The next chapter will be released next week. A couple of days after 18/4.

Ok. So I lost the last part of this chapter three times. THREE TIMES. Because of diffrent reasons. I had to walk away and not write for a couple of days. Just out of frustration. But here we are. Finally.

The intermission is over. The story will now move on.

Setting the stage

It was a beautiful morning in the capital. The sun was shining and there was not a single cloud to be seen in the blue sky. The wind was mild and pleasant.

Tatsumi looked out over the capital as he walked along the wall. Far in the distance, he could see the palace.

He was taking a stroll on top of the large white wall that surrounded the city. Heading for a meet-up in a leisurely pace. His hands behind his back. It would have been an ever more pleasant walk if his leg wasn't hurting so. He was limping quite heavily. And he could probably have had a more relaxed company.

He had a young man walking beside him. Not yet out of his teenage years.

The boy had a mop of unkempt black hair on his head. His eyes were blue and he had some rather delicate features to his face. It seemed like he had just ended his growth spurt. He was rather tall but still a bit gangly. Not having had much time to build up his muscles and eat properly since he had been living in poverty until now. But he was still a little bit taller than Tatsumi. The boy was looking out in wonder over the view of the capital.

"Pretty amazing sight, isn't it?" Tatsumi said with a smile.

"Yeah..." the kid said. His mouth remaining open for some moments after he gave his answer. Then he remembered to put on his act. He closed his mouth and turned his sight away from the capital. Taking on a more dignified look. "The city really is vast."

"It's okay, Kotaro. You don't have to act when it is just the two of us." Tatsumi said and chuckled. "Looking impressed does not make you seem inexperienced. Not when it comes to things like this."

Kotaro was the young man that the now late prime minister had managed to finally find. After a lot of work. One of the few remaining relatives of the dead emperor Makoto. So distantly related to the emperor's family that he himself had not been aware of his lineage. The prime minister had sent bounty hunters to find him. Hoping to replace his dead puppet with the boy. And they had caught him and brought him back to the capital in captivity. As they had been ordered. But when they returned with him to the capital, the palace was in chaos.

The bounty hunters were told, upon their arrival, that the man who had given them their orders had been killed by the great general. She had declared a coup d'etat. Taking control of the city and killing the prime minister. Accusing him of treason towards the empire and its people. She had revealed his corruption and how he had aspired to take complete control over the political scene in the empire.

With that justification, she had the old man condemned and executed before anyone knew that it was happening. Taking control of the city herself. Not that it was such a huge leap to make. She had already declared martial law after the emperor's death. On behalf of the imperial court. Just to keep the situation stable. So she had already been having the deciding power over all of the political cabinets suggestions. Not that she had ever meddled with them before. Her denouncement of the prime minister was the first time she did so.

The bounty hunters had been unsure whether they should flee from the city or ask the military for their payment. But before the group had managed to form a decision, the new imperial guard had seized them and taken their captive from them.

And after being kept in the dungeons for some weeks, the boy was finally brought before Tatsumi. As soon as the situation had calmed down a bit.

"You say that it is important to always be able to keep up a facade, Tatsumi." the boy said in a very formal tone. Looking at him.

"It is. Self-control will always be your most important tool." Tatsumi answered. "But you have to relax sometimes. Better to take care of the few moments you have without onlookers."

"But we aren't really alone, are we?" he said and cast a quick glance backward.

Tatsumi didn't have to look to know what the boy was referring to. Ten meters behind them walked a large group of warriors. All clad in white uniforms. Members of the new imperial guard.

The military branch known as the new imperial guard was actually just a recently created part of the imperial guard. Esdese had formed it immediately after the prime minister's death. This new unit had been created for the sole purpose of controlling internal affairs in the capital. They were elite soldiers which she had granted an extreme level of authority. Their official purpose was to ensure a peaceful transition to a new rule of the empire. But in reality, they served as Esdese's, and Tatsumi's, personal troops. Acting as a special police force that had authority over all other branches of the military. Helping them take and remain in control. Often through rather grim means.

Tatsumi was not proud of this unit or what it did. Sometimes at his command. They had done everything from assassinating most of the remaining allies of the prime minister to taking kids or family members away from powerful politicians. Just to ensure their loyalty.

But for as much as he despised the existence of this military force, he had no doubts about its loyalty. Esdese had handpicked its members from her own legions. They were people they both could trust.

"Don't worry about them, Kotaro. They know what they should keep to themselves."

The young man nodded but still kept his act up. "So how are things going?"

"Well, we have stabilized almost completely. Though there is still a long way to go before we can put you in charge of things." Tatsumi said. Avoiding the fact that the he was the one who was preventing Kotaro's rise to power for the moment. Since he still didn't think that the boy was ready for it. "Though I have found some new people that I want to appoint to ministers."

"That is good to hear." the boy said and smiled. "It is troubling that it has taken this long to re-establish the imperial court after the black bath."

Tatsumi had been amused to hear that the common folk had started to refer Makeias' destruction of the imperial court as the black bath. He had not heard the term before he met Kotaro.

"Yeah. There weren't many survivors but it has been a busy time ever since the death of emperor Makoto. Still, I agree it has been going way too slow."

Tatsumi had been very picky about who he would present to Esdese. The nation needed the right people leading it if they were going to move on from its horrible history. The problem was of course that Esdese was the one who made the call of who would get the different positions. And she had her own standards and requirements that these people needed to meet.

