Redemption of a General
Epilogue:
When the first Emperor took the lands now known as the empire he was a man with a virtuous heart and understanding soul, as he did not wish to destroy the lives of people but simply save them from the terrors of this world and the ones that were not. In doing so he vowed to create a place where people worked together to create a safe place for humans to live their life's in peace and security. In this quest, he set out and united the human clans of old and pushed back danger beasts and monster hoards alike and built the capital to further safeguard the surrounding villages and human clans. This would lead to the prosperous creation of the Empire that would last a thousand years into the future and be known as a beacon of civilization and human unity to all the world.
But alas little do the people know that the Emperor himself was not the sole builder of this Empire, further to that little did they know that Emperor had a brother. A brother who saved his life on multiple occasions securing the future of the Empire and the lives of countless others during the unification of man and the first great crusade on monster-kind. The un-named brother was a hero to many yet his name faded from history and to this day only one small village to the northeast of the capital remembers any evidence of the brother's deeds and his legacy…
Chapter 1 – The armoured man and the plot.
It was a beautiful sunny day at the Empires capital with a northern wind cooling down the burning sun's rays giving life to the city and its people. As everyone seemed in an extremely good mood today despite the atrocities committed inside the corrupted capital and the civil war waging throughout the land. The sky was clear and not a cloud in sight, giving people the urge to go swinging in the cities great canals while the children played in the streets. As if the world seemed to be truly at peace, yet to the northern gate a man walked through. He wore a hooded cloak covering most of his figure with the hood down covering his face, he is around 5 feet 8 in height but you could tell even with the cloak that he was large in structure and stocky. Yet he walked with a certain grace as he slowly strolled down the road to the busy imperial capitol.
As he walked past the guards posted at the gate they remained at their posts and didn't even blink an eye when he walks right through. He strolled down the street with onlookers watching in curiosity at the mysterious figure, yet many dismissed him as another traveller as many people came to the capital for many different reasons and from many different places. Yet in the next instance, the wind picked up from the south and blew away the man's hood revelling a golden helmet with engravings of tree roots and dragons along the helmet making their way towards the centre surrounding a tree.
Prime Minster Honest – Imperial palace Gardens midday.
The Prime Minster hummed to himself as he walked through 'his' garden and thought to himself 'the empire's civil war shall start to fall into my favour with the arrival of the empire's greatest sadist returning from the north to crush Night Raid'. He smiled to himself 'she will make quick work to that thorn in my side and I can now refocus onto my political efforts and… other business I must attend to such as comforting that dead general's beautiful wife'. But as he was making his way to lunch he was stopped by one of his advisors who came walking through the garden. The man wore a black suit and wore a golden ring with engravings that seem to light up blue on his right hand.
"Prime minister," the man said as he bowed graciously towards the fat man. "I've come for the weekly report you wished for, of the events revolving around the capitol."
"Ah, Mr Felix Albatross always a pleasure to see you, my good friend," the Prime Minister retorted back cheerfully as he then gestured "come, come we shall discuss these matters as we walk."
"Of course, Prime Minister," Felix replied, as they strolled through the gardens Felix began his report, "Prime minister, good news seems to be in abundance as of late as the upper circles of the capitol populace have calmed themselves and are extremely happy with the presence of General Esdeath's return and are feeling more at ease with the civil war raging. The middle and lower circles of the capitol are also beginning to calm down and the people's behaviour has started to be contempt again due to the Generals 'efforts'."
"As they should" the Prime minister stated bluntly "in fact they should be grateful we do not purge this great city of the filth of the lower levels but they still have some use left," he said as he smiled to himself of the prospect of watching the filth of the capital and most of his closest enemies scream in agony.
"However Prime Minister, some of the other advisors and higher-end citizens are a little complacent of your decisions of pushing most of the imperial army to the western front and leaving only Esdeath to tackle the issue of the Night raid and enforcing civil behaviour," Felix said bluntly.
"Felix my friend you off all people should not be concerned with night raid and the revolution army, General Esdeath and her Yeager's can handle it. As a matter of fact, I believe they are out right now on a reconnaissance mission to find the night raid base north of the capitol and will be back in 4 days. Tell the doubtful that the situation is under control and is being dealt with accordingly." Then the Prime minister stopped and said in a serious tone "Felix one more thing how is my political standing with the other generals and political rivals?"
Felix continued walking and looked at the man and said with a smile "oh Prime minister, you should be well aware that all the generals and military personal support you completely, and you should not worry about your political rivals as the three beasts may have been wiped out but they did deal with most of your enemies and the rest are too fearful to act out."
The Prime minister started to relax again and stated, "ah, of course, thank you, Felix, you have done well. Now then shall we go to lunch?"
"Of course, Prime Minister," Felix said as the Prime minister joyful walked towards the dining hall to stuff his face. While Felix Albatross looked on in content thinking to himself well this is going swimmingly, I hope you are ready my old friend.
