Despite years of honed body and martial arts, Esdeath sensed danger immediately.
However, that was all.
Her body and reactions couldn't keep up with Rosen's speed.
When the vanished Rosen reappeared, he was already standing behind Esdeath.
His hand was even already on Esdeath's shoulder.
"Do you surrender?"
Rosen's voice came faintly.
Esdeath's heart tightened.
Her face was full of surprise.
What was going on with this seemingly frail man?
Why did he possess such speed?
But… it wasn't over yet!
The next second.
Under Esdeath's control, an endless cold current surged from the atmosphere.
The near-absolute low temperature instantly enveloped the surrounding area.
"107"
From the outside, it looked as if a giant hemispherical barrier covered a region.
And inside the barrier was a space with a temperature far lower than humans could imagine.
Every flower, every blade of grass, every tree, even sound seemed to have stopped transmitting.
Everything in sight was an icy blue.
The whole world seemed to be left with only Esdeath.
"Is this Mahapadma? The power to freeze even time is indeed extraordinary."
Esdeath looked at the scene she had created with satisfaction.
Recalling the plot in the anime, she couldn't imagine under what circumstances she would have developed this skill just to trap a man.
Isn't it more efficient for killing enemies?
"Although you are indeed very strong, you can't move when I have stopped time, can you?"
Esdeath's eyes were like torches, trying to find Rosen's voice in the world of stopped time.
However, just then.
A chilling sense of crisis welled up in Esdeath's heart.
The ice sword instantly condensed in her palm stabbed behind her, but it only pierced through the air.
At the same time.
Rosen's other hand had already silently crept up Esdeath's neck.
Noticing the touch on her neck, Esdeath froze.
"Under normal circumstances, if I exert a little force now, your neck would be twisted off by me, but since group members cannot harm each other, it's useless even if I try."
Rosen calmly withdrew his arm and said with a light chuckle.
"So, this second time, I should be considered the winner, right?"
"If you still don't want to admit it, we can continue for a third time, a fourth time, until you are willing to admit your defeat."
"…"
Upon hearing this, Esdeath did not respond.
She just looked at Rosen in disbelief and asked, "You can actually move in a world where time has stopped? Why?"
She found it incredible.
In the original work, she froze all of Night Raid there.
If Najenda had not used the Humanoid Imperial Arm, Susanoo, they would all have perished there.
And the reason Susanoo could move was because he was also a top-tier Imperial Arm, possessing the ability to be immune to time stop.
"It's simple, because Mahapadma is not a true time-stop ability; its principle is merely that ultra-low temperatures restrict the molecular motion in the microscopic world, creating a pseudo-time-stop illusion."
Before crossing over.
There were many theories about Esdeath's abilities online.
Especially regarding "Mahapadma," which was said to be able to stop the world.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated in the original work, many believed that it wasn't a true time stop, but rather low temperatures restricting molecular movement.
If it were a true time stop, it would involve magic.
But it was quite clear that the basis of Imperial Arm users' abilities in the Akame ga Kill! world did not originate from magic.
[I Don't Want to Eat Monsters: "I see, although I didn't understand it, I somehow feel it's very powerful. Sir Rosen is too strong!"]
[Magic Old Man: "I didn't understand the first part either, but the general meaning is that the newcomer's ability isn't time-stop magic, right?"]
[Hell's Fubuki: "That's indeed the case, but it also makes sense."]
[Fallen Angel: "So Esdeath's ability isn't time stop? I should have gone then!"]
[Du Dao: "Miss Gabriel, can she defeat Esdeath?"]
[Fallen Angel: "Don't underestimate me! I'm still the top graduate of Heaven! Rosen just suppressed the newcomer with Godspeed! I can do it too!"]
[Shepherd: "Then please begin your performance."]
[Fallen Angel: "Next time for sure!"]
Back in the military tent…
Esdeath completely didn't understand what "molecular motion" meant in Rosen's words.
She also had no idea why low temperatures would restrict movement.
Her cold expression revealed a hint of bewilderment and blankness.
"You'll understand if you read more books in the future. I'll find some three-year simulation books for you to practice with later."
Rosen patted Esdeath's shoulder.
Her eyes showed a clear hint of foolishness.
And this also made Esdeath realize the importance of reading for the first time.
Her ultimate move, was it actually explained in books?
"I lost."
Esdeath stared into Rosen's eyes, her tense body relaxing.
The time-stop world formed by Mahapadma instantly dissipated, and then a large group of soldiers swarmed around them.
Upon seeing Esdeath and Rosen, they immediately directed their killing intent towards Rosen.
In their eyes, Rosen was an assassin who had come to assassinate General Esdeath.
"Stop! Rosen is my comrade. We were just sparring."
At this point, Esdeath paused for a second.
"As for the result of the match…"
"It was a draw. General Esdeath is indeed formidable."
Rosen interrupted her speech amidst Esdeath's surprised expression.
"And your General Esdeath seems to have something else to announce."
After speaking, Rosen gave the woman a wink, and simultaneously spoke in the group chat.
3.9
[Shepherd: "General Esdeath, it's your turn to perform. Don't forget your previous promise."]
After sending this message.
Esdeath gave Rosen a deep look, then took a deep breath.
"All units!"
The next second.
All the soldiers stood at attention, their weapons resting on the ground, sinking several centimeters into the snow, their backs straight, exuding a murderous aura.
This was the army Esdeath led, the strongest and most loyal force in the entire Empire's history.
Although nominally the Imperial Army, in some ways, it could already be considered Esdeath's private army.
Esdeath looked around and said, "From now on, the mission I give you is to kill Minister Honest!"