Rosen quickly withdrew his gaze.
But at the same time, Najenda suddenly retreated a few steps: "Esdeath, you..."
Hearing this name that made both the Revolutionary Army and Night Raid somewhat fearful, Akame and Mine immediately pulled out their weapons.
Although they had never met Esdeath, they had heard many things about her.
And they often heard their boss say that only by assembling fifty thousand of the most elite soldiers and five Imperial Arms users could Esdeath be defeated.
Although the number of Imperial Arms users in Night Raid exceeded the standard, there were no fifty thousand soldiers here.
"Don't be so wary, I have no ill will towards you."
But it was clear that Najenda, who had psychological trauma, couldn't listen to these words for the time being.
Rosen's figure disappeared from the spot, and then he directly took away all their Imperial Arms, and then continued to speak under their shocked gazes: "Actually, if we really had any ill will towards you, you wouldn't be able to resist me at all."
After speaking, he also kicked Minister Honest at his feet.
"Just like them."
After their Imperial Arms left their hands, they sobered up a lot.
And they also noticed Minister Honest, the young Emperor, and Budo lying on the ground at this time.
The Night Raid members, who had originally intended to fight to the death, also stopped.
And Fubuki and Frieren nearby, seeing that they had lost their will to fight, also stopped charging their superpowers and magic.
"Indeed, when there's a disparity in force, it's much easier to explain things clearly."
Frieren put away her staff, as the startled Night Raid members couldn't possibly have any other thoughts.
"Rosen, can I borrow those Imperial Arms for research?"
"You'll have to ask for their opinion on that."
Rosen replied with a light laugh, then returned the Imperial Arms to Akame and the others.
"Oh, so do you agree?"
Frieren turned to look at them.
"No... no problem, but how long will the research take?"
Leone gave a sheepish smile.
Just now, Rosen demonstrated the ability to instantly take away all their Imperial Arms, and they had no reaction, which also meant he could instantly twist all their necks.
So, just as the long-eared girl said.
Given the huge disparity in strength, the only option they had was to sit down and talk.
"About ten years."
Frieren replied.
"?"
Leone's eyes widened.
Ten years?
In ten years, her child would be old enough to buy soy sauce!
"She's joking, it usually only takes a few days."
Saeko Busujima smoothed things over.
Then she looked at Frieren with a hint of helplessness.
"If it's that long, it will cause trouble for others, won't it?"
"Is it long? I think ten years passes very quickly."
"That's for you elves, I suppose. Human lifespans are only eight or nine decades."
"Alright..."
Frieren's mouth turned wavy again; despite saying so, she clearly didn't think so in her heart.
"You... who exactly are you?"
Under the comfort of her companions, Najenda, who had regained her composure, asked in a deep voice.
At the same time, her peripheral vision couldn't help but glance towards Esdeath.
And her former colleague was looking at her with a smile.
The phantom pain in her long-lost left hand and right eye began again.
"I didn't expect you to be the leader of Night Raid. It seems letting you escape back then was a mistake."
Esdeath said with a smile.
"I am for the greater good. The Empire has reached a point where it needs reform."
Najenda, despite still feeling some fear in her heart, had an even firmer will than before.
"Those who exploit the people need to be purged! Only then will the people gain freedom and stability!"
"Heh heh, you are as naive as ever, but... in terms of stance, I am no different from you now."
Esdeath looked deeply at Najenda.
"?"
...
Night Raid Headquarters meeting hall.
It was a little later.
All members of Night Raid sat together, listening to the origins and intentions of Rosen and his group.
Protecting them, killing Minister Honest, and overthrowing the Empire.
Although they didn't think they needed protection, at least their main goal was the same as Night Raid's, and they had already taken action, not only turning Minister Honest into a human stick but also kidnapping the young Emperor and Budo here.
In an instant, the three most powerful people in the Imperial Capital were dealt with, which made them feel like they were dreaming.
But upon hearing that they wanted to support Esdeath as the new Emperor of the Empire, they all showed extremely astonished expressions.
"Why make Esdeath the Emperor? What about the Revolutionary Army? Why not let the Revolutionary Army overthrow the Empire?"
Najenda asked three questions in one second, bringing up the three most intense issues at hand.
"Because she is the optimal choice. The Revolutionary Army can disband on the spot, or they can join Esdeath's command and be incorporated. As for the third point, my assessment is that it's unnecessary."
The change of dynasties throughout history has always been due to corrupt courts, people suffering, and foreign invasion.
Every new ruler would change the national title to show the difference.
But in the Empire, it was completely unnecessary.
After all, the fundamental reason was not that it was called an empire, but that the ruling class from top to bottom was a rotten system.
As long as it could be changed, what the country was called didn't matter.
"Is there no room for negotiation? We can work together completely."
Najenda wanted to try and get something.
After all, the incident happened so suddenly that the Revolutionary Army was completely unprepared.
It was acceptable for Night Raid to have only a few people.
"Speaking of cooperation, since Esdeath is completely incapable of governing, we'll need you to serve as the new Minister at that time."
In the original work, Najenda served as the leader of the new country, and her drastic reforms benefited the people, proving her strong governance capabilities.
"Of course, if you don't agree, I won't force you."
"Can you give me some time to think about it?"
Najenda didn't know how to respond.
"Yes, we still need to return to the Imperial Capital first to ensure Esdeath's ascension to power is legitimate."
Rosen thought for a moment.
Beheading Minister Honest in front of the people of the Imperial Capital, and then having her personally send the young Emperor to the gallows, should be enough to win over the public.
"Gabriel, you need to stay and take Najenda to the Revolutionary Army headquarters, deliver the message, and see what they think."