"...So, the Oarburgh Assassination Syndicate has been completely wiped out?"
Inside the heavily guarded central command tent, smoke filled the air. Najenda sat expressionless, her face half-hidden in the dim glow of the oil lamps. The roasted leg of some unknown animal sizzled over the fire pit, filling the air with a savory aroma—but to her, it brought no warmth, no comfort. Only a cold dread that crawled from the base of her spine up to her scalp.
Across from her, a masked liaison officer from the Revolutionary Army spoke in a hurried tone. "Yes. Our leader sent us here immediately after receiving the news... General Najenda, he hopes you will prepare yourself."
Najenda's voice turned sharp. "What's going on? You said everything was foolproof—so how did it end in total annihilation?!"
"You failed to eliminate the Imperial Assassination Unit as planned! That puts me in an impossible position! The White Wolf River garrison was under my former command—they'll easily notice the forged orders I provided you!"
"At this rate, I'll be exposed... No—someone might already be on their way to arrest me! And the army's uprising preparations aren't even complete yet..."
Crushing out her cigarette and tossing the butt onto the dirt floor, Najenda rubbed her temples, her voice trembling with fury.
For someone as composed as Najenda, even she couldn't help but curse inwardly. On paper, it was called an uprising, but in truth—it was rebellion. And rebellion meant execution—not just for her, but for everyone connected to her.
To be honest, Najenda regretted it now. She had acted on impulse. Even if she despised the Empire, even if she wished to overthrow it, something of this magnitude required years of careful preparation.
But it was too late. Her forged orders had already been distributed. The Oarburgh Syndicate's massacre of the Imperial Assassination Unit had failed spectacularly. Whether ready or not, the uprising would have to begin ahead of schedule.
Crack!
She crushed the cigarette box in her hand, glaring coldly at the masked revolutionary before her.
A pack of fools. Useless, reckless fools.
The Revolutionary Army she once knew had operated with meticulous precision. Now, after their leadership had been obliterated by Selene's previous purge, everything had fallen into chaos—rash decisions, no coordination, no foresight.
Had their command structure truly been wiped out? Or was there something else at play? Could they be intentionally trying to push her into committing too soon?
For a moment, Najenda's thoughts raced. But she couldn't have known that this was the Revolutionary Army's so-called "micro-control" in action. Their earlier successes had relied heavily on a divination-type Teigu. Without it—destroyed by Selene—they were left groping in the dark. Given that, the fact they could coordinate at all was almost a miracle.
"Then... we'll have to rise earlier than planned," said the masked man cautiously.
Suddenly—thud, thud, thud~
A series of rhythmic knocks came from beneath the floorboards.
"This rhythm... it's from headquarters," the masked liaison muttered, stepping toward the concealed trapdoor under a wooden screen.
After a brief exchange of coded knocks and whispered phrases, the disguised panel lifted, revealing several more black-robed revolutionaries wearing metal masks as they climbed into the tent.
Among them, one figure immediately caught Najenda's attention—a short, slight person whose build was far too small for a battlefield agent.
"A child? Why is the Revolutionary Army sending children on such dangerous missions?" Najenda asked, frowning.
"No—it was my choice," said the small revolutionary, removing her mask and hood.
A cascade of chestnut-red hair fell free, and a pair of sharp, intelligent eyes met Najenda's. It was none other than Chelsea.
"In this cruel world... there's no difference between adults and children." Straightening her hair, Chelsea extended her right hand solemnly. "General Najenda, it's an honor to meet you. My name is Chelsea."
"...and I'm the only survivor of the White Wolf River operation against the Imperial Assassination Unit."
"What?" Najenda froze. The cigarette slipped from her fingers as she shot to her feet. "Tell me—what happened at White Wolf River?"
"That's how it happened. We were on the verge of completing our mission when Gozuki escaped to the Empire's northern province and brought back reinforcements... Judging by the scale of destruction, I suspect it was Selene herself who intervened."
Since Chelsea hadn't been anywhere near the frontlines, she was unaware of Arisa's involvement—her assumption rested purely on observation. Given the overwhelming devastation, only someone like Selene came to mind.
"I see... if it was Great General Selene, then a total annihilation makes perfect sense."
Sinking back into her chair, Najenda exhaled heavily, piecing things together.
"If I launch a rebellion now, is there a chance Selene might personally come to suppress me?"
"Impossible," Chelsea replied firmly. "According to our latest intelligence, Selene has already issued a full-scale mobilization order. Judging by the troop movements, she's preparing for an all-out war against the northern tribes."
"Based on the transmission time of our flying courier beasts, the order was issued roughly a day and a half ago."
These messenger beasts—an advanced form of carrier pigeons—could travel vast distances at incredible speed, delivering information much faster than traditional means.
"From what we know of this Great General's past behavior," Chelsea continued, "her motive is obvious—she's after more slaves. In recent years, during the construction of her grand palaces, countless laborers have been worked to death. She's likely facing a shortage of manpower again."
"So I believe she won't have the time or interest to deal with us in the near future." Chelsea's tone dripped with disdain.
Her contempt for the Empire's nobility was deep-seated, and when it came to someone like Selene—a symbol of aristocratic dominance and oppression—her hatred only intensified.
Indeed, Selene's methods over the years had been ruthless. Her relentless use of prisoners of war and captured tribes as forced labor had sparked the rise of slave-hunting squads across the northern borders. The slave trade flourished—nonhuman captives were exchanged for coin and goods.
The Empire's border citizens welcomed this development. Having fought endless wars for survival against these tribes, their hatred ran deep. Capturing and selling their enemies was, to them, no moral burden at all.
Whether Selene's actions actually improved living conditions within the Empire was something Chelsea refused to see. To her, Selene was nothing but a tyrant—a slave master who exploited others for her gain. An enemy who must be overthrown.
Once prejudice takes hold, even truth becomes invisible.
"Good..." Najenda murmured, relief flickering in her eyes.
As long as Selene didn't intervene personally, things would remain manageable. As for Great General Budo—who stood alongside Selene in power—Najenda wasn't worried. The old man rarely left the Imperial Palace.
She had already made her choice. Though her preparations were incomplete and the stolen supplies insufficient, exposure was now inevitable. There was no turning back.
Resolute, Najenda rose to her feet. "Very well... I agree. We'll begin the uprising ahead of schedule."