Esdeath's cold gaze first swept over Kuro, as if she vaguely rembered her.
"I've seen you at the Imperial War Council, Kuro—the Empire's traitor."
"!!!"
Kuro's eyes widened in shock, as if she had just heard sothing unbelievable.
"Traitor?"
Even Mine looked confused.
"Isn't Kuro our prisoner? How did she beco a traitor?"
After all, Kuro had never faltered in her loyalty to the Empire, not even under the persuasion of her own sister, Aka.
Leone, glaring at Esdeath, impatiently interjected, "Do we even need to guess? The Empire must have abandoned her."
That's just how the Empire worked. It wasn't hard to figure out what might have happened.
They could have easily fabricated so charges—like assassinating a noble—and branded Kuro a criminal.
Mine thought about it for a mont and began to feel pity for Kuro.
Loyal to the end, yet still betrayed and hunted by the very Empire she served.
"Enough talk. Focus on how to deal with her," Leone growled.
After all, Esdeath was their most dangerous enemy—the Revolution Army's greatest threat.
Esdeath, however, remained entirely unfazed. Her expression was as calm as ever, as though she didn't even consider the people before her as enemies.
"Although I'd very much like to fight you, to crush you all underfoot like insects," she began, her voice as cold as her aura.
To her, the weak were no different from bugs—not even worthy of her full attention.
"Survival of the fittest. But his orders are absolute. I won't kill you."
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as a chilling wave of cold air emanated from her.
"However, if you wish to challenge , I'm more than happy to oblige."
"Ah?"
The group froze, suddenly rembering the situation.
Her "master" now was none other than Rei Ao.
Chelsea, still disguised and watching from the sidelines, was utterly baffled.
As a killer and intelligence agent, she was well aware of Esdeath's reputation—the strongest general of the Empire.
But what was the Empire's most powerful general doing in the Night Raid's base?
The others looked to Najenda, silently asking for direction.
Najenda locked eyes with the dangerously calm Esdeath before sighing deeply and giving the order.
"Stand down."
Leone and the others, though hesitant, followed the command.
Najenda then turned her attention back to Esdeath and asked, "What do you want?"
"Heh."
Esdeath chuckled darkly, her cold deanor never wavering.
"Najenda, my defeated foe. Let see how much you've grown. I'm curious—what kind of leader has the head of the Night Raid beco?"
The battle maniac was true to her nature. Aside from her loyalty to Rei Ao, her few remaining joys in life ca from fighting, killing, and conquering.
And so…
Esdeath and Najenda squared off in combat outside the base.
anwhile, Rei Ao was locked in a 'very different' kind of "battle" in the hot spring.
…
Elsewhere
Stella was locked in a battle of her own—one within her mind.
Kurono Shinguji, on the other hand, had inadvertently begun her 'own' private conflict.
And Frieren?
The elf quietly observed the humans, alternately fascinated by their 'copulation' and 'self-soothing behaviors.'
...
Ti passed, and the three-hour duration was nearly over.
A group of people erged from the hot spring, their faces flushed as if they'd stayed in too long.
Several walked unsteadily, leaning on Rei Ao for support.
Stella kept her head down the entire ti, refusing to even glance in Rei Ao's direction. Her mind was filled with echoes of the earlier sounds of ecstasy.
Kurono Shinguji had returned to her usual cold deanor, though only because she was now in her "enlightened mode."
Frieren stretched her arms lazily, looking thoroughly content.
"The hot spring was so relaxing. I wish I could bathe like that every day when I return."
Rei Ao gave her a sidelong glance. "Every day? Are you planning to stop hunting demons?"
"Hmm, in that case, I'll schedule the hot spring after hunting demons."
As they conversed, the group arrived at Night Raid's base hall.
Inside, a group of people had been waiting for them.
"Big sister!"
Kuro dashed toward a fatigued Aka like a gust of wind.
As the first "dragon tar," Aka had borne the brunt of Rei Ao's attention and was clearly worn out.
"Kuro…"
Seeing that Kuro was safe and sound, Aka finally let go of the last lingering tension in her heart.
