Esdeath's reaction was also quick. In fact, just two days later, she rode the dangerous creature directly back to the imperial capital.

The entire imperial capital seemed very calm, but most people couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they saw Esdeath coming back. After all, this general was well-known, and most people were relieved that she was back. Of course, there were still many more people waiting to see what the general would do next.

“Squeak—”

The door of the hall slowly opened, and Esdeath walked slowly into the hall. She had been here many times and was already familiar with it. At this time, all the ministers should be here, and the emperor was sitting on the throne, and behind him was Minister Ernest.

But now, there is no one here.

No, there is one more person.

"You're a day later than I thought, Miss Esdeath."

“…”

Hearing the voice, Esdeath raised her eyebrows, then she looked up and saw a figure in a white robe sitting on the throne, looking at her.

Seeing the figure, Esdeath's hand immediately grasped the hilt of the sword.

"Are you the thief who killed the emperor?!"

"That's right."

Fang Zheng, who was sitting on the throne, changed his posture and nodded.

"Actually, I have something to talk to you about..."

"But I have no business talking to the thieves who disturbed the imperial capital and murdered the emperor!"

As Esdeath finished speaking, endless cold air immediately spread out, and in the blink of an eye, the entire hall was frozen in ice. Then Esdeath suddenly stretched out her hand and pointed forward, and then saw the ice explode quickly, instantly binding Fang Zheng. Then Esdeath leaped up and stabbed the figure sitting on the throne!

“Swish!”

The sharp sword edge pierced through the throne and the ice, but the white robe that was originally there had disappeared.

"It's really intense, but it's also within my expectations."

Fang Zheng appeared behind Esdeath and shrugged.

"But Miss Esdeath, I am not here to fight you..."

Although Fang Zheng spread his hands to show that he had no hostility, Esdeath just grinned, revealing a hideous smile, and then...

"Makbodhima!"

As Esdeath whispered, time stopped flowing instantly. Then Esdeath gripped the sword again and looked forward - then her eyes widened in surprise.

In this place where even time and space were frozen, the figure in white robe had disappeared.

Is it hidden?

"I don't want to fight you, Miss Esdeath."

However, what surprised Esdeath even more was that the other party's voice came again at this moment. Obviously, time had stopped and space had been frozen. According to reason, no one except herself could escape this bondage, but what Esdeath did not expect was that the other party could still move and speak freely during her strongest move!

"I just want to make a small deal with you."

"Tell me about it."

Facing Fang Zheng's words, Esdeath was silent for a moment, then retracted her power. Then, she saw Fang Zheng leisurely walking out of the shadow next to her again.

"It's very simple. This is just a small request. I hope you can rule this country as its emperor."

"…What are you talking about in your sleep?"

Esdeath finally showed a hint of surprise when she heard Fang Zheng's words. She had never expected that the other party would make such a request to her. Then, Esdeath seemed to have thought of something.

"As a proposal gift, it's quite heavy."

"Uh... I'm so sorry, actually I'm not interested in you."

After hearing Esdeath's answer, Fang Zheng silently wiped his cold sweat. It seems that love can really change a person. If it were the previous Esdeath, she would probably never have thought of such a question.

"But I do intend to give this to you as a wedding present."

"……What's the meaning?"

"Ms. Esdeath already has someone she loves, but unfortunately, your pursuit seems to have no effect."

"It seems you know a lot..."

Hearing this, Esdeath frowned, and a hint of cold murderous intent flashed across her words, but Fang Zheng didn't care at all and just continued talking.

"Miss Esdeath is a beauty in both figure and appearance. If the other party is indifferent to such passionate pursuit, it means that he either has no feelings for Miss Esdeath or already has a lover. Fortunately, that gentleman is not the latter at present, so Miss Esdeath, you still have a chance."

"But what does this have to do with what you said?"

"Miss Esdeath, you also pursued that gentleman before, but was rejected, right? This is not surprising. Although you are a general, this identity is only valid within the empire. As a Lugnica man, that gentleman certainly does not need to care about the thoughts of an imperial general and the consequences that come with it."

