NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71
Chapter Seventy-One: Esdeath – You Support Me, Right? (Request for Subscription)
Each returned from the Demon Slayer World.
In the Magic Prohibition World, Misaka Mikoto lay in bed, her mind still replaying the scene of the demons turning back into humans and pleading painfully for death.
Misaka Mikoto: “It’s truly lamentable. I never thought that after reverting to human form, they would choose to beg for death themselves.”
Esdeath: “So-called demons are ultimately just pitiful people.”
For ordinary people, Esdeath cannot demand that they must have the heart of a strong person.
They will be confused, regretful, compromising, and numb.
That is the common populace.
People like Esdeath, the strong ones, are few.
“General Esdeath!”
At this moment, a scout came to report: “In three more days, we will reach the capital!”
“Hmm.”
As the capital drew near, Esdeath began to ponder what attitude she should take toward the events that were about to unfold.
“You really like causing trouble…”
Before setting out, she was just an imperial general with no worries, focusing solely on becoming stronger and fighting.
But ever since Bai Luo revealed bits of the story of Amegakure to her,
Esdeath had begun to face the corruption of the empire for the first time.
What can one say?
Previously, Esdeath knew about the corruption within the upper echelons of the empire, but she didn’t care.
And now…
Esdeath still cared little.
All those words—“for the common people,” “for a bright future,” “for a new era,” “for a wonderful tomorrow”—to Esdeath, could only deceive children.
What truly troubled her was that the anime’s Imperial Treasure wielders had lost some of her interest.
Having seen the vastness of various worlds, fought against Bai Luo, Kurumi Tokisaki, and Ace, Esdeath was no longer satisfied with merely the Amegakure world.
Moreover, there was another point.
That was the collapse of the empire, and she didn’t know what she should do.
Thinking thus, Esdeath closed the group chat and opened a private chat interface with Bai Luo.
When in doubt, ask Bai Luo.
This was almost becoming the norm for the chat group.
Esdeath (private chat with Bai Luo): “My world seems to be thoroughly rotten.”
“???”
Bai Luo, not understanding: “So?”
“Nothing.”
Esdeath: “I just wanted to complain to you.”
Bai Luo: “Although it makes me happy that you think of me first, I must clarify that I’m not a confidant.”
“And if you really have issues, at least explain them clearly, right?”
But the problem was precisely this!
Esdeath herself did not know what to do.
Bai Luo: “Are you planning to change the Amegakure world?”
Esdeath: “No, that’s not my responsibility.”
Hmm, this answer was quite decisive.
Esdeath didn’t want to bother herself for the sake of saving the empire; it wasn’t her style.
Bai Luo: “Are you conflicted about how to deal with the Night Raid organization?”
Esdeath: “If they oppose me, then they deserve to die.”
The Amegakure anime is viewed from the perspective of Night Raid regarding the empire.
As a dark anime, many viewers who finish watching Amegakure feel uneasy.
Esdeath?
She didn’t have such thoughts.
Whether it was Akame or herself, everyone was simply serving their respective masters.
There was no question of right or wrong in conflicts between different stances.
Even though Esdeath already knew the plotline,
If she encountered someone from Night Raid, Esdeath would still hesitate not a bit before attacking.
This was Esdeath, Queen Bai Luo!
Esdeath (private chat): “Besides, I’m not good at doing such things.”
Distributing rewards given to her among the common folk.
Not oppressing them because she disliked bullying the weak.
The purpose of fighting was only to enjoy the pleasure of battling with strong opponents.
To Esdeath, these matters were simply a matter of character.
She didn’t need others to praise her, nor did she care about kindness or evil.
As for awakening revolutionary ideals for the sake of the common folk, Esdeath actually held them in contempt.
Bai Luo: “Worthy of you indeed.”
Esdeath’s situation, in Bai Luo’s view, was more akin to confusion about the future.
This confusion did not stem from personal issues but rather from helplessness regarding the fate of the Amegakure world.
The empire and the revolutionary army—both, in Esdeath’s eyes, were beyond salvation.
Even if there was hope, Esdeath didn’t particularly want to save them.
A corrupt empire’s downfall was inevitable.
But the question was, if the empire collapsed, where would she go?
“Ah, I see.”
Upon hearing Esdeath’s true thoughts, Bai Luo laughed: “I thought it was something major. Is that all?”
“Huh?”
Faced with Esdeath’s confusion, Bai Luo frankly said: “If the empire is gone, why don’t you just find work elsewhere?”
Esdeath’s conflict stemmed from the fact that she was capable of saving the empire.
But it wouldn’t mean anything.
Even if Esdeath repelled the revolutionary army, she would only be protecting those greedy and beast-like members of the imperial hierarchy.
