You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

In case of emergencies, I will prioritize my own affairs and may even abandon the mission. This should be made clear beforehand to avoid future conflicts.

Gudako can definitely understand!

Who is she? She's cleared those hellish dungeons in FGO hundreds of times, encountered all sorts of strange Servants, and her tolerance and affability are off the charts.

She could get along well with someone like Sesshouin, so how could she possibly have a problem with Iori?

So even though Iori's identity as a "phantom spirit" is suspicious, Gudako is still willing to believe it—she has turned countless suspicious people into fully bonded beings, so one more won't make a difference.

So she thanked Iori earnestly and happily expressed that she had gained another companion, and one of the increasingly rare and handsome men of the orthodox type in Chaldea. She was quite pleased with herself and then went back to her room to sleep.

She seems to have some minor health problem, and needs to sleep for a long time every day, so she can't explain the situation further to Iori, and she feels very sorry about that.

"...La la, Master's sleep time is getting longer and longer, it's really worrying."

Moriarty watched Gudako leave, and only after the door closed did he ask Merlin, "Mr. Magician, you're responsible for taking care of her in the dream, right? Have you fulfilled your responsibilities?"

“You might not believe it, but I tried my best… I had no choice. Although I am a ‘dream demon,’ I am not omnipotent in dreams, especially since it was Master’s dream… In the end, she still has to rely on herself. I just played a supporting role.”

Merlin glanced at Iori and didn't continue the topic, while Iori, who was suspicious, didn't hesitate to ask further questions.

"Alright, although Iori-kun has many concerns, now that you've joined our family, I'll explain the details to you."

"Thank you. It is a great honor to work with such heroes and sages as you," Iori replied earnestly and humbly.

Merlin chuckled and said, "We still call ourselves 'Chaldea'. Our main members are all Servants. There are many of them, but they don't usually gather together. They each have their own areas of activity, and some are even distributed in different timelines."

We only select suitable Servants to disrupt a world line and create more possibilities when it is necessary to 'continue' it—of course, all voluntarily.

We are a company with a conscience, and we would never engage in anything like forced labor...

clang!clang!clang!

On the kotatsu table, a dial-type landline phone, a common sight in old animations, rang, interrupting Merlin's words.

The Flower Magician glanced apologetically at Iori, then picked up the phone:

"Moshi moshi... um... um... I understand. Let El-Melloi II handle this matter. He is very familiar with this singularity."

Huh? What? The Second Prince doesn't want to go? And he wants to resort to the Heroic Spirit Labor Act?

This is no ordinary Caster; we have to strike hard!

Go, summon Iskandar and have him tell the Second Emperor, 'I love you, I need you, you are my best subject, far surpassing Hephaestion.'

Send the Second Prince a basket of golden apples!

Crack...

Merlin hung up the phone and smiled brightly: "Please rest assured, we are definitely not a heartless company. We never force our followers to work; we only encourage them to work overtime voluntarily."

Iori: "??????"

This "voluntary" approach... Oh, right, you bastard, you have no weaknesses!

Even if feelings are voluntary, they wouldn't be directed at you, right?

You heartless bastard, does Gudako know you're doing this?!

-

After briefly learning about the situation from Merlin, the Flower Magician said that there was no shortage of manpower at the moment, and told Iori not to worry about these things for the time being, but to work hard on her own. She explained that phantom spirits could also ascend to the Throne of Heroes by accumulating merits, and Chaldea had encountered such examples before.

Iori gave a few casual replies, then said he was going to train, but in reality he returned to the world of "Akatsuki".

Puff~~

Lying on the hotel bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, although he had only spent about half an hour at Type-Moon, the sheer volume of information had given his inner world a meteorite shock, and he needed time to sort out the various thoughts in his mind.

There was a sense of awe for that vast worldview, a restless eagerness, admiration and sympathy for Gudako, and a mix of unspoken speculation and unease... But overall, it was certain that this was a rare opportunity, though it needed to be handled carefully, or one wrong move could backfire.

And the method to reduce the risk is also very simple:

Just get stronger!

If one possessed Gilgamesh's power, then one could easily dominate an ordinary Holy Grail War;

If one can rival a Grand Servant, then even Singularities will be a piece of cake.

