A Danger Beast? One Punch, Done. What More Is There to Say?

Thinking of this, the minister couldn't help but tear at his steak again, amidst the screams of the prisoner in front of him.

At the same time.

Esdeath led them away from the Empire's military headquarters and instead to a place resembling Rome gladiatorial arena.

No, to be precise, this is the Colosseum.

The only difference was that there were no spectators in the many seats surrounding it.

"Lady Esdeath, why did you bring us to the arena?" Nyau couldn't help but ask, her voice trembling slightly.

He seemed to have figured something out, and his body involuntarily tensed up.

"This is today's training ground. Don't complain, I carefully selected it for you after racking my brains. If all goes well, it should enhance your combat skills."

Esdeath's pretty face lit up with a charming, bright smile.

But apart from Mahiro, the other five people couldn't help but shudder when they recalled the rigorous training they had faced yesterday.

It turns out that yesterday Esdeath brought them to the Stone Rock Mountain Range outside the Imperial Capital and asked them to climb from the bottom of the mountain to the top.

Although the mountain path was steep and covered with uneven boulders, it was quite easy for them.

That's how it should be; they even thought basic recruit training was nothing special.

Unexpectedly, Esdeath suddenly increased the difficulty for them, making each of them carry dozens of kilograms of weight and requiring them to climb to the top within an hour.

Otherwise, they will be punished.

And then...

They were all punished.

That's why they looked so dejected and aggrieved today. Who could endure such grueling training?

And today we've arrived at the arena again; who knows what tricks this general will pull this time?

"Don't worry! I didn't plan on letting you fight in the arena anyway, I'm just borrowing the venue."

Esdeath seemed to see through the five's thoughts, and thus kindly explained:

"Today's subject is simple: hunting dangerous species."

Nyau others were initially relieved to hear that they didn't have to play a match, but Esdeath's words sent a chill down their spines.

"Hunting... hunting dangerous species? Us?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the heavy stone door opposite the arena slowly opened, revealing a dark cave.

Yotsuba Mahiro's eyes clearly saw that in the darkness, a pair of green eyes emitted a ghostly light!

"Huh? What... what is that?" Nyau exclaimed in surprise, her delicate voice echoing throughout the arena.

The enormous body finally emerged from the stone gate—it was a giant lion over three meters tall!

Moreover, it already possesses the initial characteristics of a dragon, with scales covering its body, much like a chimera.

Most importantly, the lion's gaze towards them held a sinister glint, as if it were eyeing a delicious feast.

It suddenly charged towards this direction, and then, with a loud bang, a loud explosion came from the darkness, kicking up a cloud of dust.

A thick, taut chain stretched out from behind the stone gate, with the other end connected to the lion's neck.

Seeing that it couldn't pounce, the five people breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's... it's actually a Level 1 Dangerous Dragon Lion... How astonishing!"

"Hehe, that's right, it took me a lot of effort to catch it a few days ago."

Esdeath said with a smile.

However, Yotsuba Mahiro stared at the strange lion with a face full of curiosity.

A variety I've never seen before...

He had practically hunted down all the level-one dangerous species in the forest, only to discover there were other species he didn't know about.

I wonder what this lion tastes like.

"No way, Lady Esdeath... you're planning to use it as our training subject?" Nyau asked, her eyes wide.

A Level 1 Dangerous Species? That's not something they can take down with their strength alone. Nyau estimated that even if all six of them were tied together, they wouldn't be enough to fill the Dragon Lion's teeth, except for Lady Esdeath.

Others agreed.

But one of the burly-looking men claimed that even a level-one dangerous species could be easily taken down if they attacked together.

This made Esdeath glance at her slightly.

However, Esdeath immediately followed up with, "No need to guess. I will now announce today's training schedule."

"Your goal is indeed to hunt down this dangerous species, but no ganging up on it. Take them one at a time. And besides that, there's one more requirement..."

There are still requirements?!

As expected of you, Lady Esdeath.

I already thought it was outrageous enough that someone could hunt a Level 1 Dangerous Species alone, but there were other requirements too!

"Because this lion has been hungry for several days, its strength is far less than before, so you will have to fight it fairly with your bare hands. Don't be afraid, I can handle it by myself, and I believe you can too."

"..."

The five of them couldn't utter a single word.

No wonder they were so eager to pounce on that lion; it hadn't eaten for days...

But now they have to fight this monster bare-handed?

Thinking of this, the five men felt a chill run down their spines.

"Lady Esdeath... isn't this a bit too dangerous?" Nyau whispered.