"Concerning that. Have we gotten any closer to finding who murdered him?"

"No. We haven't been able to find the culprit yet." And never will, he thought.

"That's a shame." the boy said. "Do you think that the previous prime minister was somehow linked to it."

"Possible. If that it is the case then we will probably never be able to confirm it." Tatsumi said.

The younger boy shook his head. "Such chaos. The previous great general betrays the empire and tries to take over control on his own. Stopped and killed by the one that then becomes his successor. Following that, the imperial military suffers a big betrayal in the form of admiral Wave and general Makeias. During Esdese's first mission as great general. Then the emperor is killed by an still unfound assassin. Two weeks after that, the renegade general destroys the imperial court. And then the prime minister is revealed to have been a traitor all along and is killed before anyone can even object."

"Yeah." Tatsumi said. "I think you can understand why we can't put you in control yet. We have stabilized but there is still a lot of loose threads and no real routine. We can't have an inexperienced leader at this point."

Tatsumi could see that Kotaro reacted to that last part. He didn't like to be called inexperienced. Even though he clearly was. But the vanity of youth made it hard for him to hear it. But for the moment, he swallowed his pride. "Then when? When will I be taking over the title of head of state from Esdese?"

When I think that you are suitable, Tatsumi thought.

"As soon as we are sure that we can guarantee your safety in that position. Until that is a certainty, we will wait." he answered. Tatsumi had no intention of letting the boy rule anytime soon. Eventually, he would, but he was not ready yet.

"Can you give me anything more specific?" the boy pressed Tatsumi.

Tatsumi scratched his cheek. "Well, as soon as we can ensure that the faction of Makeias has been rendered powerless and we are sure of what has happened to the fleet that former admiral Wave stole."

The boy nodded begrudgingly. "Have you gotten any more news about their whereabouts?"

"No. We have verified that Makeias' forces eradicated the last remains of the revolutionary army while we were dealing with the prime minister. We have found the remains of those battles. Spread out over the countryside. As for the Makeias own army, it is still on the loose."

Tatsumi knew why they were not able to find Makeias and his forces. Even if he hadn't told Esdese about it yet. He knew that Jack and Spectator were still somewhere in the palace. Even if the boy had disappeared from all kinds of surveillance. But Tatsumi was certain that he was still somewhere close. And as long as he informed Makeias about their very thoughts, they would forever be outmaneuvered by him.

He would have to deal with that soon. One way or another.

"Does that mean that the teigu group known as Night raid has been destroyed as well?" Kotaro asked.

"We haven't been able to confirm that." Tatsumi said. He had followed the investigations rather closely. "While we now know that the revolutionary army itself is no more, Night raid always operated as a separate part of that movement. They could still be alive." he said and hoped.

"Aren't they a rather big threat as well. You taught me that Akame is one of the deadliest people of our time."

Tatsumi looked at the other boy. "That is a very common misconception, Kotaro. It is very important that you understand this. Strength does not mean everything. Even if a certain great general will tell you otherwise." Tatsumi said and looked forward towards the group in the distance. Those that the two of them were heading for. "Akame is probably one of the best fighters alive right now. I doubt I could survive her. Esdese might stand a good chance, though."

"So why isn't she a prioritized target right now?"

"Because we are trying to build a nation that will have the support of the people. If we have that support, then she can kill as many official as she wants. New ones will rise to replace them. Night raid served a near vital purpose with the revolutionary army behind them. But now that movement is gone and their potency to bring change is gone with it. Though it has sadly been replaced by a far more vicious and destructive force in the form of Makeias."

The boy nodded attentively. Tatsumi liked his enthusiasm about these things. At least he was a quick learner. He was thinking about that when he suddenly misstepped because of his limping. Taking a moment to regain his balance. Grabbing his hurting thigh for a moment as he did.

The boy stopped and looked at him. "You okay?"

Tatsumi nodded but the boy looked slightly bothered. This was not the first time he had seen his teacher like this and it was always because of the same reason.

"Esdese?"

"Yeah." Tatsumi said and grimaced. "Just some though love."

It had been four months since he had killed the prime minister. And ever since then, Esdese had been so occupied that she barely even had time to go to the torture chambers. Let alone, get into some real fights. Her duties had been monstrous during this time. She had to shoulder not only the entire military but also the entire political scene. Holding everything stable while Tatsumi worked behind the scenes to relieve her of these duties. And she had done it tirelessly.

But it was easy for Tatsumi to tell that she was quite unhappy with her current lifestyle. Her loyalty had painted her into a corner where she could no longer dedicate herself to the things she liked in life. And while it gave him some momentary relief, it still stung him to see her like that. Even though he knew that it shouldn't. The boring routines, endless meetings and jogtrots sucking the life out of her.

So during these four months, he had taken it upon himself to relieve her of her stress and boredom.

Three times had he challenged her to a full on duel. Three times had he given her everything that he had. Three times had he given her a chance to unleash completely.

And unleash she had. Flexing her monstrous powers. Showing him all kinds of new tricks and attacks that she had invented but couldn't get a chance to test out anymore. Fully stretching out the wide magnitude of her powers. Shoving it all into Tatsumi. Forcing him to take it. And he had. He had fought her head on. Meeting it with all he had. Giving her a chance to truly enjoy herself.

All of these fights had turned so wild and destructive each time that Tatsumi had started to doubt that he could make it out alive each time. And yet he had. Esdese somehow managed to stop just in time. Damaging him quite a lot but never too much. Which surprised Tatsumi every time. Yet he could see the results of his pain each time. Esdese usually brightening up for days after their fights. Her steps having much more spring in them. The things that traumatized most only recharging her batteries.

