Akame ga Kiru
The Imperial Saber
Chapter Nine
Watching the line of caravans Tatsumi could only feel a glimmer of resignation to end this day. A small piece of himself was thankful this was the last of the targeted enemies of the Prime Minister to be silenced. His stomach churning mainly disgusted at his role in taking apart in his this mission. Even he'd been mainly passively while observing the Three-Beasts performing Esdeath's orders to the letter. All in all, they crossed a line that certainly made him bring his thoughts into a turmoil.
During this turmoil, every single coherent thought came to a conclusion.
These creatures were simply nothing akin to being human.
Their sadistic pleasures in watching the death they created made it all the more easier to think.
Thinking of ways to consider killing them, painfully.
So despite feeling that urge to vomit, the young Colonel merely bit the inside of his cheek to maintain a most concentrated effort to be calm. Even in his current state while witnessing the Three-Beasts do their trademark duties. Excessively spilling blood for all their sadistic pleasures in the world to see. Basically they did this under the pretext of orders to impersonate Night-Raid.
Quite frankly, Night-Raid hardly left bodies on display like this and anyone with a competent brain knew that this didn't match their standard assassinations.
But blood was blood, it caused fear regardless.
Hell it even appalled him to consider they were efficient in performing orders to the letter, flawlessly.
They were extreme sadists relishing in the presence of their kills, enjoying the look of victims as they were killed and some had openly begged for mercy. Tatsumi had to remain out of sight of the most part as the killings took place, he technically couldn't order them to leave any survivors. All to the fact the Three-Beasts did their jobs rapidly enough before he could say a thing.
After all dozens were dead, many of them didn't have a chance. Tatsumi could have prevented some of their demises but physically, had been slow to actually keep up with them. They were intentionally doing this to spite him, to practically voice their own contempt for his defiance to their presence. Riding Noburu to keep up with the fast paced Teigu-users had been a necessity.
Now after two groups of targets were literally massacred.
There wasn't any sense to call them battles due to the one sided nature of it all.
It just made him more than angry enough to keep up with the fanatical Teigu users.
Needless to say this last group would at least have one survivor to spread the news of 'Night-Raid' killing the good people left in the Political circles. If he didn't at least try this time, then the few who stood against the Prime Minister would be effectively silenced once again and fear would rule the common citizen to take a stand against corruption. People needed hope or at least a chance to see if anything could be done to stop this madness, so he had to try no matter how dangerous it seemed. Night-Raid hadn't been productive as of late and it was strange.
The said group of killers were notoriously quiet.
Tatsumi honestly considered this to be more dangerous, professional assassins planning in the wings were never a good sign. Not to mention the time-frame didn't add up to the rest of the Capital, who usually had targets being requested to be destroyed. Losing both members Mine and Sheele made them uncharacteristically idle, the calm before a storm. It had gotten to the point where the Capital's corrupted politicians were nervous, hence the allies of Prime Minister Honest gathered for a party at the end of these killings today.
The lack of retaliation from Night-Raid also didn't make those who were would-be targets at ease.
Many were fearful of the impact once the chances of assassination increased.
So for the first time in a long vestige of time, fear had gripped those imbedded with corruption.
"Don't lag behind Colonel, or you'll miss the fun again!"
Somehow Tatusmi resisted the urge to cut the tongue out of the small blond menace called Nyau.
The blond man had only provoked him time again and again after skinning the faces off those that were unfortunately alive.
Even after Daidara or Liver had dove into the scores of guards for the targeted Politicians against the Prime Minister. Every time they did so, it pressed that self-control that he desperately held onto in order to maintain a level head to see this operation through. He could only wait for now and when the time came he'd get his piece. So in the mean time he had to be passive as much as possible and when the time came to destroy the corrupted allies of the Minister within the next day or so.
The Colonel vowed to kill them.
He'd make them feel pain.
More than enough to make them feel their victims terror, tenfold!
Then he would utterly make that disgusting creature of a blond man, that little screaming to die when he was through with him. No matter how much he begged otherwise and even then if that creature died the victims wouldn't be avenged. Already so much blood were on the hands of these Three-Beasts it probably put his own body counts to shame, a fact that truly didn't settle well with the Colonel. Being considered a sadistic monster like the rest of them, it truly got him uneasy.
Even in the best possible outcome, killing these Beasts didn't justify his guilt.
Did this make himself realize that he was a monster?
The young Colonel wasn't emotionless, he wasn't taking pleasure in the people that were being slaughtered and he knew that the time to avenge these people would come. That opportunity hadn't arrived yet but if that chance came to kill these Beasts, than that alone maintained his discipline. Amidst the bloodshed did that little blond creature keep on pushing him towards a line.
A line he dared not cross, since it'd only end with a lot more bodies in the end.
"Keep pushing me Nyau. Keep doing it, I don't care if I have to fight you on some distant island or the interior of the Imperial Palace to cut you up like the sadistic fuck you are. Don't worry, I'll come through on my promises to see those you tortured to be at peace in death."
Although the temptation to cross it had nearly broke his will.
Glaring intensively at the said person, the smaller youthful man only grinned in appreciation.
His thoughts were becoming more inclined to release his Saber attached to his hip as it occasionally nudged Noburu's side.
Careful of keeping it ready since Esdeath took his former short-sword that he had since when he had it form his home village. She had taken it in her words, to be improved or something of that extent. She wasn't forthcoming on her answers to the questions that pertained to that subject, hardly at all revealing. Tatsumi just had to make do with what he had for whatever resources that were available in order to accomplishing the task on hand. A bitter moment crossed his mind as he honestly missed his Legion and at least he'd be more confident to find the strength to change the Empire's System.
However those thoughts made him realize something pretty crucial.
Just how?
The Emperor had not yet summoned him to ask for his reward for capturing the two Teigu. The offensive firearm Roman Artillery Pumpkin and the Scissor Teigu Ecstasy that could cut through anything, very powerful weapons in their own rights. Both of which were still locked away as far as he knew in some armory, away from potential spies that would steal them back. As he kept Noburu at a steady pace to observe the Three-Beasts, thoughts wandered astray. To put himself at ease Tatsumi reflected on the future mainly.
Rather the potential reward from the Emperor had offered him a means to prepare the battle against the Evil, within the Capital.
He faced a potential danger considering these options so it came down to a simple thing.
Would it be worth the effort to exploit an opportunity? To find a means to destroy the Corruption?
In theory he'd could accept it, but at what cost?
Slowly scenarios were appearing in his head now that he found a means to show the those within the Imperial-Capital that hope was still alive. An idea that his Legion that could be stationed within or near the Imperial Palace under the pretext of some other purpose. That temptation hit him fully, he had to consider all the options before evening forming an answer for the Emperor, whenever they met again to discuss the rewards being given out.
