A great victory!
Alistair's army swept through, unstoppable.
Najenda's forces retreated from start to finish, unable to mount a proper counterattack.
Clearly, the former Imperial general had reached her limit.
As dawn broke, Alistair's army, with overwhelming force, breached her final stronghold, utterly crushing her.
The general was completely defeated.
A total rout!
Alistair had shown mercy.
After all, a general was far weaker than a witch. Too fierce an assault could easily kill her, which would be a loss.
Satisfied, Alistair withdrew his forces, leaving the general in the same state as the witch.
Under the moonlight, Esdeath, racing forward, suddenly sensed something.
"Hm?" She stopped, scanning her surroundings with an odd feeling.
"Keen senses. Remarkable talent," a refined voice said. "Undeniably, with your talent, if you left this world, you'd undergo a greater transformation. This world limits your growth."
Ker's figure appeared behind Esdeath unnoticed.
Esdeath turned, studying her. The dark purple armor with massive wings felt strange—was such armor practical?
"Are you from that black pillar?" Esdeath asked. "A Teigu user? No. A mere Teigu couldn't reach your level."
She was on high alert, her expression deadly serious.
Danger!
Extreme danger, from the depths of her soul, made Esdeath's lips curl into an excited grin.
"Perfect."
"Let's fight!"
Without fear, Esdeath drew her rapier, transforming into a streak of icy blue light, charging at Ker.
"Such a resilient mindset," Ker remarked. "With that mentality, cultivating Cosmos would let you cross life and death, stepping into the divine."
She couldn't help but admire Esdeath's exceptional nature.
She was truly limited by this world.
"But for now, you're far from enough."
Dark purple light spread from Ker's eyes.
In an instant, everything stilled.
Esdeath's eyes rolled back, her knees buckled, and she collapsed, unconscious.
"Two more to go."
Ker raised her hand, wrapping Esdeath in dark purple light, and vanished.
The Empire's strongest general.
Down in seconds!
They weren't on the same level.
It was a gap in life essence and world origin.
In the future, Esdeath might face Ker or even surpass her.
For now? She'd better stay down.
Night Raid's headquarters.
Mid-morning.
Alistair emerged from the room, quite satisfied with Najenda's flavor from the night before.
"Your Majesty," Mine said, blushing and lowering her head.
Najenda's loud cries had kept her awake all night.
"Mine-chan," Alistair said, smiling warmly, without airs.
With his subordinate gods and familiars, he was approachable, not lofty.
"Mine-chan, want to give it a try tonight?"
"W-Waaah~~~" Mine let out a squeak at his directness, at a loss for words.
"Your Majesty, I'll do it," Leone said, sidling up to him with her carefree, bold demeanor, like a spirited big sister.
Alistair pulled her into his arms, naturally starting to play.
Hmm!
Leone was exceptionally gifted. Najenda and Pandora couldn't compare.
"Let's go," Alistair said, smiling. "I sense Kurome and Chelsea have become familiars. Ker's back."
"Mm!"
"Mm!"
Leone nodded, unfazed, without any coyness. "Last night, Lady Ker returned. Kurome and Chelsea signed the familiar contracts."
"But," she added, "Akame and Kurome seem to be having a sisterly spat."
"They'll work it out," Alistair said. "Sisters don't need outsiders meddling."
He was well aware of Akame and Kurome's situation and had no intention of getting involved.
Sisters would resolve their issues in time.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Leone nodded obediently.
Alistair left with her in his arms, while Mine, red-faced, followed like a sulky little puppy.
Prideful tsunderes were out of fashion—not a great trait these days.
"Dust, how was your rest?" Persephone asked with a smile as he entered.
Alistair rubbed his chin. "Pretty good. A general and a witch taste quite different."
"Hehehe~~~" Persephone chuckled, shaking her head. "Really, Dust, take care. As the divine master, don't let your body suffer."
Alistair, holding Leone, sat beside Persephone, pulling her into his arms as well.
"As the God of Darkness, would I falter over this?"
"I'd be better off dead!"
"Fine, fine," Persephone said, exasperated.
Ker stood by, asking, "Your Majesty, how should we handle her?"
***
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