Armored Man – Capitol city
The Armored man was walking down a busy street thinking to himself, of what he was doing and where he was going. To answer these questions, he thought was simple in a sense, I'm in the capital to expose the prime minister of his true personality and reasons for power to the young emperor and have him executed. Then, show the young emperor what has happened to the empire since Honest has been allowed to do as he pleases and guide him to becoming a good understanding Emperor and hopefully in the process get the revolutionary army to agree with governing the nation. Easy right.
As he walked he started down a side alley towards a side alley in the third circle of the city, it was shady yet people were walking up and down even though it was a small corridor between the entrance zone of the city and the third circle. He could've taken the more common route towards his destination yet he like going down the side alleys ever once in a while exploring the cracks and crevasses of the grand city. This alley in particular was quite rowdy as it homed the orphans of the third district that didn't stay at an orphanage as they didn't want to be in the imperial army or become some slave to a corrupt politician or high-end citizen. The Armored man had been to this alley a few times to help the orphans here and give them company, as he walked by some of the kids ran past him giggling and laughing, they were playing tag and seemed to be running from one of the older kids who were chasing them, this warmed the man's heart and he was almost tempted to stay and play with them yet he knew he couldn't he had a job to do. With this in mind, he pressed onward as the kids waved at him as he left the alley towards the busy third district streets. People were all around as he exited and he changed his pace to keep up with the busy crowed.
Most of the people there paid no mind to him yet there were a few faces that new the similar build of the man behind his cloak and waved as he walked on by. Yet he walked on finally arriving at his destination, a small pub that had a small crowd of people eating a late lunch or drinking to avoid the heat of the busy third district. He walked on in and sat down at the bar, the bartender then came up to him and smile as he said, "What can I get ya, friend?"
"Just two ales please and some bread with butter" the armoured man replied as he took off his hood. The bartender simply nodded as he remembered the familiar helmet of the man and walked off to get what he asked. At the same time, another man walked into the bar, everyone seemed to look at the newcomer except for the armoured, the man then looked around for a moment then finally saw what he was looking for and walked over to the bar and sat down.
"Felix," the armoured said as he turned to his right and looked at the advisor to the Prime Minister, "how's the imperial palace treating you?" Felix had yet to even sit down at this point, yet he laughed to himself knowing that his old friends always seemed to keep a couple of steps ahead of him.
"Good my friend, very good in fact everything is going smoothly due to the efforts of everyone" Felix replied gingerly as he sat down. At the same time the bartender came back with the ale and bread and gave it to the two men "on the house for the skip" he said as he placed the drinks down and began to clean some tankards of ale.
"cheers Clay," the armoured said as he took the drinks and passed one towards Felix.
"Ah just what I needed, thank you" Felix replied while taking a swig, "now let's get down to business shall we"
The armoured nodded, "Is everything going well on your end?"
"Of course, all the preparations have been made, the guards are all in position for the event and have been informed of the details, while the politicians that support the prime minister will be in attendance and General Esdeath and Great General Budo are currently out of the capital for three days." Felix retorted with a smile "have some faith will you, this will go fine."
"Who said I didn't have any faith, after all, I left you in charge of the most difficult position" the armoured replied as Felix chuckled to himself "I'm sorry I had to leave this task to you, but I knew you would be able to handle this."
"Stop your flattery, and don't apologies I knew what I signed up for and I'm happy to help you in any way," Felix then raised his drink and said, "for the good of the people."
The armoured also lifted his drink "For the good of the people." The cheers and then drank together. Felix then put his drink back and sighed as he realized he would have to go back to the palace tonight and deal with the 'fat pig', he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.
"It's going to be okay Felix, you only have to deal with him for a little while longer and then we don't have to worry about him ever again," the armoured said, "but if you feel uncomfortable with anything feel free to tell me and I'll figure something out."
Felix began to relax again due to his friend's concern, he knew that his friend was always like this, always thinking of others. "Thank you, but I'm alright I can deal with the stench of Honest for a while longer, so don't worry about me and make sure you're ready to do what must be done," Felix said as he got up off his seat and began to walk out of the pub back to the palace.
"I know I'll be ready" the armoured man replied as he looked back at his friend and waved towards Felix while he waved back then left.
The armoured looked back down to his drink and contemplated what was to come and the repercussions that would occur after the events of tomorrow morning. Alas it's something that must be done as the Prime Ministers reign of terror and manipulation has pushed the Empire to the brink and the people suffer everywhere. His allies have flourished and suffering has spread while the arrogant nobles have been safely hidden away in their castles and mansions. The civil war was caused by this mistreatment but now it changes. The young Emperor has been deceived and manipulated for too long and will be educated on the pain and suffering of the less fortunate. The atrocities committed by evil men and women shall be answered for and good people will rise to serve the people. I will make sure the people are treated fairly again, that suffering will diminish and the empire restored to what it should be, and not this shadow of what it was…