A cover story for his Legion's purpose perhaps?
"I can see a way for me to have gather support for those within the Empire, to change the System and to be able to get the Emperor to open his eyes. If this reward that I ask of the Emperor can be broadened for myself to require more assistance, a Legion of ten-thousand men would do nicely. To have my Imperial-Sabers under my command again, to by extension General Esdeath, who'd I have to convince. If that goes right then I can say we need the 'conventional numbers' to blockade Night-Raid! Hell this is totally feasible and just creditable enough because of Esdeath's word alone, if she agrees..."
Smiling privately the young Colonel thought about the actual reward he wished for to accomplish his goals and to get the dream kick started. Having a Legion stationed within the Imperial Capital wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, the sheer amount of resources on hand for the Imperial-Police were more than available to have that many soldiers on call around the Imperial Palace. The Capital had the logistics in place to houses armies if they were ever garrisoned inside the walls, on top of the localized police forces.
Majority of the surrounding areas were barracks or what not for the guards or whoever maintained the garrisons. So finding or making room for just another ten-thousand men would not be a strain on the Imperial Palace's own interior-forces, more than likely it'd be a shift of security measures that wouldn't make any suspicious beyond their own intents.
Tatsumi had to rationalize that if he were to wish anything from the Emperor personally, it'd be the command of his own Legion.
Literally nothing more would make him at least to stand firm against the Evil, that infested the corrupted Capital of the Empire. The familiar faces of those he hand picked, he served with, who he bled with and had faith in his dream. That reward would be a small yet very defining victory of a battle to have the amount of men behind him to possibly take on the Prime Ministers own allies within the Political arena. Plus as a bonus he could deploy his own troops within the streets of the capital to maintain a sense of 'peace' to stop any pitiful attempts at the abuse of power if a citizen reported it to his men.
But could it be done?
Honestly if this happened and the Prime Minister didn't consider it an immediate threat: he had the potential to have ten-thousand loyal soldiers within the confines of the Imperial Palace's location. The thoughts were a little hopeful in his opinion, but the rewards alone to have such a force loyal to the ideal of an Empire such as his dreams would only benefit him.
"Not just me, having soldiers would certainly make things interesting. In theory if the Imperial-Saber Legion were to be deployed with the Capital the results of even beginning to purge the Evil, from the heart of the Empire would only call for a movement of change without the need to potentially end more lives. It's a slim hope to even to consider but at this point, I can't do this alone..."
Going back to that conversation with that strange person, Blue back at the tavern a truth struck him hard.
Answers weren't going to come on their own.
At the rate he was going the Revolutionary Army would be marching onto the Capital, to destroy his country. Also possibly end the life of the Emperor who he had sworn to protect, to serve unto death. Tatsumi had seen the Emperor firsthand and didn't believe that corruption held that boy's mind. While a young ruler, experience could be gained at the proper guidance and Makoto seemed sincere in his actions to help him or at least willingly heard him out. The young Colonel could see the stunt of growth, that growth of maturity the Emperor needed to experience. Tatsumi needed someway for the boy to see what his Nation was becoming or what it had become.
Without the need for change it'd be either swords clashing against those who were once friends.
Or...
The very foundations of the Empire crumbled when the blood flowed.
So either way if his methods failed to come to reality then a conflict was coming.
There would be no stopping the endless scores of lives of innocent that would be caught in a cross fire between the Revolutionary Forces and the Corrupted Powers embedded in the Imperial System. This begged the question: could he stop it? The presence of failing the people haunted his thoughts ever since starting this dream of his, for change. It always had doubts in the sense that could it be attainable without the means to endanger the lives of millions?
Could he change the Empire?
With whatever people that desired to do so, no single person could influence that much in so little time.
Time always came to a halt eventually.
Did he have that time?
To end the Corruption or will it'd destroy everything it infected?
This was without having a conflict so devastating that it'd lead to the collapse of the very thing that held the world at its current form. If the Empire fell, if the Emperor or the government that ran this country were to be destroyed than how would the world react? It brought a question that effect the alignment of the World itself. The foreign nations were all but docile towards the changes within the Empire's borders, for now. When that collapse did occur as that uproot of power came to strike and he knew from a tactical standpoint the other nations would converge to carve land at the anarchy following in the Revolutions wake.
For over one thousand years it stood against the unknown regions of the world, one millennium of endurance and all for what? To have a System of Imperial rule crumble under its inability to change for the better? Did the people have to suffer that fate, a fate could've well been prevented for all knew? Could it be possible without the need to prevent a cataclysmic event that would shake the entire world?
Tatsumi only kept his heart steady.
The duty as an Imperial Officer provided resolve for now.
If the Empire could not change on its own will, then all hope was lost to find an answer.
If that happened then the Revolution would destroy the nation and cause the entire world to possibly jump on the remnants of Imperial territory. He could only take a deep breath while maintaining his course with his long time steed easy, the Colonel had to only imagine the outcomes if the Empire were to fall. Not of pity of those who abused the system but for the ones who held the Empire as a way to maintain their daily lives. So many would perish, forced to choose to join the Revolution or die at the hands of the very ones fighting for change if their were loyalists.
Loyalists those who were sworn to defend the Empire and fight until their dying breaths.
People like him.
As well the soldiers who were loyal, the soldiers like his Imperial-Sabers and those that fought for the good within the Empire.
"If I fail then the Revolution that is building in the South will overrun the entire nation and possibly destroy it. Even if the Empire is overturned, the country itself will remain a potential free meal for the foreign powers outside the borders. I know they wouldn't remain idle at a chance to reclaim new territory and resources like fickle scavengers. I have to see what I can use but, will my reward come through?"
One step at a time.
In the mean time the Colonel figured to keep his eyes on the Three-Beasts that were literally preparing for the last named target to be silenced.
Riding up to them as they stood on the outskirts of a village that had been suffering recently from that insufferable creature of a Minister's tax policies, therefore sending all of its populace into a decline of health. Basically they were starving to death, or selling children to pay off the debts imposed onto them. It was barbaric to say the least as Tatsumi waited for his time to observe the Three monsters again.
But unlike the other groups, he was stepping in after witnessing over forty people killed.
"Quit delaying us boy, I don't have time to remind you to keep your wits about you. Lady Esdeath's orders will be done, whether you want to observe or not."
Liver's stern warning brought the young Imperial out of his thoughts.
"Don't test my patience, old man."
The retort made the said man just snort unimpressed at the younger Imperial soldier who sat on his mount roughly five meters behind. The trip so far in the lingering darkness of night had been cold, emotionless and less satisfying to be within the confines of a warm bed. Tatsumi felt his soul just pull away from his corpse in the more metaphorical sense to see more people fighting the Good within the Empire to be slaughtered like cattle. Nothing less could said other than his means to maintain an opportunity to find more support against the Prime Minister.
