Chapter 31: Future Leader of Night Raid

~Third POV~

The Empire is a superpower that has lasted for over 1000 years, boasting vast territories and resources. Its capital city is enormous, covering roughly 200,000 sq. kilometers, and is encircled on all sides by a huge wall.

The capital's various districts are separated by large canals through which trade ships run. Beyond the capital, the country seems to be mostly rural with an unknown number of cities and villages spread throughout.

Three other countries border the Empire to the north, south, and west while the Empire's eastern boundary is the coastline of a great ocean.

The Empire has a very diverse culture due to its large size. Its citizens range from nomadic clans to small village communities to world-wizened city dwellers. However, due to the corrupt government, there have been multiple uprisings and great civil unrest.

The villages and towns suffer from heavy taxation and many have been unable to buy enough food, resulting in widespread shortages in the remote areas of the empire. This has forced many country-living citizens to move to the capital to seek money to help their village, only to sometimes find death or worse because of the high crime rate.

The arrest, torture, and public execution of the Prime Minister's political enemies are also not uncommon, which leads to a general atmosphere of fear.

Slavery is common in the Empire but slaves can become free through currently unknown means. Slaves have a mark branded on them to show that they are slaves.

Due to the high tax rates imposed on the villages of the empire, there have been many parents that have sold their children into slavery for money or a better life.

As the name implies, The Empire is an absolute monarchy where the Emperor's word is the law. The nation is not just run by him alone, however, as he has the Prime Minister and various advisers to administrate many territories and regions.

The current Emperor is only a child and having assumed the throne at a rather young age he is more of a figurehead than a true ruler. Because of this many of his officials are doing as they please including the newest Prime Minister.

Standing at the gates of the Empire Central Gates of the Empire Eastern gate entrance was Tatsumi as he finally made it after a few days of traveling by foot. Finally views Empire Central for the first time with an indifferent expression as he saw the place as he thought to himself, 'Damn this place would be more impressive if only it was worth living here. I'm more surprised how shitty this place is.'

Shrugging off from the scene he enters inside the gate to the Central Region of the Empire…

…

…

~Tatsumi POV~

So, this is the Capital of the Central Region of the Empire. This might take a while for me to get out of this place.

Looking at an enormous city surrounded by a wall the Imperial Palace is located there. I'll admit that everything here is pretty depressing here. Hell, I don't even need to use my Haki to sense the hostility and despair of the people here along with the poor people roaming around.

They take keeping glances at me probably even I'm hearing their slang terms being thrown around at me because I'm someone from the woods. Well, let's see them say that to Esdeath and live after that.

Walking around the area I already reviewed the whole place from the map I got from the Group Chat shop as I more or less memorized the whole place as I used my real identity no use for the mask to be worn.

Since the people after the guy with the [Big Leaguer] is wearing a mask as I made sure to hide the rest of my facial features. Otherwise, they won't be able to find the guy out in the open so at least I can have some privacy.

Still, though some of the guards that are patrolling seem to have greed written on their expression when they look at me. It might have to do with the fact that I'm carrying the Halberd or that I have a lot of expensive stuff on me.

Whatever the case maybe I need to just quickly leave this place as soon as possible since I would no doubt get in trouble or simply be blamed for a false crime. That is something that happens very often here.

Acting completely unaware of my situation I simply kept on walking around as I used my [Observation Haki] to sense the intent of others and to what I expected some idiots don't seem to learn.

Sigh…

I need something to cool off my nerves. Glancing around I happen to see a sweets store but raising my eyebrow at it I immediately detect a powerful aura inside the place. Seeing the aura surrounding the person in question I smiled lightly knowing it's friendly that's a rare sight.

What made me know it's friendly is the aura of that person strength seems to be very strong but well-mannered but harsh if need be. That's what I can tell from my [Observation Haki] at least.

Plus adding the fact that some of the guards of this place seem to be scared off from that place I grew curious who could it be. But if someone is buying sweets from that place then I can only guess a certain person, but I could be wrong.

Still, though anything for these small fries to back off with that I began to enter the shop as the shop owner at the counter spoke to me, "Why hello their customer what would you like for today? Want to try our Empire special sweets from the Honey of the Wasp Kill Danger Beast honey?"

Some sweet honey sounds right about nice about now so with that I nodded my head as the store owner went to the back.

As he left, I happen to find the person with the powerful aura I felt earlier to see her young in the flesh. Have to say she's pretty and sexy I can see why Lubbock likes her.

Seeing the person in front of me was a younger Najenda a woman with long silver hair and purple eyes she wore her hair tied and braided. She wears a black suit that shows her cleavage to clearly show off she's a girl and not by her title as 'The Hunk of the Empire' that's pretty funny.

But what catches my eye is that she has her Teigu right behind her if I remember correctly that will be Mine's Teigu shortly [Pumpkin] and a bag filled with some sweets inside her bag.

Roman Artillery: Pumpkin is a gun-type Teigu. It had a case with different parts in it, which could be detached and attached to modify Pumpkin.

While I was staring at her she seems to take notice as she comes forward with a friendly approach with a surprisingly gentle, but firm air surrounding her as she spoke, "Hello there citizen of the Empire what seems to be the issue? You seem to be staring at me is there a concern?"

Nodding at this since I'm not going to lose this chance I replied honestly while pointing my thumb at the group stalking me, "In a matter of fact actually yeah I require assistance here. You see when I first just came here those group of people just started stalking me I think they are thieves trying to ambush me for my stuff miss."

Now that got her attention if there was anything to know about Najenda and her personality she's the power for the people and solely to help the people. With that, she merely glares at the group at the distance as they noticed Najenda's glare as they back off.

Seeing this Najenda sighs at this as she began to speak to me in a friendly manner while clearing up that little bug annoying me, "Sigh… sorry about that stranger you see the people of the Empire aren't exactly fond of… people from different races coming here. I apologize for their ignorance… I never know your name how rude I'm Najenda one of the Generals in the Empire."

Nodding at this and stretching out my hand as well as I interlock with her as we shook on it as I politely responded to her in a friendly manner, "The name is just Tatsumi General Najenda. Do you mind if I call you Najenda it's going to be a mouthful if I say general attached to your name ya know?"

At that, I swear my heart stopped that Najenda laughed at that as she replied to my question returning to a friendly smile, "Haha… sure that would be fine Tatsumi just call me Najenda since I'm on my break for today. But frankly, I should get going soon hope you have a good time Tatsumi you'll need it."

With that Najenda began to walk away as I took a glance as she left as she was certainly something alright. At least she's an ally I can have around my stay here in the Central Region of the Empire.

At least I won't have to worry much about scum in this area with Najenda taking a look around the area. Still, though I have to get the Teigu Syura has so for now though the sooner I leave Central to the Western Region of the Empire.

That was when the shop owner returned with the sweets that have the Wasp Kill Honey in the shapes of cookies as I took a bite to sample them.

*Chomp*

Taking a bite from the cookie I smiled at this as I asked the shop owner in a happy tone as I talked to him, "These cookies are really good. I'll take a few of them my good man so hit me up with the good shit."

The store owner nods his head as he goes to the back as I waited there to pay for the treats since the only thing, I have been eating meat. I need some sweets every once in a while, plus with Najenda dealing with those bugs I have time to move ahead to the west as soon as possible.

But these cookies are good maybe I should pack some more for the trip.