Chapter 184 - #183 Meeting the Emperor (2/2)

”Hm? You mean that they will try to invade the Empire?!” Esdeath asked with an anticipating expression.

”Exactly, once the emperor is overthrown, the chaos will naturally raise even though there is already chaos so not much of a change but this will serve as a good excuse to start the invasion. The northern region is already under the Empire's control, thanks to you...But Eastern Region and Western Region are a different matter, they are already eyeing the Empire for a long time so they will start their invasion once the news of the emperor getting overthrown will reach their ears. You still have a lot of fun in front of you.” Akashi explained with a smile and his words made Esdeath form a sadistic yet grateful smile.

”The Path of Peace...Do you think ”he” will truly try to invade the Empire?” Taeko asked when she recalled their meeting with The Lord.

”Even if it looks like The Lord has his region under full control, it is not the truth. He will be pressured by his people, with each day, the number of his followers grows and with many people, he will sooner or later require a great number of resources. Even if he won't like the idea of invading the Empire invade, he won't have much of a choice...pitiful” Akashi turned at Taeko and said with a serious expression.

”Well, the time has come...I will have you wait outside with the others since I don't want to appear too suspicious even before arriving in front of the Emperor, Taeko. You will be the leader of the group so make sure no one does anything stupid, especially Poney...” Akashi said with an apologetic smile.

”It's alright, I understand my position in this plan very well!” Taeko nodded her head with a smile suggesting Akashi not to worry about it.

”Esdeath, you said that you have a group of Teigu users under your command...How loyal are they to you?” Akashi nodded before turning at Esdeath and asked with narrowed eyes.

”...Hard to say, but I wouldn't call them loyal since they were called here thanks to Honest's influence. However, my army is complete opposite, they don't even care about this Empire, they are completely loyal to me and only to me.” Esdeath shrugged her shoulders before replying with a smile.

”Fine, Taeko, once I give you a signal through the Wrigglers, you will infiltrate the Palace with the others and apprehend those Teigu users. In case they will resist too much and will turn too much dangerous, show no mercy” Akashi said with cold eyes, disregarding the fact that they were still part of Esdeath's unit.

'Heh, how cold...' Esdeath actually smiled when she heard his words, she absolutely liked his decisiveness.

”Understood” Taeko nodded her head with a serious expression.

”Alright, let's go.” Akashi said and got up from his seat, going back to the main hall where he saw once again his parents.

”Dad, I am going” Akashi said with a serious look in his eyes.

”...So it's time, huh? Don't do anything too dangerous and don't underestimate them, they must still have something up their sleeve, however, I doubt I need to say those things to you, so...Just, break a leg!” Jun said while giving him a thumb up with a wide confident smile.

”...Be careful and return safely...after all, I still need grandchildren.” Ember said jokingly and even though she had absolute confidence in Akashi's success, she still couldn't help it and her eyes grew moist.

When the girls heard her words, Esdeath actually flashed her a reassuring smile with a little blush however Taeko actually looked sideways with her face blushing while also placing her hand slightly under her belly.

'?!' ”Hmmm” Ember obviously noticed Taeko's suspicious response as she started eyeing her.

”Obviously, you two girls have to come back here too! Understood...Taeko?” Ember said with a teasing smile, pressuring Taeko without acting suspiciously.

”Y-Yes” Taeko weakly replied, she never had a problem talking about those things with Akashi's parents but now that she actually might have gotten pregnant, she was feeling embarrassed out of nowhere.

Esdeath looked strangely at Taeko since she liked her usual calm yet confident personality but right now, she found Taeko behaving strangely.

'Why do I even care about her?' Esdeath thought before throwing the matter with Taeko out of her mind.

Esdeath and Akashi took their leave while Taeko remained behind to gather everyone and explain the plan.

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---At the palace---

*Creak* The sound of doors opening resounded in the entire throne room.

”Esdeath-sama, Lord Phoenix...” The guard wearing thick golden-colored plate armor who opened the door bowed down to 2 of them before closing the door once they entered the throne room.

'Hmm...This is actually my first time in the throne room, it is truly a bit exaggerated. The ceiling is actually numerous meters high for the reason of...flexing? Well, I understand that it needs to look grand at least.' Akashi thought when he first stepped inside the room.

”*Looks like there is even Budo as you predicted*” Esdeath whispered with an excited smile.

”*Did you truly think that they would let us, the strongest people in the Empire to come near the emperor without his personal guard? Anyway, let's go closer*” Akashi whispered back with a teasing smile before turning with a serious expression at a little kid sitting on the throne a few stairs above.

Both moved closer up till the first bunch of the stairs.

”General Esdeath, and heir of the Phoenix house, it is a nice occasion to have two strongest people in the Empire right in this room standing side by side together. To be completely honest with you, Akashi I hope you don't mind me calling you like that, I have witnessed some of the changes you brought to your territory and it truly inspired me!” The emperor said with an honest smile.

'Child being controlled by the demon...how tragic. With the normal teacher, he would have perhaps even become a good emperor, who knows...However, that, unfortunately, doesn't matter any longer.' Akashi thought, seeing that innocent smile.

'Tsk! Inspired my ȧss! You kept asking me all kinds of questions due to this so I stopped informing you about his territory and just kept saying that he is doing well. The only reason why I tolerated those changes was that the income became even bigger thus taxes too which is something even I am confused with.' Honest thought while smiling at the emperor with his eyes closed.

”I don't mind at all, it is an honor to finally meet your majesty in person” Akashi said with a slightly sarcastic tone while performing a similar bow to those before the duels.