Having decided to fight head-on, Kaede was lurking in the shadows.
And Barbara was also on alert there; from whichever direction, as soon as any movement appeared, it would be met with her most fierce attack.
Kaede was approaching step by step.
Although there wasn't the slightest sound, Kaede felt that every step she took had to be cautious, and even though she was still far away, she had the feeling that she was about to be discovered.
However, this distance was useless; the advantage of a sneak attack would completely disappear because the time spent covering this distance was enough for the fully alert Barbara to make any preparations.
Even if Kaede's speed was fast, it certainly wouldn't reach the level where Barbara couldn't react in time.
Therefore, she could only hope for other things to happen, for instance, that they weren't the only two people who could make noise here.
Time passed second by second, and Barbara frowned.
Still not making a move?
If things continued like this, they would just remain in a stalemate.
If Kaede's intention was to drain her energy, unless she could keep it up for a few days, it wouldn't have any effect on her.
And at this moment, the commotion Kaede needed finally arrived.
A level-one Danger Beast had entered Barbara's perception range, causing a noise.
That was enough.
With the noise, Kaede once again approached Barbara by a certain distance.
With this Danger Beast present, Barbara's perception range would automatically shrink significantly, and because everything was masked by that Danger Beast, Kaede would have a much easier time.
However, Barbara couldn't simply move to kill this Danger Beast.
Why?
Because once she made a move, everything would be over.
Even if she could devote a lot of energy to perception, such perception didn't amount to much for someone of Kaede's level.
"So that's the plan."
The wrinkled face of Barbara instantly darkened; she knew that the current situation had become severely disadvantageous for her.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Kaede's movements paused because she saw someone, someone following behind Barbara—the young girl who looked a bit like her.
At this moment, the girl seemed to be looking for someone.
Little girl, do you know that not listening to your seniors is very dangerous?
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Kaede's mouth; it was a mocking smile, one of the few smiles she could display.
Dealing with the girl would be much simpler.
Looking at Barbara, who was still in a state of full alert, she hadn't even noticed the unguarded Taeko.
Quite easily, Kaede slipped out of Barbara's perception range and then quietly advanced in the direction of Taeko.
Very soon, she reached her hunting range.
Without hesitation, Kaede moved directly; if she let her get closer to Barbara, it would be troublesome.
Her figure arrived behind Taeko like a ghost.
"Chirp!!"
At this moment, a bird's cry suddenly came from the sky.
However, would Kaede's concentration be disturbed by it?
She swung her blade without hesitation, but the next moment, Kaede knew she had missed, because the feel was wrong—the sensation of a direct hit was definitely not like this.
It turned out that at the critical moment, Taeko didn't even turn around and dodged directly forward, but a wound was still left on her body.
Although she felt something was off, Kaede couldn't give up at this moment, so she swung her blade and attacked.
"I am the breath of the death god Obergehr, the wind of impermanence, leading you to the underworld!"
With no way to avoid it, Taeko said a very chuunibyou line and then met the attack with her blade.
"Bang!!"
Immediately, the air pressure generated by the collision kicked up a sky full of dust and mist.
However, it was clear that Taeko's strength couldn't compare to Kaede, who had undergone two enhancements.
Yet, this collision had already made Taeko's hand tremble, to the point where she felt like she couldn't even hold her blade, let alone use it.
And at this moment, if Kaede just struck one more time, she could finish off an enemy.
Kaede intended to do just that, but... unfortunately.
The hawk that had cried out earlier swooped down at Kaede, its target being none other than Kaede's heart.
Frowning, Kaede reluctantly gave up on delivering the final blow and dodged the hawk's claws.
Only then did Kaede realize that her intuition was correct; there was definitely something wrong with this hawk.
"A domesticated Danger Beast?"
Kaede frowned, then looked at the hawk still flying, and finally curled her lips, "Teigu, Gaia Foundation."
As someone on the Empire's side, Kaede knew the functions of many Teigu, such as the ability of One-Cut Killer: Murasame.
