Over the course of just a few weeks, the newly made secret police force of the Empire, Wild Hunt, had been causing nothing but trouble. Conducting "investigations," which were actually just them abusing their power, going around raping and murdering innocents, and those they considered "traitors" to the Empire. With their leader, Syura, the son of the Prime Minister, he let himself and his teammates do whatever they please, Honest turning a blind eye to his son's actions. So long as he remembers his goal, capture and eliminate Night Raid.

Unfortunately for the Jaegers, they couldn't do much. With Esdeath in the west, putting down the many uprisings of the western tribes there, the Jaegers couldn't necessarily exercise their authority. Especially since if they did anything rash, Syura could just sentence them to death. 

However, with this many uprisings and invasions from their enemies, the political and military leaders couldn't help but worry. Currently, they all met in the war room of the Imperial Capital, Prime Minister Honest at the end of the table, munching on a drumstick while his son stood behind him.

Honest: "As you all know, the Rebel Army has broken through our barriers in a bloodless battle. Do we have any ideas for how to deal with this threat?"

Political Leader 1: "Shit! Another bloodless surrender... Curse those spineless viceroys."

Political Leader 2: "What are the regional armies doing? Have them forgo putting down the riots and focus on the Rebel Army!"

Political Leader 3: "The Rebel Army has already had countless run-ins with the local units, but the Rebel Army is led by former generals who are not only seasoned soldiers, but also equipped with Teigu."

Political Leader 1: "They have Black Marlin, Extase, and Scream too...! They keep driving us away."

Political Leader 2: "So the majority of the Teigu that went missing ended up in the hands of the Rebel Army... We underestimated them."

Amongst the talking, Honest continued to munch on his meaty drumstick. It wasn't until he made a side glance to his son, whispering to him.

Honest: (sigh) "All this talking in circles is making me lose my appetite."

Syura: (thoughts) 'This situation is so critical, and yet... Pop's acting like he's got all the time in the world... Is it because we have the supreme Teigu that's been passed down through the Imperial family? Well, there's two of them, so that's probably why...'

Soon, the doors to the war room opened. Marching in with heavy footsteps was someone the military leaders were all relieved to see. It was quite the famous military leader and figure, holding a higher position than Esdeath. Clad in heavy armor, making his way into the room, standing tall and walking high and mighty with a stern glare.

???: "Everybody. Don't panic. You're supposed to be the best people we've got."

Political Leaders: "Oooh! Great General Budo!"

Syura: (thoughts) 'And... We've got this guy, too.'

Budo: (crosses arms) "If the Rebel Army gets close enough to the Capital, my Imperial guards and I will crush them. Fear not."

The political leaders began to reassure themselves at the mention of Budo and his guard. As they were all smiles and positive expressions, their talking was silenced when Budo gave them all a glare. Honest was nonchalant, keeping a bored expression as he stared at the Great General.

Budo: "Military officers should not meddle in government affairs... I was born into a military household and have upheld my family's teachings. But I cannot remain silent on this matter any longer. You pathetic louses. After I've wiped out the Rebel Army, I believe the corruption that has warped the government's stability must be pulled up from the roots. No matter who's invovled. I trust you agree."

What he said wasn't a question. It was a threat, and a menacing one at that. Budo was long aware of the corruption in the Empire, but couldn't act upon the actions of uprooting it. He loved his country dearly and would do anything to protect it, even if it meant taking on the Revolutionary Army, who wished to change the Empire due to the unfairness it holds against it's people. 

Honest was unfazed by such a threat, continuing to munch on his drumstick as he lazily looks at the Great General Budo.

Honest: "Oooh, very scary. I don't know who you're referring to, but they'd do well to prepare themselves for what's coming."

The tall blonde man only narrowed his eyes at the Prime Minister, whom was all smiles and smug. Budo couldn't help but think that Honest was behind the corruption. After all, the Prime Minister was a crafty son of a bitch.

Syura, who was just watching the interaction, sweat dropped as his grin only narrowed a bit.

Syrura: (thoughts) 'Yet another interesting development. I really did come back home at the perfect time!'

---

After having taken a long detour, Night Raid had finally returned to their base. Najenda was walking through the halls of the base, slipping on her long coat. She then opened the doors to the lounge room, finding Leone laying down on the sofa with Tatsumi standing near her.

Najenda: "Our spy team is gathering the latest news from the Capital. It'll be a few days before we hear from them. We're not leaving the hideout until then."

With that, she exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

Leone: (sigh) "You heard her. Now all I can do is throw back some drinks to recover from all that travel."

Tatsumi: (sweat drops) "I think there's more ways to recharge than that, don't you think?"

Leone: (waves Tatsumi off) "Go make me something to snack on."

