Summon the Twelve Kizuki at the Start!

Rivo reminded himself to speak first — it wouldn't be proper for the three of them to jump directly into the main topic.

As expected, Esdeath responded formally and declined the reward Rivo had promised her.

But this was all within Rivo's expectations.

"Worthy of General Esdeath," he said with a faint smile. "You treat wealth like dirt — a true example for certain officials."

"Then let the reward prepared for you be given to the soldiers who fought under your banner. I believe they need it more than you."

Rivo nodded. He naturally knew Esdeath had no interest in money.

But to stay in her favor — and ensure she didn't cause trouble for him — he still said what she liked to hear most.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. On behalf of the frontline soldiers, I extend our most loyal gratitude," Esdeath replied.

She was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected the boy to be this thoughtful.

Her impression of Rivo quietly improved, though she hadn't forgotten the reason she came today.

"Your Majesty is truly benevolent," she said softly. "Seems you're trying to set a good example for your brother."

"Speaking of which, let me introduce you."

Honest stepped forward, having waited for the right moment.

"This is your younger brother — His Highness Lanfield. This is your royal sibling… and also Your Majesty."

A timid boy slowly stepped out from behind him.

From the outside, his hair color and facial structure somewhat resembled Rivo's.

But that was only on the surface. Whether this person was truly his brother or not, Rivo didn't care.

There was no family affection within imperial power.

"Oh?" Rivo responded calmly. "My brother, is he?"

Without emotion, he stood up from the throne.

Step by step, he walked toward Lanfield — and toward Honest.

Though Rivo was not tall, he was still able to look down on the boy with complete authority.

"That's right, Your Majesty," Honest began. "This is the last gift your father left—"

Suddenly, Honest froze mid-sentence.

A splash of blood landed across his face, forcing him to take two steps back.

Even Esdeath was visibly startled. No one expected what had just happened.

The moment Rivo stepped down from the throne and reached Lanfield — he drove his palm straight through the boy's chest.

A fatal strike. The pawn Honest intended to use was killed instantly.

It was the ability Rivo had borrowed from the Twelve Kizuki — piercing a human body was far too easy now.

"At this moment," Rivo said coldly, "I have no brothers."

"Isn't that right… Minister Honest?"

He pulled a handkerchief from his robes and carefully wiped the blood from his palm.

He was still slightly disgusted by blood, but with no one else present — and with Esdeath watching — he hadn't called Sayo or the others.

Ordering someone else might have drawn suspicion. Doing it himself was quicker — and showed no fear.

"…Yes," Honest muttered.

He didn't protest. He only bowed his head, silently accepting the turn of events.

Out of all the outcomes he had imagined, this one never crossed his mind.

He never expected Rivo to kill the boy with his own hands.

Such clean and decisive action — this was the aura of a true emperor.

Even Esdeath's expression showed faint interest.

She had to admit: this kind of imperial presence made her respect — even admire — him a bit more.

"Minister," Rivo continued calmly, "you must know there are limits to human tolerance."

"Even a Buddha will get angry eventually."

"Next time, I won't be so forgiving."

Rivo returned to the throne and summoned Sayo in his heart.

With Nakime's ability, Sayo was immediately teleported to him.

The palace had long since become Rivo's personal domain — already under Nakime's full control.

There was no need for Rivo to use the 'servant recall' skill anymore. Nakime could teleport any of his servants at will.

"…What's going on?" Esdeath muttered under her breath.

Her brows furrowed as she turned toward a distant corner of the hall.

Just moments ago, she had felt no unusual presence in the palace — and yet now, there it was.

A faint, almost undetectable presence.

It was so weak that she could easily eliminate it — but even so, its sudden appearance within her perception radius was… unnatural.

From the shadows, a dark-haired girl dressed in maid attire stepped forward.

She held a basin of steaming hot water.

Silently, she walked to Rivo's side, knelt down, and began gently cleaning the blood from his hands with a damp towel.

Sayo moved with graceful precision.

"She's just a weak maid," Esdeath thought, puzzled. "Then why did she suddenly appear from nowhere?"

"How strange. Looks like His Majesty still has secrets I don't know…"

Her expression gradually returned to normal, but inwardly she had already begun analyzing the situation.

She knew now — Honest's downfall wasn't without cause.

Rivo was no fool.

He wouldn't dare oppose Honest unless he already had enough power to do so.

And Esdeath had just seen it for herself — Rivo's strength, and the forces behind him, had grown far beyond what Honest could contain.

"By the way," Rivo said calmly, "there's one more important matter."

"Although General Esdeath has just returned, I must trouble you again."

"I plan to form a new organization — one dedicated to hunting Night Raid and protecting both officials and citizens of the capital."

"As for the name... let's call it Hunters."

"An elite group dedicated to eliminating Night Raid."

"I've already selected some of its members. General Budo will give you the details later."

"If there's anything you wish to add, feel free to coordinate with him."

"General Esdeath — I assume you have no objections?"