"Then, Your Excellency Onest, are you interested in joining me to turn that person into a figurehead?"
The demoness's seductive whispers penetrated Onest's mind, echoing deep within his brain. His corpulent body trembled with both shock and excitement. At that moment, he felt his nascent high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol all surge, his fat face resembling a congested balloon.
A moment later, Onest managed to suppress his excitement. After taking a few deep breaths, he said, "I don't know why General Rin Tohsaka would want to discuss such a major matter with me. After all, I am merely a humble Logistics Officer with little influence."
Tohsaka Rin's gaze was deeply meaningful as she looked at Onest. The young girl's eyes seemed to instantly see through the tall, seemingly honest fat man, making him feel as if everything about him had been exposed!
"You are indeed just a small Logistics Officer with little influence right now, but you have ambition, and you possess the ability to match that ambition."
Tohsaka Rin stated, "Everyone knows how dirty the political infighting among civil officials can be, as evidenced by the Imperial Assassination Squad being directly under the Minister's jurisdiction. The current high-ranking civil and military officials of the Empire are rare for a century. The General Family members have always been loyal and incorruptible to the Empire, so as long as one has ability, there is no fear of lacking a path in the military. However, civil administration is controlled by aristocratic families. I imagine that if the current Minister, Qiaoli, were not also a benevolent and wise official who cares for the people, it would be impossible for ordinary individuals like yourself, without a family background, to participate in court meetings in the Grand Council Hall."
Seeing Onest's dimmed face confirmed Tohsaka Rin's words. She continued, "In the hall, I noticed that you are different from those standing in front of you. Your movements appear hunched and comical, but it is clear that you are actually a trained martial artist. Your steps are agile and deeply rooted, and your stance work is extremely profound. You must be from the Fist Emperor Temple. In a one-on-one fight, even without Imperial Arms or subordinate arms (shingu), I doubt many generals in the military, apart from Grand General Black, would be your match."
"Compared to General Rin Tohsaka, my meager skills are not worth mentioning at all."
"Indeed, which is why you did not join the military but instead took the path of a civil official. Without any background in an environment dominated by nobles, you climbed to the position of Logistics Officer in less than ten years. This shows that your administrative abilities are extraordinary, far surpassing your martial arts talent. Your current pretense in front of others, acting like a clown, is likely to invite underestimation and conceal your true abilities. Once an opportunity appears that you can seize, you will make a name for yourself. Within twenty years, the one standing in the Minister's position will undoubtedly be you, Your Excellency Onest."
Onest's eyes were fixed on Tohsaka Rin's petite figure, as he gasped, as if not a person but an ancient Super Danger Beast stood before him. After a long moment, he bowed deeply to Tohsaka Rin, lowering his head and saying, "I, Onest, have never submitted to anyone in my life. General Rin Tohsaka is the first. I never imagined that such a prodigy as the General would emerge from the minorities in the remote northern snowy mountains! This shows how foolish those imperials who look down on the border people are!"
"Then, Your Excellency, are you interested?"
"General Rin Tohsaka left Onest no retreat from the moment she spoke."
"You could also humor me and then expose me to His Majesty the Emperor. After all, this is the Imperial Palace; I can't just kill you on the spot, can I?"
"But Onest isn't foolish enough to ignore an opportunity that presents itself. Since the General thinks highly of Onest, then Onest will follow the General and engage in a big business deal!"
Then Onest picked up The March of the Dead · yatsufusa from the table with both hands and presented it to Tohsaka Rin.
"This yatsufusa is Onest's gift to the General. If the General doesn't like it, please choose another item. Just charge it to Onest's account."
Tohsaka Rin's eyes narrowed slightly in a smile as she grasped yatsufusa's Black steel scabbard, saying with satisfaction, "No need, I like this sword very much as a toy, Onest, the Minister..."
This yatsufusa was Onest's token of allegiance to Tohsaka Rin. Secretly giving away an Imperial Arm, a vital imperial artifact, to another person, even if Tohsaka Rin claimed she stole it, the crime of failing to properly guard an Imperial Arm would be an unforgivable death sentence for the Imperial Arm's custodian. Onest had willingly boarded Tohsaka Rin's pirate ship.
However, daring to give away an Imperial Arm also proved Onest's ability to keep this a secret as long as Tohsaka Rin did not expose it, which showed how brilliant his mind and methods were.
yatsufusa spun twice in Tohsaka Rin's hand before being hung at her waist alongside her general's sword. Then, Tohsaka Rin moved towards the depths of the Imperial Armory, speaking as she went, "Actually, I had long ago taken a liking to an Imperial Arm I saw in the Imperial Military Academy's Imperial Armory data. I just happened to see it, and speaking of it, my choice of this Imperial Arm will make things much easier for Your Excellency Onest."
As she spoke, Tohsaka Rin reached the deepest part of the Imperial Armory and stopped at the end of a wall. In a small space carved into the wall, a golden wine pot, bound by layers of chains, rested. The pot was engraved with some eerie symbols that looked like bird faces, emitting a cold, ominous aura.
"General Rin Tohsaka, no! You cannot touch that Imperial Arm!"
Just as Tohsaka Rin reached out to pick up the ominous golden pot, Onest hurriedly and loudly warned her from behind.
"That Imperial Arm is Demon's Extract! It's said to be the blood of a Super Danger Beast living in the far north. Legend has it that whoever drinks it can obtain a powerful ice Imperial Arm that allows them to freely create and control ice. However, ever since this Imperial Arm was created in the First Emperor's era, everyone who has tasted even a drop has been driven mad by the desire for slaughter! They all went insane and died! It is a forbidden Imperial Arm!"
"Oh, it seems Prime Minister Onest still lacks confidence in my strength. There is no Imperial Arm I cannot subdue."
Opening the lid of the golden pot, a chilling aura immediately spread, and the entire Imperial Armory was instantly covered with a thin layer of frost. Inside the pot was a full pot of dark blue liquid. Even after a thousand years, there was no sign of evaporation or thickening, and wisps of icy cold air emanated from the mouth of the pot.
Tohsaka Rin's appearance was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Onest. He certainly didn't want the newly arrived noble to die because of an Imperial Arm. However, recalling the terrifying sight of Tohsaka Rin effortlessly wielding all the Imperial Arms earlier, Onest also understood that this girl could not be killed or driven mad by a mere Imperial Arm.
"Hmm, with General Tohsaka Rin's strength, I imagine even a forbidden Imperial Arm can be easily subdued. I apologize for my lapse. According to records, just a small cup is enough to awaken the ability. I'll go find a cup for the General."
"No need. Since this Imperial Arm is to be mine alone, drinking it all is the proper way!"
After saying that, Tohsaka Rin picked up the pot and drank it all.
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