Terrified of what he was seeing, Tatsumi just stood still, in front of Scheele's bed. Still unconscious, the poor woman was seriously injured by Sebas' punch, which had pulverized part of her rib cage. And that was without taking into account the fact that Rubedo had cut off her arm.

"How is she?" Leone wanted to know.

"Four broken ribs and one severed arm," Najenda told her. "Nonetheless, we can be happy that she came back alive! The consequences could be worse."

"How could it have been worse?" A voice growled.

Turning around, Najenda saw Mine, sitting on a chair, with her leg broken in a cast. Looking down, the young girl seemed to be in a rage. Gritting her teeth, he roared.

"My shots ... none of them hurt our opponents ! They dodged them all, or just took it without taking any damage! And maybe I was being ridiculed, Scheele had her arm cut off. And lost her teigu trying to protect me ! I was ... I was useless. "

"To me, don't say that. " Lubbock asserted." You did your best and ... "

"You do not understand? Mine roared." That butler and that girl with her ax ... they both had the same power as that demon woman who is Jaldabaoth's right-hand man ! I attacked them with all my might and yet they barely seemed to feel my attacks. when I touch touch them. "

Trembling with fear, she wanted to know.

"What are we going to do ? If the Empire got people as powerful as them ... we have no chance of winning."

Standing in the doorway to the infirmary, Aura shrugged and sighed tiredly.

"What a bunch of wimps ! Even if this girl can reach level 45, she's still a pathetic human ! Galadriel-sama won't be able to use her to do much."

Also looking at Mine, Najenda finally said.

"If you're scared, leave the group. "

" Eh ? " Mine wondered, looking at her.

"If you are afraid to fight, it is not worth it for you to stay with us! As soon as you feel your body shaking, in the middle of a fight, your victory can no longer be achieved! You will become an embarrassment to we. "

" What are you talking about ? " Mine roared. "Don't you understand that there is a difference between fighting against soldiers and fighting against a chimera?"

"Winning against Esdeath is a utopia. " Najenda retorted. "And we all know our chances of winning are close to zero! Today, you seem to have understood how much stronger people are than us! But now what are you going to do? Continue with us, so that we can have a chance to go beyond your limits? Or would you rather replace your courage with cowardice and go away abandoning your dreams? "

"How dare you talk to me like that ? I am ... I am ..."

"Your gesture is heroic, young girl ! But I repeat: you will never be able to achieve your goals if you don't get stronger ! Are you sure you want to protect everyone? In this case, learn to toughen yourself up. "

Suddenly thinking back to Sebas's words, Mine bowed her head and clenched her teeth. Then, she ends up confessing.

"Yes ! I'm scared ! Today, compared to yesterday, I really understood how dangerous being a part of Night Raid is."

Seeing her start to cry in fear, no one said anything. Not knowing at all how to react when watching the girl who had always acted arrogantly, Tatsumi ended up seeing her wipe her eyes, before roaring.

"But Scheele would never have decided to abandon her friends! And I intend to do the same."

Seeing her friend lying on her bed, she declared.

"Scheele ... I would get stronger ! I would get so strong that I would be able to protect you, the next time we beat together! And also, I promise you to get your teigu back ! Yes, because in order to win, we will need everyone's strength. "

Then, having spoken thus, she finally grabbed her crutches, before starting to leave the room, passing in front of the twins.

"This is the first time I've seen a human wanting to recombine, after successfully battling multiple Guardians."

"I can't tell you if she's brave, or just plain stupid," Aura asserted.

With her hands placed behind her head, she also walked away from the infirmary, also thinking about her fight against Seryu.

"I wish I had killed this girl and taken her teigu ! Nevertheless, Galadriel-sama told us that we are unable to control the teigus at this time."

"Are you going to give up on getting it ?"

"Of course not ! I'm just going to wait for our lady to unlock the magic seal that keeps us from controlling these strange weapons! And then I'll go see this girl to take her dog ! I hope she will can use this time to unlock other skills. "

"You seem excited about this."

" It's normal. " Aura asserted. "This fight against this girl and her dog was one of the best fights I have had in a long time. "

"In the old world, that never happened." Mare remarked. "And if this happens, then it would like to reaffirm Our Lady's words again! The humans of this world are much more powerful than those we used to fight."

Smiling at that, Aura declarative.

"Imagine: if our Lady managed to multiply the number of teigu, before distributing them to the humans of this world! Each of them could have a chance to reach level 40! Even level 50, with luck!"

