Hekatonkheires erupted with killing intent, preparing to chase down the two enemies who had harmed its master.
But just as it was about to give chase, it sensed something was wrong.
There is a connection between a biological Teigu and its user—otherwise, Seryu wouldn't be able to understand Hekatonkheires from a simple bark.
And now, the berserk Hekatonkheires could feel that its master, Seryu, who had taken that direct hit, was fading. Fast.
After all, taking a D-rank Noble Phantasm to the face... it was a miracle Seryu hadn't died instantly.
If Hekatonkheires chose to pursue the enemies, it didn't know if it would catch them, but its master, who desperately needed treatment, would definitely die.
Kill the enemy or save its master. Hekatonkheires made its choice in an instant.
It gently scooped the barely-breathing Seryu into its paws and began to lope back toward the Imperial Capital, moving as fast as it dared.
As for Kiana, she no longer had time to worry about whether the enemy was following.
She could feel that her companion, who had just pulled that reckless stunt, was in a terrible state.
Riding an enhanced, high-speed motorcycle wasn't something an untrained person could do.
She didn't know how Aaron had managed it, but it didn't change the fact that he had worsened his injuries in the process.
When the positive effects of Ittou Shura ended, Aaron's body had sprayed a torrent of blood.
And now, feeling her back grow wet, Kiana knew her companion was barely hanging on.
The enemy's fate, the mission... none of that mattered more than her partner's life!
She had to get to a nearby town and find a place for Aaron to recover.
"Damn it, why is this world so dangerous!"
"We haven't even been in this world for five hours!"
.........................
A while later. The Imperial Capital.
After going to the wealthy district to inspect the murdered family, Oca confirmed that the assassination was, indeed, the work of Night Raid.
According to the City Guard's investigation, Zank the Beheader's time of death and the wealthy family's time of death were almost identical.
In other words, Night Raid had likely split its forces: one small team to hunt Zank, and another to hunt defenseless nobles.
"Hmph. These rats are getting bold."
After showing his disgust, Oca felt a wave of helplessness.
He might call Night Raid 'rats,' but he knew full well that to those Teigu users, *his* City Guard were the real rats.
Night Raid had always been arrogant, but they rarely split their forces for two missions in one night.
But now...
Night Raid had not only split up, they had even targeted another Teigu user's Teigu.
Oca didn't know how many people were in Night Raid, but it was likely an organization like that would recruit new members.
Hmm. So, was this an operation to acquire a Teigu for a new recruit?
Bold. It looks like they're planning something big.
Night Raid had always killed citizens, but they'd never been this aggressive.
But now...
This is bad. I have to notify my superiors.
It wasn't that Oca, as Captain of the City Guard, felt he *had* to do something. A irresponsible, power-abusing man like him couldn't care less about anyone else's life.
He was willing to risk a reprimand to report this, mainly because...
He knew exactly what kind of people those murdered citizens were.
Take the family of three that was just killed: they tortured country folk who came to the Capital. Oca knew they were hardly good people.
And coincidentally—Oca wasn't a good person either.
Night Raid was targeting bad people, and their methods were getting more aggressive. If he didn't prepare, he'd have nowhere to cry when Night Raid came for his head.
A corpse, after all, can't talk.
"When Seryu gets back, I need to ask her for the details."
"Hmph. I just hope nothing happened to her while she was chasing those two badly injured Night Raid members."
Seryu, if you die, it's going to be a real headache for me.
"Captain! Bad news!"
Just as Oca was thinking about how to phrase his report without offending his superiors, a guard burst into his office, panting.
"Seryu's Teigu... it brought Seryu... back..."
"How is she?"
"She's dying! Her face is completely deformed! And her Teigu... it's in a weakened state, too!"
Hearing this, Oca's expression changed instantly.
"Damn it! I should have stopped her!"
I was planning to have her see Stylish later, but now I have to contact him immediately.
Stylish... I hope you and your Teigu don't disappoint me this time.
...........................