Last time, our protagonist, Emerl, found himself on the top of a mountain, hunting for creatures that have been killing innocents for their selfish desires...but in the middle of it, he came face to face with a problem he wasn't expecting to find very soon. Now, with the sudden appearance of this disturbance, our hero has begun to do what he must to fulfill his mission.

"Mmmm...This smell...Is Emerl's scent without a doubt."

Even when his hair is being sniffed by the Ice Empress, the war-loving Great General of the Empire, (who is also his lover) after his face was captured between her heart-shaped breasts.

"You are the real thing." Esdeath hummed, releasing a content sigh while she hugged Emerl even tighter. "You're such a troublesome boy, making me worried." She likes hugging him close to her, she didn't know why, but doing it feels so right for her. "I felt lonely in the bed without your heat next to me."

"...I have no comment on that." Emerl said with a sweatdrop, but he felt something in his heart that made him be a relief to see her okay...even though she would be since she's the Strongest of the Empire.

The General stopped sniffing him and was now combing a strand of hair. "Care to tell me what happened? Wave said you saved him from a Danger Beast, but the two of you rolled to a lake. When he reached there, the beast was dead but you were gone." The concerned tone was something that surprised the black-haired.

"...Yeah, I managed to kill it, but I hit my head on a rock on the way down. I passed out for like...30 minutes." Emerl lied to her, which gave him a pang in his heart. "When I woke up, I was at the side of the river, no idea where. After a while, I managed to find a village, and they helped me out. From there, I began to travel around a bit, and I heard of some new Danger Beasts attacking the people, so I decided to check this out." He tried to move forward to be in front of her but noticed that her hold was tight. "And...that's it…"

"I see…I'm just glad you're okay." Esdeath continued to hug him more. She didn't know why, but something began to crawl to her mind...something that she never thought would be possible. Fear of losing something.

"...Can you let go now?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't want to lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Still won't do it."

"...You're a spoiled child."

*Pout*

"Damn! She's pouting! Quick, spin around, shove your head in her breasts while you massage her butt with your hands! That'll help!"

('...That's a tempting offer...But no.') Emerl sweat and blush at the suggestion. "...Actually, why are you here?" he asked her while looking up at her blue eyes. "I don't think you're one of those who simply like to go alone in the night."

('And whose fault you think it was?') Esdeath thought to herself, before answering his question, "I was patrolling through the night. The Jaegers and I have been exterminating the Danger Beasts that have been threatening the capital lately."

"I see...You were busy as well." Emerl said before giving up on getting her off him...not like he minds anyway. "And the others? How are they doing?" He asked, and that's where Esdeath finally stopped the tight hold. "...Did something happen?"

"...Several things." She said in a sad tone, "We...lost Stylish." Emerl tensed up at this, remembering that the Doctor was killed by them. "Run and Bols search his office, and everything he had with him was gone...Run said that he might have found Night Raid's Hideout and tried to take them down himself...but his ego was too big and got his punishment."

"That Quack of a Doc deserves what he got! He stomped on a lion's tail and paid the price!" Rapture said, before making a sound that he was spitting something.

"Damn...Sorry for the loss…" Emerl apologized, "...What about Seryu? She must have been affected by everyone in the group." He said, making sure the state of mind of the psychopath of Justice.

"You would say that...But," Esdeath stopped the hug she had him and crossed her arms under her chest. "That day...Seryu found out something worse." She then began to explain what the soldier found; the hidden notes of Stylish, his cards with Ogre, and...the real cause of death of her parents.

Emerl eyes could not believe what he had just heard. "You're shitting with me…" he muttered out loud, as his fist clenched hard, ('That bastard…! I knew there was more to him than meets the eye, but! To simply killed her parents, who did nothing to him, because of selfish desires?!')

"...Killing is bad. I know this much...But I'm glad those two fuckers are dead." Rapture said, in equal anger. "The poor girl and her family did nothing to them! No wonder she wanted to kill Villains; Stylish soldiers ARE criminals with reform bodies! And don't even start in that Arrogant Captain; who the Fuck knows what kind of Bullshit he put in her to mind fuck her even more!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not," Esdeath said as she looked at the side of the mountain. "I have helped several soldiers who either felt down or had trouble on their own...but this? This is new to me." The General let out a sigh, "How can I help someone who was betrayed by the one they trust for too long?"

"...Hope for the best." she blinked her eyes before looking at the black-haired, following her trail, sporting a serious expression. "If what you said is true...Then, nothing can be done...Seryu must overcome this by her own hands...She's probably having doubts running in her head, like if everything she learned was right or wrong…But she'll reach a solution very soon and overcome her broken spirit. I know at least she'll do that much."

Heh...Defending the girl who was stained with darkness and who almost killed Sheele for that Dark Justice...When was it that he began to care for that psycho?

Esdeath stared at him, feeling impressed by such words. She chuckles at this, liking that kind of thinking of his...She finally had time to look at his body.

"Champ. She's eyeing you hard~" Emerl looks to the side after hearing his Teigu.

"What?" He asked the Great General as her icy blue eyes scanned him, making him unconsciously blush. Suddenly, she walked up to him and grabbed his shoulder, "H-Hey!"

"Hmmm..." Esdeath hummed, as she began to pat his shoulder, chest, and head before squeezing his arms. "...I see…" Esdeath could feel her heart rapidly pounding in her chest as her hands went to Emerl's side, feeling his hard biceps, ('Is the first time I feel them, but it seems that he has been keeping himself in shape.') she thought before she looks surprised at the immense aura that was coming out of him. ('And this raw power..') she began to feel a tingle in her own body, making her excited. ('In just mere months, his power grew this much...If he continues to train like this, he would truly be someone of my own equal…!') A man from out of the Empire. One who has the nerves of steel and strength to take on anything. Very younger than her, and has an innocent smile on him…Just like the man she desires to have! "Your body has developed quite considerably since I last saw you...I'm very impressed!" With a sweet smile, Esdeath patted his head affectionately. "You grow up within a short time. I'm sure you'll be a great warrior someday."