But Esdese had wisened up to it pretty quickly and realized that he was only doing this for her sake. That he wasn't enjoying it at all himself. So when he just the other day had challenged her for the third time, she had ordered him to stop when things were starting to get too intense for him. But now, the day after that, it occurred to him that he probably should have stopped the fight even earlier than he had.

"My father always said that a man needs to be able to keep his woman in check." the young boy beside him said.

"An old-fashioned idea of a relationship."

"But it's true in this case, isn't it?" the boy said. "Esdese needs someone who is capable of putting a leash on her."

Tatsumi gave him a skeptical look. "You know of who we speak here. Don't be foolish. Esdese will never be subjugated."

"Maybe.." the boy said. Trying to sound enigmatic. "Maybe."

Tatsumi sighed lightly. He knew where the boy was coming from in this. He had learned to not take these small slights seriously. Since he had quickly realized that Kotaro's need to criticize his relationship with the great general had nothing to do with him. It all stemmed from the boy's feelings for Esdese.

Tatsumi shook his head slightly and looked up ahead of them. "Speak of the devil." Tatsumi said.

They were still pretty far away but the group ahead of them had started to become more distinguishable. Now you could actually make out Esdese, with her long blue hair and white robe. Though she was surrounded by other people that seemed to need the attention of her position.

Those are her shackles, Tatsumi thought. And I put them on her.

For some reason, the thought didn't make him happy.

"I would suggest that you don't talk about leashes around the great general." Tatsumi said and smiled at the boy. "If you are unlucky, she might put one on you. And I don't mean that metaphorically."

"Hmph" the boy said and put his nose in the air. "I know how the handle myself with women."

He started to walk a bit faster. Walking a few steps in front of Tatsumi.

Tatsumi just smiled tiredly at the boys back. He was young. So very, very young. And not only in the sense of years. He was such a teenager. Hiding his uncertainties with big acts and empty bravados. Needing to prove and define himself all the time. Yet still a slave to his hormones, and the feelings they gave him. Tatsumi could almost not get angry at him. Almost. He knew that the boy's heart was in the right place. He just needed to mature a bit.

Though Tatsumi did wish that Kotaro had been younger at times. Then he might have been more receptible to what Tatsumi was trying to teach and his core values might have been easier to mold. Then he might have been easier to... control.

Esdese was standing on the edge of the wall a bit ahead of them. Looking out over the capital with her arms crossed over her chest. Her long white coat draped over her shoulders. Flapping around her in the wind. Her face calm and empty.

She was accompanied by about fifteen people. Mainly warriors of her own. Members of the new imperial guard. But Tatsumi also noticed three ministers that were standing behind her. Talking to her in hushed voices. Esdese not really giving them any signs that she was listening to them. Even though she clearly was.

Tatsumi quickly identified them as survivors of the old imperial court. From the small number of politicians that had survived the black bath. Tatsumi knew their faces. They were no fans of his. They had been put in their positions by the prime minister. And had probably been loyal to him in some way. Many of those that had been working under the prime minister had approached Esdese after his death. Trying to find a new ally in the friend of a friend that she was. Now that they had lost their protection and the political scene was changing.

Esdese turned her head to the side and looked at Tatsumi and Kotaro when they started to get close.

Tatsumi straightened up and walked a bit more properly as she did. Trying to conceal his limping. But Esdese saw through his act and it showed on her face. Irritation creeping into her calm expression.

When they started to get close, she turned towards them. She looked back at the group behind her over her shoulder as she did. "Leave us." she ordered emptily. Cutting one of the ministers off mid-sentence.

The warriors from the new imperial guard immediately turned and started to leave. Forcing the ministers to follow them or remain alone with the great general. They gave some quick, courteous goodbyes and then followed after the group of soldiers.

Esdese put her hands on her hips. Looking at Tatsumi with annoyance as they finally reached her.

"Didn't I tell you to say if I was being too rough." Esdese said with bitterness when they got close. Looking completely past Kotaro who was the one closest to her. Focusing on Tatsumi.

"It didn't feel that bad yesterday." Tatsumi defended. "It was worse when I woke up. But then you had already left to get to your duties."

"Have you gotten someone to look at it?" Esdese asked. Still sounding slightly angry.

"It's just a sprain or something. It will be gone in a day or two."

"A blade will become dull if not sharpened, a body will grow slow if not trained and a wound won't heal correctly if not given the right treatment." Esdese said.

"Fine, fine. I will have someone look at it."

Esdese nodded. Even if she didn't seem satisfied at all. She was about to open her mouth to reprimand him some more but before she could, Kotaro spoke up.

"Greetings, great general Esdese!" he said with gusto. "You look just as amazing as usual."

Esdese gave the boy a slightly disinterested look. "Hello there. Little leader to be. How are your lessons coming along?"

"Just fine. Thank you for asking. I have learned a lot since the last time we spoke. I now know all abou-"

"Have you had any training in combat yet?" Esdese cut through.

"N-no.. I have not." the boy said and gave Tatsumi a blameful glare.

Tatsumi sighed and turned his eyes to Esdese. Finding her looking at him as well. Her expression skeptical. "Hey." Tatsumi said and looked back and forth between them. "The last emperor ruled successfully for many years and he sure as hell didn't know how to hold a sword." he defended.

