326-330

Chapter 326: Time 

Shura didn’t hesitate. Seeing the situation turn sour, he immediately activated his teleportation array, not sparing a thought for his so-called comrades. The array glowed beneath his feet—he was clearly planning to escape alone. 

“Shura!” 

“You bastard!” 

The others were stunned, cursing him loudly. They’d come to ride his coattails, only to be led to their doom. 

But Shura couldn’t care less about their insults. At this point, he wasn’t even thinking about his own father—survival came first! 

Buzz! 

A flash of purple light, and Shura vanished from the teleportation array. When he reappeared, he was in a desolate area outside the capital. He’d deliberately left a coordinate in a forest beyond the city, and now it had come in handy. 

“Nothing can be done. I can’t handle this on my own.” 

Shura quickly came to a conclusion. The situation was hopeless—saving his father was out of the question. Instead, he needed to focus on how to avenge him later. 

“I’ll have to rely on other nations.” 

Having traveled the world, Shura was no fool. He knew he couldn’t take on the Empire alone. The solution? Bring in foreign powers to oppose the Empire. If one wasn’t enough, he’d rally several to join forces. 

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. You think you’ve got a chance?” 

A voice came from behind him. Before Shura could react, a hand clamped onto his shoulder. 

“Who’s there?!” 

Startled, Shura instinctively swung his elbow back. He’d trained in martial arts from various countries while wreaking havoc abroad, so he had some skill to back up his arrogance. 

Thud! 

Riku caught Shura’s elbow with one hand and, with a slight squeeze, crushed it to pieces. Used to fighting cybernetically enhanced opponents with “steel and iron” bodies, Riku rarely got the chance to shatter someone’s bones so easily. 

“Aaagh!!!” 

Shura screamed in agony. What shocked him most was that someone was waiting for him here. How could they have known he’d teleport to this exact spot? 

Riku hadn’t been lying in wait—he’d followed Shura. For someone with teleportation abilities, Riku had marked Shura from the start. Letting someone like him run free with Dimensional Formation: Shangri-La would be a nightmare. That Teigu was practically made for guerrilla warfare, allowing Shura to strike wherever defenses were weak. 

The Empire’s vast territory made it impossible to predict where he’d attack next. Setting traps or defenses was pointless—he’d just hit vulnerable spots. Even the High Priest’s precognition wasn’t foolproof for every detail. 

The best solution? Eliminate the problem at its source. Riku had no intention of playing cat-and-mouse with Shura. 

Buzz! 

Without hesitation, Shura activated Shangri-La again. He hadn’t even fought or seen his enemy’s face, but he already knew one thing: this opponent was beyond him. 

A single pinch had shattered his bones. Shura didn’t dare imagine what would happen if that grip had been on his neck. He was just flesh and blood, not enhanced by any drugs. His vitality wasn’t anything special. 

If he’d taken the Empire’s assassination squad drugs, he might’ve stood a chance. Those drugs, used by the Empire’s elite killers, boosted physical strength and granted powerful self-healing. Only decapitation or a destroyed heart could kill someone on them. Most assassins were required to take them, but the drugs came with a heavy toll—dependency. Without regular doses, the user would weaken and die. 

As Minister Ornest’s son, Shura had refused such drugs, holding out for a perfected version. They were better suited for controlling the Empire’s assassins, like Kurome, who never betrayed the Empire partly because of her reliance on them. Unlike her prodigy sister Akame, Kurome wasn’t naturally gifted and depended on the drugs. Akame, unaware of this, had once naively invited Kurome to flee with her, not realizing Kurome couldn’t escape without solving her dependency. 

The teleportation array flickered, and Shura forced Shangri-La to activate again. But he didn’t teleport. Riku’s blade flashed, severing his hand. 

Clang! 

Shangri-La fell to the ground, the array’s light fading. Shura stood frozen, dumbfounded. 

His enemy was too fast, giving him no time to react. The pain from his severed hand hit his brain with a delay, as if time itself had slowed. And it wasn’t an illusion—time had been altered. 

Riku had pulled Shura into a localized Reality Marble, a tiny one tailored solely for him, akin to a “Time Alter” spell cast on an individual. Riku had slowed time within this Reality Marble, affecting only Shura while leaving everything else untouched. 

Riku hadn’t been idle lately. His obsession with “time” had led him to study it relentlessly, even interrogating the imprisoned Esdeath to force her to use her time-freezing abilities for his experiments. Additionally, he’d installed a magical circuit from the corpse of Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, the “Winter Saint” and core of the Holy Grail, a massive circuit stretching a kilometer in diameter. He’d repurposed much of it for his own use. 

Funnily enough, while most mages have circuits integrated into their bodies, Riku used his externally, like equipment. It worked just as well, so he didn’t mind. He could implant them if needed, but for now, wielding them like tools was fine. 

With the circuit installed, Riku also studied the Emiya family’s time magic, combining it with his other findings. The result? This “withering” ability, his latest breakthrough. 

He’d made more progress in speeding himself up than slowing others down. Abilities like “Time Alter” and “Stella Artoise” were already designed to enhance the user’s speed, so Riku simply stacked their effects, amplifying his own abilities. 

He’d long realized he wasn’t a “stats monster.” His base attributes, while superhuman compared to ordinary people, weren’t exceptional in the grand scheme of the multiverse. But with traits, skills, and equipment stacked together, he became something even scarier than a stats monster. 

Now, with his time-based abilities boosted, Riku’s speed had reached a new level. Techniques like Shunpo? Child’s play. Sure, it’s impressive to dash far in an instant, like teleporting, but so what? Riku could outrun it with raw speed. That’s the charm of stacking stats. 

It reminded him of his old gaming days, playing a medieval simulator where he’d create overpowered knights. By stacking stats, a handful of knights could defeat armies of tens of thousands, each one a medieval Space Marine. He never imagined he’d one day be stacking stats in real life. 