"I...am glad to hear that," Emerl said with a tint of red embarrassment. ('...Is it weird that I like that she's scrubbing my hair around?') he thought to himself, while Rapture snickers. He then felt Esdeath cup his cheeks and pressed her forehead against his.

"I was getting bored with this hunt...but, thanks to it, we are back together." Her voice was sweet and loving, "Is this what others called 'Fate'?"

('I'm starting to believe so...or that some random God just wants me to be around her.') Emerl thought with a sweatdrop.

"With that said, the Jaegers will be delighted when they see you healthy and well." The words of Esdeath made the Black Knight expression turn sour, his eyes being shadowed by his hair. "Let's get going, those Danger Beast are probably done for." She said and began to drag him by his arm...until she felt his resistance. She looked back at him in confusion. "Emerl?"

"...Sorry, Esdeath." The black-haired shocked her when he pulled away from his arm from her with force. "I...I can't go back to the Empire."

"What?" She spoke a bit heartbroken, "Why? Is there a debt you need to do? Someone wants you dead? Tell me and I'll send them to hell." she said, getting a bit serious.

He chuckled at that caring attitude, "Thanks for the offer...but no." He turned around, giving his back to her, "...It is more complicated than that...I was planning to tell you that day when we were supposed to be together when we switched with Wave and Kurome…" he stopped a few meters away from her. "I guess I should say it now, that I have the opportunity." He finally turned to her, sporting an expression of anger. "...I refuse to be with the Empire."

If he was trying to surprise her, even a little bit, Esdeath didn't even show it. She simply tilted her head to the side in confusion, "The Empire...Ah!" She fist bumps her hand while having a 'Figure out' expression, "You're talking about working for the Empire, right?" Those words cause Emerl to anime-fall with sweat drops.

"HOLY SHIT! SHE IS ACTING LIKE THAT!? WHERE'S HER BRAIN AT?!" Rapture shouted, and the assassin could feel its eyes blood-shooting forward.

"If that is so, don't worry." She assured him, "You won't be working for it, you're mine-"

"That's not the point." He stops her before she gets on his brain train. "I have so many reasons for not even wanting to step in that place, but that won't matter since you won't care for it." Emerl was harsh, and that made Esdeath blink in surprise. "I know that we reunited again...but I'm sorry, I have to leave now. Say hello to the other for me, especially Seryu." And with that, he turned around to leave.

He only took three steps before Esdeath's arms shot over his shoulder, grabbed and pulled him back. His head crashing with her chest once again.

"What makes you think I'll let you get away again? Especially after what you said?" The Ice General spoke with a tone of authority. Just one sentence and Emerl knew that she wasn't letting go this time.

"...You may be the Strongest of the Empire, and possibly my fated one," he spoke with, not on par but close, an equal tone. "But stand in my way...and I won't hesitate to knock you down."

After that, everything was silent...until Esdeath and Emerl's aura shot out like flames.

If one were to look from the front, you would see Esdeath smiling sadistically, with her left blue-eye glowing red and still hugging her love interest, while Emerl had a hardened gaze, his green teigu-eye got bright along with his tattoos.

"Hoo~ You want to play hard to get, again?" Esdeath should feel hurt that he is treating her like she would treat the weaklings, but she didn't. Him getting harder to control and being more stubborn was much of a better challenge for her. "I believe I said I will make you mine, no matter who I need to defeat. Nobody is taking you away from me."

"That's funny...Because I won't be controlled by anyone." Emerl responds to her and smirks a little. "I'm very unpredictable, love...The tables may turn around when you least expect it."

"Heh~ If so, it makes this competition way more exciting." Whatever the hell it was rising from the General was going up and above. ('Still...this side of him...I'm starting to love it even more!') However, before icy-blue haired and the assassin could say or do anything else, they sensed a presence joining the fray.

"...Say Esdeath, are you with someone on this patrol?" Emerl asked, his hand going behind his back.

"...No. But this mountain is overflowing with nuisances." She let an irritated sigh out before she gently pushed herself away from Emerl. She quickly unsheathed her rapier from her place, at the same time Emerl took out his pistol. Both of them were aiming at the large rock pillar of the mountain. ('Hmm? He's a gun user as well?') Esdeath roses an eyebrow of curiosity at seeing Emerl's Gun for the first time. She decided to ask more about himself later after dealing with this intruder. "I know you're hiding there. Come out this instant, or I'll attack first and ask questions later."

…

…

…

"...Tch! Here I thought I was making an effort to hide!" From out of the rock came the hooded person from chapter sixteen. "Then again...I shouldn't expect anything less from the Empire Strongest…Still, I never imagined that I'd run into you here." The hooded figure said as he raised his head, revealing a dark-skinned man with a large x-shaped scar across his face. "I suppose this will bring an end to my toy play."

('Oy, Oy. You see this?') Emerl though as his trigger finger tensed up. The man he was aiming at was giving a bad vibe to him, in many ways.

"Hmm...Oh! Very interesting!" Rapture had begun to search around this new guy's mind. "What?! How the-That bastard must have rape one good!" Emerl got curious, it would appear that his Teigu has found some very juicy details.

But before he could ask for it, Esdeath spoke up. "It would seem that you know something about these beasts." She proceeded to narrow her eyes dangerously. "I will enjoy taking all the information you have back in my torture room."

That causes a small chuckle out of the mysterious man. "That's a tempting offer, but I think I'll pass." He said, reaching into the sleeve of his cloak. "Heh...since we're both here...I think I'll have you take care of a rather big thorn in my side."

"CHAMP! LOOK OUT! HE POSSES A TEIGU!" Rapture shouted very loud, causing Emerl to widen his eyes immediately as Specter showed him a strange device in the man's hand.

"Teigu: Shambala-" As the man began to say, Emerl had pulled his arm back quickly and swung it at the exact time he began to pull the trigger, faster than either Esdeath and the man could follow, "Activate!" The hooded man finished his exclamation, just as he spotted the arm swing.

A large, bright light appeared under Emerl and Esdeath at the same time the assassin pulled the trigger. While the light caused him to close his eyes shut, Emerl knew it wouldn't matter, because the bullet flew as it made a curve and head straight from the side to the man's shoulder and pierce through it, the bullet embedding itself on the rock he came from.

