Hearing Tatsumi's unusually intense words, Bulat's expression softened into a faint smile. "So, you figured it out, Tatsumi? That ability… Was it Wood who told you, or did you discover it on your own?"
Noticing the puzzled expressions on the faces of their fellow Night Raid members, Tatsumi took the initiative to explain. "Wood's Imperial Arm, Winter Knight, and the one both Bulat and I have used, Incursio, are extremely unique Imperial Arms.
"Although classified as Imperial Arms, they are living entities. This is because the dangerous beast materials used to create Skasaha and Tyrant—the cores of Winter Knight and Incursio—are still alive. That's why these Imperial Arms come with such immense drawbacks.
"However, danger also comes with potential. Both Winter Knight and Incursio possess a secret technique that allows the Imperial Arm itself to 'evolve.' The price for using this technique, however, is to have your body invaded by the beast's essence, turning you into a complete monster—or worse, leading directly to death!"
Hearing Tatsumi's explanation, the other members of Night Raid were left stunned. They had always assumed that Winter Knight and Incursio were simply powerful armor-type Imperial Arms. They had never imagined that the materials used to create these Imperial Arms were still alive, or that such a terrifying secret technique existed.
The immense power of this technique came hand-in-hand with immense risk. The greater the drawback, the stronger the power gained in return.
As Bulat had said earlier, using Incursio's secret technique might indeed offer a chance to counter Esdeath's seemingly invincible time-freezing ability.
"Bulat, you can't fool me. After all, I'm also a user of Incursio," Tatsumi continued, his voice firm. "When I first started using it, I could already sense its life. It was only after I asked Wood about it that I learned the truth.
"You don't want to use Incursio because you can wield it more skillfully than me. You're planning to endure the invasion of its essence and unleash its 'evolution' to gain its ultimate power, aren't you?"
The Night Raid members now understood why Tatsumi was so upset and resistant. It was a plan that fit Bulat's personality perfectly. As the team's big brother figure, Bulat was not only passionate and just, but he also bore the responsibility of protecting his comrades without complaint.
Having already "died" once, the thought that Bulat was now prepared to die again for them made Tatsumi's anger understandable.
"I'm not the same Tatsumi I used to be," he declared firmly. "I now have the strength to protect my comrades, and I won't let my comrades stand in front of me to sacrifice themselves anymore. I'll be the one to use Incursio this time!"
The once-timid newcomer of Night Raid now spoke with unyielding determination. His tone left no room for argument, even for the man he respected most, Bulat.
By the time the afternoon rolled around, Esdeath arrived as if she were a boss in a siege event.
This time, the Revolutionary Army had gathered nearly 100,000 soldiers, with Night Raid and the remaining Imperial Arms wielders leading the charge.
As Najenda had pointed out, this was essentially the Revolutionary Army's last stand. If they couldn't defeat Esdeath here or at least inflict significant damage, they wouldn't have enough strength left to suppress her when she attacked again.
"Well, I didn't expect you to gather this many troops. But I suppose this is your limit, isn't it, Tatsumi? Why not just admit defeat and bring Wood back? At least then I might find this a bit more interesting."
Esdeath's countless battles with the Revolutionary Army had given her a thorough understanding of their resources. With fewer soldiers, poorer quality troops, and fewer Imperial Arms wielders with each encounter, she could tell they were running on fumes.
"This time, we won't retreat. We won't let you take another step forward. Today, we'll defeat you and topple this corrupt Empire!" Tatsumi shouted back, stepping forward.
Previously, it was Akame, wielding Murasame, who had always stood in the central position during their battles with Esdeath. But this time, it was Tatsumi, who had always played a supporting role to Akame, taking center stage.
"You've grown bold, Tatsumi," Esdeath said with a sneer. "Do you have any idea how many times I've spared your life? If I hadn't held back, you wouldn't still be standing here.
"And as for the rest of Night Raid, have you ever wondered why the Imperial Arms wielders who've died so far are all from the Revolutionary Army, while none of you have fallen?"
Her sneer turned into a mocking grin. "The most interesting and strongest prey should always be left for last. Tatsumi, are you ready? This will be our final battle, and I won't hold back this time. I've given you plenty of chances already!"
As Esdeath drew her sword, Tatsumi's resolve was unwavering. Without hesitation, he gripped the short-sword form of Incursio in his right hand, his aura surging with newfound intensity.
"Incursio—!"
Tatsumi's roar, like a cry from his soul, reverberated across the battlefield. Chains burst forth from the ground, coiling around him. Behind him, the massive, silver-scaled dragon-like beast Tyrant, with countless eyes, materialized. Its claws closed around Tatsumi's body, enveloping him entirely.
A fierce storm erupted, shrouding Tatsumi's figure. The shockwaves from his roar swept across the battlefield in visible waves, shaking the surroundings violently.
Even Esdeath, confident as she was, couldn't ignore the threatening aura Tatsumi now exuded. She knew instantly that he was no longer the same as before.
As the storm settled, the Tatsumi that emerged left everyone stunned.