Tatsumi: "Yeah, yeah. ...Wait, why don't you have Akira do it?"

Leone: "He's off hunting with Akame and Fenrir. You know, those two are just being lovey dovey."

The brown-haired teen rolled his eyes as he made his way to the kitchen, scratching his head in the process. The blonde lioness stared at him, humming in amazement as she pushed herself off the couch, going after him.

Leone: "Tatsumi... Have you grown?"

Tatsumi: "Hmm? You think?"

He soon grew surprised when he felt Leone hug him tightly from behind. She even began to sniff him a little bit, a slight blush on both their faces. Leone the whispered into his ear.

Leone: "You know... Back when Esdeath was cutting me up in that cathedral, I was pretty scared."

Tatsumi: "Huh...?"

Leone: "I know it's a little late, but... Can I thank you...for what you did for me back there?"

She continued to push her breasts onto his back more, the boy's blush increasing as he could feel the mounds being squished up against him. He soon tries to shrug her off, making Leone only smile at him.

Tatsumi: "Wh-What kind of thanks...!? I've got a girlfriend, remember!?"

Leone: "Hmm? So? That's irrelevant."

Tatsumi: "Wha...!?"

The door to the lounge room was the busted open. The two looked to it, only to see a very angry Mine, a rising fury emanating off of her.

Mine: "I thought I heard voices... You guys!" (marching towards two) "Get off of him!"

Leone: (cheeky grin) "Now, now. Tatsumi's grown into such a fine young man. I just thought I'd have a little fun with him..."

Mine: "Hey, don't!" (proceeds to push Leone out the door) "Tatsumi's mine! Go and play with Akame!"

Leone: (pouts) "Tch, party pooper."

The pink-haired girl then pushed the lioness out of the room, Leone stumbling forward as she pouted. She then heard the front door opening, so she went towards it. Once she got there, she was met with confused gazes from Akame and Akira, the latter hauling in the corpse of a dead Danger Beast, along with a smiling and panting Fenrir, who's tail was also wagging.

Akira: "What was that all about? We heard yelling."

Leone: "Nothing. ...Say, Akame. Mind if I borrow your boyfriend for something?"

Akame: (narrowed eyes) "For what?"

Leone: "Nothing special. Just need something from him, just to have a little bit of fun.~"

Akira: "Huh? What are you--whoa!"

Before he could continue his sentence, he was suddenly grabbed, Akira's face then thrusted into the chest of the ravenette next to him. Akame proceeds to give her best friend her usual poker face glare, whilst also pushing Akira's face into her chest more.

Akame: "Mine!"

Leone: (mutters) "...Sheesh, everyone's so stingy these days. Besides, I was just joking anyway."

Akame: "Leone, take the meat to the kitchen."

Leone: "Huh? Why me?"

Akame: "I need to to talk to Akira about something."

Akira: "Hrrmsh? Hrrrmmmshh."

Akame: "We'll talk more when we get to our room. Come, let's go now."

Akira: "Hrrrrmmmsshhh! Hrrrmmmsssssh!"

His pleas or cries? Whatever they were, they were incomprehensible, unable to heard as they were just muffled words, his face currently being suffocated in between Akame's chest. Leone just watched with a sweat dropping expression as she sees Akame drag him away down the corridor. She then looked to Fenrir, who only tilted his head cutely while wagging his tail.

Speaking of the two, Akame and Akira did make it to their room. Currently, Akame stood in front of her boyfriend, her arms crossed as Akira was bound to a chair. 

Akira: "...Akame. Can I ask a question?"

Akame: "Yes, love?"

Akira: "Why am I bound to a chair?"

Akame: "No reason in particular."

Akira: "Then, can you let me go?"

Akame: "No."

Akira: "Then why am I bound to the chair?"

Akame: "No reason in particular."

Akira: (sigh) "...What's the real reason you dragged me in here?"

Akame: "I said we need to discuss something."

Akira: "Okay? And that's...?"

Akame: "Some ground rules so this relationship can work."

Akira: "...Huh?"

Akame: "First off, you're not allowed to ogle any other woman's body. Understood?"

Akira: (deadpan) "Why would I need to ogle someone else's body when I have you? That makes no sense."

Akame: "Secondly, you're not allowed to talk to any other women or girls. Is that clear?"

Akira: (deadpan) "Again, that doesn't make sense. How am I supposed to talk to the boss if I'm not allowed to talk to her?"

Akame: "And finally..."

Akira: (sigh) "Okay, go ahead. Go on and tell the last one."

Akame: "The last condition... Never stop loving me."

Akira: "Eh?"

Before he could utter out another word, Akame quickly climbed onto his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her red eyes gazing down on him as she offers him a smile. Akira simply blushed at the contact, his face just merely a few inches away from her chest. In fact, his head was nearly stuffed into it.

