Chapter 37: [Chelsea] IP: General’s Residence

Although tonight's mission target was only the six members of the Wild Hounds led by Syura, the time it took to eliminate them was less than ten minutes, thanks to the summoned spirit girl created by the Random Spirit Projection Voucher—none other than Inverse Nia Honjo.

The duration of that powerful item card lasted a full thirty minutes, and with over twenty minutes still remaining before Tobiichi Origami disappeared, it would be a waste to just pat their butts and go home.

Therefore, Yoshino continued to manipulate the Inverse Nia Honjo to collect Teigu (Imperial Arms).

There were more Teigu users in the imperial capital besides the six from the Wild Hounds. There was no way only six existed.

Although Esdeath took seven or eight Teigu users with her when she left, reducing their numbers in the capital significantly, it was impossible that all of them were taken away just for a mere bandit suppression operation.

Yoshino calmed her mind and refocused her attention on the projection of Nia Honjo.

With a flick of her finger, she drew the Codex of Divine Erosion to her side.

Then, she silently recited in her heart:

"Tell me the names, holders, locations, and effects of the Teigu in the imperial capital."

The Codex of Divine Erosion, attuned to its master's will, began writing automatically.

As the pen of record wrote down her inquiry on the search page, lines of text soon appeared before Nia Honjo eyes.

Held by Makoto : [National Defense Machine God: Shikoutazer] — currently located in the Imperial Palace.

A mech-type Teigu with destructive power comparable to a god.

Held by Grand General Budo: [Thunder God's Rage: Adramelech] — located in the inner city.

An armor-type Teigu that can control lightning elements.

Held by Honest (Honest): [Absolute Limitation: Erastone] — located in the Minister's Mansion.

A ring-type Teigu that nullifies the abilities of other Teigu.

...

In a rough count, no fewer than sixteen Teigu names and their locations came into view.

This number pleasantly surprised Tobiichi Origami.

It was known that there were only forty-eight Teigu in total.

Six were with the Wild Hounds, eight had been taken away by Esdeath, and yet there were still sixteen remaining in the capital.

If she could get her hands on them all, it would obviously massively boost her side quest progress.

But that was clearly not very realistic.

For example, the Teigu held by Makoto , [Supreme Throne], couldn't be touched.

Even though the royal family had declined to such a miserable state, no one dared to lay a hand on the emperor. Not even Honest dared move against Makoto directly. A big reason for that was the [Supreme Throne]—a Teigu that only royal blood could operate.

This was the foundational Teigu of the empire, the undisputed strongest among all forty-eight.

Even if the other forty-seven Teigu were lost, as long as the Supreme Throne remained, the empire would not fall.

But if she were to steal the Supreme Throne and Makoto lost his strongest support, Honest might take rash actions.

She would find a way to obtain the Supreme Throne—just not now.

Nia Honjo reviewed the information again and saw that seven Teigu were inside the palace, four were scattered across the city, and the remaining five were all in the Minister's Mansion.

"That bastard Honest… hiding so many Teigu for himself?"

At this, Origami was momentarily speechless.

As expected of the empire's number one corrupt official—not only greedy for money and power, but even Teigu.

Her understanding of Honest corruption deepened further, and Origami kept reading.

However, when she reached the final Teigu on the list, her expression froze slightly.

"Phantasmagoria: Gaea Foundation?"

She spoke the Teigu's name aloud, frowning slightly.

If she remembered correctly, at this point in time, the Gaea Foundation should still belong to Night Raid, in the hands of an assassin named Chelsea.

This Teigu's power allowed the user to transform into anything they wished.

Living or non-living, even super-class danger beasts could be mimicked—

—but it was purely transformation. The user wouldn't gain the actual powers of what they transformed into.

Regardless, it was an absolute treasure for assassination and reconnaissance.

But why was it showing up in the capital?

While puzzled, she looked at its listed location.

"The General's Residence?" Her eyes widened. "Chelsea is in the General's Residence?"

Wasn't Night Raid supposed to be in a tug-of-war with Esdeath and the Jaegers outside the capital right now?

Why would Chelsea be here instead?

Although there were many doubts, for Yoshino, there was no need to overthink it.

The Codex of Divine Erosion, with its omniscience and omnipotence, could answer any of her questions.

After writing her doubts on the search page, the answer that appeared before her made everything clear.

"Just as I suspected. Night Raid purposely left a gap to lure Esdeath away."

As she read the content shown by the Codex, Yoshino suspicions were confirmed.

Night Raid hadn't lured Esdeath outside just to deal with the Jaegers.

They wanted to get the one-person-army general away from the capital.

That way, Night Raid could create an opportunity to take Yoshino out of the city.

And Chelsea?

She had infiltrated the General's Residence for the express purpose of extracting Yoshino.

It was just that over the past few days, Yoshino had always been surrounded by servants and hadn't given Chelsea an opening, which is why she had continued lying in wait.

"If that's the case, then tonight's plan needs a slight adjustment."

Her thoughts whirred.

Now that Yoshino knew Night Raid's plan, she immediately abandoned her original goal for the evening.

She intended to let Chelsea succeed.

Yes, she would allow Night Raid's plan to go through.

To that end, after tonight, she would even intentionally create an opportunity for Chelsea to "kidnap" her.

Because for the main storyline to progress smoothly, she needed to meet with Najenda, or even the leader of the Revolutionary Army.

Originally, she had been wondering how to make contact with Night Raid.

Now, she no longer needed to worry.

The opportunity was right in front of her.

However, this meant that her original plan to steal all the Teigu in the capital tonight would obviously have to be shelved.

After all, if all the Teigu in the capital were stolen, and it was discovered that such a powerful and mysterious assassin existed in the city, Makoto would no doubt immediately summon Esdeath back.

And if that happened, Chelsea's mission would become significantly harder, and Yoshino chance to contact the Revolutionary Army would become even slimmer.

But connecting with the Revolutionary Army was essential to her current mission plan.

Between progressing the main quest and the side quest, she could only make the most beneficial choice.

"Still, while I need to appear weak and avoid prompting Makoto to recall Esdeath, I don't necessarily have to give up on all sixteen Teigu."

Tobiichi Origami looked at the list again.

"Those five Teigu hidden in the Minister's Mansion… I can devour those."