You're Strong, but My Art Style Is Above Yours!

"How could we let her lose in front of her own army?" Iori said seriously. "In the soldiers' eyes, she is a god of war who never bleeds. If that prestige is shattered, it will deal a massive blow to morale. It could even destabilize the situation in the northern borderlands."

"...I hadn't considered that." Nadjeta suddenly understood.

The northern tribes could launch a full-scale invasion of the Empire at any moment. It could be said that Esdeath and the elite force under her command were the only things deterring the enemy's hundreds of thousands of troops. If something went wrong, the consequences would indeed be unimaginable.

"You really think far ahead..." The short-haired female general could not help feeling ashamed.

Iori, on the other hand, seemed utterly unconcerned:

He was neither an Imperial nor one of the northern tribes. As an outsider, he remained neutral toward the conflict between the two peoples. But considering that his future "base" would mainly consist of Imperial citizens, he naturally had to guard against the tribes.

Iori would not project his feelings for his homeland in his previous life onto the Empire merely because it had a "unifying emperor," nor would he regard the surrounding tribes as hereditary enemies like the Xiongnu.

He was simply making the choice most beneficial to himself.

"I always choose to stand with the people, because in this chaotic age, the strong act without restraint while the weak have nothing to rely on."

When speaking to Nadjeta, Iori adopted a different explanation. "Though I am not an omnipotent god, as a mere mortal, I am willing to do everything I can to help the weak who can see no hope.

"Every tragedy prevented makes this world a little better, doesn't it, Nadjeta?"

"...Yes." The short-haired female general said absentmindedly, "It seems I still don't understand you well enough..."

Not far away, Night Raid's Imperial Arms user Lubbock stared in their direction with a jealous expression, the sound of his teeth grinding continuously audible. "What the hell? That guy and Miss Nadjeta look like they're getting along so well... Damn it!"

Lubbock had openly pined for Nadjeta for a long time, and he felt intensely bitter. Still, he could tell that the two were merely getting along well while discussing matters. There was no special affection between them.

But once he calmed down, a chill suddenly ran down his spine. He instinctively turned his head, only to see Akame, his companion, maintaining her demon blade, the weapon that killed with a single drop of blood.

"K-killing intent?" Lubbock blinked.

Why was there such intense killing intent? The enemy had not even arrived yet, and the direction Akame was looking toward was...

"Akame seems to have been watching you the whole time, Iori."

"I noticed long ago."

Iori and Nadjeta, who were in the middle of their conversation, had naturally also sensed such obvious killing intent. Yet neither of them reacted.

The short-haired female general frowned slightly. "I've never seen Akame care so much about a man. Clearly, you hold a special place in her heart... Shouldn't we be mindful of our distance?"

"No, this is perfect."

A rather amused smile appeared beneath Iori's mask. "If I don't do this, how will that slow-witted girl realize just how much she cares about me?"

"..."

This man was formidable in every sense of the word!

Nadjeta suddenly began worrying about her close friend and subordinate. An emotional little rabbit like Akame running into a big bad wolf like him... Hiss!

"I hope you won't make Akame sad in the future."

"After all, she has a sword in her hand." Iori said casually. "I'll be careful to dodge it."

He had already accepted that she would slash him—Nadjeta did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Still, even so, I think facing Esdeath alone is far too reckless."

Returning to the main topic, Nadjeta said sternly, "Even with your strength, challenging Esdeath is too much of a stretch."

"With my strength? Challenging her?"

Iori savored those words, and gradually, a wildness rose within him.

Nadjeta continued, "Besides, she should be passing through this area atop a tamed flying Dangerous Species. To intercept her accurately, we would need to deploy a large number of people to scout and set up defenses. You needed our assistance in the first place."

"No need!"

Iori rose to his feet and stepped out of the tent where they had been hiding. "I only need to make her come find me herself!"

"Don't act on impulse!" Nadjeta hurried after him.

"Ha! You say that as if you understand me so well."

"I—"

Bzz!

The sweeping sensation of gravity left Nadjeta unable to speak. An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire camp. From Imperial Arms users to ordinary soldiers, the stronger someone was, the more clearly they could feel the strange oppressive force descending from above.

Even experts like Bulat and Akame wore extremely grave expressions. Though it was their first time encountering this inexplicable pressure, that did not stop them from recognizing the power of its source. Every one of them looked as though they faced a great enemy!

Iori cast a faint glance at Nadjeta's pale face. "Have you seen my true strength?"

"Roar—!"

