Night had already enveloped the Imperial Capital.
Inside the Jaegers' headquarters, however, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
Esdeath sat alone in her office.
The documents piled high on the table remained untouched. Instead, she stared silently at the wine glass in her hand, the crimson liquid reflecting the cold light in her eyes.
Her thoughts were chaotic.
For the first time in her life, she felt uncertain.
"Rejected…" Esdeath muttered softly.
No.
Strictly speaking, Kaede had not rejected her.
But she had run away.
Esdeath leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
Normally, if someone dared evade her, she would simply seize them directly. That had always been her style. If she wanted something, she took it with overwhelming force.
Yet when facing Kaede…
Esdeath discovered she could not do that.
The image of Kaede's flushed face surfaced in her mind again, causing the corners of Esdeath's lips to rise unconsciously.
"She was cute."
The cold aura around the room softened slightly.
Knock knock.
"Enter."
The door opened, and Liver walked in.
"General, the Prime Minister requests your presence."
At those words, the warmth in Esdeath's expression instantly vanished.
"…I understand."
Soon.
Inside the palace hall.
The obese Prime Minister sat high above, chewing meat while several guards stood around him nervously.
"General Esdeath!" the Prime Minister said loudly. "Those Danger Beasts near the Capital are becoming increasingly troublesome. We absolutely must resolve this issue quickly!"
"I know."
Esdeath's tone was calm.
The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then… has General Esdeath discovered anything?"
Esdeath looked directly at him.
For a brief moment, silence filled the hall.
Then Esdeath slowly spoke.
"The traces point toward artificial modification."
The Prime Minister's chewing paused slightly.
"Oh? Artificial?"
"Yes." Esdeath continued calmly, "And the methods resemble the experiments of the late Dr. Stylish."
At the mention of Stylish's name, several officials visibly stiffened.
The Prime Minister forced a laugh.
"Hahaha! How terrifying! To think remnants of that madman's research still exist!"
Esdeath remained expressionless.
She was observing him.
Ever since returning from that island, Esdeath had begun reconsidering many things.
The Prime Minister's actions…
The sudden appearance of modified Danger Beasts…
And the Teigu user who transported them away so precisely.
It was too deliberate.
Too convenient.
"General Esdeath," the Prime Minister suddenly said, his eyes narrowing, "surely you are not suspecting someone within the Empire?"
Esdeath stared at him for several seconds.
Then she smiled faintly.
"If there truly is a traitor…"
Crack.
A thin layer of frost quietly spread beneath her feet.
"I will personally kill them."
The surrounding guards immediately trembled.
The Prime Minister's smile became somewhat stiff.
"Haha… of course. Of course."
Esdeath turned around directly.
"Continue your investigation if you wish," the Prime Minister said from behind her. "But Night Raid is still the Empire's greatest enemy."
Esdeath paused briefly.
"…I know."
Then she left.
After the doors shut completely, the Prime Minister's face darkened.
"That woman…"
A cloaked figure slowly emerged from the shadows nearby.
"Minister," the figure said hoarsely, "should we proceed with the next stage?"
The Prime Minister's eyes flickered coldly.
"Yes."
"We cannot allow Esdeath to continue investigating."
"Understood."
The figure disappeared once more.
Meanwhile.
At Kaede's residence.
Kaede lay atop the roof alone, staring quietly at the moon.
Her thoughts were similarly restless.
Esdeath's confession replayed repeatedly in her mind.
"I love you."
Kaede covered her face with one hand.
"…Why is she so direct…"
Even now, remembering it caused her ears to heat up again.
She did not dislike Esdeath.
In fact…
Kaede knew very clearly that Esdeath occupied a very special place in her heart.
Strength.
Trust.
Companionship.
Understanding.
Among everyone in this world, Esdeath was the one closest to her.
But…
"Love…"
Kaede muttered softly.
She still did not fully understand what answer she should give.
At that moment, light footsteps approached from behind.
"Big Sister."
Kurome climbed onto the roof while holding snacks.
Without hesitation, she sat beside Kaede and handed over a cookie.
"…Thanks."
Kaede accepted it.
The sisters sat quietly together beneath the moonlight.
After a while, Kurome suddenly spoke.
"Big Sister seems troubled."
Kaede glanced at her.
"…Is it that obvious?"
"Mm." Kurome nodded honestly while nibbling on a biscuit. "You've been distracted ever since returning."
Kaede fell silent.
Kurome tilted her head slightly.
"Did something happen with General Esdeath?"
"…!"
Kaede's body stiffened slightly.
Seeing this reaction, Kurome blinked.
Then her crimson eyes widened slightly.
"She confessed?"
"KUROME!"
Kaede immediately grabbed Kurome's cheeks.
"Mmph mph!"
Kurome struggled briefly before finally escaping, rubbing her face innocently.
"So it really happened…"
Kaede looked away awkwardly.
"…How did you guess?"
"Because General Esdeath looks at Big Sister differently from everyone else."
Kurome answered naturally.
"She looks at you the same way Boros looks at his wife."
Kaede froze slightly.
Then she sighed helplessly.
"…Is it really that obvious?"
"Very obvious."
Kurome nodded firmly.
Then she quietly leaned against Kaede's shoulder.
"Big Sister."
"Hm?"
"If it's someone you don't hate… then maybe you can try accepting them slowly."
Kurome's voice was soft.
"You don't need to force yourself to answer immediately."
Kaede looked at her younger sister in surprise.
"…When did you become so mature?"
"Because I'm no longer a child."
Kurome puffed out her cheeks slightly.
Kaede chuckled softly.
Then she gently rubbed Kurome's head.
"…Maybe."
For the first time since the confession, the confusion in her heart eased slightly.
At least…
She no longer felt the urge to run away immediately.
But at that exact moment—
Boom!!!
A violent explosion suddenly erupted from the distant direction of the Imperial Capital.
Both Kaede and Kurome instantly stood up.
Their expressions changed simultaneously.
"That direction…"
Kurome's eyes sharpened.
"It's the commercial district."
Kaede narrowed her eyes.
A familiar killing intent was spreading from afar.
"…Night Raid."
At the same time.
Inside the darkness of the Capital.
Several figures moved rapidly across rooftops.
Najenda looked ahead coldly.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves."
"The operation begins now."
Behind her, Akame slowly drew Murasame.
Leone grinned fiercely.
Mine adjusted Pumpkin on her shoulder.
Tonight—
Night Raid would officially declare war against the Jaegers.
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