"Lady Esdeath!"
With the guards already dealt with, Seryu and Suzuka returned to Esdeath's side.
"My dear says there might be an interesting Teigu hidden here. Go and look for it."
Esdeath smiled as she touched the foreheads of the two women as a reward. Although she was bloodthirsty and cruel to enemies, Esdeath was always gentle and kind to her own people.
Uh, well, except when disciplining them…
"At your command!"
Exchanging a glance, the two women vanished in an instant.
"Boy, your four companions now belong to my dear. There's nothing more for you here. You may leave."
Turning back, Esdeath spoke to the only remaining boy, Natala.
A small glimmer of expectation flashed in her ice-blue eyes. It had been a long time since any prey dared to resist her. She wondered if this boy might give her some surprise…
Finally coming to his senses, Natala's heart instinctively tightened when he noticed Esdeath's gaze fixed on him. Regaining composure, he took a deep breath:
"Remus, Womyn, Kurome, Gin, follow this lady well. With her help, you will surely achieve your dreams!"
Sincerely addressing the four girls, Natala then decisively turned and left.
Watching the boy's departing figure, though a little disappointed, Esdeath had to admit that this boy was quite clever.
"Received!"
"Lady Esdeath, can you let Natala stay? He's an important partner to us!"
With a round, cute face, the girl called Remus stepped and pleaded earnestly.
"Oh no, this idiot!!!"
The three black-eyed girls thought to themselves. Had Remus forgotten that they absolutely must not question their superior's decisions?! Seeing this often scatterbrained fool, the three girls couldn't help but worry for her.
"Hehe, that won't do. My dear is very domineering and won't take in any other males."
"Of course, since he is your companion, I will inform the minister. He will receive even better treatment in the future."
Patting the girl's head, Esdeath smiled.
Thinking Esdeath was about to hit her, the girl closed her eyes in fear, recalling how the bald man used to punish her for such behavior, and her heart tightened nervously.
However, feeling the gentle touch on her forehead, Remus nervously opened one eye and saw that Esdeath had no intention of punishing her, and she breathed a small sigh of relief.
Of course, the three black-eyed girls also relaxed.
The bald man used to punish them severely whenever they questioned or resisted his decisions. Though they never showed it, the girls definitely disliked him. When the bald man was instantly killed by Esdeath, the girls secretly thought he deserved it!
If before they had only followed Esdeath out of imperial orders, now their feelings were somewhat different. At least on the surface, this new superior seemed quite decent.
"Thank you, Lady Esdeath."
Although Natala could not stay, Remus was genuinely happy to hear that he would receive better treatment, and she sincerely thanked Esdeath.
"Haha…"
Esdeath smiled casually, finding the girl quite cute. She decided to properly train her in the future!
"You must be Kurome, right?"
Approaching the petite girl with short black hair, Esdeath scrutinized her.
"I am Kurome, Lady Esdeath."
Not knowing what Esdeath intended, Kurome responded with a cautious salute.
"Heh… I was sure when I saw you just now. You really have potential!"
Recalling what Sora had said before leaving—that this girl named Kurome was to be her second witch—Esdeath's eyes sparkled. Though they had only just met, she already saw the bloodthirsty nature hidden within the girl's body! She was indeed very suitable to be her witch!
"My dear wants me to tell you that your sister Akame will be here soon. You sisters will live together forever, so rest assured and stay."
A curve lifted the corner of her mouth as she began thinking about how to fully unleash and train the girl's bloodthirsty nature into her second witch. Esdeath leaned close to Kurome's ear and whispered gently.
Hearing Esdeath's voice, Kurome shuddered, then her face lit up with excitement…
Next, Esdeath spoke briefly with the other two girls, Womyn and Gin, learning about their general situations. According to Esdeath's plan, these girls were now her sisters, and before her dear returned, she would train them herself.
Hmm, that Najenda fellow has been busy training little Sheele lately, so she probably won't try to steal people from me anymore, right?
But even if she tries this time, I won't let her!
"Lady Esdeath, we found this!"
It didn't take long before Suzuka and Seryu returned. Seryu held a sealed blade in her hand and respectfully presented it before Esdeath.
The March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] can manipulate those slain by this blade through a curse. When one side's Kurome saw this sealed blade, she felt a sudden shock in her body and mind, as if it were calling out to her.
"As expected of my dear, you understand even this clearly. This blade will recognize Kurome as its master."
Noticing Kurome's reaction, a strange light flashed in Esdeath's eyes, and she smiled with slight surprise.
"However, as my dear said, this blade is still too weak now. I'll have it modified after he returns, then give it to you, my cute little Kurome."
Putting the March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] into her spatial ring, Esdeath said to Kurome.
With everything that needed to be done completed and no desire to linger, Esdeath left with the few women…
…
Imperial Capital, Minister's Residence
"Minister, that woman is simply too arrogant! She slaughtered so many of our people!"
An enraged messenger stood before the minister, furious.
"Hmph, what? Do you want to reason with her?"
The minister, chewing on a piece of meat, looked at the messenger as if he were an idiot.
Although Esdeath had killed so many of his men, the minister was only somewhat displeased. He thought to himself, who told those fools to provoke such a madwoman? Didn't they know even he, Honest, feared her a little?!
"Uh…"
The messenger was speechless. Being asked to reason with that demon queen made his face pale and cold sweat break out uncontrollably.
"Hmph, useless fool!"
"Go, arrange for that Natala as Esdeath instructed."
The minister gave a disdainful glance at the messenger, took another bite of meat, and waved his fat hand to give the order…