Chapter 164: Esdeath Wants to Hold a Martial Arts Competition for Marriage?!
Since the secret police force eliminated Zanku the Beheader who had been terrorizing the Imperial City, the capital gradually returned to its former peace.
However, this only applied to commoners.
For the decadent nobles living in debauchery, Zanku the Beheader had posed no threat to them whatsoever.
They mostly indulged in pleasures within their own estates at night, and when going out, they were protected by numerous personal guards—how could Zanku possibly threaten them?
But soon after, another major event occurred in the Imperial City, one that was crucial, even life-threatening, for Night Raid—
The special police force, Jaegers, was officially established.
Led by the sadistic queen general Esdeath, aside from the original Three Beasts and the Four Rakshasa Demons, Esdeath recruited Wave from the active Imperial Navy, Bols from the incineration unit, and Run, who originally worked as a rural teacher.
In total, ten members.
Just as Esdeath had previously declared to everyone, her team members were not selected based on background but solely on strength.
As long as one possessed sufficient ability, they could join the Jaegers.
Wave, Bols, and Run served as proof of this.
Moreover, the first thing Esdeath did after taking charge shocked the entire Imperial City.
"...Is this a joke?"
"Lord Yotsuba, this matter is absolutely true, not a joke. General Esdeath... is indeed holding a martial arts tournament to choose a spouse."
"Hah, this woman has truly gone mad..."
Mahiro tossed the flyer in his hand and leaned back heavily in his chair.
The pamphlet-like document he held contained the detailed rules of Esdeath's martial arts tournament for marriage.
An arena had been set up in the colosseum—anyone who met the listed conditions could participate. The winner would have the chance to become Esdeath's partner and would also receive a reward of ten thousand gold coins.
He recalled that in the original storyline, this was how Esdeath fell for Tatsumi, though the prize for that tournament had been a Teigu.
But now, without Sheele's scissor Teigu, Esdeath had made herself the prize...
This woman was utterly, completely insane.
"Lord Yotsuba, what should we do next? Dr. Stylish also mentioned having matters to discuss with you."
Cornelia asked cautiously.
She had heard about the relationship between Esdeath and Lord Yotsuba. They didn't quite seem like friends—Esdeath's obsession with Lord Yotsuba went far beyond simple friendship, as their relationship was quite intimate.
Calling her a suitor wouldn't be accurate either.
It was more like the dynamic between a conqueror and the conquered.
Thus, this arena felt to her more like an overt trap, openly set for Lord Yotsuba, just waiting for him to walk right into it.
"What should we do? Let me think..."
Mahiro pinched the bridge of his nose, pondered for a moment, and then decided, "Dr. Stylish can wait for now. Let's go to the colosseum and see what tricks that woman Esdeath is up to!"
Sit around and wait?
He couldn't possibly stay put. In fact, the moment he saw this flyer, he'd felt a sense of foreboding.
That woman was probably waiting for him to show up right now!
So he brought Cornelia along to see what that woman Esdeath was up to at the arena.
"...Lord Yotsuba, there are so many people here..."
Cornelia couldn't help but exclaim in amazement at the spectacular scene before her.
The arena was surrounded by a sea of people, their voices creating a roaring din.
At a glance, all one could see were densely packed, moving heads with no end in sight.
"This is to be expected. Though that woman is cruel and a sadist, she's still very popular."
Moreover, her cruelty was only directed at enemies. To ordinary civilians, Esdeath's reputation wasn't bad—in fact, it was quite good.
Not to mention Esdeath possessed such outstanding beauty.
Even those lacking in strength would come here to try their luck—what if they succeeded?
After all, this was Queen Esdeath we're talking about!
"Lord Yotsuba, look over there!" Cornelia suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
Then they saw three people approaching through the crowd, heading straight toward them.
"Long time no see, Lord Yotsuba. We've been waiting for you for quite some time," the leading veteran said respectfully to him.
"You... were waiting for me?"
Mahiro was somewhat surprised.
The three people appearing before them were none other than Liver, Nyau, and Daidara—the Three Beasts under Esdeath's command.
Nyau even enthusiastically waved at him.
"Hey, we meet again! Just as Esdeath predicted, you actually came."
"Please come with us."
Liver said nothing more, acting like a proper old butler.
After giving a slight bow, he led Mahiro and Cornelia through the crowd and settled them in a special seating area.
The view was unobstructed, allowing them to see the entire arena clearly. They had even thoughtfully prepared fruits to enjoy during the matches.
"Lord Yotsuba, this..."
"Say no more. Even Poney should be able to figure this out. Let's sit down first."
Mahiro waved his hand to interrupt what Cornelia was about to say and confidently took his seat.
Esdeath's intentions were as clear as day—she had specifically set up this open challenge arena, probably just waiting for his arrival.
