The grand doors to the imperial throne room creaked open, their heavy weight announcing the arrival of the two figures stepping inside. Garou entered first, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Behind him, Esdeath followed, her once-pristine general's uniform now tattered and bloodstained. Chains bound her wrists, and her normally confident stride was reduced to an unsteady, restrained walk. Yet despite her condition, her expression remained eerily calm—no fear, no anger, just silent composure.
The emperor sat upon his throne, his youthful face schooled into a neutral mask, though his mind was anything but calm. As Esdeath reached the center of the chamber, his gaze met hers, and a flood of memories surged through him—memories not only from this timeline but the one he had witnessed through the Supreme Teigu's vision. He remembered the destruction she had wrought, the mercilessness with which she had upheld Honest's rule, and the lengths she had gone to in order to keep the corrupt minister in power.
He exhaled slowly, rising to his feet. "Esdeath," he called, his voice steady but firm. "You knew Honest's corruption. You saw the suffering of the people. And yet, in the end, you chose to defend him." His sharp gaze pierced through her unwavering stare. "Why?"
The room remained still. Budo stood beside the throne, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Akame, ever watchful, kept her hand near her blade. Wave and the others observed from the sidelines, their faces a mix of curiosity and worry for their ex-commander.
Esdeath let out a breath, closing her eyes momentarily before opening them again. "Because I made an agreement," she answered evenly. "Honest gave me full control over my forces, complete freedom to seek battle as I pleased. That was our arrangement, and I honored it. I do not break my word."
The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly. "Even knowing that your word was given to a man who manipulated and poisoned this empire?"
Esdeath's lips curved into a faint, almost nostalgic smile. "The weak perish, and the strong thrive. That is the law of nature, the rule of this world. Strength defines everything." She tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful rather than cruel. "I lived by that philosophy. To me, it did not matter whether Honest was corrupt or virtuous—what mattered was that I was strong enough to shape the battlefield to my will."
She closed her eyes, recalling her talk with Garou after Night Raid's ambush. She opened them again and said, "Even if I had second thoughts, I had already given my word. I wouldn't have gone back on it, no matter the cost."
A heavy silence followed her words. Akame clenched her fist slightly, Run frowned in disapproval, and Wave's jaw tightened. Yet the emperor remained unmoved, for he had already glimpsed into her past, seen the shaping of her beliefs firsthand.
He inhaled deeply before speaking. "Then by your own beliefs, you have been defeated." He let the weight of that statement settle before continuing. "Your title as a general is stripped. You are no longer a leader of this empire's forces." He took a step forward, his eyes unwavering. "From this day forward, you will serve as a regular soldier, nothing more. You will not seek battle unless explicitly ordered. Your life is no longer your own—it belongs to the empire. And as such, you will swear absolute obedience."
For the first time, a ripple of something unreadable crossed Esdeath's face. Not anger, not despair—just a quiet moment of consideration. Then, her gaze shifted toward Garou, the man who had bested her, the one whose strength she could not deny, the one she loved. She studied him, searching for something, before finally speaking.
"If that is what my conqueror wishes," she said, her voice as calm as ever, "then I swear my loyalty to His Majesty."
Garou met her gaze and gave a small nod. The room remained tense for a moment longer before the emperor sat back on his throne, signaling the matter was settled. The future had shifted further from the destined timeline, and with it, Esdeath's place in the empire had changed forever.
_____________________
A month had passed since Honest's public execution, yet the Revolutionary Army had not disbanded. The empire's reformation was well underway, but the army remained fractured. Some leaders, blinded by ambition, refused to relinquish their power, while others were skeptical of the empire's supposed changes. However, among the rank and file, a growing number of soldiers began to question their purpose. With corruption being actively rooted out and justice taking shape, many were inclined to leave the battlefield and return to their lives.
In the hidden base of Night Raid, tension filled the air as Najenda read the latest reports. Her fingers tightened around the parchment, her expression darkening with anger. Leone, Lubbock, and Tatsumi watched her warily, sensing her growing frustration. Ever since Akame had left them, Najenda had thrown herself into every piece of news about the empire, reacting with increasing hostility.
"This is a trick," she muttered under her breath, glaring at the words before her.
Tatsumi shifted uncomfortably before clearing his throat. "Maybe the empire really is changing," he suggested hesitantly. "You heard how the emperor pardoned Akame after exposing the prime minister's evil deeds. I think it's time to stop fighting and join the reforming effort."
Najenda's eyes snapped toward him, her glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Don't mention that traitor in my presence," she spat. "The empire is still as corrupt as ever. Look at the punishments they've handed out—slaps on the wrist at best! The Jaegers, who committed unforgivable crimes, were reassigned as if nothing happened. Even Esdeath didn't face real consequences; they merely stripped her of her general title. She can earn that back in no time!"
Leone sighed, crossing her arms. "boss, for the first time in years, people in the capital are living in peace. The Jaegers and even Esdeath are contributing to that. Maybe it's your hatred for Esdeath that's keeping you from believing what's real."
