Sasaki swung his enormous sword down from above, aiming directly at Rebekah with deadly precision.
Just before the blade could reach her, Lucy activated Switch Mode and pulled Rebekah out of its path.
BOOM!
Sasaki's sword crashed into the ground where Rebekah had been standing. The impact shattered the earth, sending clouds of dust and fragments of stone flying in every direction.
Sasaki slowly raised his head, his crimson eyes narrowing as he stared at Lucy.
"You're really strong," he muttered. "I underestimated you because you're still a young woman. Looks like I was getting ahead of myself."
He straightened and turned toward Lyon, who stood nearby with his weapon ready.
"Huh, partner? Why did you hesitate the moment I went down? Were you hoping I wouldn't regenerate and would just die there?"
His expression darkened, blood still dripping from his body.
"Pathetic. I knew from the beginning that you never cared about bringing this boy back. This entire mission was a joke to you."
Renshi crackled around Sasaki as his body slowly began to recover.
"Let me remind you who I am. I'm Exca. I eliminate threats, whether they're allies or enemies. Get in my way, and I won't hesitate."
---
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Eminence...
Jackson, Marcel, and Bash suddenly appeared inside a massive stone fortress. They had been teleported directly to the area outside the Special Darkside Knight's council chamber.
Before any of them could explain why they had come, the chamber doors swung open.
A Shinra hurried inside.
"My lord!"
He approached the young man seated within and bowed respectfully.
The man wore a flowing white cape. Although he appeared to be in his twenties, his composed expression and commanding presence made it clear that he was no ordinary Shinra.
"There's a massive Renshi clash at the forest border," the messenger reported. "Our Renshical bug confirmed that two children and three adults are engaged in a serious battle. Their Renshi signatures are extremely powerful."
The young man nodded.
"Thank you, Ricardo. Return to your post."
Ricardo bowed once more before leaving the chamber.
Bash turned toward the Special Darkside Knight.
"I assume you've already sensed the Renshi from here?"
"Of course, old man."
The young man's gaze shifted toward him.
"Now, whose side are you on? Are you really a Pro Darkside Knight, as you claim?"
Bash remained silent for a moment before answering.
"No. I'm not."
Jackson and Marcel immediately turned toward him, their eyes widening in shock.
Marcel felt his heart sink.
What is this old man doing?
Before the situation could get any worse, Jackson stepped forward and lowered his head.
"He has nothing to do with this. We forced him to bring us here. He's only helping us."
"You idiot," Bash snapped.
"Let me speak, old man. You've done enough."
Jackson's voice was firm as he continued.
"We can handle the rest from here."
Marcel let out a quiet sigh.
Now he's going to tell them everything. What a pain in the ass.
The Special Darkside Knight waited patiently for Jackson to continue.
Jackson clenched his fists.
"Our fathers are planning something horrible. My father is the number one Pro Darkside Knight of Guhan, and Marcel's father is the Special Darkside Knight of Guhan. They're planning to kidnap a boy and drain his Renshi to gain power."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"We followed them because we wanted to stop them, but we lost their trail and ended up trapped in an unknown kingdom. Mr. Bash saved us from an attacker and brought us here. He's not responsible for any of this."
The Special Darkside Knight studied Jackson for a moment.
"A noble cause, then."
He shifted his gaze toward Bash.
"But tell me, Mr. Samaritan, why are you helping these boys?"
Bash met his gaze without hesitation.
"I'm returning a favor for an old friend."
Jackson and Marcel exchanged surprised looks.
An old friend?
The Special Darkside Knight rose from his seat and began walking slowly toward Bash.
"I'm glad you didn't lie to me. One wrong word, and I would've torn out your tongue and fed it to the dogs."
He then turned toward Jackson and lowered himself slightly, bringing his eyes level with the boy's.
"Your heart skipped a beat, but not because you were afraid. You felt guilty because you brought your friend's father into the story."
He studied Jackson for another moment before speaking again.
"You're a good kid."
Straightening up, he shifted his attention to Marcel.
"And you didn't get angry or try to defend yourself. You were nervous because you were worried about your friend's safety. I respect that."
Finally, he turned back toward Bash.
"I'll allow them to leave, but on one condition."
Bash's expression grew serious.
"What's your condition?"
The Special Darkside Knight smiled faintly.
"Nothing harmful. I'll take these boys as my students after all this, if you don't mind."
Bash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's not a decision I can make for them. Their parents are no ordinary Shinras."
The young man's smile remained, but his gaze sharpened.
"Neither am I."
He took a step closer to Bash.
"And don't pretend that wasn't your goal all along, old man. I know why you've been helping them."
He paused, then casually waved a hand.
"But never mind. That was just a figure of speech. I barely know these kids. I just wanted to see your reaction."