Regarding this, Esdeath could only respond with a chuckle.
“Find work elsewhere?”
“Yes.”
Bai Luo: “Since you dislike it so much, why not just give up?”
“What does it have to do with you if you’re trying to save a country by yourself?”
Esdeath was initially surprised but quickly reacted.
Indeed, if the empire fell, then let it fall.
She only needed to do her best in battle and fulfill her duties.
“Do you have any ideas, Bai Luo?”
Esdeath: “If it’s your request, I’ll listen.”
If Bai Luo had plans for the Amegakure world, Esdeath wouldn’t refuse; instead, she would sigh with relief.
Esdeath: Finally, I don’t have to think anymore.
As for what Bai Luo would turn the Amegakure world into?
Esdeath didn’t care at all!
Could it possibly get worse than what the empire has done?
“Ah, absolutely not!”
Upon hearing this, Bai Luo immediately rejected.
Bai Luo currently had no significant plans for Night Raid or the corrupt empire.
The conflict here wasn’t about racial opposition but a transformation of governance.
This wasn’t something easily explained in a few words.
Let’s put it bluntly; Night Raid sacrificed themselves entirely for the revolutionary army.
But what was the result?
Akame ended up as a discarded pawn of the revolutionary army, fleeing alone.
The empire wasn’t good, and neither was the revolutionary army.
The Amegakure world was simply a world of mutual ruin.
Though Akame was cute, Bai Luo wasn’t desperate enough for that.
If Bai Luo were to say here, let Esdeath spare Akame’s life.
Then during the fight, Esdeath would surely be restrained.
If Esdeath couldn’t perform fully due to Bai Luo’s request and even got hurt, that would be utterly foolish.
Indeed, after understanding Bai Luo’s stance, Esdeath’s mood improved significantly.
Though Bai Luo didn’t say it, Esdeath was, after all, the heroine of Amegakure.
Esdeath thought silently: This gift, he would probably like it, wouldn’t he?
Since she decided to join Bai Luo, Esdeath naturally had to prepare appropriate gifts.
Akame, Black Eyes, Mine, Leone…
One by one, Esdeath decided to take them all away!
“By the way, aren’t you thinking of overthrowing the empire and becoming the emperor yourself?”
“Don’t make it hard for me.”
Esdeath refused outright.
The reason wasn’t because Esdeath was loyal to the empire but because she knew herself well.
Compared to being a politician or ruler, Esdeath preferred and excelled more as a powerful warrior.
Rather than laboriously doing boring things herself, she might as well wait until the chat group grew larger and send requests to other members.
The world was vast; sooner or later, there would appear capable ministers or conquerors yearning for dominion.
Frankly speaking, if you could defeat the strongest Esdeath in Amegakure, she would even be willing to hand over the entire Amegakure world to you.
Might makes right, survival of the fittest!
This was the philosophy of life Esdeath believed in.
You want the Amegakure world, and you’re stronger than Esdeath, so what’s there to say if she can’t protect her own home?
As for Esdeath herself…
Anyway, Bai Luo had assured her that he would accommodate her, so what was there to worry about?
She, Esdeath, lived alone and was very easy to support.
Her only interests were battling strong opponents and falling in love.
Besides, working for Bai Luo or serving him, Esdeath didn’t find it demeaning.
Being a general of the empire and being a warlord under Bai Luo—was there much difference?
Adolf K. Wiesmann: “So what happened while I was away? It feels like I missed everything!”
Esdeath: “It’s nothing interesting, so it’s better not to know.”
Misaka Mikoto: “Don’t need to know +1.”
Kurumi Tokisaki: “Don’t need to know +1.”
Adolf K. Wiesmann: “……”
“What about Tanjiro?”
Kurumi Tokisaki: “Is everything handled on your end?”
Tanjiro: “Summoned by the master, I discussed for a long time with the predecessors of the Demon Slayer Corps.”
“In short…”
Tanjiro: “The head of the Demon Slayer Corps has decided to disband the corps.”
Initially, the Demon Slayer Corps was outraged at how to handle the demons.
However, soon after learning about the choices made by the demons after becoming ghosts, the corps fell into a prolonged silence.
It proved that there were indeed many innocent and pitiable individuals among the demons.
Turning into a demon and consuming human flesh is instinctive and cannot be suppressed by rationality.
Some might say demons can eat corpses.
But the problem is, where are there so many fresh corpses?
Graves dug up contain decayed bodies that demons can’t consume—it’s like humans can’t eat spoiled food.
And waiting for someone to die?
How often does someone die in a village?
Furthermore, openly stealing corpses would attract the Demon Slayer Corps.
Many demons fled into deep mountains and forests out of fear of demon hunters…
Upon learning that most demons had taken their own lives, fewer than 20 demons chose to follow Bai Luo and leave this world.