"And how did his rule end, Tatsumi?" Esdese asked calmly. Tatsumi gave her an irritated look. The two of them had already agreed that he would handle the new emperor. She was just irritated at him for not stopping their fight in time yesterday.

"He was killed by an assassin capable of infiltrating past the entire security of the palace. I can assure you that any meager fighting skill he could have trained up would probably be useless against such an opponent."

"Well.." Kotaro said. His tone objecting. "I would actually like to get some kind of training in combat. At least the basics."

"And you will." Tatsumi said. Massaging his forehead with a hand. "But it is not prioritized right now. You will get your training in that area later."

Kotaro turned his head to Esdese. "If Tatsumi won't supply me with trainers, then maybe you can, great general Esdese?" he said with a big smile. "Maybe you can train me in combat?"

Esdese turned her skeptic eyes towards the boy. "Me? Train you? I just barely have time to train myself these days. I can't take on a student right now. And even if did have the time, it would be a huge waste of my abilities to have me teach a beginner such as yourself. A basic combat trainer can teach you the fundamentals just as well as I could. You will need to become an extremely competent warrior before it makes sense for me to train you."

Esdese did not hold back her opinion but it wasn't said with any ill-will. She was just stating the situation. Yet Tatsumi had a feeling that Kotaro had wished for a different response. He seemed determined to get some more chances of interaction with Esdese. And when she declined, he tried something that he had already tried before.

"Then maybe a teigu then?" Kotaro suggested tentatively. Hopeful eyes directed at Esdese. "A teigu would immediately boost my powers and increase my own safety as well. Then it would make more sense for you to train me, right?"

"No no no. Not a chance in the world." Tatsumi said before Esdese got a chance to give her answer. Shaking his head. His hand still on his forehead. "A teigu is a dangerous tool. You need to have almost perfect synergy with it, otherwise, it will damage you greatly. Heck, I almost have a perfect synchronization with Incursio and it still hurts me greatly when I use it fully. Esdese might not have synchronized with hers but she completely crushed and destroyed it's will and influence on her own. Most people would have been driven insane. It is too big of a risk. You are too valuable."

Esdese nodded with closed eyes. Revealing her real stance on the matter. "Fully agreed. Besides, it is a waste to give a teigu to a beginner. Better to search for someone that can use it amongst more seasoned warriors. So that it's potential can be fully realized. You should focus on perfecting your ability to rule, Kotaro. That will be your purpose."

Tatsumi could see that those words discouraged Kotaro. He could reason as to why. Young boys of his age often dreamed of becoming heroes. They wanted to prove their mettle and become great warriors. To win fame and fortune through combat and fighting. Tatsumi knew because he himself had once been the same.

But that was before he had killed his first crying father. That was before he had removed the helmet of a dead opponent to find that it was just a child. That was before his sword had killed its first unborn child. He had quickly learned about the foolishness of glamourizing combat and fighting. It was an important lesson but Tatsumi would prefer to relay it to Kotaro in a way that didn't risk traumatizing the leader to be.

But he could see how Kotaro wanted to object. Yet he couldn't really argue with Esdese's judgment. The boys teenage pride in conflict with his interest in her. Tatsumi decided to move on with the discussion before anything could happen.

"I saw that you had some of the ministers from the old imperial court here with you." He said and looked at Esdese. "What did they want?"

"They are scared. Basically." Esdese said and moved some of her hair to the side. "They can feel that they are about to lose their positions in the cabinet and want my protection from you if that happens."

"They seem to mistake me for the dead prime minister. It is their positions that are in danger. Not their lives. They will lose most of their powers but they will not be hurt. We won't even seize any of their belongings." Tatsumi said truthfully.

"So I said. But they don't seem fully convinced. And besides, there is a bigger issue here. Why are they afraid of you? They should not know of any reason why they should fear you. Unless, you have failed at your job somehow."

"Let's take this discussion later." Tatsumi said and shot a quick glance at Kotaro. Not wishing the boy to know the details of what was going on behind the scenes. "Kotaro, you should head back to the palace. Your instructor about external affairs will probably be waiting for you."

The boy nodded to Tatsumi. He turned towards Esdese. "Well then, my lady." he said and bowed down deeply to her. "I hope that we will meet soon enough. I always enjoy your company."

Esdese simply nodded. "Keep improving yourself, Kotaro. I can't wait for the day when I will be able to give some of my duties over to you."

The young man returned the nod and then started to walk away from them. Back in the direction that he and Tatsumi had been coming from. The group of warriors that had been following the two of them went after him after a little while. Leaving Tatsumi and Esdese alone.

Esdese looked at them leaving for some moments. "His predecessor was a bit cuter. Though in a pathetic sort of way. Like a dog chasing its own tail."

"We don't need him to be cute. We need him to be competent." Tatsumi said and gestured with an arm towards the road ahead of them. Inviting Esdese to walk with him. In opposite direction of the group that had just left.

"True enough."Esdese said and started to walk along the wall. Tatsumi falling in beside her. "Do you think he will serve his purpose?"

"That depends. But right now, I see no reason as to why he wouldn't be able to. He just needs to be molded a bit before he is set loose."

Esdese nodded. "Well, I leave the puppetry to you."

"For the final time, he is not going to be my puppet. He just needs to be... beaten into shape a bit."

Esdese shrugged with a smile. "Call it what you will. I have no interest in it."

"He really likes you, though." Tatsumi said and looked at her as they walked on.

