Bent but not Broken

by Neputola

Takes place 18 months after Lubbock's death. The revolutionary army is in shambles as the empire is finally quelling the rebellion. Tatsumi is living under Esdese's protection, having accepted her offer back then. Trying to destroy the empire from the inside by sectretly sowing seeds of internal conflict while hiding behind it's strongest general. Rated M for gore,lemons,violence.

48. Those who play with fire

Well... This turned into a rather long wait.

The reason for it can't really be blamed on a single factor in my life. My job just took a lot more time after the summer break and then my studies were being left behind so I had to focus a lot of my free time on that. And then I had to travel abroad for two weeks. The fact that this grew into the longest chapter I have ever written didn't help.

Every time I have a longer break such as this, I am worried over all the readers that I might lose with every passing day. It stresses me out. I want to keep you all here with me, since I still intend to finish this story.

It is also a problem in regards to all the characters and plot threads that this story has. It might be a bit much to force every reader to remember them all after a two-month absence from the story. The longer I wait, it might become more and more confusing for the reader.

But man, a lot of things have happened during this small, unplanned and involuntary hiatus. Since the last chapter, the story has gotten more than a hundred reviews. Passing both the 1000 mark and the 1100 mark. That's amazing! Some of my favorites are "Crippling depression." and being likened to Hillary Clinton. Made me laugh.

Though, I will say that it made me really happy to have people writing and wondering when the next chapter is coming. Even when it has been two months since the last release. I would have thought that you would have forgotten about little me and my not so little story. Thanks for your interest.

So here is, what will probably be, the largest chapter of this entire story.

---

Those who play with fire.

The sky was clouded but it didn't seem like it would rain anytime soon. The day that Esdese's forces began their march back towards the capital seemed gray in itself, even if the fields around them were lush and green. Ever since they had left the battlefield behind them, the environment they had marched past had been peaceful and beautiful.

The entire army seemed more silent than usual. Even the war drums seemed like they were trying to be quiet. As if everyone was afraid of drawing their leader's attention to them. Almost all of them could feel her anger in some way. Making them uneasy and nervous. Even if most of them couldn't tell why. Most of them trusted their beloved general but nonetheless, they couldn't help but feel pressured.

Even Tatsumi felt a little bit intimidated. Even if he wasn't nearly as bothered by it as everybody else.

He was riding in his usual position in the front cavalry of the long military column. A couple of ranks behind the military leadership. Looking up towards the front of the military procession.

Esdese was riding in her usual position. In front of everyone. But unlike usual, she had no one near her. The small crowd that usually flocked around her was absent. The military leaders, advisors, and elite warriors that were usually vying for her attention didn't dare to approach her at the moment. All of them feeling the danger emanating from her. And since Esdese didn't bother with suppressing her intimidating aura, Tatsumi assumed that she didn't want to be bothered by them. So she rode alone. Ten meters in front of the other leaders. Her head turned forward.

Tatsumi hadn't been able to talk to her during the entire morning. After he had read the letter from Gallus the night prior, Esdese had stormed out of the tent. Grabbing the courier around the neck in the passing. Dragging him after her out of the tent. He had thought about going after her but in the end, he hadn't. He had already been tired from the battle and he had needed time to process the new situation he found himself in.

He didn't know if she had returned during the night. He thought she had. He had fallen asleep on the sofa. Exhaustion finally claiming its right when he had been thinking in silence about this new situation for more than an hour. But when he woke up, he was lying in the bed. But he had not seen her anywhere around when he woke. Even though he assumed that no one else would have dared to carry him to bed. Yet she was nowhere to be seen when he woke up in their large tent. His guess was that she had returned to the tent for some other reason and had found him on the couch. Carrying him to the bed before leaving again.

He could tell that things had been hectic during the night. Outside of the tent. He had barely finished dressing and eating when the marching horns started to blow in the distance. Signaling that they army was moving out. Less than a day after the battle was finished. And that was where they were now.

Though when they had started to move out, Tatsumi couldn't help but notice that there was a group of riders that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Always staying a good distance away but still making no attempts to conceal the fact that they were following him. Tatsumi didn't recognize a single one of them. He had stopped a couple of times to stare at them. They could be some of Esdese's men that he just didn't recognize or they might have arrived in the night. Together with the military courier. It stood to reason that a messenger that carried the emperor's words would have an escort. And Tatsumi wouldn't be surprised if said escort had been given an ulterior motive.

Not that he cared. He doubted that they posed any real threat. He couldn't even gather enough energy about it to feel bothered by the group of warriors that were stalking him. His mind was occupied by a far more pressing issue.

He felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff. Like a step in one direction could lead to safety. Another step could lead to total calamity. And he was not sure which direction was which.

Because Tatsumi fully understood the extent of what Esdese anger meant.

Because he knew Esdese was not a hateful creature. She had never been that. It wasn't anger or hate that drove her to do the horrible things that she did. She just did what she thought was fun. Her cruelty did not stem from rage. It was simply a byproduct of her complete lack of compassion for almost everyone in the world. She didn't hurt her fellow humans out of spite. She did for the kicks it gave her. For the enjoyment she drew from it. She usually didn't care about her opponents enough to even be angry at them. At most, she could at times grow irritated at her enemies. But even that was somewhat rare.

But this was different. This was anger. Pure and threatening. Even if she was keeping her composure. Though Tatsumi was not certain of how close the pot was to boiling over. He had only seen her lose her cool composure twice. And once had been when she had learned of his betrayal. Now he was scared of what she would do when they reached the capital.

Tatsumi had done his best to create some sort of stability for the nation after the prime minister's death. Using his very unique position as well as he could. And he liked to imagine that he was moving the government in the right direction. But if Esdese would choose to oppose the new emperor that had been appointed by the political cabinet and military leaders, then Tatsumi had now idea how things were going to turn out.

He even feared that Esdese would order her own forces to burn the palace and destroy the capital the moment they had all marched in through its gates.

He wouldn't put it past her. It would all come down to how she reacted to this new leadership of the empire. If she would acknowledge it as her own leadership. Tatsumi was unsure about it. She had allied with the prime minister when she was still new to the imperial military. She had held a degree of loyalty to him and to the imperial military. But now she was the leader of the military. Tatsumi wasn't sure that she would accept someone that just waltzed up to her and told her that she now had to obey their command. And he didn't think that it helped if that person's very next sentence was that they might execute her mate for treason.

He knew that she held some loyalty to the government as a whole. He just didn't know if it extended that far. If it didn't, the nation might be heading towards an even more turbulent time than before.

And he could only imagine how Makeias would capitalize on such a huge conflict erupting in the center of the empire.

Tatsumi's thoughts stopped at the renegade general and stayed there for a little while. Was the pillager behind any of this? And if he was, would that change anything? Should he try and urge Esdese to start questioning Tom-Tom sooner?

The thought gave him no comfort since he was still struggling with the idea that the only way to bring on Makeias' demise might be to bring a rather horrible fate to Tom-Tom first. Tatsumi considered the gain of stopping Makeias for some moments. The teigu known as Spectator could sway a lot of things in this situation. Especially in the right hands.

But in the end, Tatsumi dismissed that problem for later. They might be in this situation because the boy that had Spectator, Jack, had whispered something in the ear of Faye or Kotaro. But while Makeias very well might have created this situation, he would have no way to control it at this point. Just giving them clues and hints about what he and Esdese had been doing behind the scenes would not be enough to buy their loyalty. Of this he was certain. And if he was wrong, and Makeias actually somehow controlled the emperor, then this current turn of events made no sense. Makeias would not just have decided to arrest him and trust Esdese to follow the command.

No, this was something else, Tatsumi decided. This was a new faction with its own agenda. Or it might be a very old faction that only now had come out into the light. Feeling that the time was right. Though he could of course not rule out the possibility that Makeias had been the one that had given this new faction all the information and dirt they seemed to have on him and what he had done.

He let out a silent and troubled sigh as he looked at Esdese's back. Her hair and cape blowing in the wind. No matter how he looked at it, she was the biggest problem right now.