If you acquire the power of the [Beast], then you are close to reaching your limit.

Although Type-Moon has a complex setting and a vast world view, it still follows the basic law of "strength and weakness". If you want to have a voice, you have to become stronger!

Whether it's Bleach, Akainu, Type-Moon, or any other world we encounter in the future, it's all the same!

It's difficult for him to cause any trouble in Type-Moon right now, but that's okay, he's full of possibilities!

Severing distracting thoughts and reaffirming her resolve, Iori raised her hand and examined it carefully.

"It's still a magical construct... Is it because 'Akatsuki' doesn't have this limitation? It seems I'll have to return to Soul Society to revert to my Shinigami form."

However, let's settle the matter of the Empire first!

Analyze the current situation, identify your own strengths, and then make a choice:

For Iori, the most efficient way to improve is to establish a legend and constantly refresh the art style and CG.

Neither Type-Moon nor Soul Society could make him achieve this; only the Empire in Akame ga Kill! fits the bill.

General Bud and Esdeath are a problem, but not an insurmountable obstacle. Once the Empire is overthrown, Iori can gain immense prestige...

No, why be so conservative?

The revolutionary army is no good either!

It's okay, I fucked both of them at the same time!

Chapter 52: Hypnosis and Brainwashing, But a Beast

Although both need to be addressed, specific situations should be analyzed individually. Despite the many shortcomings of the revolutionary army, overthrowing the empire remains the top priority.

Iori wanted to make a name for himself and expand his prestige, and theoretically, the most efficient way would be to escalate and intensify the war between the two sides, even turning it into a prolonged period of chaos. This would make the people yearn for a hero even more, thus giving him more opportunities.

However, as someone who grew up in China in his previous life and possessed a simple sense of justice, he could never do such a thing.

He has his own plans, which may require more effort, but will allow him to intervene in or even dominate this great era of transition between the old and the new!

In short, he first found Najenda and made a condition to the revolutionary army behind her, but the heroic female general was quite astonished after hearing it:

"Sila? He's still alive, but he's a cripple. What do you need him for?"

Najenda thought Iori wanted to discuss the Revolutionary Army's treatment with her. She was prepared to spend a lot of money to win over this bounty hunter with considerable combat power, but who knew that Iori actually wanted the minister's son, Sheila!

Yes, it's the one who doesn't eat beef~

What's the point of having this thing?

"We had already contacted the minister privately half a year ago. The minister was only willing to spend money to redeem Sheila, but was unwilling to release our fellow prisoners, nor was he willing to make any concessions in politics or military matters... It seems that this son is not that important to him."

Headquarters has decided to kill Sheila as a sacrifice on the day of the large-scale uprising, and to let him live on until then.

Frankly, I don't think Sheila has any use to me now.

"In that case, why don't you just give him to me?"

Iori said with a smile, "I plan to use him to exchange for a bonus from the minister. A living person is definitely worth more than a corpse."

“I think honesty is a very important point for both sides to cooperate.” Najenda stared at the white mask, as if trying to see Iori’s expression through it.

What exactly are your plans?

"Honesty is important, but mutual respect is also important. You just need to answer me whether you can."

Iori coldly rejected Najenda's probing: "Hand over Sheila to me, and I'll be willing to handle some difficult targets for the Revolutionary Army. It should be a fair trade, after all, there's no shortage of beasts to sacrifice in this world, is there?"

It really is!

Najenda raised an eyebrow and began to consider it seriously:

As the son of a minister, Sheila held a very special position and was notorious in the capital. Using him as a sacrifice to win over the hearts of the people in the capital was undoubtedly a good idea.

However, Iori was also right; the empire was not lacking in people who held high positions and committed numerous evils... It was easy to find candidates for "beasts."

Moreover, the morale of the people in the capital was not the most important factor for the revolutionary army, because if they actually reached the capital, the war would be almost over.

“We can give it to you as a token of our sincerity,” Najenda said seriously. “However, in exchange, we may need to use [Dimensional Array - Shangri-La] in the future, and we hope you can help us then.”

"Oh?"