Riku picked up Shangri-La. As time normalized, Shura, clutching his wound, gasped in pain and stared at Riku. 

The correction of slowed time affected Shura’s body. Unlike reversing accelerated time, the effects weren’t as severe—just a racing heart and a surge of blood, leaving him feeling “hyped up” and uncomfortable. 

“Who are you?! Why are you here?!” 

Shura glared at Riku, demanding answers. But upon seeing Riku’s face, his mind faltered. That face… he’d seen it somewhere recently. 

Crack! 

Riku didn’t bother responding. He knocked Shura out cold. A scumbag like him wasn’t worth words. Riku planned to drag him back for execution—the people of the capital would rejoice. Shura had terrorized countless families as the capital’s infamous bully before leaving. 

In the moment he was knocked out, Shura realized why the face looked familiar—it matched the Emperor’s statue. 

When Shura awoke, he was back in the capital, in the plaza before the Imperial Assembly Hall. The crowd had regathered, the chaos resolved, and the troublemakers either killed or captured. 

The Teigu users in the plaza hadn’t caused much trouble. A few rounds of gunfire left them heavily injured, and the fully equipped artificial human troops easily apprehended them. 

The Rakshasa Four Ghosts of the Imperial Fist Temple weren’t entirely wrong: Teigu users, despite their powers, are still mortal. Those who rely too heavily on their Teigu are prone to failure. 

Among them, Dotya stood out. An alchemist with a heavily modified body, she was stronger than the others. Like Dr. Stylish, she could transform others into creatures of her design. Her Teigu, Blood Drain: Rapid Siphon, was a vampire-fang-like device installed in her mouth. It could drain a person into a husk, using their blood to heal or enhance her strength. 

It was a growth-type Teigu, but Dotya’s extensive modifications limited its potential. The alchemical materials she used didn’t grow with her. 

Shura glanced around, feeling the absurdity of it all. His father, his former “comrades,” and the young Emperor were all in custody, awaiting the guillotine. 

“…” 

Ornest’s numb face twitched as he looked at his son, unsure what to say. Not that there was time for words. 

With a command, Ornest was dragged back to the guillotine. It was his second time on the platform, and he figured this time he’d finally die. No second “devoted son” would show up to cause trouble. 

Still, as he lay on the guillotine, Ornest trembled. The experience was too harrowing. 

Thwack! 

This time, there were no interruptions. Amid the crowd’s cheers, Minister Ornest’s sinful life ended. His son Shura followed right after, sent to the underworld to keep him company. Riku was thoughtful like that. 

Shura’s execution drew cheers no less enthusiastic than Ornest’s. It showed just how much the capital’s people despised the notorious bully, whose reputation was arguably worse than his father’s. While Ornest corrupted the Empire’s foundation, Shura directly terrorized its citizens, preying on anyone he met. 

After the father and son, the other lackeys were executed, drawing little reaction. They were all vile criminals—none died unjustly. 

Finally, the young Emperor was brought to the guillotine. The crowd roared, curses filling the air. Numb and broken, his fantasies shattered, he had nothing left. 

“Perhaps I was wrong… Please, treat—” 

He tried to speak as he lay on the guillotine, but the blade fell before he could finish. 

“No need for speeches. Save it for the ghosts you wronged—they’d love to hear your excuses.” 

Riku had no patience for “regrets.” The people’s cheers proved it: not one person on that platform died unjustly. 

Chapter 327: The Gift 

The executions are done, marking the final nail in the coffin of the old Empire. A new nation—Teikoku—is charging forward with Shonen-style momentum, ready to reshape the world! 

Riku took stock of the spoils. This time, they nabbed five Teigu: Jigen Hojin: Shangri-La, Gekko Reibu: Fuujinken, Ketsueki Kyushu: Jinsoku Kyushu, Daichi Meido: Juatsu Ryoku, and Kaito Ranma: Dai Tosshu. Talk about a mixed bag of legendary gear! 

But on closer inspection, none of these Teigu are real game-changers for Riku. Even something as wild as Jigen Hojin: Shangri-La, which can banish people to another dimension, isn’t exactly a must-have. Riku’s already got similar powers in his arsenal—Naruto-level jutsu, basically. The others? He’s got substitutes for those too. Supersonic waves? Crescent wind blades? Elemental attacks? His own abilities outshine these Teigu like a Sailor Moon transformation outshines a flashlight. They’re kinda meh in his hands. 

Not that Riku minds. These “useless” Teigu can still be handed out to others. What’s chicken ribs to him might be a One-Punch Man-style power-up for someone else. For regular folks, these are still crush-level artifacts. 

Riku decided to keep two: Jigen Hojin: Shangri-La and Ketsueki Kyushu: Jinsoku Kyushu. The former’s too dangerous to just hand out. Used right, Shangri-La’s ability to exile enemies to a pocket dimension packs a serious punch—even Riku can find uses for that. As for Ketsueki Kyushu: Jinsoku Kyushu, it’s a perfect combo with Suiryu Hyoi: Kuro Marin. One manipulates blood, the other absorbs it to boost strength. It’s like pairing Gundam Wing’s Heavyarms with an infinite ammo cheat code—total synergy. 

Too bad Jinsoku Kyushu’s healing effect is useless to Riku. Still, the strength boost caught his eye, since he’s all about maxing out his power stat like a true shonen protagonist. To test it, he knocked out a random Kiken-shu beast, used Suiryu Hyoi: Kuro Marin to siphon its blood, then activated Ketsueki Kyushu: Jinsoku Kyushu to drink his fill. Doesn’t have to be human blood, thankfully. 