Because he wanted to believe that Kotaro was still a good person at heart. He had spent a lot of time with the kid. He had tried to teach him, just like his old friends once had taught him. About what was right and what was wrong. About the world. Though Tatsumi realized that just the fact that Esdese was theoretically standing beside him probably made all the lessons and morals he had tried to teach the boy ring rather hollow. No one could say that he was living what he preached.

But at least he was still certain that the boy was a more competent ruler than the last emperor. Even if he might lack the tactical prowess of the late prime minister. But he was certainly less greedy and power-hungry than the prime minister had been. And way more compassionate than Esdese ever had been.

So Tatsumi wasn't sure that the idea of Kotaro becoming the emperor right now was such a bad idea. That was what he had intended for originally. Even if he had planned to wait until Kotaro had some more years and a lot more experience on his back. Either way, Tatsumi was convinced that he couldn't be a worse ruler than Esdese. He might lack her commanding presence, fear, and respect. Heck, it would probably take a decade for him to become as effective as Esdese was when it came to leading and ruling. But he knew that the boy's heart would always be brighter and greater than Esdese's. He had no doubt about that.

So just the idea of Kotaro being the emperor was not bothering Tatsumi.

The problem was that there was something else going on here. If Tatsumi was certain of anything, it was that Kotaro would not have rebelled like this without someone goading him on. Someone was guiding him. Like the prime minister had pretended to do for the old emperor. Though in this case, it might not be in the same deceiving way.

And he was not sure of who it was. His guess was that it was one of the two generals stationed in the capital. Gallus or Faye. Probably the latter, Tatsumi concluded. Gallus was a survivor, first and foremost. He would do his best to not make anyone too powerful into his enemy. So if things went south and worst came to worst, he would probably always side with Esdese. He was just too careful to not make any unnecessary moves that could give him too mighty enemies. He probably wasn't the one behind what was happening in the capital. He probably thought that he was acting as a mediator between Esdese and the capital right now.

No, this was most likely the work of the other general exclusively, Tatsumi reasoned. Gallus had probably just gone along with things and pretended ignorance in order to not make any enemies. Hopeful that Esdese would ignore his passiveness.

And that was the sole reason as to why he had not tried to stop Esdese from returning to the capital yet.

He had no idea of what agenda general Faye had. He had heard Esdese say that she was "one of those for-the-people types" but he knew little beyond that. He knew that she apparently was a rather competent warrior. And he knew that there was no love lost between her and Esdese. He also seemed to recall something about Faye being rather conniving.

So he felt that he needed to return to the capital and find out what was actually happening. Behind the scenes. Who was making this happen and what was their true agenda. He wanted to meet Kotaro and see if the boy had changed.

But first, he needed to make sure that things didn't turn to hell the moment Esdese set foot in the capital once more. He needed to talk to her.

He straightened up slightly. Took a deep breath and then spurred his horse on. Riding out from the ranks. Leaving his position in the procedure behind as he slowly rode past those ni front of him and then the military leadership that occupied the front of the caravan of cavalry.

He cast a glance over his shoulder as he did. Looking for the group of riders that had been following him all day. But it seemed like they didn't dare to move closer to Esdese either. He couldn't see them leaving the military procedure to follow him. As he turned his head forward again, he could sense the glares of the military leadership. Staring at him as he passed them. He couldn't tell if they were annoyed at him because he was breaching military protocol and ignoring the hierarchy or simply because he was who he was. It had been years since he cared about such things.

He rode up to Esdese. Not paying those behind him any more mind.

As he approached her side, he could feel how his horse tensed up. It was a steady and strong creature. But its instincts was clearly at odds with Tatsumi's intentions. Yet the beast stayed calm and went where he directed it to go. Even if Tatsumi could tell how nervous it was. He gently patted the side of its neck. Then straightening up as he finally came up at Esdese's side. His own horse falling in beside her large white stallion.

"Good morning, beautiful!" he said with slightly exaggerated enthusiasm.

Esdese's face wasn't contorted but the anger was plain on it. Her sharp eyes filled with threat. She didn't move her gaze away from the road ahead of them as Tatsumi continued.

"I assume that it was you that carried me to bed last night." he continued in a bit lower voice. "Thanks for that."

Esdese still didn't look at him. Not giving any indication that she knew that he was there. Even if he knew that she was listening.

He leaned in a bit closer to her. "Did you get any rest at all? Have you even slept since the battle?"

"I slept beside you for an hour and a half during the night. Then I had to get the army ready." Esdese answered in a hard but not unfriendly voice. Just the fact that he got a response brought a relieved smile to Tatsumi's face.

"Sooo.. I guess that we are riding to my trial?" he said in a joking tone. Trying to get a feel for the situation. A serious question hidden under his relaxed manner. Though he immediately realized that he might have poked at a sleeping bear.

Esdese's eyes turned to his immediately. Anger flaring up in her expression. The power of her gaze piercing him. Even if Tatsumi felt confident that the maliciousness of it wasn't meant for him. However, his steed felt no such confidence. Neighing loudly and tearing at the reins as it wanted to move away from the threatening attention. Forcing Tatsumi to take a moment to calm the beast down. And when he had, Esdese eyes had returned to the road. Her expression calm once again.

"We are riding towards a lot of things, Tatsumi. But a trial is not one of them."

Tatsumi swallowed lightly. Fearing that the situation might be worse than he thought. "So what then? I hope we aren't heading for just another battle?" he said. A bit of the joking tone drained from his voice when he spoke.

Yet Esdese just kept quiet. Keeping her eyes on the horizon. Causing Tatsumi's worry to grow. "Are we?"

"Sometimes I wonder if you have made me softer than I used to be, Tatsumi." Esdese said without looking at him. Her tone just as hard as before.

"Well, I would like to say that I have been a positive influence in your life. But I have to admit that it lies in the eye of the beholder." Tatsumi said.

"Sometimes it feels like you are my poison. Like you are running through my veins. Affecting me in ways that I can't control. Like a drug that I am addicted to. A drug that is slowly weakening me."

That made Tatsumi halt his joking manner. Her words stinging him in ways he had not foreseen.

"Hej." he said silently and steered himself a bit closer to her. "Are you angry at me?"

Esdese didn't answer. She just kept staring at the road ahead of them. Causing Tatsumi a slightly pained expression. He bent close to her.

"Hej." he repeated. "Listen, I know that I was the one that put Kotaro in this position. I know that I was the one that convinced you that he could be the next emperor. I know that I said that I could control him. I know that it was I that made you promote Faye to general status again. I know that this is my fault, Esdese." he said in an even lower voice. When she didn't answer, he reached over and put a hand on her thigh. On the part that wasn't covered by her skirt or boots. Slowly stroking her white skin. "I am sorry, okej? Please don't resent me, Esdese."

Her hard eyes slowly moved to his. She held his gaze for some moments. Then her hand reached up and grabbed the back of his coat in a hard grip. In a single fluid motion, she lifted him off his horse. As if he was as light as a pillow. Then she moved him into her lap. His legs hanging down on one side of her horse as he sat down in front of her. Almost sitting on the large stallions neck. Tatsumi's own horse immediately started to move away from them. Happy to get away from Esdese. Even if it kept following them from a distance. Still loyal to its master.

Esdese's hand left his back and moved up to his head. Pushing it into her shoulder as she spoke. "I have never resented you. Not even when I was about to kill you in the higher levels of the palace. Even then, I still loved you. And I always will, Tatsumi."

Tatsumi moved an arm up around her lower back. Just around her waist. "We are the same, Esdese. At least in this regard. You say that you sometimes feel that I am your poison. That I am weakening you. And I feel that you are making me into a crueler creature with every passing day. But I love you. I gave up on trying to suppress that a long time ago. That is simply a part of me now. It's not something that I can affect anymore."'

Esdese nodded. Her stern expression still staying. "We are what we are, Tatsumi. Both of us are too strong to change so fundamentally. So we have to find our own solutions to the cards we have been dealt."

Tatsumi turned his eyes to the road ahead of them. "And what will your solution to all of this be? Will you set fire to the capital when we return to it?" he asked. Fearing the answer.

Esdese was silent for a moment before she spoke. "I won't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind."

Tatsumi looked up at her but found that her eyes were also directed at the road ahead of them. "Are you going to?"

