A spurt of blood erupted from Budo's neck.
His eyes widened before he toppled backward with a heavy thud.
In that instant...
The palace—inside and out—fell silent once more.
"General Budo... is dead too."
One minister stared in disbelief, murmuring blankly.
The other nobles and officials trembled with fear.
"What... what do we do now?"
"What else can we do...?"
Subtle shifts appeared in every gaze.
After all...
The Empire had long been hollowed out by Honest.
Among those standing here...
How many were truly loyal?
Kaiser returned to the hall, declaring calmly, "From now on, I call the shots."
"Any in favor? Any opposed?"
One minister dropped to his knees immediately. "The Empire has grown corrupt. Thanks to you and General Esdeath for setting things right."
"I petition His Majesty to abdicate."
With the first to break the ice, the rest—fearful of hesitation—followed suit in a rush.
"You... you all..."
The young emperor reached out a trembling hand, then rolled his eyes and fainted.
Kaiser wasn't surprised.
This was precisely why he'd made an example.
As for the other ministers...
He'd leave them be for now.
The Empire still needed administrators.
Once stabilized...
He could replace them gradually with his own people.
Meanwhile...
Esdeath ignored the emperor and the nobles, focusing instead on assuming command of the palace guards.
In the capital...
She still held considerable influence.
Replacing a few officers would be effortless.
...
Three o'clock that afternoon.
In the imperial bedchamber.
Kaiser reclined with his head on Esdeath's lap, enjoying the luxurious comfort of her thigh pillow.
"Master, is the pressure right?"
Esdeath's expression was tender as she gently massaged his temples with her fingers.
Her gentle demeanor made it hard to reconcile with the sadistic queen of the battlefield.
"Perfect."
Kaiser smiled faintly, then asked, "How are the ministers behaving?"
"All under control. A few harbored schemes, but they've been dealt with."
Esdeath smiled, shifting her hands to his shoulders. "What about the little emperor? Shall we eliminate him now?"
Kaiser pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Spare him for the moment—keep him under house arrest."
This method of seizing control was meant to minimize hassle.
Killing the emperor...
Would give countless ambitious types an excuse to rebel.
Though it posed no real threat to him...
He had no interest in wasting time on such trivialities.
"By the way—do you know about the Empire's elite assassination unit?"
"Yes. Do you wish to bring them under your command, Master?"
"Not all of them. I'm particularly interested in one called Kurome."
"Simple. Issue an order summoning her."
Kaiser sat up, lightly tapping her elegant nose with a chuckle. "Not even a hint of jealousy?"
"With your capabilities, Master... it's only natural you'd have many women."
Esdeath smiled brightly, cheeks flushing faintly.
She guided his hand downward naturally. "Besides... Master wants to grow stronger again."
Feeling that softness, Kaiser's thoughts began to wander.
"As your master, it's my duty to fulfill reasonable requests from my servants."
...
The next day.
The grand palace hall.
Kaiser sat upon the throne, shifting slightly.
"What's wrong, Master?"
"Nothing—just finding this chair uncomfortable."
He stood, stretching lazily.
Countless coveted this throne.
To him...
It was unremarkable.
"Because to you, Master... a mere imperial seat means nothing."
Esdeath stated it as obvious fact.
In her eyes now...
Nothing in existence rivaled even a fraction of Kaiser.
As they conversed, footsteps approached.
A girl in a sailor uniform appeared before Kaiser and Esdeath.
She had an endearing face, with lustrous black short hair falling naturally.
Skin like polished jade gleamed against the dark uniform, accentuating her alluring figure.
"Kurome reporting, my lord."
She advanced and knelt on one knee in salute.
Her gaze lingered on Kaiser, dark eyes flickering with curiosity.
Though her knowledge was limited...
She knew this man had supplanted Honest as the Empire's true ruler.
Kaiser descended from the throne, smiling. "Rise. No need for formalities."
He glanced at his panel.
As expected.
Devil Contract glowed—Kurome qualified as a servant.
She stood respectfully. "My lord, why have you summoned me?"
"I do have something in mind."
Kaiser met her eyes directly. "I want you to become my servant."
"???"
Kurome tilted her head.
His words... didn't quite make sense.
"To put it simply—join Master's harem."
Esdeath explained with a beaming smile from the side.
"E-eh?!?"
Kurome's eyes widened as she flailed her arms.
Her pretty face flushed visibly.
H-he wanted her body?
Unprecedented shyness flooded Kurome's heart.
"While Esdeath isn't wrong... that's not the full picture."
Kaiser patiently clarified.
"So... Lord Kaiser and General Esdeath are both devils?"
After his explanation, Kurome still looked bewildered.
She understood every word...
But together, it sounded absurd.
Devils?
He must be joking.
"Esdeath."
At Kaiser's cue—with a soft whoosh—sleek black wings unfurled from Esdeath's back.
Whoosh!
The gust lifted Kurome's skirt.
Hmm... black underneath too.
From Kaiser's angle, the view beneath was crystal clear.
"Ah—!"
Kurome reacted instantly, clamping her skirt down reflexively.
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