"Yes, you're right, that's why I specifically prepared insurance measures for you."

As she spoke, Esdeath pulled out a pre-prepared iron chain several tens of meters long from a corner of the arena and threw it over. Surprisingly, a pet collar was attached to one end of the chain!

"See? Just put the collar around your neck when you go out to fight. If I determine that you are really in danger, I will be responsible for pulling you out of the arena by the other end."

Everyone broke out in a sweat, not to mention Vice General Esdeath's assessment of the danger level.

If they actually had to wear collars when going out into battle, it would almost give the impression that Lady Esdeath was treating them like pet dogs.

No, you could tell from the barely concealed excitement in her eyes that this was clearly a case of revealing one's true intentions!

That was the right plan from the beginning, wasn't it?

Forget hunting dangerous species, raising pets should be your priority!

"Alright, who wants to go first?"

Upon hearing this, the five of them simultaneously took a step back, effectively betraying Yotsuba Mahiro.

"Oh? You? As expected of a newcomer added at the last minute, you've got guts." Esdeath looked at Yotsuba Mahiro standing there and smiled with satisfaction.

His smile, however, was somewhat frivolous.

"Me?"

Mahiro looked around and saw the five people who had retreated pretending to be stupid and staring at the sky, none of them daring to meet his gaze.

"Okay, I'll take it."

"Hmm, not bad. Then, to commend your courage, I'll put it on you myself."

Esdeath strode forward, holding the collar, and walked straight toward Mahiro.

Just as he was about to put it on, Mahiro suddenly stepped back, dodging the other person.

"General Esdeath, you can keep the dog collar for yourself when you're bored. It's just a dangerous species, why bother with all that trouble?"

Upon hearing this, the others were stunned and couldn't help but give him a thumbs up in their hearts.

Warriors!

You're a real man, daring to speak to Lady Esdeath like that!

"Wow~"

Esdeath raised an eyebrow, slowly lowered her hand, and turned to look at him. "You certainly have guts, daring to speak to me like that. You're the first one."

"Really? Then I'm honored."

Completely ignoring Esdeath's dangerous gaze, Mahiro smiled slightly and said, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. If I kill this dangerous creature, is it alright to have it for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, if you can do it."

Esdeath was very magnanimous, completely disregarding his previous insults, and even said with considerable appreciation, "If you can do it, I'll throw you a party tonight, and I'll pay for it."

"Okay, it's a deal."

Yotsuba Mahiro around, looked at the dangerous lion frantically pulling at its chains, and whispered:

"Then I'll begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yotsuba Mahiro's figure vanished from the spot.

"So fast!"

Nyau and the others stared wide-eyed, unable to spot Yotsuba Mahiro despite their good eyesight.

Moreover, when it reappeared, it had already leaped into the air and was on top of the lion's head.

"Wow, you've got some skills."

Just because they can't see through it doesn't mean Esdeath can't see it. She saw Yotsuba Mahiro first run over, then leap up and use the chains for leverage to perform a double jump onto the Dragon Lion's head.

At the same time, he clenched his fist and raised it high.

"Lie down!!!"

Boom!

With one punch, dust and smoke instantly billowed up.

Amidst the smoke and dust, the lion's massive body slowly collapsed, and a human figure stood atop it.

It was Yotsuba Mahiro.

He leaped down from the pierced head of the Dragon Lion, and as the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, his figure reappeared step by step.

She still wore that ever-present smile, and her clothes were still impeccably neat; it was as if nothing had changed.

Except for the Dragon Lion, which lay motionless in a pool of blood.

"Lady Esdeath, the mission is complete."

"Well done, your training for the rest of today is waived."

Esdeath said this, but there was no cheering in response.

Because the other five people were looking at Yotsuba Mahiro as if they were looking at Superman.

"He actually killed a Level 1 Dangerous Species with a single punch..."

"... Is this guy even human?"

I was completely dumbfounded.

Only Esdeath's gaze towards him held a strange light, and even the smile on her lips grew brighter.

"Ah, interesting."

"This lion's meat doesn't taste very good either..."

Esdeath kept her promise and took them to a party, but everyone practically spent the whole thing in tears, because it was the only proper meal they had eaten since yesterday.

After the banquet, Esdeath gave them a day off, allowing them to relax and do whatever they wanted.

And so, while picking his teeth, Mahiro returned to the restricted area under the military's jurisdiction.

After all, this is not only the headquarters of the army, but also the headquarters of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps.

He planned to familiarize himself with the surroundings a bit, but he had already given up on the military route, since Esdeath was leading the team and she wasn't susceptible to bribery.