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Ding!
Congratulations, Host. Former-life objective complete — Subjugate the Bug Queen (Gold).
Reward granted — Longinus: Evanescent–Instantaneous.
Description — Evanescent–Instantaneous: the partner Longinus to Eternal Ice Princess. It commands absolute, ultimate ice. In an absolute ice-stilled time, eternity is an instant, and an instant is eternity. The Ice Emperor of a Moment is the Emperor of Forever. Legend says the Ice Princess is the Emperor's consort; her power springs from the Emperor and is an inseparable part of him.
After reading the description, Akuto could already picture Esdeath's eyes lighting up the moment she saw him wield ice.
But he didn't dwell on the Longinus; he was more curious why the system chimed at all—he remembered it sounded right after he kissed Mera lightly on the forehead.
Meaning… that one soft kiss made Merad choose to yield?
"Mera, shall we… keep going?"
"You choosing to stay by my side makes me happy. If you want, I can postpone my meeting with Furina."
At those words, Mera's eyes flew open—and her already-tight pressure clamped up even more.
"You said it."
Mera's smile turned sultry; instead of letting him recover, she rose and settled on Akuto again.
"You took my first time, so you'd better take responsibility. From now on, find me lots and lots of cute girls. Understood?"
Before Akuto could answer, Mera kissed him again, sealing his mouth. She didn't need a reply—she just wanted him to feel her stance.
Even with her eyes rolling white, the Bug Queen kept the kiss, arms cinched around him like she wanted to knead him into her body. She was the kind of queen who could be won over by Akuto's steady warmth and teasing; her "liking girls" was really a love of beautiful things—of the thrill of ruling over what she liked, and being cared for by what she ruled.
Of course, between Akuto and Mera, who conquered whom was far from decided.
That didn't stop Mera from treating Akuto as something that was hers.
With favor already at "capture" level, and Akuto showing genuine care, the Bug Queen's submission clicked into place.
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
Knowing he still had to enter the palace to see the Little Emperor later, Akuto went all-in from the start. The ever-sensitive Mera buckled early; within an hour the Demon Lord–tier queen was trembling, eyes rolled up, and faint.
"Good. If I use Vāmana's power to travel, I'll still make it."
He stroked Mera for a moment, then slipped free and moved out at speed.
—
Elsewhere—
The freshly established Jaegers HQ.
Esdeath arrived to face the assembled members. Unexpectedly, a young man stepped out the moment they'd lined up and handed in a report.
Its title: On the Benefits and Threats of Governor Akuto's Rule to the Empire.
"Oh? You wrote this report on Governor Akuto? Your name?"
Esdeath's interest was piqued—someone bold enough to write dirt on Akuto. From the phrasing, the draft had started before Akuto became a governor.
"My name is Run. It's an honor you took interest in my report, Esdeath-dono," Run answered without groveling.
"Good, Run. You do realize I could charge you for slandering an imperial official?"
"I do know some things shouldn't be said, Esdeath-dono. Still—I will say them." Run lifted his chin.
"Ha! You've got spirit." A pleased curve tugged Esdeath's lips.
"I'm not interested in the content of your report—I'm interested in why you submitted it. Tell me, why bring this to me?"
"Because… I want a better future for the Empire," Run began, calm and clear.
"As everyone knows, Governor Akuto's work in Anvale City has been outstanding—prospering not just the city but the entire Longxi Province. Yet from my research, the spread of Anvale's technologies and talent is far too slow. Someone is deliberately throttling that spread.
"And I believe that someone… is Governor Akuto himself.
"I was heading to the Capital to submit my findings, but then, Esdeath-dono, you conscripted me—so I chose to present the report to you first.
"In the Capital, Akuto's authority has expanded further. He is now an imperial governor on par with a Great General. From his expedition to Fusō to his purge of the City Watch, even the Minister's checks on him are slipping.
"My judgment: if he's allowed to keep growing, he'll be far more dangerous than the Minister ever was.
"In his hands, the Empire might prosper—but it could also topple.
"I submitted the report hoping the Empire would appoint him in a more suitable way, not let his power and network swell like they are now."
Esdeath nodded when he finished. Truthfully, she didn't care whether Akuto's influence grew or not. The bigger his power, the more the Minister would rely on her—and the better her chance for a fight to the death with him.
"Run, I appreciate your courage and I accept your angle. For now, serve as adjutant under General Liver. After some tempering, I'll recommend you to the Minister."
"General Liver? Understood. Thank you, Esdeath-dono."
Run was a little disappointed—he hadn't wanted to be Dr. Stylish's adjutant either, but he held his tongue.
"Work hard, Run. I think you've got the makings of a little governor," Esdeath encouraged.
"A… little governor?"
He didn't quite follow.
Liver stepped forward, glancing at the blond. "Imperial Governor Akuto—talent for governance, strength like a Great General—he's both pen and sword. If Esdeath-dono says you have a little governor's mettle, she means you've the seeds of both civil and martial gifts."
"I see… Then I'm honored." Run felt sheepish. With an outlier like Akuto around, neither court nor camp could bear another of his caliber.
"Enough talk. Introductions, now. From the Three Beasts—General Liver first!" Esdeath flicked her hand.
"I'll begin."
Liver strode a step. "Colleagues, I'm Liver, formerly of Esdeath-dono's Three Beasts. My Teigu is Water-Dragon Possession: Black Marlin—control over liquids."
Following his lead, each member introduced themselves.
"I'm Daidara! Also from the Three Beasts. My Teigu is this big axe—Revolving Blades: Belvaac!"
"I'm Nyau\~ the last of the Three Beasts. My Teigu is this flute—March of the Ripper: Scream\~"
"I'm Run, from the countryside—former teacher. My Teigu is Infinite Uses: Mastema. It grants flight."
"Yo! Name's Wave, from the Imperial Navy. My Teigu is Incarnation of Shura: Grand Chariot. If you need a spearhead, I'm your guy!"
"And lastly—me\~ Call me Stylish. Dr. Stylish, if you like. My Teigu is God's Hands: Perfectionist—a supreme Teigu for perfect human remodeling. If you need anything, step right up. I love young, sturdy bodies\~"
Esdeath looked down the line, then frowned.
"Stylish is the last? We're one short. Why?"
The Capital had authorized seven provisional Teigu-user slots.
"About that…" Liver grimaced.
"The missing member is Bols—formerly of the Incineration Squad."
"Recently, new-type Danger Beasts have appeared outside the Capital. The squad was sent to handle them.
"But… they misjudged the beasts' strength. The Incineration Squad was nearly wiped out."
"Wiped out?"
Esdeath's brow creased. "New-type Danger Beasts… Hmph. Known to me or not, my subordinates are my subordinates. Once we finish today's task, we ride out and exterminate them."
"Today's task? Esdeath-dono, you've assigned work for us already?" Run blinked. Usually a first meeting ended with a casual meal.
"Yes. A temporary mission." Esdeath lowered her brim and smiled toward the city gates. "A big thing waits outside the Capital."
Actors in place. Curtain rising.
As Akuto entered the inner city to meet Furina, the battle around the former minister's residence began.
A carriage rolled down the official road, flanked by heavy guards—swaggering to be seen, practically screaming: "Important official here, plenty of money—please come rob us."
Ordinary bandits wouldn't dare.
To strike that kind of convoy, you had to be a real organization.
(End of Chapter)
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