“Ugh, this effect’s kinda lame,” Riku muttered, disappointed. No instant Dragon Ball Z-style power surge. If sucking blood made you OP that easily, Dotya wouldn’t have bothered with alchemy—she’d just be a vampire running around like Castlevania’s Alucard. Riku felt no change after his blood buffet. Maybe it’s a long-term thing, like a Hunter x Hunter training arc, requiring multiple “treatments” to kick in. 

“Better than nothing, I guess.” Riku stashed the Teigu, not too bummed. Getting stronger’s never that simple. But maybe the blood quality matters? Stronger creatures might yield better results. “Worth a shot later,” he decided, planning to test it out. It’s a potential power-up, and even a tiny boost is better than nothing—every bit counts, like grinding XP in an RPG. 

Next, Riku “bio-fused” Jigen Hojin: Shangri-La, diving into its pocket dimension. This Teigu’s tied to that space—if it breaks, the dimension shatters, and everyone inside spills out like a Bleach portal gone wrong. It’s got a bit of a Kagekai (Shadow Realm) vibe, but it’s way less flexible than Riku’s own Kagekai. Opening a door to banish someone is a hassle, and forget reshaping the dimension’s interior like a Code Geass mastermind. 

“Wonder if my Kagekai could swallow this dimension?” Riku mused, but it was just a fleeting shonen brainstorm. He’s got no clue how to pull that off yet. 

As for the other three Teigu, Riku pondered who to gift them to. A curved blade, six small orbs, and… a microphone? The blade (Gekko Reibu: Fuujinken) is normal enough, the orbs (Kaito Ranma: Dai Tosshu) are fine, but a microphone (Daichi Meido: Juatsu Ryoku) as a weapon? That’s some Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure levels of weird. Still, it’s not about style—it’s about results. Juatsu Ryoku’s supersonic waves can shatter bones like a Demon Slayer finisher, a total game-ender against regular foes. Just yell into it, and boom—Naruto’s talk-no-jutsu turned lethal. 

Riku earmarked Daichi Meido: Juatsu Ryoku for Jack Wells. That loudmouth’s perfect for it—his shameless shonen energy matches the mic’s vibe. For Kaito Ranma: Dai Tosshu, he picked Valerie—aka V. Not because he wants to see her juggle like a Hunter x Hunter circus act, but because those orbs don’t have to be thrown by hand. Hook them up to a launcher, and it’s a Mecha-style barrage with auto-returning ammo—basically infinite bullets. V’s a sharpshooter; she’ll love this Cowboy Bebop-worthy gear. 

As for Romantic Houtai: Kabocha, a sniper Teigu that gets stronger in danger, Riku considered keeping it. Its high ceiling makes it valuable, even for him. Why give away a Death Note-level trump card? He’d rather recycle it later. 

Finally, Gekko Reibu: Fuujinken went to Akame, in exchange for her Ichizan Hissatsu: Murasame. Yeah, it feels a bit like scamming an honest samurai, but Akame doesn’t rely on Murasame’s one-hit-kill curse. Fuujinken gives her ranged wind-blade attacks and crowd-control options—more versatile, like swapping a Bleach Zanpakuto for a multi-tool. 

With that settled, Riku teleported to the Western Iminzoku lands—now officially the Teikoku Seiheisho (Western Imperial Province). The Empire’s already setting up administrative control, ready to develop this Yaban wasteland. Developing barren land takes expertise, so Riku pulled in biotech and agriculture pros from the Kagekai. Turns out, the Kagekai’s got no shortage of brainiacs—scientists who’ve studied this stuff for years. He also tapped Wastelanders from another world—folks with real dirt-under-their-nails farming know-how, like Trigun nomads who’ve mastered growing crops in harsh conditions. 

Riku assembled a Western Development Brain Trust to survey and cultivate the Yaban lands. These experts and Wastelanders were thrilled—building a new world isn’t something you get to do every day! The Kagekai’s residents, used to folks from worlds like Cyberpunk 2077, Tokyo Ghoul, Fate, and Akame ga Kill!, weren’t even fazed by Riku’s dimension-hopping. They all get along like a Gintama crew, no sweat. 

“Akame, over here!” Riku called, spotting her in Brand’s frontline camp. It was probably mealtime, because Akame was staring into the mess hall kitchen like a hungry Shokugeki no Soma contestant, totally zoned out. She didn’t even respond to his call—food had her full attention. 

“This kid…” Riku chuckled, half-exasperated, half-amused. Akame’s foodie side was as blatant as a Toriko episode, despite her deadly assassin vibe. So moe it’s almost scary. 

“Akame!” He got closer and tapped her shoulder, snapping her out of her trance. 

Akame blinked, startled. She hadn’t noticed anyone sneaking up, which was saying something—even distracted, her Shinobi-like senses were sharp. But seeing it was Riku, she relaxed. If it’s him, it’s fine. 

“Shinno? What’re you doing here?” she asked, tilting her head. The title “God-Emperor” from her mouth felt… off, maybe because they’d fought side-by-side before, like comrades in a Fate Holy Grail War. It was too formal for their vibe. 

“Just call me Devil,” Riku said with a grin. No need for stuffy titles after they’d teamed up. Plus, he had a soft spot for Akame—not that kind, mind you. He just saw her main character potential, like a shonen heroine waiting to shine. 

“Okay,” Akame agreed instantly, unfazed. She only called him Shinno out of politeness. Whatever he wanted, she’d roll with it. 

“I’m here to trade Teigu,” Riku said, getting to the point. Before he could explain, Akame handed over Ichizan Hissatsu: Murasame without a second thought, catching him off guard. 

“Here. You said you’re collecting Teigu, right? Take it. I don’t need a replacement,” she said, dead serious. Akame was all-in on the Empire’s new policies, believing loose Teigu were a threat to stability. For the Teikoku’s peace, she’d give hers up no questions asked. 