However, Esdeath, seated in the main viewing booth at a diagonal distance from him, didn't even glance in their direction.
Instead, she rested her chin on her hand with evident boredom, quietly waiting for the arena matches to begin.
The arena matches were tedious.
They lacked any technical skill, resembling nothing more than village brawls.
Even Mahiro and Cornelia found it difficult to watch, let alone Esdeath as the host.
Her crystal blue eyes had already lost their sparkle. No matter how enthusiastically the audience below cheered, Esdeath couldn't muster any interest.
Until a young boy took the stage.
His unremarkable appearance, simple longsword, determined eyes, and somewhat rustic country attire caught Esdeath's attention.
She felt that this boy seemed different from the other contestants?
Not only that, but his strength far surpassed the other participants. He casually blocked his opponent's attacks and knocked them out with just a single counterpunch.
"Lord Yotsuba, look at that person over there!"
Cornelia couldn't help but let out a small exclamation.
"Ah, I see him. I never expected him to be so bold, daring to show his face in public under these circumstances."
The youth standing on the fighting platform was none other than Tatsumi, who had escaped from Zanku that night!
It was just that he had been somewhat busy recently, causing him to forget about issuing a warrant for arrest. He never expected this kid would still come to participate in Esdeath's martial arts tournament!
Thankfully he hadn't been lazy today and came to watch in person—otherwise he would have regretted it immensely!
On the platform.
Tatsumi looked around at the audience seats and noticed everyone was cheering for him, unable to suppress a smile from forming at the corner of his mouth.
Originally, he shouldn't have participated in such public events.
But there was no choice—Leone had been captured, Night Raid had temporarily suspended operations, yet intelligence gathering couldn't be neglected.
Hearing that Esdeath had set up this fighting tournament, he decided to come and see if he could gather any information about Esdeath.
After all, the Boss had described Esdeath in such exaggerated terms.
Needing over fifty thousand elite soldiers and more than ten Teigu users including Akame wielding Murasame...
However, just at that moment, a voice completely different from the cheers suddenly came from behind him.
"Hey, kid, we meet again."
"?!"
Tatsumi alertly turned around and saw a familiar figure.
"...You... you're that Yotsuba Mahiro?!"
"Oh ho, seems you remember me. But I never expected you to be so bold, showing your face here as a member of Night Raid?"
Tatsumi didn't respond, but his tightly gripped longsword and vigilant expression served as answer enough.
This was a terrible situation. Tatsumi had never imagined the chief of the secret security forces would appear here!
Weren't the high officials of the Imperial City supposed to be either busy with government affairs or indulging in luxurious pleasures?!
What should he do now?!
Just as Tatsumi was panicking internally, and Mahiro was scrutinizing the youth before him like a cat playing with a mouse.
Suddenly, another faint sound intervened between them.
Tap—
Though soft, it was clear—the sound of high heels stepping on bluestone bricks.
Without thinking, it had to be that woman Esdeath.
"Oh~ You finally came down, Mahiro! I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Whoosh—
A sharp sound of cutting air instantly came from behind.
Mahiro instinctively sidestepped, just as a slender leg clad in white thigh-high boots swept past his face.
She wore the same form-fitting blue and white female military uniform as before, her tall and curvaceous figure enough to make even Cornelia pale in comparison.
"General Esdeath, it's been so long, yet your way of greeting remains as novel as ever."
"Hmph, this is your punishment for avoiding me! Now come fight with me first!"
With her first strike missing, Esdeath closed in on him again.
Simultaneously, she pulled out a chain from her ample bosom, with a collar attached to its end—it looked exactly like a dog leash.
Esdeath actually tried to fasten this thing around his neck!
Their clash provoked the most intense cheers from the audience!
Even though neither was going all out, it was far more thrilling than any previous match!
Of course, this was a confrontation between the two strongest individuals in the empire...
Even Tatsumi, who had retreated to the edge of the arena, was completely mesmerized. If Lubbock hadn't stealthily reached the arena's edge to pull him away, he likely would have watched the entire bout.
"Hey, don't you think you're going a bit too far? Who exactly are you trying to leash with that dog chain?"
"Of course, it's for you, just like during that training session in this very coliseum years ago!"
"Ha, let's be reasonable. You couldn't leash me back then, so why do you think you can now?"
"Hmph, that was the biggest mistake of my life!"
Attack and defense.
Their exchange had become a blur of afterimages, with only the sounds of flesh impacting flesh, chaotic footsteps, and the clattering of the chain audible.
"I see you really don't know when to stop!"
Mahiro, on the defensive, could no longer endure and decided to strike back.
A faint glimmer flashed in his pitch-black pupils, causing Esdeath to pause mid-action as if sensing imminent danger. She instinctively took a large step to the side.
