After bringing Night Raid under control, Sai Akuto's work entered a brand-new phase.
On Esdeath's side, ever since Akuto had toppled her with a single decisive kick, it was as if her personality had flipped. She barely bothered with military affairs anymore and instead often looked for Akuto to accompany her on shopping trips.
Because Esdeath sought him out far too frequently, even Najenda had complaints—
what could they do? Akuto's time was limited.
He was already busy, and adding Esdeath to the schedule left less time to tutor Furina.
Night Raid's effect on the capital.
With Night Raid now under Akuto's banner, the Empire's capital saw "improved public order." Of course, that "improvement" was good news for nobles—no more fear of Night Raid ambushes—but for commoners, "order" didn't translate into a better life.
When a week passed with no Night Raid sightings, the old aristocracy grew rampant. If not for the profits Akuto was funneling in from overseas, the situation in the capital would already be much worse.
But within a month, the initial gains—born of new technology and new revenue—were showing signs of being eaten away. The reason was simple: Akuto had imported wealth, yet hadn't restructured the distribution system from top to bottom. If you just find new profits without reform, the entrenched interests who control distribution will quickly swallow everything.
That is also why, once the new Empire is founded, Akuto must purge the old nobility.
Governor's Residence — war council, final pre-uprising tasks
"Sayu, before the people redirect their anger toward me, we need to launch our revolt against the Empire. How are preparations around Anvale City?" Akuto asked, confirming the last items on the checklist. By plan, it was about time to raise the banner.
Sayu swiftly handed him a dossier.
"Akuto-kun, over these past months, seven or eight prefectures around Longxi Prefecture have fallen under our control.
"Right now, the west, southwest, and northwest are our territory; the south and southeast are the Revolutionary Army's; the north and northeast remain the Empire's. The whole map is stitched together.
"Once we raise the flag, the Empire's dragon aura and national fortune will suffer a major blow. At that moment the Supreme Imperial Arms will enter an unprecedented weakened state—and we can strike to end the Empire in one blow!"
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear." Akuto nodded.
Given a continental layout very similar to his past life's Huaxia, holding the west and southwest grants a legitimate path to unify the land.
The west contains the Guanzhong Plain (around Longxi), and the southwest holds the Chengdu Plain. Before the waterline shifted south and before erosion ruined Guanzhong, these two plains formed a famed "founding pair."
Qin, Han, and Tang all used Guanzhong as the forward capital with Chengdu as the rear granary, compounding strength until they seized the world.
What's more, Akuto's pair is upgraded: with technological and agricultural advances, his side has basically stepped into the industrial age.
With that productivity, fighting the Empire and the Revolutionary Army feels like swatting children.
"And Najenda-san's end?" Akuto asked again.
"General Najenda is analyzing the Revolutionary Army base intel that Chelsea submitted," Sayu replied. "Once war starts, our forces will teleport via pre-built arrays, sweeping the Southern Mountain strongholds in one go."
"Good. Make sure Najenda-san drills coordination with the Anvale army," Akuto said. "I'll try to procure danger-class creatures—at least special-grade—to bolster our troops."
"Yes. Understood. Reports from Kurome-san indicate General Najenda's integration with the troops is going well."
Another day of hard work passed.
At dusk, Akuto stretched long and hard, then set down the Imperial Atlas.
During his time in the capital, he'd noticed an odd phenomenon: the dragon aura and national fortune flowing into the capital didn't match what lingered on the Eight Ministers and high officials.
"The sums don't line up… Is the excess being absorbed by the Supreme Imperial Arms?" he wondered. "But at idle draw, it shouldn't be consuming that much."
He sighed. "I'll take a look while tutoring Furina tonight."
Before leaving, Akuto paused behind diligent, still-working Sayu and wrapped his arms around her.
"Sayu, you've worked so hard all this time."
Sayu had always been Akuto's firmest support—the person he trusted most in the Akame ga Kill world. Between them had formed a bond akin to family.
Hearing him, Sayu set down her brush, smiled, and took his hands.
"No, I'm happy I can support you, Akuto-kun, and help you build a legacy for the ages.
