More than a year had passed since Najeta left the Empire. The changes over that year had been neither particularly great nor particularly small.
With Rita in charge of the Security Department, after she had almost completely purged the corrupt members within its ranks, the Security Department's reputation in the Imperial Capital had become quite good under the leadership of the Blade of Immortality...
Moreover, Durandal's reputation carried considerable weight among the Empire's people. Though she had not yet reached the point where a single call would draw countless responses, the people held her in great admiration and trust.
However, the consequence was that quite a number of nobles in the Imperial Capital had grown dissatisfied with Durandal. Especially when some nobles openly targeted innocent civilians, Durandal not only stopped them, but even taught them a lesson.
But because Durandal was so forceful, they could only swallow their resentment.
Durandal belonged to the military, and above her there were only the Great General and the Emperor.
Though the Great General was a bit of a "steel plate" when it came to thinking, she did not stop Durandal. In fact... unless it was something major or involved the imperial family, she would not interfere at all.
As for the Emperor... he basically listened to the minister. Although the minister felt that Durandal had harmed quite a few of his interests, those losses were not significant to him.
Durandal had the strength to utterly crush Esdeath. Although she had never truly competed against the Great General, there was no need to think too hard about it... the Great General was probably no match for Durandal either.
It was not worth turning Durandal into a mortal enemy over such a small amount of profit, so he did not bother with her much.
Since