Suddenly, a blade's gleam flashed from the corner of her vision.
The slash came without a sound.
Its speed rivaled lightning.
Unable to retract her momentum, Bache could only instinctively raise her arm in defense.
Shhhhk—!
The next instant, half a severed arm flew into the air.
Bache hastily retreated, her left arm cleanly severed at the elbow. The wound was smooth as a mirror, blood spurting uncontrollably from severed vessels.
"You... ambushed me?!"
Her eyes bulged wide, but rather than showing pain, her expression grew increasingly savage.
Like a gust of wind, Eiji's figure appeared between the two combatants.
His silver blade remained pristine, not a single drop of blood marring its surface.
"Eiji..."
Tiona stopped moving.
She stared blankly at him, the ferocity slowly fading from her face.
Meanwhile.
While Eiji repelled Bache, Tione and Argana completely ignored his shouted command, continuing their brutal exchange of blows. Their shifting battlefield sent nearby adventurers scrambling for safety.
BOOM!
Tione grunted as her arms trembled violently, numbness spreading through half her body.
Under the crushing force, she was sent stumbling backward yet again.
Every one of her punches was anticipated—Argana always struck before Tione could properly set her stance, leaving her unable to gather her full strength and keeping her thoroughly suppressed.
"A prum?"
As she staggered back, a petite figure appeared in her peripheral vision.
The girl had chestnut-colored curly short hair and carried a pack several times larger than herself. Having just emerged from a nearby shop, she stood frozen in shock at the violent scene before her.
"Stop spacing out!"
Argana threw another reckless punch.
That prum girl would get caught in the crossfire!
For reasons unknown, Tione gritted her teeth and suddenly lunged forward. In the blink of an eye, she scooped up the prum girl and hurled her to safety.
But this left her completely open to a devastating blow to her back. Blood erupted from her mouth as the impact sent her crashing like a cannonball through a nearby storefront.
"You... you protected that brat?"
Argana's fist froze midair, her expression one of utter disbelief.
"You're no true warrior anymore... Tione. You should have stayed in Telskyura with us after all!"
Her face filled with disappointment, even the fist she'd raised seemed to lose all its power.
The Amazons of Telskyura cared for only one thing—the thrill of battle.
If their opponent couldn't provide that savage joy, they lost all will to fight.
"Argana!"
At that moment, Bache's suddenly shrill cry came from behind.
A faint disturbance in the air brushed against Argana's skin, raising goosebumps across her body.
The instincts honed through countless life-or-death battles made her roll aside instantly.
A blade flashed where her head had been, cleanly severing her long, serpentine crimson braid.
"What kind of sword technique is this?!"
Argana gasped for breath under the overwhelming sense of danger.
A blade that moved without sound, swift as lightning itself.
Such a strike couldn't be predicted, much less blocked.
If not for her sharp instincts, that slash might have already taken her head off!
Like a startled serpent, she slithered backward to Bache's side. Seeing her severed left arm, her expression grew even more horrified as she stared warily at the black-robed figure's back.
"I said stop. Don't pretend you didn't hear me."
Eiji turned around, his dangerous gaze piercing through the two Amazons across from him.
In that instant.
Both Argana and Bache, even the gleefully spectating goddess Kali nearby, held their breaths.
The entire street fell silent.
With those two swings of his blade, the wind blew Eiji's hood back.
The entire avenue was instantly captivated by his divine charm. Even the hostile Argana and Bache found themselves staring at him in a daze.
"...There's actually such a beautiful youth in Orario?"
Kali adjusted her nearly fallen mask, murmuring to herself.
"Beautiful... and powerful...!"
Argana's eyes widened with excitement, her long tongue constantly licking her lips.
"Hey, male, what's your name?"
Her gaze was nothing if not predatory.
"Like I'd tell you."
Eiji remained unmoved.
"It's him! Loki Familia's newly promoted Level 5!"
"The one who became a first-class adventurer in three months. I remember his alias was..."
"Handsome Aurora!"
Damn!
So many snitches!
Honestly, Eiji had quite a grudge against this alias.
He'd requested to be called simply "Aurora," and Loki had readily agreed. Though the gods were all troublemakers, they wouldn't easily cross Loki for the sake of their amusement. If she said so, the alias should have been secured.
Who would have thought Freya would interfere?
With charm even gods couldn't resist, she easily persuaded the deities to add a prefix.
"Handsome Aurora... it really fits perfectly!"
Argana quietly savored the name.
Even an idiot like her, who understood nothing but battle, could feel how well it suited him.
"I want you! Be my man!"
Without hesitation, she bluntly voiced her desire.
Retract previous statement.
Even Amazons from Telskyura weren't solely focused on battle. Any Amazon would harbor great enthusiasm for hunting males.
"Me too."
Bache nodded quietly, her gaze no longer as cold as before.
"Come with us! We'll give you the ultimate pleasure! Our familia has Amazons of every style—you can have whatever you want!"
"Same here."
"That's fine, right, Lady Kali?"
"Of course!"
Kali nodded generously.
Honestly, this youth was exceptional—even she was tempted. Taking him home for some intimacy wouldn't be out of the question.
With just one word.
If Eiji agreed, the entire Kali Familia, the entire Amazonian kingdom of Telskyura, would be his to choose from.
Such an offer was incredibly tempting.
No!
No man could refuse such a condition!
"Argana! Bache! You're dead!"
But before Eiji could respond.
Tiona beside him erupted first.
Her face was filled with rage, bloodstained fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
Blinded by rage, she didn't even bother with a warning. Her smooth feet instantly shattered the ground as her slender figure shot toward Argana like a sharp arrow!
Bam!
Completely engrossed in the beautiful youth, Argana was caught off guard. The full-force punch sent her flying backward in one go.