"I believe in my choice. I believe Akuto-kun is the one most suited to govern this nation. Under your stewardship, this country—this world—is moving for the better.
"To take part in such a great undertaking—how could I call that 'hard'?"
Sayu was always this gentle—perhaps too gentle.
"No, Sayu, that's not what I meant," Akuto chuckled, shaking his head. "What I'm saying is… tonight—will you come keep me company?"
"Eh…?"
It took Sayu several seconds to catch his meaning. She lowered her head, let out a tiny "nn," and—cheeks rosy—answered,
"Okay. I understand.
"But, Akuto-kun, don't spend the whole night on me. Besides me, you should dote on the other girls, too~ On the one hand, I worry I won't be able to get up tomorrow if it's just me handling you alone; on the other, since you've claimed their hearts and they're helping you, they deserve their share of happiness."
"Sayu… don't think about others at a time like this," he sighed, amused. "Just come back when you're ready."
Akuto ruffled her hair for a good while, then headed out.
Evening lesson — Furina
Furina was playful as ever. After Esdeath taught her a few… odd bits of knowledge, Furina herself had become a little odd.
Class ended. Furina, now very practiced, extended a white-socked foot and motioned for Akuto to sit back in his usual spot. Since Akuto's white symbiote could warm and ease sore spots, Furina had wholly let herself go—she loved watching the all-powerful Governor show a rare look of enjoyment under her feet.
Conveniently, Akuto also enjoyed seeing the imperial girl show her girlish charms before him. The two got along perfectly; for a month they hadn't taken the final step, but they certainly had their fun.
Afterward, wearing blue boots now lightly infused with that symbiote's warmth, Furina and Akuto went incognito through the inner city, enjoying themselves.
With the boots carrying Akuto's warmth, her steps felt powerful—no soreness no matter how long she walked. A month ago in testing, Furina had already decided she'd keep "walking on Akuto's symbiote." A bit sticky, perhaps, but the fatigue relief and refreshing effect made it quite practical.
"Akuto-kō, that's all for today—this is my reward."
She pecked his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark, flashed a mischievous smile, hopped back onto the bed, and drew the curtains.
Akuto touched the faint mark by his cheek.
"When did this girl learn to use lipstick? Also… shoes off when you get in bed. Isn't that, like, rule one?"
He sighed inwardly—Furina is getting more and more outrageous—and left the palace. Just picturing her sleeping with her boots on made his soul wince.
Back at the Governor's Residence
By the big bed, hot water for washing face and feet was already set out. Though Akuto had told her many times not to trouble herself, Sayu still insisted on preparing it herself.
It used to be her insistence as his childhood friend.
Now, it was her right as the primary wife.
After washing up, Akuto lifted the quilt—inside lay a black-haired girl wearing only white tabi.
"Welcome home, Akuto-kun," Sayu said, cheeks flushed, greeting him with a wife's courtesy.
"Thanks, Sayu."
He slipped beneath the covers without hesitation. The soft glide of her hair brushed his skin; no wonder that blonde noble girl Aria was jealous—Sayu's hair was stunningly silky.
"Akuto-kun, what's with that lipstick on your face?"
Even Sayu's gentle temper puffed into a pout at the sight. She'd heard him washing up. If he'd washed and the mark remained, clearly he'd left it on for her to see.
"Normally I'd wipe it, Sayu. But this one is different. It's from Her Majesty. Our ever-playful emperor has finally learned to use lipstick—surely it's a memorable milestone.
"As her sensei and vassal, I can't just ignore her sincerity."
"Sensei and vassal? Akuto-kun, you're obviously just enjoying the fun of 'raising' her—you bad man!"
She leaned in and gave him a firm nip—
"Ow—hard!"
—only to realize she couldn't even break the "defense."
Sayu had more to say, but in the next instant she felt Akuto still her head; she couldn't move.
Akuto cupped her pure, gentle face and—very softly—guided her closer.
"Sayu… do you hear someone breathing under the bed?"
At that, Sayu's already-nervous heart leapt to her throat. Her larynx tightened at once.
So… Akuto-kun had noticed she'd invited someone?
Fade to black.
(End of Chapter)
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