"No." Esdese said and closed her eyes. "That is my city. And it is my duty to protect it. That has been my duty for a long time. However, I must admit that I find it harder to motivate this loyalty. Almost all the parts of the empire that I swore my loyalty to are gone. And I am not sure if I am too fond of what it has become."

Tatsumi swallowed again. He himself felt conflicted about that issue. In a way, he had used Esdese's loyalty to force her to go against her own will. Such as promoting Faye or abandoning her military activities in favor of spending her time on ruling in the absence of an emperor. But in a sense, it was also her loyalty to the nation that was the reason as to why she was such a hard problem to deal with. Many times had he argued with her that she should just leave the empire behind. That the two of them should just leave the nation and never return to it. To just leave and hunt for dangerous beasts and monsters as they traveled through the world.

Esdese had always dismissed the idea, even if it sounded like fun to her. Since she had a duty to fulfill. But if she felt her loyalty lessen then maybe someday that would change. Though Tatsumi had a bad suspicion that she might not leave the empire before burning a large part of it down.

"The prime minister is dead. My emperor is dead. All of my jaegers are gone. I have killed the former ruler of the military that I swore myself to. The imperial court that I swore to defend was destroyed by Makeias. What is left of the empire that I swore myself to?"

"Your men. If you haven't noticed it, you have a lot of people behind you right now."

Esdese looked over her shoulder. A slightly disinterested look on her face. "Yeah.. my men. Do they follow me or the empire? Is there even a distinction between the two to them. For many of them, I am the empire."

"Esdese." Tatsumi said. Causing her eyes to return to him. "You are much more than just your role in this empire."

"Maybe." Esdese said and raised her eyes again. "Maybe."

"But you won't burn the capital upon arrival, at least?"

"No. But I am not sure that some heads won't roll upon my arrival. I will see what happens once we return. But I have no intention of destroying the city right now."

"That is encouraging to hear. But I take it that you won't tolerate a trial."

Esdese once again remained silent for a little while before she answered. "You have been open to me about all that you have been doing since the death of the prime minister, right, Tatsumi?"

"Yeah." Tatsumi answered without a moment of hesitation. "I mean, I have been doing a lot of things together with the new imperial guard that we have kept secret from the rest of the world. We have done a lot of shady things in order to stay in complete control. But I haven't kept anything from you. Not since I killed the prime minister."

Esdese nodded. "As long as you do as I tell you, I will never let anyone else lay hands upon you. That has always been my promise. This is no different. It is a political move. Those behind this aren't trying to uphold the law. Most of the government would be facing the hangman if that was the case. This is about removing you, Tatsumi. This is not about some childish sense of justice. It is an attempt to kill you."

"Yeah. That is my take on it as well." Tatsumi said.

"I don't know who it is that is behind this but it doesn't matter. This is a clear attack on you. And I can't help but wonder if whoever is behind it even realized that an attack on you is an attack on me."

"They probably didn't realize that they were challenging the most powerful person in the empire." Tatsumi said.

Esdese shrugged. "We will find who is behind all of this. And then I will spend some good hours with whoever it is. Down in the torture chambers."

"So we will take things as they come for now?" Tatsumi asked and leaned back into her shoulder.

"For now." Esdese confirmed as Tatsumi got a bit more comfortable in her embrace. He could feel how she welcomed his intimacy. Tilting her body a little so that he could lean against her. He felt like her presence had become a little less threatening. But that might just be because he was inside the bubble now. So close to her that he didn't perceive the force she was emanating outwards. But he could still feel the anger inside of her. And it was just as strong as before.

---

"Where the hell are you, Leone?" Akame said silently to herself.

She was sitting alone in the small room that acted as her office in their hideout in the capital. The room was not much more than an office chair and a desk but it served its purpose. Akame has a couple of papers strewn out in front of her but she wasn't looking at any of them. She was listening to the steps that were closing in. She had hoped that it would be Leone but she could already tell that it wasn't. Just from the rhythm and weight of them.

Isamu opened the door without knocking. Entering with haste.

The young man had been forced to limit his training since they had entered the capital. Their hideout not offering much in the terms of training rooms or workout spaces. Yet he hadn't lost his muscular form. He seemed to have recovered fully from the wounds he got from fighting Kurome. During the meeting were the Path of Peace had betrayed them. These days he carried his long blonde hair in a bun at the back of his head.

"Nope. She wasn't at her usual bar. Though the owner said that he saw her there last night." he said as he walked up to the desk.

Akame leaned back slightly. "Then that makes it the last sighting of her that we have right now."

Isamu nodded. The room behind him was filled with light chatter. The last remnants of the revolutionary army's information network was working with their everyday tasks in it. A group of twenty people. Following leads and contacts. Constantly summarizing what they knew.

"What should we do next?" Isamu asked and looked at her. His blue eyes filled with uncertainty.

Akame thought for a second before she spoke. "If this was a normal situation, Leone would be presumed dead by now."

Isamu seemed a little bit surprised by that. "She has only been gone for about ten hours. She could still come walking in here any minute now."

"Leone knows what it means that she misses an appointed time in our current situation." Akame said. "If she didn't turn up to our meeting this morning, it was because she was unable to do so."

"She might just have drunk too much last night. She might be passed out somewhere." Isamu tried.

Akame shook her head. "Leone likes to drink but that has never stopped her from doing her part in our organization. She has never missed a meeting because of such a silly reason."

"Okej, so say that we presume the worst. Then what now? How do we move forward?"

"We wait." Akame said slowly. "Esdese is apparently moving back towards the capital and the palace is still keeping its gates completely shut. So we will wait. Meanwhile, we can keep searching for Leone."

"Easier said than done." Isamu said. "That bar she was last seen in is down in the slums. She could have gone anywhere from there."

"True enough." Akame said and rose up. "Leone is strong, though. If she has died fighting, then we will probably be able to find traces of that battle."

Isamu nodded. "Yeah. I have a hard time imagining Leone going down without a fight. She is too street smart for that."

"Agreed. Though I don't have an explanation for why she isn't here if she hasn't run into trouble. I figure that the most hopeful guess is that she has found some kind of opportunity that she has been forced to pursue. And that she literally hasn't had time to contact us about it."

Isamu simply nodded.

"Either way, we are running out of time. The moment that Esdese returns to the capital, the palace will probably start opening its gates again. And then we will have a lot more to do. We won't have time to search for Leone then. We need to find her before that."

"I will tell the others to keep their eyes up." Isamu said and turned around. "Maybe some of them have heard something of value."

"One more thing, Isamu." Akame said as his hand grabbed the door handle. He looked at her over his shoulder. "How is your training with Black Marlin coming along?"

"At about the pace that we set out. Though I am currently a little bit behind schedule. But I will rectify that in the coming days."

"Good." Akame said. "You will need the be in top shape when the fights start coming. One day we will have to face off against Esdese. On that day I will need the support of Black Marlin to counter her ice."

Isamu nodded again. "I will be ready. I promise you that."

Akame returned his nod. "Go. And pray that we find Leone soon enough."

Isamu turned around and left the room. After he was gone, Akame leaned back in her chair again with a sigh. She wasn't even sure if her plan would work against Esdese. It was mostly a desperate gamble.

But then again, she reflected, most of her choice seemed to be that these days.

---

When Esdese rode into the main yard of the palace, she was met by general Gallus and his retinue of personal guards. Maybe thirty of them standing behind him. Waiting for her on the opposite side from the gate she entered the yard through. The big man himself was wearing the same religious, black and white robes that he usually wore. His hands holding each other over his large stomach. The giant hammer that was his teigu strapped across his back.

Esdese cold and sharp eyes held his gaze from the moment the yard's giant doors were opened for her and the military procession behind her.

She rode directly up to him.

When one of the stable boys had run up to her and grabbed the reins of her horse,she jumped off it in a single fluid motion. Her piercing glare not leaving his eyes for a moment. If she had even blinked once since she rode in, Gallus had not been able to discern it. She took the last couple of steps towards him and then stopped. Her hands closed into fists at her sides. For a short moment, everyone in the yard held their breath.