"Everyone is so lively in the morning, I might sing a melody to lift our spirits!"
Nyau's childish voice grated on the Colonel who merely gave a glare at the midget's tone, even Daidara wasn't looking forward to the sadism that the youngest of the beasts held in his hobbies on missions and that spoke volumes, about the grisly details. Beyond that the small talk amongst the quadrant of people hand not gone beyond the realm of clipped acceptance of each other. There wasn't much of a civil existence to speak to one another, more so than the two thirds of Beasts who regarded the younger Colonel as pestilence on their orders to rid the enemies of Lady Esdeath herself.
Mainly it came down to ulterior motives to see each other dead.
In other words, Tatsumi was more than willing to personally cut down these Three Beasts.
"If he as so touches that insufferable Teigu of his: I will cut it in half! It's bad enough they're intentionally trying to kill citizens and my country-men so quickly, to prevent me from interfering. I can only hope to see if I can do something to spread the word about the Prime Minister's actions on eliminating people who speak out. If I can't then killing these Beasts will only satisfy me."
The path leading to the next village wasn't by any means clear.
As signs of neglect from those caring for the localized infrastructure were lax, or nonexistent.
Any care of the gravel road became literally rocky. Varied pieces of rock littered the path and other natural objects made one wonder if anyone had been alive to see the state of such a well traveled road. Tatsumi just maneuvered his horse, as best as he could to prevent her from injuring the soles under her hooves and having an injured animal was a bit much. Being extra careful he maintained the range he was at before watching the sun crest over the mountains to the west.
Nothing special came upon this day, just another bloody routine for the Empire.
Glancing upward to the skies to them dark as always.
"You shouldn't have shown your face here, Tatsumi. I have all the reasons in the world now to just end your fucking life and go on my way, to dump your body in the canals."
A familiar voice snarled at him in his memories, recently too.
Before evening beginning this mission, the Colonel went to go search for Night-Raids base within the Capital. Najenda had written down the details during his tenure amongst them, to explain his side of what had happened to their members. To be fair he had no idea as to what would be expected and it certainly didn't make him feel any happier to know when had taken the time to confront his guilt.
Literally just after meeting the man called Blue.
Did the young Imperial find the courage to find the Assassins.
And he did.
They didn't kill him on sight, but...
It wasn't a gentle reception either.
Walking down another endless street amongst the Capital, Tatsumi could only grasp the sheer size of the urban center that practically funneled the endless military might of the Empire. He had seen cities for sure, he had seen towns frequently and he had seen endless fields of farms that spread over hundreds of miles he had marched with the Imperial-Sabers.
But he had never seen this size of an urban center up close.
He had come to respect its intensive commerce and ability to house the millions within its walls.
Moving quickly he silently observed the stares of the people that walked by him.
Their eyes were staring at him in wonder, fear, uneasiness, curiosity and mainly uncertainty about his intentions on the borders of a slum neighborhood. The amount of these places saddened him briefly but Tatsumi did notice that the general population of the poor were happier to be in each others presences more so than the upper classes of the Capital itself. That fact made him more attentive to his surroundings, he'd had been guiding himself towards the sector of the massive city to find the group that he had agreed to inform in the Prime Minister's plans could thwarted or hindered.
He was searching for Night-Raid's meeting point for him: a bookstore or something in that regard. Bookstores were so common that it just made blending in with the population that much easier. He had to give whoever designed the hiding spots, they were smart enough to take advantage of the common folks daily routines to make them at ease knowing crime was down in the slums and to actually see people smiling in the capital was unreal.
Their smiles at each other made Tatsumi's heart beat much easier to see that hope could be restored somehow.
Inhaling deeply, the young man came to a point where he felt eyes watching him. That spine tingling when he was being stalked, perhaps being studied or more importantly targeted. He felt his hands tighten but made no moves in order to disarray any illusions of him being carefree. Idly he chanced a glance towards behind his back to see anyone standing out but the crowds moving on their way.
Intensive chatter filled the street as people went about their daily lives, he could feel the life flowing of the capital but he couldn't identify whether corruption had been snaked into this far down into the heart of the Empire.
A brush of wind hit his arm making him look over to see a familiar green haired elder boy merely lean against the building of another book store.
He blinked in confusion to see the half covered face of the information dealer and scout that Night-Raid held in their employ, Lubbock.
The older teen had his arms crossed while staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face.
He didn't seem to be particularly happy to see him but neither hostile.
A single finger pointed towards his right.
While Lubbock nodded to the door on the side of him and entering it himself, leaving Tatsumi feeling uneasy to walk into a potential kill-zone for his time. Feeling the weight of this confrontation, the young boy gathered any potentially dangerous thoughts in how he was going die and placed them at the back of his mind. He had to inform Night-Raid to take out some of the Prime Minister's greatest allies to strike back at the corruption.
"Here goes nothing."
Striding to the door he opened its solid frame and witnessed the windows, being covered possibly to conceal the blood spatter. Biting the inside of his cheek to set his resolve the Colonel opened the door to reveal the interior of an average looking business. As not a soul was inside purchasing the literature on its shelves. So feeling somewhat anxious he shut the door behind him with a prominent 'thud' and as the lock came into place.
No warning came.
None at all.
As a fleeting glance of cool metal trailed around his neck.
"Shit!"
Tatsumi choked violently as some sort of wires were hanging around his neck.
Lifting him ever so slightly off the floor, breathing became a fight for survival.
Clenching his fists desperately even though the Colonel didn't resist or try to actively fight off the serrated wiring that could easily slice his head clean off! It appeared that Lubbock wanted him alive for whatever reason. Being honest with himself, Tatsumi hopefully thought it was to give him time to explain his actions and possibly survive the next ten minutes if God was willing.
Pressure increased proving that wasn't the case.
God wasn't in control.
Lubbock held that power.
So if the Wire-Teigu user was willing to kill him. Tatsumi knew he'd be one step closer to burn in hell, regardless.
"You shouldn't have showed your face here, Tatsumi. I have all the reasons in the world now to just end your fucking life and go on my way, to dump your body in the canals."
Coughing desperately the Colonel gasped out words that were strained both literally and metaphorical in the sense as he tried to stare at the older boy who stood there: apathetic. His face not set in stone to kill him but more unlikely, as to what he wanted too do and for intensive purposes at his mercy. Which was a far-cry from what he deserved as Tatsumi wheezed in air, speaking in the clearest words he could utter.
"I deserve nothing less. But I still want to honor my partnership with Night-Raid for..."
The wires tightened making him wince as silence withheld his tongue.
