Esdeath pondered for a few seconds.
"In that case, Heika, this minister is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"I've heard Governor Akuto has been too busy with governance to eradicate Night Raid lately. Allow this minister to lead troops and relieve Your Majesty's worries—also lightening Governor Akuto's load."
The young Empress thought for a long moment.
Night Raid's strikes had decreased thanks to Governor Akuto's deterrence and reforms, but they still posed a hidden threat.
"Your Majesty, General Esdeath's concern is well-founded," the Grand Minister advised.
"Why can Governor Akuto attend only the tri-daily major court and not the daily minor court? Because he's swamped with affairs of state."
"Since he's too busy to handle Night Raid, we should help him eliminate the problem at its roots."
Furina nodded at once.
The Minister and General Esdeath were right—she should share Akuto's burdens where possible.
Ten-plus minutes later, Esdeath received a new appointment.
"General Esdeath, We hereby order you to form a Teigu Unit to counter Night Raid's threat to the capital. Draw your personnel from Teigu users across the realm. You are to erase Night Raid from Our and Governor Akuto's field of vision!"
After proclaiming the appointment, Furina added, as if suddenly remembering something:
"Oh—one more thing."
"General Esdeath, come to Our chambers shortly. We wish to discuss, face-to-face, certain matters regarding your choice of partner."
The Grand Minister: "??"
He hadn't expected the usually short-attention-span young Empress to be this interested in Esdeath's love life.
Coupled with the earlier consort requirements… has Her Majesty's spring finally arrived?
Perfect—if I learn what kind of men she likes, I can corrupt her with that very type.
Since the late Emperor left no marriage decree, it falls to this minister to act in his stead…
He believed that once the Consort-Emperor came from his side, all would go smoothly again.
In the imperial bedchamber.
The young Empress took off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed, gazing at Esdeath below with great interest.
"Attend! Bring General Esdeath a seat."
"Thank you, Heika."
Esdeath rose and sat on the stool the maids brought. Without ceremony, she casually raised one long, white-stockinged leg and crossed it over the other.
"General Esdeath, what do you think of a nationwide selection to choose your partner?" Furina floated a fresh proposal.
"No, a nationwide selection won't be necessary," Esdeath shook her head.
"If possible, Heika, please introduce me to Governor Akuto." She repeated the request, unwavering.
The young Empress: "Ehem?!"
She hadn't expected that even after moving to a private, informal setting, Esdeath still wouldn't give up.
Seeing this approach fail, Furina switched tactics.
She slid from her cross-legged pose, propped her head with one hand, and let one leg dangle over the bed's edge in a languid, at-ease posture.
"General Esdeath," she said evenly,
"Governor Akuto bears duties none can replace; you as well are peerless—invincible in external campaigns."
"An Imperial Governor and an Imperial Great General—even if only for appearances—cannot be too intimate before Us."
"To be frank: unless one of you relinquishes your office, We cannot approve your request."
"General Esdeath, are you willing to step down from the Great General's seat for your love?"
Furina knew perfectly well Esdeath wouldn't abandon her rank.
Precisely because she knew, she said it on purpose.
"If not, then please stop speaking of 'falling in love with Governor Akuto'—such a far-fetched notion!"
"Oh, and another thing."
"We've heard you and the Grand Minister had a private banquet scheduled? Cancel it. The Empire's Minister and Great General must not cultivate excessive private ties."
"Now you see, General Esdeath, We're not singling out your romance—we are maintaining proper distance across the board."
"...?"
Esdeath was taken aback.
This Furina Heika was, indeed, not quite the same as before.
She could feel the Empress' intent to make her drop the idea of pursuing Akuto.
But she hadn't expected Furina to wield imperial authority to press her—
nor to question the propriety of her close cooperation with the Minister, just to block her and Akuto?
In the past, the young Empress would have ignored such matters entirely.
Even so, Esdeath didn't refute—she bowed instead.
"Your Majesty speaks rightly. This minister forgot that the Minister and the Great General should not be overly familiar."
"This time, I failed to consider properly. Please forgive me, Heika."
