Chapter 179 - #178 Fusion of 2 (2/2)

”Esdeath, use your everything to protect yourself.” Akashi said with a killing intent present in his voice while holding his sword in both hands, pointing it towards the sky before flames and magma started swirling around its blade while also extending it.

*gulp* ”Heh” Esdeath actually chuckled when she couldn't even see the length of that sword made of flames and magma.

”Esdeath, take this!” Akashi shouted and swung down with all his might.

”I won't lose!!!” Esdeath shouted back and kneeled down while putting both her hands on the ground, using all of her remaining energy, she started summoning numerous of ice walls and pillars to protect herself from Akashi's sword attack.

When she used all her energy she just looked up with a ragged breath, looking at the results.

Akashi's sword actually cut through Esdeath's defenses like a hot knife through buŧŧer.

Seeing how Akashi's sword was nearing her, she just closed her eyes, silently accepting her defeat.

'I have lost, I guess I will meet with my father soon, well, it's not like I mind it since I have a few questions for him.' Esdeath thought still with a smile across her face when she felt the sword's temperature getting near her each second.

*RUMBLE!*

However, when she still hasn't felt anything in another 5 seconds, she opened her eyes, seeing stopped sword just a few inches above her head.

”It's my win” Akashi said before he started slowly walking towards the hill where the girls were. He still hasn't canceled his transformation since he wanted them to have a closer look at him, he didn't want to feel like he needs to hide it from them.

Esdeath had dumbfounded expression while watching Akashi slowly leaving, she turned her head to look behind her and saw an extremely long and deep crack in the ground going up to the distant mountain which was also split into 2 halves by Akashi's sword.

'I lost...yet I live...?' Esdeath's mind was working like crazy since she was confused about why Akashi spared her. She was so invested in the battle that she was already thinking about it as a life and death battle.

However, she quickly recalled their deal so she stood up, and with a new light in her eyes, she followed after him. She wasn't feeling ashamed neither she was acting like that. She lost the battle and she accepted it but she still couldn't help the feeling like resisting Akashi's dominance, her eyes were still full of defiance and pride. Despite that feeling, she intended to honor her end of the deal and at least not target his woman.

Akashi glanced behind him and saw the look in Esdeath's eyes. Esdeath who made eye contact with Akashi's changed eyes didn't even flinch this time and stared right back into them.

---

'What a woman, despite seeing our difference, she is still feeling so defiant. You already showed her the ultimate disparity between you and her. I think someone like that can't be controlled no matter how strong you are.' The previous deep voice said inside Akashi's mind.

'Yes, she is someone almost impossible to control, that is if you want to use only strength. However that's why I want her to be in my ranks, with her, the Empire's strength is on another level. I am willing to spare anyone on Teigu user's level but not someone of her level.' Akashi replied within his mind.

'What do you have in mind? Ever since you walked out of that room I can't read your mind at all so be more specific. Anyway, don't you think that she will only bring you more problems than benefits? There are so many people who hate her.' The deep voice asked.

'That's none of your business, I won't explain details on how I am planning to make her more humble. And have you perhaps misunderstood me? I want to make this Empire strong and more developed, I don't need people liking her. If they will be bitching even after the living conditions get better, then let them as long as they won't cause any harm. Why should Esdeath care about what ants think about her? And if anyone tries another rebellion I will simply shut them down, I have never said that I will be kind ”ruler”. I am planning to be a good ”ruler”.' Akashi replied and even though he said ruler he meant it more like the one controlling everything.

'Haha, I see...Anyway, a good ruler instead of a kind ruler...Well said!' The voice agreed before letting Akashi alone once again.

---

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When Akashi arrived in front of girls in his new form with Esdeath a few meters behind him, all the girls began sizing him up except for Taeko who jumped at him the second he arrived.

”Akashi! It's you, right?” Taeko asked while hugging him.

Even Akashi was slightly surprised how Taeko hasn't even carefully looked at him from up close before jumping at him, hugging him.

'Tch!' Esdeath glared at Taeko who looked over Akashi's shoulder, meeting Esdeath's glare head-on, even with a challenging look in her lime narrowed eyes.

'...This girl-! Hehe' Esdeath was actually pleased after seeing such challenging eyes as she released a cold smile at Taeko.

”Yes” Akashi said and wanted to pat Taeko's head but he hesitated when he looked at his hand just for him to shake his head before finally patting it.

”Is this change permanent?” Mera asked with a frown but she looked more in thought than scared or disgusted.

The same could be said about Kurome and Poney, they weren't disgusted by Akashi's appearance, in truth, he looked very charming in a unique way. Previously he could be said to be handsome but right now he had really dense air of authority around him and even though he no longer looked like a normal human, it still had its unique charm, if there was one disturbing thing, it was his hole and visible black heart.

”No, I can change back” Akashi shook his head with a faint smile.

”What a pity...” Mera muttered while seductively pressing her index finger to her lower lip while sizing his muscled body up.

'She is trying to ease the tension in the air...' Akashi immediately understood her intentions which made him inwardly genuinely smile, being grateful that Babara stopped him at that time from killing Mera.

Both Kurome and Poney were just feeling awkward since they had no idea what to say but in the end, they looked at each other and nodded their heads.

”Akashi Nii-sama!”

”Akashi!”

Both jumped at him and also hugged him since they had no idea what to say so they decided that actions speak louder than words.