Revolutionary Army, Assassination Camp—
To gain great power, to rescue their comrade Sayo, and to save their poor and backward village, Tatsumi and Ieyasu used their courage and determination to finally gain the recognition of the Teigu: the Cutter of Creation [Extase] and the Double-Bladed Axe [Belvaac]. They became Teigu wielders envied by many and trained under the assassination master Babara in the Revolutionary Army.
But from that day on, their nightmare began!
"Ha… ha… I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"
Bare-chested, with a thick rope tied around his waist, dragging a heavy rock ball behind him, Ieyasu ran along the mountain path under the scorching sun, his body drenched in sweat and shining with oil. He growled as he pulled the rock ball.
"Ha… ha… don't give up, Ieyasu, we can do it!"
Running alongside him, also gasping for breath, was Tatsumi. Although his constitution was slightly better, he dragged an even bigger rock ball and was already close to fainting.
However, neither Ieyasu nor Tatsumi dared to faint. They glanced back at Babara, who was riding a white horse not far behind. Both shuddered as they recalled the last time they fainted and were brutally punished by the cold-blooded, ruthless old Babara. This time, even if they died, they dared not faint!
"You two useless brats, what are you dawdling for? Run, run! Hahaha…"
The more Babara watched the two foolish boys, the more satisfied she felt. Their talent and toughness far exceeded her expectations. Having gained the Teigu' recognition and undergoing her training, perhaps these two could surpass the likes of Taeko and Chelsea!
Thinking this, even the cold-blooded Babara felt a surge of warmth. The old lady happily gave the two struggling boys a few more lashes.
Whip! Whip!
The whip struck the boys' backs just right, causing excruciating pain…
"Ugh… damn old hag! Stinky old hag, I hate you!!!"
Cursing in pain, Ieyasu sped up and left them far behind.
"Ieyasu, wait for me!"
Tatsumi didn't dare to stay behind alone; if he did, he would definitely be the only one to get whipped. So he quickened his pace and caught up.
"Hahaha, keep cursing all you want! Anyone who dares to fall behind, I'll kill them! Hahaha…"
A series of cold, wild laughs echoed as Babara also patted her horse and chased after them…
At the same time, while the two boys were still undergoing hellish special training at the assassination camp, little did they know that a storm was silently brewing and about to sweep through the entire Revolutionary Army!
Revolutionary Army Headquarters—
"Najenda, you traitor and spy, you won't die a good death!"
"Why is General Najenda betraying the revolution? Are you still serving the Empire? What is there left in that decayed Empire worth your loyalty?"
"Capture this traitor! The fruits of our revolution must not be stolen by anyone!"
…
In a spacious courtyard, the bigwigs of the Revolutionary Army were furiously glaring at Najenda, who stood at the head. There were curses, hatred, and grief, but none dared to rush forward and fight desperately against the girl who held the Ame no Murakumo sword and had the Yata no Kagami floating behind her like a divine princess.
Although Najenda knew that following that bastard's orders was somewhat immoral, from a long-term global perspective, it was necessary. Moreover, if she didn't do this, those two cold-blooded killers, Sora and Esdeath, would definitely wipe out the entire Revolutionary Army!
Therefore, hearing the venomous and rude words from these people, even the highly composed Najenda couldn't help but frown deeply, her silver eyes flashing with killing intent.
Puff, puff, puff…
Suddenly, several sounds like watermelons shattering rang out, and streams of water appeared, weaving and twisting through the air. Those who had been shouting curses widened their eyes in disbelief and unwillingness, then collapsed to the ground.
"Ah! Someone's been killed! Guards! Guards!"
Someone shouted first, and seeing the bigwigs with pierced heads, chaos erupted throughout the courtyard.
"Hehehe, esteemed members of the Revolutionary Army, if anyone else shouts or moves recklessly, they will die too!"
A charming female voice rang out, instantly silencing the chaotic courtyard.
A woman with long aqua-blue hair, aqua-blue eyes, dressed in a pure white maid outfit, with a water-blue teardrop mole at the corner of her eye, walked in. Wasn't she Martha, the other maid Sora had taken in at Rousei Village?!
