Esdeath's Favor
Noticing a slight shift in his gaze, Dr. Fashion directly invited, "If you're interested, you can come and watch or help when I inject my adorable experimental subjects next time."
Consider this my way of repaying you for your inventions, how about it?
"That would be exactly what I wanted."
A slow smile crept onto Mahiro's lips.
Although the process was somewhat absurd, the ending was good; at least they made a connection with Dr. Fashion.
When we meet next time, I'll be able to see Akame sister, Kurome, right?
After all, Kurome were one of Dr. Fashion's experimental subjects...
However, not long after Yotsuba Mahiro left, Dr. Fashion's medical room received a strange guest.
He was wearing a pure black coat, and his slightly hunched posture as he walked slowly forward gave him a somewhat sinister air.
In particular, his appearance was quite ferocious. His face was covered with several centipede-shaped scars, and his left eye was fitted with a single lens, mimicking that of an English gentleman, but this only made him look more menacing. Not to mention, he also had a bald head.
He looks like a strong person.
He pushed open the door and found Dr. Stylish, precise fingers seemingly fiddling with and studying some kind of strip-shaped instrument.
"Sorry, did I bother you?"
"Oh, so it's the head of the Assassination Department who's graced us with his presence. You actually have the time to come see me; there must be something you need."
After carefully putting it away, Dr. Fashion looked at the visitor and asked in surprise.
The Empire's Assassination Department is a secret force established only a few years ago. It was cobbled together by Minister Honest and a man named Nishimiya. Their main responsibility is to train outstanding assassins to wipe out any rebels emerging within the Empire.
However, the head of the Assassination Department was momentarily stunned when he saw Dr. Fashion, who seemed to have changed and exuded a strong feminine charm.
But he quickly came to his senses.
I guess this Dr. Fashion experimented with something again and then applied it to himself?
So he cleared his throat and said:
"Ahem, Dr. Fashion, it's been a while since I last visited. Is the body-enhancing potion I commissioned you to make finished?"
Dr. Fashion frowned and said, puzzled:
"The time isn't right yet. You only proposed the plan last year, so you should give me at least three or four years to develop it. What we've just completed is just a prototype, and the side effects are quite significant."
"That's enough. There's no time to dawdle."
The bald minister shook his head and said, "Just recently, news came that Gozuki, who was in charge of training the elite assassination squad, has died. As a result, I have no choice but to suspend the elite team's training and order them to be brought back to the Imperial Capital!"
If there really isn't a suitable instructor, I plan to have these few carefully selected children from a hundred injected with the drug together, and then I will train them myself."
The bald-headed man spoke in a tone devoid of joy or sorrow, offering no remembrance of Gozuki's death.
If I had to say what's regrettable, it would be that the Murasame was reportedly broken and subsequently disappeared, its whereabouts still unknown.
"Oh dear, Gozuki, who possesses the Teigu Murasame, can't even win? Is the opponent a Teigu user?"
Dr. Fashion looked surprised; he had no idea how terrifying Murasame could be.
If you get injured, you're doomed.
"I don't know. According to the information we've received, that person's physical skills are very strong, even surpassing Gozuki's, and their methods are somewhat strange; they can instantly turn a person into nothingness."
"In that case... he certainly doesn't seem like a Teigu user."
Dr. Fashion's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her fingers gently pinching her chin, her breasts swaying slowly as she pondered.
As a research fanatic, she had already memorized the information on all forty-eight Imperial Arms, but after comparison, none of the descriptions matched.
But for some reason, upon hearing about this strange method, the image of Yotsuba Mahiro immediately came to mind.
After all, the methods he just displayed were quite strange...
But she didn't say it aloud. After all, he was her colleague who had given her such a big surprise, and she wasn't actually that familiar with the Imperial Assassination Corps.
So we changed our guess.
"It must be a hybrid of some dangerous species, right?"
"Yes, that's a possibility." The head of the Assassination Department nodded in agreement.
The possibility of possessing physical strength surpassing that of the Four Rakshasa Demons, and having abilities different from those of the Imperial Arms, is quite high.
After all, many nobles in the empire had strange hobbies.
For example, they might take girls they bought and have them mate with dangerous species for their own amusement, resulting in a bunch of inhuman, hybrid offspring.
Like the leader of the Path of Peace, who is a typical hybrid of a dangerous species and a human, and is considered a forbidden existence.
"Never mind, that's irrelevant. Let's get back to the earlier topic, about the results of your drug research."
The bald man sighed; he was simply regretful that he didn't know who the murderer was.
He only cares about killing Gozuki; if he could use that knowledge to train those kids, it would definitely be very effective.
"I have indeed formulated the drug, but I can't reduce its side effects. Although it can instantly boost combat power several times after injection, I estimate that the patient will die from exhaustion of life force after about ten minutes. Is that alright?"
Dr. Fashion casually pointed to the jars to his right rear; the bodies of the prisoners inside had all died from life-threatening exhaustion caused by the injections.
Will I die immediately after the injection? Or can the drug be neutralized to prolong my life for a few years?
The head of the Assassination Department didn't care about the loss of those children; if they died, they could just be replaced with another batch. But for them to die in just over ten minutes was a bit too outrageous.
It's completely useless!