Akame: "My last condition is to never stop loving me. Is that something you can do?"

Akira: "...Why ask the question when you already know the answer to it?"

She simply giggled, Akame moving one of her hands up to his hair as she twirled one of the strands with her finger. Akira leaned his head forward, resting his head onto her chest, putting his ear up against it. He could hear it, and feel it. Her steady heart beat, beating slowly as it calmed him down, ignoring all the other ambient sounds as he just focused on the sound of her heart beat.

This was what he wanted. A sense of calmness, and the feeling of being loved by the person he desired to be with. He always with held a deep sense of guilt when thinking back of the things he did. The innocents he's murdered, the children and women he killed in cold blood, the grotesque and torturous ways he killed the corrupted. He had no sense of control, or rather, he didn't have a sense of who he was when he did all this. 

The Ice Cold Reaper, the name he was given when he begun his murderous rampage in the east of the Empire. A name and moniker he wishes to forget, and one he wished he never earned.

But, just being here with the girl he loved was enough to make him forget about it. To make him feel that peacefulness he desired to have. But it also made him note to himself on how undeserving he was to be with her. He always told himself, "She doesn't deserve to be with a monster like me. A devil. A demon." And yet, she chose to remain by his said, and accept him for who he was.

He was thankful for that. He could never thank her enough for making him whole. Not in a million years, or however long it took to thank her.

---

Imperial Capital, Below the palace...

The hour was nighttime, the leader of Wild Hunt, Syura, was leading a small group of Imperial soldiers down into the catacombs of the royal family.

No one was allowed down here, other than the royal family themselves. Not even the Prime Minister or any of the royal family's most trusted advisors. But because the only royal family member there was the young Emperor, merely a puppet while his father ruled from the shadows, Syura could do as he pleased.

Budo was too focused on the security of His Highness, Syura was able to bypass and get himself into the catacombs. Right now, he was searching for something. Searching for something of great power. 

The tanned young man peered over at the walls, some sort of inscriptions and ancient writing. This tongue of yore was something he wasn't able to read. Any sort of text or writing that regarded this ancient language were all lost to the civil war that engulfed the Empire years ago. After a considerable amount of walking, they soon enter a vast chamber. A very large one.

All around them, Syura could see it. The large statues of the past kings and queens that had ruled the Empire for generations upon generations. Soon, an altar came into view.

On top of the altar laid a stone coffin, it holding the body of the first Emperor. However, Syura's eyes landed on a small object that was just in front of the coffin. It was a ring, and upon seeing it, he simply grinned.

He then turned to one of the soldiers that was with him.

Syura: "Hey, you. Go put that ring on."

Soldier: "H-Huh? Why?"

Syura: "I heard it grants the user great power to whoever holds it. But I just want to make sure that it's actually a ring that does that, and it's not some ring that's just a simple ring. Go on and get to it."

He barked his orders to the soldiers he called fodder, the soldier ordered to put on the ring clicking his tongue. As much as he hated the son of the Prime Minister, he couldn't do anything to him. He'd just have his head and execute him. Or maybe torture him before killing him.

Either way, he did as he was ordered, grabbing the ring and holding it in his hand to examine it. The ring had a black metal exterior to it, the inner area having a gold lining. However, the most distinct feature of the accessory was the blue gem that rested on top. The soldier then sighed as he slipped the ring on, his eyes widening as he felt something.

The soldier began to scream in immense pain, the blue gem of the ring glowing brightly as his hand was engulfed in a bluish, purple flame. The flames soon begin to engulf the soldier completely, falling to his knees as he extended his arms out for help. His comrades attempt to help him, but were halted, Syura holding his hand up, signaling them to go no further.

Syura watched as the man continued to scream, the flames continuing to burn him until there was nothing left of him. Not even a single scorch mark on the ground or any ashes of the victim.

Syura: (thoughts) 'This... So this is the other Teigu that only the royal family can use. Then... The powers it hold... Is it true?'

The son of the Prime Minister picked up the ring and looked at it, twirling and fiddling it in between his fingers. It wasn't until he saw a small glint in the gem, Syura grunting in pain as he drops the ring onto the ground, the clinking noise echoing throughout the vast chamber. 

He didn't even put on the ring, and it still burned him. Syura stared at the object once more before he turned around and ordered the rest of the men to leave and follow.

As soon as Syura and his men left, the ring's gem glowed brightly. A bluish aura of a ethereal figure soon appeared and picked up the accessory, looking at it for a moment before setting it onto the altar. The ethereal figure stared at the entrance of the chamber for a few seconds before it summoned an ethereal greatsword out of thin air, soon slamming it's tip of the blade into the ground.

The ethereal figure then dissipated, the glow of the gem soon disappearing as the blue gem's light began to dim.