Then Gallus quickly bowed down. Crouching down on one knee. His own retinue following him down into kneeling position. Staring down at the ground. Most of the soldiers posted in the yard did the same. Except for those that were arriving with Esdese. Still riding into the yard behind her.

"The leader of the imperial military has returned! The one responsible for keeping the empire steady through the turmoils that has been!" Gallus boomed out. In his loudest voice. Then he turned his head up towards her. Speaking in a calmer demeanor. "It is good to see you again, great general. I am at your service."

Esdese took a deep, calming breath and even if her expression didn't change, her hands relaxed a bit. Even if they still remained closed. "I assume that I don't have to tell you how you have failed me." she said. Her voice so cold and calm that a scream would almost have been less threatening.

"I have kept the peace in the city." Gallus said. Sounding humble even when he was defending himself. "You never ordered me to seize control over the political scene or halt any of its progress."

"You were ordered to keep me informed about everything major that was going on. During my absence, the martial law was broken, a new emperor was appointed and nearly three hundred of my own men were executed in the form of the new imperial guard. And I first learned about all of this many days after it had all happened." she said. Looking down at him. Her glare drilling into his eyes. "Tell me, general Gallus. Do these not seem like major things happening to you?"

"I had to prioritize, great general. I had to focus on making sure that stability was kept and that the passing of power was done orderly."

"So much that you didn't even have time to order someone to send me a letter?" Esdese said. Not letting him get away at all.

Gallus remained silent for a little bit after that.

"And let's talk about that passing of power, Gallus." Esdese went on when he didn't speak. "The words in your letter said that the military leadership of the capital had helped the new emperor ascend to his position. It said that you were united when you dismantled the martial law that I put into place. Which means that you voted against my orders as well, didn't you, Gallus?"

Gallus kept meeting her gaze with the same humble expression. If the big man felt any fear, it did not show through. "I am deeply sorry if I have acted contradictory to your will, great general. I was always under the impression that you only held the position as head of state because of necessity. I always thought that you despised having to play that role."

"But I decided to keep playing it nonetheless. Didn't I?" Esdese said. Her arms moved up and crossed each other over her chest. "My resentment over my position was apparent but so was also my choice to stay in it. Yet now you and a handful of my other subordinates have decided that you were in the right to overrule my decision. Assuming that you all had a better grasp on my situation than I myself did. And you did it without even notifying me of it."

"They were only thinking about what was best for the empire. And I only thought about what you actually wanted, great general." Gallus said.

"Looks like mutiny from where I am standing." she said in the same cold and calm voice.

No fear or nervousness was visible on Gallus face but now he had started to sweat. A single drop trailing down from his temple as Esdese let her words sink in for some moments. The yard was silent enough for everyone to be able to discern every word they were saying. Her own men were dismounting behind her as the attendants walked up and met them. But everyone was keeping quiet. No one speaking a word in the yard. Except for the two generals.

"Great general, I am your servant. I have been as clear about that as I could have been. I swore myself to you after the death of great general Budo. And I have stayed loyal since then."

"Doesn't mean that you can't fail me."

Gallus closed his mouth and looked up at Esdese. Deciding to go for a different route in his attempts to dismantle the situation somewhat. He turned his head down as he spoke in his loud voice. "Great general, if I have failed you, I will atone for my mistakes in any way that you deem fit. But I hope you can understand that I thought this was the decision that you would regard as the best one."

Esdese let silence rule for some moments after Gallus' words. Letting the fear in the yard grow until she was satisfied with the tension around her. Knowing that everyone was listening to her every word. She sighed loudly.

"Maybe Tatsumi was right about you all along, general Gallus." she said and pushed some of her hair away.

"What?" Gallus said and looked up at her again.

"General, I can accept that you would think that I would be satisfied with your decisions to help revoke the martial law after I left the capital. Since it means that I can return to my role as a warrior. I can also buy that you could be stupid enough to believe that I would just accept that you let a new emperor be appointed without my involvement. While I was the highest ranking official in the empire. But if that was the facade you wanted to play, you made one fatal mistake."

Gallus looked up at Esdese as she bent forwards slightly. A smile without joy or kindness on her face. Her anger apparent. "My men, Gallus. You let some of my most loyal men hang for treason. Without even thinking about consulting me. There is not a single soul in the military that doesn't know that I reward those who serve me well. And those men were some of my best. And partly thanks to you, their reward for serving me was a noose."

"Great general, they all stood trial. They were all declared guilty. This was all done by the book."

Esdese hit Gallus so hard that three of his teeth landed on the ground before he did.

No one around them could see her arm move until it hit his face. The bang of her fist hitting his skull was so loud that some of the horses that had ridden in behind her veered away and tried to back off. Gallus body was thrown down to the side by the impact. His head flew down into the hard bricks and bounced back up before his momentum stopped. Lying on his stomach on the hard pavement.

Though amazingly enough, after he had stopped, his hands slowly came up and placed themselves on the ground. Slowly lifting him up. It was plain to see that he had gotten a concussion. His movements flimsy and his gaze unfocused as he slowly turned around so that he was facing her. Though how grave the damage was, was harder to decipher. He was bleeding from the side of his head, where he had hit the ground. His upper lip was smashed and some blood poured from his mouth.

When Esdese took a step towards him, he reached up with a hand towards the handle of the enormous hammer on his back.

"Careful now, general." Esdese's icy voice said. "Drawing a weapon against a superior officer will get you a harsh punishment in any court. Though I promise you, if your fingers touch the hilt of your hammer, then they will have to pass their judgment down on whatever pieces of you that they can scrape from the pavement of this yard."

Gallus hand stopped at that. The slight confusion from the hit to his head and the adrenaline from the pain was plain on his face. It took him almost two seconds, but then he regained control over himself. He immediately moved a bit forward so that he was sitting on his knees. He bowed to Esdese and smashed his fists down into the pavement. Bowing down to the point where his forehead was almost touching the ground.

"My deepest apologies, great general!" he shouted. "Your hit was so superb that it knocked me out of my senses. I would never draw a weapon against you. You know that I wouldn't."

Esdese put her hands on her hips. Her expression just as cold and unfriendly as before. Not giving away any clue to whether the punch had calmed her down or if the next one was just moments away.

"I am being completely serious with you right now, Gallus." Esdese said slowly. "We are having an honest discussion here, between master and underling. So if you throw such a bald-faced and pathetic excuse as "it was done by the book" in my face again, then the next hit will be harder."

"Great general, the courts deemed them-" Gallus said loudly into the ground.

Esdese didn't allow him to finish his sentence before she stepped down on the top of his head. Causing his forehead to hit the ground. It was not done in a stomping movement. So Gallus head was not smashed into the ground. But she kept her foot on top of his head. Forcing it down as she crossed her arms over her chest again.

"A court decided what would happen to my men, huh?" she said loudly. Anger finally starting to spill into her voice. "And tell me, Gallus, what is a court if not a bunch of people. In the end, you let the fate of my men be decided by those powerful enough to influence the jury and the judges."

"The court still has to obey the law." Gallus exclaimed. Which was rewarded by more pressure from her foot.

"And who writes the law in this nation, Gallus?!" Esdese said. Her voice clearly angry now. Even if she kept her cool. "The same people that are powerful enough to control the judges and the jury, you fool. Anyone of us could be condemned for treason in front of the right court. You already know this, Gallus. Don't you?"

"I..." Gallus said slowly.

"Lie to me now and I will turn your skull to mush under my foot." Esdese calmly stated.

Gallus hesitated for some moments. Then he finally gave up on his own version of the situation. "It is as you say, great general Esdese."

"And when you put it like that, it brings us to the same point that we started on." Esdese concluded. "You let my men die. And did nothing but nod and agree when they were executed. And then you send me a letter, acting as if you have done nothing to offend me."

Gallus remained silent after her summary.

"So now that we have dropped that charade, I hope that you have a good explanation for your actions ready for me. Because my patience has ended."

Gallus weighed his options carefully. He wasn't sure if he could take the middle road here. He might have to go all in on his dedication to Esdese in order to survive the coming time. But he wasn't fully convinced. Yet at the moment, he knew what he had to say. He couldn't defend anyone else in the capital if he was hoping to survive this minute. He could only hope to save himself.

