A Little Emperor's Fixing 7 - or 'When in doubt, use the Gulag to flush the Trouble' (Akame Ga Kill, Emperor!SI)
Was there such a thing as a 'triple-agent'? Would this situation even fit within that absurd category?
Najenda had reasons to believe so. The entire compound was full of Imperial troops, but, as she was promised, none that could 'quality-wise' pose a threat to her group. That didn't stop her subordinates to feel nervous. Everyone was indeed feeling the 'heat' of entering the belly of the beast.
The many tales and stories tied to the Empire's cruelty, both personal or of second-hand, were giving them all reasons to be on the edge as they took a seat at the table. The Emperor was... not truly innocent- at least, he wasn't trying to appear so. Maybe he had some hand in creating the tension as coercion was still a tool that many, even those labelling themselves as 'good', would use to enforce this to create a 'caged mindset'.
As a former general, Najenda was aware this was a must to conduct a 'strong posturing' in a diplomatic environment such as this one. In the eyes of the people, her group was a 'rebellious sect'. While the ideas behind it made sense for its existence, trying to pass as the 'winning side' now would just galvanize any means of the Empire to impose harsher conditions.
They were 'surrendering' by all means, at the promise of being granted a lighter 'punishment'. While the one-eyed woman was able to keep her group quiet, there was no doubt in anyone's minds that there were those that were handling it worse than others.
"Could we please begin?" She ultimately asked, knowing that the delay was, at this point, a clever trick to further expand the tension.
The Emperor blinked, and his Prime Minister appeared most willing to do so. He spared a quick look at the monarch, and the boy shrugged and nodded. The various diplomats wrapped up what whipering they were dabbling with, and silence descended upon the table.
"Najenda, former General of the Empire, you are here to discuss your terms of surrender with the expectation of avoiding penal prosecution, unjust trials, condemnation of your group's actions against the Empire, which involves acts of sabotage, assassination and other destructive deeds," The Lord, the newest Prime Minister, started to list out. His voice was candid in expressive the large list of crimes that Najenda was expecting to be spared- same for her group, especially them.
Nonetheless the mere retelling of their deeds on such location sure felt intimidating. She could see the rest of Night Raid reacting to this tensely- even more than how it felt before, but none made the mistake of jumping the gun. Not yet, not now.
"-And with this over, it is time to state the terms of your surrender so that we can all confirm your message was indeed true to its content and values."
Najenda nodded slowly, clearing her throat but replying truthfully.
"The terms of surrender for Night Raid are as follow: 1) the reduction of any criminal punishment to a minimum depending on the circumstance; 2) the written confession of all members to cease a pursuit of combat after the cessation of this group; and 3) the guarantee that the safety of Night Raid is confirmed through 48 hours in the eventuality this surrender doesn't proceed in a conclusive manner."
It was the minimum, it was the barebone, but it was the best she could conjure in that moment. And it was what she could offer as a starting set of conditions. She was nowhere near to claim a position of advantage, but it was enough to get to 'something reasonable'.
At least, that was her expectation. The Emperor, however, appeared actually pleased by the request as he fiddled with what Najenda felt was the 'Imperial terms'. Instead of being uttered, those were passed across the table for her to read. The woman was unsure if this was good news or not, at least until she had an eye on it.
Surprise flared just as she started to read, her shock growing them ore she dabbled into the lines and studied if there were cheap tricks or clauses that were not too easy to spot since... it was too good. Too good of a 'rebuttal', but also too good of a deal-maker from the get-go.
"This is... what is this?"
"Our terms for the surrender of Night Raid," The Emperor answered curtly.
"Those are... too soft."
"Perhaps," The Lord nodded in agreement, "However, the emperor raised a valuable point when he spoke to me over this draft which I saw only to 'refine'. To make it clear, this is not a decision driven by naive mercy, but by a decision to 'trust' the message your group carried in your rebellion. Such message is embraced by this government, and while I wouldn't say that we will allow you to entertain combat-related jobs, we will grant you the means, both economic and social-fitting, to achieve your civilian works' goal."
"What is it?" Susanoo asked with a confused tone.
"The Empire is granting us full amnesty. Our crimes will be pardoned in the fullest, all of you shall receive funds and means to secure new private lives and jobs within the Empire," Najenda listed out as summarily as possible. "In regard of me, the Empire is willing to... rescind the Act of Treason from my title, award me the full Imperial General pension, and the opportunity to attain a position as a Life Senator within the parliament."
This was... huge. It was well above what any pretty scenario could have granted them- and while not everyone was smart with diplomatic agreements, they could all see that there was not that big of a catch, even as she listed it out shortly after.
"We will be permanently banned to exert combat roles or to employ weapons in an extensive period of time unless if it is a matter of self-defense."
The only one that seemed displeased by this was Akame, but, even then, the girl looked more hooked to the shadowy entity that was keeping an eye on the Emperor and barely batting an eye on her 'older sister'. Kurome was there, but it was going to take a while for these two to approach. Nonetheless, the biggest hurdle was out of the way.
Without even asking the others as she was met with nods, Najenda produced a pen and started the signing process before passing the documents to the rest of the people at the table. Without any delay, the paper was accepted and Night Raid promptly surrendered to the Empire.
With a new home and a new place where to keep her 'kids', Najenda could happily ward them from the upcoming storm. After signing the paper, the Empire delivered the news with the contract being shown as a 'display of good faith from those that are willing to come forward and had no direct involvement into any crimes against Imperial innocent civilians'.
From her dusty old contacts back in the Rebellion, the old coots trying to keep control were flailing wildly as their control was fading away. The Emperor may have to sacrifice a sizable amount of money for this rebellion to end but...
Najenda had a feeling that he wasn't doing this out of kindness- but rather concern towards the worrying unemployment percentage.
AN
Unexpected Najenda W!
Also, I have already said this on my Discord Server and on Pxtreon but... I will terminate my Pxtreon Page on December 1st. Reason for this is explained in both websites (soon just with the server) and I can't be too exhaustive over it.
What I can say is that I will soon produce the first of three original books I will release. If you wish for a new original and fresh story, I suggest check that once it's out.
