Chapter 120: Danger Beast? One Punch and It's Over, What's There to Say
"It's actually Prime Minister Honest?!"
Someone couldn't help but exclaim in a hushed voice.
Mahiro also calmly shifted his gaze to the obese noble.
Only then did he realize it was indeed that guy, the Prime Minister. That physiologically repulsive face and physique—there was no second person in the empire like Prime Minister Honest.
At the same time, he subconsciously activated the "Eye of the Spirit" to scan Honest from the inside out.
Although the man appeared extremely obese, the muscles beneath the fat were quite well-developed. It seemed he had undergone systematic training and possessed a certain level of combat ability, perhaps not inferior to that Gozuki.
He was nothing like the weak and feeble version from the TV series.
In short, he was just a fat pig with some fighting skills.
At the same time, Prime Minister Honest, who had been tearing into his steak, suddenly stiffened before turning his head to meet Mahiro's gaze.
This was their first meeting.
Mahiro simply offered a polite smile and gave a slow nod.
"Prime Minister Honest, is something wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I just suddenly shivered, feeling as if someone meant me harm."
Who would have thought this old fox would be so perceptive.
Mahiro chuckled inwardly.
"But General Esdeath, those soldiers are yours, aren't they?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing the minister's words, Esdeath turned and saw them. At that moment, Nyau stepped forward, standing ramrod straight as he respectfully reported:
"Reporting, Vice General Esdeath! All six personnel have arrived at the torture chamber as requested!"
His voice was as clear as a girl's.
What a pity he was male.
"Hmm, good. This time you're actually punctual."
Seeing the complete team assembled before her, Esdeath revealed a satisfied smile.
"Then Prime Minister Honest, if you'll excuse me, I need to take my subordinates out for training!"
"Go ahead. I'll stay here to continue enjoying the show."
Minister Honest's narrowed eyes remained fixed on the boiling pot as he casually waved Esdeath away, voraciously stuffing pieces of meat into his mouth.
Only after Esdeath had led her team out of the torture chamber did Minister Honest finally turn to look toward the door.
What a shame. If only I could bring that woman under my command, I wouldn't have to hold back anymore... No, I wouldn't even need to fear Grand General Budo anymore.
That way, I could smoothly install the young crown prince on the throne and hold absolute power over the court.
Minister Honest held Esdeath in very high regard.
That cruelty, that strength—these were exactly what he needed. The only things Esdeath currently lacked were official rank and status.
Thinking of this, the minister couldn't help but viciously tear into his steak again, accompanied by the screams of the prisoner before him.
...
Meanwhile.
Esdeath led them away from the empire's military affairs department, instead bringing them to a place resembling an ancient Roman amphitheater.
No, to be precise, this was indeed a colosseum.
The only difference was that the numerous surrounding seats were empty of spectators.
"Lady Esdeath, why have you brought us to the colosseum?" Nyau couldn't help asking, his voice trembling slightly.
He seemed to have already guessed something, his body unconsciously tensing up.
"This is today's training ground. Don't complain—I put great thought into carefully selecting it for you. If all goes well, it should enhance your practical combat abilities."
A captivating, brilliant smile bloomed on Esdeath's lovely face.
But the other five besides Mahiro, recalling yesterday's rigorous training, couldn't help shivering.
Yesterday, Esdeath had taken them to the Stone Rock Mountains outside the Imperial City, demanding they climb from the base to the summit.
Although the mountain path was steep and covered with uneven stones, it should have been quite easy given their abilities.
That's how it should have been—they had even thought the new recruit training would be nothing special.
But unexpectedly, Esdeath suddenly increased their burden by making each of them carry dozens of pounds of weight and demanding they climb to the top within an hour.
Otherwise, they would face punishment.
And then...
They all ended up being punished together.
That's why today they looked utterly dejected and wronged—who could possibly handle such devilish training?
Now they had arrived at the colosseum again, wondering what tricks this general had in store this time.
"Don't worry! I have no intention of making you fight in the colosseum matches. I'm just borrowing the venue."
Esdeath seemed to have seen through their thoughts and explained with a benevolent smile:
"Today's exercise is simple: hunt Danger Beasts."
Nyau and the others initially felt relieved hearing they wouldn't have to compete, but Esdeath's next sentence sent shivers down their spines.
"H-Hunt Danger Beasts? Us?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the heavy stone gate on the opposite side of the colosseum slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black cavern.
Mahiro's eyes clearly saw a pair of glowing green eyes emitting an eerie light from within the darkness!
"Eek! Wh-What is that?!" Nyau screamed, her slender voice echoing throughout the colosseum.
A massive body finally emerged from the stone gate—it was a giant lion over three meters tall!
Moreover, it already bore initial dragon-like characteristics, covered in scales like a chimera.
Most crucially, the lion's gaze toward them shimmered with a sinister glow, as if looking at a delicious feast.
