Akame ga Kill: Starting with Dual Kamui-Chapter 65: Saikyuu

Imperial Capital, Royal Palace.

A long, luxurious dining table was filled with an extravagant feast.

As always, Prime Minister Honest indulged in binge eating, stuffing himself almost constantly. However, what was different today was the presence of someone sitting across from him.

Though this person didn't partake in the meal, the fact that he could sit with Honest was proof of his high status. He was none other than Saikyuu, the second most powerful official in the palace, ranking just below Honest.

Unlike the gluttonous and rotund Honest, Saikyuu had a tall and slender build. He wore small, round glasses, slicked back his greasy hair, and always carried a peculiar book in his hand.

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That book was, in fact, the Teigu The Complete Book Of The World: Rongo Rongo. It contained maps of nations across the world, with the Empire's territories documented in the greatest detail.

The maps meticulously recorded information about minerals, vegetation, and geological features, while the book's final pages even predicted potential large-scale disasters in the future. It was, without a doubt, a divine artifact for governing a nation.

"Saikyuu, something must be on your mind. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come looking for me so suddenly."

At a glance, Honest knew that trouble was brewing again.

"You're right. To put it bluntly, it's about Blayn. You were the one who assigned him to the Empire's Assassination Unit, but he's been nothing but trouble for me."

Saikyuu's expression was grim as he recounted all of Blayn's so-called "good deeds."

Since Blayn was Honest's appointee and had ties to General Esdeath, Saikyuu had to consult Honest before making any moves against him.

Honest nodded, slightly surprised. "This guy really doesn't know how to stay in line..."

Back when Blayn was in the Imperial Capital Security Force, he had always acted recklessly, doing whatever he pleased.

However, at the time, the people he offended were just insignificant figures in Honest's eyes, so he never paid much attention. But now that Saikyuu was involved, things were entirely different.

The reason was simple—Saikyuu brought Honest immense benefits, much like Esdeath did.

Saikyuu's intellect, along with his Teigu, The Complete Book Of The World: Rongo Rongo, was invaluable to the Empire. After all, Honest himself barely managed the country, delegating most responsibilities to Saikyuu.

His mind was consumed only by pleasure and personal gain. The one thing he did most often was eliminate anyone in the court who dared to oppose him.

Even a single slip of the tongue from an official could result in an immediate execution by Honest's decree.

As a result, fewer and fewer conscientious officials dared to speak up. Those who remained silent could only survive under the protection of Great General Budo's authority—unless they abandoned their dignity and morals entirely, choosing to submit to the corrupt Prime Minister.

For matters unrelated to his personal interests, Honest turned a blind eye, as long as corrupt officials ensured their bribes reached him.

The Empire's descent into darkness could largely be attributed to Honest, the true source of its corruption.

Although Saikyuu operated from the shadows, he and Honest were cut from the same cloth...

"I remember that kid was recommended by General Esdeath. How does she really feel about him?" Saikyuu asked with a sneer, crossing his arms. "Does she care about his life or death?"

"I don't think so. I know Esdeath's personality—she never cares about anyone's survival. Anyone who dies is simply weak," Prime Minister Honest replied casually.

He had long understood Esdeath's deeply ingrained belief in the law of the jungle. He had never seen her mourn the loss of any subordinate.

Besides, this wasn't the first time she'd done something like this. The Three Beasts were also talents she had taken an interest in, and among them, General Liver had previously offended him.

Even though it was just a matter of not bribing him, Honest would go after anyone who displeased him.

Now that the Three Beasts, including General Liver, had become Esdeath's subordinates, she didn't seem to regard them with much importance—only as strong assets to be used.

"That's good. Just make sure that when the kid dies, General Esdeath doesn't come after me," Saikyuu said, visibly relieved.

Almost everyone in the imperial court knew how dangerous Esdeath was. She didn't care about ranks—if someone offended her, she wouldn't hesitate to kill them.

After all, General Esdeath was the Empire's strongest, and aside from Great General Budo, no one could restrain her.

"Esdeath is currently leading a campaign against the Northern Tribes, so she won't be back for a while. But don't worry, I'll inform her when the time comes," Prime Minister Honest said confidently.

Esdeath was a born warmonger, a natural predator. To her, battle and slaughter always came first.

Honest's understanding of Esdeath was indeed deep. Later in the original story, she developed her ultimate move, "Ice Commander in Chief," which created a blizzard capable of engulfing the entire Empire. Ordinary people couldn't survive in such an environment—only the strong could.

Her reasoning was simple: not only could it wipe out enemy armies, but it also served as a test to separate the strong from the weak. As for the weak, she had no interest in their survival. Even when it came to her subordinates' families, she only showed the slightest consideration.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Esdeath a living calamity, a force of nature with a will of its own.

The only thing that could ever shake her was falling in love at first sight.

Because of this, Prime Minister Honest had no concerns about Esdeath. As long as he could provide her with the war she craved, she would have no reason to cause trouble.

"Alright then. While General Esdeath is busy fighting the Northern Tribes, I'll deal with that kid quickly—better to take care of it before anything unexpected happens."

With that, Saikyuu stood up and left.

...

Meanwhile, Chelsea had returned to the Revolutionary Army's headquarters in the southern region of the Empire.

She was not yet a member of Night Raid and was still working directly under the main command of the Revolutionary Army.

Having shifted back from her black cat transformation, she now appeared in her usual human form—a striking young woman with long, orange-pink hair and a slender, graceful figure. She wore an English-style uniform paired with black, ribbon-tied boots.

Her distinct features included vibrant orange-red eyes, a headset resting over her ears, and a lollipop between her lips—an unmistakable signature look.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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