"The position of emperor can go to someone else. I just want to see the empire reach stability."
Souta didn't hide his intentions, stating his goal outright.
"Heh, what a boring goal."
Esdeath instantly lost interest.
"Stability means no war, no battles, no excitement. I didn't expect you to be such a dull man."
"My decisions don't need your commentary."
Souta replied bluntly, not caring at all about her opinion.
"So, what do you want me to do then?"
Esdeath didn't mince words.
"But let me say this first, just because you beat me doesn't mean I'll willingly help you pacify the populace. I won't do something so boring."
Souta looked at her expressionlessly.
"And where exactly did you get the confidence that I'd entrust you with something so important? Stability? You?"
"You're really direct, aren't you?"
She didn't mind blunt talk, but it still irritated her a little.
"It's not about whether I can do it, it's about my attitude."
"Attitude? You seem pretty kind to your soldiers and civilians. You've got quite a fan base in the Empire."
"That's different. I've always been in charge of war. Have you ever seen me do anything for the people? I'm just decent to logistics officers who supply my troops."
Esdeath gave Souta a curious look.
"You're a god from another world, right? Where exactly did you get all this intel on me?"
"If I'm a god, then naturally I know what I want to know."
Esdeath squinted. "Then why even ask me?"
Souta just glanced at her without answering.
When he didn't feel like replying, he simply didn't. Pure arrogance and indifference.
And unfortunately, Esdeath wasn't strong enough to argue back.
"Relax," Souta moved on to business. "You're a sword for the battlefield. I'll put you to use where you belong."
"Oh?" The mention of battle reignited her interest. "The Minister and Emperor are both handled now. Your goal is stability, so you must be planning to reform the Empire internally... What, you want me to suppress the Revolutionary Army?"
"You're sharp. But there's no rush."
Souta didn't mind revealing his plan.
"My primary goal is stability. Ideally, through peaceful reintegration. Let's see if humanity can let go of its thirst for power. If the Revolutionaries remain stubborn, then you'll be called in."
"Pfft, laying down the law before dropping the hammer... you really are a tedious one."
Esdeath didn't think much of Souta's methods—too roundabout.
Why bother offering clemency to rebels? Just crush them and move on.
Of course, she didn't know Souta's true goal: gaining followers.
If he could stabilize the Empire, then most Revolutionaries would lose the will to fight. The ambitious few who clung to power could be dealt with swiftly.
And fewer lives would be lost.
That was Souta's aim.
"My decisions are not for you to question."
Souta shot her a cold look.
Esdeath didn't take offense.
Strong people were allowed to have a bit of an ego.
"The Revolutionary Army won't surrender easily. Looks like we're fighting after all."
Her eyes gleamed, clearly craving the thrill of battle.
She suddenly changed the subject, stepping closer to Souta and placing a hand on the throne beside his head, wall-slamming him in a suggestive pose.
Her eyes shimmered with playful excitement.
"God... tell me more about your other world. You teased me with it earlier and never followed up. I'm very curious."
Souta's line of sight was directly filled with her ample chest.
Her uniform had a deep neckline, and the view was... vivid. If she pushed them together a little, they could probably hold a bubble tea...
Why are you so close? We're just talking.
He gave her a look that said, Back off a bit.
Esdeath understood immediately.
"You actually care about this? So you do body. As the one who beat me, you can do whatever you want, yet you're hesitating. How unmanly."
Instead of stepping back, she leaned even closer.
"If you want to fuck me, go ahead. You've earned that right. I don't want the man who defeated me to be so timid."
"..." Souta really wanted to spank her.
He didn't actually mind putting her in her place physically.
But now wasn't the time. He had business to attend to.
"Esdeath. If you want information, you'll have to earn it."
He stared at her beautiful, teasing face and said:
"I have a task for you. Complete it well, and I'll tell you more about the other world."
Esdeath blinked, her icy blue lashes fluttering slightly.
"You've changed your mind? Gonna crush the Revolutionary Army now? No problem, I'll do it."
"No. They'll be offered peace first, as planned."
Souta met her eager eyes and said:
"I want you to gather the Empire's Teigu users, and consolidate Najenda's subordinates. You'll lead a covert purge, assassinate corrupt aristocrats and officials. You have two months."
"Hm? Why not just have Najenda handle it?"
"She's in charge of integrating the Revolutionaries."
"...Fine, deal. I'll do your task, and you tell me about the other world."
Esdeath agreed after thinking it over.
A bit of assassination before the war? Not a bad appetizer.
And assassination left a lot of room for creativity.
As long as they ended up dead, the method didn't matter, right?
She'd get to indulge her torturous hobbies for a bit.
Soon, Esdeath left the palace to coordinate with Najenda.
She had no loyalty to the Empire, no intention of serving the Minister or the Emperor.
Souta's tempting offer of another world easily won her over.
With both of the Empire's strongest now working for him, Souta could move forward quickly.
Finally, Souta could relax.
He even slept in the next morning, and later watched Honest's public execution.
The execution grounds were packed, citizens filled every corner.
The Minister was tightly bound, tied to a rack beside a row of sharp knives.
Anyone could step forward, take a knife, and slice off a piece of him.
One cut at a time... until there was nothing left.
Exactly like the manga's ending for the Minister.
Down to the last detail.
It made Souta wonder if the world was driven by some kind of narrative force.
"To do something so brutal without hesitation... these people are truly terrifying."
He watched until the very end.
When the Minister finally died, Souta summoned divine fire and burned the fat pig's soul to ash.