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Najenda stood calmly at the palace gates as the Revolutionary Army leader glared at her.

"What's going on here, Najenda?" he demanded, his tone sharp.

The entire situation seemed abnormal, and he was growing increasingly suspicious. Otherwise, how could the leader of Night Raid appear so openly in front of the palace?

This unsettling development made him hesitant.

Najenda's one eye swept over the figures beside him, their appearances marking them as leaders of the foreign tribes allied with the Revolutionary Army. She showed no visible reaction, but her words were measured.

"The Emperor is waiting for you inside the palace," she said calmly.

"The Emperor?!"

Gasps erupted among the Revolutionary Army's high-ranking members.

The leader's expression darkened instantly.

"Najenda, have you betrayed the Revolutionary Army and sided with the Empire?!" he bellowed, his voice filled with rage.

This was the only explanation that made sense. It had to be a trap—a banquet of betrayal!

Lubbock, stunned, shook his head vehemently.

"This is impossible! Najenda would never betray us!"

Bulat added his voice, his brows furrowed.

"Najenda, what's really going on here?"

"We haven't betrayed anyone," Najenda replied, her tone steady. "The Empire's rule has simply come to an end."

Leaving no room for further explanation, she turned and began walking into the palace.

"Follow me, and you'll understand."

Her cryptic words left the Revolutionary Army leaders unsettled.

What if it really was a trap?

Lubbock clenched his fists. "I don't believe Najenda would betray us. I'm going in."

"Ah... fine." Bulat sighed, trailing after him.

The Revolutionary Army leader gritted his teeth, his anger barely contained.

"Follow her. Let's see what this is all about!"

…

Inside the Palace

Their footsteps echoed through the grand halls as they cautiously entered the throne room.

At first, the sight of soldiers set off alarms in their minds.

But something was off.

There weren't many soldiers—just a scattering of guards. And they weren't typical imperial troops.

These were members of Esdeath's personal army, standing in disciplined silence.

Their eyes shifted forward to the throne.

But it wasn't the young Emperor sitting there.

Nor was it the scheming Minister.

Instead, they saw a man, surrounded by a group of women, including members of Night Raid.

"Rei Ao!"

Bulat blurted out the name in shock.

Rei Ao's gaze flicked to him, a faint smile on his lips.

"You revolutionaries are late," he said casually. "The Empire is already mine."

His blunt declaration sent a ripple of outrage through the group.

One of the Revolutionary Army's higher-ups stepped forward, his face twisted in anger.

"The Empire is yours?!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" he sneered.

"We're the Revolutionary Army! We have a million troops at the gates. Hand over the throne, or—"

Shing!

Before he could finish, a flash of silver lit the room.

Blood sprayed into the air, splattering everyone nearby.

Thud!

Something heavy hit the floor.

They looked down to see the decapitated head of the man who had just spoken.

"...!!"

Shock silenced the room as they turned to the source of the strike.

Poised with calm precision was Saeko Busujima, her blade gleaming as she sheathed it with a soft click.

"Too noisy," she said coolly.

"How... when...?"

Lubbock's eyes widened, his voice trembling. He hadn't even seen her draw her sword, let alone move.

This brutal act silenced any further objections from the Revolutionary Army leaders.

The smell of blood lingered in the air as they stared at the headless body on the floor.

The Revolutionary Army leader clenched his fists, his voice low and bitter.

"What's the meaning of this, Rei Ao? Killing one of my people outright?"

Rei Ao chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery.

"You're questioning me?"

"Take a good look around. You saw the corpses and rubble outside, didn't you?"

"I killed the Emperor. I killed the Minister. I crushed the Empire with my own hands. Naturally, it's mine now."

His smile faded, replaced by a cold glare.

"And what of your subordinate? He dared covet my throne. His death was inevitable."

Rei Ao's aura surged, filling the room with suffocating pressure.

"I'll kill anyone I wish to. Do you have a problem with that?"

Boom!

The oppressive weight of his power forced everyone present to their knees, unable to withstand the force.

The Revolutionary Army leader gritted his teeth, his mind racing.

He had long dreamed of sitting on the imperial throne, believing it was his destiny.

"Sir," he began, trying to mask his frustration with diplomacy.

"The Revolutionary Army exists to overthrow tyranny and bring peace to the people of this empire."

"But with our million-strong army, we could create a better future for this land."