"Gah!" The hooded-figure roared in pain, as he fell to one knee and pressed a hand to his now bleeding shoulder. He growled in anger when he saw blood coating his hand. "That son of a bitch!" Slowly getting back onto his feet, the mystery man tossed away his tattered cloak. Glaring at where Esdeath and Emerl had been standing...only to find nobody. "That fucking trash! How dare he-" Wincing as intense pain once again shot through his body, the mystery man pressed his hand against his side. "Fuck...visiting my old man will have to wait...I need to find a doctor fast." Was the last thing he said before dashing off the cliff.

(Unknown Location)

"...Where...are we?"

Emerl couldn't help but ask out loud as he stared in shock at his and Esdeath's current location. A sandy beach with ocean everywhere, sunlight that would make one take their clothes off and go swimming in...but not in this case.

"This is very...odd," Esdeath said, she was calm at the sudden change of scenery. Goes to show that she's a General for a reason.

*Shkg!*

A strange sound entered her ears, she looked to the side, and her emotions somehow took over her entire body as her eyes widened in absolute shock as she witnessed Emerl slashing his knife in his left hand, making a decent deep cut. "What the hell are you doing?" The harsh tone coming from her lips took the black-haired a bit surprised while holding the pain he just made on his hand.

"I...thought we were dreaming, so I tried to wake myself up." Emerl grunted as he let go of his knife, which dropped to the sand, "Guess that was a bad idea, huh?" He forced a smile while looking at the red blood dropping out.

"It was."

"It was." Rapture and Esdeath said.

The General quickly grabbed his bleeding hand, "Hold still for a moment." Placing her hand on his, she quickly covered the wound with a bit of ice. "There, it will stop the bleeding for a while." She then began to notice that his hand was different from before. ('Strange, the skin in his hand is a bit rough, like an armored glove was mold into him,') she then saw the black ring-shape in his finger, ('And this black image...it looks like Black Marine, the Teigu I gave to Liver.') she was starting to have suspicions on Emerl's missing time. She was sure he didn't have that on his finger the last time she saw him.

"Thanks...sorry for the worry." The black-haired apologized to her, which was completely honest.

That was enough for Esdeath to eliminate her suspicions, for the time being, she proceeded to pull him close to her, "Just…Don't do something like that. I will not afford you to get hurt like." She said, her heart burning at the thought of him getting hurt...in any way possible.

For Emerl, however, seeing her act like this from a simple stab was new, "You worried for me over this? Isn't that the same as getting hurt on the battlefield?"

"No." Esdeath was having a harsh tone with him, "The battlefield is different because that's to be expected on it. This isn't the battlefield, so don't ever do it again." She commanded out.

('...The more caring she is being, the more I see that there has to be some way to make her quit the Empire.') Emerl thought before wrapping his arms around her waist, enjoying the embrace. ('I should get more information out of her...but now I must understand my current location.') "Got it...I won't do it again."

"Good." The Ice General calmed down, before stopping the hug, "Now then. Considering your... unnecessary action," she turns to look at the beach, walking slightly further down, subtitling swaying of her hips-

"Extra Thicc!" Rapture commented unnecessarily on this.

"We are not dreaming...The scent of salt, the sea breeze...the temperature and humidity...it's all real." Esdeath confirms.

"Then...That guy had some sort of teleportation device?" Emerl said, acting being ignorant to Teigu existences. ('Rapture, what you got on that Teigu?')

"Not too much, but at least the basics," the Dark Armor being responded. "That was Dimensional Formation: Shambala, it can transport the user from point A to B. Only the user can open the gate between the two."

('I see...that kind of technology is very powerful…') "Can something like that even exist?" He spoke up, asking about it.

"Yes, very much so." Esdeath replied to his question, crossing her arms underneath her chest, "The empire created forty-eight superweapons, called Teigu. I've heard that some of them are capable of lost arts...that are even able to manipulate space itself." She then places a hand under her chin, ('For a man like that to have such a powerful Teigu...Who is he?')

"Either way, we're pretty far from the Kingdom shore by the looks of it." The assassin places a hand over his eyes to try to see better, even with Specter activated. "Don't see anything that looks like a land from here."

"Then, we need to have a better view," Esdeath said, slamming her hand onto the ground.

"What do you-" Emerl tried to say before a pillar of ice appeared below them and enlarged itself high enough to see everything. "Holy shit! That was unexpected!" He said, trying to hold his balance in place. Once he did, he had a good look around, seeing only the ocean. "Yeah...We are definitely on an island."

"Is rather…lovely out here." The icy blue-haired general said with a calm expression before she fist-bumped her hand. "With the two of us here, it feels like a date, correct?"

Emerl simply looked back at her with a sweatdrop, "Only you would have thought of that in our current location." He said before looking around, "But I guess keeping calm is important as well." ('Although she's right, this place is very lovely...no civilization. No corrupted people or empire…Just peace, quiet, and a lovely atmosphere.')

"Well after living the life I have, you learn to keep a flexible attitude," Esdeath said, her eyes glowing a bit and her hands began to wiggle like a cat as she began to scoot closer to the distracted assassin. "That being said…" And without warning, she jumped at Emerl.

The idea was to hug him from behind, but to her surprise, he perfectly moved his body to the side, making her miss. Goes to show that he was training.

Seeing that she was close to the edge, Emerl quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. However, because he was on an ice platform, his feet slipped, causing him to fall back and drag Esdeath with him. The result was for his back to hit the cold surface of the pillar, while the most powerful and gorgeous woman in the world (second to Akame in my opinion) landed on his chest. This action made both of them have their heartbeat and their faces turn slightly pink. In a bit of a moment, Esdeath had her ear planted in his chest, and she could hear the thumping sound of his heart. She couldn't help but widen in absolute surprise, as her face slightly flush up.