"For killing two people that we considered family, deaths that could have been prevented or avoided to make this feel that ending your life is even in trade? Tell me, why I should listen to you and do not say for 'Hope' or fucking 'Justice' because I will let you hang there to bleed out for the next day or two Tatsumi. So you better pick your answers, wisely."
The threat was genuine to the point where Lubbock had an uncharacteristic look of retribution on his face and it didn't look easy to contain it. The young Colonel knew that look, he held that same expression more times than most men twice his age and it only made him feel tears leak down his cheeks. How he could give an answer to a choice that was impossible?
How was that fair?
Nothing could have prepared him for that night and he'd be damned, to say he was a monster to not feel anything.
"I had to make a choice!"
Wheezing out those words angrily, he glared at the older boy who didn't seem convinced.
"Lubbock, how can you decide between the value of two lives?"
He kept silent as Tatsumi snarled out grief that was still fresh, still open and the healing for such an action would never come in this lifetime. It'd always stain him, staining his own words and his own intentions to save those from a system that created impossible choices for those to choose. Either way it amounted to the same damned thing and it'd never change, unless someone shouldered the costs to find an answer for all to never go through that pain again!
Was that Evil?
Was that an act of Sin to take responsibility to have no one experience what he went through ever again?
"You killed Sheele. I overheard the Imperial-Police, they were impressed at your skills to take a member of Night-Raid out single handed. Furthermore you are responsible for Mine's life now, if she's not dead by the next couple of days. I don't see why I can't get even."
Tatsumi laughed wheezing making the Night-Raid member pause.
Even as the motions made the small wires dig into his neck and he started almost hauntingly at the older boy. Who looked a bit shocked at the expression he was receiving from the younger Imperial. Blood almost had been drawn, the actions of the boy who wasn't a boy had only ceased to prolong his time amongst the living.
"Again you answer my question and I tell you how I felt about killing a woman who I considered to be the kindest person I'd ever seen. She didn't deserve it, but you tell me how to choose between two lives Lubbock! Fucking answer me!"
His reply just made Tatsumi laugh harder, tears or not spreading down his face dripping onto the floor.
"I couldn't..."
And the Colonel viciously snarled as laughter escaped his throat.
Then what right did he have to judge him!
"Then shut the fuck up about revenge! I had to make an impossible choice between two people who I cared for beyond for my own well being! You tell me, how you can decide on whether to find yourself to help someone to overcome the corruption of this fucked up system that the Prime Minister orchestrates like a demented Puppet-Show..."
He paused as the wires loosened making air crawl back into the young man's lungs.
"...or do you betray the very thing, that you promised to protect? I had to choose between a friend and another friend: plus my loyalty to someone that will not end in my heart until I am dead! I wanted to help someone see that there was Hope, that even in his world, Faith could restored for the Empire and to the Emperor for all people, but I realized at that moment."
Tatsumi cried feeling his liquid tears stain the ground with their impurity.
Nothing could be forgiven about murder and how the one who had to kill, feel about it. It made one into a monster and nothing less for monsters, who were to be put down or destroyed. Breathing loudly as his emotions boiled over beyond what he had done more so, than ordering the lives of thousands to their graves regardless of his intent to be 'fair' or 'just' to those that chose their right to rebel. He couldn't help but cry, cry for everyone that died on his terms and through his words alone. Both in the past, within the present and certainly in the future as time inevitably revealed.
What more could be said?
What more did Lubbock have to hear?
That the Colonel considered himself, a fool and an insane man?
A man who wanted to see a different outcome to a nightmare that didn't end?
"I realized that if my dream is to come true and I have face the consequences of my actions, it's more than likely to get me killed. All of my sins, all of my pain in my heart and all for what? To spill blood in the Emperor's name? A child whose nothing more than a puppet who I have to set free, to have him see that Hope is with me to give back to the nation. I have to give Hope, I must have faith that I'm doing the right thing: for the Empire and for everyone who considers it their home! So until that day is set..."
Looking down forcefully at the older boy who was staring unreadable at him with the Wires cutting into his flesh, the Colonel said his peace before allowing whatever the Night-Raid member who held all the right to end his life. He had that right, that Justice to commit to destroy the Evil, that killed Sheele and Mine!
Lubbock could call him the face of Evil and he wouldn't defend the claims.
"...when all the blood, the pain and the grief are sated. When the Emperor's eyes are opened and that change comes to the Empire, I will gladly allow you or anyone who desires my head on a spear-tip to do so. It's for the sake of Justice that I will see that hope will inspire Faith for both the Emperor himself, along with the Citizens who have given up on hope and so for everyone who sees that better tomorrow, is not impossible! I will die either way, so I ask for you to just answer me this."
Tatsumi wheezed slightly as his eyes became a burning field of emotions that made the Night-Raid member only harden his gaze.
"Am I a monster? Am I a monster for crying for the one who he had to kill, to save another life? Or does a monster, cry to save one life and to have another be killed? If you can answer that, then just kill me now and walk away! Walk away forever knowing that a monster doesn't feel for the sins he has committed!"
These passions rose from his throat, revealing his agony, his hidden horrors and the weight of continuing this path had all but made him just stare into the assassin's eyes. Lubbock could only stare at him puzzled, confused on whether to bleed him out or let him go and to see the truth of his words. This little staring contest went on for several minutes as Tatsumi hung there waiting. Waiting to see if that his words alone could inspire just one person to have Hope in his beliefs and dreams, then it'd be worth to see that Faith restored again.
But this required...
The mercy of a person who could enact Justice for a murdered family member.
Mercy that he didn't deserve from those he had inflicted agony upon.
Shutting his eyes tightly, Tatsumi just waited for the moment for his neck to leave his body. Shifting mentally to see himself into an utter darkness already to accept that cold moment when his brain left his spine and once that feeling came to his concentrated efforts, it'd be the horror to know he was dead. His mind just accepted the fact that...
He fell to the ground!
Immediately coughing out of reflex as the glints of wires retracted to the Teigu on Lubbock's wrist.
"You're something else Tatsumi, really you are. I can't decide if you're an idealistic fool or just insane. You talk of Hope like its attainable in this nation and I don't care if you preach it. You brought up something that is hard to explain, I'll humor it. So until your day comes when that dream or whatever you say, even remotely appears. I'll be there to judge it, so if it fails regardless: you will die."
Lubbock then flicked his hand away going behind the counter of the business before turning to face him staring at him intently and Tatsumi got to his feet. His face set in stone as the lines of the wires dimly were visible, he had again stopped the brush with death. Coughing lightly he made his way to the center of the room to give out the information that Night-Raid would be able to use and hopefully, start the trend of taking out the Prime Minister himself.
What more could be done in this situation of a fucked up world?
As much as he wanted to deny it, he had little choice.
