Chapter 56: Parting Ways, the Axis Theocracy
Bulat was dead.
Even with his magnificent combat record of fighting 1v3 and getting two reverse kills, dead was dead. In a battle between Teigu users, someone will inevitably die. That is the iron rule.
Tatsumi inherited Bulat's Teigu.
Sheele had just died, and Bulat had followed close behind. The feeling that a storm was about to break made the members of Night Raid even more gloomy and oppressed, their expressions becoming exceptionally grim.
Tatsumi said softly, "Kobayashi, Big Bro's death was heavier than a mountain, right? His death wasn't in vain, right? I'm worthy of inheriting his Teigu, right?"
His terrified and helpless appearance seemed to be seeking affirmation.
"Who knows? But, since Bulat and [Incursio] chose you, that means you are worthy of using his Teigu."
Kobayashi flipped through the book in his hand, not showing any sadness or grief over someone's death. At least, that's how it looked on the outside.
Lubbock followed up with a word of comfort. "Although you're still inexperienced, Tatsumi, you have a surprising amount of talent. Bulat also thought very highly of you and always said that you would definitely surpass him one day."
"That's right. Big Sis also believes you'll become a fine man. When that time comes, you'll belong to Big Sis." Leone affectionately rubbed Tatsumi's little face, rubbing away his sad expression.
Akame also nodded in agreement. "I believe in Bulat, and I believe in Tatsumi."
"...Everyone, thank you."
Tatsumi wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, put away his grief, and chose to pull himself together.
Everyone supported and encouraged each other in a heartwarming scene.
But this was not right!
Although they had all grown, in their current state, they could absolutely not defeat Esdeath. He was even more certain of this after witnessing her strength.
If they had to lose a companion every time to grow, then in that case...
Kobayashi spoke slowly. "I am leaving Night Raid."
The moment he spoke, it was a shocking statement.
The group, who were in the middle of pulling themselves together, suddenly paused. The warm and touching atmosphere in the main hall instantly froze. Everyone looked at Kobayashi in disbelief.
"Wh... what?"
"Quitting Night Raid?"
"Saying you're quitting... hahaha, you're a real kidder, Kobayashi."
"Yeah, yeah, that joke's not funny."
Everyone was trying to laugh it off, but when they saw his serious expression, they realized the gravity of the situation.
"You're lying, right? It's a lie!"
Leone was the first to speak, questioning him, "Why? Why are you saying you're quitting at a time like this?!"
Najenda was also very puzzled.
She asked, "What made you decide to quit Night Raid? Let me hear your reasons."
"The reason... Leone should know best, right?"
Kobayashi closed his book and said in a low voice, "After witnessing that woman's terror, you can still laugh like that. I have to say, you're really thick-skinned, Leone."
"Leone, did you sneak out to see Esdeath before?" Najenda turned her head to ask for confirmation.
"Ah, Kobayashi and I did go to see Esdeath. He even had a conversation with her at the time."
Leone readily admitted her actions, but at the same time, she asked angrily, "Don't tell me you saw her and got so scared you don't dare to fight her, that you've switched sides already?! Answer me, Kobayashi!"
"How could that be? I just simply think that the current Night Raid can't beat her... in its current state."
Kobayashi's soft mumble made the members of Night Raid feel he had some other motive, but regardless, he had decided to quit.
"Do you think you can just quit now that things have come to this?"
Leone clenched her fists and said angrily, "Coward! I'll correct your cowardly thinking! I'll beat you until you never say the word 'quit' again!"
"You've got one thing wrong, Leone. I never joined Night Raid in the first place."
"...Huh?!"
"That's right. I never once said I did."
Kobayashi slowly stood up from his seat and looked at them calmly. "It was you who, of your own accord, treated me as a companion."
"What did you say..."
His words thoroughly enraged Leone.
There was the reason of a companion's death, his reason for quitting, and the reason of Esdeath. In short, she was very angry right now.
"Why? Why would you say that!" Tatsumi also questioned him. "Aren't we companions? If that's not the case, then why did you fight alongside us to clear out the Empire's parasites?"
"Because our ideals were the same. And... just like you need to pay for your meals and your room, I was just paying my lodging fees."
Kobayashi said something even more unacceptable.
"You just treated it as an equivalent exchange?! Kobayashi! You... bastard!" The short-tempered Leone instantly activated her Teigu and transformed into a lioness.
"Leone, your next line is... 'Then what did you think our feelings were? Just a condiment for your idle chats and games?'"
"Then what did you think our feelings were? Just a condiment for your idle chats and games?... Ah!"
Leone's anger paused for a moment.
Kobayashi slowly closed the book in his hand, his eyes seeming to see right through them. He said to her and to everyone present, "It's because you're so impulsive that your thoughts are too easy to guess, Leone. Of course, the same goes for all of you."
