Imperial Year 1024

Time flew by, and two years later—

Imperial Year 1024!

In the Imperial Capital, on South Lake Avenue:

"Wow! Ieyasu, look over there…" A young girl with a flower-shaped white hairpin in her hair leaned against the railing, pointing toward the fortress on the island across the South Lake Bridge with a face full of wonder.

From a distance, she could see the high bridge leading to the island fortress, adorned with lifelike marble reliefs and brilliant enamel sculptures.

Looking further, at the very center of the island fortress stood a massive fort at least fifty meters high, covering tens of thousands of square meters. On the wide platform of the fortress, she could faintly make out the huge cannons aimed toward the sky!

Hearing this, a boy with a white headband tied around his forehead behind her exclaimed, "Wow, wow! Sayo, that island fortress is so grand! I really want to go take a closer look…"

"Hey, hey, Ieyasu, stop shouting! It's embarrassing!" Sayo felt awkward as the residents of the capital began throwing disdainful looks their way.

Words like "country bumpkin" reached her ears, filled with contempt.

The unfriendly attitude made Sayo, a modest girl from a small village trying to make a name in the capital, feel uncomfortable.

But the hot-blooded Ieyasu couldn't stand such insults, so he immediately shouted back, "Hey, what do you mean by that…"

Soon after, a squad of Imperial guards, hearing the commotion, rushed over. "Hey! What's going on here? Stop causing a disturbance!"

The barracks of the Imperial Guard were nearby, and if their noisy arguments disrupted the guards' drills, the capital patrol would surely face punishment!

As soon as the Imperial guards arrived, the crowd that had been mocking Ieyasu as a "country bumpkin" quickly dispersed like birds and beasts.

All that was left were the flushed Ieyasu and the bewildered Sayo.

"It seems like you're new to the capital. This is your first offense, so consider this a warning. If you cause any more trouble, we'll detain you!" the patrol officer said sternly.

"Yes, yes, we understand, officers!" Sayo quickly apologized while pulling Ieyasu away. After confirming that they wouldn't be arrested, they hastily left the scene.

Watching the two leave, the patrol officer sighed, "Another couple of kids dreaming of making it big in the capital… Too bad the capital isn't what it was during the previous Emperor's reign. Now it's full of crimi—"

Before he could finish, a fellow officer quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. Glancing around to ensure no one was nearby, he whispered, "Shut up! Do you want to get yourself killed? Watch your mouth!"

...

After Sayo dragged Ieyasu through the city gate into the outer part of the capital, they hadn't even had time to catch their breath before they stumbled upon a horrifying sight on a high platform.

The scene was gruesome beyond words. Dozens of severed heads were mounted on wooden stakes, their eyes staring blankly ahead. There must have been nearly a hundred heads on display.

This brutal spectacle immediately made both of them retch.

"Isn't this supposed to be the capital? Why are there so many…" Sayo stammered, horrified.

"It's normal. They're the heads of rebels who endangered the Empire…" Ieyasu began to explain, but before he could finish, a sweet, gentle voice interrupted him.

The next moment, Sayo felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hey, are you new to the capital? You seem unfamiliar," said a cheerful and pure-looking noble girl with golden, wavy hair and bright green eyes.

"How did you know…?" Ieyasu asked, still queasy as he raised his head in confusion.

"It's pretty obvious. Your clothes and mannerisms stand out here. So, what brings you to the capital?" the noble girl asked with a friendly smile.

"Well… we wouldn't want to trouble you, miss…" Sayo hesitated, still feeling uneasy about imposing on strangers.

"Oh, don't be so reserved… Let's get acquainted. My name is Aria. I have some connections here in the capital. Would you like some help?" Aria stepped forward with a smile, urging them on.

Sayo looked into Aria's clear, 'sincere' eyes and began to believe her. After all, Sayo was just a kind-hearted village girl, naive enough to think that people in the outside world were as kind as those in her village.

"We're from…"

After a brief conversation, the three quickly grew familiar with each other. Upon learning about Ieyasu and Sayo's reason for coming to the capital, Aria enthusiastically invited them to her home as guests.

...

Meanwhile, in the northern territory of the Empire, in the central hall of the Palace of Springs:

"The southern rebel army's assassination unit has resurfaced in the capital, striking again. Yesterday, they assassinated the Empire's treasurer. There are suspicions that users of Imperial Arms may have been involved…" Leiva, dressed in a black butler's uniform, stood respectfully beside Selene as he reported.

Seated in her luxurious chair, Selene sighed, "So, Imperial Year 1024 has finally begun. It seems Najenda couldn't resist making a move."

Selene had left the capital for her annual vacation.

During this time, a relative of Minister Honest, the treasurer, had been assassinated by a group calling themselves Night Raid, which was believed to be part of the southern rebel forces.

Although Night Raid hadn't officially declared allegiance to any faction, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that they were linked to the southern revolutionaries who called themselves the Revolutionary Army.

According to survivors' accounts, each Night Raid assassin possessed extraordinary combat skills and had effortlessly wiped out the treasurer's bodyguards, including guest warriors from the Imperial Fist Temple.

"As for Honest's request for help, how should we respond?" Leiva asked.

"Respond, of course. I'll still need to attend his funeral," Selene replied nonchalantly.

With Night Raid on the loose, the one who should be worried was not Selene, but Honest in the royal palace.

That cowardly, life-obsessed fat man would surely hide in the palace for as long as Night Raid existed. Selene was certain of it.

"But… since Najenda has resurfaced, inform Cornelia and Akame. The person responsible for their 'father's' death has reappeared…"

"Yes, my lady!"

Thud, thud, thud—

Leiva's heavy footsteps gradually faded as he left. Selene put down the intelligence report and slowly stood up.

Looking down from the throne platform, she gazed at the rows of motionless giants standing like marble statues, clad in heavy black armor. Selene spoke softly, "Are you ready?"

With Selene's words, thud!

A unified metallic clang echoed as all the black-armored giants knelt in perfect synchronization.

"For Selene!"