Although Martha was just one person, seeing the streams of water swirling around her body and the endless killing intent beneath her charming smile, no one dared to disobey her orders or move an inch.
"Martha, what are you doing? I told you, let me handle everything!"
Najenda felt uneasy seeing Martha, who had just killed several Revolutionary Army heroes upon arrival. Although she obeyed Sora's orders to help subdue the Revolutionary Army, the just and kind Najenda did not want to use such bloody and violent methods.
"Ah, don't be angry, Najenda. I'm just helping you. Do you really think you can reason with and persuade these stubborn old folks?"
Martha smiled carefree, but in the next moment, her expression suddenly changed:
"Najenda, you know the consequences if the plan fails, right? I don't care, and neither does my master, but these guys will all die!"
"Now, you only need to kill a few people to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Revolutionary Army soldiers. What are you hesitating for?"
A strange curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, and her aqua-blue eyes stared fixedly at Najenda, as if piercing through her soul.
Najenda's heart tightened. This was not the first time she had experienced the ruthless intelligence and strategy of this usually playful woman.
Compared to herself, Martha was even more cruel and merciless, willing to use any means to achieve her goals!
"Huff… Even if we forcibly control them, so what? Without their help, it's impossible for just the two of us to control the entire Revolutionary Army."
Sighing helplessly, Najenda, though reluctant, had to admit that Martha's reasoning made sense.
"Hehehe, don't worry, Najenda. Do you think I've wasted these years following you?"
"Not even returning to that bastard brother's side, I've sacrificed a lot, and it's not for nothing!"
Martha smiled oddly and clapped her hands.
Rattle, rattle, rattle…
The sound of armor scraping and shaking came, followed by a large group of Revolutionary Army soldiers rushing in, armed with swords and knives.
Seeing the soldiers rush in, the Revolutionary Army bigwigs brightened, thinking they were saved. But the next moment, their expressions darkened.
Because these soldiers ignored the two traitors and spies, instead glaring fiercely and surrounding them!
Though they didn't know how that cunning woman had done it, the bigwigs knew they had completely lost…
"You bastard…"
Najenda was shocked by the scene and gave a helpless bitter smile.
This woman was really something, having secretly won over many Revolutionary Army soldiers!
"Hehehe… How about it, Najenda? Not bad, right?"
"Don't worry, the final decision about these guys is still yours. After all, that bastard brother gave you the mission; I'm just here to assist."
Martha returned to her playful smile, twirling her hair as she spoke to Najenda.
"They are all true talents and heroes. I can't kill them. Let's lock them up in the dungeon temporarily. When the revolution succeeds and the world is unified, we'll give them their freedom back."
Najenda shook her head. Although she knew killing them was the safest and most secure option, she had her principles and would not harm these warriors fighting for the people.
"Tch, I knew you'd say that!"
Though Martha disapproved of Najenda's soft-heartedness, she didn't argue. Waving her hand, the soldiers took the dejected Revolutionary Army bigwigs away.
"Rokugou, I…"
Looking at her colleague and friend in the sunset, Najenda felt complicated, even ashamed of her actions in front of him.
"From the Revolutionary Army's perspective, I'm angry and upset."
"But as a good friend, I believe in you, Najenda!"
"If that day of revolutionary victory and world unification really comes, let's drink together, Najenda!"
Rokugou was a broad-minded and straightforward man. He didn't scold or blame Najenda, waving his hand and following the soldiers down.
"Thank you, Rokugou…"
Watching Rokugou's departing figure, Najenda felt deeply moved.
"Hehehe, Najenda, you seem to have a special relationship with that big guy! To prevent that bastard brother's woman from being taken away, I think I'll just go kill him!"
Martha suddenly appeared behind Najenda with a mischievous grin.
"Get lost!!!"
The corner of her eye twitched. Looking at this hateful woman who was so scheming even toward herself, Najenda shouted angrily and then walked out without looking back…