Chapter 158 - #157 A talk with Old Fat Fox (2/2)

”Why thank you! I am truly happy that I can be here.” Akashi accepted his handshake and said with a polite smile.

They exchanged small pleasantries before Honest came up with the matter about Night Raid as Akashi expected. Akashi simply said that he has a lot of work to do in his own territory but if by any chance he sees them in the Capital, he will help the guards to apprehend them or kill them. Although Honest didn't look too pleased, he still accepted it as reasonable.

”Anyway, I know that you have just recently lost your fiancee but I was wondering if you are interested in anyone.” Honest brought out another matter that Akashi was expecting.

'If I say that I have none in my mind, he will probably try to introduce me to some women but if I say that I am interested, I doubt he will let me keep it as secret. Still, it's better to say that I already have someone in mind but it has to be someone he can't control' Akashi thought while sipping on wine.

”To be honest, I indeed had someone in mind but since I was at that time still engaged, I have never really thought too much about it.” Akashi replied with a stoic expression while looking at the red wine in his glass.

”...I see, may I know who it is?” Honest reply sounded complicated, it sounded like he was glad but also worried. He knew that Akashi wasn't socially meeting any woman from any noble family so there goes his worry about strong families forming an alliance.

”Do I have to tell you, Prime Minister?” Akashi asked with a slightly embarrassed smile to make his act more convincing.

”Don't be like that...We are both men and we shouldn't be embarrassed to reveal in whom are we interested in.” Honest said with a smile while patting Akashi's shoulder.

'What a convenient way how to say 'I must know'. If I outrightly say it aloud, he will let me go without any spies constantly spying on me, if I won't, he will do whatever it takes to find it out. Plus, there is no demerit in telling him, that's the main reason why I even chose that person he can't control in the first place.' Akashi thought while inwardly smiling.

”If you put it like that...I have been interested in General Esdeath for some time already.” Akashi casually said after gulping down all the wine remaining in his glass which served to show that he was ”actually nervous” before saying it aloud. Honest was an old fat fox that was very clever and manipulative, he would be able to notice such small detail however such small things were only details to strengthen the trustworthiness of Akashi's words.

”Eh?!” Honest was slightly surprised but Akashi doubted it was due to his choice of a person. Maybe just name Esdeath made him feel uneasy.

”I-I see, may I know also why? Of course, I know that she is beautiful and has high status but she still isn't anyone from the Capital and she also doesn't have status of noble.” Honest asked with a forced smile.

'Another convenient way how to ask 'Why her of all people? Are you after her power?'. Honest, you might be an old fat fox but I am not exactly 18 years old as you expect. And it's not like you aren't able to give her status of noble and it's not like you would even refuse if she wanted it anyway.' Akashi thought while letting the maid pour wine into his empty glass.

”I am not after her beauty, neither am I after her status of General and title of the Empire's Strongest. She is simply a woman that suits my tastes, she is strong and cold. To make such a woman fall in love with you, you need to conquer her in rough way instead of buŧŧering her up. That's what I like about her, also, both of our Teigus are inside our bodies, inside our blood and DNA. I wonder if our baby would be able to use both of our powers...If that's so, the Empire would become truly absolute and none would dare to even think of rebelling.” Akashi said with a smile while playing with his glass filled with wine. He said exactly what Honest wanted to hear.

'What a strange reason, to be honest, I prayed that it was just ŀust but this is good enough. If there really was such a child to be able to control both Ice and Fire...hehe, my Empire would become truly unstoppable. Probably the only one who can stop those two are themselves, just imagination of those 2 combining into one...Of course, there are some risks but I have some certain control over Esdeath even if it's not too firm. If she will be able to keep Akashi's family from rebelling, that would be the best outcome.' Honest thought after hearing Akashi's words before he woke up from his fantasies.

”Ah, that's truly a unique reason but I would say it is a lot of man-like reason. What man doesn't enjoy conquering, doesn't matter whether it is territories or women. General Esdeath was however off-limits for any men due to her immense power but I believe if anyone has a chance of conquering her, it is you, Akashi!” Honest encouraged Akashi with a light pat on his back.

Honest and Akashi talked for some time in puzzles and when it was finally time for the end of this party, Akashi left.

It was already night and almost no soul could have been seen on the streets however it was slightly different in Akashi's territory where security was much better than in other areas of the Capital. While he was walking home, when he was passing by the stall where he previously had a meal together with Seryu, he noticed the said person sitting there, sulking above the meal and ale. Akashi noticed her so he stopped walking.

'What is going on here? If I remember correctly, she said that she doesn't like alcohol ' Akashi thought and since he was hungry, he decided to go and sit next to her. He hasn't touched any single meal at that party since he was afraid of where the said meat came from since he had a suspicion that Honest is a cannibal. Just eating in the presence of such person would be sickening for Akashi even if that meat was alright.

When he sat down next to her, she didn't even react to his sudden appearance.

”Hey, what are you doing here?” Akashi asked after ordering meal.

”Huh?” Only then, Seryu reacted and looked at Akashi, when she saw him, tears appeared in her eyes and they immediately began pouring down. She put both of her hands on his shoulders and buried her head into his ċhėst which slightly surprised him.

'If something serious happened...doesn't she have any friends she can share this with?' Akashi thought with a weird expression but he still patted her head a few times without pushing her away.

After a while, Seryu calmed down and explained everything.

”So your captain died under Night Raid's attack? You have my condolences but why are you here of all places?” Akashi asked with a confused expression.

”I don't know...I kept walking mindlessly for some time and before I knew it, I ended up here.” Seryu replied with an embarrassed smile.