Eblana had never intended to keep paying taxes to the Empire.
Whether it was Eastridge City or Meca City, neither showed the slightest sign of submitting the dues they owed.
Meca City drew questioning from the higher-ups—the Marquis—while Eastridge City, as a territory under a Count, faced direct and furious accusations from the Empire itself.
No matter how slow the Empire was to react, they now knew their assassination attempt had failed. And Chouri must have learned about that attempt too.
Coupled with Eblana's order to refuse taxation, there was no reason left for the Empire to maintain even a facade of benevolence.
Yet Eblana's response was simple.
The tax official sent to collect was impaled on her spear and hung from a gallows where the common folk could see.
This only enraged the Empire further, and they issued a formal declaration of war against Eastridge City.
Naturally, Meca City wasn't spared either.
Once it was discovered that the ward of Eastridge City's lord had taken up residence in Meca City's Viscount's manor, even the most incompetent Marquis could piece together what was happening.
Soon enough, he answered the Empire's call and dispatched troops toward Meca City.
However, the assembled force of roughly six thousand met its end on the battlefield in less than five minutes.
A small portion of the soldiers were turned into thralls, their bodies burning with violet flames, while the rest either perished under the trampling charge of the Flamechaser Soldiers or, seeing no hope left, surrendered their weapons.
That same night, Eblana, leading the Flamechaser Soldiers, arrived at the territory of Marquis Merville.
The Marquis's corpse was strung up at the city gates, his warehouses thrown open.
A small portion of the spoils was distributed among the soldiers who had followed her; the rest was handed over to Chouri to manage.
This battle once again shook the world.
What shocked people most wasn't Eblana's lethality, but her ability to make use of the slain soldiers after killing them—among them, even figures like the Three Beasts.
Countless minds turned to the legendary Dragon Duke.
Eblana wasn't accustomed to such brutality, but she understood its benefits well enough.
When you possessed power, drawing followers and alliances became frightfully easy.
A single person extinguishing two thousand soldiers in a minute—such an exaggerated feat was something previously only heard of from Esdeath.
And whether that was the limit for the person in question remained unknown.
The Revolutionary Army couldn't afford to overlook someone so obviously at odds with the Empire and of such extraordinary strength.
But… Eblana was immensely powerful, and her personality was clearly domineering. Even if the Revolutionary Army wanted to make contact, they couldn't simply approach her recklessly.
Fortunately, Eblana was currently in Merville City. So the Revolutionary Army immediately sent someone to contact Count Chouri in the rear—in Eastridge City.
They had extended many invitations to Count Chouri.
This former minister was capable enough and held considerable prestige among loyal, upstanding officials.
Gaining his support and membership would not only secure them a powerful administrative mind but, more importantly, help draw in others of shared resolve who despised the Empire.
Count Chouri, having anticipated their arrival, didn't much care for the Revolutionary Army's methods, but he still put on a welcoming front.
The Revolutionary Army envoys weren't surprised. After all, the Empire had tried to assassinate Chouri.
No matter how stubborn the old man might be, he couldn't possibly stay loyal to the Empire now. A drastic shift in attitude was only reasonable.
Only after Chouri nodded, confirming that Eblana was indeed open to establishing ties with the Revolutionary Army, did they finally feel assured enough to send someone to make direct contact with her.
Although Chouri was still Chouri, anyone could see he now clearly deferred to Eblana. And the reason they were so eager to reach out was precisely Eblana's apparent combat prowess—seemingly on par with Esdeath's.
Still, contact was one thing. Eblana was far too dangerous. Even a first meeting had to ensure safety. So… they assigned this task to Najenda to carry out.
Observing the citizens within the city—uneasy, yet maintaining orderly routines—Najenda gave a slight, inward nod of approval.
"Akame, how do these residents seem to you?" she asked the black-haired, red-eyed girl beside her.
"They seem… well-fed."
Akame's expression was largely blank, and her answer might have sounded puzzling, but Najenda understood.
A smile touched her lips. "Well-fed, huh… True. Though everyone looks somewhat lost and uneasy, no one wears an expression of despair or numbness."
"Boss…" Concern flickered across Akame's face.
"I know. It doesn't prove she's a good person. But that's precisely why I brought you along."
Najenda chuckled softly.
If they judged the other party not to be a fellow revolutionary, but another ambitious schemer, then Night Raid would be responsible for her assassination.
That was exactly why Akame was here.
Even if the target possessed the strength to face a thousand alone, she was still just a country girl from the borderlands.
Having never been to the capital, she likely wouldn't recognize the One-Cut Killer: Murasame.
After meeting their escort, the two were led directly to the Marquis's mansion.
Eblana had lived here for less than a week, but she was effectively the mistress of the house. To show hospitality, she had prepared a lavish banquet.
Though, if truth be told, the bigger reason was to fill Akame's stomach.
The two guests took their seats. Eblana arrived and settled in only after Akame had been staring at the food, secretly drooling, for a full three minutes.
"Apologies for the wait, my honored guests."
The young woman with platinum-blonde hair had one eye hidden behind her bangs.
Her smile appeared gentle, yet carried a palpable sense of authority. For a first impression, Najenda was already on high alert.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony. This feast is prepared for you."
Seeing their appraising gazes fixed on her, Eblana smiled serenely. Her words were polite, but her tone brooked no argument.
She'd initially been unaccustomed to this manner of carrying herself and speaking, but human adaptability was a fearsome thing.
After barely over a month in this world, she had developed a decent understanding of it all on her own.
This girl was a natural-born ruler. Her bearing and that seemingly innate presence were completely unlike a country-bred young lady from the borderlands.
"My apologies, that was rude of us. We simply didn't expect Lady Eblana to be so young."
Najenda offered an apologetic smile, smoothly glossing over their earlier scrutiny, then glanced at Akame.
Their eyes met. On the surface, it looked like a superior signaling her subordinate to begin eating. In reality, she was confirming with Akame whether the food was poisoned.
Akame indicated that the portions directly before them were safe. The dishes farther away, she hadn't had time to check.
But that was enough.
Feeling slightly reassured, Najenda began eating with natural composure.
The table was laden with ingredients. It wasn't extravagantly wasteful, but for entertaining just two guests, it was far more than necessary.
As Najenda discreetly assessed everything within sight, Eblana spoke.
"Well? How is our chef's skill?"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.