Inside Honest's mansion!
Everyone was dumbstruck.
"He... he just attacked like that?"
An officer's eyes widened as he murmured.
'What was happening?'
'According to the usual process...'
'Shouldn't both sides reveal their cards first, then negotiate?'
'And only resort to conflict when talks truly break down?'
"So we're fighting now?"
Mine instinctively raised her Pumpkin, also looking bewildered.
Things were happening too fast!
She really hadn't had time to process it.
Najenda said calmly, "They got one thing wrong from the start. Negotiations only happen when both sides have equal power..."
She now deeply understood...
What kind of immense power this Devil-sama possessed.
It was power beyond this world.
Ayato's expression was calm, as if he had just crushed an ant.
Akame and Leone stood at his left and right.
"Ayato-sama, I came to negotiate in good faith, yet you kill so ruthlessly."
Honest took a deep breath and said coldly, "It seems you want us all to perish together."
"Kill him!"
With his command, the Four Rakshasa Demons lunged.
Although they didn't have Imperial Arms, they all possessed strength comparable to Imperial Arm users.
For years, they had eliminated countless enemies for Honest.
And today would be no exception.
Clang!
Murasame was drawn. Akame's figure vanished, like a shooting star, heading straight for the Four Rakshasa Demons.
Squelch!
Blood splattered. Suzuka, one of the Four Rakshasa Demons, widened her eyes, only feeling her vision blur.
Vaguely, she could see Akame flash past her three companions.
Thump... Squelch!
Just as Suzuka's body hit the ground, three more spurts of blood sounded.
The other three now had bloody gashes on their bodies.
And Akame's figure had somehow already returned to Ayato's side.
As if everything that just happened had been an illusion.
At the same time,
Leone's figure had somehow appeared before Honest.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Honest squawked, but only saw a fist growing larger in front of his face.
The next moment,
He seemed to hear the sound of every bone in his body breaking.
As he died, only one thought remained:
'I... just died like that?'
'But I'm the Prime Minister!'
Silence. Deathly silence.
The surrounding officials didn't dare to breathe.
Some even began quietly backing away, silently praying not to attract Ayato's attention.
With Honest dead...
They were completely terrified.
Just then, Ayato appeared before them.
"I heard you supported Honest?"
"Ah?"
The group stiffened, their entire bodies trembling.
"No need to be so scared."
Ayato looked around and chuckled lightly. "Do I look that scary?"
'Even the Prime Minister Honest was killed after just a few words with you. How is that not scary?'
The group thought this, but shook their heads vigorously.
"That's more like it."
Ayato said gently. "From now on, I'm in charge of the Empire. Who's in favor? Who's opposed?"
Even if they were parasites, if he killed them all, who would do the work?
That was why he hadn't touched Honest earlier.
But who knew that man would parade his confidants right in front of him?
That simplified things.
Kill the chicken to warn the monkey, and take the rest as dogs.
"I'm all for it! Whoever has objections, I'll be the first to object!"
"Count me in too! I also support Ayato-sama!"
At this moment, the very people Honest thought were his backing, not one even stood up to avenge him.
Ayato couldn't be bothered with these fence-sitters. He handed them all over to Najenda and led Akame and the others back to the Imperial Palace.
...
One day later!
News of Honest's death spread throughout the Imperial Capital.
For a time, the entire Imperial Capital seemed to be celebrating, with countless citizens spreading the news.
But all the imperial officials fell silent.
Because they knew...
The Empire had completely changed.
Najenda's subsequent series of measures stirred up a bloody storm in the Imperial Capital.
Countless officials were purged and replaced with capable and incorruptible ones.
All this earned Ayato the support of many people.
Within just a few days...
The entire Imperial Capital had been overhauled.
Even when several riots occurred, Akame and the others easily suppressed them.
"Devil-sama, the Revolutionary Army has contacted me."
"After I refused, they should throw everything they have against us."
Her experiences over the past few days had shown Najenda hope, and she now fully stood on Ayato's side.
As for the Revolutionary Army... she didn't know them at all.
"Then let them come."
Ayato picked up another book and said without looking up.
That day wouldn't be far off.
After all...
The Revolutionary Army's strength was essentially a coalition of officials and nobles from various regions.
He now held power in the Imperial Capital and could soon extend his reach to the provinces.
If the enemy didn't want a slow death, they could only make a desperate move.
Then, he would deal with them all at once.
Just do as Homelander does. That's his confidence.
Najenda nodded, then remembering something, said, "Oh, by the way, Esdeath has returned from the front lines."
"Oh!"
Ayato looked up, his eyes flickering. "She's finally back?"
'Now that she was back, I should have one more servant.'
"Master, are you planning to take another servant?"
Leone appeared out of nowhere and said with a smile, "But that woman is very dangerous."
"Dangerous? More than me?"
Hearing this, Leone grinned.
'Well, Master was probably more dangerous.'
"Master, I don't like that woman."
Akame said calmly. "She's a battle-crazed lunatic."
"You actually have an opinion like that."
Ayato looked at Akame with some surprise, then smiled. "Then to comfort you, how about I replenish your magic tonight?"
Hearing this, Akame's face flushed slightly, the previous scene unconsciously coming to mind.
But she didn't refuse. Instead, she nodded firmly. "Yes, Master."
Leone looked at Akame with surprise.
'Had this comrade of mine finally woken up?'
'Then maybe I should try harder too.'
'When did my teammates start fighting for favor...' Najenda watched all this and sighed. She said,
"Devil-sama, do you need to summon Esdeath?"
"No need!"
Ayato stood up from the throne and looked into the distance. "Because she's already here."