This short-cycle consumption simply doesn't allow enough time to cultivate new killers.
"So, I need time to research this. If you're in a real hurry, instead of using drugs to enhance your body, how about using methods to modify the human body?"
Dr. Fashion's eyes lit up as he pointed to another row of corpses on display.
She much prefers modifying her body to using drugs to enhance it!
But weren't those just piles of corpses?!
The Assassination Department, embarrassed, asked, "Is it really feasible? What's the success rate after the modification?"
"Well, it can actually be divided into mechanical modification and modification of dangerous species genes."
Mechanical modification involves concealing powerful weapons within the body for surprise attacks, while the other method requires using dangerous species genes, resulting in a being comparable to a level-two dangerous species. However, the success rate for both is not very high; perhaps only three or four out of a hundred people will succeed.
"No, the failure rate is too high!"
You should know that capturing these orphans is a very troublesome matter, especially those whose physical attributes must be excellent.
Most kids wouldn't even qualify as dog food!
"Then please give me two more years... no, perhaps one year will be enough, because I've discovered a genius comparable to me. If he's willing to help, I believe he can solve the current problem."
Dr. Fashion thought of Yotsuba Mahiro.
Since he was able to complete a task that even he himself couldn't finish until now, then with his help, completing the body enhancement potion should be no problem at all!
"Alright, since that's how it is, I'll give you some more time to finish the potion as soon as possible."
After finishing his speech, the head of the Assassination Department left somewhat dejectedly.
He knew he was asking too much, but he had no other choice.
After all, he needs to produce some results now, and with Gozuki dead, there's no suitable replacement for him in the short term.
That damned Gozuki, why did he have to die now of all times!
He was still killed, which is a complete disgrace to our Assassination Department!
Yotsuba Mahiro was unaware that Dr. Fashion planned to drag her into the research of potions, and continued to undergo so-called recruit training with Esdeath as always.
However, this sadistic queen's training seems to be getting increasingly perverse...
For example, today, I led them away from the Imperial Capital and drove nearly thirty kilometers to a clear pool in the dense forest.
The lake spans a distance of nearly 100 meters, which is not particularly wide, and the water is exceptionally clear, so clear that you can even see small fish swimming in it.
But the problem lies with those fish.
Upon seeing the fish, the group trembled and immediately took several steps back.
"No backing down! This is your training exercise for today: swimming. Anyone who swims from here to the other side and then back will pass. Simple, right?"
Looking at the deep blue, somber lake, Esdeath revealed a captivating smile.
Is it simple?
This is even more dangerous than yesterday; it could be fatal!
Chapter 122 Esdeath's Favor (5K)
"E... Lady Esdeath, the lake is... too dangerous."
Nyau stammered.
He truly couldn't believe that Esdeath's training was becoming more and more brutal.
Upon seeing this, even the well-informed Yotsuba Mahiro felt deeply ashamed.
Who else but Esdeath could come up with the idea of swimming in a pool full of dangerous creatures?
Although these fish are only classified as Level 3 dangerous species, their large numbers and the fact that they are underwater make them no less dangerous than Level 2 dangerous species.
If you threw in a piece of raw meat, it would probably be devoured in an instant.
No wonder Nyau was so twisted in the original work. Although her family background contributed to her somewhat distorted personality, I feel that Esdeath deserves more credit for her actions.
They believe in the so-called "might makes right" doctrine and train others using the methods they grew up with.
Even if her methods can indeed cultivate strong individuals, most people simply cannot withstand them.
"Hehe, as long as your movements are vigorous while swimming, there shouldn't be any problems. For a small lake that's 100 meters long, you just need to swim to the other side in 20 seconds to ensure your safety."
Who's planning to go first?
Esdeath turned around, her sharp gaze sweeping over the six people in front of her, finally settling on Yotsuba Mahiro for a moment, seemingly with a hint of anticipation.
The others also didn't sell Yotsuba Mahiro this time.
Instead, she leaned closer and cautiously asked, "So, this time... are you sure you can handle it?"
It was Nyau who asked the question, and the others looked at him expectantly.
"Alright, alright, I'll go first."
In the end, Mahiro took the lead and stepped forward.
"Hmm, not bad courage. Do you need me to give you a little guidance on what to do? You can use the surrounding environment to your advantage."
Despite the fact that she chose such a dangerous training program, as an instructor she still thoughtfully provided a guide for reference only.
For example, applying the juice made from the roots and stems of alkaline plants found in the forest to one's clothes and body can prevent attacks.
However, Mahiro waved his hand and said, "No need. You can keep the guide for when you're bored, and use it with that collar."
Esdeath isn't exactly a normal person, so how could she possibly offer a normal strategy guide?
Obviously, it doesn't exist.
"Hehe."
However, Esdeath showed no anger whatsoever; instead, she laughed, her beautiful, azure eyes narrowing into crescent shapes, making her exceptionally pretty.
"Since it's not necessary, let's begin."
Thump--
As soon as Esdeath finished speaking, Mahiro leaped out and jumped into the lake.
He jumped more than 50 meters out of the 100-meter-wide lake in one go, covering half the distance.
This is allowed?!
Their understanding was once again challenged, but they silently noted down this method, thinking they might try it later to avoid suffering and danger.