It suddenly charged toward them, but with a thunderous crash! A loud noise came from the darkness, scattering dust everywhere.
A thick chain stretching from behind the stone gate was pulled taut, its other end firmly attached to the lion's neck.
Seeing that it couldn't pounce on them, the five finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I-It's actually a first-class Danger Beast, the Dragon Lion... How astonishing."
"Hehe, that's right. I went through great trouble to capture it a few days ago."
Esdeath said with a smile.
However, Mahiro was curiously examining the strange lion.
A species he hadn't seen before...
Even though he had previously circled through the forest and killed almost all the local first-class Danger Beasts, there were still varieties he didn't know about.
He just wondered how this lion would taste.
"You can't be serious, Lady Esdeath... Are you planning to use it as our training target?" Nyau asked with wide eyes.
A first-class Danger Beast was not something they could defeat with their current strength. Nyau estimated that aside from Lady Esdeath, even if all six of them worked together, they probably wouldn't be enough to fill this Dragon Lion's teeth gaps.
The others agreed with this assessment.
But one burly-looking brute claimed that even a first-class Danger Beast could be easily defeated if they all attacked together.
This made Esdeath glance at him slightly.
However, Esdeath then spoke up: "No need for wild guesses. I'll now announce today's training exercise."
"Your objective is indeed to hunt this Danger Beast, but no group attacks—you'll go one by one. Additionally, there's one more requirement..."
Another requirement?!
That's so like you, Lady Esdeath.
Thinking that solo hunting of a first-class Danger Beast was already outrageous enough, and now there's an additional requirement!
"Since this lion of mine hasn't eaten for several days, its physical strength is far from what it used to be. So you must engage in fair combat with it bare-handed. Don't be afraid—if I alone can handle it, I believe you can do the same."
"..."
The five were rendered speechless.
No wonder the lion seemed desperate to pounce on them when it saw them—it had been starving for days...
And now they had to fight this monstrous thing bare-handed?
At this thought, a chill ran down their spines.
"Lady Esdeath... isn't this a bit too dangerous?" Nyau said quietly.
"Hmm, you're right. That's why I specially prepared safety measures for you."
Saying this, Esdeath retrieved a pre-prepared several-dozen-meter-long iron chain from the corner of the arena and tossed it over. Attached to one end of the chain was actually a pet collar!
"See? Just put this collar around your neck when you go out to fight. If I determine you're truly in danger, I'll pull the other end to drag you out of the arena."
Everyone broke out in cold sweat, regardless of Deputy General Esdeath's danger assessment standards.
If they really had to wear the collar during combat, it would feel like Lady Esdeath was treating them as pet dogs.
No, judging from her subtly excited eyes, this was clearly the dagger revealed when the map unrolled!
She had planned this from the very beginning, hadn't she!
Hunting Danger Beasts? Taming pets was your real goal, wasn't it!
"Alright, who wants to go first?"
Hearing this, all five stepped back simultaneously, immediately throwing Mahiro under the bus.
"Oh? You? As expected of a last-minute addition, quite courageous." Esdeath looked at Mahiro standing his ground and smiled with satisfaction.
Though that smile was somewhat improper.
"Me?"
Mahiro glanced around and saw the five who had stepped back pretending to look at the sky, none daring to meet his gaze.
"Alright, I'll do it then."
"Hmm, good. Then to reward your courage, I'll personally put this on you."
Esdeath strode forward, holding the collar as she walked directly toward Mahiro.
Just as she was about to put it on, Mahiro suddenly stepped back, evading her.
"General Esdeath, you should keep that dog collar for yourself to wear when you're bored. It's just a mere Danger Beast, why go through all this trouble?"
Upon hearing this, the others were stunned, silently giving him thumbs-up in their hearts.
What a warrior!
You're truly a real man, daring to speak to Lady Esdeath like that!
"Oh~"
Esdeath raised her elegant eyebrows, slowly lowered her hand, and turned to look at him. "Indeed quite courageous. You're the first to dare speak to me like that."
"Is that so? Then I feel honored."
Completely ignoring Esdeath's dangerous gaze, Mahiro smiled slightly. "By the way, one more thing—if I kill this Danger Beast, would it be alright to use it for dinner tonight?"
"Of course, if you can manage it."
Esdeath was magnanimous, completely unbothered by his earlier insulting words, even saying with appreciation: "If you succeed, we'll throw a party for you tonight, funded by me."
"Good, it's settled then."
Mahiro turned around, looking at the lion-like Danger Beast frantically pulling at its chains, and said softly:
"Then I'll begin!"
As soon as the words fell, Mahiro's figure instantly vanished from where he stood.
"So fast!"
Nyau and the others widened their eyes—their vision couldn't even capture Mahiro's movement.
And when he reappeared, he had already leaped into mid-air, arriving above the lion's head.
"Oh, not bad at all."
