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Imperial Capital
At that moment, the streets of the Imperial Capital were overflowing with vibrant flowers, while the City Guards stood in orderly rows along both sides of the road, holding back the surging crowds.
Numerous high-ranking Imperial officials stood beneath the blazing sun outside the city gates, anxiously staring into the distance.
"They're here! They're here!"
"Quickly! Military band, start playing!"
One of the senior officials hurriedly shouted orders to the military band that had long been waiting nearby.
As soon as the command was given, an energetic military march echoed through the area.
Atop a tall building nearby, Kaito sat casually on the edge of the rooftop with a playful smile as he watched the distant army slowly approach.
"Heh heh, Prime Minister Honest really went all out for this welcome ceremony."
"I wonder what kind of expression he'll make once he realizes this army isn't here to help him, but to take his life instead."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
Behind Kaito, the members of Night Raid stood lined up in a row, excitement flickering in their eyes as they looked toward the approaching army.
After so many years, the Empire was finally about to fall.
Even if it wasn't the Revolutionary Army overthrowing it, none of that mattered anymore.
As long as the people of this country could finally live decent lives, it didn't matter who destroyed the Empire.
Besides, they had already betrayed the Revolutionary Army anyway, so it mattered even less.
"Kaito-sama, that fat pig's expression is definitely going to be priceless later!"
Mine grinned mischievously as she spoke to Kaito.
"The corrupt Empire... is it finally reaching its end...?"
Najenda looked toward the Imperial Palace with a complicated expression as she quietly muttered to herself.
"Wow, they're here! They're here! Is that Esdeath Kaito-sama mentioned?"
"She's not cold and terrifying at all like everyone said. She's definitely beautiful, but she doesn't look cold whatsoever!"
Tatsumi excitedly pointed toward the blue-haired figure riding at the front of the army near the city gates.
"Impossible... did Esdeath actually change her personality?"
Hearing Tatsumi's exclamation, Najenda quickly snapped back to her senses and looked toward the city gate as well.
But the moment she saw the person leading the army, confusion immediately appeared on her face.
"Uh... even though she does have blue hair, that's not Esdeath."
"Huh? It's not? Then why is she leading the army?"
Hearing Sheele's confused question, Kaito smiled brilliantly while looking toward the city gate.
"Of course she can lead the army."
"You guys might not recognize Esdeath, but there's absolutely no way you shouldn't recognize that person."
Hearing Kaito say that, everyone immediately turned toward him in surprise.
"Who exactly is someone we have to recognize?"
Mine directly asked.
"Heh heh. Katakuri, explain it to them."
Whoosh...
Katakuri instantly appeared beside them after being summoned by Kaito.
First, he respectfully bowed toward Kaito.
Then he turned toward the distant blue-haired figure with a respectful expression and solemnly introduced her:
"That is Her Majesty Rimuru Tempest, founder of the Jura Tempest Federation, founder of the Do-Nothing Organization, and Empress of the Jura Tempest Federation!!!"
"What?! Em... Empress?!"
"The Empress of the Jura Tempest Federation is actually such a beautiful girl?!"
"That's unbelievable!"
"Wow, that's amazing!"
"But why does the Do-Nothing Organization sound so weird...?"
All of Night Raid stared at the smiling blue-haired figure in the distance with shocked expressions.
Some people might wonder why nobody recognized Rimuru despite the existence of the background interpreter.
The answer was simple.
The background interpreter only explained things Kaito wanted them to know.
That was why none of them recognized Rimuru.
"I see... no wonder she's leading the army."
After hearing Katakuri's explanation, Najenda immediately showed a look of understanding.
"So which one is Esdeath then?"
Even after learning Rimuru's identity, Tatsumi still stubbornly returned to his original question.
"She's over there. The woman beside Rimuru wearing the military cap is Esdeath."
Kaito pointed toward Rimuru's side as he answered.
Tatsumi followed the direction Kaito indicated and finally saw a mature woman with long blue hair wearing a military cap while quietly lowering her head in thought.
"Hahaha! General Esdeath, thank you for all your hard work suppressing the northern barbarians!"
"His Majesty and Prime Minister Honest have already prepared a grand celebration banquet for your return!"
As Esdeath rode her warhorse up to the city gates, the officials who had been waiting immediately rushed forward to greet her respectfully.
After hearing their words, Esdeath merely glanced at the official coldly without replying.
The official instantly noticed something was wrong.
Why didn't General Esdeath seem happy at all?
Could it be that the welcoming ceremony wasn't grand enough?
Damn it, what should he do now?!
Cold sweat immediately dripped down the official's forehead as he nervously stammered:
"U-Uh... General Esdeath, perhaps our preparations were too rushed. The ceremony should've been grander!"
"I'll immediately have people redecorate everything! We'll definitely satisfy you!"
After speaking, the official hurriedly waved toward his subordinates, preparing to issue orders.
But at that moment, Esdeath finally spoke while remaining seated atop her horse.
"There's no need."
"It won't matter anymore anyway."
"Uh... what do you mean by that?"
The official asked in confusion.
"Exactly what I said."
Pfft!
The moment she finished speaking, Esdeath instantly drew the sword at her waist and thrust it directly through the official's heart.
"Ugh... ah... pfft...! W-Why... why...?"
As his body gradually grew colder, terror filled the official's face.
"Why?"
"Because this country now belongs to my master."
"Everyone, kill them!!!"
The instant Esdeath gave the order, the army immediately threw away the Empire's banners and raised the flags of the Jura Tempest Federation instead.
All the officials and civilians gathered outside the city gates stared blankly at the sudden turn of events.
This was General Esdeath.
The Empire's greatest hero.
Yet she had openly rebelled without the slightest warning.
"This is bad! Esdeath has rebelled! Hurry and inform His Majesty and Prime Minister Honest!"
"City Guards! Close the city gates immediately!"
"You! Go notify Great General Budo!"
One quick-thinking official urgently shouted orders toward the surrounding City Guards.
"But there are still many officials outside the gates..."
"At a time like this, who cares whether they live or die?! Close the gates now, or I'll execute you myself!"
The official furiously roared at the captain of the guards stationed at the gate.
"Ah... y-yes!"
"Close the city gates immediately!"
After receiving the order, the City Guards hurriedly began closing the gates.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Or more accurately, even closing the gates would've been completely useless.
Against someone like Esdeath, who could rival an entire nation by herself, ordinary city gates were meaningless.
Not to mention the fifteen thousand veterans hidden within the two hundred-thousand-strong army.
Which one of those veterans couldn't fly?
Could mere city walls really stop them?
"Hmph. A mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Esdeath casually swung the sword in her hand.
Instantly, a tunnel of ice rapidly spread toward the city gates and reached them in mere moments.
Every soldier touched by the spreading ice was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture, while the gates themselves became completely sealed beneath thick ice.
No matter how desperately the soldiers operating the mechanism pushed the crank, the gates refused to budge.