*Baump! Baump! Baump! Baump!*

The beating it was giving...it was a beautiful melody. It was like hundreds of tambourines been hit at the same time...it reminded her of the times she came back with her father from hunting and was welcomed by their tribes. ('Those days were great…') she couldn't help but smile a little, it was years that she remembered those thoughts. Another thing she could add from the unexpected ways of her 'lover'.

"H-Hey. You okay?" Emerl was the first to recover as he controlled his blush and dirty thoughts. Having been in bed already with three different girls was finally getting to him. His Teigu, Rapture, couldn't and didn't bother to stop his laughter. ('Shut up! I was just acting on instinct!')

"But of course! I agree with you! I mean, it is not like you wanted for her to land on top of you!" The sarcasm was getting out of the Teigu's voice. "Or maybe you like to be the one on the bottom?!

('Shut Up!')

"I am." She responds with a calm tone, despite her position, "I'm...impressed. Your reflexes were very sharp. And your grab was quick and strong…"

*Thrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!*

Before she could even say anything else, the ice tower began to rumble, catching their attention as they looked back. They witnessed a giant Danger Beast with the body of a human, rising from the ground, the reason the Earth and tower were even shaking for. His size, appearances, and nasty scars made the black-haired widened his eyes. That thing was what Dr. Stylish transformed into!

('Rapture! You're seeing this?!')

"I see it and don't believe it!" Emerl's eyes began to maximize his eyesight, seeing that the beast had a human body strapped on its forehead. "The thing is definitely like what the Quack of a Doc transforms himself into!"

('He must have experimented on others before doing it himself!') Emerl though as he felt Esdeath standing up, ('But you also know what this means, right?!')

"The bastard with Shambala had a connection with him...I'll and check around the area. Hold on while I'm gone, Champ." And with that, the Teigu stopped talking.

"All of these distractions, one after another," Esdeath muttered, releasing a heavy sigh as she stood back onto her feet. "I'm starting to get angry."

"You surely don't look like it," Emerl spoke as he jumped back to his feet. He quickly took his gun out and aimed it at the far away creature, "If you plan to kill it, I'll back you up."

"No need, love." Esdeath simply placed her hand in front of him, "This scum has interrupted our alone time. That's the second time today." She proceeded to extend her hands out, pressing her fingertips together, forming several spear icicles thin air. "I will not tolerate any more interference! Weiss Schnabel!" With a wicked smile, Esdeath waved her arms towards the charging colossus, sending her icicles flying towards it.

The monstrous danger beast looks at the upcoming icicles, and simply places it's arms around his face, the ice stabbing on them, but doing little to it as the monster swings his arms away while roaring back.

"Not even a scratch?" The Ice General sneered happily at the challenge, "This might not be boring at all."

"Hey...That thing on his forehead," Emerl spoke as he pointed at the human body on the forehead, playing ignorance, "Doesn't it look like a weak spot?"

"What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing." Esdeath replied with a grin, slamming her hand onto the ice pillar. "I knew we were destined to be together! Grauhorn!" The ice tower they were standing on shook for a moment before a massive spear of ice erupted from the center of the pillar. While it was faster than the previous attack, the Monster also managed to evade it, causing the giant spear to barely hit it. "Stubborn little one, eh?"

"More like your aim was weak and slow!" To the shock of Esdeath, not only did Emerl yell out to her, he dropped down the pillar and dash forward, running at a quick phased through her ice spear.

"Emerl!?" As her words came out, her eyes witnessed how he was already at the Giant.

The Danger Beast roared very loud as he proceeded to throw a powerful punch forward, colliding its metallic punch with the ice which broke into pieces. The destroyed path was a challenge for Emerl, but with his reflexes and Specter, he located the big pieces and jumped from one to one. His marks began to glow dark as his moments were making him faster as Akame. ('God! Thanks, Akame! I'm gonna make you Meat for a week when I get back!') Those running sections with her on their absence pay off. With a burst of power, he blasted off to the center of the head, where neither of the Beast hands could reach him in time. As expected from a monster from Stylish, several tendrils burst out from the head, which surrounds the weak body and spear to him. To answer those things, Emerl waited as the first tendril reached him before he dodged it at the last moment, and used it as a landing step. Everything felt so slow as his feet were on the tendrils and the others were now aiming there at a fast phase, but being trained by Akame, (one of the fastest of this universe) proved to be a wonder as he began to fast jump from tendril to tendril like a Ninja. Reaching and jumping off the last tendril, Emerl activates Specter's special ability, trapping the human body of the monster is an illusion. Quickly taking out his Knife, he stabs it hard in the chest, making the creature squeal in pain, before slashing it upwards, cutting it in half and throwing blood out. With its weak spot dead, the created Danger Beast began to fall. "See that?! That is how it is done!"

Back with General, she was...I want to say jaw dropped, but she doesn't look like that kind of person to do said action. But that she was left without words is an understatement. The speed he showed was outstanding! She was sickeningly worried when she saw him charge forward recklessly, her heart was like a thunderstorm sending lighting in several places without control. But her worries were for nothing as he showed the capability to finish the monster out.

It was then that she gazed down a bit and noticed that her hand was clutching on top of her beating heart, as she breathed very hard. Why was she like this? She had seen numerous comrades die in battle before, yet when Emerl was in the face of danger, she couldn't help but be worried! ('Is it because I love him?') Is this what it means to love someone? So much, you don't want them getting hurt? It is a new experience for her...and she is not liking it one bit. ('This is unacceptable...I don't want to have this feeling of losing Emerl in front of me…he's too precious for me to lose!') Suddenly Esdeath couldn't help but spread a smile on her face, as she turned her gaze back to the black-haired. 'How funny...I wanted to show off my abilities to him to charm him to my side. But it was the other way around…') she thought before remembering what he said in their night alone in her room. ('I wonder about my competition...He said I wasn't the only one, but I never caught who were they...I must ask him when I get the chance.')

"ESDEATH! BELOW YOU! THERE'S ANOTHER ONE!"

The General broke her thoughts as she heard the scream, and felt her tower getting hit by something, which broke it and she was falling. Looking at the ground, Esdeath looked down to see another Danger Beast. Glaring at it, Esdeath hopped off her tower of ice, and snapped her fingers, immediately creating a giant ball of ice, bigger than a building. "You all are so persistent! But I thank you for allowing me to impress my loved one! Hagel Sprung!" Throwing both her arms forward, Esdeath hurled the huge chunk of ice at the Danger Beast, crushing the monster underneath tons of frozen water.