Blushing at the thought of it, she declaring.

"With thousands of humans of this level, I could finally allow my precious animals to fight with all their might and I could finally see them having fun slaughtering humans who deserve to die under their claws."

"Onee-san… the way you smile saying that is scary."

For her part, Tatsumi had returned to training. Nevertheless, having made several movements, while practicing with the sword he had taken from the corpse of the death knight, the boy had finally dropped the weapon, to drop to the ground.

" It's impossible. " He asserted. " This sword weighs at least 20 kilos ! I am unable to the way and to fight normally with it."

"Are you already taking a break ? "

Startled, Tatsumi straightened up, seeing Bulat approaching him. Grabbing the heavy sword, the Colossus began to move, much faster than Tatsumi's, while the sword now seemed to be as heavy as a cardboard sword.

"This weapon is amazing," Bulat assured, examining it. "It has an exceptional edge, not to mention that its strength is the same as that of a teigu! If you are able to use it, know that you will be in possession of an exceptional weapon, the weight of which will require to multiply your physical strength to control it. "

Shrugging, Tatsumi finally asserts.

"I'm not ready to use it properly ! It's way too heavy and slows me down! If I fight with it, I couldn't even hit my opponent."

"So what are you waiting for to train more?" Bulat asked him. "Do you think it's by ruminating that you will be able to exceed your limits?"

Looking into the distance, Bulat asserted.

"We already knew that our opponents were strong! Nevertheless, the situation is so critical that we will be forced to increase the intensity of our training."

"What then ? " Tatsumi questioned, doubting that this would be enough to compete with Scheele's attackers. "Do you really think it will make a difference?"

Immediately he felt Bulat's fist hit the top of his head, creating a huge bump.

"If you don't believe it, you will never make it ! But you know, Tatsumi, from now on, it's not just our fight, but that of the whole Empire!"

" Eh ? "

"Even though Galadriel-san has sworn to us that she can defeat Jaldabaoth, we must never forget the fact that she can lose to him ! And if that happens, this demon will attack the Empire ! To prevent that, we are have to get stronger to stay alive ! Do you understand? "

Staring at Tatsumi, he asserted.

"Even if you decide to leave Night Raid, that will not prevent you from being in danger of death because of the Prime Minister or because of Jaldabaoth."

Then leaving, he declared.

"If you've understood that, don't hesitate to come see me! I promise you that my training will allow you to wield your new sword."

Seeing him leave, Tatsumi was lost in his mind, and remembered Mine's description of her attackers.

"A butler ..."

Seeing Ieyasu concentrating, Buut had positioned his shield to protect himself from his next attack. However, he felt gusts of wind start to hit his face, despite his protection. Then, finally, a sphere of wind appeared in the boy's hands, which he hurled at the goblin. Gritting his teeth, the green creature tried to withstand the attack.

However, as soon as the attack struck his shield, Buut felt his feet slip back before being sent to one of the walls of the Colosseum. Seeing him finish on the ground, Ieyasu looks at his hands before screaming with joy. He finally manages to control his teigu.

"Finally !"

For her part, flying over the forest of the fifth basement of Nazarick, Maricana tried to find her prey.

"Sayo-chan, where are you? You know very well that I would find you eventually."

At that moment, the vampire gained height, to avoid being hit by an arrow. Seeing that she had missed it, Sayo used her teigu to bounce off the tree trunks. Increasing her speed, she moved so quickly that Maricana struggled to keep up as she shifted position, while shooting arrows in her direction. Now using a magical shield, to protect herself, Maricana smirked arrogantly, as she saw Sayo's projectiles shatter upon touching her shield.

"You may have gained speed, but your attacks are still so weak."

However, continuing to bounce off the tree trunks like a bouncing ball, Sayo ended up rushing towards the vampire.

"Um?" The flying creature wondered, seeing her grab a different arrow from the others.

"This is one of the magical arrows that Galadriel-sama specially gave me. "

Firing the projectile, she saw it explode, crashing into Maricana's magical protection. The explosion was so powerful that the vampire was surprised to see her shield shatter to pieces.

"What…?" She wondered, flapping her wings to back away.

Nonetheless, emerging from the cloud of smoke, Sayo was in front of her and brandished his bow in front of her.

"I got you." She asserted, firing another arrow.