While they couldn't see through it, Esdeath could clearly see Mahiro running forward, then leaping up and using the chains for leverage, performing a double jump to reach the dragon-lion's head.
Simultaneously, he clenched his fist and raised it high.
"Now—LIE DOWN!!!"
BOOM!
With one punch, dust instantly billowed up.
Through the dust, they could see the massive body of the lion slowly collapsing, with a figure standing atop it.
It was Mahiro.
Jumping down from the pierced head of the dragon-lion, as the dust gradually cleared, his figure emerged step by step.
Still wearing that constant smile, his clothes still perfectly neat, as if nothing had changed.
Except for the dragon-lion lying motionless in a pool of blood.
"Lady Esdeath, mission accomplished."
"Well done. Your remaining training for today is canceled."
Esdeath said this, but received no cheers in response.
Because the other five were looking at Mahiro as if he were a superhuman.
"He actually took down a first-class Danger Beast with one punch..."
"...Is this guy even human?"
They were completely dumbfounded.
Only Esdeath's gaze towards him held an inexplicable glow, the smile at the corner of her lips growing even more brilliant.
"Heh, interesting."
...
...
"This lion meat isn't particularly tasty either..."
True to her word, Esdeath had indeed thrown them a party, but everyone had practically been in tears throughout, as this was the first proper meal they'd had since yesterday.
After the banquet concluded, Esdeath gave them time off, allowing them to move about freely and relax.
Thus, Mahiro, picking his teeth, made his way back to the restricted military jurisdiction area.
After all, this place was not only the military headquarters but also the base of the Imperial City Guard.
He intended to familiarize himself a bit with the surroundings. As for the military path, he had already given up on it, since the one leading it was Esdeath, who completely rejected any form of bribery.
Even the rewards from the emperor, she would distribute every last bit to her subordinates or donate to the families of fallen soldiers.
Besides, it was mainly because above the military was that General Budo.
He was an obstinate, almost fossilized old man who not only refused any bribes but also paid no attention to court politics. Otherwise, how could Prime Minister Honest have been able to stir up trouble so freely?
Not to mention, even a naturally gifted commander like Esdeath had spent many days climbing to the position of deputy general.
Though it seemed she was about to be promoted again soon.
"Ouch, who is it?! Watch where you're going!"
Just as he was lost in thought, it seemed he had bumped into someone.
No, to be precise, it wasn't that he had bumped into someone—with his abilities, it was impossible for him to bump into anyone while walking. Rather, a door nearby had just opened, and someone walking out had collided with him, causing the other person to tumble to the ground with a thud.
The person was wearing a white lab coat, looking less like a doctor and more like a researcher.
He wore a pair of black-framed glasses, had a bit of stubble on his chin, and his black hair had a streak of white dye. For some reason, though, his voice sounded somewhat effeminate.
"Are you alright?" Mahiro stopped and asked calmly.
The man, who had initially raised his eyebrows angrily and was about to start cursing, swallowed his words upon seeing Mahiro's strikingly handsome appearance and finely sculpted features.
Instead, he replied in a delicate, soft voice:
"Oh dear, I think I've sprained my ankle a little. Could you please help me to the infirmary?"
A bit disgusting.
But...
"The infirmary? Where is it?"
"Oh, you must be new here, no wonder you don't recognize me. I'm Dr. Stylish, in charge of the empire's medical and technological research. Actually, you could say I'm assigned to the Imperial City Guard department."
Hearing this name, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
No wonder he was so effeminate—it was that guy, the weirdo who particularly enjoyed conducting human experiments.
However, this guy did have some uses, especially with the body-enhancing drugs he created for Kurome. Perhaps he could help enhance the effects of his own potions.
For example, incorporating the abilities of some super Danger Beasts, like Tyrande or something.
Not to mention, this guy seemed to have some connection with the assassination corps, so this could be an opportunity to make contact or something.
He then spoke with a warm and friendly expression:
"Hello, I am Yotsuba Mahiro, the newly appointed captain of the Imperial City Guard. I'm currently undergoing new recruit training under Lady Esdeath."
Upon hearing Esdeath's name, Dr. Stylish's body involuntarily trembled—her sadistic nature was notoriously fearsome after all.
It was precisely because of her fondness for torture that his supply of experimental subjects had significantly diminished.
However, upon learning that Mahiro was from the Imperial City Guard, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"In that case, we're colleagues! We should look out for each other more in the future—!!!"
Mahiro helped him up from the ground, but the man immediately leaned in close, wearing an expression that seemed ready to devour him.
He wasn't into men, nor did he have any interest in that direction.
So his body reacted instinctively—grabbing the other's arm, spinning 360 degrees on the spot, and directly flinging Dr. Stylish against the wall.
Like a mural, he became embedded in the wall.
Mahiro: "..."
What should I do if I accidentally used too much force and turned someone into a wall mural?