"Huff... huff... I never imagined your strength would reach such a level. I underestimated you."
Budo gazed up at the bright moon, his eyes reflecting a storm of complex emotions. Najenda had only been promoted to General a few months ago, yet she now possessed power that rivaled his own. Her previous growth rate had never been this explosive, which meant...
"Is this Cerydra's doing? What method did she use to enhance your strength?"
"..."
Though Budo was once her superior, their allegiances were now diametrically opposed. Najenda had no intention of revealing the secret of the Golden Blood.
"You don't have to say it; I already know. Is it that so-called... 'Power of God'? I thought it was mere rumor, but to think it was actually true."
"I have nothing to say to you."
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. To prevent Budo from continuing his lightning bombardment of the city walls, Najenda finally steeled her resolve and ordered everyone out of the city to engage.
The fortress walls were formidable, but Budo's Teigu, Adramelech, clearly possessed the power to breach them. While Najenda could use Pumpkin to neutralize his attacks, defensive posturing alone would never bring victory.
If she simply hunkered down, Budo would find it difficult to break through, but a "turtle" strategy like that would be mocked and exploited by political rivals if word got out.
Furthermore, this was the first command Empress Cerydra had issued to her since ascending the throne—to take charge of the Capital's forces and prevent any raids from the Empire or other organizations. Though Cerydra hadn't demanded a flawless victory, Najenda knew she couldn't just do an "average" job. It had to be her best.
As a surrendered general, she had to prove her worth, her strength, and most importantly, her loyalty in this battle. She didn't even want to imagine the consequences of failure.
Thus, when the Empire attacked, Najenda had to find a way to crush them in one fell swoop, ideally killing or capturing the enemy commander.
When she first faced Budo, she had been incredibly tense, fearing she was no match for him. But as the intensity of the battle ramped up, she had a sudden realization:
Is Budo... only this much?
Since becoming a Chrysos Heir, her mental fortitude had skyrocketed, allowing Pumpkin to unleash far greater power than ever before. Since Adramelech could manipulate lightning and even call down bolts from the sky, she wasn't surprised that they were evenly matched at range.
However, when Najenda opened the gates for melee combat, she discovered that her previously mediocre physical stats had transformed. She was now capable of punching through enemy soldiers as if they were made of paper. She even took out an enemy Teigu user who tried to ambush her with a single, head-shattering blow.
Is this the power of a Chrysos Heir?
It was staggeringly powerful. If Cerydra continued to create more Chrysos Heirs, she would surely rule the entire world. Najenda knew that since receiving the Golden Blood, she felt a subtle, lingering pressure from the Empress that made the very idea of rebellion impossible. Even Hysilens exerted a similar pressure, though it paled in comparison to Cerydra's.
In other words... she was bound to her title as "Dux Benevolentia" until the day she died. If she didn't find a way to prove her utility, she would likely be "purged."
Driven by the will to survive, Najenda unleashed her full potential against Budo. She pushed through a hail of thunderbolts to engage him in an unprecedented hand-to-hand struggle. Though she sustained significant injuries, she landed a fatal blow: a laser from Pumpkin tore through Budo's abdomen and shattered half of Adramelech, leaving the Great General slumped helplessly on the ground.
Budo, the "Strongest in the Empire," had been defeated in a duel by the once-unremarkable Najenda. If this news spread, it would shake the Empire to its core and skyrocket Najenda's reputation.
Yet, despite the victory, Najenda showed no joy. Her expression remained grim. Having been a general for years, she knew a hunt wasn't over until the prey breathed its last—especially when that prey was a mortally wounded beast.
A wounded predator is at its most dangerous.
Budo looked at the moon, his eyes filled with a complicated peace. "Since you won't tell me, then so be it."
A smile touched his lips as he slowly closed his eyes. This wasn't a surrender; it was the prelude to a final, desperate gambit.
BOOM—!
Thunder more violent than anything seen before surged around Budo. The blue lightning began to shift and warp until Budo coughed up a spray of blood—and from that blood, a Scarlet Blood Lightning was born!
"I know I am no longer your match. If the fight continues, my death is certain."
"But I am Budo! The Grand General of the Empire, appointed by my Sovereign!"
"I cannot surrender, and I cannot retreat!"
The Red Thunder of Death erupted from Budo, expanding outward. Even a single stray spark of this crimson lightning was enough to turn an ordinary Northern soldier into ash.
"Watch out! Everyone, fall back!"
Najenda sensed the danger and barked the order, but no human can outrun a lightning bolt. Soldiers had barely turned to flee before the red lightning overtook them, piercing their hearts and vaporizing them instantly.
"Budo!"
Seeing her soldiers fall made Najenda's expression darken. She had tried her best to minimize casualties, but Budo's final act had multiplied the death toll several times over. She no longer hesitated and pulled the trigger on Pumpkin, aiming to vaporize him from a distance.
Even as a Chrysos Heir, she felt a lethal threat from those scarlet bolts. Budo was putting his life on the line; his next strike would be catastrophic.
Because she was in such extreme peril, Pumpkin's output surged to new heights, yet the laser was still held back by the sea of red lightning.
"Najenda, I must admit, you have surpassed me in strength. Therefore, I absolutely cannot let you live!"
"My life belongs only to the Emperor. Even if I fall, I will take you with me!"
"May the Empire be immortal! Long live the Empire!"
With Grand General Budo's final roar, his powerful frame and the remains of his Teigu were completely swallowed by the scarlet thunder.
In an instant, a sea of red lightning surged toward the army. There was no time to defend...
Grand General Budo, the Strongest in the Empire, was dead.
Pumpkin's laser continued to fire, but it was being pushed back inch by inch by the terrifying tide of red electricity. Najenda gritted her teeth; countless soldiers had already fallen, and those behind her were only alive by luck. If she stopped resisting, tens of thousands would be wiped out in a heartbeat.
"Are we... going to die?"
"Of course not!"
A melodious voice suddenly reached her ears, causing Najenda's exhausted body to relax.
"You've worked hard, Little White Fish..."
"Leave the rest to me!"