When Lancer learned from Great General Budo that Leone had been kidnapped, his first response was fury.
But the target of his rage wasn't limited to the kidnappers or even Budo—it was mostly aimed at himself.
He despised his own weakness, incompetence, arrogance, and selfishness.
Initially, he'd bought Leone purely because he couldn't bear seeing someone he recognized become a slave. Later, he'd kept her by his side simply because he didn't know how to send her away. By the time he considered entrusting her to Najenda, he discovered, to his dismay, that he'd become reliant on her presence.
He never knew if the words "Welcome home" she spoke upon his return were merely casual courtesy or held deeper meaning. But at that moment, he had already decided he wouldn't let her go.
It was undeniably selfish. He knew that. Yet he craved her company. Even a simple phrase like "Welcome home" made him feel he actually had a family.
He knew deep down it was nothing but self-deception. Over two years had passed since he'd left his real home. Despite repeatedly telling himself, "If I could cross worlds once, maybe someday I'll find my way back," he understood the reality was far more uncertain.
He vividly remembered his feelings when Leone told him she wanted to stay by his side—that sensation of emptiness in his heart suddenly filled to the point of bursting.
Maybe it was their age gap, or perhaps the tomboyish first impression she'd left, but rather than seeing Leone as a woman, Lancer had always viewed her more as family. Thus, when she confessed her feelings, he didn't reject her. After all, lovers were family too, right? Although he knew he hadn't truly fallen in love, he'd sworn to himself he would, if only to repay her sincerity. Yet now…
"Great General Budo! Allow me to lead the attack personally! This time, I swear I'll take Honest's head with my own hands!"
Budo was momentarily speechless as he saw the naked killing intent blazing in Lancer's eyes.
The slaughter Lancer unleashed upon the foreign tribes was infamous throughout the Empire, but those had merely been moments of battle-fueled excitement. What Budo saw now was raw, undisguised bloodlust.
...
When the carriage arrived in territory controlled by Honest, Esdeath was mildly surprised to see the Prime Minister himself greeting her personally. But surprise was all it amounted to. She knew full well the reason Honest had come in person—she was worth at least that much trouble.
"Welcome, Lady Esdeath!" Honest greeted smoothly.
"Enough pleasantries," Esdeath replied curtly. "Show me this Teigu of yours."
"Certainly," Honest agreed, eyeing the covered carriage behind her. "Though it appears you've brought a little gift with you…"
"She's mine."
"Haha, of course, no issue at all."
Faced with Esdeath's domineering attitude, Honest wisely chose not to argue further. He'd already received intel on Leone; he knew exactly who she was—that man's woman, the man who had repeatedly disrupted his schemes. To Honest, she was little more than a toy for venting frustrations, utterly expendable. Right now, he was far more interested in Esdeath herself.
The two quickly vanished from view, but that was hardly the end. Suddenly, a dimensional rift appeared beside Honest, and he stepped calmly into it. After a brief pause, Esdeath followed without hesitation, emerging moments later in an unfamiliar courtyard.
"Where is this?" she asked suspiciously.
"A private villa I built during my days as a City Lord. Our destination is just ahead," Honest replied smoothly, leading her toward a certain room.
Unsurprisingly, the room concealed a hidden passage. They traversed multiple secret doors along a labyrinthine route—hardly unexpected, given the precious nature of Teigu. After nearly half an hour's trek, they finally reached their destination.
The chamber was lined with various bizarre objects—artifacts most ordinary people wouldn't even recognize. Yet Esdeath's eyes narrowed slightly; these Teigu seemed to call out directly to her.
No, rather, they resonated with her innermost desires, her thirst for conquest and battle. These Teigu hungered for the thrill of war alongside her.
Noticing Esdeath's delighted expression, Honest smiled broadly, clapping his hands to recapture her attention.
"These Teigu are impressive indeed, but perhaps still beneath someone of your caliber."
"Oh?" Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "Meaning there's something even better?"
"Naturally," Honest smirked. "The finest treasures are always hidden."
He activated some hidden mechanism, and a section of the wall swung aside, revealing a large earthenware urn.
"[Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract]," Honest declared with sinister pride. "That's its name. Among the Empire's forty-eight Teigu, this is easily the most unique—one worthy of being called the strongest Teigu!"
His face contorted with excitement. Yes—this was the ace he'd been counting on to turn the tables.
"If it's so powerful," Esdeath questioned coldly, "why entrust it to me?"
Honest sighed theatrically, feigning regret. "While this Teigu truly deserves its reputation as 'the strongest,' unfortunately, not everyone can wield it. I've already had several individuals attempt it, but regrettably…"
"They all died?"
"No. They all went insane. Even so, their strength multiplied countless times over. Interested in testing your luck?"
A tense silence filled the chamber after Honest spoke. Esdeath stared unblinkingly at the strange urn, silent and contemplative, before her lips curled into an arrogant smile brimming with madness.
"Of course! Those weaklings only failed because they lacked strength!"
Without hesitation, she stepped forward. Honest eagerly opened the urn and handed her a wooden ladle.
"Drink," he urged feverishly, "and embrace your destiny!"
Esdeath plunged the ladle into the urn and drank deeply without a second thought.
Although the liquid had sat sealed within the vessel, it tasted disturbingly warm, like freshly spilled blood, thick with a nauseating metallic tang.
As the liquid slid down her throat, a chilling sensation surged upward from her belly…
Observing Esdeath's rigid stance, Honest grew anxious. This was precisely the moment previous test subjects had lost control. He discreetly placed his hand over a nearby activation switch, ready to act immediately if Esdeath showed any sign of madness.
---
T/N: OH LORDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD lancer... you might be cooked, you guys might be like but esdeath probably doesnt know how to use her powers! YOU FOOL! SHES BUILT DIFFERENT! SHES BASICALLY A SAIYAN! LEARNING DURING THE FIGHT! SHE MIGHT EVEN LEARN THAT, i can see it now Lancer's Teigu is gonna be the KEY factor in his victory probably saving his life
Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract was an Elemental-type Teigu that gave its users the ability to instantly freeze anything by reducing the kinetic energy of atoms, meaning they effectively make things colder. Users can also generate and manipulate ice. Its only known wielder was Esdeath.
WHAT^TTTT THATS HOW IT FREEZES SHIT??? THATS FUCKING CRAZY
HOW DID SHIROU SURVIVEEE
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