Unlike before, when Incursio manifested as sleek silver armor, Tatsumi now stood clad in radiant golden armor. His build had grown larger, and massive dragon wings spread from his back.
"Come, Tatsumi! Show me just how strong your resolve truly is!"
Seeing Tatsumi's drastically transformed appearance and surging aura, Esdeath showed no signs of concern. Instead, her face lit up with exhilaration, her fighting spirit burning hotter than ever. She gripped her saber and charged directly at Tatsumi.
In the past, no one in Night Raid, not even Akame, had been able to follow Esdeath's movements, let alone match her speed. Often, they had to rely on teamwork, using their Imperial Arms' abilities, numerical advantage, and precise coordination to barely hold their ground against her.
But this time, Tatsumi was different. Watching Esdeath rush at him, he could clearly see her every move. As she closed the distance, Tatsumi unfurled the dragon wings on his back, propelling himself forward with a sonic boom that split the air.
"Boom—!"
The clash of Esdeath's saber against Tatsumi's spear, Redback Shrike, created a massive shockwave that rippled outward, flattening the ground beneath them. The hardened stone surface crumbled like tofu under the pressure. Those with enough strength could barely remain standing, while the unfortunate Revolutionary Army soldiers caught nearby were hurled several meters through the air.
"It seems I wasn't wrong about you, Tatsumi. You truly are an extraordinary young man, and you haven't disappointed me.
"However… if this is the extent of your resolve and strength, it's still not enough to defeat me!"
As Esdeath's words fell, the balance of power shifted. The saber, which had been evenly matched against Tatsumi's spear, began to press downward, overpowering it.
Feeling the pressure transmitted through Redback Shrike, Tatsumi was stunned. He had always known that Esdeath was terrifyingly strong—Revolutionary Army losses in previous battles had proven that beyond doubt.
But he hadn't imagined that Esdeath could be this overwhelmingly powerful.
He had already activated the life-draining secret technique of Incursio, pushing his physical capabilities to their absolute peak. Yet, even in a head-on clash, he was being suppressed.
He had put everything on the line, enduring the severe side effects of the secret technique. How could this still be happening? Was this even logical? Was it fair?
Tatsumi felt like a man who had spent years saving up money, only to spend it all on a top-tier cheat code for his favorite game—only to find out that the game's boss was so absurdly overpowered that even the cheat couldn't give him an advantage.
With a single strike, Tatsumi was sent flying backward at high speed. At the same time, Akame and the others, who had been waiting for their moment, launched a coordinated attack.
In a one-on-one fight, even with Incursio's secret technique, Tatsumi was no match for Esdeath. However, as the battle dragged on, Tatsumi and the others began to notice that this time, they were faring better than before.
The main reason for this shift was Tatsumi's explosive increase in power. Thanks to Incursio's environmental adaptation ability, he was able to neutralize much of Esdeath's ice-based attacks. Though he still couldn't defeat her, Tatsumi could now alleviate much of the pressure on the other members of Night Raid.
When living beings are pushed to their limits, they resist like cornered animals. Even Esdeath was no exception. Forced into a precarious position, she activated her ultimate technique, Mahapadma.
But to her astonishment, her once-unbeatable time-freezing ability failed. No, more accurately, it failed to affect Tatsumi.
In the frozen world where time stood still, Esdeath was supposed to be the only one capable of moving. Yet now, there was another—Tatsumi.
With a thrust of Redback Shrike, Tatsumi forced Esdeath to retreat. Though Mahapadma was powerful, its time-freezing effect was so overpowered that even Esdeath could only maintain it for a few seconds.
The frozen world quickly returned to normal. As time resumed, Bulat and the others, who had been stunned by the sudden stop in battle, saw Tatsumi fighting Esdeath. It didn't take long for them to realize that Tatsumi had somehow overcome her time-freezing ability.
They had never seen Esdeath use Mahapadma more than once in a single battle, indicating that the ability likely had strict limitations or conditions. Now that Tatsumi had managed to neutralize it, their chances of victory had significantly increased.
At least, that's what they thought.
However, reality was far harsher. With Mahapadma rendered ineffective, Esdeath lost her retreat option. Her expression twisted into a crazed smile as she unleashed her full strength.
A fully unleashed Esdeath became even faster and stronger, fighting like a true war goddess. Tatsumi, on the other hand, grew weaker as his body succumbed to the invasive essence of the dangerous beast Tyrant. His movements became noticeably sluggish.
In a moment of weakness, Esdeath seized an opening and drove her saber through Tatsumi's chest. Yet in exchange, Tatsumi managed a final desperate counterattack, severing one of Esdeath's arms with Redback Shrike.
It was the most significant injury they had ever inflicted on Esdeath in all their battles. But the cost was monumental.
Seeing that Mahapadma had been used, and with Esdeath now missing an arm, the Revolutionary Army's commanders erupted with excitement. They immediately ordered their soldiers to charge, hoping to capitalize on her injuries and finish the feared general once and for all.
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