At this point, there was nothing left to say for the Demon Slayer Corps.
Master Abe: “Is anyone from the Demon Slayer Corps willing to follow Bai Luo?”
Adolf K. Wiesmann and Master Abe were the only two members of the chat group who weren’t clear about the specific developments in the Demon Slayer World.
“Hmm, yes.”
Tanjiro said: “Miss Shouka and Miss Kagura of the Butterfly family greatly appreciate Brother Bai Luo for sending the head of Doma.”
Being able to personally avenge her sister, this favor, Shouka would repay with her life.
Kagura had no strong opinions; whatever her sister did, she followed.
As for the remaining members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Flame Pillar had a family to take care of, the Sound Pillar had a family here, the Wind Pillar and Rock Pillar were unwilling to leave their world.
On the other hand, Muzan Maru was interested in other worlds and boarded the train to the Shadow World at the first opportunity.
Originally, Giyu Tomioka intended to stay behind since Rengoku Shingetsu needed his care.
However, persuaded by Rengoku Shingetsu, Giyu Tomioka decided to leave.
Hmm.
It’s not that Giyu Tomioka lacked friends in this world.
Giyu Tomioka: “I am not disliked by anyone!”
Thus, with nowhere else to go, Giyu Tomioka joined Asato Seiri’s ranks.
Together with Tengen Uzui, Asato Seiri officially gained five subordinates: Shouka, Kagura, Giyu Tomioka, Tengen Uzui, and Muzan Maru.
But soon, Asato Seiri realized something was off.
“Are you serious?! ”
Asato Seiri imagined the Blue Clan to be serious, dedicated, and highly competent elites!
But reality was…
Giyu Tomioka, unable to utter a word for half a day, always wore a poker face, and thought himself popular.
But the truth was, even the usually warm-hearted beast-eared girls would avoid him whenever they met him.
His intimidating aura made it hard for people to approach.
Tengen Uzui, holding a chattering crow, was either spacing out or on the way to spacing out, making it impossible to understand what he was thinking.
Kagura was another Three-No!
Giving her a task, even a multiple-choice question, she could agonize over it for a long time.
In the end, she decided by flipping a coin!
After knowing this, Asato Seiri nearly died of anger: Where are you oddballs coming from?!
Who told me the Demon Slayer Corps was full of talents?
Talents? Is this it?
Are you sure you’re not here to cause me trouble?
Fortunately, Asato Seiri still had Shouka and Muzan Maru as normal people.
But soon, Asato Seiri noticed something was amiss again.
Shouka was fine.
But Muzan Maru, this girl caused Asato Seiri endless headaches!
Outgoing and inexplicably enthusiastic, she frequently made strange little mistakes.
Most importantly, she lacked confidence and didn’t have the elite aura that the Blue Clan should possess.
Perhaps Asato Seiri was too strict; Muzan Maru was timid in front of her, as if she had suffered workplace bullying!
“She works hard.”
Adolf K. Wiesmann felt somewhat sympathetic for Asato Seiri. Even though she had boarded Bai Luo’s grand ship, life was still tough.
“Tanjiro?”
Adolf K. Wiesmann: “What do you plan to do next?”
Tanjiro: “I will likely train in various worlds of the group members.”
The Demon Slayer World underwent changes due to Bai Luo’s intervention. The Demon Lord was defeated, the demons were taken away, and the Demon Slayer Corps disbanded earlier than expected.
However, compared to the original ending where almost everyone perished, this outcome was undoubtedly far better.
Tanjiro: “This is the recommendation from Brother Bai Luo.”
According to the strength classification in the chat group, Bai Luo belonged to tier 0, Esdeath to tier 1.
Kurumi Tokisaki, Ace, Adolf K. Wiesmann were tier 2, Qian Renxue, Tanjiro were tier 3, and Master Abe was at the bottom, purely a regular human.
“The first stop, I plan to go under General Esdeath.”
“The dangerous species here and the assassins from Night Raid suit Tanjiro’s current level.”
Esdeath did not intend to alter the storyline.
So upon returning to the capital, she would still form the Hunters organization to counter Night Raid as in the original story.
Therefore, recruiting talented individuals into the Hunters would be Esdeath’s next task.
“I might say, Tanjiro’s help would ease my burden considerably.”
Here, it should be noted that Tanjiro’s strength had greatly increased recently.
From the previous nine-digit number, he leaped into the early eight-digit number.
Not long ago, Tanjiro joined under Tzudoki and Asato Seiri, becoming the only Ability User blessed by both the Red King and the Blue King.
Of course, this also meant that Tanjiro became Bai Luo’s follower, his subordinate.