Since the All-Seeing Eye couldn't do that, Emiya quickly lost interest.
As for mind reading or illusions, he didn't care.
Telepathy wasn't an advanced ability.
Illusions were even less impressive.
Far Sight was no better.
At his current level, Emiya's eyesight already surpassed it.
With Observation Haki, he could monitor the entire imperial capital from every angle.
That was far stronger than Far Sight.
So in Emiya's view, the All-Seeing Eye wasn't a useful Teigu.
He handed it to Hephaestus for research.
Time passed.
Under Wu Zetian's governance, the Empire began to revive.
However, Minister Honest had left the Empire riddled with holes.
Rebellions erupted everywhere.
Even with Wu Zetian in charge, recovery couldn't happen overnight.
This kind of decay required time.
As the saying went, illness strikes like a landslide but heals like silk being pulled from a cocoon.
That alone showed how difficult governing an empire truly was.
Fortunately, there was Wu Zetian.
Otherwise, Emiya would have gone mad dealing with state affairs.
And Wu Zetian proved herself worthy of the title of empress.
Under her rule, the Empire steadily improved.
Perhaps in a few years, it would shed its chronic ailments and be reborn.
Every day, nobles were executed.
Those who once trampled commoners and committed countless crimes were punished one by one.
Wu Zetian did not value their lives.
Once guilt was confirmed, she acted according to the law.
In some ways, she killed no fewer people than Minister Honest.
She was even more terrifying.
Especially to officials.
A minor mistake earned a scolding.
A serious one meant immediate execution.
Fear spread.
Some nobles couldn't endure the pressure and secretly planned rebellion.
Before they could act, the Imperial Guard arrested them all.
Despite the bloodshed, the people of the capital grew happier.
A sense of belonging returned.
Wu Zetian grasped the hearts of the people firmly.
Even Emiya found himself impressed.
At this time, the Empire's strongest S-rank general finally returned.
Esdeath.
As the young emperor, Emiya received her in the imperial hall.
"General Esdeath, your suppression of the northern front was exemplary," Emiya said. "As a reward, I have prepared ten thousand gold coins. In addition, you may make one reasonable request."
Esdeath knelt on one knee and looked up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will distribute the gold to the soldiers who defended the north. They will surely be grateful."
"There's no need," Emiya waved his hand. "They'll receive a separate reward. The gold is yours. Take it."
Esdeath paused.
Then she lowered her head.
"In that case, thank you, Your Majesty."
Emiya acknowledged it.
"Now, state your request."
Esdeath raised her head, her gaze sharp.
"Your Majesty, upon returning to the capital, I heard that a god has descended. I wish to challenge this god."
That surprised Emiya.
He couldn't help saying, "Challenge a god? Not fall in love?"
Esdeath froze.
"...I do wish to fall in love. How did Your Majesty know?"
Emiya realized he'd slipped, but didn't care.
"I guessed. At your age, it's normal."
Esdeath stared at him suspiciously but didn't pursue it.
"You wish to challenge a god?" Emiya asked again.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I ask for permission."
Emiya shook his head.
"With your current strength, you're still short. Come back after you defeat the captain of the Imperial Guard."
Esdeath's eyes sharpened.
"Does Your Majesty doubt my strength?"
A chilling aura spread instantly.
Ice crept across the floor.
The temperature plummeted.
Snowflakes fell from nowhere.
People shivered.
Emiya waved his hand.
"I'm not doubting you. The current Imperial Guard isn't what it used to be. Its captain was recommended by the goddess. He carries divine blood. A born demigod."
Esdeath understood.
"Then I'll challenge the demigod first. Then the god."
"I grant it," Emiya said.
Esdeath was strong.
Najenda once said it would take fifty thousand elite soldiers and more than ten Teigu users, including Akame, to defeat her.
Even that estimate was low.
But defeating Heracles wouldn't be easy.
Especially a rational Heracles.
In raw strength, he was on par with the Golden Trio.
Esdeath withdrew her aura and looked at Emiya.
Her eyes flickered.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
She noticed something.
Many in the hall were barely standing.
Yet the young emperor seemed unaffected.
As if her aura didn't exist.
That was strange.
Is he that strong?
Or... is this not the emperor I knew?
If not, then who is he?
This country is becoming more and more interesting.
Esdeath let out a soft laugh.
Emiya spoke again.
"General Esdeath, there's one more thing."
"Please speak."
"I need your blood."
"My blood?"
"Yes. The goddess is studying Teigus. Since you've already consumed Demon's Extract, she needs your blood."
Demon's Extract.
A Teigu made from the blood of a super Danger Beast from the far north.
Everyone who drank it went mad.
Except Esdeath.
The mark on her chest symbolized its acceptance.
It granted total control over ice.
Offense.
Defense.
Manipulation.
Its speed and power were astonishing.
Aside from lacking elemental transformation, it rivaled Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit.
And unlike Devil Fruits, it wasn't weakened by seawater or Sea-Prism Stone.
It had its own advantages.
One of the strongest Teigus.
Najenda once called it the strongest.
In truth, Shikoutazer held that title.
But even Shikoutazer fell to Incursio's evolution.
In the end, the user mattered most.
If the user was strong, the Teigu followed.
Esdeath didn't hesitate.
She created an ice cup.
Then an ice blade.
She sliced her wrist.
Blood flowed into the cup.
"Is this enough?"
"It is," Emiya nodded.
She froze the wound instantly.
Emiya ordered a guard to deliver the blood to Hephaestus.
At that moment, the palace doors flew open.
"Your Majesty, I heard Esdeath has returned!"
Emiya sighed.
"Cú Chulainn... yes. This is Esdeath."
Esdeath stood, glanced at him, and said nothing.
Emiya introduced him.
"General Esdeath, this is Cú Chulainn. Vice-captain of the Imperial Guard. A demigod hero."
Esdeath's gaze sharpened.
Like a blade of ice.
Cú Chulainn's hair stood on end.
His smile widened.
"That look. You really are strong."
A terrifying killing intent burst out and locked onto Esdeath.
Death brushed her skin.
Her body stiffened.
Then a violent chill erupted from her.
She had to counter it.
Even so, his killing intent burned against her flesh.
And yet-
Her desire to fight ignited.
She parted her lips.
"Are all demigods this terrifying?"
A long spear appeared in Cú Chulainn's hand.
"Among those I've seen," he said, "very few are weak."
Lightning flashed.
General Budo appeared between them.
Electricity crackled around him, cutting off the killing intent and the chill.
He shouted.
"You two-don't be presumptuous in front of His Majesty!"
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