Kneeling on one knee, Esdeath made her apology.
Interesting.
So the Empress has changed this much… and all because of one man?
She could tell Furina wasn't angry; Furina just wanted to sever the romantic possibility between her and Akuto.
Which meant… Her Majesty herself has feelings?
Witnessing something so amusing, Esdeath couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.
Seeing Esdeath yield, the Empress didn't press further.
After all, a girl hoping for a partner who's her equal is only natural. It wasn't Esdeath's fault—she was simply too strong, leaving the men of her era far, far behind.
"Mm. It's enough that you understand, Aishin," Furina said, satisfied.
"Rest assured, We still trust you. Certain lines must merely be kept clear."
They went on to discuss other matters—
such as promotion slates, whether any new talent had been discovered, and how the silver mine would soon start yielding coin, so Esdeath's next campaign could be brought forward.
Esdeath's surprise never quite stopped.
Ordinarily, the young Empress never discussed such topics with her—those were the Minister's domain.
Which meant… the Empress was becoming interested in statecraft?
Esdeath had no intention of reporting this to the Minister.
As a connoisseur of carnage, she very much wanted to see what the court would look like after this change.
If the Empress can rely wholly on me, I could support imperial authority alone and not the Minister. I only require a stable rear to fuel my wars…
Of course, pragmatism remains: if I stand firmly with the Minister, it won't be long before I cross blades with General Budo—or Governor Akuto.
Slaughtering foreign foes was satisfying, but a peer stirred her battle spirit far more.
At last, Furina asked what she considered the most crucial question.
"General Esdeath, if you had someone you liked, and you wanted to reward him—how would you do it?"
The Empress took out a little notebook, staring very seriously at Esdeath.
Esdeath was speechless.
So the imperial gravitas from moments ago was an act; deep down she was still a girl.
Still, she answered.
"A reward for one's lover… hm…"
"This minister would step on him."
"Eh? Step on him? What do you mean?" Furina tilted her head.
"Literally—with my foot," Esdeath said. "But he should have some agency. He can choose whether I step on him with shoes or without, with stockings or barefoot."
Her fingers—tipped with pale-blue polish—came together delicately; her expression went earnestly serious.
"Would that make a man… happy?" the Empress asked, face conflicted.
"Of course. If a charming woman treads on him, a real man will be delighted," Esdeath replied as a matter of course.
"This can even serve as a proof: if he's happy after being stepped on, it proves the woman is very charming."
"I see…"
The Empress nodded as if enlightened, taking notes with great diligence.
After a deep dive into how to "reward" someone she liked, Esdeath left the palace in excellent spirits.
She obeyed the Empress's order and did not meet the Grand Minister.
Even so, the Minister sent Esdeath a directive:
"Kill former Minister Tōri before he reaches the capital. Under no circumstances allow him to link up with Governor Akuto. — Grand Minister Honest."
"Fufufu~"
Reading the Minister's private letter, Esdeath laughed, delighted.
"So, even the Minister has begun to fear Governor Akuto's power?"
"To drive him to this state in so short a time—he's certainly capable. As expected of the man who caught my eye."
"Let's see whose methods prove superior—yours or mine."
"Nyevar!" Esdeath called her adjutant.
"Yes!"
A middle-aged man with a distinctively styled mustache stepped in and saluted.
"Nyevar, I have a task for you."
"Please command me, General Esdeath!"
"According to reliable intel, former Minister Tōri will soon return to the capital. Before he does, target several civil officials under General Budo's protection. Strike disguised as Night Raid, and distribute leaflets widely."
"This will force Night Raid to dispatch escorts to protect the ex-minister as he travels to the capital."
"When that happens, we'll annihilate both Night Raid and the ex-minister in one stroke—then pin the murder on Night Raid."
"Understood! We Jaegers will carry out General Esdeath's will!"
"No—not only you Jaegers."
Esdeath pressed the brim of her cap, a pleased smile on her face.
"This operation, I'll lead personally. You Jaegers will be folded into 'The Hunters'—and hunt with me!"
(End of Chapter)
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