stepped down from the throne. "Let's go. It's time to deal with him."

At his words, Akame and the others hurried after him.

They left the Imperial Palace!

For some reason, the streets were unusually quiet that day.

Every shop around them had closed early, as though sensing something out of the ordinary.

"Master, someone is watching us."

Akame leaned closer and whispered, "Should we eliminate them?"

"If they like watching, let them watch."

Lin Luo smiled indifferently and led the women to Honest's Mansion.

Honest's overwhelming influence was plain to see from his Mansion alone.

Aside from its size, it was every bit as lavish as the Imperial Palace.

There were guards every few paces and sentries at every turn. Security was exceptionally tight.

"Are we just going to walk in?"

Mine instinctively followed behind Lin Luo, tightening her grip on the Pumpkin Cannon as though that gave her a little sense of security.

"What else would we do?"

"But... with just the few of us?"

"Relax. When we stormed the Imperial Palace yesterday, we didn't even have you two with us."

Lin Luo walked into the Mansion with a smile. "Besides, at most, we'll only be facing a few Teigu users."

"Isn't that right, Honest?"

As he spoke, a tall man in luxurious clothes approached them from ahead.

"Haha, you're quite right, Mr. Lin Luo."

Honest wore a broad smile as he said warmly, "That's why I don't want to be your enemy."

"I don't know how you managed to control the emperor, but how about we join forces?"

He wanted nothing more than to kill Lin Luo.

But after learning some of the details of yesterday's battle, he knew that had to be his last resort.

"So what qualifies you to negotiate with me?"

Lin Luo sounded amused. "Your status as a former minister?"

"Of course that's not all."

Honest clapped his hands, and figures slowly emerged from their surroundings.

Several others appeared beside Honest, taking up protective positions.

"Lord Demon, all these men hold important posts in the imperial military."

Najenda whispered, "And Honest's bodyguards are the Four Rakshasa Demons and Oka, the former captain of the guard. They're all formidable fighters."

Lin Luo blinked and asked Honest, "This is what you're relying on?"

"Of course."

Honest grinned.

“Even if you control the emperor, without my cooperation, the Empire will inevitably descend into chaos.”

"Judging by how you operate, that should matter to you, shouldn't it?"

He looked as though he had everything firmly under control.

Because no one understood the Empire better than he did.

"I suggest you accept the minister's terms."

Beside him, Oka sneered. “And give me back my position as captain of the guard. Otherwise...”

Crackle!

Before he could finish, a bolt of blue lightning flashed and struck Oka.

Boom!

The ground shook violently.

Oka was reduced to charred remains before he could even scream.

The entire Mansion fell silent.

Honest and all the officials around him wore bewildered expressions.

What just happened?

Chapter 21: Esdeath Returns (please send flowers and boost the stats—thank you all)

Inside Honest's Mansion!

Everyone was dumbstruck.

"H-He just attacked him like that?"

An officer stared wide-eyed, muttering under his breath.

What was going on?

Normally...

Weren't both sides supposed to show their cards, then negotiate?

Only when negotiations completely broke down would they fight, right?

"We're fighting already?"

Mine instinctively raised the Pumpkin Cannon, looking just as bewildered.

Everything had happened too quickly!

She genuinely hadn't had time to react.

Najenda said calmly, “They got one thing wrong from the very beginning. Negotiations only happen when both sides are evenly matched...”

By now, she understood all too well.

She knew just how immense this Lord Demon's power was.

It was power beyond this world.

Lin Luo's expression remained calm, as though he had merely crushed an ant.

Akame and Leone had already taken their places on either side of him.

“Mr. Lin Luo, I sincerely offered to negotiate, yet you killed him without mercy.”

Honest drew a deep breath and said coldly, “It seems you're determined to take us both down.”

"Kill him!"

At his command, the Four Rakshasa Demons sprang into action.

Although they had no Teigu, every one of them possessed strength comparable to a Teigu user.

Over the years, they had eliminated countless enemies for Honest.

And today would be no exception.

Clang!

Murasame slid from its sheath, and Akame vanished, hurtling straight toward the Four Rakshasa Demons like a meteor.

Squelch!

Blood sprayed. Suzuka, one of the Four Rakshasa Demons, widened her eyes as her vision blurred.

She could vaguely make out Akame flashing past her three companions.

Thud... squelch!

Suzuka's body had barely hit the ground when three more sounds of spurting blood followed.