"In the coming days you will see political opponents of that creature of a man disappear or turn up dead. The Prime Minister and the person, who I'm under command of will frame you guys when the bodies start piling up. I'll be amongst the ones doing the deed and I'll do what I can, to save any but you have to understand who is among in the Capital."
Lubbock raised an eyebrow, clearly interested to know more.
"Who's back? God?"
The sarcastic question made Tatsumi just snarl out a warning.
"You'd have more hope than me to see such a force help me, General Esdeath as the Ice Demon Queen of the Empire and she's my superior as of now. Don't even joke about God since he's clearly had it out for me for the past few days."
Lubbock's eyes widened as he felt a chill brush up his side at the younger boy's remarks, his words weren't in jest nor were they lighthearted. The young Colonel was courting death on a daily basis and no matter how much it played to its own tunes, the song of Death would come true to those who held faith in such hopes to die. The green haired Night-Raid member could only lower his head and honestly speak a truth, that made both boys understand the depth of such a presence. Lubbock wished he should have slit this young Imperial's throat, so it'd be easier to accept the truth of the matter.
"Well then, Mine is certainly dead now Tatsumi. She was being moved to an official torture chamber within the Imperial Palace's dungeons on special instructions for an expert to interrogate her. So put that on your consciousness as Esdeath will be busy for a few days. So what targets are being exposed to us if they're letting you observe whoever is killing?"
Flinching at the brutal reality of the young pink haired girl, the Colonel revealed the plans he knew of and hopefully to have Night-Raid take the targets out.
"General Esdeath's Three-Beasts are the one's I'm on this mission with and let me assure you I've got a score to settle with one of the little fuck-heads who killed a bunch of servants after I was incapacitated. When you find out where you see a few of the Minister's allies gathering in public with a starch political rival and have my name appear: that's the place to be. I just want you guys to kill the Evil and I will help take on the Beasts who dare to kill the innocent for sadistic pleasures."
Lubbock waved his hand in a personal manner before agreeing to the information exchange.
"Alright expect Bulat and have him wearing Incursio to take up the mission. He'll be contacting you since he has the invisibility of Incursio is a prefect espionage opportunity to sneak wherever and he still trusts you. Even though despite the pain you caused to us, I give him credit to have faith in you. So be at ease: you won't get stabbed in the back yet."
Tatsumi could only nod.
"Good. Now get the hell out of my shop and don't make me wish that I didn't kill you here."
That was all the dismissal he needed to leave the store to prepare for the night ahead and to prepared to take a great deal of Evil that infested the Empire. It caused him with a heavy heart that Night-Raid would more than likely take him out in the future, but as now: they needed each other to defeat the greater evil on hand.
But the truth still hurt to be a murderer.
And potentially, a real monster as well.
"Daidara prepare yourself! You're up."
Liver's order came out as the monster of a man grinned excitedly while moving up in the formation of the trio and waited for the line of guards to get closer. As the sun rose, it signaled that blood was being spilled this red morning and only a soul, could save a few amongst the living. Twitching his jaw left to right, the young man waited from behind the Three-Beasts that took up their positions.
So waiting apathetically on the exterior of his face was one thing.
But on the inside he felt nothing but a bitter disgust to over-watch, such carnage.
The first of the guards came up as they shouted in alarm to see the dark uniformed subordinates of Esdeath block their way and a prominent figure amongst the procession came out with a spear in hand. Tastsumi recognized this blond haired girl as the guard and daughter to the last target amongst the lists that were handed out to Liver. Possibly the last remaining link to the old regime years ago, the most prioritizing target amongst the list give out.
"That is Chouri's daughter Spear, Disciple to the Temple of the Imperial-Fist. The best training a person striving to be the greatest guards to those in power and a prominent recruitment center for the Imperial-Army as well. They usually get sanctioned assassins from this place even more so, least what the rumors state."
This was Spear daughter to the former Prime Minister, who was an adviser of the previous Emperor years ago and had come out of retirement to fight against the current puppet-master behind the Golden-throne. Painstakingly enough Tatsumi could not save this man, but he could save someone amongst them to spread the tales of a person willing to gather support against the regime of corruption.
Mentally preparing for another gruesome sight.
The young Colonel watched as the girl appeared before Daidara who was laughing silently to himself.
This wasn't going to end well, at all.
"Who are you people? Bandits? If so, stand aside or be put down like dogs."
The blond haired girl spoke flipping her weapon at the giant of a man who just grinned. The lack of feeling from his face made the girl look up in shock to see the man literally swing his Teigu-weapon and send her flying back! The movement took three actions as Tatsumi had sparred against Esdeath to see that the speed different immediately.
He could see the attacks but to block them...
Now that was another damned story to attain through his training with the blue-haired General herself.
The ax-like teigu sliced the girl down as she screamed from a laceration on her side.
And the weapon she held in her grip, cracked into a series of pieces when the giant man rushed the massive swarm of guards.
"This is a slaughter, they can't even defend themselves from the Teigu."
Another massacre as screams of the dying made Tatsumi act as Liver calmly removed the former Prime Minister from his spot in the carriage. The man's eyes were wide with hellish terror as he witnessed his daughter being approached by Nyau of all people who started to flipping a knife from his pocket. The most sadistic of the beasts merely spoke so chirpily, that the sounds of combat only further made him happier to give a warning to the girl.
Whose face struggled to maintain eye contact as the wound on her side bled out slowly.
"You have such a pretty face, little girl. I think you'd probably should have died because quite frankly, you'd wish now after I'm done with you. So, lets see if you don't die from the shock alone! Alright?"
The little youthful man stated happily as he grabbed the girl by the scuff of her jacket making her scream in pain and shedding tears as she got thrown away from the combative struggles of the guardsmen. Daidara and Liver were doing their jobs, very fluently again. The lack of screaming, or any survivors pertained to that notion but unlike the previous events: a change was coming.
A change that would no longer remain idle anymore.
Twitching his jawline Tatsumi got off from Noburu and headed towards the more, pressing matter to attend too. In stopping that little fucking miscreant Nyau with his sadistic pleasures of skinning victims faces off. He wasn't going to tolerate this shit all over again, he was sick of it and fed up with the observing of slaughters. Through his simmering rage came the orders that they were to only eliminate the Prime Minister's enemies.
Not to kill those protecting the rivals as it was assumed to kill them on the Beasts discretion.
A loop hold he intended to exploit, viciously.
Spear's eyes were wide as Nyau only smiled before bring the knife closer to the base of her neck as a feeling of helplessness made the blond spear-wielder freeze up in disbelief. Her breathing caught in mid action as the knife started to slowly cut into her neck the blood of her veins leaking past down onto her neck. The hot fire of nerves being cut made her scream out in utterly gut wrenching intervals!
She closed her eyes as the blond youth giggled happily.
