Esdeath. This woman needed no introduction.
Just using her physical skills, she had few rivals in this world. Combine that with her Teigu, Demon's Extract, and her combat prowess, and the woman's formidability rose exponentially.
Although, at this stage, Esdeath theoretically hadn't yet mastered her ultimate techniques, [Mahapadma] and [Ice Cavalry], the problem was...
—Right now, Aaron had already been forced to use Ittou Shura because of Liver's insane attack methods.
Of course, after activating Ittou Shura this time, Aaron had only briefly mobilized his Meta-Morph Factor and used a single Whale-Slaying Tyrant Fist to end the fight.
After that, although he still had the Ittou Shura buff active, the drain from just standing there was definitely far less than it would be in an intense battle.
Even when the minute was up this time, Aaron probably wouldn't fall into a weakened state or start coughing up blood like before.
But Esdeath...
Aaron wouldn't dare claim high odds of winning even at full strength, let alone now. Even if he was in much better shape than the last two times he'd used Ittou Shura, unable to activate it a second time, how many blows could he possibly trade with Esdeath?
"Kiana, we need to fall back."
Pulling out his [Kawasaki H2], Aaron reinforced it with Knight of Owner and said to Kiana.
"I'm not in good shape. You drive."
"Okay. Hold on tight."
As she mounted the motorcycle, Kiana didn't question Aaron's decision.
Through their Perfect Attunement, she could feel Aaron's intense unease.
If even Aaron felt something was wrong, she certainly wasn't going to be stubborn and stay.
After all, Aaron had already proven that his judgment was usually right.
As she rode the bike, preparing to leave, Kiana suddenly felt something was off.
*Strange, why do I feel...*
Speeding along on the bike, Kiana, feeling the wrongness, immediately activated [Spectator]'s penetrating vision, scanning the surrounding forest as she accelerated.
The next second, Kiana grabbed Aaron's body, slammed her foot onto the bike's frame, and used it as a springboard to leap high into the air.
The instant she completed the move, a beam of light shot out from the distant forest, striking the motorcycle Kiana had just abandoned.
Even though the bike had the durability of a D-rank Noble Phantasm, the beam easily pierced its frame.
"This power...!"
Landing lightly on the ground, Kiana stared at the distant forest, her expression turning grim.
"Put me down."
"...So this is why you wanted to leave, Aaron."
"Well... you're not wrong."
Standing on the ground, Aaron looked toward the forest the beam had come from and began to analyze the situation.
Esdeath was lying in wait nearby, so the System judged he hadn't left the battlefield—that was his initial assessment.
But now, it seemed that might not be the case.
Esdeath was powerful, but her attack methods didn't include energy beams like this.
Among the main Teigu users, this kind of energy beam could only be produced by one person's Teigu.
And that combination... could only be Mine and her [Roman Artillery: Pumpkin].
Of course, just because Mine, a member of Night Raid, had appeared, it was too soon to assume Esdeath wasn't nearby.
If anything, after their failed retreat, Aaron and Kiana might simultaneously encounter both Esdeath (who could pop up for unknown reasons) and the members of Night Raid.
Normally, if Esdeath were present, she would probably take care of the Night Raid members first.
But now... Aaron had just killed the Three Beasts...
And the Three Beasts were Esdeath's most loyal subordinates.
Their leader, Liver, was even a talented general who assisted Esdeath in managing her army.
If Esdeath found out he'd killed those three, Aaron would likely have to fight her to the death today.
Oh, and it would probably be his death. Maybe the "to the" part wasn't even necessary.
This situation was terrible. Why did things turn out this way?
Unless...
"To our friends from Night Raid in there, why don't we just pretend this never happened?"
After calling out to the people in the forest, Aaron spoke helplessly to his opponents.
"Esdeath might be nearby. I don't think you're prepared to face the 'Empire's Strongest,' are you?"
.....
...Several seconds earlier...
Mine, who was lying in wait nearby, felt this mission was incredibly troublesome.
According to intel obtained by Revolutionary Army agents in the Imperial Capital, the Minister planned to have Esdeath's Three Beasts assassinate the former minister, Jouri.
And according to Najenda, former minister Jouri was a civil official with a conscience.
If Jouri returned to the Imperial Capital, with his influence there, combined with the power of General Budo, he might be able to temporarily match Honest's power 50/50.
Honest was the Imperial Capital's biggest cancer. Night Raid was, of course, happy to do anything that would cause trouble for Honest.
So this time, Najenda had dispatched two teams—Leone and Mine, and Akame and Lubbock—to two locations the Three Beasts might pass through, ready to intercept them.
Of course, with Najenda's intelligence, she had naturally considered this might be a trap to lure Night Raid out.
But to her frustration, it was clearly an open plot.
If Night Raid didn't protect Jouri, he might be assassinated. If Jouri was assassinated, the Minister wouldn't be checked.
If Night Raid went to protect Jouri, they would have to face three of the "Four Strongest" in Esdeath's army.
And those three, as Esdeath's top aces, were clearly not easy to deal with.
Considering this was likely an open plot, they might not only face the Three Beasts; other members of Esdeath's army could appear.
So this time, when Mine and Leone discovered people fighting in the woods ahead, their first reaction was definitely "Awesome."
And after Aaron and Kiana appeared, the two naturally guessed that the Three Beasts had been finished off by this pair.
Noticing they weren't carrying an obvious Teigu like the [Double-Bladed Axe: Belvaac], the two even thought they didn't have time to take the Teigu with them.
"Leone, I remember this guy. He's the one who injured Bulat, right?"
"That's right. So, in other words..."
Activating her Teigu to enter her half-beast form, Leone's eyes became incredibly dangerous.
"Bulat's Teigu... should be in this kid's hands."