('One attack…') Emerl having finally landed on the beach safely, witnessed in shock how the Beast was killed in one move. ('I knew she was powerful, and I can tell she was holding back!') he remembered when they were sleeping together in her room. Feeling the shiver of malicious intent coming from her chest, or more precisely, her strange tattoo. ('That Teigu of her's is so powerful and she managed to control its blood-lusting power…') his mind returned to Akame's statement on killing her if he were to fail. ('Akame...your speed and quick attacks are improving, but her reflexes and stamina are more than we can all handle together. Including you…')

"Even more reason to not fail on making her quit." Rapture spoke up after his absence.

('True...Give me the details, Rapture.') Before Rapture could even speak, they both felt danger. Looking back, he saw that Esdeath had landed on the ground without a problem, but there was this big tense presence that was making him scared. The General was rapidly walking towards him, her cap hiding her eyes. ('Oh...shit.')

"What did you do?"

('I...may have charged forward to kill the Beast, risking my safety and worried her?')

"...It was nice knowing you."

('Thanks for the confident words.') "H-Hey, Esdeath...Listen, I know-" Whatever he wanted to say was placed away as he forced himself to lean back, his face almost getting slapped. "Jesus Christ! Hear me out-!" He dodges another attempt slap.

"Hold still!" Esdeath screamed at him as she continued to try to slap him, but he was dodging them. "Stop running away and accept it like a man!" Her tone was clear for the black-haired Assassin. Worried and...a bit of Fear?

"Wait, dammit!" Emerl tried to say but she was very persistent in hitting him. You could see from the camera's angle from 10 feet that it was quite comical as the Dark Knight jumped around while being chased by the Icy General. Having had enough, he dodged at the last second one of her attempts and caught her wrist. Before she brought her other hand in, he also grabbed her other wrist, "Listen, you stubborn woman! I'm sorry that I worried you! You have every right to! But knowing you, would you have killed it on the spot?"

"Those things interrupted our moment. They deserve to be killed slowly." Esdeath proclaimed.

"And do we have time for that in our current situation?"

…

…

…

"...I suppose you bring a point." Esdeath let a tiny breath out from her lips. Seeing that she was partially calm, he toned down his hold on her wrist...Which was a mistake as she quickly escaped his grasp and was now pulling his cheek. "That still doesn't stop the fact that you act recklessly."

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! I gwt id!" His tears were coming down on the corner of his eye.

He walked into that one himself.

After the punishment, two hours had passed as both Emerl and Esdeath were on the tropical island. They took their time to make a camp for themselves and get some food. Right now, each has a coconut in hand, which has food in it. Emerl was eating his fifth serving while the General stopped at one, taking a small notebook and pencil out, and began to write in it.

"It would seem those things were the last ones on this island," Esdeath said as she focused herself in her notebook. "But I believe I found where those Danger Beasts were coming from."

"Where?" Emerl asked with a raised eyebrow. It was fake confusion as he too found out that their attacker was responsible for the infestation. "You mean, this is where they come from?"

"Precisely." She said to him with a smile, "That man with that Teleport Teigu probably had them in here. He must have gotten them adapted to this place, which is why they attack the villages and caves with humans."

"...I see the point." He agreed with what she said, but he can't let it end like that, "But wait...Those Danger Beasts look like humans, right?"

"Yeah?" The General finally looked at him.

"Well, speaking as an experienced Hunter, those monsters don't look to be wild born from humans." Emerl placed his hand under his chin, "So...Maybe they were humans before?" He suggested, earning the interests of her. "I mean, what if that man found a way of making them into monsters and controlling them. Like, I don't know...a way of altering a human body perhaps?"

Esdeath stared at his thinking expression, finding it very charming for her. But she concentrated on what he said, ('...If they were humans, and were created like he said...') She clenched her hand, the only thing she could come up with was someone capable of doing something like that...but the only person like that is already dead. ('I should investigate this when I get back to the Capital.') "An interesting theory there...But I suppose we should focus on our current location at this moment." She stood up from the log she was using as a seat.

"Deserted Island, possibly far southeast of the empire, we're probably even in a different timezone." Emerl suddenly said as he threw his empty plate.

Esdeath looked at him with surprise, she didn't expect that. "How...do you know that?" She couldn't help but ask him.

"Did someone forget I'm a Hunter?" He and Rapture chuckled out, "I spent my years in the wild. The natural Flora of this island is only known around the south, especially in the tropical zone. I could find out more of our location through the night, reading the stars is my second map." That, and Rapture searches around their current land, by estimation of the Teigu, the closest land with a population is by mostly 4 days of navigation.

He would be lying if he wasn't enjoying the surprise expression of the blue hair girl. Goes to show that the great General of the Empire can be surprised like a normal person. "I see...I guess I'll just take your word, but I still would like to explore a bit."

Emerl shrugged his shoulders to her, "Who am I to stop you?" He proceeded to stand up from his seat before doing quick arm stretches. "Let's start from our far side, which would be that-" he turned to where he was going for a walk, and saw a fat warthog walking out from a bush. The animal notices the two of them and stares.

…

…

…

…

The Warthog quickly turned around and sprinted away while sweating in fear, followed by a black and green blur. "Warthog!"

Esdeath looked surprised at seeing her beloved dash away. A smirk plastered her face before following after him, she could get used to that.

(Meanwhile)

"Augh! Watch it, Doc!" The dark-skinned man who had transported Emerl and Esdeath said, gritting his teeth as he was getting patch up the bullet hole on his shoulder.

"Stop complaining. You came just as I was getting ready to close." Said the doctor healing him up. An older and buxom woman with long indigo wavy hair, sporting glasses, and dress in a lab coat. "The bleeding should stop now, any later and you would have become soil for the ground." She finished patching him up, moving the blood-covered cloth away.