Only for the sound of another blade to be drawn.
That action echoed as the cutting motions stopped much to the blond girl's hitched heart-rate. For several minutes the lack of any noise made the lone blond survivor crack open her eyes as she witnessed a site forever burned into her memories. Akin to an act of god did something that was so utterly unreal, that it seemed like a dream than to be reality.
As she watched the images of a boy.
A boy no older than her stand behind the small terror that was going to skin her face off.
With a uniform bright as the snow matching eyes green as emeralds, a purity radiated among them as an unreadable face of but cold rage stood out.
Along with a saber pointed at the side of her assailants neck, Spear felt tears leak down her face.
That hope for a savior overrode her thoughts in that moment.
"Enough."
That chilling order made Nyau look down at the gleaming Saber sword which he saw his own dull expression on the metallic edges. Nyau was officially getting annoyed at the ruining of his fun moment and hobbies. This young Colonel really knew how to ruin his good days, he trailed his gaze up at the cold unyielding emerald orbs of a boy who dared him to crack a grin. The youth took a minute to gauge his options before smiling eventually.
The younger Imperial lifted the saber blade at his neck, to nearly nick blood but it got the message across.
Stand up and move away.
"I'm getting very bored of you playing the hero Colonel and quite frankly, it's getting old."
Nyau had stated this in a very serious tone unlike the childlike playful that Tatsumi had heard of him usually taunt him with. This was a good sign for him about the time to be pissing off the youngest of the Beasts and it finally, made him smile. Staring back with a smirk did the Colonel just reply in rather delighted tone to know. It'd be impressive to hide that willingness to escalate the confrontation.
"Good to know, you're beginning to understand how I feel. I'd explain more but if you dare try to do anything to that girl in front of me, I will cut your tongue out. After your head is on the ground creature. So shut your mouth!"
The smaller youthful man grinned sinisterly but did what he was told moving away from what would have been his newest collection of faces. Nyau considered it a shame, although a more tantalizing prospect came to him. Truly the girl had a quality about her skin that he found nearly desirable, but it wasn't worth getting a sword in the back for a time.
Eventually he would have his chance to make the younger Imperial Officer beg for his life and end it, beautifully.
Eying the smaller monstrosity of a sadistic thing, Tatsumi watched him move towards the other two who were just about finishing up their duties. Satisfying to know that none of the 'Three-Beasts' would do anything to him, probably out of fear from Esdeath and that urge came to eagerly see at least two of them dead, he'd certainly find a way to do it. So close did his control almost vanish, his eyes were damning them to try something as reality set in.
The young Imperial had to address this girl's wounds.
Noting that relief in her eyes as they were watering with gratitude.
Taking off his overcoat the young man sliced the sleeves off his undershirt to make a series of rag-tag bindings to stem the blood-flowing out the younger female's body. He worked quickly and ignoring the sounds of footsteps, he managed to put pressure on the wound within a matter of moments. Thankfully Daidara just glazed the girl but she needed medical attention to stitch the gash up within the next few hours at the least. He wasn't a doctor, nor a trained surgeon to actually heal a person and so it'd require them to travel, if they had a chance.
"This is going to hurt when I tie these bandages over your wounds. Try not to scream, please."
He gently informed the girl who nodded grimacing as knots stained with warm liquid, stemmed the amounts flowing onto the cold ground and the Colonel mentally praised battlefield Triage from the times commanding the Imperial-Sabers. If he hadn't learned of the counter-measures to extending a wounded soldiers life, they'd be panicking at the sight of this girl's own wounds. Her jacket was drenched from her own life liquid and the sweat marring her skin, he sighed to himself at the decent patch job.
At least she was alive for the time being.
But now the hard part came, getting her out of here.
"I tire of this insubordination you foolish boy. The orders were clear, to eliminate the targets and to report back for further orders. Must I personally instill discipline into you?"
Tatsumi snorted angrily rising up to the three-beasts that walked up to him after passing out the fliers over the corpses lining the road. The blood forming into a small ponds worth of liquid volume and the leaves of the cooler mouths were blowing onto the pool, spinning like a twisted dancer. Nimbly pointing his Saber at the ground, leaving a small line etched in the dirt as he delivered a retort and an ultimatum.
Both which promised a painful attempt at them trying to force him down.
He wasn't afraid of this old fossil, so he prayed he'd die of a heart attack anyways.
"As far as I'm concerned the targets were eliminated. Survivors were assumed to be our own discretion. Don't even try to scare me you old man and as far as I care for you, to even touch me: I want you to try too."
Standing his ground his eyes held a look of a man who would ultimately take his foes to the grave and make them suffer every moment. Not to mention he had a trump card which would have to utterly agree with him. In that sense an answer came from the Prime Minister who gave him an expected shield in the form of Esdeath and for that end alone he could maintain his composure against the Three-Beasts.
Liver tried to dissuade him, "I suggest you end that weakling and that we leave no survivors that will..."
Tatsumi was supposed to be Esdeath's expected lover, or what not.
Unofficially he stood on equal grounds with her as far as the Beasts were concerned.
So he took a risk in taking a step forward, making the trio gauge their actions accordingly.
"All I have to do is report to your lady and let us assume we pit your words against mine. I win, regardless of what you say to me old man. I can even offer her a trade of a favor and do what she asks of me personally, she'd be delighted to have me in her hands. All to just brush over this incident like nothing. She would agree with me and you wouldn't be able to disagree. I can kill those with or without a Teigu and to be fair, you're lacking the youthfulness to even try to instill anything on me. And as far as I'm aware, Night-Raid killed these people. Let me spell it out again: Night-Raid killed these people! Understood?"
Liver tried to say something but Tatsumi was more than livid enough, to cut him down now.
"Take your suggestions and fuck off!"
The old man merely tightened his face before snorting after being silent for a few minutes.
It only made Tatsumi smirk.
"Don't forget we're supposed to gather Saber. I hope you lose your way regardless of what my Lady thinks of you and have a pleasant day."
The trio moved away from the Colonel whose face was the very definition of intense. Not once did he flinch at the gazes of the supposed greatest of Esdeath's subordinates and for once, he felt happy to be under her command due to the fact they couldn't touch him. Oh what an irony of seeing the most ruthless tactician as a means to protect his own skin and for what it was worth, he'd use whatever resources he could to win the day. Tensely waiting until they were out of sight, the young man sheathed his blade and got his overcoat back on.
Tatsumi painfully looked down at the half-conscious girl who gripped her side in discomfort.
"Forgive me, I hope you're aware that: I can only save so many. Let's get you to the nearest village and have those wounds treated, understand?"