Standing before Aka, Kuro stared at her for a long mont. She didn't offer excessive words of concern.
Instead, she quietly said, "I'll repay the debt I owe you."
"What if Aka asks for the candy in your snack pouch?"
Rei Ao's sudden question broke the solemn mood.
"No way!!!"
Kuro instinctively shielded the snack pouch at her waist.
'That' was non-negotiable.
"Haha."
Rei Ao chuckled, then turned to Esdeath. "It's ti to go."
He glanced at Najenda, who was visibly disheveled, and sighed. "Looks like you couldn't resist, huh?"
"Just a scratch," Esdeath replied dismissively, not even sparing Najenda a glance.
Not because of any particular grudge, but because Najenda's current strength wasn't worth her attention.
Rei Ao shrugged. He could tell Esdeath had shown considerable restraint.
"Well then, everyone, until next ti. I look forward to your trades."
With a slight smile, Rei Ao and the others who had traveled with him disappeared before everyone's eyes.
"???"
Chelsea was utterly dumbfounded.
First, General Esdeath had peacefully coexisted with Night Raid—without killing a single person!
Second, there was this strange man and a group of won who seed to have co out of nowhere.
Third, they all vanished in an instant, like an illusion.
And finally…
"What is this 'chat group' you're all talking about?"
As Chelsea voiced her confusion, every gaze in the room turned to her.
...
Mafuyu Kirisu had been waiting at Rei Ao's house to thank him properly, but he still hadn't returned.
"Mai-san, where exactly has Rei Ao-kun gone?" she asked.
"…"
Mai's expression grew a bit awkward. "He ntioned helping his friends… unclog so drains."
"Eh?" Mafuyu looked surprised. "He knows how to do that? Isn't that sothing you'd call a professional plumber for?"
"Haha."
Mai's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile. She replied with a cryptic tone, "He's quite skilled at clearing blockages. Once soone experiences his work, they tend to get… hooked."
"Oh? That's a peculiar way to put it." Mafuyu's confusion only deepened.
"Well, then, maybe I'll have Rei Ao-kun help if I ever have plumbing issues at ho," she said casually.
"…"
Mai pulled the corners of her mouth taut in an effort not to react.
Even though she knew they were talking about completely different things, she couldn't help but worry that Mafuyu-sensei might already be on Rei Ao's radar.
If that were the case, "clearing her pipes" might just be a matter of ti.
"Well, since Rei Ao-kun hasn't co back yet, I should head ho," Mafuyu said, preparing to leave.
She walked toward the door, opened it—and froze.
A figure materialized out of thin air.
"…"
Mafuyu and Rei Ao locked eyes.
From inside the room, Mai witnessed the scene unfold, her eyelid twitching in disbelief.
Had Rei Ao just… been caught in the act?
Mafuyu tilted her head slightly, as if trying to process what she was seeing. Then she turned to Mai, confused.
"Mai-san, am I imagining things, or is Rei Ao-kun standing right in front of ?"
"I feel like I'm hallucinating," she added nervously.
"…"
How on earth was Mai supposed to answer that?
Rei Ao, however, quickly jumped in to handle it.
"Mafuyu-sensei, you're not hallucinating—it's really ," he said calmly.
"Uh…" Mafuyu stiffly turned back to face him, her complexion growing pale.
"Rei Ao-kun… you're not… a ghost, are you?"
"Pfft."
Rei Ao couldn't help but chuckle, narrowing his eyes mischievously as he leaned in slightly.
"Well, Mafuyu-sensei, since you've seen , I can't let you leave," he teased, adopting a sinister tone.
"I'm a 'lustful spirit', and from now on, you'll stay here as my personal plaything~"
"Eek!"
Mafuyu's face went white as a sheet, and before anyone could react, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed backward.
"Mafuyu-sensei!"
Mai was startled and quickly rushed over.
Fortunately, Rei Ao had caught her in ti.
Mai knelt beside them, her voice filled with worry. "What happened to her?"
"…"
Rei Ao sighed and shook his head. "She fainted from fright."
"Luckily, I used my powers to calm her body. She's just asleep now."
