Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath frowned and examined him carefully.
"Oh? And what is your plan? Just relying on your own strength alone?" Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath said coldly.
"While it's not impossible with my strength alone, undoubtedly, that method is inefficient and also wastes time." Hearing her words, Takeru said calmly.
"Oh, what big talk! Is your confidence the power you displayed today?" Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath said mockingly.
"Well, it's good that you don't believe me. How about this, Esdeath, let's make a bet." Hearing Esdeath's skepticism, Takeru said with full confidence.
"Hmm, interesting. What kind of bet?" Seeing Takeru's confident expression, Esdeath also became interested.
"Let's have a fight. If I win, you will obey me forever. If I lose, then likewise, I will follow your every word forever. You, who believes in survival of the fittest, won't refuse my proposal, right?"
"Haha, that's an interesting challenge. Sure, if you can beat me." Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath laughed, then stroked Takeru's cheek.
"Then it's settled." Hearing her words, Takeru also nodded. As for worrying about her going back on her word, the probability was very low. After all, Esdeath's belief was survival of the fittest. If he could truly overpower her in combat and was also someone she liked, Esdeath would definitely not break her promise.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's rest." After making the agreement, Esdeath also looked at Takeru shyly.
"I'll go wash up first." Hearing her words, Takeru directly left her side and headed towards the bathroom.
Seeing Takeru's departing back, Esdeath was momentarily dazed. But thinking of Takeru's words just now, she couldn't help but lick her lips, 'A battle? That suited me just fine.'
Soon, after Takeru finished washing, Esdeath was already waiting for him. However, Takeru stated that he couldn't engage in more intimate actions with her for now and they had to wait until the outcome of their fight before taking the final step.
Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath felt somewhat helpless but had to comply. However, sharing a bed and pillow was unavoidable. Takeru was already used to this, and it just meant the person using him as a body pillow was now Esdeath.
Soon, it was morning. When sunlight streamed in, Takeru quickly opened his eyes. Having meditated all night, Takeru was very refreshed. Then, he looked at the beauty beside him.
At this moment, Esdeath was wrapped around Takeru like an octopus. Takeru also sensed that Esdeath seemed to be in deep sleep. Clearly, she had rested very well last night.
But since she was holding him so tightly, Takeru could only gently pry her off. His movement seemed to wake her… her blue eyes moved slightly and then opened.
"Good morning!" Esdeath smiled as she greeted Takeru and even kissed his cheek.
Feeling her affection for him, Takeru was momentarily stunned but shook his head, casting aside impure thoughts, and said good morning to her.
Then Takeru quickly got out of bed, went to the washroom to freshen up, and left her room before Esdeath.
Arriving at the Jaegers' gathering room, only Kurome and Wave were there at the moment.
"Yo, did you rest well yesterday?" Seeing Takeru arrive, Wave greeted him with a beaming smile.
"Not bad." Hearing his words, Takeru also smiled lightly and nodded.
Then Takeru looked at Kurome with great interest and directly went to her side.
For Kurome, Takeru felt immense pity and regret. In her childhood, she and her sister were sold to the Empire's institutions, entered the assassin training facility, received assassination training, and worked for the Empire.
Because she wasn't selected for the elite seven, she was injected with drugs to forcibly enhance her abilities, but the burden was also considerable.
Normally, she needed to constantly take medicine to maintain her bodily functions.
"Kurome, are you still eating snacks before lunch?" Wave asked curiously, looking at Kurome.
"None of your business." Hearing his words, Kurome said expressionlessly.
Then, noticing Takeru's strange gaze, Kurome became wary, directly hugging the snacks in her hands. "I won't give you any of these!"
"These aren't snacks at all, right?" Hearing Kurome's words, Takeru said calmly.
"Eh? Not snacks? What do you mean?" Hearing Takeru's words, Wave asked puzzled.
"Although the smell is faint, I can still detect a hint of medicine mixed into these biscuits. And your body, Kurome, is constantly being eroded by drugs. Continuing like this, within a few years, your body will completely collapse from the erosion." Hearing Wave's question, Takeru said directly.
"I don't need you to interfere." Hearing Takeru's words, Kurome paused slightly, then said directly.
"Takeru, is what you're saying true?" Hearing Takeru's words, Wave was stunned. He couldn't detect anything unusual about Kurome.
"Of course. My nose is very keen." Hearing Wave's words, Takeru said seriously.
Kurome remained silent, still quietly eating the modified biscuits.
Seeing this, Takeru emitted a special blue light from his hand and directly grabbed Kurome's hand. Kurome, who was about to resist, felt a long-lost sense of comfort in her body and stopped struggling.
"Ta...Takeru, what are you doing?" Seeing Takeru suddenly grab Kurome's arm, Wave was stunned.
"Nothing, just treating Kurome's body." Hearing his words, Takeru said calmly.
As for Kurome, with Takeru's treatment, she stopped eating the biscuits, closed her eyes, and silently felt the changes in her body.
After about a minute, Takeru also stopped the purification ability. It wasn't that he cured Kurome, just temporarily suppressed the side effects of the drugs in her body. To fully recover, she would need at least five or six more powerful purification sessions.
"Try to avoid eating these from now on. Although these biscuits can suppress the drug's side effects, they also cause greater damage to your body. I'll treat you again tomorrow." Rubbing Kurome's head, Takeru said seriously.
"Why are you helping me?" Hearing Takeru's words, Kurome looked at Takeru calmly.
"Do I need a reason to help someone?" Hearing her words, Takeru showed a smile.
However, Kurome was clearly unsatisfied with Takeru's answer and continued to stare straight at him.
"Well, if I really need a reason... it's because Kurome, you are still just a child yet has to bear this pain. It's too unfair." Looking at her expression, Takeru also fell silent for a moment, then rubbed her head and said.
Hearing Takeru's sincere words and feeling his gentle gesture, Kurome was stunned.
How many years had it been? It seemed like since being separated from her sister, she hadn't felt this kind of warmth. From colleagues, what she received most were looks of envy and indifference. From enemies, it was hatred and fear.
As for warmth, she had even forgotten what it felt like.
"Thank you." After a long while, Kurome finally whispered to Takeru.
"You're welcome." Sensing the change in Kurome's tone, Takeru also smiled.
"Takeru, time to head to Feikema. Starting today, for several days, it's hunting. And of course, our duel." Soon, Esdeath also appeared in the meeting hall, saying with a smile.
"Feikema?"
"Speaking of Feikema, of course it's Mount Feikema. Wave and Kurome need to come too. While hunting Danger Beasts, we'll also continue searching for the rebels." Esdeath said matter-of-factly.
"Understood!" Hearing Esdeath's words, Wave and Kurome quickly nodded.
"Today, Takeru and I will be responsible for the west side, while Wave and Kurome will explore the east side." Esdeath then divided the groups, and Takeru had no objections.
Clearly, hunting Danger Beasts with Esdeath today wasn't the main point… the most important thing was their battle.
And once Esdeath was subdued, Takeru's subsequent plans could be initiated.
Although Esdeath falling for Takeru slightly delayed his plans, as long as Esdeath was subdued, the subsequent reforms would be much easier.
How could an ordinary puppet compare to a talented individual with self-awareness?
Moreover, the number of people Takeru could control was limited, especially while maintaining a certain level of intelligence.
Having the full support of Esdeath, a top-tier combatant, would undoubtedly be stronger than gaining a clumsy puppet that only acts on command.