His face darkened when sorrow drenched his tone, he assisted the girl onto her feet and tried to have her stand on her own. However her blood loss was a little too much for which she leaned onto him for support as her tears streamed down her face and the look in her eyes made the Colonel feel sick. Sadly he had followed her gaze to a certain headless corpse.
As she witnessed the head of her father, the real target amongst the dead.
A corpse of her own family and she'd have to bare the burden of witnessing it.
"Why?"
That one word made Tatsumi lift her off her feet making the blond 'yelp' in pain from her side. Gently carrying her towards Noburu who nickered at the smell of fresh blood on the ground and he held her bridal style to answer her questions. He knew why, oh knew why alright and it honestly disgusted him knowing it. But he had to spread the word about hope being alive for change to come forth and for the moment, this girl was safe.
"Why you ask? Let's just say, your father made an enemy that wanted to take him out and to frame a certain group that has been making him angrier. I'm sure you know who."
The resignation in his tone made the blond in his arms hiss out a few words that were full of rage and utter disgust. "Prime Minister Honest! That fucking bastard!"
So Tatsumi found the name of the who was responsible for nearly all of the corruption within the Capital nearly stomach churning, he hadn't known the twisted creature of a man's name at all. That piece of information just made him shake his head, what a mess he had to try to clean up now. It honestly just didn't settle well at all to have all this death, these killings to set up a potential plan and he had suggested to do in the first place.
Being responsible for having these people killed in the name of Evil, disgusted him to his core.
"Just to be clear Night-Raid did this. Night-Raid killed your father and spread the word about it. The Empire didn't do this, it wasn't even the Emperor who ordered such a thing. Do you understand what I'm telling you, Spear?"
He said her name gently as he lifted her onto his horse. Getting up after her did the girl fell against his chest as he took the reins of his steed, her response was less than happy to know but something good came out of it. It caught him by surprise which honestly scared the hell out of him in order to comprehend her words. Her eyes were staring back at him, her vision wavering as facts came together to form a truth.
"Wait! Wait, that old man said Saber. Are you that Saber? The Commander of the Legion: Imperial-Sabers, out in the Western Territories?"
She coughed a bit spitting up blood as Tatsumi used a piece of his own undershirt to wipe the girls face clean. Even as Noburu started into a light run towards the nearest village which was a short ten minute ride up the road from which they came from. The Colonel took his time as he merely replied over the winds, as the sun hit them full in the face. He felt like this were a dream, in how a person spoke of his coming. Had come someone who spoke of him learned his station while near the Eastern-Coasts of the Empire?
This had been a full half-a world away pending on the distance from his encampments with his Legion.
It took some time for news to spread, to be fair and how did she know?
"Former Commander now, I'm stationed in the Imperial Capital as..."
The blond girl interrupted him, revealing information that made him stare in shock.
"My father and I knew of who you are! News, along with directions had been spread of Colonel Saber of the West the 'Fair' and the 'Just' had arrived in the Imperial Capital. The Politicians who seek change are speaking of your name rekindled by your actions to change the people, to get the Emperor to listen to his subjects and to end that Corruption by that monster Honest! We were going to the Palace to hopefully ask for your help."
Tatsumi blinked a bit uneasy, "What the hell?"
The full weight of her words were coming into his ears.
"You say news of my new station is being spread? You wanted my help? Just who the hell told you that, but better yet: why were asking for me specifically? Why me if you were on the way to take on the Prime Minister?"
His words were quite shocking more so the surprise knowing his deeds were slipping out of the Western Territories. Ah fucking hell, it scared him to see that much of his own plans coming to life but, the time-frame was slow because of what he assumed were political propaganda at the least. Intensively curious he waited for the blond girl to speak more as she shivered in her damp clothing.
Closing his arms around her to keep the warmth from fleeing the blond girl who leaned against him for support.
"Rumors were being spread by those wearing Blue-Robes. These people who were a few told of your tales in taverns or in my home city, anyone who listened or asked. It was at small public hearings, anywhere really and it was to stand with the Empire or join the Revolutionaries. These people were trickling over into the Southern Regions spreading the tales of you, plus other survivors or witnesses from the western territories spread news as well. Whoever listened to those Blue robbed folks continued to move and it finally reached us in the Eastern-Coasts."
Her body shivered as Noburu picked up the pace at her rider's request when he nudged her in the side.
All the while the young Colonel was processing the information.
He could only blink in a vacant gaze since this was unexpected. Honestly this news couldn't anymore unexpected since the fact that people were even speaking of him and his deeds, scared him. It terrified him more so and it effected how he breathed at this very time. It made his heart even hurt more, whereas the truth of his actions held the lies that were laced with the sins that were committed and that was more to it. What the hell did they want him to do? He stopped to think of such a thing as it was hard to do.
He scoffed softly since it was more alarming to realize how ignorant these people were, they didn't know of his past.
Granted he'd be a better solution than most of the Evil in the Imperial-Armies.
But he wasn't a good person, not by a long shot.
Tatsumi got the feeling that the tales were a bit exaggerated. Mentally tearing down the image of him being a Saint or whatever the flying fuck that must people wanted to hear, it wasn't true. People who were that good in their lives deserved to live happily, all he had to live for was to meet the dark abyss of death due to the Sins he committed willingly. Murder was murder, blood was blood and Evil held many forms. It honestly gnawed on his heart, to doubt everything at times.
"You said people in blue-robes right? Any ideas as to who or what they are, since it's unlikely that the Empire's current system would allow such news to be spread. It doesn't make any sense in what you're telling me. Those that were effected by my time in the Western Lands weren't enthusiastic to spread the news, about what I did there."
Those questions were provided with a well endorsed answer as he detected a smile on the blond-girls lips in front of him. He couldn't tell because the back of her head was under his chin, plus Noburu's faster gallops were making the motions hard to keep themselves still enough to inspect their faces. He had to assume otherwise, that the girl was listening to the smallest hopes of change that didn't involve the need to endanger more lives of citizens but, Tatsumi had been wrong before about the intentions of other people...
"You'd be surprised how much people can talk once they are spared from the effects of when an Imperial-Army conquests a town and are offered mercy. I heard from my father, he spoke of a young man who was fighting for, 'The Hope for change without the need for a Revolution to spill more blood of our younger generations.' and he'd hope to find you because more importantly, you're a Commander."
She coughed again louder as her voice broke from the shivering that the cold winds were doing to her. Tatsumi put his legs closer onto her own and manged to envelop her enough to where her breathing was felt on the side of his chin, thankfully it was still steady.
She'd live.
As the village was within sight.
"Thank god for small mercies in this world."
One thing bothered him about Spear's father.
The former Prime Minister had said to her, an important detail that didn't explain itself mainly.
"What does that have to do with him, looking for me? I'm a Commander, so what does..."