"Well, I am his protector. It is nothing strange about that."

"No, I mean he really likes you. You are probably his first real crush."

"I understood what you meant the first time." Esdese said. Smiling without meeting his gaze. Looking at the road ahead of them. "I don't really have much interest in him outside of my duties but I noticed his interest in me the moment we first met. It's not really subtle."

"Well, he is a teenager. This whole love thing is still pretty new to him. Some tactlessness or clumsiness is to be expected."

"I think it is hard for anyone to not see that I am loyal to you when it comes to these things. So what is he hoping to achieve?" Esdese said. Looking slightly amused.

"I don't know. Maybe he is hoping for a threesome." Tatsumi tried to joke.

Esdese chuckled. "But how would that work, though?" Esdese said and looked up at the sky slightly. Holding a finger on her chin in a thinking pose. Her entertained smile staying. "It doesn't matter that he is a boy, if he touches your lips then I will kill him. Or if he touches you at all in that way, frankly. Emperor-to-be or not. So since he can not touch you and I have no interest in any physical contact with him, then how would that work? Would he just sit beside and watch as we enjoy ourselves?"

"Considering how dominant you are, this might not be obvious to you, but I think that there are few things that would be more soul-crushing for him than watching the woman he loves having sex with another man. Especially since you aren't ashamed to show how much you enjoy it."

"Ohh believe me, Tatsumi. I understand that very well." Esdese said and looked back at him. Smiling.

There was something very dark hidden in that unassuming smile and it gave Tatsumi an uncomfortable suspicion. "Esdese." he said. His voice reprimanding. "You better not be leading him on in some subtle way, in order to break his heart at a later point."

Esdese's eyes moved back the road they were walking. "It's an entertaining thought, isn't it?"

"Find some other entertainment, then." Tatsumi said, trying to sound stern. "I know you. I don't want this boy traumatized by some of your cruel little games. We need him and we need him as intact as possible."

"Some hardships might make him stronger in the long run." she said in a playful voice.

"Esdese!" Tatsumi said a little bit louder.

"Fine, fine." Esdese said and closed her eyes. Smilingly shaking her head. "I was just toying with the thought. I don't think I would ever go through with anything like that. Probably."

"Who is it that actually has to keep an eye on who here?" Tatsumi said with a tired smile.

"No but seriously, though." Esdese said and opened her eyes again. "I have clearly stated my disinterest in any subtle ways that he has tried to get closer to me. He hasn't yet worked up his courage to actually explain how he feels, but when he does, I will break his hopes properly."

"Try to not be too mean to him if he actually confesses to you. He will be in a very vulnerable spot." Tatsumi said in a worried voice.

"If he actually manages to gather his courage enough to do that, then he deserves a straight and clear answer. And that is what I will give him."

Tatsumi sighed. "Just remember that we need him. Try to take his feelings as an honest compliment, not as a chance to mess with him."

"He is still my subordinate, Tatsumi. I will not try to hurt him for having feelings for me." Esdese stated plainly. "I take care of my own."

"Ohh yeah." Tatsumi said in a sarcastic voice. "I have experienced that first hand."

Esdese noticed the sarcasm in his voice. She smiled at him and moved a little bit closer as they walked forward. Her voice condescending when she spoke. "Ohh is someone a little bit displeased with his treatment. Is someone feeling a little bit cocky?"

Tatsumi took her up on her challenge with a smile. In a step he jumped a little bit closer to her as they walked. Bumping his hip into hers. "Maybe someone deserves some better treatment."

Esdese gave him a ridiculing look. "It is the strongest one who gets to decide over the weaker. So tell me Tatsumi, are you the strongest one of us?" To emphasize her point, she shoved her shoulder into his from behind. Causing him to stumble forward. Since he was limping from the damage she had given him the day before.

He stumbled two steps before he managed to stop. Grimacing slightly from the pain in his leg. But as he started to straighten up, her arm came down and moved in under his own. Hooking their arms together.

"Here. Steady yourself against me." she said in a gentle voice and lifted his body up a little with the arm she had under his. Tatsumi looked up at her and smiled apologetically. Esdese's expression was warm and kind.

"Sorry." he said silently.

"You should tell me when you're hurting, Tatsumi. I hate it when you try to hide these things from me." she scolded. Yet her tone lacked any irritation or anger. They continued their walk like that. Tatsumi leaning a bit one Esdese. Not because he necessarily needed it but he appreciated the contact. Esdese herself just looked out over the wall they were walking on. A certain satisfaction on her face.

They walked like that in silence for a little while before Tatsumi spoke again.

"Soo.. what was it that you called me here for?"

"Ahh!" Esdese said and her face shone up a bit. "I almost forgot. I have a gift for you."

"Ohh? Where?" Tatsumi asked. Not really knowing what to make of it.

"I left him by the watch tower I came up from. We will be there in ten minutes."

Tatsumi didn't really like that she referred to his gift as "him" but he didn't say anything. Hoping for the best. In the end, it was not as bad as it could have been.

Tatsumi could see what it was long before they reached it.

The watchtower she had referred to was one of the many white towers that the wall around the capital passed through. Towers were you could get up on the wall and transport equipment up on it from. Each one of these towers had several large wooden cranes hanging out over the sides of the wall. Intended to lift things up on it with. But Tatsumi could see from far away that one of the cranes were turned out from the wall. A single object hanging on its line. On the same height level as the wall. Tatsumi could make out that it was a person pretty early on. However, his fears were slightly lightened when they got closer and he could identify the person.