"She fainted?" Mai said, exasperated. She turned to glare at him.
"Who told you it was okay to joke like that with our teacher?"
"Cough."
Rei Ao coughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.
Even so, Mai's next words completely threw him off.
"And how could you joke about turning Mafuyu-sensei into your plaything?"
"???"
Rei Ao blinked, utterly speechless.
Did Mai really think that 'was' what scared her?
...
Rei Ao carried Mafuyu Kirisu to the sofa and ensured she was in good condition before letting her sleep.
anwhile, Mai noticed the visible red marks on his neck—undoubtedly left by Aka and the others—and pointed toward the bathroom.
"Go take a shower."
Her tone betrayed her possessiveness.
Rei Ao, already planning to clean up, smirked and suggested, "Want to join ?"
"No! Way!"
Mai rejected him firmly, emphasizing each word before quickly turning and leaving, effectively fleeing from the scene.
She didn't trust that he just wanted to shower. Rei Ao's outrageous stamina and boundless energy left her overwheld.
He had just indulged himself with Aka and the others, and now he wanted to switch to her without any pause.
Unbelievable!
Even she had her limits!
'I really wish soone would step in and share the load,' she thought.
For a fleeting mont, she even hoped that Mafuyu-sensei might actually beco his as he joked.
Rei Ao didn't push further, understanding that relying solely on Mai was indeed asking too much. The constant exertion would exhaust anyone, no matter how resilient.
…
Hagun Academy
In the principal's office, Stella Vermillion stood uneasily, gazing at the stern and professional Kurono Shinguji.
She couldn't reconcile this composed deanor with the sultry sounds Kurono had made not long ago.
How could soone who had been so lost in pleasure now appear so calm and unshaken, as if nothing had happened?
Beside Stella were Ikki Kurogane and Shizuku Kurogane.
Kurono rested her chin on her hands, her sharp gaze sweeping over the trio.
"Stella, Ikki Kurogane, Shizuku Kurogane. There's sothing I need to inform you about."
"The inter-school battle is approaching. I hope you all aim for the best possible rankings, even against senior students."
Stella snorted dismissively.
"You don't need to tell . I'll crush them."
Her confidence stemd from her newfound strength—granted by none other than Rei Ao.
As her trump card, 'Dragon Form' allowed her to access his power. Even without activating it, she could sense the imnse, fiery strength burning within.
She doubted anyone in Hagun Academy, including their "reserved" principal, could withstand it.
Shizuku responded calmly, "I will do my best."
"Sa here!"
Ikki Kurogane, brimming with determination, clenched his fists. He wanted to prove his worth despite his low magic aptitude, relying instead on his swordsmanship.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Stella, hoping to exchange a few words, but her sharp glare froze him in place.
"Guess that misunderstanding will never be cleared up…"
Sighing internally, he decided not to provoke her further.
Shizuku, observing her brother's hesitation, shook her head in disappointnt.
"Onii-sama will never surpass Rei Ao."
Kurono, who had once held high expectations for Ikki, now regarded him with less enthusiasm.
She had witnessed a far more extraordinary young man—one who dominated in both power and presence.
Even now, beneath her business attire, Kurono could still feel the remnants of Rei Ao's overwhelming mark on her.
…
Walking down the bustling streets, Tohru marveled at the human world.
Disguised in a maid outfit, with her horns and tail concealed by magic, she curiously observed everything around her.
The lively crowds and fascinating trinkets were unlike anything in her world.
The only downside was how often these items required sothing called "money," which she lacked.
While she could easily obtain them through force, Rei Ao's stern warnings against causing trouble echoed in her mind.
Thus, she refrained, content to examine things up close before moving on.
Human interactions intrigued her. Compared to the chaotic conflicts of her world, their peacefulness was refreshing.
Still, her inability to fully integrate into their society annoyed her.
"Ugh, this is so annoying!"
She ruffled her hair in frustration.
Her respect for Rei Ao and her promise to avoid trouble stopped her from taking shortcuts.
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and her golden eyes brightened.
"Wait! Why don't I just find Rei Ao?"
With renewed enthusiasm, she began tracing his energy.
~~~
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