Summon the Twelve Kizuki at the Start!

Sheele and Mine encountered a member of the Twelve Kizuki during the mission.

According to current intel, I've reviewed all available reports on the Twelve Kizuki.

Najenda sighed softly and stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray beside her.

Then she began to summarize the information she had gathered.

"First of all, as the name suggests, there are twelve Kizuki."

"Six belong to the Upper Ranks, and six to the Lower Ranks."

"So far, every one we've encountered... has been from the Upper Ranks."

"The one that killed Mine—Dōma, Upper Rank Two—has the ability to regenerate endlessly and wields a freezing blood demon art."

"We don't yet know the source of his powers."

"Then there's the one who killed Ogre. Upper Rank Three. His appearance marked the start of the Kizuki's open activities in the Imperial Capital."

"While he lacks immortality like Dōma, he fights with pure physical power, and may be the easiest of them to confront—relatively speaking."

"As for the nameless courtesan—Daki—she may be the weakest of the Upper Ranks, but also the most troublesome."

"She's a twin demon. Both must be killed simultaneously, or they'll just regenerate. She's deceptive and lethal."

Najenda's voice grew colder.

"Everyone, when you're out on missions from now on—"

"If you encounter one of the Twelve Kizuki... do not engage."

"Prioritize retreat. We'll only strike once we discover their weaknesses."

"Our current intel isn't enough to hunt them down directly."

She lit another cigarette and exhaled deeply.

That was all she could do for now.

After all, assassins were at their weakest when facing immortals.

In Najenda's mind, Night Raid might be fundamentally outmatched by these demons.

Although the Kizuki aren't truly invincible, they can buy enough time to draw in reinforcements or the Capital's garrison.

And for assassins, time was a luxury they couldn't afford.

"There's no way we're just letting these murderers walk away!"

"What a joke! I'll never forgive the one who killed Mine!"

Tatsumi's blood boiled with fury—still as hot-headed and naïve as ever.

But this kind of passion came with a cost.

"Shut up! Don't forget who we are!"

"We're assassins, not heroes playing house!"

Bulat smashed his fist into Tatsumi's face.

His outburst silenced the room.

Najenda turned to regroup the team.

Night Raid couldn't chase revenge every time.

They served the Revolutionary Army—and that mission came first.

Imperial Capital – Imperial Palace

Minister Honest leaned back on his sofa, his expression darker than usual.

Kneeling before him were the Four Rakshasa Demons—his most loyal enforcers.

"What the hell are these Twelve Kizuki?"

"Daring to invade my turf like this... arrogant little maggots."

He shredded the intel in his hand, cold fury burning in his eyes.

Even the Rakshasa Demons dared not meet his gaze.

His power was vast, but even he couldn't ignore what was happening.

The Kizuki had begun encroaching on his domain.

It started with the most profitable sector—the Red Light District.

In just three months, it had slipped out of his control.

Now it was under the rule of some mysterious courtesan.

Though the district still paid tribute to the Capital's army, the offerings had plummeted compared to before.

That street had even been renamed—Flower Street.

Most of the underground syndicates operating there had changed hands.

The new rising gang was led by a boy.

A demon—named Ieyasu.

Brutal and ruthless, he'd clawed his way up from nothing to dominate a prime corner of Flower Street.

Within months, he had gone from a no-name to the head of a feared organization.

Between the Flower Courtesan and this Ieyasu, Honest could barely restrain his rage.

"Minister… should we kill Ieyasu and the courtesan?" one of the Rakshasa, Suzuka, asked.

To them, no one was truly untouchable—at least not when backed by Honest.

"Killing the courtesan isn't necessary. She's clearly backing the boy."

"And frankly, I'm a little... intrigued by her."

"But kill Ieyasu. Make sure that woman knows who really rules this capital."

A sick grin spread across Honest's face.

He leaned back on the sofa and pulled out another report—this one from the Path of Peace.

His informant embedded within the cult had sent an urgent message.

Elysium Dawn was growing—fast.

Their influence was now so massive, it threatened even the Path of Peace.

Which was why the puppet inside had come begging for support.

"Pathetic trash."

"I planted you in the Path of Peace to suppress them—not to get suppressed yourself."

He sneered and tore the letter to pieces.

But even that was going exactly as he planned.

The east side of the Capital—the Path of Peace's turf—was poor and held little value.

He didn't care who ruled that region.

So long as the armed factions remained under control, he wouldn't interfere.

But Flower Street and the Kizuki?

That was different.

That freak among the Twelve Kizuki had already killed several of his top men—elite warriors personally trained by the Empire.

These weren't just thugs—they were linchpins of his power struggle.

"Also… track down every single one of the Twelve Kizuki."

"Our casualties have been far too high lately."

Honest's eyes narrowed, weariness barely hidden beneath the fat folds of his face.

Even with his vast network of subordinates, he couldn't afford to bleed this much manpower.

"Yes, Minister!" the Four Rakshasa replied in unison.

They vanished from the room, each off to fulfill their orders.

"For now, it's best if we get General Esdeath back as soon as possible…"

"When she returns, things might finally turn in my favor again."

Honest rubbed his temples, then reached for the roasted leg of meat on the table and tore into it with animalistic hunger.

As for the general he referred to…