The man was hanging from a rope that was tied around his arms. His body swaying slightly in the wind. He was completely naked and his skin on his entire body was the color of screaming pink.

Tatsumi quickly recognized the man as Youkan. One of the prime minister's more lowly allies. A man who had been serving as a fearmonger for the now dead minister. He had done terrible deeds on the behalf of the now gone imperial court but had also been taking some rather horrible initiatives on his own. He had been extremely loyal to the prime minister but that had basically been his only useful trait. That and the fact that he completely lacked any sort of moral compass. Otherwise, he was completely talentless.

The man seemed unconscious when the walked up to him. His head hanging down. The little white hair on its side swaying in the wind. His asquint eyes closed for the moment. When Esdese had walked them both up to edge towards the man, she gestured with the arm that wasn't holding Tatsumi in the man's direction.

"You were searching for this one, wasn't you?" she said in a happy voice. Looking at Tatsumi with well-hidden expectation.

"Yeah..." Tatsumi said in a hollow tone and looked at the man. "I was..." This had been one of the prime minister's closer allies. Those that he was still trying to remove. Preferably from existence."Where did you find him?"

"The new imperial guard brought him before me this morning. He managed to avoid us by hiding in the dungeons. Disguised as a regular torturer. He didn't dare to try and flee the city. Since he thought we would catch him if he did."

"Didn't do him much good in the long run. What have you done to his skin?" Tatsumi said in a slightly disturbed voice. Now that he was closer he could see that the man's skin was extremely pink. Boarding on red. And it was glistening in a sickening way.

"Ohh I haven't had the time to deal with people of his kind personally during these last weeks. I prefer to spend what little time I have in the torture chambers with more worthy foes. People who are actually fun and challenging to break. You could tell with a glance that this one did not have it in him." Esdese said.

"Okay. So what did you tell them to do to him then?" Tatsumi asked while he stared at the man.

"They have poured boiling water over his body a couple of times. In order to destroy his nerve endings. Now he will feel like he is burning all the time."

"He seems pretty calm, if that is the case."

"Ohh I am sure that he screamed a lot. For some time." Esdese said and smiled at the body. "But the boiling water was removed rather quickly. Even if he is still experiencing it, his body isn't taking any more damage. It is pretty reasonable that he would run out of energy sooner or later." she said and looked down at Tatsumi. Studying him for reactions.

Tatsumi just looked at the body. This entire situation made him feel uncomfortable. Not because of the damaged body in front of him. He had seen way worse displays of Esdese talent when it came to hurting people. No, his unease came from something completely different.

Is this what I am becoming. Have I just replaced one tyranny with another.

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. Making Esdese's smile lessen slightly.

"Esdese, tell me, what was your relationship with this man?"

"Relationship?" she asked. A bit surprised at the question. "I barely knew him. Though I know that his torture methods were sloppy and wasteful."

"I thought as much. Wasn't he your old ally?"

Esdese looked at him. "Not really. I never had anything to do with him. Beside it was you that said that he needed to die. Despite not being a real threat."

"Yeah, he did." Tatsumi said in a tired voice. "If we are going to set a new standard in the empire, then those who upheld the old one must be punished. Depending on their crimes."

He left out the fact that she had been the biggest pillar of the old empire, aside from the prime minister. He wondered if she herself thought of that. It often seemed like she didn't think of it in the same way as he did. She did what her standards and code required of her. Not thinking much about what meaning people might interpret from her actions. He looked up at her and found her staring down at him. Looking slightly bothered and confused.

"I thought that this would make you happy..." she said in a small voice.

He saw how her eyes went down for a little while. Thinking about the situation. This had not turned out as she had expected.

"You forget how different we are, Esdese. Revenge doesn't bring much joy to me. I have learned that now."

Esdese didn't say anything. It was clear that she had hoped for a different reaction. She gestured nonchalantly with one of her hands. A small piece of ice appeared in the air. Flying out over the wall and cutting off the rope that held Youkan. With the rope he was hanging by severed, the man fell down from the wall.

They could hear him scream some moments after he had left their view. Falling down past the edge. Apparently the fall woke him up from his dozing. Letting him experience his final horrifying moments as he fell hundreds of meters down from the wall.

Neither Esdese or Tatsumi looked at him as he fell. Esdese was staring down at the ground. Bothered by the fact that she had once again misjudged Tatsumi. It sometimes made her feel that she didn't understand him in the slightest. Which in turn made her feel like their relationship was one sided.

Tatsumi noticed that Esdese seemed a bit down and he could guess the reason. He stood up on his toes in order to reach her face. Kissing her lightly on the lips. Esdese noticed that he was going in for it and met him halfway. The kiss was short and light. But it served its purpose. Tatsumi moved away from her face and stood down on his heels after some moments. He smiled at her.

"But it does give me some relief to know that he has been taken care of. So thank you."

Esdese started to smile again. "I knew that it would be to your liking in some way."

"I can't say that his suffering gives me much joy." he said and looked out over the city. "But I am glad that this business has been taken care of."

Esdese nodded. Her confidence returning. "You are a predator. Just like me. I know that you don't like it, Tatsumi, but you are at the peak of the food chain. You should try and accept that it is your nature to destroy those that oppose you."

Tatsumi sighed again but was still smiling when he looked up at her. "My life would be much easier if I could just decide about how I should feel about these things."

