The Assassin Huntsman

Chapter 18: Kill the Pandemonium {🦾🍋}

~War Room, Imperial Palace~
*Narrator POV*

A few days went by as the report from Kyoroku and the death of the Minister's inside man, Bolic, many of the officers of the Imperial Forces were discussing the recent events plaguing the Imperial's side of the ongoing war, and none of them going into their favor.

"Another castle surrendered without a fight!" One older officer reports not taking the news very well, which was agreed upon by the other officers.

"Cowards," One younger officer retorts, though mainly annoyed by the "lack of faith" among the soldiers. "Don't these people have any loyalty anymore?"

"The viceroys of these castles were relocated to the countryside because their behavior showed signs of insubordination against His Majesty. It comes as no surprise." Minister Honest comments while holding a leg of meat.

"But Minister, if this continues, the rebel army will reach the Imperial--" The older officer tells the Minister only to be interrupted by an incoming officer, or rather...

"There's no need to panic." A voice interrupted the officer as heavy, metallic footsteps entered the room revealing Great General Budo.

"Great General Budo!" The older officer says in bewildered shock.

"A general should refrain from getting involved in politics," General Budo says, which can be true on many fronts. "I've lived by those words for quite some time now. However, I'm finding it a challenge to keep my mouth shut when it comes to something like this, Minister."

"Hohoho... I'm not sure what to say!" Minister Honest replies after a laugh.

"I will protect this Empire. It is a responsibility handed down through my family line for the past thousand years," General Budo says to the Minister. "As such, I will personally annihilate anyone who dares to disrupt the peace of this great nation... regardless of who may interfere."

"Admirable! But there's no reason for concern," Minister Honest assures General Budo, but finds it lacking. "Even if the citizens rise in rebellion, we have plans in place to overpower them."

That was until Minister Honest rises from his seat while wearing a mischievous grin.

"Gentlemen..." Minister Honest says while footsteps could be heard from behind the Minister as the officers let out breathes of concern and worry as the... men behind the Minister revealed themselves from the door. "Allow me to introduce an elite force I've assembled to protect the Capital."

"Hello, Hellooo..." The leader of the group, Syura, greets the officers in the room. The sight of Syura, Minister Honest's son, caused all the officers, minus General Budo, to gasp.

"This is my son, Syura," Minister Honest introduced his own son while wrapping one arm around Syura's shoulder, who wasn't too pleased by the action. "I've decided to appoint him to serve as the company's commander."

"Hm?" Syura hums before taking sight of General Budo. "You must be the "Great" General I've heard so much about. You're like toed with Esdeath for scariest in the Empire. Anyway, you shouldn't waste time worrying about some commoners and their revolution bullshit. Why not let me handle it?"

However, unamused by the new company, General Budo turns to leave the room.

"Oh? Going out?" Minister Honest questions General Budo.

"If there's one thing I've learned from battle, it's that you can always find a few rats around before the entire swarm makes an appearance," General Budo replies before turning around once more. "However, our main concern regards the Bounty Hunter, Decimus the Destroyer. It's been made known he's working with Night Raid and the Revolutionary Army, and to make matters worse, he has an Imperial Arms, Carnage Incarnate: Grand Chariot. His connection, from the reports, state a near perfect mergence. Adding to his strange and powerful weapon, Gravities' Predator, he's an immediate threat to the Empire."