DxDanmachi: Voyager of Worlds Ability

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"The Path of the Forge, you say?" Najenda tapped her fingers on the table, studying the intelligence report Lubbock had compiled. She had just returned to Night Raid's base after a trip to Revolutionary Army headquarters.

"It seems our new Emperor has grand ambitions."

After a moment of contemplation, Najenda sighed.

The Empire's recent actions suggested a larger plan at play, which wasn't good news for the Revolutionary Army.

Such large-scale operations implied that the Empire was now firmly under the Emperor's control—even with their identities exposed.

According to Chelsea's reports, the current Emperor hadn't bothered concealing the fact that he had replaced the original. The palace staff openly discussed it.

It was impossible for the court officials to be completely unaware, especially after Esdeath and Budo's attempted coup upon their return from the expedition. The entire court would have been present.

Yet, no one had leaked this information. This suggested the court was firmly under their control.

"This presents a difficult situation."

Lighting a cigarette, Najenda recalled the discussions at Revolutionary Army headquarters and shook her head.

The Revolutionary Army found itself in an awkward position.

Their rallying cry had been to liberate the oppressed masses from the Empire's tyranny.

However, under Mellie's rule, the Empire's policies had shifted towards leniency, accompanied by a crackdown on corruption.

Corrupt officials were being purged, and the Empire rejoiced.

In this new era, the Revolutionary Army's message no longer resonated as strongly.

After all, if given a chance at a better life, who would choose rebellion?

It was a crime punishable by death.

As the Empire implemented its new policies, the Revolutionary Army's foundation began to crumble.

"It can't be helped. Minister Honest's execution was too well-received. After a thousand years of Imperial rule, the people's loyalty is deeply ingrained."

"Honestly, even I've considered returning to the military!" Bulat admitted with a sigh.

"What?! Are you planning to surrender, Bulat?!" Mine slammed her fist on the table, rising to her feet in outrage.

"Calm down, Mine."

"If Bulat truly intended to surrender, he wouldn't have voiced it aloud," Leone said calmly, resting her chin on her hand. "He's simply illustrating the current sentiment among the common people."

Leone understood Bulat's analogy perfectly. She had recently visited her old neighborhood in the slums and knew firsthand the prevailing attitude there.

The slums now held Prime Minister Mellie in high regard.

And for good reason.

Mellie had initiated a comprehensive reform of the slums, not by expelling its residents, but by providing employment opportunities and addressing the root causes of poverty.

Of course, this initiative targeted those willing to work.

As for those who refused to work, expulsion would be a light punishment. Mellie had plenty of methods for dealing with such individuals.

Because of these reforms, the slums were transforming.

Residents who had once lived in abject poverty were now accumulating savings.

More importantly, they had hope for the future.

Thinking of this, a smile touched Leone's lips.

The people of the slums were precisely who she was fighting for.

"I-I understand."

Realizing her outburst, Mine turned to Bulat, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, Bulat. I overreacted."

"It's alright. I understand your passion," Bulat reassured her with a smile.

"But my analogy wasn't entirely a joke." His expression turned serious. "I imagine I'm not the only one who feels this way."

Najenda and Akame's faces also grew somber.

Both had once served the Empire, leaving because of its darkness.

But now, that darkness had lifted, replaced by a revitalized Empire filled with hope.

Such an Empire held a certain allure.

But they were no longer part of it.

Even they couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to return.

"Bulat is right. I've had similar thoughts."

"But that's all they are—thoughts."

Akame looked at her comrades, her expression resolute. "My place is here, with you all. You are my companions."

"That's right!" Sheele chimed in with a smile. "This is my home!"

"I believe we all feel the same," Najenda agreed with a nod.

"However, as we've discussed, the change in public sentiment within the Empire is undeniable."

Najenda sighed.

With the Empire under Mika's control, he and his forces were now their enemies.

Logically, this should be the time for an assassination unit like theirs to take action.

But that would be difficult.

The Revolutionary Army, unlike the Empire with its long history of indoctrination, lacked truly loyal assassins.

Most of their leaders were skilled individuals who had joined the cause with various motivations.

Take Night Raid, for example.

Their mission was to eliminate corrupt officials and nobles who harmed the people.

But ordering them to assassinate officials who were actively working to improve the lives of the citizens would undoubtedly lead to dissent within the ranks.

Even Najenda wouldn't accept such a contradictory order.

Fortunately, the higher-ups understood this and hadn't issued any such directives.

This allowed Najenda to breathe a sigh of relief.

"However, after much deliberation, headquarters has decided to reveal the truth about the Emperor being replaced," Najenda announced.

