Chapter 146: The Arrival of Esdeath — The Chaotic Battle

The black-eyed figure had already leapt onto the bony claw extending from the skeleton. “Even a super-dangerous species like Destaguru is no different.”

“I see. So even if we split Esdeath’s forces to attack from two directions, it doesn’t matter because Hachibou possesses such power?” Najehitan frowned. She had thought that separating Esdeath’s troops would allow them to easily take down both of them, but plans often fail to keep pace with change.

Over the past four days, Qi had relayed information about the hunters’ strength and their imperial weapons, yet the black-eyed figure had never revealed Hachibou’s true abilities. The unexpected terror was astonishing.

“The imperial weapon battle has begun. How many will die, I wonder?” The black-eyed figure looked down from above, sucking on a lollipop.

“Hahaha, Najehitan, long time no see. After hiding for so long, I’ve finally been waiting for you to come out today.”

Suddenly, Esdeath appeared above the valley. She had chosen not to pursue on the west side.

“Your arrival truly surprises me, Esdeath. We haven’t met for just a few days, right? Do you remember me?” Qi’s silhouette appeared on the opposite side of the valley.

“The one whose head I severed a few days ago. What’s your name?” Esdeath stared intently into Qi’s eyes.

“Qi. Last time I was careless. I didn’t expect you to have that move, but it seems it can only be used once a day. So this time, you might have to stay here.” Qi’s diamond sword extended, his gaze grave.

Esdeath suddenly smiled brightly, lifting the silver-haired youth trapped in ice from the ground. “And him?”

Qi fell silent.

Below, those who had been watching the spectacle were dragged into the battlefield by the attacks of the black-eyed Hachibou puppet. Fearing collateral damage from the two monstrous beings, they gradually moved away from the valley.

“Silent now? Look closely—this face is almost identical. During these past days, when the city’s elite, including the grand general, disappeared, it all happened while you were in a deep slumber.

“Such care for you, even in sleep, their attention remained focused on you. So I know clearly when you left and when you returned every day.”

Esdeath gazed at the silver-haired youth in her arms, gently caressing his cheek with a tender look.

“If you’ve known for so long, why didn’t you expose me sooner?” The silver-haired youth suddenly opened his eyes and sighed.

Esdeath glanced at the black-haired youth on the opposite side of the valley, whose eyes had already closed. Then she looked at the silver pupils of Kaiten and smiled. “Do you know why the black-eyed figure hasn’t revealed any imperial weapon power in these past four days?”

After you left, I ordered her to hold back temporarily. The purpose was naturally to lure you out. Black Eye and Borus are the two most famous hunters aside from me. So when we separated and I saw you fall into a deep sleep, I knew this side was a trap.”

“I always thought your rise to general was solely due to your feat of freezing an entire city alone. I didn’t expect your wisdom and strategy to be just as formidable.”

“A great hunter must not only have the power to hunt prey but also the wisdom to locate prey and set traps.

“My beloved, if this time I defeat you again, will you stay by my side forever?”

A faint blush appeared on Esdeath’s proud and beautiful face.

“And if I defeat you? What will you do then?” Qi asked without immediate answer, returning the question.

“Of course I will follow you until I defeat you again and make you obey me,” Esdeath replied matter-of-factly.

“Aren’t you unwilling to leave the empire? Don’t you love war? After leaving with me, it will be difficult to return.”

“If you’re stronger than me, my goal naturally changes to you. Hunting down someone stronger than me—that’s my true interest, Esdeath. War exists everywhere, and if not, it can be created. But Kaiten only exists here. So, let the hunt begin. Let’s see if I hunt you, or you hunt me. Weakness is a sin. If you lose, you must accept the consequences.”

A fierce battle intent blazed from Esdeath’s sapphire eyes, piercing directly into the close-range silver pupils.

Feeling this battle spirit deeply, Qi did not disappoint Esdeath. “Only the strong have the right to speak. If you want to fight, then fight.”

With a sudden opening of his eyes, the black-haired Qi’s momentum began to rise.

“Begin, Destaguru.”

Black Eye, with one of Hachibou’s dangerous species’ skeletons, was sent to the cliff’s edge. Under Black Eye’s command, the towering skeleton—nearly a hundred meters tall—breathed deeply, gathering waves of eerie azure energy above it at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Seeing this, the night raid melee fighters all turned to flee. By a hair’s breadth, they evaded the enormous blue pillar of light, fifty or sixty meters in diameter. Several rocky peaks standing before the pillar had already been pierced with equally large holes.

“Hahaha, the terrain has changed. But as expected of the notorious night raid, it seems they all managed to dodge it well.”

“This big guy is powerful, but I’ll take him on alone. You others handle the rest of their forces.” Susanoo unleashed tremendous strength, using his long weapon to block Destaguru’s claw strikes.

“Truly worthy of my imperial weapon,” Najehitan admired.

“As long as we can defeat Black Eye, Hachibou will be freed.” Maine, perched on another cliff, aimed her pumpkin-shaped weapon at Black Eye, who was seated on a rock, watching.

Unfortunately, one of Hachibou’s members nearby had already spotted her. His weapon rapidly extended toward her. Maine quickly dodged; the weapon pierced a tree behind her. The blonde woman from Hachibou, wielding dual guns, ran along the extended weapon.

“Using guns? Perfectly to my liking,” Maine gripped her pumpkin and prepared to fight.

“That flame is dangerous.” Akato dodged Borus’s imperial weapon’s fire while charging straight at Borus himself.

As she swiftly moved behind Borus to deliver a finishing blow with Muramasa, a bald Hachibou blocked the blade, taking the hit for Borus.

“Muramasa is useless against corpse puppets.” Akato slashed across the bald man’s chest, blood splattering.

The emotionless bald man kicked Akato.

“Akato!” Reona rushed over to help but was blocked by a whip-wielding Hachibou man.

“Reona, go ahead. I’ll take care of him.” Najehitan, smoking a cigarette, stood before the man. “General Rockge, as a former comrade, allow me to send you off.”

The previously concealed Hill also charged out to battle a gorilla-like dangerous Hachibou.

Laberk likewise found his opponent—a masked, erratic black-robed figure.

“The battle has erupted. How interesting. Sister, let me personally slay you.” Black Eye stood, smiling sweetly.

(This afternoon, three families booked thirteen tables; no break at noon. Rushed back to post this chapter before heading out again. Tonight’s update will be Death Register to compensate. Luckily, I saved the chapter just now, or it would be delayed again. Please support with recommendation votes for taking time out of my busy schedule. Signing off.)