Najenda's gaze sharpened slightly.

The Revolutionary Army leader's veiled threat carried an unmistakable tone of coercion. He was trying to leverage his so-called million-strong army to pressure them into compliance.

"Tsk, tsk."

Rei Ao smirked, easily deciphering the leader's intentions.

Instead of pointing it out, he threw out a startling remark:

"Why don't you go check if your million-strong army is still there?"

"What did you just say?"

The leader's face froze.

Wasn't the army right outside the city?

Suddenly, a cold realization hit him. The eerily quiet Imperial Palace had already felt off—no guards, no defensive lines.

His instincts screamed at him.

"Retreat, now!"

His roar cut through the silence, and the Revolutionary Army leaders bolted from the throne room.

Their footsteps echoed as they rushed toward the city gates.

…

Back in the Throne Room

Lubbock and Bulat remained, confused and shaken.

"Najenda, what's going on?" Lubbock asked, his voice filled with unease.

"You said we wouldn't..."

"Hm!"

Before he could finish, Mine cut him off with a sharp snort.

"Did we ever say we were on the Revolutionary Army's side?"

She crossed her arms, her glare icy.

"We just refused to support your plan to work with the foreign tribes. Instead, we chose a better way to topple the Empire."

Lubbock had no response.

The proof was all around him—the Empire had indeed fallen.

Bulat scratched the back of his head, sighing.

"So, what happens now? The Empire's done for, so what are we supposed to do?"

Najenda looked at them both, her expression firm.

"Lubbock, Bulat... it's up to you. What will you choose?"

A long silence followed.

Bulat broke it with a wry chuckle.

"Well, since the Empire's tyranny is over, our job's done. I'll probably head off and live a quiet life as a normal person."

Lubbock, however, locked eyes with Najenda.

"Najenda... can I still stay by your side?"

Before Najenda could reply, Rei Ao stepped in, grabbing her by the arm and examining her.

With a flick of his finger, her mechanical arm cracked and fell to pieces.

"Wait, what are you—?"

Before Najenda could react, Rei Ao removed her eyepatch, revealing the hollow socket beneath.

A glowing magical circle appeared in his palm, radiating light.

Everyone watched in stunned silence as energy swirled around Najenda.

Her body began to change—her missing arm regrew, her empty eye socket filled, and even her short hair lengthened until it cascaded down her back.

Her skin became smoother, her features more refined.

When the glow faded, Najenda stood there, transformed.

She flexed her new fingers and blinked her newly restored eye in awe.

"I... this is me?"

Lubbock was stunned.

It was as if the Najenda he had once admired had returned, even more radiant than before.

Rei Ao's smile widened.

"As one of my queens in this world, this is only fitting."

"Queen?!"

Lubbock's eyes widened in shock.

He turned to Najenda, his voice trembling.

"What... what does he mean?!"

Najenda's voice was steady, her gaze calm.

"This was part of the trade. To overthrow the Empire, we agreed to submit to him."

"That's... no..."

Lubbock's fists clenched, his voice shaking.

"This can't be right!"

But Najenda cut him off.

"This was our choice, and we'll take responsibility for it. There's no need for you to worry."

Lubbock fell silent, his gaze searching hers for any sign of doubt.

Finally, he let out a bitter laugh, his shoulders slumping.

"Then... I wish you all the best."

Leaving his Imperial Arm behind, he walked out of the throne room without looking back.

Bulat sighed deeply.

Unlike Lubbock, he wasn't as emotionally attached.

"I just hope you can make this Empire a better place," he said sincerely.

After placing his Imperial Arm on the ground, he turned and left as well.

Mine's face turned crimson as she stammered, pointing at Rei Ao.

"Wh-what did you mean by queens?!"

Rei Ao's grin turned mischievous.

"Exactly what you think it means. Our trade isn't over yet, Mine."

Her blush deepened, and she shrank back slightly, muttering, "I'd almost forgotten about that part..."

Leone's grin widened.

"So, what about the Revolutionary Army and those foreign tribes? Just let them do whatever they want?"

"Let them?" Rei Ao chuckled darkly.

"Of course not. This is my empire now."

His smile turned predatory.

"But don't worry. I'm sure Esdeath has already taken care of them."

He stepped forward, his tone turning lighter.

"Now then, how about we settle the rest of our trade? I believe I owe some of you a more... personal reward."