Her voice was strained but it held the slimmest intentions for one who could see an answer and he could only understand why that was an answer. Many Generals in the Capital or who were out in the lands beyond the said heart of the Empire had ten's of thousands of men under their beck and call. Hell even Esdeath had the standing armies in the Northern Regions and last time he checked, she had roughly over a hundred thousand men alone in the main-divisions of the Imperial war machine.
He didn't understand fully yet he'd listen what this girl said alone.
"You have an army! It's something many of those against the Prime Minister do not have. Influence is only as good as the strength to back it up and many have fled to the Revolutionary Armies that are building up in the South. There are so few who want to change the Empire from within and eliminate the Prime Minister at the Imperial-Palace, you have an army to surround him and we could kill the heart of this Nation's disease if the Emperor were to listen to us..."
The girl fell silent as she her lack of blood made her sleepy. Tatsumi didn't have the heart to keep her wake since she needed all the strength to keep herself alive. Her words were making him uneasy to accept the fact that a plan had prematurely been made without his consent, what she brought up would potentially incite a riot amongst his legion. He was fearful that if that such a were to go down, it'd be madness to maintain order throughout a transition.
"Just shut your eyes and sleep. You'll be in better hands, soon."
The Colonel could only grimly accept the potential for answers to be made. but nothing had been set in stone.
He still needed more help in the long run. Simply just threatening the Prime Minister by himself would make the Emperor declare him a traitor and then the full might of his sins would be in vain. Nothing was set, nothing was ready and nothing was clear in what he could do. Getting stronger took precedence over the future, at least thinking too far ahead would make the overall scheme of time get harder. So he had to squash that feeling of relief for much longer as his real tests were coming.
"One step at a time. Use what I can and when I can do it effectively."
Speaking this to himself Tatsumi rode into the village immediately searching for a doctor.
And he wasn't disappointed.
Soon enough and paid the man with his own money in gold, to get Spear treated within the hour.
But the next stage of the plans were to be initiated next, within the coming day itself.
Tatsumi could only prepare for something that got him again very nervous.
He a had party to prepare for on a civilian vessel ported in the Capital's docks to the eastern-seas that bordered the eastern-coasts themselves. This was going to require a lot patience on his part, to wait for an opportunity and to take see where the chances he gave himself to speak for the results. It was good to see progress and a sign for a small change occur.
It was a start and it'd end in a shower of blood, but for the right reason.
As Evil, along with the Corruption had allowed its guard to be down.
And to exploit that weakness for all its worth was the way the Imperial Military in the only manner, he knew how too.
By spilling blood...
End Chapter Nine
Author's Note: This chapter is what I classified as a slight-filler.
Its there to add more to the story from other perspectives or a lull between the main plot for a time. To be fair, this entire chapter would be apart of the next one I'd release for a grand total of Thirty-plus pages and that's way too much for a single chapter. I had to cut it short, to cut it down now and save the rest the inevitable conclusion to the Three-Beasts ARC. Yes, its almost done and many questions that have been asked will come to find an answer as to what Tatsumi is going traverse a path. Again I don't spoil, either way your patience and my utter quickness for releasing chapters will pay off to those who assisted me during my request for help.
Don't lose hope, I'll mention you in time.
But moving along...
"The Ball is finally starting to roll."
What does this mean?
Now for Spear (a very, very minor character in canon) she'll be around in the future so granted I'm not at the point where she ever makes an appearance but its planned essentially to come much, much later. Currently I am on Chapter Twenty writing it out and honestly I'm taking my time whenever I do a new chapter, trying to ask for advice/opinions on certain matters I'd rather not disclose in this author's notation. Her fate has been changed, another ripple effect will occur and you'll consequences of how this story is separating itself (granted slowly) from canon.
I used the basis for a timeline akin to canon, to have everyone follow through on where the story moves forward. It's really just to help you and keep myself on a steady course to branch off at intervals to expand the AU-aspect of it all. I'll even take this time to reply to a popular discussion amongst the reviews, pertaining to my own OC character 'Blue'.
Or the Deus-Ex Machina Character...
I'll be honest that's not my intention, never was and personally it presents an opportunity for me to explain his appearance.
Rather the lack of attention on him, the Empire is a super-power with millions of people and I have a justification for this.
Blue or these robbed people have not done anything noteworthy for the Prime Minister or the Empire for that matter, to be arrested. They're travelers, people like so many others talking about rumors or gossiping. It's not a priority, Blue is just another anonymous nameless face within the Empire's borders and I'll put this in to a perspective coming from a practical standpoint. This is like the United State's FBI searching for Terrorists in all the states, I was a soldier so I kind of don't enjoy them probing my work place when they ever showed up.
Many faces will pop up but the more imminent threats are what are going to be focused upon.
In this case: Night-Raid, the Revolution and Political rivals of Honest. (Blue doesn't even factor in, nor do the corrupted care)
Blue is not a threat at least to people in power at this time and quite frankly why would they arrest or detain these robed people for talking? Thousands to tens of thousands of Imperial citizens do the same thing, so its a moot point and redundant to put that effort there. Hell the Political corruption has more interest to people than a few folks in blue-robes traveling around the Empire talking to willing citizens more at this time.
It's a waste of resources in other words, so moving onwards...
I'll be quoting Spear's statement: "You have an army!"
I do not think people realize the full extent of the premise creating a ripple effect, Tatsumi being a loyal soldier is the largest rock being dropped into a pond per say. The ripples are large and then you tact on, the Army aspect to further create more ripples. Everything that we have seen in the anime (It's going into a different direction than the manga) is null or void, you can't rely on it. Having an Army is literally the best way for people to realize a couple things. Especially when the time comes in this story, the full weight of what Tatsumi is capable off (More so than his singular canon-counter part).
(A.) You're a threat.
(B.) Your views are going to decide whether you'll live longer or not.
(C.) You have an Army! A large force of soldiers loyal to yourself, granted Tatsumi did not go that route but many will follow him into Hell and back.
The scale is getting larger, I kind of brushed it off at times when mentioned his an Officer/Colonel of the Empire.
Eventually its going to peak in the future, more so the Strongest General of the Empire (I have doubts since Budo is quite powerful) will have her role changed.
Esdeath's role is ultimately going to influence Tatsumi's own success, or failure if you're that devious to wonder. In other word's she going to influence him despite denying or accept it on a mental level. So I'm taking a big risk in adding more depth to Esdeath whenever she talks or spends time with the boy. So granted the fan-boy in me as much as I deny it, wants to have a happy relationship or what not. But I'm not caving into that path, it's going to be a gradual incline and a growth of Tatsumi trying to make a bad situation into a practical one.
Note I did not say 'good' because there's a lot more to them both in the future.
Just be aware things are going to change and the scale of this story will get larger as time goes on.
Until then have a good day and be safe, wherever you're at.