Iori glanced at her and thought, "As expected of a woman who holds a high position in both the Empire and the Revolutionary Army, she really knows how to seize key interests!"

This request wasn't unreasonable, and Iori readily agreed—after all, whether or not they got to use it was up to her.

"By the way, where is Akame now?"

Iori suddenly said, "I left some things with her, it's time to get them back."

-

Five days later, in the capital, in a vast, magnificent, and lavishly decorated manor, countless servants, maids, and guards scurried about like ants on a cloudy day. Everyone was in a panic, seemingly preparing to welcome some important figure.

No, strictly speaking, they had already received the message, and it was indeed from one of the most important figures in the entire empire, someone whose word could decide life and death for these servants.

Because their master—the only son of Minister Ernest, Prince Sheila, who had been away from home all along, had suddenly returned to this mansion today!

In order to avoid giving the notoriously capricious Lord Sheila any fault, everyone carried out their work in fear and panic, making the entire mansion a scene of utter chaos.

Unlike the servants who knew nothing, Minister Ernest knew very well that Sheila had been captured by the revolutionary army more than half a year ago, and the negotiations between the two sides had long since collapsed. Logically speaking, his precious son should either have been killed or be pitifully locked in a cage by now... so why would he suddenly come back?

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!

Therefore, even when meeting his own son whom he hadn't seen for a long time and who had narrowly escaped death, the minister would bring his strongest guards with him and keep a considerable distance between them.

"Tsk! What are you trying to do? Your own son is back, but you're putting on this show?"

Sheila sat in a wheelchair, her hands stiffly gripping the armrests. All four of her limbs were completely useless, but her mouth remained arrogant and unrestrained.

"Isn't there a guy in the Imperial Research Corps called 'Mr. Fashion'? Call him over here right now and replace all four of my limbs with prosthetics. I don't want to be lying in bed or in a wheelchair anymore!"

"Hmm...it seems to be him."

The minister stroked his beard. He was very familiar with Sheila's appearance and true personality, so he was certain that this was Sheila herself. However, just to be on the safe side, he did not approach her, after all, the Revolutionary Army's assassins were very skilled.

Thinking this, the obese minister, whose eyes were filled with cunning and ruthlessness, glanced to his left and right. The four guards known as the "Four Demon Rakshasa" possessed strength comparable to that of an Imperial Arms user, and under their protection, he was virtually safe. Moreover, he himself was no weakling; despite his bulky appearance, his physical skills were quite impressive.

Ernest calmly continued to ask Sheila a few things that only he and his son knew. After verifying that everything was correct, he was both surprised and delighted, and suddenly burst into tears.

"Oh, my son, you've really suffered!"

"Ahhh, Daddy, I've missed you so much!"

"..."

Everyone, including the four demons and the masked man pushing Sheila's wheelchair, fell silent as they watched the father and son's performance. Ernest, in particular, was crying loudly but didn't move his feet at all... clearly he was being extremely cautious and wasn't really that concerned about his son.

"By the way, how exactly did you escape? The Revolutionary Army's prisons must be very well guarded, right?"

The minister suddenly stopped crying and gave Iori, who was wearing a black mask, a deep look.

"And who is he?"

"You still have the nerve to say it!"

Sheila was furious: "I know how you negotiated with the Revolutionary Army... But that's all in the past. Now that I'm back alive, you're still my dearest father."

As for how I got out? Of course, I had to rely on myself! Did you expect me to come and rescue me?

This guy is Izo, a ronin samurai from an eastern island nation, whom I recruited while wandering around various countries!

Hmph, after I was captured, my men either ran away or betrayed me. Only this guy secretly went into hiding, disfigured himself, and infiltrated the revolutionary army. He waited for half a year before he finally rescued me!

This guy's skills are incredible; he saved me again this time. Dad, you have to make him a general!"

"No, no, no, I have no such ambition."

The samurai wearing a black mask patted the samurai sword at his waist: "It is enough for me to just stay by Lord Shira's side and keep finding people to perform blood sacrifices for this 'Jiang Xue' sword."

My life exists solely for the purpose of sacrificing myself to the sword; fame and fortune are trivial matters.

"A samurai from an eastern island nation?"

The minister glanced at the katana at Iori's waist and nodded.