But all she felt was a sudden heat in her hand.
The chain had turned to dust, slipping through her pale, slender fingers.
"X-B..."
She had never seen Mahiro use such an ability before. Could it be a Teigu?
After all, the chain in her hand was forged from Orichalcum, the same material used for Teigu. Yet, with just a glance from him, it had turned to sand...
Esdeath slowly lowered her military cap, obscuring her expression from view.
"Have you calmed down now?"
"Fine, I'll take your silence as a yes. Esdeath, why don't we have a proper talk today? What exactly are you planning?"
He was well aware that Tatsumi had fled.
But the boy wasn't today's target anyway, so his escape was inconsequential.
In contrast, if he didn't resolve the matter with Esdeath now, it would likely become even more troublesome.
"I want you, of course!"
A straightforward and bold declaration.
Esdeath slowly raised her head, a wild smile appearing on her cold, pale face beneath the military cap.
"Mahiro, you're the only prey who has ever managed to escape me. As a hunter, this is a tremendous disgrace! No matter what, I will conquer you! Make you kneel obediently before me!"
"So, you went so far as to set up this so-called martial arts contest for marriage today?"
"Exactly!"
Esdeath admitted openly.
"Everything I've done has been for you!"
"Sigh, you're truly insane." Mahiro scratched his head in frustration.
Did he like this woman, Esdeath?
Of course he liked her—even if she was this domineering, he had to admit she perfectly matched his preferences.
But the problem was, did liking someone mean he had to kneel beneath her white military skirt?
That was absolutely impossible. No matter what, he had to make Esdeath kneel before him and help him cool his frustration.
This led to another issue: although Esdeath was the earliest acquaintance he had besides Mine, over the years their relationship hadn't progressed at all. Instead, they acted like rivals constantly competing against each other.
To deal with him, Esdeath had developed countless skills, even coming up with bizarre moves like freezing ice into soldiers.
Unfortunately, she still couldn't defeat him.
"Hey, I've thought of a great idea. Want to hear it?" Esdeath suddenly spoke.
In the entire Imperial City, Mahiro was probably the only one who could make this woman use such an inquiring tone.
"What idea?"
"Let's have a contest to decide who belongs to whom!"
Esdeath raised her head, her ice-blue eyes locking with Mahiro's gaze.
Those crystalline blue eyes were already filled with intense fighting spirit. To defeat Mahiro, she had been honing her skills relentlessly, even going so far as to drink the Teigu Demon's Extract and develop secret techniques only she could master!
This time, she intended to use that very move to compete against Mahiro!
"So, do you dare?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Mahiro couldn't help but laugh. "Then tell me, how do we play?"
"You bring a few members from your assassination unit, and I'll send the same number. Whoever wins the most rounds is the victor. If you lose, you'll obediently submit at my feet. If I lose, then I belong to you!"
"Isn't this the same as before?"
Mahiro spread his hands helplessly. "And I still remember, Esdeath, your ownership is currently under me."
Although he had never used that ownership to do anything to Esdeath.
Even if Esdeath had once said he could use her for mating, hang her up with chains and dissect her, or do anything he wanted.
"Heh, just say whether you have the guts or not!"
"Fine by me. But if you lose again this time, I won't let you off with some trivial condition like before."
"Of course, this time I'm betting everything I have!"
Esdeath seemed to have made up her mind long ago, even thinking of how to defeat him.
But her bold declaration terrified Wave, the temporary referee from the Jaegers.
Did he hear that right?
The two strongest in the Empire were actually placing their bet on them?
Wave instantly felt immense pressure.
"Alright, it's settled then. What about the time and place?"
"The time is set for two days from now, and the location is right here."
"No problem, it's decided. We'll meet again the day after tomorrow." Mahiro agreed directly.
Their fate began in the arena.
So ending their awkward relationship here would bring it full circle.
He was quite curious now about what method Esdeath would use to defeat him.
If she only relied on those team members, it probably wouldn't be possible.
If nothing else, he had full confidence in the subordinates he had trained.
While he wouldn't claim each one could rival Esdeath, at the very least, the Three Beasts under Esdeath's command would be no match for them.
So the final victory would ultimately come down to him and Esdeath.
And the only means Esdeath could use to surpass him would be Mahapadma, which appeared in the original work.
Using the power of extreme cold to freeze the entire space-time—even he had no means to defend against such a technique, making it the most unstoppable move.
But it would be different if he had the Enhancement Drug improved with Tyrant's gene.
With its powerful adaptability and evolutionary capabilities, it could even adapt to frozen space-time.
Since Dr. Stylish was looking for him anyway, he might as well see how far she had progressed with the drug research.
Thinking this, Mahiro unconsciously quickened his pace.