"I am sorry, great general." Gallus said slowly, in a silent voice. "You ordered me to keep stability. I prioritized that. I knew that if I stood up for your men, it would have brought conflict to the capital. It might have come down to violence. I let your men die because I didn't want to turn the city that you entrusted me with into anarchy. That was my judgment. If it was not in accordance with your will, then I apologize. That was solely my mistake."

"And you couldn't find a way to subdue the forces that wanted the new imperial guard put to death?"

"Not without things turning to violence, great general. And I was not sure that I could limit that conflict when it had sparked. I didn't know if I could keep stability if things went that way. That might be a shortcoming on my part. And if it is, I apologize. But know that my loyalty to you was never swayed through all of this. I just couldn't find another way to solve it."

Esdese looked at him. Her expression had gone from cold to empty. Just staring down at the man for some time while deciding about his fate. But then, she finally moved her foot away from his head.

"Fine. I accept your decision."

Gallus rose his head from the ground and looked at her. Blood dripping down from the wound on his head as he did. "Thank you, great genral."

Esdese met his gaze for some moments. Then her eyes moved up and looked out over the yard. "Though you will take a tour down to the torture chambers for not informing me about this in time."

"The torture chambers?" Gallus said. Unable to keep some of the uncertainty out of his voice.

"You still failed to save my men and you didn't properly inform me about what was going on, Gallus. Some scars will help you remember to not fail me like that again."

The last minute had already made some heavy dents into Gallus' composure but now it was starting to become more and more apparent just how stressed the man was over the situation.

"Is that really necessary, great general. I still feel dizzy from the punch you gave me. And I will have to get some dental prosthetics for the teeth I lost."

"I hit you because you weren't being transparent with me. This is a different matter. I am your leader, Gallus. You are one of my soldiers. And I take care of my own. But that doesn't mean that you might not need a harsh lesson from time to time."

Gallus was unsure if it was wise to press the issue any further. But the prospect of torture made him risk it. "Great general, I am happy that you regard me as one of your own. But I still think this might be excessive. I have many duties that you have bestowed upon me. This will slow me down considerably."

"During most of my ride back to the capital, I have been discussing whether or not I should have you castrated as a punishment for your failure. You should consider yourself lucky to get away with just some scars." Esdese stated plainly. Her tone of voice telling that she considered this matter done with. "And if you are too weak to keep performing your duties after your punishments, then I will expect your resignation. If you slow my military down, you will be punished again."

Gallus realized that this battle was lost. His expression turning from uncertainty to resolve. He turned his head down again."Yes, great general."

Esdese nodded. A light murmur went through the people around them as she did. And she could tell that her discussion with Gallus had not been the cause of it. She looked over her shoulder and watched as Tatsumi finally rode into the yard. His part of the military procession first entering it now.

It was clear from the looks and whispering of the soldiers around them that most had thought that Tatsumi would be brought back in chains. Not that he would just be riding back into the palace at his own leisure. Esdese wondered just how many people there was that knew about the charges that had been directed at him. She couldn't help but feel that this had become quite a big topic in the palace and the capital itself.

Tatsumi jumped down from his horse as soon as one of the attendants had grabbed its reins. He chose to ignore all the people that were staring at him. He stretched his arms over his head and sighed loudly. Then he slowly walked over to Esdese. Not paying any heed to the blood splattered on the ground beside Gallus. Where the man's skull had hit the hard pavement. Walking up to her imposing figure at a lazy pace.

"Are we done here?" he asked without looking at Gallus.

"I think so." Esdese said. "Gallus, do you have any messages for me?"

"Yes. The emperor has been waiting for your arrival. He wants you to report to him in the main throne room." Gallus said in a little bit louder voice.

Esdese nodded and then looked at Tatsumi. "Let's go." she said with an empty voice.

Gallus hesitated for a moment before he spoke up. Knowing fully well that he was on thin ice. But he felt that he had to speak up. "Great general. My own mistakes aside, the emperor did order you to imprison the head administrator. I will not question your decision but I must warn that bringing the head administrator into the emperor's main chamber might create a lot of... tension." he said and looked up at her.

"Even more reason for him to come with me then." Esdese said calmly and started to walk away. "It will be a good and clear signal. Even that little pup that you have placed on the throne won't be able to miss that."

Gallus looked at Tatsumi and then back at her. He lowered his head once more.

"Actually." Tatsumi said. "I have a thing or two that I want to get done before that meeting. So could you go ahead without me? I will be with you in half an hour."

Esdese turned her head and looked at him. A bit of disapproval in her expression. She didn't like the sound of him wandering around on his own in the palace when the entire imperial guard might be under orders to attack him at sight.

"You will be discreet about whatever it is that you want to get done. If it looks like there will be fight, I will have you return to me. Is that understood?" she said in a hard voice.

"Absolutely." Tatsumi said calmly. "I don't intend to cause any trouble either way. I will meet up with you in the emperor's audience hall."

Esdese nodded and turned around. Leaving the yard in long and determined strides. Tatsumi looked at her back until she was gone. Then he turned his eyes to Gallus. "She can really be a bit too merciful at times."

"Truly." Gallus said and slowly stood up. "The great general has a big heart."

Tatsumi despised Gallus from the bottom of his being. Yet he couldn't help but chuckle at their current situation. Gallus smiled bitterly as Tatsumi chuckle slowly grew into a laugh. None of them particularly happy.

---

When Tatsumi finally arrived at the emperor's main audience room, almost an hour had already passed. By then, the room was already filled to the brink with warriors and soldiers.

When the two giant doors opened for him and he walked into the gigantic hall, he could feel how almost every single eye in the room turned in his direction.

The broad red carpet that lead from the big doors that he walked through to the base of the emperor's podium was basically the only empty part of the room. Otherwise, the room was overly crowded.

Each side of the carpet was occupied by ranks of soldiers from the imperial guard. Two rows on each side. Looking at him. Tatsumi was unsure if they were there to protect him from the crowd or if they were there as a safety against him. Beyond them, stood other warriors and soldiers. Not lined up in any military position.

Tatsumi barely recognized any of them. But he could feel that very few of the people present in the room had a friendly disposition towards him. He could feel it in how suspicious and condemning their expressions were.

In the back of the room, he could see some noblemen and other civilians but they were few and mostly pressed away to the sides in the room. Forced to stand by the walls and try to glimpse what was happening from there.

Most of those in the room that were not warriors or soldiers occupied the two large galleries that were slightly turned towards the podium of the emperor. Filled with ministers and politicians.

When Tatsumi and Esdese had left the capital, seven seats in those galleries had been in use. Occupied by the few leaders that they both agreed were suitable for their position. Since the black bath had wiped out almost all of the old ones. Now the galleries were occupied with more than fifty people and once again, he couldn't recognize a single one of them. After looking through them for some moments, he managed to find those seven that he had put there. Though now they were largely outnumbered.

The entire room was silent after the large doors had opened to let him in. His gaze wandered over all the people around him and then finally landed on Esdese. She was standing at the end of the carpet. By the base of the large stairs that led up to the podium. Her hands closed at her sides. She had been turned towards the throne. Her head turned up towards those standing at the top of the stairs. But now she was turning around. Her eyes landing on him as she turned around a bit. He had a hard time reading her expression. Though he could feel her anger.

Tatsumi took a deep breath and started to walk into the room. Heading towards the end of the podium and Esdese.

The room kept silent as he walked through it. His steps echoing through it. Most eyes following him. Tatsumi's own eyes looking up towards the top of the podium.

He had to admit to himself that Kotaro looked a lot more like an emperor than Makoto ever had. Though the imposingly large throne of his family did have the effect of making him look a lot more like a child than he was. He was dressed up in the large and pompous clothes of the royal family. He was holding the scepter of his predecessor in one hand and had his other one resting on the large throne's armrest. Tatsumi had never seen him so dressed up. Or so stale. He couldn't tell if he was nervous but it was apparent that he was uncomfortable with the situation.

