MTLNOVEL Chapter 36: 36
Here is your fully revised and cleaned-up WebNovel excerpt, with the following fixes:
✅ Applied Fixes:
"Ye Ran" → "Rivo", "Ernest" → "Honest", "Estes" → "Esdeath"
Removed all ad script tags like <script src=/d/js/ad/ad0X.js>
Cleaned up grammar, fixed tense inconsistencies, and made phrasing flow like a proper translated light novel
Preserved character personalities and consistent Akame ga Kill tone
Improved readability and formatting to match WebNovel prose
Honest clenched his crown of teeth and viciously cursed the two of them in his heart.
He could no longer hear the murmurs of the court around him.
All he could think about was how to destroy the little emperor he had raised to hold the throne.
Soon, today's morning assembly would come to an end.
But unlike usual, Honest didn't remain in the palace waiting for lunch to be served.
Instead, he stormed out, quickly departing the palace grounds.
This was a rare opportunity for Honest—leaving the palace—but unfortunately for the assassins of the night, they didn't know it.
Although he was only a minister, he had lived in the palace for years.
It was precisely this privilege that allowed him to control the entire empire. Any assassin sent to kill him never even saw his face.
"The palace is no longer safe."
"If I stay, that little bastard might just order Budo to kill me on the spot."
"Even the Four Rakshasa Demons might not be able to stop Budo in time."
"I need to immediately reinforce the defenses of my residence."
For now, Honest understood one thing clearly: he couldn't retaliate against Rivo yet.
He had far too much to do.
With that in mind, he hastily ordered his men to drive the carriage and sped off toward his old mansion.
He hadn't returned there in several years.
When the gates of his estate finally came into view, Honest couldn't help but feel a strange mix of nostalgia and dread.
Once everything was arranged, a subordinate rushed over to report:
"General Esdeath has just entered the capital."
"Excellent!"
"Esdeath has returned!"
A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Honest's face.
If anyone could help him reverse the situation quickly…
It would be none other than Esdeath—the strongest general of the empire.
"As long as Esdeath is willing to help me…"
"No—honestly, even if she just stays neutral, I still have a chance to win."
Without wasting a moment, Honest ordered someone to care for the carriage and set off immediately—with the Four Rakshasa Demons in tow—to Esdeath's mansion.
By now, they had become his true personal bodyguards.
For additional safety, Honest even traveled with hundreds of soldiers from the garrison.
Although most of the garrison was now under Budo's command, Honest had spent years building his influence in the Imperial Capital.
It wouldn't be so easy to dismantle.
Even if Honest were killed… another "Honest" would rise to take his place.
Possibly someone even more dangerous—one who might directly threaten Rivo.
That's exactly why Rivo wasn't in a rush to eliminate Honest completely.
And Honest knew it.
Which is why he was so anxious.
He couldn't afford to wait until his final usefulness was drained—and be discarded like every other pawn of imperial power.
"My lord, we've arrived."
As the carriage slowly came to a stop and Zhu Tian's voice rang from outside, Honest opened his eyes from his fake slumber.
The rotund man stepped down and walked briskly toward the inner hall.
His pace growing faster, reflecting the turmoil in his heart.
"How rare."
"I just returned to the capital, and already the minister comes to visit me."
As Honest entered the main hall, a crisp and commanding voice greeted him.
He turned—and saw the very person he came to find.
Seated atop the grand chair was a tall, imposing woman with icy beauty.
Her long, silky blue hair gleamed under the light, and the pristine white military uniform enhanced her overwhelming presence.
Her aura was one that even rivaled the emperor's.
Just laying eyes on her filled Honest with envy… and a hint of fear.
If there was anyone in the entire empire that Honest truly had to watch his back around…
It wasn't Rivo—but the woman before him.
She radiated a danger that made even Honest instinctively tread carefully.
"Such a cold greeting, General Esdeath."
"Aren't we the closest of partners?"
Honest forced a warm smile as he spread his hands and took a seat beside her.
But inside, he was already calculating how to win her over.
"Minister, since you came all this way…"
"Then I assume it's for something important."
"But before we discuss that—what you asked of me in your last letter…"
"Failed."
Esdeath's voice turned cold as she lightly tapped her fingers on the coffee table.
"The Three Beasts are dead. You owe me an explanation."
Though feared as the empire's strongest and most ruthless general, Esdeath was also deeply loyal to her subordinates.
She was infamous among enemies for her cruelty…
But equally respected among soldiers for how well she treated her own.
Her reputation in the military even surpassed that of veteran General Budo.
"What? Even the Three Beasts are dead?!"
"Impossible!"
"There's no way Chouri has the strength to protect himself like that!"
Honest shot up in disbelief. He had only just heard the news today.
The former minister—the one he had banished with great effort—was still alive?
And he had taken out Esdeath's elite subordinates?
That was the most shocking development Honest had encountered in recent times.
"Could it be… the Twelve Kizuki…?"
A horrifying thought struck Honest.
His pupils shrank in terror.
He remembered the name—the Twelve Kizuki.
Because of Rivo's influence, that mysterious organization had begun to rise in the shadows, rivaling even Night Raid in threat level.
"Twelve Kizuki?"
"You mean the force behind His Majesty?"
Esdeath's expression didn't change, but she did pause for a moment.
She recalled the message Honest had included in his previous letter.
What was once a powerless child had now risen to challenge Honest's grip on the empire.
But Esdeath was no politician.
She was a warrior.
She didn't care for court intrigue or palace games. All that mattered to her was the thrill of combat—of facing strong foes in battle.
"So I was being used after all…"
"Looks like I underestimated them."