“…” Riku was floored. If everyone was as selfless as Akame, the Empire would be a utopia by next week. Still, he pulled out Gekko Reibu: Fuujinken. “Use this for now. You’re still fighting, so you’ll need something. You can turn it in when peace is fully here.” 

Akame nodded, accepting his reasoning and taking the Teigu. “It works,” she said, testing it. No rejection—her affinity for bladed Teigu was Bleach-level perfect. 

Riku nodded, satisfied. Then he noticed Akame wasn’t affected by Murasame’s curse either. That blade’s got a nasty rejection vibe for anyone incompatible, but Riku? Untouched. Maybe Teigu know better than to mess with him. Once he bio-fuses it, it’ll behave anyway. 

Job done, Riku turned to leave, but Akame grabbed his sleeve, her expression serious as a Death Note showdown. 

“What’s up?” he asked, surprised. 

“Why are we attacking the Western Kingdom?” Akame asked, genuinely puzzled. She got fighting the Western Iminzoku—they’d provoked the Empire. But the Western Kingdom hadn’t done anything. Why march so far to attack them? 

Riku paused. He hadn’t expected such a shonen-style moral question from her, but he had an answer ready. “It’s liberation. The Western Kingdom’s people are suffering in misery. We’re going to save them. Same with the Peacock Kingdom—those folks have it even worse, split into castes, some even enslaved.” 

He wasn’t just spouting Code Geass rhetoric. It was true—the Empire, for all its flaws, was more advanced than the feudal, backward Western and Peacock Kingdoms. Wakoku? Don’t even get him started; they’re practically stuck in the Sengoku era, barely civilized by Empire standards. 

The old Empire had reasons to hold back, but Riku’s new Teikoku has no such limits. It’s ready for a grand Gundam-style conquest to unify the known world under one banner. Sure, “liberation” is a noble excuse, but deep down, it’s Riku’s ambition driving the charge. 

Chapter 328: The True Hero 

Akame nodded, finding the reason sounded grand and noble. Whether it was true or not, she’d see for herself with her own eyes. 

“Thanks, Devil, for clearing up my doubts,” Akame said politely, genuinely grateful to Riku. She knew he wasn’t obligated to explain anything to her. The expedition team didn’t need her specifically, yet Riku treated her with respect and even insisted on trading her a Teigu. 

Akame wasn’t naive—she could sense Riku’s kindness. Personally, she had a great impression of him. She was willing to trust him, believing everything he did was for humanity, to make life better for everyone. 

This near-blind trust stemmed from many things: Riku’s string of glorious achievements, like swiftly ending the Empire’s rule, absorbing the Revolutionary Army and the Path of Peace, and transforming the Empire at breakneck speed. His ability filled Akame with confidence. 

The title of Human Emperor was still working its magic! His high charisma naturally made people warm to him. Add to that his actions aligning with their values and their history of fighting side by side, and Riku’s favorability with Akame was maxed out, practically skyrocketing on its own. 

“No need to thank me. Everything will get better,” Riku said with a smile, leaving her with those words before his figure melted into the shadows and vanished. He wasn’t in a rush to win Akame over completely—such things couldn’t be forced. It had to be gradual, like how he approached Tazmi. 

Riku arrived in the Shadow Realm, just outside Yuying City. Tazmi’s new village was built on the outer layer of the core circle, a bit removed from the research center filled with labs, as other buildings surrounded their village. 

The new village was complete, with houses already built. The construction team’s efficiency was unreal, working day and night. After all, they were true “workhorses,” never needing rest, tirelessly completing tasks. 

The village’s layout was entirely handled by Xiao You. Instead of building a bunch of gothic castles or manors, it opted for modern six- or seven-story buildings. Just a few structures housed the entire village, which wasn’t heavily populated. 

The villagers had one job: tending to crops and animals. Not traditional farming or herding, but managing cultivation and breeding rooms. Crops grew in sunlit greenhouses or hydroponic chambers, emphasizing science and progress. The Shadow Realm’s rules weren’t fully developed, so a complete ecological cycle wasn’t yet sustainable. 

As for livestock, they were easy to manage. They ate specially cultivated feed or byproducts no one else consumed. The villagers just had to walk them or feed them—light work. 

These breeding and cultivation facilities were public assets of Yuying City, with harvests distributed uniformly by the government. With Xiao You overseeing things, the distribution system was airtight. Those with power naturally held sway over resources. 

At first, some resisted, but after a lesson or two, they fell in line with Xiao You’s arrangements. Now that Yuying City was officially established, a leadership team was chosen. Xiao You stepped back but kept tight control over key matters, like food distribution—because, as they say, food is the foundation of the people. 

The new government immediately launched plans to expand farming and breeding, earning public approval. Food in Yuying City was barely self-sufficient, just moving past reliance on aid. It wasn’t abundant or diverse yet. Researchers, used to luxury, found this intolerable, but accepting handouts was even more humiliating. They wanted the city to thrive and become fully self-sufficient. 

Having lived in Yuying City for a while, the residents were forming a unified city identity as conflicts lessened. Everyone, from top to bottom, wanted the city to improve. The government saw hope in the new citizens and aimed to expand the city’s scale and population. The Shadow Realm had plenty of space for more people, but that required boosting food production. 

“Man, this carefree life is awesome,” Tazmi said, thrilled with the village’s state. Researchers used to extravagance might think Yuying City’s living standards needed work, but the newly arrived refugees didn’t. To them, it was paradise—stable, diverse food daily, easy work, and no fear of bandits or rogue soldiers as long as they followed the rules. They worked hard, not wanting to be kicked out of this utopia. 

“Tazmi.” 

Riku appeared beside him, startling Tazmi, who lit up like he’d seen a savior. 

