Stepping into the treasury, Lancer first caught sight of several Shingu. He gave them only a cursory glance before moving deeper inside. While certain Shingu could be powerful, they were called Minister's Arms precisely because each carried severe limitations or nasty side effects. Unless absolutely necessary, Lancer wasn't willing to waste his precious chance on something so dubious.
As he ventured further, Lancer spotted some Imperial Arms he recognized instantly:
[Double-Bladed Axe: Belvaac]
[Military Music Dream: Scream]
[Water Dragon Possession: Black Marlin]
[March of the Dead: Yatsufusa]
[Magical Beast Transformation: Hekatonkheires]
[Power Surging: Balzac]
Of these six, he only clearly remembered the effects of [Black Marlin]—but none of them suited his combat style. Still, knowing their effects was preferable to picking from the unknown.
First, swords, blades, and gimmicky weapons were eliminated… which didn't leave many options.
Since he wasn't sure what to choose, he decided to follow Budo's advice: let instinct guide him.
Closing his eyes, he stood silently amidst the rows of weapons. After a moment, he moved his right foot toward the east side. When he opened his eyes again, even he was surprised. Before him hung a lavish red cloak.
Glancing at the ornate cloak and then back at the other nearby Imperial Arms, Lancer quickly reached out and took it. Perhaps it was intuition—or maybe genuine compatibility—but something told him this cloak was exactly what he needed.
When Lancer emerged with the red cloak, Najenda and the other officer stared blankly. Clearly, they hadn't expected him to choose something that wasn't obviously a weapon. Neither of them spoke, though.
"Since you've all made your choices, I'll lead you to retrieve the documentation," Budo said curtly.
Unlike during Honest's later control, Imperial Arms at this stage were still strategic assets of the Empire. The weapons and their instructions were stored separately, with users strictly forbidden from casually revealing their abilities. The unpredictable nature of Imperial Arms was, after all, their most terrifying aspect.
...
[Night's Phantom: Alucard]
That was the name of Lancer's new Imperial Arms. The name rang oddly familiar, but he was certain he'd never heard it mentioned in the Akame ga Kill! universe. Unable to place the memory clearly, he shook off the nagging feeling. Ultimately, the name was merely decoration. The abilities mattered far more.
From its outward elegance, Lancer initially guessed the cloak might grant elemental manipulation—perhaps something like a magician's artifact—but its actual capabilities were surprisingly straightforward:
[NIGHT'S PHANTOM: ALUCARD]
[EFFECT]:
REDUCES THE USER'S PRESENCE IN DARKNESS.
TEMPORARILY BOOSTS THE USER'S DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES BY ABSORBING THEIR BLOOD.
STORES ABSORBED BLOOD AND USES IT TO RAPIDLY HEAL WOUNDS WHEN THE WEARER SUFFERS SEVERE INJURIES.
Simple yet exceptionally practical. According to records, a past wielder had even survived an attack by multiple powerful Danger Beasts thanks to this cloak.
Yet why had such a practical item ended up collecting dust in the Imperial Treasury?
The reason was straightforward: none of its wielders had ever met a good end. They'd invariably died from its ability. The powerful individual who had survived the Danger Beast attack had ultimately perished unknowingly, his blood drained completely by the cloak.
This had given rise to rumors that the cloak was cursed.
But what was the reality?
The Danger Beast used to craft the cloak was inherently toxic, so its bite—absorbing the user's blood—was painless. Victims never realized what was happening until death was already at their doorstep.
However, this Imperial Arms suited Lancer perfectly.
The issue of "blood absorption" could be neatly resolved through his Attribute Panel's monitoring. Unlike wielding a cavalry lance, he preferred fighting lightly armored with a spear, maximizing mobility at the cost of defense. True, ideally he wouldn't be hit at all—but who could guarantee never taking damage?
This cloak offered a perfect insurance policy.
But when Lancer fastened the cloak and went to meet General Budo, the general immediately gestured for him to sit. Slightly confused, Lancer obeyed.
"I'm transferring you back to the Capital," Budo announced abruptly.
Lancer showed no sign of resistance. Initially, he'd gone to the border regions to hone himself—and farm points for a spear-type Imperial Arms. But now, nearly a year later, after personally slaying close to a thousand foreign tribespeople, he'd accumulated enough points. Staying on the border had lost its significance. Plus, with his target now appearing in the Capital, remaining here suited him just fine.
Yet Budo's commanding tone still irritated him slightly. The general's habitually cold demeanor and that authoritative tone of entitlement practically screamed arrogance.
"Yes, sir!"
"As a colonel, you qualify for command as an Imperial Guard company leader. Your official assignment documents will arrive shortly."
Lancer wasn't surprised; he'd heard whispers of this beforehand. However, he found it curious the Empire was actually providing him a residence.
Following Budo's gaze to the cloak draped behind him, realization struck.
Ah, it wasn't generosity—they'd simply found a convenient excuse to keep him under watch.
...
Later, when an imperial attendant led Lancer toward his assigned villa, he ran into someone he hadn't expected.
"Miss…Najenda…?"
Najenda, who'd already changed from her military uniform into a casual, somewhat masculine outfit, was stepping out of the neighboring house. Surprised by Lancer's greeting, she hesitated briefly, then gave him a polite salute.
"Colonel Lancer, please address me by my military rank."
"My apologies, Lieutenant Colonel Najenda."
Her overly serious reaction left Lancer confused. Perhaps disturbed by his intense stare, Najenda's brows knitted together.
"Is there something wrong, Colonel Lancer?"
"No, nothing at all…"
"Then, I'll take my leave."
Without another word, Najenda turned and left decisively, leaving Lancer thoroughly perplexed. Sure, perhaps he'd stared a little rudely, but surely that didn't warrant outright hostility?
Oblivious that Najenda had already labeled him as another chauvinistic military man, Lancer could only assume her puzzling annoyance was due to "that time of the month."
Shrugging helplessly, he headed toward the inn. After all, he still needed to pick someone up.
---
A/N: Original Imperial Arms inspired by childhood memories of Castlevania on the GBA.
T/N: hmmmmm ima find some pics for a red cape
ermm maybe karna's cape?
idk too fluffy meh i give up, ill just imagine what i want, ill try with karna's cape but more capeish, i dont wanna imagine the cape as one of those like covers the front type cape, but like an actual cape, like karna's no front