Candlelight illuminated the dim treasury, and a dazzling array of treasures came into Uesugi Ryu's view.
The Minister clasped his hands behind his back and said somewhat wistfully,
"Speaking of which, there aren't many Teigu left at the moment. Finding one that suits you may be difficult."
Esdeath and the Three Beasts had all received their Teigu from the treasury. That accounted for four.
Then there was Minister Honest himself, his son Syura, and Wild Hunt, the organization Syura had created. They had taken another six.
The Imperial Family's collection, accumulated over countless years, had largely been used by Honest to arm himself and Esdeath's faction.
Most of what remained had rather demanding compatibility requirements.
Esdeath did not particularly mind. She had only come to try their luck.
"These are the last two Teigu."
The Minister pointed toward the metal platform in the center of the treasury.
Uesugi Ryu and Esdeath both looked over.
One was a short staff, its surface inlaid with a brilliant emerald gem.
The other resembled the hilt of a whip, its body a deep violet-black.
The entire grip was covered in dragon-scale-like plates, with dim purple light seeping from the gaps.
At the top was an open dragon's head, its vertical purple pupils glinting with life.
Uesugi Ryu immediately took a liking to the whip-shaped Teigu.
He already possessed Spectator, and Black Marlin would soon be his as well. He did not need too many Teigu for himself at the moment.
This whip, however, seemed perfect for Akira Mado.
Noticing his gaze, the Minister explained calmly,
"The whip-type Teigu, Violet Lightning Frenzied Bone, Kiss of the Thunder Serpent, was forged from the thunder horn and spinal bones of the Super Danger Beast, Thunder Sovereign Flood Dragon."
"This Teigu is quite violent. Anyone incompatible with it will be directly struck by violet lightning the moment they touch it."
The Minister stroked his white beard and kindly warned him,
"The intensity varies. The last person who tried picking it up was electrocuted to death on the spot."
Hearing the Minister's introduction, Uesugi Ryu's eyes lit up.
A flood dragon. Excellent.
Still, he did not immediately touch it. He was also curious about the other Teigu.
Even if he could not obtain it, learning its abilities would still be worthwhile.
The Minister was indeed knowledgeable. He was intimately familiar with most Teigu.
"The staff-type Teigu, Breath of the Storm God, Sky Dirge."
"The gem at its tip is the energy core of a flying Super Danger Beast. It allows the user to control violent winds."
"Those incompatible with it will have their eardrums ruptured by the screaming tempest, losing their hearing for a period of time. The severity varies from person to person."
To be honest, the drawbacks of these two Teigu were both quite severe.
No wonder they had remained in the treasury for so long.
After all, Teigu were weapons. If the Minister had found suitable users, he would have distributed them long ago.
Esdeath smiled and pointed at Breath of the Storm God.
"Like my Teigu, Demon's Extract, it's an elemental-type Teigu. Try this one."
Even without her suggestion, Uesugi Ryu had already intended to.
A melee mage was still a mage. This was right up his alley.
Just as Uesugi Ryu stepped forward to pick up Breath of the Storm God, the Minister quickly interrupted him.
"Try them outside. Don't damage the treasury."
With that, he summoned several guards responsible for watching over the treasury.
Using special tools, they carefully removed both Teigu and carried them into a courtyard.
The Minister and Esdeath followed.
Anticipation flashed in Uesugi Ryu's eyes.
He quickly stepped forward and picked up the staff.
[Teigu: Breath of the Storm God, Sky Dirge. Compatibility: 43%]
A vortex of wind flashed inside the emerald gem at the tip.
Violent winds instantly burst forth from the staff.
The shrieking gale howled across the courtyard, causing nearby flowers and grass to thrash wildly.
The Minister covered his ears, looking at Uesugi Ryu in surprise. Ordinary people could never generate winds of this magnitude.
A look of astonishment crossed his face.
"Could he be another Esdeath?"
Breath of the Storm God was on an entirely different level from something like Black Marlin.
It could directly generate storms.
At present, only Budo and Esdeath were capable of wielding such calamity-class Teigu.
Esdeath's long hair danced in the wind as she watched him expectantly.
"The thought of you with a new Teigu is truly exciting..."
The storm vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Breath of the Storm God soon calmed.
Standing at the eye of the storm, Uesugi Ryu had felt it most clearly.
The instant he touched it, the staff had drained nearly sixty points of his mana.
That was nothing to him, but an ordinary person would have been completely exhausted.