Unfortunately, reacting in time, Maricana managed to dodge the projectile and flew towards Sayo. In an instant, she grabbed her by her throat and her arm which held the bow and began to fly at full speed towards the center of the arena. Trying to struggle, Sayo was unable to cope with the vampire's superhuman strength, while her teigu was unable to help her in such a situation.

"SAYONARA ! »Said the vampire, dropping in full speed.

Yet at the last moment, she stopped dead in her tracks, as Saya's back was only inches from the ground. Practically having a heart attack, Sayo remained still, just staring into Maracana's face, who was staring at her with a mischievous smile.

"It's so much fun terrorizing you, Sayo-chan. "

"Shut up !" Sayo ordered her, looking away to avoid looking at the vampire's amused eyes.

Shrugging, Maricana standing up, allowing Sayo to do the same. Then she wrapped her arms around Sayo's neck, before asserting.

"You've been amazing, Sayo-chan ! It's the first time you've come so close to defeating me ! You've improved a lot."

Seeing Ieyasu helping Buut to his feet, Sayo shook her head.

"I'm not ready yet! Ieyasu beat Buut-san and I'm still unable to touch you."

"Don't compare! Buut is a level 27 goblin! And I am a level 34 vampire! I am much stronger than him ! Besides, he is unable to create magical shields like mine ! more than that, your teigu is different from Ieyasu's. "

Looking at the watch he had on his wrist, the boy was just turning his dial, to begin to control the air around him. Soon he moved his arms so as to create a new sphere of wind.

"Ieyasu's teigu allows him to control the air around him and he mainly uses it to create powerful gusts of wind ! Your teigu allows you to bounce like a spring ! In the end, Ieyasu's teigu is made to increase his offensive forces, which is perfect for him! As for yours, it allows you to increase your support capacities, being able to change your positions at any time! important offensives, they will be able enough to fight normal humans.

Then suddenly, spanking Sayo, she walked away, winking at her.

"Anyway, it's not a little chick like you who can beat me! By the way, be careful with your meals! I feel like your butt has gotten bigger."

Blushing with shame, Sayo began to shout insults, which only made Maricana laugh.

For his part, being seated in the stands of the colosseum, Cocytus had once again witnessed the training of his disciples and had been able to see the dazzling progress of Sayo and Ieyasu who now knew how to use their teigu.

"Galadriel-sama will be happy! His idea of creating an army of humans controlling teigus can come true! In a few weeks, they went 24 and 25, to level 32 ! They have already exceeded the power of the most powerful humans of our old world and I know they still have the potential to get stronger. "

At that moment, the word " MESSAGE " echoed in his head. Noticing that it was from Galadriel, the Warrior stood up immediately, before engaging in a telepathic conversation.

"Yes, Galadriel-sama ? What can I do for you ?

"Cocytus! Sorry to have to bother you! But I would like to know if you would take on a new assignment ? "

"A new mission ?

Feeling recoil against the onslaught of the mercenaries of Nazarick, several goblins eventually recoiled before writing to each other.

"Stop ! Please ! Let us take a break !"

"We can't take it anymore. "

"You have become too strong for us. "

Awaiting these words, from the part of the physically dominant people, just a few weeks ago the humans who made up the mercenary group of Nazarick were happy.

"HAHAHAHA!" A man giggles, starting to tap the muscles in his arm which had become quite impressive. "Admire our bodies ! That, it's muscles. "

"It is not for nothing that we managed to save five villages and that we defeated the soldiers of the Empire who wanted to attack the inhabitants! From now on, no one can stop us."

"And although we spend all of our time training, our lives have become a hundred times better than before, since Galadriel-sama resurrected us! Thanks to her, we have become champions."

Seeing the humans barely tired, several goblins heaved discouraged sighs, as they were exhausted. Compared to Buut, who were at level 27, most of them were barely at level 20, a power level more than enough to defeat humans. Yet, the few weeks that Aria's group of former slaves had spent had been enough to increase their power dramatically.

Yet people like Buut or Maricana knew that increasing their power had nothing to do with their weapons or their teigus. What made these humans so strong was revenge. Excluded, tortured, starved all these humans hated the Empire and, now, thanks to Galadriel, they could take revenge by kicking the buttocks of the soldiers they were fighting. Now, today, everyone who saw them as garbage began to fear. And this greatly amused the mercenaries of Nazarick.

"All. Of. You ." Cried Cocytus' voice.

Seeing their teacher coming towards them, the humans immediately rang the bell. Then Sayo and Ieyasu stood in front of them before greeting Cocytus.

