Unlimited Blade Works of the Raging Dimension

After the incident, before the security forces arrived, Shirou took the three girls and left the blood-stained hotel.

The power of the Jeweled Sword allowed them to return to Shirou's cabin in an instant and without a sound.

Fal's injuries were indeed serious. She had been struck in the stomach, and her internal organs were slightly displaced. Fortunately, although Shirou wasn't proficient in professional healing Magecraft, he could still use Magecraft to treat her wounds. This method was highly inefficient, but the total amount of magical energy he possessed was no longer what it used to be. The loss was still acceptable.

After treating Fal's injuries, Shirou initially planned to give the three girls some money and let them leave the imperial capital once the storm had passed. However, he didn't expect that after he conveyed his plan to them, they refused to leave.

"We were originally sold to the imperial capital as slaves. If we're caught, we'll be captured and taken back. Besides, where can the three of us go? We can't return to the village, and if we go somewhere bad, the three of us will meet a tragic end. I hope you can keep us here."

The three girls spoke thus, and Shirou understood what they meant. Regardless of anything else, if three teenage girls walked out of the imperial capital like this, they might become targets for thieves or robbers with money in their hands. So what if they left the imperial capital?

"Is that so? Then you can stay here and treat me as your new master. You can leave whenever you want in the future."

Just like that, Shirou gained three young maids.

❂❂❂❂❂

A few days later, shocking news spread throughout the imperial capital—Esdeath had returned!

As one of the strongest in the empire, and due to her frequent battles, Esdeath's reputation in the imperial capital was no less than that of General Budo, and even better. After all, her age and appearance were on her side—she was young and beautiful. Moreover, the beautiful Esdeath was more popular than the middle-aged Budo. Of course, this was the opinion among the common people.

As for the imperial court, the Prime Minister, who controlled the empire's real power, was overjoyed by her arrival. Esdeath had no interest in politics or authority; she was only passionate about fighting and defeating opponents who caught her attention. The Prime Minister was very pleased with Esdeath. For the time being, Esdeath was allied with the Prime Minister, and this was the nature of their relationship.

Recently, the Prime Minister had been slightly troubled by the active performance of Night Raid. Although, to him, Night Raid was just a group of small flies, even small flies could be annoying. What was troublesome was that Night Raid was quite strong.

In the imperial capital, aside from General Budo, no one was confident of defeating Night Raid, and General Budo needed to guard the imperial palace and couldn't be easily dispatched. Moreover, he had always disliked the Prime Minister, but he refrained from taking action due to the ancestral rule of not interfering in politics. However, this didn't stop him from despising the Prime Minister.

However, Esdeath's return broke this situation. She was the most suitable candidate to deal with Night Raid among all the Imperial Arms users.

Thinking this, the Prime Minister naturally welcomed Esdeath's arrival.

In the main hall of the Imperial Palace, Esdeath, who had just returned from battle, arrived here.

"General Esdeath."

"Here."

Facing the ruler of the empire, the young emperor who was still a teenager, Esdeath knelt on one knee. There was no respect on her face, only a calm expression. After all, the empire was just a place for her to seek safe refuge from her opponents, but she didn't mind showing some respect to the little emperor of the empire.

"You have done a great job in suppressing the northern tribes. As a reward, I have prepared a gift of 10,000 gold for you." The little emperor said carefully. After all, he was the ruler of a nation, and his words were full of majesty.

"Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty. I will give it to the soldiers who remain to defend the northern territories. They will surely be grateful to Your Majesty."

"I see. I understand. Although you have just returned, forgive me, I have a task for you." The little emperor agreed to Esdeath's request, then brought up another matter. "There is a vicious organization called Night Raid around the imperial capital. I want you to try to exterminate them with military force."

'Night Raid? They're all organized by Imperial Arms users. This is quite interesting.' Thinking this, Esdeath raised her head and looked at the little emperor, "I understand, but I have a request."

"Hmm... I will try to prepare it for you."

"No, I heard there are many Imperial Arms users among the members of Night Raid. Only Imperial Arms users are effective against Imperial Arms users. So, please gather six Imperial Arms users. We will now form a security team consisting solely of Imperial Arms users."

"This..." A trace of doubt crossed the little emperor's face.

He naturally understood the importance of Imperial Arms to the empire. Summoning six Imperial Arms would undoubtedly mobilize a large portion of the empire's elite to come here. It was only natural to have such doubts.

"I heard you have subordinates who are Imperial Arms users known as the Three Beasts, right? Do you need six more?"

"Your Majesty." The Prime Minister standing beside the little emperor interjected.

"You can rest assured with what General Esdeath has said. You need not worry about it."

Facing the smiling Prime Minister, the little emperor nodded as if he had found his backbone.

"Alright, if you say so, I feel relieved. I think I can prepare well."

"Of course, no problem. I will start preparing immediately."

"Now the imperial capital is safe, and I can breathe easy." The little emperor patted his chest, as if he had put down a heavy burden. It seemed that Night Raid was still a great pressure for him.

"General Esdeath is truly wise and capable." The Prime Minister also smiled and congratulated, but he looked funny with a pot of meat in his hands. However, in the eyes of those who knew him, no one would think that this smiling man was a good person.

His name was Honest, the man who manipulated the little emperor to carry out endless tyranny and was the primary assassination target of Night Raid. He was a fat man who ate meat all the time, but contrary to his appearance, he was actually a very capable man with deep schemes. It was rumored that this man was the one who helped the current emperor stand out among many heirs and ascend to the throne. But in reality, the current emperor's biological parents were killed by him. He could be said to be the main culprit behind the corruption of this country.

'Esdeath has no interest in politics or power. Destroying her opponents in battle is everything to her.'

'I control the country and continue to fulfill her desires. Our interests align, and this is the best way.'

Thinking this, the smile on Honest's face deepened slightly, but it looked a bit terrifying.

"I have made you work hard. Besides the gold, I want to give you another reward. Do you have any requests?" Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, the little emperor offered compensation to Esdeath, "Titles or territory or something."

"I see. If I may say..."

"Tell me about it?"

"I would like Your Majesty to help me find someone." Esdeath looked up with a hint of desire in her eyes.

"Someone?"

"Yes, he is a dark-skinned man, dressed in red, with white hair. He wields two swords."

"Is that so? I will send someone to look for him. General Esdeath, don't worry."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Esdeath nodded.

Ever since she was defeated in the battle with Shirou, she had been longing for him and continued to hone herself and create new techniques just to defeat Shirou.

'I'm here, you can't escape.' A hint of emotion was revealed in Esdeath's eyes, which was the desire of a hunter for her prey.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, her face turned red.

"By the way, Your Majesty, I have another request."

"Please continue."

"I want to have a romantic relationship."

Little Emperor: "..."

Prime Minister: "..."