"Hahaha, again! Again!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
It was already unknown how many times they had collided. The originally vast training ground had long been reduced to ruins under the battle between Budo and Esdeath. Although she was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Esdeath was getting more and more excited, with no intention of stopping.
Boom!
Another collision, and the two pulled apart.
"Ha… Ha… Young lady, I must say, you are strong, really strong, to have pushed me to this point!"
Also panting heavily, Budo's eyes were filled with deep amazement and admiration. Today was the most exhilarating battle he had fought in many years!
"So, next, I will use my Teigu and fight with my full strength!"
Previously, to not bully Esdeath and to have a good fight, Budo had not used his Teigu. But now, it was different. Esdeath's strength far exceeded his expectations, and if they continued like this, they might not be able to determine a winner even after a day and night. Moreover, he still had to deal with the even stronger Sora, so he didn't plan to drag this out any longer.
"Heh… Finally going to use your Teigu? Then let me thoroughly enjoy this!"
Licking her lips, Esdeath's face showed an expression of extreme excitement. Without a moment's pause, she gathered all her internal energy into the blade of her sword, slicing through the air like a white streak, charging at Budo with an unstoppable force.
Sensing the power contained in Esdeath's strike, Budo didn't dare to be careless. He fully activated his Teigu, [Thunder God's Rage: Adramelech], and strands of lightning burst from his body, coiling around his iron fist, growing larger and larger until his entire arm was enveloped in dazzling electric light!
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle! Crackle! Boom!
When the sword light and lightning collided, the entire training ground was filled with a blinding light, and a deafening explosion erupted.
"Indeed, without the Demon's Extract, Esdeath still can't match Budo…"
Although the entire training ground was filled with that blinding light, Sora seemed completely unaffected. Watching Esdeath, who had been sent flying and was now unable to move, he murmured something to himself before disappearing in a flash.
"My Queen, have you had enough fun this time?!"
Catching Esdeath, who still had faint traces of lightning flickering around her, Sora asked with a wicked smile.
Even though Esdeath had lost this time, Sora wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, it was all within his expectations. Despite his rigorous training, Esdeath had become incredibly strong, but her opponent was, after all, known as the Empire's strongest, and he wielded a powerful lightning-based Teigu. Losing was only natural.
However, once Esdeath fused with the Demon's Extract, the outcome would be anyone's guess!
"My dear, indeed, the capital is truly the best place!"
Even now, Esdeath was still immersed in immense pleasure. Among all of Sora's women, only the madwoman Karasuba could match Esdeath's battle lust. Even the corrupted Busujima Saeko fell short compared to these two ferocious and dark women.
"Alright, you little brat, take a good rest. Now it's your man's turn to step up!"
With a twitch of his lips, Sora gave Esdeath a light knock on the head, speaking with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Although the intense battle had drained most of her energy, Esdeath's strong physique had already recovered from the paralysis, and she could stand on her own.
"My dear, please don't kill that old man. Such an interesting prey, I want to keep him for later!"
Hearing Esdeath's voice behind him, Sora almost stumbled. This woman was truly incorrigible!!!
…
"General Budo, I imagine even the Empire's strongest doesn't have much energy left now, right?"
"One move. Let's decide the outcome with one move. You unleash your strongest attack, and if I can withstand it, we'll consider it as passing the test, how about that?"
Honestly, looking at the panting General Budo, who had been worn out by Esdeath, Sora felt like he and Esdeath might have been too harsh on the old man. So he kindly proposed this.
"…Alright."
After a deep look at Sora, Budo knew he wouldn't last much longer. The other party was giving him a way out, and though Budo was rigid, he wasn't ungrateful.
"Alright then, it's settled!"
With a wicked smile, Sora actually had a good impression of this burly old man. Though many called him an inflexible old fossil, it was precisely such people who were the most trustworthy and reliable!
If it weren't for that fat minister ruining the Empire, in any other era, Budo would have been a loyal general remembered in history. But alas…
Well, since Sora was here now, he might as well—
Hmm, before the minister completely ruins the Empire, let Sora have his fun first!
"Demon Armor!"
Under Budo's serious gaze, Sora summoned his divine weapon, Demon Armor. Instantly, a set of purple-gold armor covered his entire body, exuding an aura of unparalleled might.
Even without the divine weapon, Sora was confident he could withstand Budo's strongest attack. But doing so would be too harsh on the old man. After all, being the Empire's strongest general wasn't easy, so he should at least leave some face, right?
"Adramelech— Thunder God's Rage!"
Seeing Sora use his Teigu, Budo didn't hold back either. At full power, a massive ball of lightning began to form in the sky, growing larger and larger, to the astonishment of everyone outside the training ground.
"You big bad guy, don't mess up at the crucial moment!"
Though she had almost blind trust in Sora, feeling the immense power of the lightning ball in the sky, the tsundere Mine couldn't help but feel her heart leap to her throat.
Of course, Mine would never admit she was worried about that evil big bad guy who always bullied her!
The other guard girls also fell silent, watching nervously as Sora remained calm and composed. Though reluctant, they had to admit that the lightning-wielding old man was ridiculously strong, even defeating their big sister Esdeath!
Finally, under the tense gazes of the girls and the expectant looks of the young emperor and his officials, a lightning ball with a diameter of tens of meters fully formed. Like a meteor from the heavens, it descended with unstoppable force towards Sora below.
Time seemed to slow down at that moment. The entire sky turned pale white, filled with dazzling flashes of lightning…
Underneath the armor, Sora's lips curled into a faint smile. Without a trace of panic or fear, he simply extended a hand to meet the attack…
Crackle! Boom! Bang!!!
...
"Young man, you're quite impressive!"
"I will report to His Majesty that you and that girl are now generals of the Empire."
"Though you are strong, if you ever dare to betray the Empire or harm His Majesty, even if it costs me my life, I will destroy you!"
By now, the entire training ground was in ruins. A massive crater, over a hundred meters wide, had been created by Budo's enormous lightning ball. After a deep look at the unscathed Sora and the smirking Esdeath, Budo spoke with utmost seriousness.
Then, without waiting for Sora's response, Budo turned and left, his back view somewhat desolate…
He knew that his title as the Empire's strongest was now a thing of the past.
He had lost this battle!
With a twitch of his lips, Sora really wanted to shout, "Uncle, there's no need to be so down!"
Damn it, is this what they mean by the new generation surpassing the old, with Budo left behind on the beach???
With an innocent shrug towards Esdeath, who was walking over, Sora felt he had already been considerate of the old man's pride and had kept a low profile.
As for Budo's warning, Sora didn't take it seriously. He was here to drain the Empire of its last bit of value. Whether he harmed the young emperor or not didn't matter much, but he would definitely betray the Empire sooner or later!
Well, whatever. Future matters can wait. For now, he and Esdeath were off to become generals!
"Esdeath, let's go. Time to become generals!"
With an arm around the Queen's waist and a wicked smile, Sora and Esdeath followed…