"It's very different from the Capital."
Najenda fell silent for a moment, as if carefully savoring the thought, before she finally spoke.
"And compared to the Revolutionary Army?"
"...Perhaps because I've spent so long with the revolutionaries, this taste suits me quite well."
Faced with Eblana's probing, Najenda offered a smile—the kind reserved for like-minded comrades.
"Is that so? But to me, they seem completely different."
Yet, Eblana did not return the smile as Najenda had expected.
No, a smile did indeed linger on her lips, but the oppressive aura she constantly radiated seemed to peak in that very moment, almost taking on a tangible weight.
Eblana drove her fork into the undercooked steak, pink juices seeping from the meat.
Her gaze wasn't directed at them, yet both Najenda and Akame felt a distinct unease.
"Najenda, what are you fighting for?"
Eblana withdrew the faint magic that had increased the gravity around them and looked up as she asked.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Najenda adjusted her breathing slightly, pondering what answer might win the other's temporary approval to the greatest extent.
However, Eblana, aware that she wasn't planning to tell the truth, let out a soft, cold laugh.
"For the nation? And what is the nation, in your eyes?"
"...It's the people."
Najenda answered without hesitation.
"Is that all? Perhaps that's also a correct answer. But that alone doesn't constitute a nation—it's just a scattered gathering of individuals. How is it any different from the tribes of the other races?"
Eblana's expression remained unreadable, but her words made Najenda frown.
"Then in your eyes, Lady Eblana, what is a nation?"
"Land. Governance. People. Power. And the one who commands it all."
Eblana delivered her prepared answer. "Let me be blunt: the Revolutionary Army is merely a pack of stray dogs who failed in political struggle and lack the strength to contend with the Empire."
"Though the Empire is dead, the revolutionaries are just lapdogs gnawing at their deceased master's corpse. Their teeth aren't even sharp enough—they need feral dogs from outside to help tear off the flesh."
"..."
Her arrogance made Najenda's brows furrow tighter, but she understood the other's attitude now.
Clearly, Eblana harbored no ill intent toward them—at least not for the moment. Her questions and answers felt less like interrogation and more like persuasion.
Realizing this, Najenda relaxed slightly, then turned her thoughts to Eblana's words, finally grasping her meaning.
She held contempt for the Revolutionary Army's alliance with the other races and scorned both their strength and their actions.
"And how are you any different?"
Najenda naturally knew the Revolutionary Army had its flaws, but... what choice was there? The options were only the Empire or the Revolutionaries.
Compared to the far worse Empire, even with its shortcomings, the Revolutionary Army was vastly superior.
At least within their ranks, the idealists could check and balance those with impure motives just looking to seize a share, unlike the Empire where corruption ran top to bottom, stifling any voice of reason.
She knew that even if the Revolution succeeded, it would only mean the Empire went from dead to kept alive on life support. But at least it was alive, wasn't it?
As long as it lived, there was still a chance to save it—at least the hope of salvation.
"A dead Empire cannot be revived."
"Unlike rotten branches that just need pruning, the Empire is decayed from the roots. What we must do isn't treat its illness, but plant a new seed."
"..."
Najenda wasn't surprised by her words. In fact, she had already suspected as much. But Eblana still hadn't answered her question.
"You ask how I differ from those vicious dogs?"
Eblana's voice held no change, remaining as gentle as ever.
Yet it was precisely this attitude—as if the matter were too trivial to warrant any emotion—that made her confidence all the more palpable.
And from that confident tone came only one word.
"Power."
"Power?"
Najenda had expected her to say something like 'I am wiser,' 'I can build a better nation,' 'I can bring greater happiness to the people,' or 'With me here, no official would be allowed to line their pockets.'
"That's right."
Eblana nodded. "As I said before: land, governance, people, power, and the one who commands it all."
"The most crucial, naturally, is the existence that commands everything. And second only to that existence... is power."
Najenda didn't agree. If ranking by importance, the people should come before power, even before the Emperor.
After all, this wasn't about hierarchy, but significance.
With the people, governance, power, and land would all follow. An Emperor who ruled over everything but lacked subjects would be nothing but a lone wolf without a pack.
In truth, Amber shared Najenda's view—but that premise only held in times of peace, in a world without beings like Esdeath or herself.
"Najenda, every failure of the Revolutionary Army stems from one thing: a lack of power."
Eblana calmly stated her perspective. "You know well that in this era, victory doesn't go to the righteous, but to the strong."
"The Revolutionary Army will never succeed. Even if they did, they wouldn't bring happiness to this nation."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Or... do you truly believe in a pack of stray dogs who invite wolves into their home?"
Najenda fell silent for a long time.
Because she thought of Esdeath.
What if Esdeath wanted to replace the Emperor? Great General Budo would surely be enraged, and an epic battle would unfold between them.
And if Esdeath emerged victorious... who could stop her from ascending the throne?
Najenda jolted awake to the thought. She had never considered this before, because aside from Esdeath, no one could display that kind of one-versus-a-thousand might.
She was an exception, a unique existence in this world—and she had no ambition to become emperor.
But this dragon woman before her was entirely different.
She possessed ample ambition and strength.
While she might not be particularly merciful, judging by the state of the city, Eblana—even if not kind—was certainly not cruel or the type to exploit.
Yet... this was only their first meeting. It wasn't enough for Najenda to understand Eblana's character.
Remembering Eblana's guidance and leniency toward her, Najenda hesitated, then finally spoke.
"My lady... why do you wish to become Emperor?"
"Why?"
Eblana smiled. "What do you think? For wealth? Justice? Authority? I regret to say, though I crave authority, it's not authority itself I desire."
"I merely use authority—the most direct form of power—to realize my self-worth."
"Self-worth...?"
"That's right. It's about power."
Eblana extended a hand toward her, purple flames dancing on her palm, reflected in Najenda's eyes. "With this power, of course one must use it... Yes..."
"Power... is the very reason to become king."
--+--
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.