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The return to the Imperial Capital was swift and uneventful. With no need for delays or diversions, the journey took less than half a month.

Only a select group made the final stretch into the capital: Esdeath, August, the Three Beasts, and a handful of soldiers. The majority of the northern army remained stationed at the Empire's borders.

Even the corrupt Prime Minister wouldn't permit Esdeath to march back with her entire force of 100,000 troops. This was no ordinary imperial army—it was Esdeath's personal military. In the frigid north, the Emperor's decrees and the Empire's laws held no sway. Esdeath's word was absolute.

The Prime Minister, despite his alliance with Esdeath, remained wary of her. She was, after all, a true madwoman. Though their cooperation was mutually beneficial, he had contingencies in place to ensure her power didn't grow unchecked.

Chief among these safeguards was the Empire's second General, General Budo—a staunch traditionalist who adhered to the principle that military leaders should not interfere in political affairs. While Budo turned a blind eye to the corruption of officials like the Prime Minister, he protected the more conscientious factions within the government.

As long as the young Emperor remained under his control, the Prime Minister felt secure. Budo's presence acted as a counterbalance to Esdeath's influence, a safety measure in the Prime Minister's delicate web of power.

The Imperial Capital, the heart of an empire with over a millennium of history, was a sprawling metropolis of decadence and despair. It was a haven for the powerful, a hell for the oppressed, and a breeding ground for sin.

Before even setting foot in the city, August could sense the dense miasma of malevolence that hung over it. The sheer scale of corruption, depravity, and suffering was overwhelming—a twisted symphony of human vice.

"This place…" August muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of wonder and revulsion.

"What do you think of the capital?" Esdeath asked, her tone almost playful.

"It's... impressive," August replied, carefully masking his true thoughts.

Esdeath beamed, misinterpreting his words. "Of course. The Empire has stood for a thousand years. Though it's not as glorious as it once was, it remains the most prosperous place in the world."

Standing nearby, Daidara and Nyau seemed indifferent to the conversation. Only Liver cast a curious glance at August, a hint of suspicion in his gaze.

During the past month, Liver had observed August closely. Something about him felt profoundly unnatural. August seemed unbothered by anything around him as if nothing in the world could capture his genuine interest. He carried an air of detachment, as though perpetually searching for something unseen.

Liver's unease deepened when he recalled the moment during the mass burial of the northern tribespeople—how August had worn an expression of pure satisfaction, even joy.

Now, as they approached the capital, that same unsettling emotion flickered across August's face once more.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, the accompanying soldiers were ordered to set up camp outside the city walls. Only Esdeath, August, and the Three Beasts were permitted entry.

Despite her disdain for opulence, Esdeath owned a grand mansion in the city's most luxurious district, a gift from the Prime Minister. However, she rarely stayed there, spending most of her time on the battlefield.

"I'll need to visit the palace," Esdeath announced. "Formalities must be observed, even with the Emperor being the Prime Minister's puppet."

"Go ahead. I'll take this chance to explore the capital," August replied.

"Very well. Liver, take August to the treasury to collect some gold. That should save him any hassle," Esdeath instructed.

August nodded, indifferent to the notion of accepting her generosity. Gold meant little to him—his Gate of Babylon could supply endless wealth if needed.

After a brief preparation, Esdeath departed for the palace with the Three Beasts in tow. Her first destination wasn't the throne room, but rather the Prime Minister's quarters. Their relationship was one of calculated collaboration, and any imperial decrees would first be negotiated between the two before being presented by the Emperor.

Meanwhile, Liver delivered 5,000 gold coins to August—a substantial sum, though hardly a fortune by the capital's standards.

Esdeath's soldiers were fiercely loyal to her. She lavished them with rewards, distributing her earnings and spoils of war generously. This combination of financial support and personal charisma ensured her army's unwavering devotion.

Strolling through the capital's streets, August saw a city of contrasts. On the surface, it radiated wealth and grandeur. Bustling marketplaces, lavish plazas, and vibrant festivals painted an illusion of prosperity.

Yet beneath this veneer lay rot. The faces of countless citizens were hollow and lifeless, their eyes void of hope. They moved like shadows of the living, resigned to their fates in a system that crushed them beneath its weight.

Here, the seven deadly sins thrived: Greed, Wrath, Envy, Pride, Sloth, Lust, and Gluttony.

The capital was a perfect storm of human vice, a paradise for someone like August. He could feel the endless waves of despair, hatred, and jealousy emanating from the lower classes—emotions that pulsed like a tide, ready to be harvested.

Among the nobility, arrogance, indulgence, and decadence swelled to the point of bursting, like a dam on the verge of collapse.

For August, the capital was heaven masquerading as hell.

As he wandered through the bustling streets, he absorbed the negativity like a silent predator, feeding off the city's darkness.

Eventually, his path led him to the slums—a stark contrast to the grandeur of the inner city. Here, the true face of the Imperial Capital revealed itself.

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