"Tch! Don't even remind me." The man answered back as he rudely stood up, "Those stupid bandits were simply got a lucky hit. If I ever see that boy again, I'll paint the wall with his blood."

"Hmph. Mad at a gunner outshining you?" The doc asked, pushing her glasses up.

"Not more than knowing that Stylish kicked the bucket!" He proceeded to kick a chair away, "That bastard just had to let his greed out! I just came back to meet him!"

"Well, bad news for you, I guess." The woman said as she took a cigarette out and placed it in her mouth. "The good old doctor is now gone, his Teigu either confiscated, lost, or destroyed." She then took a lighter out and burned the cigar. "And if you don't want to end up like him, I suggest you start to not do stupid things,"

"Yeah, yeah! Whatever." The man said as he clicks his younger out, "Anyway, I'll get one of my father's guards to come and pay you tomorrow."

"Still been spoiled by your old man, I see." The blue-haired woman said as he looked at her with a glare, "What? Do you think I don't who you are, son of the Prime Minister? Why do you think I even bother to help you out?"

"...You better be careful with how you speak, woman." The Doctor suddenly felt a chill down her spine, "I almost thought I sense some spite out of your words of my old man, and I don't appreciate hearing bad shit about the one who I respect." The man said before turning around and picking his cloak, ('And one day, I will surpass him. After all, overtaking one's parents is the ultimate form of filial piety.') And with that, he left the clinic, slamming the door hard.

"...Damn...The degenerate son is back. Just what I need." The buxom woman let a heavy sigh, ('He's lucky the Revolutionary Army told me not to do anything drastically yet. I should have poison that hole the moment I touch it, you son of a bitch.') With that said, she walks up to a drawer and opens it, showing a familiar pair of gloves that a certain death Jaeger once had. "Glad he didn't see them here. Can't have you back on the Empire, Perfector."

(Back on the New Hideout)

"...Where is he? It's almost morning." Akame asked as she was outside, waiting for a certain black-haired boy. "He said it was going to be a quick check." She was getting impatient, that's for sure.

"Akame. You need to calm down," The red-eyes assassin looked back, she was paired with Mine. The girl was cleaning Pumpkin, and had a tick mark in her head, "I know you're impatient, but you need to wait."

"...I know." Akame replies as she calms down, "But this isn't the first time he leaves and doesn't return at the estimated time."

"What do you expect? He's luck is random." Mine said with a sigh as she finished her cleaning. "Didn't you say that you trust him to return?"

"Doesn't mean I can't be worried," Akame responded quickly, making the pink hair assassin sigh in annoyance.

"Get a hold already! Emerl is one of us! He somehow got a Teigu created from inside him, can keep up with your speed, Leone's strength, and even my shooting skills! He tracks beasts just like you, for you, and even cooks them on the spot! He already fought someone that was considered out of the human level and somehow won! Believe in him!"

"...Mine. I wasn't worried that he won't come back." Akame looked at her comrade with a surprised expression, she had never heard the sniper so...calm and sure of herself for someone else.

"Are you saying I never look concerned?" Mine glared at her.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...You are!?"

"...You haven't tried to show it before." Akame bluntness hit her hard.

"Ghk! I'll let you know that I compliment Tatsumi for doing a good job on killing those Lizards Beasts!" Typical Mine, crossing her arms and looking away while blushing.

"...Huh, you have?" Akame cutely/confusedly turns her head sideways. "Haven't seen you doing it yet." More word arrows pierce Mine's body. "I should probably ask Tatsumi, he's completely honest about everything." Volleyballs of arrows to the head!

"You have something against me?!" Mine comically asks with shark teeth. "Why is it wrong that I can compliment people who are doing fine?!"

"Because you never trusted rookies."

"Oh my God! Why is it that you are answering?!" Mine had to control the pull of her hair out of her scalp.

"Or...is it that you're acting like that on purpose?" The sudden question of Akame caused Mine to freeze. "Is it...because you're...a Tsundere as Lubbock's calls it?"

"A TSUNDERE?! GIVE ME A BREAK!" The sudden giant head of Mine covered the red eyes assassin and her long black hair blew backward by the air force. "It's not like I'm like this on purpose! And I'm not a Tsundere! That would be implying I am romantically interested in someone!"

"You aren't?"

"Of course I'm…" Whatever Mine was going to say was drowned in something that came to her mind. Slowly but surely, her face began to turn red. Followed by a few steam coming out of her ears.

"Huh. You do have-"

"I-I-I'm not! I don't have feelings for that moron-" it was too late for Mine to cover her mouth, her expression turning into one of horror at what she let out those words. "N-Nothing! I said nothing! You have heard nothing!" her rambling embarrassment was stopped when she heard a faint giggle. Her pink eyes darted back to Akame, who was covering her mouth and looking away while very tiny sounds escaped her lips.

It took one full minute for Mine to realize what was going on.

"A-Akame…" she swallows up, expecting to be wrong, "Did...Did you just teased me?"

"...Yes. Wanted to try it."

…

…

…

Akame...the most anti-social girl in the group, the last person to laugh at anything, and the most serious and deadly of them...just tease her.

…

…

…

"I CAN'T LIVE IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE!"

Somewhere in the new Hideout, Chelsea and Leone were doing their things before suddenly having the urge to fist bump into the air in pride.

(Back to Emerl and Esdeath)

"Hmm?" Our main man looked at the side, ('I feel that Akame did something...Dammit! I missed it!')

"Something wrong, Emerl?" His thoughts were broken by Esdeath. They both were now sitting on the beach, resting after searching the area around via the General's petition.

It was night time in the area they were transported to. The blue-haired general had undone her button-up shirt, revealing a pale blue bikini underneath, one that barely covered her impressive bust, she had also taken off her cap, her flowing blue hair seeming to glow in the pale moonlight. The hidden assassin had taken off and wrapped his shirt around his forehead, his jacket was hanging on a small branch alongside his boots.

"Just having a thought. Nothing important..." He answers her, looking down at her current state before looking away with a blush. "S-So, as for where we are…"

"Yes. It would appear you were right," Esdeath said as she looked up to the sky. "We are located on a tropical island in the southeast." She affirms, bringing her knees up to her chest. "At this very moment, you and I are the only ones on this island...no civilization close to us."

