BOOM—!
The entire wall exploded into rubble, collapsing in a web of fractures.
"Tennyson, sir! Damn it, what are these monsters?!"
Still cloaked by Demon Armor · Incursio's invisibility, Bulat broke into a cold sweat. From the intricate engravings on the black power armor before him, he could tell—this was only an ordinary soldier. Yet there were over a dozen more not far away!
"Teigu detected: Demon Armor · Incursio. Hmph. How convenient. Bainin, that one's yours—Dr. Stylish requested this one specifically for experimentation. The combat credit is yours. Retrieve the subject intact."
Arms crossed, his red-and-white cloak swaying behind him, Alex gave the command through his helmet's internal comms.
"Understood!"
The Astartes warrior named Bainin—who had just crushed Leone—responded at once.
Through his enhanced targeting optics, Bulat's outline glowed bright against the thermal overlay. Each of his invisible movements was visible in perfect detail.
"They can see me?!" Bulat froze mid-step as the black-armored giant's gaze locked directly onto him. Panic flashed across his face.
"According to system data," Alex's deep voice resonated, "the Teigu Demon Armor · Incursio grants its user limited transparency by amplifying organic traits. With sufficient mastery, even one's presence can be hidden."
That explanation made Bulat's heart lurch. He had activated full invisibility—so how were they still tracking him?!
"What the hell are you—"
He didn't get to finish.
BOOM!
At such close range, dodging was impossible. With superhuman reflexes, Bainin vanished in a blur—reappearing behind Bulat in an instant. One massive hand clamped down over Bulat's head.
Crack—! The iron-gray mask shattered under the crushing force, revealing Bulat's face beneath.
"Former officer under General Liver—Captain Bulat of Night Raid. Status confirmed: traitor to the Empire. Authorized for termination." Bainin's voice rumbled coldly as he lifted Bulat by the skull.
At 185 centimeters tall, Bulat had once been a giant among soldiers—but before the towering 2.5-meter Astartes, he looked like a child.
The power constricting his skull intensified. Bulat's muffled screams echoed through the air.
"Tennyson! Fall back—Lubbock's found the entrance... Bulat!!"
Having secured the wounded Leone, Tennyson reemerged—just in time to see Bulat's bleeding head gripped in the Astartes' hand. Rage filled his voice.
"You're mine."
Alex's massive, three-meter-tall frame loomed behind Tennyson. Violet-red Honkai particles surged around his fist as he swung downward.
Whoosh—! The air itself howled under the pressure of the blow.
"Balzac Secret Art—Extreme Discharge!"
In desperation, Tennyson's metal mask shattered outward. The cross-shaped pupils in his eyes flared blood-red, twin streaks of crimson cutting down his face like scars.
BOOM—! The two fists collided.
In that single instant, Tennyson's right arm burst apart, flesh and bone scattering in a spray of blood.
The next second, Alex's iron fist slammed into him, driving his entire body deep into the ground.
The impact unleashed a shockwave like a physical blast. The ground fractured outward in concentric ripples, black cracks spreading across the earth as the shockwave tore through the manor grounds.
The entire estate shook violently as if struck by an earthquake.
"Tennyson! Bulat!" From within the ruins, Mine cried out, stumbling to her feet. Tears and dust streaked her face as she rushed toward the courtyard.
"Calm down, Mine! We have to move—this is the chance Tennyson and Bulat bought for us!"
Lubbock's tone was grim. He wanted revenge as much as she did, but charging in now would only mean death.
"But—"
"No buts! Move!"
Throwing Leone over his shoulder, Lubbock extended his Cross-Tail threads, grabbing Mine, Sayo, and Ieyasu as he dove toward the underground drainage tunnel.
Three seconds later—
BOOM—KRAK!
The noble estate, already teetering on collapse, finally crumbled under the brute force of the Astartes warriors.
Through their thermal imaging visors, several Astartes breached the underground drainage tunnels, preparing to pursue.
"No need to chase them... fire a few rounds symbolically."
Following the voice, the squad turned to see Alex rolling his wrist as he strode over, his tone casual. Then, glancing toward Bainin—who stood half a step behind him—he asked, "You planted it?"
"Yes, sir. Mission complete. That woman—Leone—now carries a tracking beacon embedded inside her body." Bainin's voice was deep and steady as he spoke, dragging the limp, unconscious body of Bulat in one hand.
"Excellent. In a few days, when we locate their hideout, we'll wipe them out completely. Now, pull the troops back." Alex turned on his heel and led the way out of the ruins.
"Four confirmed dead, three escaped, and two civilians... hmm?"
On the return path, Alex noticed a man barking orders at a group of Imperial Security Division soldiers. The officer had a harsh, scarred face and a vertical gash over his left eye.
"You're the commanding officer here?"
"Who—?" The man turned toward the heavy, metallic voice behind him—only to freeze. The black-armored giant before him stood nearly twice his height.
Glancing at the golden double-headed eagle on the warrior's chestplate, the man swallowed hard, forcing his legs straight as he saluted sharply. "Y-yes, sir! I am Oka, Captain of the Imperial Security Division!"
"Good. Captain Oka, I am Alex of the Astartes Legion, serving under Great General Selene. You will mobilize your entire division to enter the capital's underground sewer network and conduct a citywide search."
"Listen carefully. I said the entire city. Full lockdown. Capture them—alive or dead!" Alex's voice was cold, commanding, and absolute.
Oka hesitated for a moment before replying nervously, "Ah... my apologies, my lord, but a full city lockdown requires ministerial authorization—"
"Selene's authority—do you obey it or not?!" Alex's tone sharpened as he produced the insignia of Selene's command, gleaming under the night light.
"I—I understand! I'll issue the orders immediately!" Faced with a circle of towering black-armored giants closing in, Oka quickly folded, choosing survival over pride.
...
Elsewhere, in the Imperial Palace—within Minister Honest's private chambers.
"Honest, are you useless?! The southern rebels—those insects—have made it all the way to the upper district! What's next? Will they reach my duchy? Or perhaps storm the Imperial Palace itself?!"