A faint yet clear roar came from the distant sky. As the sun drifted westward, a three-headed Dragon-type Dangerous Species flew out of the twilight clouds. As it gradually approached, a tall woman with ice-blue hair standing on its back also entered their sight!

When I Saw You, I Was Disappointed

What Iori saw was a female general dressed in a white military uniform, her ice-blue hair falling all the way to her ankles. She was impossible to look away from.

Unlike Nadjeta, whose features were neat and whose bearing was steady, Esdeath possessed an aggressively beautiful face and wild, wolf-like eyes. Her already tall and shapely figure appeared even more proud beneath her long military boots, while her downward gaze carried an overwhelming sense of dominance.

She hid nothing about herself. That was the composure only absolute confidence could bring.

As a result, people often focused solely on her identity as the "strongest Imperial Arms user," overlooking the fact that she had only just turned twenty and was still a young woman in the prime of her youth.

Iori exchanged a distant glance with her. At this distance, they could barely make out each other's faces, but the Huntress still revealed a delighted smile.

She had clearly noticed the camp below and understood that something unusual was going on, yet she still guided the Dangerous Species toward it, seemingly unconcerned about an ambush.

"Though she is called the 'Ice Queen,' she looks more like raging fire."

Iori sighed softly. As she drew closer and her figure became clearer, his gaze fell upon her chest.

Don't misunderstand. It was not because lust had suddenly seized him. Rather, he was looking at the dark mark on her pale skin—the symbol of Demon God Manifestation, an elemental-control Imperial Arms.

It was said to have been forged from the blood of a Super Dangerous Species that lived in the far north. Everyone who drank it was driven mad by the hidden urge to kill within it, without exception.

Yet Esdeath alone had defied all reason. She had drunk every last drop of blood, which only required a tiny sip to use, then suppressed the lingering will of the Super Dangerous Species with her powerful will... Or perhaps Esdeath's own thirst for slaughter had surpassed it, forcibly taming it instead!

Even before that, Esdeath had already been a rising military star of the Empire. After completely mastering Demon God Manifestation, she could freely control ice and snow. From individual attack and defense to manipulating the weather itself, she had utterly ascended to another level.

In the world of Akame ga Kill!, perhaps only the First Emperor from a thousand years ago could have been stronger. There was likely no one in the present age who could compare to her. Even in the original story, she had only been defeated after exhausting enormous amounts of stamina, being continuously attacked by multiple opponents, and finally facing Akame's sudden breakthrough. It had somewhat felt like plot armor.

Facing such an opponent soon, Iori was rather eager.

Yes, eager—completely unlike Nadjeta's nervous unease.

Esdeath had not come alone. Aside from her, three men in black military uniforms stood upon the Dangerous Species' broad back. They were Esdeath's Three Beasts, a combat squad made entirely of Imperial Arms users, just like Night Raid.

Oh, right. Iori's two great axes had originally been assigned to a certain Imperial Officer. That man had not lived long enough to be recruited by Esdeath, since Iori had casually killed him while working as a bounty hunter. It seemed this Worldline's Three Beasts had a different member.

But that was a minor issue. At this moment, they did not even have a place in Iori's eyes.

Later, he could let the old man among the Three Beasts catch up with Bulat and have some fun. The other two grunts could be handled by everyone else.

"Roar!"

The Dragon-type Dangerous Species had already flown above the camp. It let out a threatening roar that made everyone's eardrums tighten.

Growing irritated by the noise, Iori drew the long sword hidden in its sheath with his right hand. The blade, as beautiful as autumn water and green jade, gave off a faint, clear sound like a dragon's cry as it cut through the cold wind.

Amid the Dragon-type's roar, the divine sword seemed displeased. A faint white glow lit up within the jewel, and a thin current slowly circled around the blade. Like a swimming dragon, it was elegant and majestic.

"Roar—"

The young man held the sword and gave the Dangerous Species a calm glance. Its roar abruptly stopped. The malformed monster flapped its wings uneasily, while its three heads suddenly began struggling and bickering, as if they had disagreed with one another. Its body swayed unsteadily, causing Esdeath, standing atop it, to raise her brows in surprise.

Crack!

She yanked the iron chain around the Dangerous Species' neck, and her whip lashed mercilessly across its body. The whip, made from special material, carried tremendous force. The pain pierced through its thick hide and deep into its flesh, making the ferocious Dangerous Species release a pleading cry.

Yet it still hesitated to land. Esdeath struck it three times in succession, and the Dragon-type grew increasingly restless—

Rip!

A flash of cold light appeared, followed by hot blood spilling across the sky like a crimson drizzle. Then a black shadow fell from above.

Boom!