Uesugi Ryu pressed a hand against his ear, feeling slight discomfort.
Without sufficient compatibility, it simply could not be used.
No matter how much mana he poured into it, nothing happened.
"Not suitable, huh? Looks like this won't work."
Uesugi Ryu sighed and shook his head at Esdeath.
During the trial, he had sensed an intense soul fluctuation emanating from the gem.
He licked his lips, staring at the gorgeous green jewel with burning interest.
"If I can't use it, eating it directly would be even better. A Super Danger Beast's soul should taste excellent..."
Unfortunately, all he could do for now was look.
The Minister would never allow him to destroy such an important Teigu.
Honest was willing to let Esdeath and her subordinates choose Teigu, but only if they could actually use them.
Otherwise, he would never hand over something so valuable.
"What a pity."
Honest looked genuinely disappointed.
Strengthening Esdeath's faction was equivalent to strengthening his own.
Another general-class combatant would have been wonderful.
Uesugi Ryu set down Breath of the Storm God and picked up Violet Lightning Frenzied Bone.
[Teigu: Violet Lightning Frenzied Bone, Kiss of the Thunder Serpent. Compatibility: 12%]
The instant he touched it, crackling violet lightning erupted from his palm and raced up his arm.
A cold gleam flashed through Uesugi Ryu's eyes as an overwhelming aura burst from his body.
Violet Lightning Frenzied Bone let out a mournful cry.
The violet lightning suddenly took the form of a flood dragon.
The lightning dragon displayed distinctly human fear, shrinking back into the hilt like a beaten dog.
Uesugi Ryu's fingers traced the grip, and the scales folded beneath his touch.
The violent lightning suddenly became docile, flowing like water around his fingertips.
[Title: Dragon Devourer!]
[Residual soul of Thunder Sovereign Flood Dragon suppressed. Recalculating compatibility. Compatibility: 72%!]
With a flick of his wrist, a three-meter whip of violet lightning erupted from the dragon's maw.
Crack!
The casual swing exploded into a thunderous roar.
The lightning whip slammed into the lawn, sending dirt and flowers flying.
A five-meter-deep trench split open in the earth, its crystallized edges glowing with eerie purple light.
The sharp scent of scorched earth filled the air.
Uesugi Ryu curiously examined the whip in his hand.
The benefits of devouring the Black Dragon's remnant soul had truly been countless.
He had not expected Dragon Devourer to be this useful in the world of Akame ga Kill!.
Uesugi Ryu snorted inwardly.
"Looks like I won't have any trouble using Black Marlin either. These overgrown lizards are all the same."
Electricity continuously radiated outward, gradually forming a static field within five meters around him.
"This Teigu is excellent. I almost want to try it myself."
Watching this, Esdeath could not help feeling slightly envious.
Whips and sadists were a perfect match.
Unfortunately, she already possessed Demon's Extract and could not wield a second Teigu.
Esdeath looked at the Minister with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Minister, why didn't you let me try this one before?"
The meat in Honest's mouth suddenly seemed less appetizing.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, he quickly replied,
"Ah... this Teigu was only recently discovered in a border governor's treasury."
"I see..."
At that moment, someone hurried over.
Dropping to one knee, he looked panicked.
"Lord Honest, General Budo has brought Chouri to seek an audience with His Majesty!"
"This subordinate was incompetent. I couldn't stop him!"
"The Imperial Guard has mobilized as well. General Budo looked furious. Something must be wrong!"
Honest frowned and turned toward Esdeath.
"General Esdeath, what's going on?"
Esdeath's expression darkened as she instantly understood.
The Three Beasts had not returned.
It seemed they had already been killed.
Uesugi Ryu also walked over after putting away the Teigu.
Hearing this, anticipation flashed in his eyes.
He had not expected Chouri to move so quickly. Uesugi Ryu had assumed it would take much longer to persuade that stubborn old fossil, Budo.
Honest did not ask further.
He exchanged a glance with Esdeath.
Then the two of them immediately rushed toward the Emperor's location.
Despite his enormous size, the Minister moved with astonishing speed.
He was far from a frail old man.
Uesugi Ryu quickly glanced behind him.
In the midst of chaos, it would have been perfect to snatch something.
Even if he could not use Breath of the Storm God, devouring it would still be wonderful.
Unfortunately, Honest's subordinates had already secured both Teigu.
They did not leave him the slightest opening.
"Damn it."
Seeing this, Uesugi Ryu could only curse inwardly before quickly following Esdeath and Honest.