“Devil-san! You’re finally here! Are we going to save the Empire?!” Tazmi was itching to fight. With everyone settled in the village, he and his friends were eager to hit the battlefield. 

“Uh, cough, no need. The Empire’s already saved,” Riku said awkwardly, explaining briefly. He asked if Tazmi’s village wanted to return to the Empire. Though reforms might cause some unrest, the central government could handle it quickly. 

“Huh?” Tazmi was dumbfounded. How long had it been—a few months? How did things move so fast?! The Empire was done? Devil-san was the new emperor? What happened while they were moving?! 

Tazmi felt like they’d been living in seclusion, like the world had changed overnight. “I’ll ask the village chief!” he said, shocked but knowing he couldn’t decide alone. 

“Go ahead,” Riku said, waving him off. Tazmi bolted, only to return quickly. 

“We’re staying! Everyone loves it here!” Tazmi said confidently. Compared to scraping by in the Empire, life here was bliss. Even if Riku said the Empire was stable, no one wanted to uproot again when things were so good. 

“Alright, then,” Riku nodded, unsurprised. That was just a side note. His real purpose came next. 

“I’m in!” Tazmi declared firmly. Riku had briefly explained the cost of becoming his “chosen,” and Tazmi didn’t hesitate. He trusted and admired Riku, ready to give his life for him. 

“This kid,” Riku thought, looking at the earnest boy. Truly a yasashii hot-blooded shonen protagonist—loyal followers like him were a treasure. 

Without delay, Riku converted Tazmi. As expected, the boy became a fiercely loyal devotee, his simple heart easy to win over. Soon, the conversion was complete, and Riku gained a special trait from him: 

[True Hero: When fighting to protect others, potential is greatly unleashed, boosting all attributes by 10%. In dire situations to protect others, attributes increase by 20%. When risking life for others, attributes surge by 50%.] 

“Whoa!” Riku gasped at the True Hero trait. This was the legendary protagonist “power-up” skill, wasn’t it? Tazmi lived up to his heroic sacrifice in the anime, dying to save the capital’s people. A true hero, worthy of being remembered. 

“You’re amazing, Tazmi. Keep it up—I’m rooting for you,” Riku said, patting his shoulder warmly. Tazmi blushed, feeling he hadn’t done much to deserve such praise. 

“Get Ieyasu and Sayo. If you still want to enlist, now’s your chance. The Empire’s conquests are ongoing,” Riku continued, planning to let Tazmi and his friends join the expeditionary army for some real experience. 

“Awesome!” Tazmi had been waiting for this. He rushed to grab Ieyasu and Sayo, who were equally thrilled to finally contribute after idling in the village. 

Riku took the trio to the expeditionary camp and handed them to Brand. He trusted Brand to guide Tazmi and Ieyasu, while Sayo could train with Akame or tag along for experience. Leone, Mine, and Sheele weren’t suited to mentor her, lacking the rigorous training Akame had endured since childhood. 

“I’ll train them well,” Brand promised, taking the task seriously. He saw potential in the kids, not suspecting favoritism—they looked too earnest to be connected to the Emperor. 

“Do as you see fit,” Riku said, leaving it to Brand. He was a straightforward guy, not one for political games. He’d keep an eye on the trio but wouldn’t coddle them, even if they came from the Emperor. 

“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Brand said, ready to test their skills to decide their roles. 

“Alright!” Tazmi, Ieyasu, and Sayo were pumped, following Brand out of the tent. After a glance at each other, they decided Tazmi would go first. 

“All at once,” Brand laughed, confident he could handle the three kids without his Teigu, Demon Armor: Incursio. 

“Bring it!” The trio didn’t feel underestimated. They knew this chance came because of Riku’s influence—back in the capital, they couldn’t even get a shot to prove themselves. 

The fight ended quickly. The three charged Brand head-on but were easily floored in a few moves. He barely broke a sweat. Their strength paled compared to Brand’s, especially in combat experience, and his physical prowess was on another level—a true muscle-bound aniki. 

“Too green,” Brand assessed, though he saw their solid foundations and potential. 

“Not done yet!” Tazmi shouted, charging again with full force. Earlier, they’d held back, unsure of Brand’s strength. Now, there was no need. 

Ieyasu and Sayo, embarrassed with Riku watching, joined in with everything they had. Kind-hearted, they’d held back initially to avoid hurting anyone, feeling they hadn’t shown their true strength. 

Even at full power, they couldn’t trouble Brand, but they lasted longer, giving him a clearer picture of their abilities. 

Chapter 329: The Broken String of Esdeath 

The strength of these three kids—Ieyasu, Tazumi, and Sayo—was in that awkward middle ground. They weren’t exactly powerhouses, but calling them weak would be unfair too. They were too talented to be mere foot soldiers, but they didn’t quite have the experience or ability to be officers either. 

Brand finally got it. He’d have to keep them close and train them himself, turning them into his personal guards and nurturing their potential over time. 

“Ieyasu, Tazumi, stay by my side as my personal guards. As for Sayo, I’ll arrange for someone to mentor you specifically.” 

Brand made his decision, clearly picking up on Riku’s intentions. 

“Yes, sir!” 

Tazumi, Ieyasu, and Sayo had no objections. They’d joined the military, so following orders was their top priority. Whatever Brand decided, they’d roll with it. 

With the three kids sorted, Riku didn’t stick around. He headed back to the “Shadow Realm” for his daily study session. 

This “study” was all about mastering “Time Freeze.” Riku arrived at the “Prison of Ice,” where Esdeath’s icy powers were stored. Esdeath herself was being held there. 

Ever since Esdeath started cooperating with the training, Riku had given her a bit more freedom. She could move around the place instead of being constantly bound and locked up. 

Of course, Esdeath wasn’t truly tamed. She still harbored her ambitions. Riku letting her move freely just meant she got to spar with him every day, and she never turned down a fight. She was training hard, hoping to one day defeat Riku and make him kneel at her feet. 