…

…

…

"Do it!"

('No!')

"No! No! This is an opportunity to do it!"

('It better not be-')

"Not that! There will be a moment and time to do it, but not now! You have to try and get her out of the Empire!"

('...Huh. And I thought you couldn't keep it in you to make my pants tight.')

"You know I can just do that, right?"

('Keep it to yourself!')

"Thinking again?" His spine shivered like a rattle when he heard Esdeath's smooth voice in his ear. She proceeded to stand behind him, wrapping her slender arms around his neck, her hands feeling his exposed chest. "You know, that expression you put is very...sexy is the word I'm looking for?" She spoke in an uncertain tone while sounding husky.

"I believe you mean 'hot'. Nobody says sexy on that." Emerl pointed out, actually enjoying the small massage of her hands touching his skin.

"Hmmm, this is difficult but challenging at the same time." The icy general held him close, his hair touching her nose and smelling his scent. It was pure bliss for her, for some reason.

"O-Okay!" Poor Esdeath was taken off guard when Emerl jolt straight, making her pout at this. "Since you feel satisfied with where we are, I should probably try and figure out our exact location so we can go back!" He was trying to change subjects. Sneaky bastard.

"There's no need, love." Esdeath stood up, dusting the sand off her. "I already know how we can go back."

"You do?

"She does?" Both assassin and Teigu asked together.

"Yes," Esdeath said, turning around and walking away. "Come, it should still be there after all this time." Been like a good boy, Emerl followed after her.

('Any ideas at what she wants to show me?') Emerl asked his Teigu.

"Hmm, I believe that it has to do with Shambala." Rapture said, earning the attention of the assassin, "I said it wasn't much what I gather, but I do know that it needs a lot of power to teleport others, especially if the sigil is too big."

('I see...So this guy will need to activate the portal again to regain its energy back.') It sounded very simple to Emerl as he placed a hand under his chin. ('Not only that but if Esdeath doesn't return, it will cause a panic in the Empire, which the Revolutionary Army would take advantage of.')

"...I would suggest leaving her here, but I have a feeling she'll find another way to get back."

('You and me both.')

"Is here." Esdeath's words broke the conversation, having reached the place they first arrived and were looking towards the glowing symbol on the ground ahead of them. "I had a hunch there was something special about the spot we were teleported to. Judging by the size of the invocation, that man can transport multiple people at once. But it uses a great deal of his energy."

"Huh...so you are saying that the asshole will have to open this up if he wants to use it again." Emerl walks forward and kneels to inspect the sigil. Looks like Rapture was right, after all, there was energy coming out, not too much but enough.

"You catch up quickly, Emerl," Esdeath said with a smile, patting him on the head, much to his embarrassment and enjoyment. "If we wait long enough the gate will open once again. That's probably how he got those huge danger beasts on this island in the first place. But, that's just one possible way to get back."

('So she did have another way.')

"So she did have another way." Both Assassin and Teigu felt a bit stupid on believing they could trap her here.

"The other one is quite simple, but…" Before the black hair boy knew it, Esdeath had managed to tackle him fast, rolling forward on the sand and stopping, the Great General on top and pinning him down, having that victorious smirk on her lips. "I would like to know you a bit better...we didn't have that opportunity before."

"And pinning me down is for what?" Emerl asked, surprisingly calm as Esdeath began to trace circles around his bare chest. That was another level of scary.

"First thing in my mind," Esdeath responded.

"...We need to do something about that." He remembers that she barely knows what is being in a relationship. "...What would you like to know?" He might as well take the chance.

"First off, where did you learn the basics of hunting?" Her first question was one that had been eating her up. "Your hunting skills are good, close to mine that is."

"...My Pops taught me." Emerl spoke in a hurtful tone, something that made the General stop her live affection. "He trained me to hunt by myself, to show me how to survive in the wild. Saying that the strength comes from those that survived and adapt long enough."

"That sounds like good advice." Esdeath commented as she moved back, letting Emerl stand up, "He sounds like a veteran scout soldier."

"...He sure did." A small smile appeared on the black-haired face. "He taught me everything I needed to survive; hunting, cooking, fighting, and using my weapons." A small flashback came to his head, a tall figure helping a young Emerl do several chores.

"So he made you a versatile man," Esdeath said, leaning closer to the young assassin. "I should thank that man for making me more interested in you."

"Flattered." Emerl accepts that as a compliment. "I just hope that he...feels satisfied with what I'm doing." Once again, his sad expression appeared something that Esdeath noticed since she had seen it before...or rather, she had made that expression before.

The expression of losing someone close to you.

"What about you?" Emerl changed the subject, making her hummed, "I can see that you weren't born in the Empire, they don't have that kind of hunting training. How do you get so good?"

"Hmm...I suppose it is fair to tell you." She then crossed her arms under her chest, "I was born in a region far to the north...Have you ever heard about the Partas Tribe?"

At the mention of that named Emerl eyes widened, ('The Partas?! The ones that hunt high-level Danger Beasts on the coldness part of the Empire?!')

How he wouldn't know? They were once one of the best hunters tribe in all the land! Brutal when it comes to hunting, and they had a golden rule; the weak die, the strong lived. Survivors till the end, am I right?

"By your expression, I can say you do." Esdeath said, "Since you told me a bit of yourself, I should do the same." With that, she began to tell her tale.

Being born in the tribe, she was trained in the art of combat and hunting grounds at the age of 5. Her father was a great mentor to her, showing her the ways. She hunted creatures bigger than her and cut pieces without remorse or fear. But one day...When she returned from a successful catch, the camp was attacked by a rival clan of the north, lots of casualties happened to resume everything. She found her father, on the brink of death. Saying to her that he died because he was weak and that he wasn't worried for her since she was strong.

"From there on, I went and hunted around, until I got bored." Esdeath said as she looked at the sky, "I went to the Empire to get some work. I didn't change much, just that I'm now hunting humans rather than just beasts." She looked down at Emerl, who had an amazing expression. "And that's my story."