Esdese's hand came up and played a little with his hair. Curling one of his brown locks around one of her fingers. "You should try to not let those under you affect you so easily. Hold your head a bit higher. I know of no one that could seriously challenge you except myself and a few others."

Tatsumi shook his head. "Let's go and get some food. We need to prepare for the induction ceremony of Gallus and the others. We need to decide how to handle them."

Esdese nodded. Grabbing his arm with her own once more and walked with him into the tower. Basically leading Tatsumi with her.

The funeral pyre was lit in the early evening but it still burned on long into the night. Far past the sunset and the last light of the day.

This funeral procedure was held in a reclusive glade. Surrounded by conifers and pines. A bit away from the army's main encampment. Though the sound of it could still be heard in the distance.

Many of these pyres had been lit after the battle between Night raid and Makeias. On both sides. But most of them had been done the weeks after the fighting. None had waited this long to hold the mourning ceremony. It had been held off simply because of the wishes of the dead one's dearest person. And his will had been respected. Wave's will.

Now he was standing in the front of the small group that had gathered to pay their respect. Staring into the fire as the flames engulfed and swallowed the woman he loved. Her body wrapped up in cloth in order to spare the onlookers from the grim sight. The body delivered to the pyre like that by Tom-Tom and his men. Wave's face was empty of emotions. As he watched her disappear in the bonfire, he felt a part of himself disappear. Like he was dying with her.

Yet no tears came to him. No feelings surged. He just felt dead inside.

The group stood in silence and watched as the fire burned into the night. But after a long while, the flames started to die and people started to leave. Moving back towards the camp after walking up to Wave and giving him their condolences.

It didn't take too long until there were only a few of them left behind him. The last one to leave was Tom-Tom. Giving him a hug in an uncharacteristically big display of compassion before he left. The old man feeling that he had failed the younger generation. But then Tom-Tom left as well. Leaving him alone with the glowing embers in the small glade.

He stood and stared at them for a long while. He felt like he couldn't leave this glade. A part of him would forever be left here and he didn't think that he could move on without it. He couldn't leave her here. He felt like this was the only place left in the world where he could still exist as the person he had once been. He felt like if he left this glade, he would become a worse version of himself. He would be leaving behind the parts of him that he was proud of.

So after a while, he sat down on the ground. Staring into the glowing cinders with his arms wrapped around his knees. His face as empty as he felt inside. He didn't know how long he had been sitting like that when the last person finally arrived to the funeral.

Makeias walked out of the darkness under the trees. Slowly walking into the glade. Wave couldn't tell if the man had been hiding there for a long time or not. He didn't care. He couldn't even be bothered to turn around or greet the general. He simply kept staring into the remains of the fire.

Makeias stopped for some moments after he had walked into the opening. He looked at Wave and took a deep breath before he walked up to him.

"How are you holding up, Wave?" he said in a very somber tone.

Wave didn't answer him. He just kept staring into the glowing ashes. His eyes empty. Makeias waited for an answer for a little while. Then he slowly sat down beside him. Looking at the cinders as well. It took a long while before he spoke again.

"You can't stay here forever, you know?" he said silently.

"Yet I can't leave either." Wave said without looking away from what remained of the fire. "So I guess I will stay here. Until time takes me."

Makeias studied Wave but his face was as empty as his voice. He guessed that this was a case of survivor's guilt. "You cannot blame yourself for this, Wave. This was not your fault."

"Spare me."

"It was not your fault." Makeias repeated. "We struggle against it as much as we can, but these things happen. No one can control everything."

"She would not be dead if she hadn't followed me in my betrayal of the empire. She only went down this path because of me. She only wanted to be with me. I should have shown her the same devotion. Instead of leading her into a more dangerous way of life than we were already living."

"Maybe." Makeias said. "But we don't know that. She might have met a worse fate if she had stayed with the empire. We simply don't know. Life is too chaotic and complicated to place blame like that."

Wave did not seem affected by his words. "She deserved more from me than this. She followed me. Helped me. Cared for me. And yet I only rushed forward. Pursuing my own hopes and ambitions. Leaving her to try and pursue me. I should have dedicated more of my life to her."

"You are only thinking about it like that because things turned out this way. You have lived your life like you wanted. As did she. She choose to follow you. She made her own choice. And her choice was you. She was aware of how you lived and she still made that choice. You are looking down on the way she choose to live by thinking that every choice that ends in sadness is a mistake."

Finally he managed to get an reaction from Wave. The other man turning his eyes over to meet his. A bit of misguided irritation in them. "And what would you know of mistakes, Makeias? You always have the right words prepared. You always know what to do. You never let anything affect you on a personal level."

That actually made Makeias chuckle quietly. The sound of it joyless. Wave just looked at him.

"I am not the man I once was, Wave. I wasn't always this conniving and false. I used to be way more straightforward. Way more true to myself." he said and smiled at the younger man. "I used to be a lot like you, Wave."

"But you are not that anymore." he answered bitterly. Looking at Makeias as his face grew more empty again. The older man's smile sad and tired.

"No. I am not. Because the one dearest to me died. A long time ago." he said and looked down at the coals again.

That actually lit something in Wave's eyes. A spark of interest. "Who was it?"

Makeias looked up at the starry night sky. "She was a subordinate of mine. Beautiful. Tall and proud with long blond hair and green eyes. And I loved her more than anything."

"What killed her?" Wave asked. Way more in the present than he had been some moments before.