"You're right. We are indeed not yet mature."
Najenda readily admitted Night Raid's shortcomings, and at the same time, said with surprise, "But I never thought your growth would be so rapid, Kobayashi. In that case, we can't let you leave even more. Whether it's to prevent Night Raid's intelligence from leaking or because of your own talent, we need you."
As she spoke, the members of Night Raid took out their Teigu, implicitly forming a circle around him. Apart from the two missing members, it was exactly the same as when he first arrived.
But unlike his swift surrender last time, this time, Kobayashi was calm and confident. This made the members of Night Raid a little uneasy.
"Speaking of which, it seems you still don't know RyuZU's ability, right? You shouldn't underestimate her."
"What?!"
The members of Night Raid rushed towards him.
But even at such a critical moment, he was very confident, and even said softly, "Rest assured, I won't reveal any of your intelligence. I give you my word."
Because I still need them to keep Esdeath busy.
Leone had the strongest explosive power and was also the fastest. She reached out to grab him. "You're staying here!"
"Sorry, that's impossible," Kobayashi said with a smile and a wave of his hand. "Goodbye, everyone."
Swish—
It was as if a segment of time had been cut out. Kobayashi, who had been right in front of them, suddenly vanished.
Their attacks hit empty air.
"Damn it! What do you mean, you give your word? Can anything you say still be believed?!"
Leone angrily slammed her fists on the floor, creating a large hole. Unfortunately, Kobayashi was not hiding under the floor; he had well and truly disappeared.
Najenda did not panic. She lit a cigarette.
After thinking for a moment, she ordered the remaining members, "Abandon this base. Transfer immediately. At the same time, do not appear in the Capital for the time being, and list Kobayashi as an enemy... When we meet again, we absolutely must not show any mercy!"
Esdeath was already troublesome enough. If they added Kobayashi to the mix, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The most crucial thing was, after all this time, they didn't even know what RyuZU's ability was!
Although it was partly because Kobayashi had been too active and had deliberately concealed her abilities, failing to ascertain a Teigu's power was indeed their dereliction of duty. They had to send this intelligence back to headquarters quickly and have them dispatch a team to research this Teigu's abilities!
Honestly, things are getting more and more troublesome.
On the back mountain.
"Yo, you've been waiting long, everyone."
Kobayashi and RyuZU suddenly appeared, greeting the three people who had been waiting for a long time.
"Well, we did wait a little long. But knowing what you were going to do, I wasn't in a hurry. How was it? Everyone must have been very angry."
"Of course they were!"
Hearing this, Kobayashi started pouring out his grievances, complaining, "Especially after you died, when I proposed to leave, those guys looked like they wanted to chop me into pieces."
"Ahahaha! Can't be helped. After all, everyone cares about you, Kobayashi."
"Well, thank you very much for that."
Kobayashi shot him an annoyed look, then turned to the third person.
"General, you don't seem very happy."
"I am not a general now, but a servant."
His posture was very humble, but the usually calm man couldn't help but ask, "I am happy for you all, but I must confirm, can you really save my master?"
"Ah, I guarantee it on this."
Kobayashi pointed to the green eye pattern on his forehead.
"A Teigu that can see the future..." he nodded in understanding, but then asked, puzzled, "Since you could resurrect me, why not resurrect my two colleagues as well?"
"Hey, hey, hey, I'm not a scrap collector. I'm picky about who I save, okay?"
Kobayashi said with disgust, "Those two guys aren't as calm and collected as you, General. If they were resurrected, they would definitely cause a huge scene. Besides, they're not of much use, and we needed some corpses to cover our tracks, didn't we?"
"Indeed."
He seemed to be convinced.
"Najenda was right. Talent is the most important thing," Kobayashi said with a look of regret. "Unfortunately, of your Teigu, we currently only have your ring, General. By the way, Tatsumi is making good use of your other Teigu. You don't have to worry."
"I knew he could! After all, he's the man I had my eye on!"
"Yes, yes, you're right."
He gave a perfunctory wave of his hand.
"Alright, alright, what should we do next?"
Kobayashi pinched his chin and thought carefully for a moment, then came to a conclusion. "As expected... grimdark doesn't suit me. I still prefer the happy-go-lucky, cheerful Konosuba style."
The corrupt Empire was a lost cause, but he didn't want the Revolutionary Army to occupy the Capital either.
I've got it!
Kobayashi looked at a certain religious order in the distance, a joyous smile spreading across his face. "Hey, the Axis Theocracy... doesn't that name sound great?"
If you fear injustice, then grasp justice in your own hands and be the one to pass judgment.
Come on!
Our era begins now!
(End of Chapter)