Faye was standing beside the large throne. Her hands behind her back. A sweet smile on her face. Her eyes moving between Tatsumi and Esdese. Gallus was standing at the other side of the throne. He had gotten some treatment for his head injury. Bandages wrapped around his head. The big man seemed just as tense as the small emperor.

When he reached the end of the stairs he gave Esdese a quick glance. She nodded at him. Tatsumi returned the gesture. Feeling a little bit calmer. It was the two of them against the rest of the room.

When he had reached her side, he looked up at the emperor.

"Hello there, Kotaro." he said loudly and smiled up at the young man. "You seem to have been busy while I was gone."

Kotaro looked down at him. His expression a blank mask. "I have learned a lot of things in your absence, Tatsumi."

"I can see that." Tatsumi answered in the same happy tone. "Sorry, that it took some time for me to return."

Before Kotaro could answer, general Faye spoke up. "It is a bit surprising to see you just walk in her on your own, head administrator Tatsumi." she said in her overly sweet voice. "Great general, I thought you were ordered to arrest the head administrator and bring him back to the capital in chains."

Esdese started to smile. "Ohh but Faye, I am the great general. I only take orders from my emperor. And I have not acknowledged Kotaro as my emperor."

The silence got considerably more tense after her words. Just as she had desired. Everyone understanding just how dire the situation actually was. The realization that this might turn to violence dawning on those who hadn't realized it yet.

Tatsumi was the first one to speak again. Doing his best to work against Esdese's clear wish to escalate the situation. "Listen, you wanted me here, Kotaro. And here I am. No need to sweat the details of how I got here."

He got assistance through the surprising agreement from general Gallus. His deep and preaching voice echoing through the hall. "Tatsumi's words are reasonable, emperor. Let's not dwell on the small stuff."

Kotaro nodded slowly. "Head administrator Tatsumi, general Faye has been presenting a lot of evidence about your misconducts to the imperial court. You have been charged with high treason. For trying to take control of the political scene. Through you, the new imperial guards have assassinated leaders of the military, the imperial court, and highly associated businessmen. Do you deny these charges?"

Tatsumi could tell that this was a well-rehearsed speech. He put his hands in his pockets. "I have only been working to give the empire back to the people. That is all that I have done." he said with a calm smile.

"So you do deny them?" Kotaro said.

"I deny being any more deserving of punishment than anyone else in this room." Tatsumi said. He then smiled a bit more warmly towards Kotaro. "Come on, Kotaro. You know me. I have always been all about saving the empire from its own grim conducts."

And finally, Tatsumi could see some conflict in Kotaro's face. It was only there for some moments before Faye put a hand on his shoulder. Making his face blank again. But Tatsumi saw it. A hint of uncertainty and pain in his expression. It made Tatsumi realize that Kotaro was not fine with this in any way imaginable. He hated this situation. And that gave Tatsumi hope. He took it as a confirmation that his original estimation of Kotaro had always been correct. He was a good kid.

And if he was honest with himself, Tatsumi couldn't help but relate to Kotaro's position. He had been assassinating imperial leaders ever since he became a proper adult. First as Night raid and then as Esdese's subordinate. If Kotaro had happened to glimpse at all the things he had done, then he could not blame the boy for his actions. Even Tatsumi himself found it harder to differentiate himself from the dead prime minister with every passing day. Since Esdese had made him into the head administrator, Tatsumi had ordered assassinations, eliminated oppositions and kidnapped family members of other politicians to ensure their loyalty. Kotaro probably had no idea of the history of those that Tatsumi had targeted. He probably knew nothing of their loyalty to the dead prime minister and how cruel they had been. He only knew how Tatsumi had treated them. And Tatsumi had a feeling that he would have a hard time defending his actions when Esdese was his partner.

So maybe this was the best solution for the empire, Tatsumi thought. That he should go down as the last remnant of that corrupt and destructive system.

He shrugged. "But fine, if you want to hold trials over my fate then I-" he started before he was interrupted.

"Whatever kind of punishment it might be deemed that Tatsumi deserves is irrelevant." Esdese called out in a foreboding tone. "He belongs to me. I am the one who decides about his fate. Not a jury. Not a judge. Not the imperial court and certainly not a self-proclaimed emperor without experience or accolades."

She took one slow step up on the stairs. "And while I'm at it. I might as well ask about the execution of my men." she said and took another. "By what military practice is it allowed to not even notify a soldier's superior when he has been charged with a crime? As far as I know, the accusations of my men first has to pass through me."

"The emperor have the authority to overrule any military standards." Faye said in the same friendly tone. Even if Tatsumi thought that she sounded a little bit more tense than usual. "The emperor was very benevolent to cleanse out this impurity from your forces, great general. He spared you a lot of work."

"Without even notifying me." Esdese said slowly as she took another step. Getting ever closer to those standing at the top. "Do you expect me to be grateful?"

"You should be grateful that the emperor himself decided to act in your place." Faye said and subtly took a small step forward. Moving a little bit in front of the imperial throne.

"He is not my emperor." Esdese stated. Making most of the room hold their breath. Bringing the situation to its core. Because whether or not Tatsumi would stand trial was not the main issue in this situation. Even if those standing on top of the podium had clearly hoped that it would be. Since they knew that if Esdese didn't accept Kotaro's ascent to power, then few in the giant hall would probably leave it alive.

Esdese took the final step and suddenly she was standing right in front of Kotaro. Looking down at him where he was sitting. Faye edging as much in between them as she could without obscuring them form each other. Gallus looking very troubled but not moving to any side yet. Not showing any signs of loyalty.

"Why should I follow your orders, boy?" Esdese asked. Not sounding threatening or accusing. Her entire presence growing still and calm for some moments. Just asking the simple question. "What have you done to warrant my loyalty, Kotaro?"

Everyone in the room looked at Esdese and the emperor. Faye's smile was gone. Looking fully serious for once. Gallus was sweating quite profusely now. Not making an effort wipe his forehead. He didn't dare to move his arm up. For both he and Faye had the same premonition. If Kotaro's answer did not satisfy Esdese, she would likely strike him down. And after that, the room would turn into chaos. Bloody, violent and deadly chaos.

Even Tatsumi was tense. Looking up at what was happening at the top of the podium.

Kotaro looked Esdese in the eyes. His head tilted upwards. Then he bowed forward and slowly stood up from the throne. The fact that he still was considerably shorter than her did lessen the effect of it slightly but it still gave off an air of seriousness. The boy looked up at her after that. Speaking in a loud and clear voice when he gave his answer.

"Esdese. You are the strongest warrior known to the empire. Probably in the world. What accolades could anyone hold when compared to you?" he said in a steady voice. Sounding more like a leader than Tatsumi had ever heard him sound before. "You are a leader, Esdese. People rally to your power. But you are not a ruler. You yourself has stated this in my presence before. You don't want to dedicate your life to looking after those who follow you. Am I right?"

Esdese didn't answer. Just looking at him. Her face blank. Yet Kotaro pressed on as if he had gotten an answer.

"I had a feeling that it might come to this. So let me make this clear, ice queen. I am in your debt. You have held the empire together in the absence of competent leaders and good politicians. You have used your immense power to hold it all together. For that, I will forever be in your debt. So what I am asking of you, Esdese, isn't your servitude. I am asking for your help. I am asking for your partnership in ruling this nation. So that I can relieve you of some of your duties and hopefully find a way to repay you for your contributions to this nation."

Silence followed after Kotaro's loud statement. Esdese just studying him. Her face empty of emotions. It was clear to Tatsumi that she was as surprised by Kotaro's speech as he was. "And if I don't find you worthy of ruling the nation that I have protected?" she asked after a little while.

"You have protected the nation up until this point. I think that you will protect it from incompetence as well. So if you at some point find me unworthy or incompetent. Then I implore you to strike me down."

Esdese didn't give a clear answer immediately. But Tatsumi had already reached his decision. He had listened closely to Kotaro and studied him well. He was hiding it well, but the boy was well aware that he might be seconds away from his end. He kept a calm and dignified demeanor but Tatsumi had been with the boy long enough to see that he was really scared right now.

And that was enough to convince Tatsumi of what he should do. Kotaro would be a good ruler. He was sure of it now. Just as long as he wasn't corrupted by some outside sources. But he thought the Kotaro was a bit too old to be a good puppet. He was too independent. And he might be the best shot he had at finding a leader for the future. So he had to save him.