But after so many days of fighting, Esdeath’s mindset was starting to shift. She hadn’t won a single time. When someone who’s always been a winner starts losing every match, it’s hard for their beliefs and mindset not to change. 

“You’re here.” 

In the midst of swirling snow and ice, Esdeath sat cross-legged on the ground. She opened her eyes and looked at Riku, standing not far away. She didn’t need to guess—it could only be him. In all her time here, she hadn’t seen a single other soul. 

After days of exploring this frozen wasteland, Esdeath had figured out the deal. This place was a sealed prison. The surrounding mountains blocked every possible exit. 

She’d tried attacking the barriers, hoping to break through, but no luck. The walls were insanely tough, and even when she managed to damage them, they’d repair themselves like nothing happened. 

After a few attempts, Esdeath gave up. It was pointless. 

She even tried climbing upward, using her ice powers to build a ladder. But the mountains stretched endlessly, and when she finally reached the top, she found it was sealed off too! 

At that moment, Esdeath had to admit she was a little rattled. This place was locked down tighter than a fortress. She gave up on escaping and instead focused on training, seizing every chance to fight Riku. It was her only shot. 

If she could beat Riku, all her problems would vanish! 

“Today’s meal.” 

Riku tossed her a lunchbox. Every time he came to see Esdeath, he brought food. After all, she was still human and needed to eat to survive. The “Prison of Ice” definitely wasn’t serving meals. 

Esdeath caught the food and ate in silence. It annoyed her to be dependent like this, but she was getting used to it. Eat, drink, and don’t sweat the small stuff. 

She knew one thing for sure: she needed to stay strong to fight. Only by defeating Riku could she regain her freedom. 

In Esdeath’s mind, already numbed by constant losses, this was her last shred of hope—the final string still holding her together. But that string was now fragile, ready to snap. 

After eating, Esdeath stood up, ready for battle. 

“Do you submit—” 

“I don’t.” 

Before Riku could even finish, Esdeath cut him off, already going through the motions. Her response made Riku pause, then chuckle. 

“Come on, at least let me finish my line before you answer!” 

Riku gave a helpless smile. Before every fight, he’d ask Esdeath if she submitted, and her answer was always “I don’t.” Now, she was even jumping the gun. 

“Less talk, let’s get to it!” 

Esdeath swung her ice blade, unleashing her ultimate move, “Time Freeze,” skipping any warm-up and going straight for the kill. After so many battles, she was a pro at this. 

She knew all the foreplay was pointless. Without “Time Freeze,” she was just toying around with Riku, and she stood no chance of beating him. That much was crystal clear. 

Riku’s whole reason for fighting her repeatedly was to master “Time Freeze” himself. Esdeath had figured that out ages ago. He was trying to learn the ability through their battles. 

So, starting with “Time Freeze” saved them both time. It was a win-win. 

In the “Time Barrier,” everything around them froze. Esdeath charged at Riku with a blank expression, only to be easily blocked. Six seconds later, everything snapped back to normal. The raging ice energy roared through the “Prison of Ice” again, as if nothing had happened. 

“Not bad! You’re improving. You extended it by a whole second.” 

Riku praised her. It hadn’t been long, and Esdeath had already stretched her “Time Freeze” by an extra second. As expected of the human vessel for Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi (Demon’s Extract: Manifestation of the Demon God). Her talent was unreal. 

“…” 

Esdeath’s expression was complicated. So what if she’d improved? She still couldn’t land a hit. All her efforts felt like they were for nothing. 

When “Time Freeze” ended and her attack failed, Esdeath simply put away her weapon. Riku wouldn’t kill her, and both of them had gotten what they came for. No need to keep fighting. 

It was safe to say that the constant battles and losses had left Esdeath numb. Every day was the same routine, with no hope of beating Riku in sight. 

“Still only able to use it once a day, huh?” 

Seeing Esdeath stow her weapon, Riku did the same, then sighed. Even someone as talented as Esdeath couldn’t break through that limit in such a short time. 

As he thought about it, Riku tried it himself, and—no surprise—failed again. He couldn’t freeze time. 

“You’re wasting your time. Your ice powers are too weak to freeze time. All this effort is pointless.” 

Seeing Riku’s attempt, Esdeath spoke bluntly. She knew exactly what he was trying to do, and her assessment was harsh but honest. 

“…” 

Riku rolled his eyes. He knew his ice powers didn’t match Esdeath’s Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi. Right now, he was more focused on understanding the mechanics. 

“So after all this, it really comes down to needing Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi? The technique doesn’t matter as much as raw power?” 

Riku felt a bit helpless. His own Kekkijutsu (Blood Demon Art) wasn’t cutting it. It seemed like Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi was the key. He realized that the weak search for methods, but the strong prove themselves with power! 

“So, have you made up your mind?” 

Riku looked at Esdeath, laying it out plainly. He’d told her about the experiments involving Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi. 

Esdeath had two choices: submit and hand everything over to Riku’s control, or keep resisting, in which case Riku would force her into becoming a mere vessel for extracting Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi. 

“…” 

Neither choice was great, but most people would pick the first. Handing over your life to serve someone else was still better than being reduced to a tool for blood extraction. 

At least the first option left room for a chance to break free, to bide her time and strike back. The second meant total defeat, with no hope of turning things around. 

Faced with these options, Esdeath chose the first. She was desperate to get out of this place. Even if it meant working for Riku, it wasn’t the end of the world. She’d only resisted before because she hadn’t accepted defeat. Now, she did. 

The final string in Esdeath’s mind snapped. And after that, she started seeing Riku in a new light. 

With a different mindset, Esdeath realized Riku was pretty impressive. Stronger than anyone she’d ever met, with all sorts of weird abilities. And despite his power, he was still driven, always chasing new skills, always striving to get stronger. That kind of resolve was right up her alley. 