"...I see." The assassin responded, "And...do you hate those who kill your father?"

"...No." To his shock, Esdeath stood calm, "Sure they were my enemies, but it is not like I hate them."

"But weren't you in the North, killing left and right?" Emerl asked. By Najenda's account and her backstory, it fits that she went and conquered the north for revenge.

"True...but that was because the Empire ordered me." Esdeath replied, "No matter if they were enemies or not." She smiled once again, "Anything else you wish to know?"

Emerl was left speechless. She was what he fears she is...but he requires one more bit of information. And since she was offering, "...I...been curious," he spoke up with a ball in his throat, "After...Seryu spoke highly of these Teigus...I was wondering, what is yours?"

Not seeing the problem, the Ice General took hold of his right hand and placed it above her tattoo in her chest. "This here...is my Teigu."

"...Your Teigu is a tattoo?" Emerl asked in fake dumbness, making Esdeath chuckle.

"Not particularly." Esdeath began to explain, "You see my Teigu is made from the blood of a Danger Beast from the farthest parts of the North. It was said that those who tried to drink it either went mad or kill themselves to stop the rebellious and bloodthirst of it." She made a prideful expression, "As you can see, I have completely tamed it."

"I can...see that." Emerl nervously replied. "So...You aren't influenced in any way by it?"

"Of course not." She replied honestly.

But to Emerl, his spirit had taken a huge blow. ('Just as I fear...She's a total savage.') She is someone who would do anything to survive. A total dominatrix with an amount of bloodlust to release. ('I knew that she wouldn't just change forces with the Revolutionary Army...but making her quit the Empire is getting a bit challenging…') This was getting a bit too hard...but he made his choice.

After all, she'll listen to the strong, and only the strong.

('Rapture. Any ideas that you could tell me?')

…

…

...

…

…

('...Rapture?')

"...kILl…"

('Eh?')

"Now then," Esdeath let go of his hand and stood up, "I believe there should be a Danger Beast flying around." Looking at the sky, her eyes widen in surprise at seeing a flying Danger Beast not too far away from their location. "Shoot! There's one right there!" She quickly began to put on her blouse and cap, "I will shoot it down with an ice arrow-"

*Blergh!*

Esdeath stopped in her tracks when she heard vomiting...She snapped her head backward and saw something that freezes her in place

Emerl...had barfed blood out from his mouth and nose.

"EMERL!" Forgetting about the ride, Esdeath quickly went to the black hair boy's side, holding his hand and checking her pulse. His body was shaking a lot, his lips trembled as incorrigible words came out and blood kept pouring out. "What's wrong?! Are you poisoned?!" She quickly began to check his pulse, it was going slow...dangerously slow.

*Thud!*

Her heart clenched.

*Thud!*

His arm was getting cold.

*Thud!*

His eyes were losing color.

*Thud!*

He...looks to be dyin-

('NO!') In a burst of panic, she quickly placed her left hand on his chest and began to freeze his body. The ice spread from his chest to his face and legs. Very soon, Emerl was trapped inside a casket of ice, all except the arm Esdeath was holding.

His pulse had returned to normal. The ice had stopped whatever caused him to bleed internally.

Her breath felt heavy as it escaped from her lips. Her heart, while beating fast, had begun to calm down. Her brain finally processed what she just did.

Esdeath, the Great General of the Empire. Crowned the most sadistic individual to have ever lived...Had willingly used her Teigu, the ice that had killed millions of people, to save a life.

This...This was new for her. Saving someone at death's door.

('This...was something I never thought I will be doing.') Esdeath thought for she wasn't wrong. Her father had taught her to hunt, to not let a single prey come out alive, and her position as General, those who lived were either scarred for life or died from horrible wounds.

She shook those thoughts for later, right now, she needs to get back to the Empire. Looking behind her, she cursed when the Danger Beast disappeared from her view. "Dammit. Just my luck. My ice stopped whatever was killing him, but was only temporary." If Emerl stayed more in ice...he would probably die. Then again, if he does, it means that he was weak...

Why does that sound so wrong in her mind?

*Shing!*

Right next to her, the symbol they both were transported glow and extend itself. While she was taken a bit off, Esdeath smiled, "Perfect, and just in time."

…

..

.

Back to the mountain, where they were reunited, Esdeath came out with a hurt Emerl on her arms. She had broken him free from the ice, allowing him to breathe and for her to carry him easily. The ice inside him was still intact, stopping whatever was hurting him from inside his body and giving her enough time to take him back to the Empire and have a proper doctor check him out.

"Hold still, Emerl." Esdeath stared at his unconscious face. If she wasn't worrying, she would have enjoyed seeing his cute expression. "I won't let you die on my hands." Around her wrist and ankles, ice form. And in an instant, she began to levitate in the air and flew off away.

When she left, a certain iron-clad boy came out from behind a rock. Tatsumi had come to the mountain, the last place Emerl was heading to. When he got there, he didn't see him and was about to leave when a bright light suddenly formed beneath him. Acting quickly, he hid behind a rock and waited for everything to calm down, activating Incursio's camouflage trump card. When it died down, he took a peek and almost pissed himself when he saw the Ice General there.

And in her arms, was an unconscious Emerl.

His heart began to beat fast. The enemy had captured Emerl!

What can he do? Nothing, that's what! Esdeath was leagues way above him, no matter what he does, she'll see it coming.

However, his thoughts stopped when he heard her say something that made him concerned.

Emerl was hurt...and he was close to dying, according to Esdeath's tone.

Now he can't do anything. If he tried to act, he might put his friend in danger, probably hurt him in the process. So he stood there, waiting for Esdeath to leave, which she did.

('Oh boy.') Tatsumi made a quick run out of the mountain. His head was sweating in fear at what he had to tell the rest of what happened. He can already see death stare from Akame and Leone were going to give him, but that pales to the worries of his friend's well being. ('Please...All I ask is that you come back alive, Emerl.')

Emerl has been lucky so far...but impressing Mother Luck is one in a billion. And catching her attention is one in a trillion.

Only time will tell the fate of the black-haired boy.