He wasn't actually sure what Esdese was going to do. If she was going to answer to him or if she would just strike him down before anyone had a chance to react. But if she did that, the situation would be irreversible. Most of the people in the room would die and the empire would once again only have himself and Esdese to rely on. He needed to stop that before it happened. And he only knew of one way to do it.

"Fine!" he said loudly. "Emperor Kotaro, your words have convinced me. I will accept you as the emperor. I will accept any judgement that you seem fit for my perceived crimes."

Most eyes in the room turned to him as he spoke. Kotaro looking down at him and Esdese turning around slightly. Light annoyance apparent on her face.

Tatsumi smiled up at them. Scratching the back of his head. "Soooo.. you wanted a trial, right?"

Kotaro nodded. "You deserve a chance to defend your innocence, Tatsumi."

Tatsumi was about to nod but Esdese superseded him.

"There will be no trial!" she hissed loudly and quickly turned her head back in Kotaro's direction. The anger reemerging on her face. The open hostility causing Kotaro to flinch and take a step backward.

"I'm fine with a trial." Tatsumi said and put his hands in his pockets again.

"You have no say in the matter." Esdese said with irritation and turned her head back towards him. "You belong to me. Your fate is for me to decide. I won't give that away to a jury or a judge."

"Ohh come on." Tatsumi said with a smile that was way more relaxed than he was. "Let them have their little charades. It will be an easy win for me anyway." he said. Knowing fully well that he probably wouldn't be found innocent.

Gallus was quick to jump on to the chance to dismantle the situation that Tatsumi had offered. "If the head administrator is so confident that he can win, then this trial will be of little consequence, great general. There is no reason for you to concern yourself with it."

Esdese's eyes remained on Tatsumi for a while before she spoke. "Alright then. Have your little trial. But if he is found guilty, don't act surprised when you find me standing between him and the executioner."

She cast a last glance over her shoulder at Kotaro. "And I will be watching you, little emperor. The moment I find you too inept for your role, I will remove you from your seat."

With those words, Esdese turned and started to walk down the stairs again. Her eyes closed. Dissatisfaction filling her expression.

The room stayed silent but everyone could feel how the tensions had lessened. People finally daring to breathe out. Gallus wiped the sweat away from his forehead. Faye taking a step back. Even Tatsumi felt a bit relieved. Even if he knew that he hadn't solved the problem. Just postponed it until the day of the trial.

Yet he couldn't help but smile a little at her as Esdese walked down the stairs. Not that she returned the expression. Her face only showing mild irritation. She was not used to having to back off. The compromise left her feeling dissatisfied.

"Let's go." she said silently as she passed him.

"Right." Tatsumi said and looked up at Kotaro. The boy looking back at him. Tatsumi nodded slowly. Then he turned around and started to walk in Esdese's footsteps. She was still about ten meters ahead of him when Faye's voice called out.

"Though, the crimes that the head administer has been charged with are quite monstrous. He will, of course, need to be locked up in a penitentiary until his trial." she called out.

Tatsumi spun around and looked up at her. "I'm sorry what?" he said. Not able to believe what she was saying.

"No single citizen is above the law. You will have to face the same procedure as everyone else." Faye said and nodded to some of the guards at the base of the stair. Five of them immediately moved out from the line and walked towards him. Lead by a captain. All members of the imperial guard. It was apparent that they had been waiting for this signal to arrest him since he walked into the room. He felt his jaw drop slightly.

YOU FUCKING IDIOT, he screamed in his head. They had barely managed to just avoid complete disaster, and now Faye was once again risking to turn everything to hell. Just because she was trying to make some kind of example out of the situation. Kotaro was looking at her but then nodded. Gallus seemed just as surprised by this as Tatsumi. His head moving back and forth between Faye and his emperor.

"Uuh.. well..." Tatsumi said and looked over his shoulder at Esdese. She had stopped but she hadn't turned around. Which scared him even more. She had been about to kill everyone in this room beside the two of them before Kotaro held his little speech. He had no idea of how she would react to this. "Well... of course. Of course!" he said. Desperately trying to play this off as no big deal.

Faye nodded. Her voice back to its usual sweet tone when she spoke. "You will be imprisoned in the dungeons until the day of your trial."

"Absolutely." Tatsumi said loudly. Close to panicking.

The men walked up to him. He smiled at them. "Lead the way, fellas."

The captain of the men nodded. But Tatsumi knew that it was too late. He had felt it from Esdese. Not because she was radiating hostility but because her entire presence had grown quiet again. And when the captain's two men walked up to his sides and grabbed his arms, he got his confirmation.

"Who do you think you are touching?" Esdese said calmly.

Suddenly she was just two meters behind him. Tatsumi had no idea of when she had gotten so close. She looked surprised. Almost shocked as she stared at the five soldiers around Tatsumi. Two of them holding his arms.

"Great general." The captain said and walked up in front of his men. Placing himself between her and Tatsumi. "I have been given clear and reasonable orders. You can't blame me for following them, great general."

"Your orders clearly go against the real leadership of the military." she stated in a plain voice. Her expression still kind of surprised.

"I have sworn my loyalty to the empire. The emperor seems to favor this course of action. Please don't condemn me for that loyalty.

"I will not captain. I respect loyalty." she said in same empty voice. "But you are going to die because of it."

Tatsumi turned around as fast as he could. "Wait, Esd-" he started to shout but didn't get further than that before the military captain came flying past him. Less than half a second after that, Esdese flew past him as well.

And suddenly the four soldiers standing around him gently and softly blew away with the wind of Esdese's passing. Shattering into thousands and thousands of pieces as they did. Drifting away in the air. It took Tatsumi some moments to realize that all the four men standing around him had been turned into something akin to snow. Esdese hitting them so hard just the moment before she froze them. Causing them to literally dissipate into the air.

But the snow like substance was not white but red. And parts of it were too heavy to float in the wind. Raining down over the red carpet. And when the snow drifted away and landed, it melted into blood. It looked beautiful, in a horrifying way.

Someone screamed in the back of the large hall and suddenly everyone was drawing their weapons. The long row of guards that were standing all around them lowered their spears. Most of them pointed at Esdese but some at Tatsumi as well. Tatsumi quickly looked around him as he turned towards Esdese. Noticing how most warriors behind the lines of soldiers were drawing their weapons as well. All eyes focused at the two of them.

Esdese didn't seem to pay mind to any of it. She had grabbed the captain by one of his wrists. Lifting him up with it. Since his legs seemed to have given up on him. He was bleeding heavily from a broken nose but he seemed to still be conscious. Looking up at Esdese as she lifted him up a little bit.

"Do you know what happens when liquid is frozen?" She said as her free hand moved down towards his face. "It expands. So what do you think will happen if I just freeze the blood in your body and not anything else, foolish little captain?"

"Call me stupid if you want, great general. It was you that made me into a captain." he said.

Esdese raised her eyebrows slightly. "Ahh, yes. I remember your face but not your name." she said in a lighter tone. "You made quite a scene when you kneeled in front of me. You asked me to date you just after I had bestowed your new rank upon you."

"I thought it would seem sweet." the captain said and smiled sadly.

"It was." Esdese said and returned his smile with a small smile of her own as two of her fingers came down and touched the blood on his upper lip.

A loud ripping sound rang out over the noise in the hall around them as Esdese froze all the blood in the captain's body in the blink of an eye. He didn't even have time to scream. When Esdese removed her fingers from the man, his entire body had expanded considerably. In all directions. His fingers looking like sausages and some clothes ripped apart by his expanding body.

"Hmm." Esdese said and studied her creation. "Seems like the skin only bursts when you do it on someone with more fat on them."

The look of the man was nothing short of grotesque. Since some parts of him had expanded more than others. Since he didn't have the same amount of blood in all the parts of his body. It was most apparent in the horrible appearance of his face. His lips and eyes had burst as all the liquid in them froze and expanded. Creating small frozen pillars that peaked out of his skull. The skull itself looked kind of uneven. Since the all the blood in the brain had expanded instantly and shattered the bone around it.