"I don't know. To be honest. The man she married found her after a particularly bad battle at the borders. She had bled to death from a wound in the chest. We never learned what caused it"

Wave just looked at Makeias for some moments. He didn't know if he wanted to hear it. But he felt a need to understand this more. "So she loved someone else?"

"Yeah. My best friend had the honor of getting her love." Makeias said. His voice small and silent. "I never told her my feelings. Since they were happy together. But now both of them are long dead. He gave his life to save mine. Long after we had buried the woman that we both loved together."

Makeias turned his face back to Wave. "And now their daughter is dead as well. She gave her life to save Tom-Tom."

The realization was visible on Wave's face. "Liza..."

Makeias nodded. "She was one of the two children of the love of my life. And the daughter of my best friend. And now I have buried her as well."

"Makeias..." Wave said. Compassion in his voice.

Makeias turned his eyes to the sky again. "These days, I find myself more living for the dead than anything else. I have promises to fulfill. I have sworn to stop this spiral of war and hate. To bring stability. And no matter what I do, no matter what cruelties I commit. They are done for that single purpose."

He looked over at Wave again. "But I would prefer it if you didn't turn into me, Wave."

Wave was silent for some moments before he spoke. Just looking at Makeias.

"I don't think I will become anything ever again, general. I don't think I will move on from this." he said and put his head on his knees. "I think this is it for me."

Makeias looked at Wave. Pity on his face. He needed to bring the young man out of this. "We can't lose your contributions to our cause, Wave. We need your power."

"If this was a choice for me, Makeias, then I wouldn't be telling you these things." he said into his knees. "This is a struggle. Not a choice."

"I know, Wave. Believe me, I know." he said and decided to go for a different strategy. "But will you just give up and let the empire go on with its horrible practices. Will you let all this horror go on? Now that you have had a full taste of its consequences. You are strong, Wave. You have been privileged with a life that has allowed you to grow strong. But that privilege also decides your responsibility to this world, Wave."

"I am not strong enough for this, Makeias." Wave said. His voice unsteady. "Not strong enough to endure this."

"So will you just let this evil go unopposed then?" Makeias tried once more. "Will you let Akame get away with this? Will you let Kurome go unavenged?

"And live on only for hate?" Wave said. Despair filling his face. "I .. I.. can't do that.. I can't live like that.."

He looked up at Makeias. His face filled with hopelessness. Almost as if he was searching for help. "I don't think I can survive this, Makeias." he said. His voice trembling. "I can't... She was so much to me.. I don't think I can live on without her. I can't move on from that. How can I leave her behind?"

Makeias hand came up and placed itself on his back. "You just answered your own question, Wave. You can't go on without her."

Wave's expression looked a bit puzzled under all the pain.

"You loved her so much, Wave, and she loved you." Makeias said. "You can't move on without her. Loving her has made you into what you are. So she will always be a part of you. You will take her with you. Wherever you go. You will carry her dreams and love as you move forward. Just as I have done for those I have parted ways with."

And finally, the tears started coming for Wave. Pouring out of his eyes once more. His teeth clenched.

Makeias' hand rubbed his back and then moved out in between them. Offering it's open palm to him. "I need you for this, Wave. I can't do this without you. Stay with us. And help me make a world where there will be no more deaths like Kurome and Liza."

Wave looked down at the offered hand and then back up at Makeias face. Then he grabbed the hand with his own. Squeezing it. "Never again."

Makeias nodded. "Never again."

Wave looked at Makeias for some moments and then covered up his eyes with one of his hands. Moving his face to the side. Starting to sob in earnest as the tears trailed down his face.

Makeias hand moved up and squeezed his shoulder. As he slowly stood up. "It cuts deep. I know, Wave. But don't hide from it. Face the pain head on. Mourn with every fiber of your being. Be proud of your pain. It is the proof that the love was real."

He squeezed the younger man's shoulder one last time and then let go of it. Turning around and walking out of the glade. Leaving Wave to his mourning. The younger man crying loudly in front of the ashes.

Makeias walked for a long time. Moving back towards the camp. He passed the guards at its entry and walked towards the center of the camp. Where his headquarters were placed. He passed through the supply area of the camp as he did. A part that was only filled with crates and boxes. When he had moved to a part where no one was watching, he suddenly lashed out.

Without warning he started to kick at a small wooden chest that was closest to him. Kicking at it in such a frenzy and outrage that the chest was soon completely destroyed. When there was nothing left of it but wooden splinters and Makeias was panting heavily, he finally stopped. He straightened up and took some deep breaths. When he felt like he had gotten his cool back, he started to walk again. His own anguish calmed for now.

The underlying anger over that few things ever seemed to go as he planned. And pain coming from the knowledge that it was not Akame who had killed Kurome.

Author's note:

I apologize for the delay. I have talked to several of you readers and I am starting to think that I should change how I write these release dates. Since I rarely manage to meet them these days. Maybe I should start writing them in broader terms. Like which week it will be released or something like that. Or maybe I should skip them entirely.

Write if you have an opinion on whether I should skip them entirely or not. Depending on what people write, I will write a ne w date on the top of this chapter in a day or two.

Now we have started what is probably going to be the final arc of this story. Even if we are still just in the stage of framing how the arc will go on from here.

As always, thanks a lot for reading. Your feedback and comments are literally what keeps this going. Your engagement in this tale is very appreciated. And while I have this story planned out in the larger strokes, your opinions might change how the details play out. They have done so before.

Until next time, take care of each other.