First came the massive body, then the three enormous heads. They crashed into the ground, kicking up dust mixed with blood. The scene was rather grotesque.

Meanwhile, a white streak continuously extended through the sky. It was a slender Ice Bridge, and beneath the glow of the setting sun, it looked like a ceremonial path welcoming a god. The Queen slid down along the ice, her long hair streaming fiercely in the cold wind, with her three subordinates following close behind. What a spirited entrance!

Nadjeta subconsciously clenched her fists. "It's finally starting!"

Iori merely looked up at the scene and remarked faintly, "What an imposing entrance."

But I will not allow someone this badass to exist!

"Fall!"

The Heavenly Cloud Sword swung lightly. The jewel at the end of its hilt flashed with light, and as energy circulated, a pure white arc shot forth. It roared through the air, taking the form of an azure dragon as it crashed head-on into the Ice Bridge. Amid a burst of cracking sounds, it severed the bridge inch by inch, unstoppable!

"Hmph!"

Esdeath drew her twin-bladed saber. Wherever its tip passed, chilling white frost froze the air, forming a solid Ice Wall that blocked the sword pressure. Then she swung her whip with her left hand, wrapping up her three subordinates before flipping backward off the broken bridge.

Whoosh—

About ten meters above the ground, cold wind surged. The four people's descent suddenly slowed, and they ultimately landed firmly on the ground without suffering the slightest injury.

That move displayed Esdeath's exceptionally refined control. She was no longer limited to manipulating ice and snow. Like the three states of water, she had developed all sorts of derivative abilities.

Though she was unharmed, Esdeath felt that her entrance had been spoiled by an opening blow, leaving her quite displeased. With a flick of her whip, she threw the Three Beasts aside and said blandly, "Take care of yourselves."

"Yes, Lord Esdeath."

The Three Beasts seemed accustomed to it. Wali, the leading Imperial Arms user, even bowed elegantly like an old butler.

"The duty of us Three Beasts is to protect Lord Esdeath and ensure that you are not disturbed while enjoying battle. Please rest assured."

Esdeath did not respond. Her ice-blue eyes focused on Iori, examining him seriously for a moment before shifting to Nadjeta beside him, as well as Bulat, Akame, Leone, and the others gradually emerging around them.

Furthermore, her keen intuition told her that even more Imperial Arms users were hidden in the shadows. To encounter so many experts in such a barren place truly was—

Exciting!

Even though she had fallen into the predicament of being surrounded, Esdeath was not worried. After all, she had entered this trap of her own accord.

The Ice Queen had absolute confidence in herself. Even if she were worn down by a series of battles, no one could stop her if she wanted to leave.

"It's been a long time, Nadjeta."

Esdeath greeted her old friend. "The last time was when you defected, wasn't it? I heard you joined the Revolutionary Army. I didn't expect you to be valued so highly that you could gather so many Imperial Arms users.

"What, do you think these people alone can keep me here? You've always liked using strategy to compensate for a lack of combat power, but this plan... is a little naive, Nadjeta."

"Then you're mistaken."

Though Nadjeta was nervous when facing Esdeath, once she calmed down, she was not afraid in the slightest. She calmly turned toward Iori. "I did not plan this operation. In fact, everyone here, myself included, is merely a 'spectator.' The true protagonist is this man—

"He is your opponent!"

"As expected!"

Esdeath was not surprised. Iori's figure was reflected in her slightly narrowed eyes.

She was a battle maniac, but also an excellent hunter. She possessed a sharp mind and calm judgment, not merely the instincts of a warrior. Otherwise, she could never have trained and commanded such an elite army while earning their absolute loyalty.

She had set out for the interior after receiving the minister's confidential letter. During the window before the northern tribes launched their attack, she intended to resolve the minister's trouble as quickly as possible, then return to the northern borderlands to command the fighting.

Thus, she quickly connected Iori's highly distinctive appearance with the target mentioned in the minister's letter. The smile on her face became increasingly delighted—and dangerous.

"You became my prey, yet instead of running away, you took the initiative to intercept and kill me? You have guts!"

Esdeath flicked her saber, and the fierce pressure of the wind swept away the loose dirt around them, causing the already frigid air to plummet in temperature.

"It has been a long time since I encountered such an arrogant opponent. You are worth crushing!"

Whoosh—

The cold wind lifted Iori's cloak. Beneath his mask were clear, calm eyes. From the moment Esdeath landed, he had not spoken a word. He had merely assessed the enemy before him, and for some reason, he suddenly sighed.

"Hm?"

Esdeath immediately noticed the change in Iori's mood. Akame and the others beside her also looked at him strangely.