"Robert Accutrone!"
We haven't lost yet—what the hell are you running away from?
"Idiot."
Even the normally composed and elegant Haschwalth couldn't help but curse aloud.
They were still engaged in battle here.
Yet that coward Robert had fled on his own—how is that acceptable?
How did such a death-fearing fool ever qualify for the Sternritter?
Haschwalth narrowed his eyes and glanced toward Kanbaru, the mysterious opponent, while catching a glimpse of the unconscious Bambietta.
Just like Bazz-B, who had been cut down with a single blow...
Even Bambietta's Blut Vene had shattered under one kick.
Something was clearly abnormal with this half-blood brat.
Had his bloodline evolved?
"However," Haschwalth said slowly, voice regaining calm, "you defeated Bambietta before she completed her Vollständig. Seems like you know a lot about our Holy Forms."
As Haschwalth's pain was gradually alleviated by his Blut Vene's regenerative properties, he advanced cautiously.
Vollständig—the Quincy's complete Holy Form—was akin to a Shinigami's Bankai.
It greatly boosted power, but in its older form, it would strip a Quincy of their powers after use.
That outdated version was mostly lost among modern Quincies.
But in the Wandenreich, the Vandenreich, such regression had long been overcome.
Thanks to Yhwach's ability to awaken their Schrift, the Sternritter were granted a perfected version of the Holy Form.
This new Vollständig did not strip power post-use, could be activated at will, and allowed full manifestation of their Schrift abilities.
Although it still placed a heavy strain on the body, it was a monumental advancement.
Yet Kanbaru had clearly known this—and deliberately struck before Bambietta could invoke her power.
"Was I supposed to just sit back and let her charge her finishing move?"
"This isn't a children's game."
Just standing idle while your opponent powers up?
What kind of fool does that?
Kanbaru chuckled, raising his blade to parry Haschwalth's sudden strike, narrowing his eyes sharply.
His opponent's blows were growing heavier.
But it wasn't Haschwalth becoming stronger.
It was he himself weakening.
"So it's 'Fortune Manipulation'... Haschwalth is applying misfortune—he's breaking down my defenses."
The accumulating misfortune was forcing his physical state to deteriorate.
But that was exactly what Kanbaru wanted!
Retreating slightly, he dragged his fingers across his chest.
The Hōgyoku was burning hot!
Prolonged battle, escalating strain, and now even Haschwalth's misfortune—it was pushing him to evolve.
Yes. This is what I need.
Kanbaru's eyes gleamed with unsettling calm.
He didn't intend to destroy the Wandenreich just on a whim.
Nor did he believe raw power alone was enough to challenge all the Sternritter.
The true reason he dove into enemy territory—was to use them.
To accelerate his fusion with the Hōgyoku, he needed constant life-and-death combat!
Only at the precipice of death could evolution trigger!
And the Wandenreich? Natural enemies of the Soul Society. Fighting them here meant no risk of intel leaks.
There was no more optimal battlefield to cultivate the Hōgyoku's transformation.
Here, today, he would push into Phase Three of the Hōgyoku fusion!
BOOM!
His blue-purple blade flashed, and Haschwalth was sent flying.
But a moment later—
The sword came slashing back. This time, double-layered with misfortune.
The pressure intensified!
"Overwhelmed, aren't you?"
"Because the gap between us is vast—obvious to anyone watching."
"Each time I swing my blade, you're forced into retreat."
"You're getting heavier... weaker..."
"Until you collapse beneath your own weight."
"That is the future I see—you dying by my hand."
Haschwalth raised his Balance Shield, wary not to expose any weak points.
After all, Cang Du, Bazz-B, and Bambietta had all fallen to this brat.
Underestimating him would be fatal.
As for Robert?
(Robert: Could you at least be a little respectful?)
Haschwalth's brow furrowed again.
Something was wrong.
Despite being under the effects of misfortune—clearly suffering from degraded performance—Kanbaru still refused to disengage.
Why wasn't he retreating?
Didn't he realize this would only hasten his downfall?
Haschwalth squinted, as if trying to piece together a hidden variable.
Just then—
An opening!
Kanbaru's stance slipped.
"There!"
This is it—the moment the Balance had shown him!
Haschwalth's prediction ability, the power to see the "corrected future," activated.
This strike—will end it!
With a burst of strength, Haschwalth lunged, raising his shield.
Double misfortune applied.
Activate!
Time seemed to still.
Haschwalth's blade arced forward in a deadly curve.
The ultra-high-speed slash roared through the air, cloaked in misfortune, vengeance, and certainty.
This blow landed—squarely!
BOOM!!!
Like a meteor impacting the earth, the force sent tremors tearing through the ground!
From the epicenter of the strike, a wide crater exploded outward, shockwaves rolling for kilometers.
The very air screamed under the pressure of the sword's impact.
"Incredible spiritual pressure for a brat."
"But it's over."
"This is your end."
Breathing heavily, Haschwalth steadied himself.
That attack had drained a tremendous amount of Reiatsu and stamina.
But it was worth it.
The battle was over.
He began to turn toward Bambietta—still alive, though likely unconscious from the pain.
He took one step.
Then he froze.
A chill crawled down his spine.
His face turned sharply.
thump...
thump...
thump...
It was the sound of a heartbeat.
Slow.
Measured.
Heavy... and powerful.
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