Some moments after Esdese had removed her hand from it. The frozen blood sculpture slowly tipped over. Landing on the floor with a loud bang but it still didn't shatter.

Esdese nodded at it. "Skin can really be quite flexible."

When those words had rung out, the entire political audience in the room suddenly decided that they would rather be somewhere else. Immediately.

Whether they were in the large galleries or in the back of the room, all of them suddenly started to run, shove and push. Desperate to leave the room. Screaming and shouting. Causing the volume in the room to rise even further. Making the room more chaotic than it already was.

"Order! Order!" Gallus shouted loudly but few seemed to hear him.

The soldiers had started to form a ring around Esdese and Tatsumi at this point. Their spears pointed at them. Even if no one dared to go closer. The many warriors that stood outside of the ring following every move of Tatsumi and Esdese. Their many different weapons drawn. Even if it was easy to see that some of them would rather prefer to flee with the politicians.

Faye took a couple of quick steps forward and then jumped off the podium. Flying down through the room and landing inside the circle. Just in front of Esdese and Tatsumi. Causing a smile to spread on Esdese's face. Calmly grabbing the hilt of her sheathed sword.

"Great general, you are murdering your own soldiers." she called out. "Please, seize this madness."

Tatsumi thought that he understood what Faye was trying to do. His guess was that she was trying to make Esdese an enemy of the empire by forcing her into a corner like this. Where she would either have to lash out or bend to the new leadership of the empire. But if that was the plan, then that was an incredibly stupid one at that. Esdese would never bend and if she lashed out now, it would mean the end of all of them. And probably the end of Tatsumi's chances to ever create a peaceful empire as well.

Esdese herself didn't seem to dislike this turn of events at all, though. Her smile growing as she slowly started to draw her weapon. "I am the great general!" she called out loudly. "Leader of all the military might of the empire. If you choose to turn your weapons on me, you have made yourself guilty of treason. If you drop your weapons this instant, I will let you get away with some torture and light mutilation."

No one moved as she drew her sword fully from its sheath. Faye had not brandish any sort of weapon. Her expression conflicted. "Tatsumi has been accused of controlling and corrupting the entire imperial court behind the scenes. He can't be allowed to roam free in the palace before the trial. He will be able to affect the results of it."

Tatsumi realized that this was his last chance. Cause nothing she had said would halt Esdese's hand. But it did give him an opportunity. He had a creeping suspicion that that had been her plan all along but he wasn't convinced. Either way, he decided to go for it.

"Okay, okay, okay!" he called out loudly and walked forward a bit. "How about this then, you will not lock me up but I will be forbidden from entering the higher levels of the palace. I will take up residence in the barracks or the dungeon. I will not be locked up but I will not be allowed to interact with the leadership of the empire."

Faye eyes quickly moved back and forth between him and Esdese. Not daring to leave Esdese with her eyes for too long. "I guess that would be reasonable. But you will need to be closely monitored."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Tatsumi said quickly. His voice stressed and nervous. "That will suffice. Now lay down your weapons immediately."

Faye hesitated for the brink of a second. Then she took her decision.

She quickly kneeled down on one knee. Staring down into the carpet. "Justice will be done with this. The military is at your disposal, great general."

Tatsumi felt confused. He didn't understand what Faye just had tried to do. What was her real motive? Either way, it didn't matter at the moment. He needed to calm the situation. Or rather, calm Esdese.

He took two steps up to her and grabbed her hand. The one not holding her sword. But Esdese's eyes did not leave the kneeling Faye. "Come on, Esdese. Let's leave." he said.

But Esdese didn't move. Her expression had grown a bit more empty again. "You really are a false creature, Faye." she finally said.

Faye looked up from the floor. But when she turned her face up towards them, Esdese's foot hit her face.

The kick was strong enough to send her flying backwards. Right into the line of soldiers that were standing around them. Causing them to fall over.

"General Faye!" Kotaro called out. Having watched the situation unfold from on top of the podium. Staying quiet until now.

"Drop your weapons!" Esdese commanded loudly to those around them. "If you do, I will let you all get away with some torture."

No one moved at first. The room silent. But then one or two dropped their weapons. And the next second, everyone was throwing down their weapons and kneeling down. Putting their heads close to the floor. At first just the ring of soldiers but when Esdese's eyes landed on those behind them, those warriors started to do the same. All of them loyal to Faye. All of them submitting to Esdese.

When the entire room was kneeling, a smile spread across her face. "Be thankful that you will be tortured for this. Be thankful that I am so kind." she said and then raised her voice a bit. "Remember this. I am Esdese, the ice queen! I am war incarnate. And opposing me means death. At best."

She pointed her sword at Kotaro. Everyone in the room kneeling down towards her except him and Gallus. And Faye who seemed to be knocked out. "This is power, little emperor. This is the difference between you and me."

Kotaro stood at the top of the stairs. His mouth partly open.

"Now if you excuse me." Esdese said and sheathed her sword in a quick move. "It seems like the cleansing of my military is far from done. I need to establish some discipline in my lines once more. So I have a lot of work ahead of me."

"Great general." Kotaro called out. "Please don't be too cruel in your conducts. I beg you."

Esdese's smile got a ridiculing tone to it. "What kind of emperor begs his generals to do what he wants?" she said and turned around. Suddenly her hand closed around Tatsumi's. He had kept holding it in an attempt to calm her but now she took hold of him. Dragging him with her as she turned around and started to walk out of the room. Leaving all the kneeling people behind her.

"I will expect all of you to walk down to the torture chambers on your own during the coming days. I will see to it that everyone here is accounted for. So I will know if a single one of you will try to sneak away or try to escape your punishment." she called out as she left the room. She seemed to suddenly be in a rather good mood.

She didn't wait for any form of answer before she left the hall. Walking with Tatsumi in tow. They walked for almost a minute before Tatsumi spoke. "That was intense." he said silently. "Are you okay? You really scared me back there."

Esdese just looked at the long corridor ahead of them as she spoke. A smile on her face. "Life really is all about perspectives, Tatsumi. I was annoyed with this widespread insubordination. But if you look at it from a different perspective, this gives me a chance to re-establish who is in charge. And remind those who follow me what it means to oppose me. And that process can probably be a lot of fun."

Tatsumi swallowed lightly. He had avoided a direct disaster. But he did not think that he had solved anything. Just postponed it.

---

Author's very long note:

Don't expect the next chapter to be even close to this size. This was double the length of some of my average chapters. But hopefully the next chapter won't take as long.

After reading the latest chapter of the manga, it is becoming more and more apparent how different Esdeath from the manga now has become from the Esdese of Bent but not Broken. The branching point between the different sides of the character was when Tatsumi refused her in the manga. Back in the dungeons. Which is where this story began.

Esdeath of the manga has since then changed a lot as a character. She has evolved(or devolved) quite a bit. Especially now towards the end. She no longer cares that much about the empire. The faction that she earlier seemed so loyal towards. In the latest chapter, it was also quite heavily insinuated that she doesn't care if she happens to kill the families of her subordinates with her winter attack. Which earlier was one of the main points as to why she seemed to hate Wild Hunt. Because they killed Bols family.

Now this is a pretty reasonable development of her character. She has lost all her closest subordinates and friends. She has come to understand that she will never have Tatsumi. Almost all of her soldiers have surrendered. And the nation she fought for is gone. All that remain is her. All that remains for her is the thrill of the war and her own bloodlust. And based on how calmly she is handling the situation, it seems like she knew it would come to this. Or maybe she is just used to being the only one left standing. So the current development of her character is understandable.

But it is different from the Esdese of Bent but not Broken. Where she got the love she desired and still has things she cares about. So I found the logical progression of the character a bit different. But it is sometimes hard to tell if I am being too much of an EsdesexTatsumi shipper and allows that to affect my judgment. That I am making her a bit more humane than she actually is. As I said, it is hard for me to tell anymore.

Thank you all for reading. I don't know how many of you are still out there but I am thankful for each and every one of you. And thanks for all the feedback. It has been amazing. The next chapter will not take this long. That I can guarantee. Hopefully just two-three weeks.

Until next time, happy halloween!

Take care of each other.