Having said that, Fang Zheng also stopped and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

"But, Miss Esdeath, if you, as the emperor of the Northern Empire, were to ask him out, then even if he was reluctant, he wouldn't be able to reject it as decisively as before. In any case, the Northern Empire is several times more powerful than Lugnica. I'm sure he knows the consequences of being at odds with the ruler of such a powerful empire."

"But that doesn't mean he'll fall in love with me."

Hearing this, Esdeath's expression had relaxed a little, but she was obviously still quite calm.

"Of course, the emperor's status is only a foundation. At least it will prevent that gentleman from rejecting your confession so easily. But next, you two still need to communicate with each other... Here, I have a second gift for you."

"Anything else?"

"That's right."

Fang Zheng snapped his fingers, and then a piece of paper flew out of his hand and slowly fell in front of Esdeath. Esdeath picked up the paper and took a look.

"This is?"

"Before, when I was killing the emperor, I had a battle with the Hunters. At that time, I found a very interesting person in the Hunters... She is called Theresa van Astraea."

"... Astraea?"

Hearing the name, Esdeath immediately raised her head and looked at Fang Zheng, who nodded.

"Yes, this is the person you like—Reinhard van Astraea's grandmother."

"Why is she in the Hunter Corps?"

"I'm not sure about this either. My intelligence shows that she was sent to Minister Ernest by An Ning Dao as a negotiation, and then introduced to the Hunter Corps. But why she appeared here is hard to say. Oh, by the way, I'll give you another piece of information. Reinhard has always felt guilty about his grandmother, because when Theresa led the team to defeat the White Whale, her "Sword Saint's Protection" was suddenly transferred to Reinhard, and because of this, Theresa lost her power and eventually died. So Reinhard has always felt that he killed his grandmother..."

"Where is she now?"

"I'm sorry, but this is beyond my ability."

Fang Zheng shrugged.

“After the previous battle, she ran away. I don’t know where she went. But I believe that if you tell Reinhardt that Theresa had appeared in the imperial capital, he will definitely come to look for Grandmother. At that time, you two will have a chance to improve your relationship.”

Having said this, Fang Zheng sighed.

"Well, Miss Esdeath, this is all I can do. I wish you success in winning Reinhard's heart."

After saying this, Fang Zheng bowed slightly, saluted to Esdeath, and prepared to leave.

However, at this moment...

"What good will this do you?"

Esdeath's voice sounded again.

"You killed the emperor, the ministers, and General Budd, all for the sake of letting me ascend the throne. So, if you did not do this out of foolish and blind love, then what was your reason?"

"Please allow me to correct one thing, Miss Esdeath. The death of the emperor, the ministers, and General Budd is a foregone conclusion. This is not for you, but for this country. Minister Ernest caused chaos in the court and should be executed. The emperor did not care about it and lost his responsibility as an emperor. Of course, he should be punished. General Budd did not protect the empire, but sat on his hands and did nothing. He is guilty of dereliction of duty and should be executed..."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng chuckled.

"So in fact, whether you agree or not, they are dead. The reason why I chose you is because in my opinion, Miss Esdeath has the qualifications to become a great empress."

"...Aren't you planning on becoming the emperor yourself?"

"I'm already feeling sick from sitting in this position, so I'm not interested in doing this anytime soon."

"That really surprises me. I thought you were in cahoots with the Revolutionary Army."

"We have a certain degree of cooperation, but it is limited to the lower classes. I don't like those who sell out their country for glory and cede territory to gain power. If Miss Esdeath, you hang those guys on the street lamp, then I will be happy to watch the show."

"Interesting man."

Esdeath smiled when she heard Fang Zheng's answer.

"Would you consider staying and working for me?"

"I'm sorry, but we protect the free will of the people. We never have close dealings with anyone in power. Thank you for recruiting me, Miss Esdeath, but please allow me to refuse."

"……All right."

Esdeath was silent for a moment, then waved her hand. Soon, the ice wall that originally blocked the hall melted quickly. Fang Zheng also bowed and then walked outside.

"One last question, what's your name?"

"We don't need a name. Everything is false and everything is allowed. We walk in darkness and serve the light. We are just a group of... assassins."

As the words fell, Fang Zheng's figure completely disappeared at the entrance of the sunlit hall.