On the road, a group of people rode white horses, slowly heading towards the imperial capital. It was Sora and Esdeath, among others.
There were still about two years before the Mine plot would begin, and Sora felt it was time to head to the imperial capital. There were still many assassin girls waiting to be saved!
Mine, still wearing her cute pink princess dress, sat on the same horse as Sora, her face flushed. Along the way, she had been teased by the big bad guy behind her. Although she was resentful, she didn't resist.
Well, the girl had lost count of how many times she had been bullied by this big bad guy. She had resigned herself to it!
Compared to her shyness, Mine was more excited about the upcoming trip to the imperial capital, the most prosperous place in the entire country. After years of following this big bad guy around and being forced to practice strange things, she, the great Miss Mine, could finally enjoy life!
Esdeath rode a white horse beside Sora, also with a look of great anticipation.
Of course, unlike Miss Mine's excitement, she was looking forward to it because Sora had told her there were many interesting prey there. Imagining taming those interesting prey one by one into obedient pets, this super S queen with her sadistic tendencies couldn't help but feel excited.
Behind the three were a group of neatly dressed, heroic guard girls.
As for the so-called imperial capital, they had once feared and loathed it. It was like a demon's cage, the root of all evil, where anyone who entered would be devoured, leaving not even bones!
But now, they had no fear at all. If the people there were demons, then they were demons wearing the skin of beautiful women!
They were really looking forward to following their master and Esdeath, turning the entire imperial upside down!
"Hahaha, it really is the 'Black Reaper' and the 'Ice Blue Devil,' stop right there!"
At that moment, a loud shout rang out, and over a hundred imperial incineration troops soldiers ran out, blocking Sora and the others.
"We don't have time to play with you, get lost!"
Pulling the reins and stopping, Sora recognized their identity from their uniforms. Looking at the bearded middle-aged man at the front, he frowned and said.
"Hahaha… You want us to get lost? Ridiculous!"
As if hearing the funniest joke, the man continued:
"Kid, you're the 'Black Reaper,' the big villain wanted by the empire and many nobles, right? Tsk tsk, you really are a pretty boy, just like in the portrait!"
"And this is the 'Ice Blue Devil'? Hehe, I really can't tell, such a beautiful woman would be the legendary extremely cruel devil!"
Carefully examining Sora and Esdeath, the man commented.
A flash of excitement appeared in Esdeath's eyes. She had been bored from traveling these past few days, and now some fools had come to her, licking her lips and drawing the rapier from her waist, she prepared to step forward.
"Heh… You know it's us, and you still dare to appear before us?"
Stopping Esdeath, Sora also became interested, a smirk appearing on his face as he asked.
"Hahaha, why wouldn't I dare to appear before you? Brat, you don't really think you're something, do you?!"
Not only the bearded man, but the group of imperial soldiers behind him also burst into laughter.
Earlier, they had been nervous and scared when they heard the sentry's report, but after being encouraged by their captain and seeing that the real person wasn't as terrifying as the legend, their fear disappeared.
"I heard you've been causing trouble with an Teigu these past few years, and many nobles have suffered at your hands. Hehe, kid, I have to admire you!"
"These little ladies behind you must be the famous young ladies you've kidnapped, right? Tsk tsk, they're all so fair and tender, really nice!"
"Hahaha, kid, as long as I capture you today, I can get a huge reward, and all these little girls you worked so hard to get will be ours!"
Looking at the girls behind Sora, the man's face showed extreme excitement.
In his eyes, the reason Sora was so feared was because of his Teigu, but they had one too! Although Bols was a weakling in the man's eyes, he had to admit that his Teigu was indeed powerful. With him here, Sora's Teigu was nothing!
"Tch, idiots!"
Sitting in Sora's arms in front, Miss Mine couldn't even be bothered to look at the foolish group in front of her. She already knew their fate without thinking!
Closing her eyes and resting in Sora's arms, she didn't want to be polluted by the bloody scene that was about to unfold.
"Bols, use your Teigu and capture these two wanted criminals of the empire immediately!"
"It's fine if they die, as long as we have a body to bring back!"
Seeing Sora and the others standing still, the man was in a great mood, thinking they were scared of him, and ordered Bols beside him.
"Yes, Captain!"
Having just sent hundreds of innocent villagers to their deaths, although he hated and was disappointed in this so-called captain and the empire to the extreme, Bols didn't dare to disobey his orders.
He felt a slight relief in his heart, at least this time the targets were truly evil villains, and killing them would lighten his burden of sin.
Carrying the Teigu "Purgatory's Invitation: Rubicante" Bols stepped forward and aimed the nozzle at the front.
"Bols… Heh, I didn't expect it to be him!"
Looking at the tall man with a strange mask standing in front of them, Sora seemed to think of something, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
"Esdeath, this guy is a Teigu user. I'll leave him to you!"
"Well, let's not play around this time. Give him a quick end!"
Recalling information about Bols in his mind, although he felt some sympathy for this family-loving, kind man, Sora was not one to show mercy. After all, Bols' wife and daughter were also among his targets in this world!
Moreover, even if he were to spare him, Bols' kindness simply didn't fit this world. Sooner or later, he would die, and his wife and daughter would suffer a tragic fate because of him, just like in the original story! (In the manga version, Bols' wife and daughter were tortured to death by Syura, the cruel son of the minister.)
"Hehehe, finally, I've encountered a somewhat interesting opponent! Although I can't have much fun with him, since it's my dear's request, I'll give him a quick end."
Jumping down from her white horse, Esdeath's lips curled into a bloodthirsty smile. Gripping her rapier, she walked step by step toward Bols.
"This woman is dangerous!"
Although Bols was kind and gentle by nature, his strength was undeniable. Even with his Teigu, Rubicante, he felt a sense of dread as Esdeath approached him step by step!
Knowing that this woman was extremely dangerous and not someone to be taken lightly, Bols didn't hesitate. He immediately aimed the nozzle of his Teigu at Esdeath and activated it.
Whoosh!!!
A blinding, crimson high-temperature shot out from the nozzle of Rubicante, engulfing Esdeath's figure in a sea of fire with overwhelming force…