Hysilens' little interlude remains secondary for now, as the most critical matter lies with the Imperator. After all, she currently clashes with the "strongest enemy" of the original work!
Upon closer inspection, however, a glaring issue emerges.
This person isn't trying at all!
Although Cerydra appears to trade blows evenly with the petite hunter, Esdeath—having witnessed that terrifying killing intent earlier—refuses to believe this represents her opponent's full strength.
But even with that realization, what could she do?
The current Esdeath lacks the overwhelming might of her future self. She remains a mere girl barely ten years old. Without the ice-type Imperial Arm, she stands no chance against the Imperator. Yet, this doesn't mean Esdeath intends to wait for death.
On the contrary, the young girl plans to strike!
Escape? That has become impossible. Esdeath witnessed those irrational abilities—the instant creation of a high wall to block her path and the raw power used to flush her out of the snow. Such anomalous strength clearly exceeds ordinary human limits. In a head-on collision, Esdeath knows she possesses no chance of victory... but her opponent's attitude offers a sliver of hope.
Esdeath noticed that ever since the woman saw her face, all killing intent vanished from the field.
Her plan: exploit this arrogance. Approach her, then plunge the sharp dagger hidden in her breast into the opponent's heart!
Easier said than done. Even as Esdeath accelerates, utilizing every assassination technique in her repertoire, she fails to gain the upper hand. The opponent parries every move with effortless grace.
"Your combat techniques lack systematic training. They feel more like a collection of instincts honed through survival. Do you reside here?"
On the other side, after testing Esdeath's strength, Cerydra abandoned any thought of killing her. This is Esdeath, after all; bringing her into the fold far outweighs the benefits of her death.
In the original Akame ga Kill!, Esdeath primarily serves as an Imperial General, never wavering in her allegiance until the end. Though influenced by various factors, she remains a loyal figure. Recruiting her before she matures would secure a peerless vanguard!
Thus, the Imperator speaks. She probes Esdeath's current circumstances mid-battle while simultaneously calculating the world's timeline.
"Ugh! I do live here alone. Why do you ask?"
Blocking Cerydra's strike with visible effort, Esdeath's expression remains grim. Even with Cerydra holding back, the probability of a successful kill remains pitifully small.
'Alone?'
Cerydra pauses, a thought clicking into place. She asks, "As far as I know, few tribes survive in these wastes. The Partas Clan is one of them. Are you of the Partas?"
"Yes! I am the last of the Partas. Everyone else is dead!"
Hearing the name of her tribe causes a flicker of surprise on Esdeath's face, but it lasts only a moment. Her voice and her dagger never falter for a second.
However, just as the blade nears a vital spot, a small hand enters Esdeath's field of vision. In an utterly incomprehensible display, it halts her attack.
Cerydra uses neither her scepter nor her Demigod powers. Relying solely on her physical attributes, she catches the thrusting blade between two fingers.
Esdeath's eyes widen. In all her years of wilderness survival, she has never seen anyone stop an attack this way. This moment forces her to realize the yawning chasm in their power levels. Even at full strength, she is nothing more than meat on a chopping block to this person.
Despite the disparity, Esdeath prepares to fight to the end, but Cerydra's voice reaches her ears, bringing her movements to a complete halt.
"What a pity."
The tone holds no trace of mercy, only a profound regret for Esdeath's current situation.
"You possess such staggering talent for slaughter, yet you wither away in this wasteland, unable to let it bloom... what a waste!"
From Esdeath's brief words, Cerydra pinpoints the timeline. The Partas Clan fell. Esdeath is the sole survivor. In a few years, the Empire would scout her, turning her into the strongest woman in the series.
Except that future will no longer happen.
'I shall take her for myself!'
"Then tell me, what should I do?"
Esdeath, who had intended to fight to the death, senses Cerydra's intent. She releases her grip on the dagger and stands plainly before her opponent, looking down at the smaller figure.
She did everything she could. If the fight continues, she dies. That is an absolute certainty. She cannot even defeat the person shorter than herself; if the black-haired woman in the distance joins in, she has zero chance.
Esdeath weighs her options against the certainty of death. Despite the gravity of their clash, this "little person" kept conversing with her, proving she has no intent to kill.
Furthermore, when the word "pity" was uttered, Esdeath's body visibly trembled.
What kind of person feels pity in such a moment?
Esdeath grew up in the snow, but she isn't stupid. On the contrary, she is highly intelligent. From the tone alone, she can guess the opponent's thoughts. She chooses to drop her weapon and engage in a "friendly" negotiation. Though they just traded blows, neither side drew blood. That counts as friendly enough.
Seeing Esdeath's response, a smile finally graces Cerydra's face. She relaxes her fingers, letting the sharp dagger clatter to the ground.
Then, the petite Monarch grips her scepter and points it directly at Esdeath's face.
"Join my banner!"
★ ★ ★
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