General Honest

Lore & Background

Honest rose to power by exploiting the weakness of a young Emperor, effectively becoming the true ruler of the nation. His administration is built on exploitation, where resources are siphoned from provinces to fund lavish lifestyles in the capital while citizens starve. He employs an elite force of Teigu users and corrupt officials to crush dissent before it can spread. Despite his lack of personal combat ability, Honest remains a significant threat due to his vast network of spies and loyalists. His family members are often placed in positions of power to secure his legacy, though this creates internal rivalries. The Empire's military is technically under the Emperor's command, but practically answers only to Honest's orders. His downfall was precipitated by the formation of Night Raid, a group dedicated to assassinating him and restoring justice. As his regime crumbled, his inability to fight back personally exposed the fragility of his rule when faced with determined revolutionaries who refused to bow to his authority.

In Their Own Story

Honest forms the brutal Wild Hunt, led by his son Syura, whose atrocities provoke both Night Raid and the Jaegers. After Syura's death at Lubbock's hands, Esdeath forces Honest to disband Wild Hunt. Desperate, Honest manipulates the emperor into wielding his family's Teigu, which he rigs to go berserk. Leone, mortally wounded, fuses with her Teigu's remnants to capture Honest before dying. The tyrant is later executed.

Reader's Guide

Understanding Honest's rule requires looking beyond simple villainy into political mechanics. He did not conquer the throne through force but through systemic erosion. By controlling the flow of money and weapons, he ensured no single opponent could challenge him without risking the collapse of the entire infrastructure. Unlike warlords who lead from the front, Honest ruled from deep within the capital's fortifications. This strategy kept him safe for years, as few assassins could penetrate his layers of security. However, this isolation created a blind spot regarding the true sentiment of the people and soldiers. His reliance on Teigu users was strategic but risky. By distributing powerful artifacts to subordinates, he gained strength but also created potential rivals. History shows that when the central authority weakens, those holding power often turn on each other, which ultimately contributed to his demise during the final rebellion.

Did You Know?

• Honest is the Prime Minister of the Empire, not a general, though his authority extends over all military forces.
• He manipulates the young emperor's authority while the nation crumbles under corruption and suffering.
• Honest forms the brutal Wild Hunt, led by his son Syura, whose atrocities provoke both Night Raid and the Jaegers.
• After Syura's death at Lubbock's hands, Esdeath forces Honest to disband Wild Hunt.
• Leone, mortally wounded, fuses with her Teigu's remnants to capture Honest before dying; the tyrant is later executed.