Chapter 142 Preparing for the Uprising: The Plan

"Why did you close your eyes again?" Esdeath asked with dissatisfaction, reaching out to pry open Qi's eyes.

"Reporting to the General, His Majesty and the Prime Minister request an audience," a soldier's voice came from outside the door.

"It must be about the city wall. I'll go right away," Esdeath replied indifferently.

"Yes."

"Judging by that look of relief, are you thinking of running away? I told you, no matter where I go, I will take you with me, even when having an audience with His Majesty," Esdeath said with a smile as she stroked Qi's cheek.

Qi's slightly relaxed heart sank, and he offered a helpless, bitter smile.

Perhaps out of indifference, or perhaps to make the man she fancied fall in love with her, Esdeath began to dress right in front of Qi, deliberately displaying her graceful figure to the young man, having heard that men were creatures easily swayed by such sights.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Esdeath knelt on one knee, a massive block of ice resting flat beside her right hand.

"Rise, General Esdeath. I heard you found someone you fancy today and brought him home after a confession. Is this the young man beside you?" the young emperor asked, putting on a dignified facade.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I wonder what important matter has prompted Your Majesty to summon me?"

"I heard that an old man who calls himself the Martial Emperor and the young man beside you blasted a huge hole in the city wall during a duel, so I wanted to discuss it with General Esdeath," the Prime Minister said, standing beside the young emperor while eating.

"Indeed, that happened. Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Prime Minister. Since the duel I hosted caused such a mishap, I shall personally fill in that large hole," Esdeath said.

"If that is the case, I am relieved. However, I wonder why General Esdeath has kept the young man you fancy trapped within a block of ice?" Beneath the young emperor's curious gaze lurked a different sort of emotion.

"Although I fell in love with Kaitian at first sight, he does not harbor any romantic feelings for me and has constantly tried to escape. Therefore, I wish to keep him by my side at all times until I can conquer him with my charm," Esdeath said earnestly.

"I see. General Esdeath, you certainly work hard..."

***

"General Esdeath, have you noticed any changes in the young emperor recently?" Walking among the pavilions and corridors with Esdeath, the Prime Minister asked with narrowed eyes and a serious tone.

"Is that so? I haven't noticed anything. Perhaps he is growing up and developing more complex thoughts. I heard the Prime Minister has formed his own direct-control unit. Could it be..."

"Just to be safe. Although the young emperor still obeys my every word, recently he has made a few moves that caught me off guard. Could it be that General Esdeath's pursuit of romance has planted some ideas in his head? If so, I will just have him indulge in wine and women and let him grow up happily."

"That sounds fine too. As long as there is war, I am happy," Esdeath said with a smile.

***

"It's already dark. Kaitian, would you like to take a bath? But no running away," Esdeath said upon returning to her bedroom, beginning to strip off her clothes.

"No need. Just lay me down on the bed, I won't run away," Qi shook his head in refusal.

"Very well. The moment I sense even the slightest thing amiss, I'll come out and pull you in." Esdeath walked naked past Qi before stepping into the bathroom.

"Boss, new intelligence," Qi transferred his consciousness to communicate.

"Speak," Najenda said while soaking in the hot springs of the new hideout.

"Well, it's like this: the Prime Minister and the young emperor..." Qi recounted everything he had seen and heard.

"If I had heard such intelligence previously, it certainly would have been good news, but right now, it's a bit hard to tell." Najenda pulled a cigarette from a pack by the hot spring edge, lit it, and wore an uncertain expression.

"Did something happen?" Qi asked in surprise.

"I'll first summon the others to discuss this. We were originally planning to talk about it tonight, but you had a minor accident." Najenda stood up from the hot spring, dried herself, dressed, and glanced at the diamond pearl. "Since you can hear... you can see, right?"

"...No, sound is transmitted through vibrations in the air, so I can hear and speak, but without eyes, I cannot see anything at all," Qi replied calmly.

"Is that so?" Najenda picked up the diamond pearl and walked out of the hot spring room. "Everyone, assemble."

***

Once everyone had gathered, Najenda took out the diamond pearl and tossed it into the air. The pearl floated silently in place.

"At headquarters, I received word that the Revolutionary Army has made full preparations. We are now just one step away from launching the war and taking the first step to eradicate corruption. Have you ever heard of the religion in the east called the Way of Peace?"

"That's the one preaching that performing many good deeds brings happiness and longevity," Chelsea interjected.

"Correct. Their followers are widespread, and they are preparing for a religious uprising. We intend to ride this momentum. Our allies, the northern tribes, will simultaneously attack the Empire, but the Empire's strength remains formidable—especially the army led by Esdeath, which will definitely march out.

At that time, our Revolutionary Army will rise and launch the war. From the southern border to the Imperial Capital, one must pass through several cities and checkpoints, but their governors have long been subverted by us, so we can march straight to the gates of the Imperial Capital without waging a single war.

Before that, it all depends on Qi's performance. If we can assassinate General Budou, we can charge straight into the imperial palace, execute the Prime Minister, and capture the young emperor. If we fail to kill Budou, he will lead the imperial guards out of the city to block us, and Night Raid can take advantage of the empty imperial palace to charge directly in.

Even if Esdeath returns, she won't be able to save them."

"A simultaneous attack on three fronts?"

"I will go assassinate Budou, and I can also quietly eliminate a few members of the Jaegers. However, there is unfortunate news: after that battle with me, Esdeath's strength seems to have grown even further," Qi's helpless voice echoed.

"That is truly terrible news. And the Prime Minister's newly formed direct-control unit that you mentioned earlier is also a trouble at such a critical juncture. Moreover, the Way of Peace, which is crucial to the plan, has encountered some issues. The charismatic leader of the Way of Peace has an adjutant by his side.

He is a spy sent by the Prime Minister, attempting to replace the sect leader and quell the rebellion. Furthermore, he has been slowly poisoning the food, turning a portion of the believers into his loyal puppets. He is our target this time, and we need show no mercy to such a villain."

"Boss, you can leave this to me. My speed is fast; I can kill him within a day and return," Qi volunteered.

"No, Qi, you are currently by Esdeath's side and can accurately relay her movements. Besides, we still need you to assassinate Budou, so leave that side to us. Esdeath and the Jaegers will hinder us, so before we set out, we must first eliminate the Jaegers." Najenda clenched her fist, revealing a fierce murderous intent.