To Esdeath, Riku had a unique charm that only became clear once she dropped her defiance. The only downside? He was the one controlling her, not the other way around. 

Buzz! 

Riku didn’t care what Esdeath was thinking. He went ahead and converted her. Naturally, converting Esdeath took a lot longer than Tazumi, given the massive gap in their strength. 

It wasn’t until the next day that Esdeath’s conversion was complete. And her conversion came with a special trait, which wasn’t too surprising. 

After all, Esdeath was a major final boss with plenty of screen time, facing off against both the hero and heroine. Her strength was undeniable, so it made sense she’d bring something unique. 

The special trait she granted was very much in line with her character, called Jousha Haison (The Strong Reign Supreme). 

[Jousha Haison: When facing those weaker than you, you exude a natural mental intimidation effect. When challenging those stronger than you, you gain a 5% boost to all attributes.] 

Riku was pretty satisfied with this trait. It let him dominate weaker opponents with ease and gave him a buff when facing stronger ones. It was a well-rounded ability. 

Combined with Ningen Teiou (Human Emperor), these two traits were a perfect match, their effects amplifying each other. 

First, intimidate the weak, then make them admire and worship you. Add in high charisma, and for anyone weaker than Riku, it was like a total knockout. 

“This trait’s effects can wait for now. First, I need to see if I can extract the Teigu Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi.” 

Riku’s focus wasn’t on the new Jousha Haison trait. He was laser-focused on Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi. This was what he’d been waiting for. 

“Let’s do it.” 

Esdeath stood before Riku, ready to let him do what he needed. 

“Relax, it’s no big deal.” 

Riku reached out, using the Teigu Suiryu Hiyoi: Kuro Marin (Water Dragon Possession: Black Marlin). As he said, with this Teigu, drawing blood was a breeze. 

Under Riku’s control, Esdeath’s blood was drawn out. The blood, infused with Mougu Hyouken: Akuma no Sumi and Riku’s Demon King power, gathered into a floating orb in the air, looking eerie as hell. 

Of course, Riku wasn’t just draining her dry. He was also sustaining Esdeath’s life, helping her recover quickly. It was all about sustainability—he couldn’t just use her up and toss her aside. 

“That’s about one person’s worth.” 

Esdeath eyed the blood orb, giving her estimate. By “one person’s worth,” she meant enough for someone like her—basically, the equivalent of chugging the rest of that giant jar. 

“Good. I’ll test it and see if it works.” 

Riku nodded. He needed at least that much, no less than what Esdeath herself used. 

“Will it be okay?” 

Seeing Riku about to test it on himself without hesitation, Esdeath showed a hint of concern. This made Riku pause. Their relationship had gone from constant fighting to… this. It was a bit weird, considering daily brawls had been their routine. 

“Don’t worry. If anyone’s gonna be fine, it’s me.” 

Riku replied confidently. A single Teigu wasn’t going to take him down. 

Without hesitation, Riku absorbed the power. Under Esdeath’s watchful gaze, he showed no signs of anything going wrong. 

Buzz! 

But in the next second, the entire world froze. Riku looked around—time and space had stopped completely. Even Esdeath was frozen in place. 

Chapter 330: Esdeath’s Ambition 

Buzz! 

Esdeath suddenly moved again, her face full of astonishment, clearly finding the situation unbelievable. 

“You did it? You used Time Freeze?” she asked. 

Esdeath had also used her own Time Freeze, breaking free from Riku’s Time Barrier. She managed this through an acute sensitivity to time, almost like encountering someone with a similar Stand ability. Only she could pull it off. 

The moment Riku’s Time Freeze affected her, Esdeath sensed something off—a strange feeling, her instincts screaming that her time was being manipulated. Sure enough, after activating her own Time Freeze, she escaped the temporal shackles and saw Riku moving freely. 

His position had completely changed from where he was a second ago in her memory. The answer was obvious: Riku had just paused her time. 

“Yep, I pulled it off,” Riku said, raising a hand as icy power gathered. This was a chilling force stronger than any Blood Demon Art, capable of freezing time itself. Esdeath couldn’t be more familiar with it. 

“Unbelievable,” she said, eyes wide. She quickly realized she still possessed the power of her Teigu, Demon’s Extract: Manifestation of the Demon, but Riku had somehow replicated it! If he could mass-produce Demon’s Extract, wouldn’t that mean an army of Teigu users with her power? 

Just the thought sent shivers down her spine. No one understood the terrifying potential of Demon’s Extract better than she did. If Riku could churn out users of this Teigu, what couldn’t he accomplish? 

“Creating a bunch of Teigu users… that power’s terrifying,” Esdeath said bluntly, her expression complex. After all, she used to be the sole wielder of this power. 

“It’s not that simple. It still depends on compatibility. Without it, the backlash is brutal,” Riku said, shaking his head. Things weren’t as rosy as they seemed. Demon’s Extract was notoriously picky. Most people couldn’t handle it—not even weaker demons, despite their resilience. 

Sure, demonification might prevent death from the Teigu’s rejection, but they’d still have to wrestle with it. The Teigu would fight back, draining them without letting them tap into its power. Unlike other Teigu, which could be discarded if incompatible, Demon’s Extract was ingested. Once it was in you, removing it was nearly impossible, leaving the user to suffer as it ravaged their body from within. Even demons could only endure the eerie internal corrosion, unable to use the Teigu’s abilities. It was like swallowing a useless poison that wreaked havoc inside. 

For Riku, though, extraction was no issue. His Teigu, Water Dragon Reliance: Black Marin, could remove Demon’s Extract from someone’s body. If it could be put in, it could be taken out. 

