บท 354: Aftermath

The war between the Imperial Guard and the Revolutionary Army, later known by historians as the "War of Suppression," concluded in just a few days with a decisive victory for the Imperial Guard. In this battle, Princess Kaguya displayed immense power, becoming the key to their success. This led historians to speculate just how powerful she truly was, considering she almost single-handedly crushed the Revolutionary Army.

Following the unexpected and swift defeat of the Revolutionary Army, the Empire's military seemed to be shaken. Instead of continuing their aggressive offensives, they shifted to a more defensive strategy, retreating from large areas of civilian zones and surrounding rural territories. They concentrated their forces around the Imperial Capital, having realized that Kaguya's ultimate goal was indeed the capital itself.

"Useless idiots! What is the meaning of this?" Minister Honest, who usually wore a smiling face, uncharacteristically erupted in anger. His bloated face twisted into a grotesque expression. "How could you not gather even the simplest intelligence?"

"M-My lord," stammered the guard kneeling on the ground, trembling with fear. "The intelligence hasn't returned yet, so we're still unclear about the situation."

"Fool!" Honest roared in fury. "What's the point of you worthless idiots if you can't even do your job?" With a sharp clang, Honest drew the sword from his waist.

"Wait, my lord," the guard hurriedly pleaded. "It's said that in the midst of the battle, the Revolutionary Army suddenly, for reasons unknown, surrendered to the Imperial Guard, and that's why—"

"The Revolutionary Army surrendered?" Honest sneered. "Nonsense! Do you take me for a fool?"

A flash of cold steel.

"Ahh!"

Blood spurted into the air as a shrill scream was cut short, and a severed head flew up, spilling blood across the floor.

Honest had beheaded the guard with a single stroke.

The lifeless body crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the neck wound, quickly staining the floor red.

Without even a glance at the beheaded guard, Honest snorted in disdain. "Someone, take this useless trash and feed it to the dogs."

"Yes, sir."

"My lord," a cool, feminine voice chimed in as a graceful figure entered the room, "what has you so upset?"

The woman who spoke had luxurious silver-blue hair, deep icy blue eyes, flawless features, and a regal presence that exuded both allure and authority. She was none other than Esdeath.

"So it's General Esdeath." Honest's demeanor changed instantly, his anger vanishing as he adopted a warm smile. "What brings you here today?"

"I heard," Esdeath smiled elegantly, "that the Minister has been troubled by the Imperial Guard. It seems the Empire's situation isn't as optimistic as it once was."

"Those are just rumors," Honest snorted. "The Empire's situation is still under control. The Revolutionary Army was nothing more than a rabble, and their defeat was inevitable."

"And the Imperial Guard?" Esdeath pressed.

Honest's plump face twitched slightly before he responded. "The Imperial Guard is nothing to worry about either. They may be strong, but their numbers are small. They cannot hope to stand against the Empire's army. As for Kaguya..." Honest's expression shifted to one of sly anticipation. "That's where our Empire's strongest general comes in. With your help, General Esdeath, to defeat the Imperial Guard, I promise that once I ascend the throne, I will make you a queen. You can do whatever you desire."

"Is that so?" Esdeath's lips curved almost imperceptibly, and a flicker of something unreadable passed through her eyes.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Empire, with the battle between the Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Guard concluded, the fighting had temporarily subsided, and both sides entered a period of rest and recovery. The Imperial Guard, too, had suffered significant losses during the war.

The army's rest camp was situated not far east of the Imperial Capital.

Due to the extravagant tastes of successive emperors, who were fond of large-scale construction and lavish living, the palaces were built with extreme luxury. The interiors were opulent, decorated with gold and jewels, even more splendid than Kaguya's own palace.

In a lavishly decorated bedroom within one of these palaces, a white-haired, beautiful woman lay peacefully on a soft bed of goose down, her breathing steady.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly before her eyes slowly opened. As she regained consciousness, a memory seemed to flash through her mind, and she suddenly sat up, clenching her fists as she warily scanned the room. To her surprise, this wasn't the prison cell she had expected, but a richly adorned room.

The room was silent and serene, the only sound being the soft rustle of curtains stirred by the gentle breeze.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she looked down at her body. She froze in shock.

Her mechanical arm was gone, replaced by a smooth, fair-skinned arm.

She moved the arm experimentally—it was as flexible as any natural limb. A familiar sensation stirred within her. She was stunned; her arm had been destroyed in a previous battle, yet here it was, whole again.

She quickly scrambled out of bed and ran to the ornate wardrobe, where a large mirror reflected her image.

The mirror showed a voluptuous, naked woman with fair, soft skin and curves that would make anyone's heart race. Her breasts were full and firm, and her figure exuded a mature woman's sensual charm.

But that wasn't what held her attention. What she focused on were her eyes—eyes that had been destroyed by Esdeath—restored to their former clarity and brightness.

Staring at her reflection, she was filled with astonishment, wondering if she was dreaming.

What in the world had happened?

"Are you satisfied with my handiwork?" a melodious voice suddenly asked from behind her.

She whirled around, and her breath caught in her throat at the sight of a breathtakingly beautiful silver-haired girl.