Najenda clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "You don't know her like I do," she snapped. "You don't know the kind of monster she is, the kind of monsters she commanded! There's no way they're making amends or changing! It's just another trick to lull the people into complacency!"
Leone exhaled, shaking her head. "I don't know, boss. Maybe you're the one refusing to see the truth." She straightened up and turned toward the exit. "I've decided—I'm going back to the capital. I have no intention of staying here any longer."
Najenda's eyes narrowed in fury, but before she could speak, Tatsumi took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I'm going too," he said quietly. "I believe in what Akame did. And if the empire is truly changing, then it's time to help shape that change instead of fighting against it."
Najenda's gaze flicked between them, her rage simmering beneath the surface. "So you're going to betray our cause as well?" she accused. "Just like Akame?"
Leone turned back, her golden eyes steady. "Our cause has been achieved, thanks to Akame." With that, she walked out, Tatsumi following silently behind her.
Lubbock remained behind, his expression troubled. He turned to Najenda, concern etched into his face. "Najenda, please, calm down. Don't do anything hasty." He was afraid—afraid that her growing anger and desperation would push her into making a reckless move. He knew that, in close combat, Leone and Tatsumi held the advantage. If she tried to stop them by force, it would end disastrously.
Najenda sat down heavily, resting her face in her hands. "The empire is lying to them," she murmured. "They're all being fooled." Her voice was hollow, filled with frustration and denial. Then, after a long pause, she straightened and exhaled. "There's no reason to stay here anymore. We are heading to the Revolutionary Army's main camp."
Lubbock felt a pit form in his stomach as he watched her. He had a terrible feeling about where this path would lead, but for now, he could only follow and hope that something—or someone—would change her mind before it was too late.
_______________________
The empire was changing, and with it, the people struggled to adjust to the new reality. While some fought to find their place in the shifting landscape, Garou spent his days either training the twin or refining his control over Shambhala. Every day for the past month, he attempted to retrieve items from his old world using the Teigu, and he eventually succeeded. His dojo clothes, along with a few miscellaneous items, now lay in his possession—a small yet significant victory in mastering the mysterious relic.
Today, however, the orphanage had visitors.
Seryu and Run made their way through the bustling streets toward the orphanage. Run, in his new role as an official overseeing education and orphanages, wished to check on the conditions. Seryu, on the other hand, had a more personal reason—she wanted to meet the old master.
As they arrived, they spotted Garou in the courtyard, surrounded by children. The twin stood before him, mimicking his stance as he corrected their posture. Nearby, other orphans clumsily copied the movements, their laughter ringing through the air. Sitting on a nearby bench, Old Man Bang watched with a contented smile.
Run and Seryu approached, offering respectful bows as they greeted the elderly martial artist.
"It's good to see you again, Master Bang," Run said warmly.
Bang chuckled. "Ah, Run. You've taken well to your new role, I see. And Seryu... you seem different."
Seryu inhaled deeply before stepping forward. Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee and bowed her head. "Master Bang... I finally understand. I see how wrong I was, how misguided my sense of justice had been. I hurt so many people, all because I blindly followed what I thought was right." She clenched her fists, determination in her voice. "I want to change—I am changing. Please, will you teach me?"
Bang studied her for a long moment, his keen eyes searching her face for any hint of insincerity. Then, he smiled. "You've come far, young lady. Your heart is in the right place now."
Hope flickered in Seryu's eyes, but Bang shook his head. "I'm retired. I've taken my last student. My days of teaching are behind me."
Her expression faltered, but before she could respond, Bang lifted his hand and pointed toward Garou. "However... if you truly wish to learn, then ask him."
As if on cue, a column of purple light shot toward the sky, drawing everyone's attention. When the glow faded, Garou's triumphant laughter echoed through the courtyard. "It actually worked!"
The old master, Seryu, and Run walked closer, only to find Garou kneeling beside a tray filled with round sandwiches, crispy fried potatoes, and several glass bottles filled with a dark, fizzy liquid.
"Ha! I finally got Cola!" Garou cheered, holding up one of the bottles like a prized trophy.
Before he could take a sip, a blur of movement flashed behind him. SMACK! Bang's palm struck the back of Garou's head with pinpoint precision and force, slamming him face-first into the dirt.
"When I thought you had finally matured, you go and start stealing across time and space?" Bang's exasperated voice boomed over Garou's groan.
Garou pushed himself up, rubbing his aching head. "It's not stealing! I'm trying to master the Teigu! This was just a happy coincidence!"
Bang's eyes narrowed dangerously. "When we return to the dojo, you'll be cleaning the floor for a month as punishment."
On the sidelines, Run, Seryu and the children burst into laughter.
Run nudged Seryu. "Shouldn't you be arresting him? He's technically a thief."
Seryu shrugged. "Other worlds are outside police jurisdiction."
Run chuckled. "Fair point."