“So, going forward, we’ll add a step for new recruits: testing compatibility with Demon’s Extract,” Riku said, satisfied. While he couldn’t create an army of Esdeaths, the possibility of making more was still on the table. Demon’s Extract lived up to its reputation as a top-tier Teigu—immensely powerful but with a temper, rejecting anyone unworthy. 

“This is…” Esdeath was dumbfounded. The idea that Demon’s Extract could be replicated was now reality. She was no longer the unique one. Still, she knew how selective the Teigu was, so she wasn’t too worried about others mastering it. Not everyone had Riku’s terrifying strength or her own confidence, though she’d taken a hit to her ego facing him. 

“I can’t wait to try it out,” Riku said, eager to test his new toy. In the Shadow Realm, test subjects were everywhere—no one would dare refuse. But Riku wasn’t reckless. He opened a shadow gate and brought Esdeath to a lab, targeting specific candidates who’d likely be thrilled to try. 

In the lab, Dr. Stylish, sporting a white coat and glasses, was tinkering with high-tech equipment. He was thriving in this research haven, loving the intense scientific vibe. No one bossed him around, and he could indulge in his passions with cutting-edge materials and tools that blew his mind. Every day, he praised Devil-sama for this opportunity. 

“Devil-sama? What brings you here?” Dr. Stylish said, surprised to see Riku. His shock grew when he noticed Esdeath beside him. Everyone in the Empire knew Esdeath, especially in the capital, where her popularity was off the charts. Dr. Stylish had always been intrigued by her—not romantically (he didn’t dare) but out of pure curiosity about her superhuman physique. Even without her Teigu, Esdeath’s raw strength was absurd. 

“Got some research material for you,” Riku said. As a Teigu researcher, Dr. Stylish couldn’t resist the allure of Demon’s Extract. When Riku handed him the extracted Teigu, Dr. Stylish looked like a devotee witnessing a miracle, his eyes fixed on it. 

“Thank you, Devil-sama!” he exclaimed, his flair for drama shining through. That was just his style—always a bit extra. 

“Hold on. Let’s see if you can handle this power first,” Riku said, injecting the Demon’s Extract into Dr. Stylish. 

“Ugh…” The rejection hit fast. Riku didn’t need to look twice before pulling the Teigu out. Dr. Stylish’s face went pale—he’d just danced on the edge of death. If Riku had been a second slower, he’d be meeting his ancestors. Yet, far from upset, Dr. Stylish was ecstatic. The power of Demon’s Extract thrilled him to the core. 

“That’s it! That’s the power!” he raved, staring hungrily at the floating blood orb as Riku stored it in a prepared container. “No wonder only Esdeath-sama can wield it! It’s terrifyingly strong! I’ll add it to my projects—maybe create a Frost Giant!” 

Dr. Stylish praised the Teigu, already brainstorming. His Giant Serum, despite its flaws, could almost be called a Teigu itself—far stronger than any Minister’s Tool. 

“Keep it up. I’m rooting for you,” Riku said, patting the mad scientist’s shoulder. He valued Dr. Stylish’s obsession with Teigu, which is why he’d spared him. 

“In time, the Empire will gather all its talents and craftsmen to restart the Teigu Creation Assembly. I hope to see your research shine,” Riku added, stoking Dr. Stylish’s fire. The event would only happen once the Empire was stable, tapping into its true potential. In chaotic times, true talents stayed hidden, and Riku wanted the real deal, not amateurs. 

“Yes! I’ll give it my all!” Dr. Stylish was pumped, the news hitting all his sweet spots. 

“Good luck,” Riku said, satisfied, preparing to leave with Esdeath. But Dr. Stylish stopped him, looking sheepish and glancing at Esdeath. 

“Something else?” Riku asked, curious. Dr. Stylish’s expression could be misread, but Riku knew he had zero interest in women. 

“Ahem, Devil-sama, could I… have some of Esdeath-sama’s flesh? I’m curious about her body,” Dr. Stylish said, his request predictably bizarre. He just wanted to study her, nothing more. 

“No problem,” Esdeath said casually, slicing off a piece of her flesh before Riku could respond. 

“…You’re awfully eager,” Riku said, speechless. Since it was done, he didn’t take it back. He was curious too—Esdeath’s strength was almost inhuman. 

“Thank you, generous Esdeath-sama!” Dr. Stylish beamed, thrilled. He hoped Riku would visit more often, bringing research materials each time. 

Riku gave him a look but said nothing, leaving with Esdeath. They conducted more experiments across labs, sharing the tech with scientists fairly. After a dozen tries, the results were clear: no one else could wield Demon’s Extract. It was indeed too selective, worthy of being a Teigu unmastered for nearly a millennium. 

“That’s enough for today,” Riku said, calling it quits. The Shadow Realm had plenty of people, but testing everyone would take forever, and he had other priorities. Esdeath would be useful too—since she’d softened, it was time for her to contribute to the Great Expedition. 

With Esdeath, the army’s casualties would drop significantly. Her presence as a trump card meant no Western Kingdom’s secret weapons could stand in their way. 

Leaving the Shadow Realm, Riku brought Esdeath to the western expeditionary force. Brand was doing fine leading, so Esdeath’s role was to be a strategic weapon, acting when called upon. 

In the command tent, Brand froze, seeing Esdeath with Riku. Could he really command her? He’d never dealt with her directly, but her reputation preceded her. 

“No worries. I’ll cooperate,” Esdeath said, noticing Brand’s expression. She wasn’t as domineering as people thought. She’d worked under the Minister, protecting others on his orders, and could collaborate normally. She didn’t need to lead everything. 

Esdeath was thrilled about the Empire’s conquests, eager to crush real foreign kingdoms, not just weak tribes. “If I cooperate well this time, can I lead my own army later?” she asked Riku, her eyes burning with ambition. 

(Chapter End)