Three days after Walpurgis/Banquet of the Demon Lords.
"Gobuta, is the Imperial Guard ready?"
Zhong Chen sat on the sofa and asked Gobuta, who was wearing a small 'Justice' cape.
"Hehe, don't worry, Lord Zhong Chen, they've all assembled and are ready to depart at any moment."
The young man scratched his head and replied with a simple, honest expression.
"Hahaha, not bad, you're starting to look like a Legion Commander."
Zhong Chen looked at the much-grown Gobuta with a relieved expression.
That's right, Gobuta had successfully been promoted to Legion Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Izayoi Sakuya, on the other hand, had completely left the military to focus on being a head maid.
At the time, Sakuya was put in charge of the Imperial Guard because there really weren't many other options.
Gobuta and the others hadn't fully matured yet, but now the Monster Country Federation could be said to be brimming with talent.
After Sirzechs and the others joined the political department, they helped Kagaya Ubuyashiki shoulder a large portion of his work.
Bible Loli had also re-recruited Azazel and the other Fallen Angels.
Now, all the Angels and Fallen Angels had joined the Air Force of the Warring States.
During this time, the Warring States truly felt incredibly pleased with himself, smiling broadly whenever he saw anyone.
Not only were the ten legions instantly fully staffed, but they were also all organized units of Angels and Fallen Angels.
The other two of the Three Great Generals were held by Azazel and Uriel, two individuals who couldn't stand each other.
It could only be said that Zhong Chen had become incredibly skilled at stirring up trouble.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to Master Sakuya and Old Man Hakuro's excellent teaching!"
Gobuta said, looking embarrassed, upon hearing Zhong Chen's words.
"Haha, very good, very spirited. I've specially prepared a gift for your promotion to Legion Commander."
Hearing Zhong Chen say this, the young man's honest expression instantly vanished, and he sidled up to Zhong Chen with a fawning smile, looking at him expectantly.
"Oh, Lord Zhong Chen, it's not a big deal, you didn't have to prepare a gift."
"Just give me a million or so lime coins, no need to go overboard!"
Zhong Chen, however, smiled mysteriously and said to Gobuta with a serious expression:
"What are you saying, what are you saying? You're one of my first subordinates, how could I treat you badly?"
"Look at this, what is it? You haven't had it in a long time, have you? I feel like you must miss it a lot."
"So I specifically went to Shion to help you make it. How about it, surprised? Unexpected!"
Gobuta looked at the dish that suddenly appeared before him, and cold sweat immediately streamed down his forehead.
Hey, hey, hey, Lord Zhong Chen, are you trying to kill me?
This thing looks exactly like it used to, why is it still emitting purple steam?
Has Shion's cooking skill not improved at all after all this time?
"Gulp. Uh... Lord Zhong Chen, I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of, so I'll be taking my leave."
Gobuta turned to run, but just as he took a step, his clothes were grabbed by Zhong Chen.
"Ah, your most important task right now is to quickly finish this poison... ahem... this dish. This is my heartfelt gesture."
Zhong Chen said, pulling Gobuta, trying to suppress his laughter.
"People will die, people will really die! My poison resistance is already maxed out, I really don't need it strengthened anymore!!!"
Gobuta struggled frantically with all his limbs, trying to escape, but tightly held by Zhong Chen, he could only stomp in place.
"Consolidate it a bit more, just in case it drops."
"Wuwuwu, I don't want to!"
Looking at the young man who was on the verge of tears, Rimuru, who had been watching the show for a while, couldn't help but interject:
"Alright, A Chen, stop teasing him. Look how scared he is."
"Hahaha, just playing a joke on him."
Zhong Chen finally burst out laughing upon hearing Rimuru's persuasion.
Hearing this, Gobuta also realized that Zhong Chen was just deliberately teasing him.
He couldn't help but say helplessly:
"Lord Zhong Chen, Lord Rimuru, you two are really something, always teasing me."
"Haha, alright, this is the real gift. Congratulations, Gobuta, from today onwards you are truly standing on your own!"
As Zhong Chen spoke, he took out a long sword from his system space. The hilt was engraved with complex array patterns.
The blade faintly glowed red, and upon closer inspection, one could see that the entire blade was forged from blood-red material.
This sword was personally refined by Zhong Chen, and its power was such that even an ordinary person holding it could cut down a Demon Lord Seed with one strike.
Not to mention Gobuta, who was now an awakened Demon Lord.
"Red Night, that's the name of this sword. If you don't like it, you can change it yourself."
Zhong Chen reached out and handed the sword to Gobuta, whose eyes were filled with tears of gratitude.
"Wuwuwu, thank you so much, Lord Zhong Chen, Lord Rimuru, I will cherish it!"
"Thank you very much for your guidance all this time!!!"
Gobuta, with tears on his face and resolute eyes, took Red Night with both hands and bowed deeply to Zhong Chen and Rimuru.
"Alright, alright, don't be so sentimental, this style doesn't suit you!"
"Also, you still have to eat Shion's cooking. I wasn't lying to you, Shion really made it seriously to celebrate your promotion to Legion Commander!"
"She said that if you dare not eat it, she'll block off the Imperial Guard, and then... tsk tsk tsk."
Upon hearing Zhong Chen's words, Gobuta, who had been looking touched, instantly let out an incredulous shout:
"Nani!!!"
...Akame ga Kill! · Noon
"Hmph, just a bunch of useless trash, wasting so much of my time."
In the main army tent, Esdeath, with long blue hair and wearing a military cap, sat in the commander's seat.
She rested her right hand on her beautiful face and spoke with an impatient tone.
"General, what should we do with those prisoners?"
Liva, one of the Three Beasts, stood to the side, respectfully asking Esdeath.
"Heh, do I still need to tell you these things?"
Esdeath gave Liva a cold glance, and the latter instantly understood and nodded.
"Understood, men!"
A soldier walked in, knelt on one knee, and saluted respectfully.
"Go kill all those prisoners, leave no one!"
The soldier, upon receiving the order, first froze, then glanced at Esdeath and quickly responded:
"Yes!"
"Hmm, go!"
The soldier then got up and left the tent, and soon after, screams echoed from outside.
Listening to the screams, Esdeath's face couldn't help but show a smile, and she said with satisfaction:
"Liva, relay my order, everyone rests until tomorrow morning, then we continue our advance."
"I want to see this 'Northern Hero' and see if he can satisfy me."
Liva quickly responded upon hearing the order:
"Yes, General!"
And just under three hundred li from Esdeath's army encampment, a huge white portal appeared on the vast plain...