"Reveal the truth? Will anyone even believe it?" Lubbock asked skeptically.

After all, the idea of the Empire's Emperor being so easily replaced seemed absurd.

"Whether they believe it or not isn't the point. It's about justifying our actions," Najenda explained.

"Legitimacy is paramount when undertaking such endeavors."

"Why did so many join the Revolutionary Army in the past? Wasn't it because they despised the corrupt Empire and sought a better life?"

"But facing this reformed Empire, the Revolutionary Army's message no longer holds the same weight. Can we simply stop?"

"No. The moment we chose to rebel, we became traitors."

"Therefore, we need to regain our legitimacy."

"Only then can we gain widespread support."

A heavy silence descended upon the room as Najenda finished speaking.

The reality of their situation was grim.

Seeing their expressions, Najenda sighed and shook her head. "We'll discuss the other matters later. For now, let's talk about our future missions!"

At this, the somber atmosphere lifted slightly.

"Do we finally have missions, Boss?!" Leone asked excitedly.

The recent inactivity had made her restless. Though her training continued, it lacked the thrill of a real mission.

"Indeed," Najenda said with a smile.

"As you know, due to Prime Minister Mellie's reforms, it's become difficult to find cases of injustice within the capital."

"This has left us idle for quite some time."

"But at headquarters, the strategists offered a solution: we will revisit old cases!"

"Revisit old cases?"

Confusion filled their faces; they couldn't grasp Najenda's intent.

"That's right," Najenda explained, seeing their puzzled expressions. "After Prime Minister Mellie took office, she held trials for Honest's faction and other corrupt officials."

"Most of those guilty were executed."

"However, a few were spared—those with exceptional abilities."

"So, these spared individuals are our targets?" Bulat asked, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Exactly," Najenda confirmed. "At the time, executing all those corrupt officials at once would have paralyzed the court."

"Even if they managed to restore order in the central government, Mellie wouldn't have been able to handle the local affairs immediately."

"So, she compromised, offering those guilty officials a chance to survive if they proved their worth."

"Those who lacked the necessary skills were naturally eliminated."

"This was undoubtedly a brilliant tactic, ensuring their loyalty and allowing her to swiftly consolidate power."

"But it also gave those who deserved punishment a chance to live!"

"Now that the Empire is firmly under their control, these individuals must be a thorn in Mellie's side."

"But she can't simply punish them without cause; it would undermine her authority and alienate her subordinates."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Leone shouted, the others echoing her affirmation.

They were all eager to eliminate those who had escaped justice.

Leone, in particular, held Mellie in high regard due to her efforts in the slums. Knowing that Mellie had been forced to spare these criminals ignited her desire to act.

She was eager to assist Mellie in this matter.

"Excellent!" Najenda declared with a grin. "While Prime Minister Mellie might have given them a chance, we won't!"

"We will reap their lives in the shadows!"

"Yes!" the members of Night Raid responded loudly.

…

"My Lord, it's terrible! Night Raid has resurfaced!"

Within the palace, Mellie, who was busy with official duties, frowned upon hearing the report.

"Are you certain it's Night Raid?"

"Yes! The Capital Guard confirmed it. This wasn't a copycat incident," the official reported seriously.

"What's the evidence?"

"The victim was killed by Murasame, Akame's Teigu. The cause of death was the cursed poison."

"I see." Mellie nodded slightly.

But her frown deepened.

After all, the current captain of the Capital Guard was Tatsumi.

After his recent experiences, Tatsumi had matured considerably. Mellie trusted his judgment.

But it was precisely because of this trust that she was concerned.

Not only did Night Raid hold Mellie in high regard, but Mellie herself also admired them, especially after learning more about their operations through Chelsea's dreams.

She understood their principles: to eliminate only those guilty of heinous crimes.

However, she had been focusing on purging corrupt officials recently.

Her intelligence network kept a close watch on all government officials within the capital.

And the results had been satisfactory. Night Raid had been forced into inactivity for quite some time.

Yet, despite her efforts, they had found a weakness.

This naturally angered Mellie.

"Who was the victim?"

"Minister Parker."

"Him?" Mellie's anger instantly turned to amusement.

"So it was him."

She now understood Night Raid's intentions.

And their actions aligned perfectly with her own desires.

She had promised not to pursue past offenses, but she couldn't bring herself to forgive their crimes.

"This way, my promise remains unbroken, and those criminals are eliminated."

"A perfect solution!"

A smile touched Mellie's lips.

"It seems I need to have a chat with Tatsumi."

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