Summon the Twelve Kizuki at the Start!

Rivo's sudden words stunned Esdeath.

Honest was also caught off guard, as if he had just realized what was going through both their minds.

Rivo's face held a mysterious smile.

Familiar with the plot of Akame ga Kill, he naturally understood that the relationship between the two was purely transactional.

Not even allies — their connection wasn't strong at all.

At best, it was a shallow alliance of mutual interest.

Esdeath loved war, loved battle — that was her desire.

Honest loved money, power, and the thrill of dominance — that was his.

And once a person had desire, it meant they had a flaw.

By following their desires, those flaws could be exploited, manipulated — and ultimately, controlled.

It wasn't difficult to sway Esdeath.

All that was needed was to present someone who better suited her than Honest.

In that case, the empire's strongest general would naturally reconsider whose orders were worth following.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm happy to accept your arrangement."

"As for the candidates — I'd like to meet the people Your Majesty has selected for me first, then consider them."

Esdeath had no objections.

After all, her purpose today had been to discuss hunting rebels.

Forming a special operations unit — that was thrilling to Esdeath.

That excitement alone had made her agree to Honest's invitation and cheer him on earlier.

But now, the little boy Honest had brought was dead.

Honest's original promise was unfulfilled — or more accurately, rendered meaningless.

Instead, Rivo had guessed their intentions in advance and directly offered what Esdeath wanted.

That preemptive strike completely disrupted Honest's plan.

"All right, I'll have someone send you the list later," Rivo said calmly.

"If there's nothing else, General Esdeath, please return and rest."

"After years of battle, I'm sure you're tired. Once you take over the Hunter operations, there won't be much time to rest."

Rivo nodded with a smile.

After the conversation, he was certain — Esdeath was just as she was in the original.

She posed no threat to the imperial throne.

She was a sharpened blade.

And so long as she was used correctly...

She would become one of Rivo's most valuable trump cards.

"Yes. Thank you for your concern."

Esdeath slowly lowered her head in acknowledgment, then ignored Honest and turned to leave.

Honest quickly chased after her, and the two exited the palace together.

After Sayo took away the bloodstained towel and hot water...

Inside the palace, there was no trace left of the two.

"Master... why didn't you kill the minister?"

"With the strength of those adults, it should be easy, right?"

Sayo asked softly, her voice curious.

She wasn't a puppet summoned directly by Rivo — she was a derivative variant.

So, unlike the other Twelve Kizuki demons, she was capable of independent thought and open dialogue with her master.

If it had been Akaza, Doma, or even Gyutaro and Daki — they wouldn't have asked such a question.

They would've simply followed Rivo's orders without hesitation.

"Because the capital needs more than just light — it also needs darkness," Rivo replied calmly.

"Honest's existence suppresses the darker forces in the empire right now."

"If he's killed too soon, those underground organizations will run rampant. The capital would become even worse."

"Even if that chaos is temporary — the Empire can't afford it."

"When the time is right, Honest will die. The only reason I tolerate his existence now..."

"...is because he's still useful."

Rivo shook his head, his voice steady.

Of course, he despised Honest — that bloated pig.

But now wasn't the time.

At this stage, killing anyone except Esdeath wasn't a challenge.

But even so, he wouldn't touch Honest yet.

Instead, he would quietly absorb the Path of Peace and the underground factions.

Then let Honest walk freely — bait for Night Raid.

"You really are worthy of being our master," Sayo said with admiration.

Her respect for Rivo deepened.

Without him, she would have died long ago at the hands of that pervert.

Compared to the loyalty of the Twelve Kizuki, Sayo's wasn't any weaker.

Even now, as a demon who had lost most of her human emotions...

Her loyalty was etched into her blood. Unchanging. Unbreakable.

"Now we'll wait on Esdeath's decision."

"If she chooses correctly, my next plans will unfold much smoother."

Rivo leaned back into the throne.

The image of Esdeath floated through his mind.

There was no exaggeration in saying this —

She would be his most powerful piece in conquering the Empire.

A double-edged sword.

His deadliest weapon.

Meanwhile, outside the palace…

Honest climbed back into the carriage with Esdeath.

But this time, she was calm. Almost indifferent.

Honest, on the other hand, glared at her with a gloomy expression.

"General, what about the agreement between us?"

"Don't forget the terms we discussed before coming here."

His voice was laced with suppressed rage.

He was furious that Esdeath didn't support him earlier.

Fear and humiliation surged in his chest once again.

No matter how greedy he was, as a courtier, standing in front of someone who exuded true imperial authority made him falter.

That fear was deeply rooted — unlike Esdeath, who came from the wilds.

His terror of imperial power ran in his blood.

Esdeath's instincts were those of a beast.

She didn't kneel to power.

She only submitted to strength.

"Of course I remember, Minister," she said coldly.

"But you didn't keep your promise, did you?"

"So our agreement... should be set aside for now."

"As far as I'm concerned, you have no value anymore."

"At least — none that matters to me."

With a snap of her fingers, the carriage halted.

Before Honest could respond, Esdeath stepped down and walked off.

Honest, trembling with rage, threw open the curtain—

Just as he was about to vent his fury at the driver…

His pupils shrank. Violently.