Chelsea didn't know her Teigu had been exposed, but she was still astonished in her heart; she had managed to make Taeko lose the vast majority of her combat effectiveness in an instant.
If it weren't for her, Taeko would probably have been out of the fight immediately.
Moreover, she hadn't even noticed how Kaede had arrived behind Taeko while she was up in the sky.
The chill in her heart grew stronger and stronger; if Kaede's target had been her, she definitely wouldn't have been able to dodge, right?
However, it was better now; Chelsea saw that Barbara had already arrived at Taeko's side, shielding her behind her back and looking at Kaede.
At this moment, there was a mix of shock and anger in Barbara's eyes.
She was shocked that Taeko had appeared here, not following her instructions, and angry because her beloved disciple had almost died!
However, Barbara didn't have time to check Taeko's injuries; her eyes were already locked onto Kaede, as if staring at prey about to be devoured.
Meanwhile, Kaede also felt as if her body were being coiled by a venomous snake, one that was crawling over her, seemingly searching for her throat to strike and kill with one blow.
Kaede didn't have time to think much more, because that old woman had already rushed in front of her.
Would you say this is a speed that an old woman could possess?
But Kaede also prioritized speed, and her body had been enhanced, even her reactions had been strengthened a lot, so there was no reason she couldn't handle this attack.
Moreover, most importantly, This old woman had no weapon!
With not a hint of pity in her eyes, Kaede swung her blade without hesitation.
However, this battle didn't end there; the strongest assassin of Obergehr wouldn't be so weak.
Only to see Barbara dodge Kaede's blade with a very bizarre body contortion, her hand forming a claw, reaching towards Kaede.
Surprised, a look of wonder appeared in Kaede's eyes; just how perverted must one's body control be to pull off such a move?
However, Kaede had no time to be amazed, because Barbara's target was aimed directly at Kaede's heart.
Withdrawing her blade was no longer possible, but Kaede wasn't too afraid; her body leaned backward rapidly, one hand supporting her on the ground, while simultaneously kicking upward.
Seeing that she could no longer reach the other's heart, Barbara gave up the idea of taking it directly, but she had to leave something behind, right?
So, she reversed her claw and viciously left three wounds on Kaede's abdomen.
At this moment, Kaede's leg had also arrived.
Barbara, who wanted to leave a mark on Kaede, had never thought that she would still be able to dodge this kick.
Therefore, this kick landed squarely.
Barbara, who had initially thought it was nothing, changed her expression because the force of this kick exceeded her expectations.
It stands to reason; although compared to speed, strength wasn't Kaede's advantage, but after being enhanced, Kaede's strength definitely surpassed the vast majority of people.
Unless it was someone who specialized in strength, there shouldn't be many people whose strength could surpass hers.
Naturally, Barbara was kicked flying away.
However, Kaede, who stood up, still frowned and looked at the three bloody, mangled claw marks on her abdomen; that kick just now definitely had a lot of its force deflected.
To be able to do that even at such a moment, what a terrifying old woman!
At this moment, Kaede looked at Barbara once again, the gravity in her eyes growing thicker and thicker.
Kaede knew she had truly encountered big trouble.
Only then did Kaede realize how ridiculous her thought that she could easily escape was.
They say an assassin should flee a thousand miles if a single strike fails, and then look for another opportunity?
Well, if she could, Kaede would want to too, but right now, Kaede was completely locked down by Barbara's aura; she didn't leave Kaede any chance to flee at all.
Barbara stood there, looking at Kaede with a grave expression.
As much as Kaede was surprised by her, she was just as surprised by Kaede—a perfect body, a spirit that remained calm in the face of danger, she was absolutely the perfect candidate for an assassin.
However, it was a pity that she was not an assassin of Obergehr, so, go die!
At this moment, the killing intent in Barbara's eyes surged.
Looking at Kaede, wanting to escape in front of her? Impossible!
"I am the eyes of the death god Obergehr, the light of impermanence, watching over our journey to the underworld!"
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