A few days later.
Imperial Capital.
"Master, do you want to conquer the world?"
Esdeath blinked.
Because of Linde,
the northern foreign tribes were quickly pacified.
Linde and Esdeath then came to the Imperial Capital.
Their appearance immediately caused a stir.
"Look, isn't that General Esdeath?"
"Who is that next to her? He's so handsome."
"Could it be her lover?"
For countless commoners, Esdeath was definitely a well-known figure.
Even compared to the corrupt nobles and officials in the Imperial Capital,
Esdeath, who had no interest in bullying the weak, was more beloved by the common people.
Not to mention,
on this day, having just pacified the northern foreign tribes.
For a time,
it caused a huge sensation.
However, regarding this,
neither Linde nor Esdeath cared.
Esdeath asked, "So, Master, what do you plan to do?"
Linde casually said, "Let's take control of the Empire first; it will be more convenient."
"Indeed, although there are many foreign tribes in this world, the Empire is the strongest."
Esdeath nodded, but then asked, puzzled, "Master, since you want to rebel, wouldn't it be better if we raised an army directly at the border?"
"There's an old saying in my hometown: 'Hold the Son of Heaven to command the feudal lords.'"
Linde explained, "It's too much trouble to completely shatter the entire Empire."
"It's better to directly control the Emperor and thus control the Empire."
Hearing this, Esdeath nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, this method was the quickest.
After all, the Minister had done exactly that.
Moreover, to conquer the Empire, she would have to lead troops in battle constantly.
Currently, besides the occasional rest, she didn't want to leave her master's side at night.
Esdeath calculated the time cost and immediately declared, "As expected of Master, he thinks of everything."
"However, to control the Empire, Minister Honest must be eliminated."
In this Empire, imperial power had long since fallen.
Minister Honest was the true underground Emperor.
"Exactly."
Linde smiled, "So, since we're doing it, let's do it all at once."
"The news of your return to the Imperial Capital should be impossible to hide. When you are summoned, the young Emperor and the Minister should both be there..."
Esdeath's eyes lit up.
This was indeed the most convenient approach... That afternoon.
Imperial Palace Grand Hall.
Linde and Esdeath had already appeared there.
With Esdeath leading the way.
Although the palace guards didn't recognize Linde, they didn't stop him either.
At this moment.
Throughout the entire palace.
The Empire's noble officials were already standing on both sides.
On the imperial throne sat a child holding a scepter.
They were all there, indeed.
Esdeath glanced at the young Emperor, then at Minister Honest standing beside him, and a beautiful arc appeared at the corner of her lips.
"Congratulations, General Esdeath, on your victorious return."
Minister Honest smiled, his gaze falling on Linde: "Presumably, this is the strong individual who annihilated hundreds of thousands of Northern barbarians in a single battle."
"You have rendered great service to the Empire, and His Majesty the Emperor will certainly not be stingy with rewards."
"The Minister is right."
The young Emperor smiled brightly, "What reward do you wish for?"
"I can grant you anything."
Hearing this, Linde said indifferently, "In that case, give me the throne."
As soon as these words left his mouth.
The entire hall was astonished.
The smiles of the young Emperor and Honest had frozen on their faces.
The other ministers looked even more horrified and incredulous.
What was happening?
Was there something wrong with this man's head?
Even if he wanted to rebel.
Wasn't his approach a bit too crude?
"Impudent!"
Honest's face completely darkened.
"This is not the place for you to spout such nonsense."
"Even if you have contributed to the Empire, such remarks are a capital offense."
Hearing the commotion, the guards outside the palace had already streamed in.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of swords being drawn was incessant, and they were already intent on apprehending Linde.
"Esdeath."
"Yes, Master."
Esdeath waved her hand, and dozens of ice shards tore through the air.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Blood splattered.
All the guards had fallen haphazardly to the ground.
"Hiss--"
Seeing this scene, countless officials gasped, all looking at Esdeath with alarm and uncertainty.
Could it be... Esdeath was also involved in this matter?
Honest frowned, "Esdeath, what exactly do you mean?"
"And why do you call him Master?"
His tone was filled with deep apprehension and doubt.
As one of the Empire's strongest.
Esdeath had always been someone he tried to win over.
In his opinion.
Esdeath was just a battle maniac.
She had no interest whatsoever in so-called power.
By all logic.
She shouldn't be acting this way.
"It means nothing."
Esdeath said coldly, "Master wants the Empire, so I will offer it to him. That is all."
"Esdeath, you are a general of the Empire; you must not be deceived by others."
Although Honest was looking at Esdeath, his gaze fell on a guard outside the hall.
His eyes signaled the other party to call for reinforcements.
If Esdeath rebelled.
Only that one person's arrival would be useful in the entire Imperial Palace.
Esdeath walked forward expressionlessly, an ice military saber forming in her hand.
"Esdeath, you need to think carefully."
Honest said sternly, "Even if you are the strongest in the Empire, to go against the Empire, you still..."
Swoosh!
Before he could finish his words, a slash had already torn through the air.
Pfft!
Honest's knees collapsed to the ground, blood gushing like a fountain.
The entire palace immediately fell silent.
Whether it was the young Emperor, the ministers with their various thoughts, or the guards at the entrance who dared not enter.
All their faces showed a dazed expression, merely staring at the head that flew up like a watermelon, as if they had seen a ghost.
He's dead!
The Empire's true power holder.
Minister Honest actually died just like that?
Even seeing it with their own eyes.
It still felt like a dream.