"Looks like they're having a great time."
On the Eternal Snowfall, Setsuna was observing the movements of the Heroic Spirits and Spirits.
This was a rare chance to stretch their limbs and show off in front of their Master.
Everyone seemed excited.
They were clashing fiercely with Teigu users, Imperial Fist monks, and other powerful figures of the Akame ga Kill world.
Though in most cases, it was really just one-sided domination.
After all, the Heroic Spirits and Spirits weren't just inherently more powerful than most Teigu users—they also had a major intel advantage.
The numbers of the Imperial army meant nothing before Heroic Spirits wielding army- or city-level Noble Phantasms. Entire legions couldn't survive even a single blow.
And if that wasn't enough, the Spirit squads had their unbeatable "call the boss" strategy.
Any time a fight got even slightly tough, Mio would descend like a divine weapon and use the absurd authority of a Spirit of Origin to teach their enemies a painful lesson.
At this rate, even without the starship fleet joining in, the Empire would likely surrender within a day.
"Commander, watching them is making me itchy—can we go play too?"
Taihou and Tohru clung to Setsuna from either side.
He could feel their softness pressing against his arms.
"If I let you two down there, you'd wipe out the Empire in three strikes."
"Didn't we agree to give the others a chance this time?"
Setsuna rubbed the dragon girl's head affectionately.
Then he checked the situation on the ground via the holographic interface.
The Heroic Spirits and Spirits were more than strong enough to run wild in the Empire.
Meanwhile, a few "ordinary" people were also taking action.
Outside the capital, the Demon Slayer squad led by Kanae exited a noble's estate.
The spacious villa was littered with the bloodied bodies of armored guards and men who looked like private enforcers.
It was clear a fierce battle had just occurred.
Kanae wiped the blood off her Nichirin blade and took a deep breath to calm herself.
They had once fought demons—but this was their first time killing humans.
Yet after witnessing what kind of twisted pervert Aria was, she hadn't hesitated to slit her throat.
That noble girl had a deceptively sweet face, but was wicked to the core. She enjoyed luring rural folk trying to make a living into her home—only to torture them to death.
Someone like that deserved to die.
"Phew..."
Kanae looked at Shinobu, Kanao, and the others.
It was also their first time truly fighting humans to the death. They were still gasping, trying to recover from the intense battle.
"Commander, mission complete."
"Aria has been eliminated."
Kanae opened her holo-communicator to report to Setsuna.
"Mm. Understood."
Setsuna nodded.
"Um..."
"The five of us took down over sixty enemies! They were all Aria's guards and fully armed imperial soldiers..."
"The genetic enhancements and magic training you gave us—really effective!"
Seeing that Setsuna hadn't responded much, Kanae quickly added more details about their performance.
Even if it was nothing compared to the Heroic Spirits and Spirits steamrolling Teigu users in the capital, she still wanted a bit of acknowledgment.
To be praised—by the lofty commander seated high above aboard the Eternal Snowfall.
"..."
"Good work. Nicely done."
"Come up later and have dinner with us, alright? I'll have the universal angels prepare something."
Setsuna saw the spark in Kanae's eyes and smiled as he extended the invitation.
"Thank you, Commander!"
Kanae blushed and gave a formal bow through the holographic screen.
"Commander, any more missions for us?"
Shinobu leaned into the frame and asked.
"I think we're pretty strong, you know? Maybe we could take on some Teigu users next?"
"Hmm..."
Setsuna thought for a moment.
"You've learned quite a lot by now. Honestly, most low-level Teigu users can't beat you..."
"But yes, I do have a new mission for you."
He glanced down at Ritsuka Fujimaru, currently piloting Barbatos and wrecking the Empire's forces at the city gates.
She wielded a spear-hammer in one hand and a super-graviton cannon in the other, driving the Imperial army into chaos.
Teigu users and Imperial Fist Temple martial artists alike were getting tossed around by the towering Gundam like playthings.
It was clear—Human Evil was having a blast bullying the locals.
"Go bring back Akame and the others for me. Gudako's gotten addicted to playing Gundam vs. natives and forgot the task I gave her."
...
Northern Empire — deep in the mountains, in an unassuming village.
"Hup!"
A black-haired, red-eyed girl in a black combat outfit and short skirt was training in an open field.
She had a beautiful face—enough to be called stunning even without makeup—but her expression was cold, carrying a hint of killing intent.
Akame drew a long sword from her waist, slicing down wooden training dummies at lightning speed.
Her movements were fluid, elegant, and razor-sharp.
Then she spun the blade skillfully and sheathed it in one smooth motion.
"Whoa there! Be careful, I don't want to get nicked by Murasame—that thing is deadly, right?!"
"Can't you use a different sword when training?!"
A pink twin-tailed loli nearby stepped back a bit.
She, like Akame, was a member of the Night Raid.
Akame's Teigu, One-Cut Killer: Murasame, even scared her allies.
True to its name, a single cut from it would infect the target with a deadly curse and kill them swiftly.
There were no exceptions, no cures.
Even Akame had to be careful—if she cut her own finger, it would mean instant death.
"If I don't give it my all now, it'll be harder to kill my enemies later."
Akame brushed back her hair and looked into the distance, lost in thought.
Recently, chaos had broken out in the Imperial Capital. The glow of Heroic Spirit Noble Phantasms lit up the sky, visible from miles away.
Massive starships hovered in the skies above, and with that earlier broadcast...
The Night Raid concluded that something major had happened in the Empire.
But their long-standing caution stopped them from moving immediately.
Instead, they sent a few members to investigate the capital while the rest remained in hiding.
"Just what is going on in the capital...?"
As Akame spaced out—
Hummm—
A silver-white starship descended slowly from the sky.
"Who's there?!"
Akame, Sheele, Mine, and the others were shocked.
The Night Raid's hideout was absolutely confidential—whoever found it clearly had them fully figured out.
Click—
The hatch opened, and stepping out was a silver-haired shipgirl with graceful elegance.
Behind her followed several members of the Demon Slayer squad.
"Good day, everyone. I am Belfast, head maid of the Royal Navy. My master would like to meet you."
"Might I invite you to come with me?"
Belfast made a polite gesture. Her refined demeanor even left Akame briefly stunned.
"Who are you? From the Empire?"
Night Raid leader Najenda asked sharply, her hand on her weapon, ready to act.
"The Empire?"
Belfast chuckled lightly.
"No. In the eyes of our commander, this Empire is worthless. Whether it's Honest or any Teigu user, to us, they are nothing but roadblocks."
"Soon, this entire world will be conquered and brought under the commander's rule. We will rebuild its order. As for you, Akame and company..."
Her gentle gaze swept over the group, yet her tone left no room for refusal.
"The commander is willing to grant you a small favor. Please, do not disappoint his kindness."
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