"I didn't expect the Millelith War Armor to be this effective."
Most of the army had already charged out. As the military leader, Hysilens remained at the rear with a small detachment of officers, observing the frontline combat.
If this were just an ordinary siege, there would naturally be no need to dispatch Hysilens, the Dux Gladiorum, since she was the strongest combatant under Imperator's command.
However, this city assault held a special significance: it was the field test for the Northern Empire's newest armor!
The raw materials were the scales of the Super Class Danger Beast hunted in the Snowy Mountains a while back. Given their incredible hardness, they had been specifically forged into suits of armor.
Similar to the local armors "Incursio" and "Grand Chariot," these were full-body suits. From the outside, it was entirely impossible to tell who was inside.
To enhance the combat effectiveness of the wearers, Cerydra had specially equipped each suit with different types of weapons:
Sword, Bow, Polearm.
In this way, the wearers could form an effective combat force and adapt to various battlefield scenarios.
Since exactly 9,999 scales had been harvested, creating exactly 9,999 suits of armor, the force was named the "Millelith."
The equipment derived its names accordingly: Millelith War Armor, Millelith Polearm, Millelith Warbow, and Millelith Greatsword.
However, Cerydra had considered the inherent problem with Teigu: most of them could be used by anyone, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.
To ensure these weapons wouldn't be abused, Cerydra had placed a specific restriction on the armor...
Only those who harbor justice in their hearts may don them!
This restriction was quite severe. As a result, even though the Northern Empire possessed over nine thousand suits, currently only five hundred people were qualified to equip them.
Of course, the Millelith War Armor was primarily intended for ordinary humans. Most Chrysos Heirs already possessed special powers and had no need for such equipment.
"With this, our army will possess combat strength that rivals the Chrysos Heirs!"
Watching the siege near its conclusion, Hysilens nodded slightly, expressing her approval of the armor.
Just at that moment, the sensation of being watched suddenly entered her mind, immediately putting her on high alert.
Assassins sent by The Empire?
No, that's not right... there seemed to be no malice in the gaze, nor any attempt at concealment. Perhaps civilians?
Following the direction of the gaze, Hysilens turned her head to look at the ones peeking at her.
Looking was one thing, but what she saw was quite unexpected.
"Two little black fishes? And why do they look so familiar?"
After a brief moment of thought, combined with the eye colors of the two little girls, Hysilens immediately deduced their identities.
Weren't these the female lead and her younger sister?
Akame and Kurome!
Having watched Akame ga Kill, Hysilens immediately recalled their backstory from the original work. Akame and Kurome seemed to have lived as beggars for a while during their childhood before being captured by The Empire and sent to an assassination training facility. They became assassins for The Empire, and later, Akame defected to join Night Raid...
Looking at the two sisters now, it seemed they hadn't joined The Empire yet.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but..."
Did she really want to subject such children to the bloody fate of the original story?
"Never mind. That's not for me to decide. I'll send them to the Golden Orphanage first. Whatever they want to do in the future, I'll let them decide for themselves..."
"But then again, my luck has been pretty good lately. To think I've found three little ones with potential in a row. It seems using the 'Golden Orphanage' to take in wandering children is indeed a good idea."
Moreover, seeing that the two little ones had clearly noticed she'd spotted them, Hysilens decided there was no point in hiding.
"You all join the battle as well. End this as quickly as possible. I will return shortly."
After issuing the order to her aides, Hysilens looked back to where Akame and Kurome had been. Whether out of fear or some other reason, they had vanished.
"Now that the Big Whale has spotted your trail, there's no escape for you, you two cute little black fishes~"
As her final words fell, Hysilens leapt high into the air, flying straight toward the direction the two little girls had disappeared.
—
"The Northern Country... seems a bit different from the rumors!"
Akame's expression was panicked. Just recently, while on the road, she had gathered intelligence about the North. Aside from the nobles, most people had a good impression of it, which was why Akame had been so determined to head north.
But she had just arrived, and she was already witnessing the Northern Army laying siege to a city... What was this?
The Northern Dream, shattered?
"We have to escape quickly. If we fall into their hands..."
"If you fall into our hands, what will happen?"
An unfamiliar voice suddenly whispered by her ear. Akame's little face stiffened immediately. The young girl didn't dare look to her side, terrified she might see some unexpected, horrifying creature, but the voice beside her showed no signs of stopping.
"What's wrong, little one? Are you worried I'll hurt you?"
"Please rest assured. Imperator's army doesn't bully children. I just want to take you to a safer place."
As the welcoming words faded, Akame felt the world spin. Then, she and her sister landed in a warm embrace, even feeling a hint of softness...
"Let go of me and my sister! You... who are you?"
"I'm the Big Whale here to catch the Little Black Fishes!"
Akame struggled to break free, but when the "bad guy" holding her revealed her face, Akame froze.
What a beautiful big sister!
And the expression on her face was so warm, completely devoid of the filth of those nobles!
The reason Akame had managed to survive in the slums for so long without being caught came down to her own skills.
Perhaps she wasn't strong enough to face The Empire's soldiers or assassins, but she had a decent eye for judging people.
The nobles of The Empire, and the soldiers... they were all filthy individuals. As long as she stayed away from them, she could ensure her and her sister's safety.
But this big sister in front of her... how should she describe it?
Pure?
Sorry, Akame couldn't think of a better word at the moment, but this was truly the most fitting thing she felt from her.
As pure as Sea Water, and as deep as Sea Water...
Someone so beautiful, with such a pleasant voice, couldn't possibly be like the scum of The Empire!
Thus, within this warm embrace, the black-haired, red-eyed girl gradually ceased her struggling and chose to lean into it.
"You've become well-behaved, haven't you, you two little black fishes..."
"Sleep peacefully now. When you wake up, you will be free from your current life, and you'll have many more good friends!"
"...And the right to decide your own future!"