With Leone having become a Devil, she could now serve as a training partner for Akame.
Ayato was also freed up to start reading books.
These books, which he had ordered the Emperor to bring, were all rare collections from the Imperial Palace.
Not only did they contain methods for crafting Imperial Arms, but also many martial arts styles from this world.
[Origin +6]
[Origin +7]
Watching the constantly appearing text notifications, Ayato felt quite pleased.
Each book didn't give many Origin Points, but their sheer quantity made up for it.
Just then, the sound of conversation came from a distant palace hall.
"Boss, we're Night Raid. Isn't coming here a bit much? Don't you think so, Sheele?"
"Is something wrong, Mine?"
"Everything is one hundred percent wrong."
"Mine, that's enough. You've seen the situation. No one's stopping us."
"Even if that's true, it's still unbelievable."
Hearing the voices, Akame and Leone stopped their sparring.
"Are those the new members the Boss mentioned?"
"Probably."
The two exchanged glances and looked towards the source of the voices.
Ayato also closed his book and looked up.
Sure enough, he saw two familiar figures.
They were Sheele and Mine from the original Night Raid.
Night Raid was getting more complete.
He wondered if Chelsea had joined the Revolutionary Army yet.
As for the others... never mind. He wasn't interested in men.
"So you're the new members? I'm Leone. Hello."
"I'm Akame. Hello."
Leone and Akame stepped forward to greet them.
"I'm Mine. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Sheele. Hello, seniors."
With Najenda introducing them, the four quickly got to know each other.
"Alright, now that you've met, continue training."
Ayato said. "You need to master your piece abilities as soon as possible."
"Yes, Master!"
"Got it, Master!"
Leone and Akame responded and began sparring again.
"He's so handsome!"
Mine finally noticed Ayato and couldn't help but sneak glances at his handsome face.
'So this was that Devil?'
'He didn't look very dangerous.'
Stare!
Sheele, on the other hand, was expressionless, revealing no emotion.
On the other side, Najenda's eyes widened.
'M... Master?'
She looked at Leone, her expression full of disbelief.
'I had only been gone for how long, and Leone had already surrendered?'
'Did it have to be this fast?'
...
The next day!
The entire imperial court was shaken.
The Emperor, under Ayato's control, issued one command after another.
First, Prime Minister Honest was removed from office, replaced by Najenda.
Second, General Budo's former position was taken over by Akame.
Third, Leone was appointed Governor of the Imperial Capital, in charge of the Security Police.
With just three appointments, the entire power structure had been overhauled.
Naturally,
Countless ministers and nobles expressed strong opposition.
Putting aside the positions, the identities of Najenda and the others were highly problematic.
And on that day, they never walked out of the Imperial Palace again.
As for the former Prime Minister, Honest, he simply did not appear at the morning court.
For a time,
The entire court waited for Honest's next move.
They knew that this ambitious and ruthless leader, who had long held the reins of power in the Empire, would never allow himself to be stripped of his influence.
...
The night was dark!
But the Imperial Palace's hall was brightly lit.
"Are you saying Honest wants to invite me to a banquet?"
Ayato, reading a book on the throne, his eyes flickered.
"That's right. He wants to do it now."
Najenda said, "I didn't expect him to lose patience so quickly."
"You can't blame him. The entire court is watching him. If he doesn't react quickly, he'll truly be finished."
Ayato put away his book and descended from the throne. "Let's go. It's time to deal with him."
Hearing this, Akame and the others quickly followed.
Leaving the Imperial Palace...
For some reason, the streets today were eerily quiet.
All the surrounding shops had closed early, as if sensing something unusual.
"Master, someone's watching us."
Akame stepped closer and whispered, "Should I deal with them?"
"If they want to watch, let them."
Ayato smiled indifferently and led the women to Honest's mansion.
Honest's influence over the court was evident from his mansion alone.
If not for its size, it would be comparable to the Imperial Palace.
Moreover, guards were posted every few steps, making it heavily fortified.
"We're just... going in like this?"
Mine instinctively followed behind Ayato, gripping her Imperial Arm, Pumpkin, tighter, as if seeking a sense of security.
"What else?"
"But... just the few of us?"
"Don't worry. When we stormed the Imperial Palace yesterday, we didn't even have the two of you."
Ayato smiled as he walked into the mansion. "Besides, at worst, we're only facing a few Imperial Arm users."
"Am I right, Honest?"
As he spoke, a tall, richly dressed man approached them from the opposite side.
"Haha, you're absolutely right, Ayato-sama."
Honest's face was full of smiles as he said enthusiastically, "So I don't want to be your enemy."
"Although I don't know how you controlled the Emperor, how about we join forces?"
Although he wished he could kill Ayato...
Knowing some details of yesterday's battle, he knew this was his last resort.
"So, what qualifications do you have to negotiate with me?"
Ayato asked with amusement. "Just your status as former minister?"
"Naturally, more than that."
Honest clapped his hands, and several figures slowly emerged from the surroundings.
A few more appeared beside Honest, taking up protective stances.
"Devil-sama, these people are all high-ranking officers in the imperial army."
Najenda said quietly. "And Honest's guards are the Four Rakshasa Demons and the former Security Police Captain, Ogre. All of them are formidable warriors."
Ayato blinked and said to Honest, "This is your backing?"
"Of course."
Honest grinned.
"Even if you control the Emperor, without my cooperation, the Empire will fall into chaos."
"From your style of conduct, you care about that, don't you?"
He looked confident, as if holding all the cards.
Because no one knew the Empire better than him.
"I advise you to accept the Prime Minister's conditions."
Ogre, standing nearby, said with a sinister smile. "And return my position as Security Police Captain. Otherwise..."
Crackle!
Before he could finish, a blue bolt of lightning flashed and struck Ogre.
Boom!
The ground shook violently.
Ogre didn't even have time to scream before turning into charcoal.
The entire mansion fell silent.
Whether it was Honest or the surrounding officials, all showed bewildered expressions.
'What just happened?'