"Sayo, leader of the archers squadron! Greetings, Cocytus-sensei ! "

"Ieyasu, leader of the warrior squadron ! Greetings, Cocytus-sensei ! "

Then everyone behind the duo bowed to greet Cocytus. Standing still, Cocytus waited until they were finished before declaring.

"I. Have. Some. Important. News. To. Tell. You ! But. Before. That, I. Would. Like. To. Ask. You. A. Few. Questions ! Who. Is. Your. Master ? "

Being used to this kind of question, Sayo responded immediately.

"Galadriel-sama ! "

"Why. Are. You. Fighting ? "

"To enable Galadriel-sama to achieve his goals, whatever they are," Ieyasu assured.

"And. What. Are. You. Ready. To. Do. For. Galadriel-sama ? "

"We are ready to die for her." All humans assured.

Nodding, before snapping his mandibles, Cocytus finally said.

"Perfect ! Then. I. Can. Leave. With. A. Clear. Conscience."

Immediately, surprise was read on the faces of the mercenaries, hearing him speak.

"Sayo-san ... Ieyasu-kun ... From. Today, I. Appoint. You. Chief. Instructor-in-chief. Of. The. Mercenaries. Of. Nazarick ! During. My. Absence, It. Will. Be. Up. To. You. To. Lead. The. Group. As. Well. As. To. Train. The. New. Recruits ! I. Hope. I. Don't. Regret. This. Decision. "

"During your absence?"

"Yes ! Galadriel-sama. Has. Just. Given. Me. A. New. Mission ! I. Have. Assured. Her. That. I. Will. Accomplish. It. While. Being. Certain. That. You. Are. Now. Ready. To. Be. Able. To. Carry. Out. Your. Next. Missions. Without. Needing. Me."

Staring at Ieyasu and Sayo, Cocytus questioned them.

"So ? Are. You. Ready. To. Take. On. Your. New. Responsabilities ?"

Looking at each other, the two friends quickly displayed determined looks as they slapped each other's abdomen, level with their hearts.

"We are proud of this and will do our best to never dishonor you and Galadriel-sama."

Nodding again, Cocytus finally turns to walk away. However, before he could leave the Colosseum, he heard.

"Cocytus-sensei ..."

Turning around, the guardian saw the humans, all having one knee on the ground, as they bowed in respect.

"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING ! "

Again, Cocytus snapped his jaws, before leaving. At this precise moment, he wondered if his creator would be proud of the disciples he formed.

Being walking, while having a lollipop in her mouth, Rubedo sported a smile, showing that she was in a good mood. Yuri and Sebas could even hear her singing.

"It's rare to see you smile, Rubedo-sama." Yuri remarked, somewhat surprised by the young girl's cheerful demeanor.

"This is normal ! After our fight yesterday, Shekyu was taken to hospital and, from what I understand, her arms will need several weeks of healing before they are healed ! During this timeframe , I wouldn't have to put up with it. "

"Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for her to be with you." Yuri retorted. "Seryu-san seems to develop an admiration for you ! With someone like her spending her time recounting your exploits, it's even easier to indoctrinate more soldiers for your cause."

Smiling at Yuri, Rubedo stared at her, stating.

"That girl ... if she ever says the word 'justice' in front of me again, I'll blow her head off."

Remaining silent, Sebas was thoughtful, remembering Seryu's behavior from the day before.

"This girl… her urge to establish justice around her was genuine ! Nonetheless, she was brainwashed which prevents her from seeing the difference between right and wrong."

Hardening his gaze, he noticed how many people in the Empire must behave similarly to Captain Ogre.

"If Galadriel-sama asks me, I would be happy to make sure that these people don't do any more harm around them."

Suddenly, the man stopped feeling a presence. Looking in the direction of a small alley, he finally said.

"Rubedo-sama, go ahead, I'll join you."

"Hmm ? " The two ladies wondered, seeing him heading towards the alley.

Arrived at the center of the latter, Sebas stopped, before asking.

"What do you want, ... Tatsumi ? "

Coming out of his hiding place, the boy faced him, with a look that betrayed some form of suspicion towards Sebas.

"Sebas-san ... are you the enemy of Night Raid ?"

"Hmm ?" The butler wondered.

Suddenly, thinking back to the state Scheele was in right now, as well as Mine's tears, Tatsumi grabbed his sword, before screaming.

"Tell me if Galadriel-sama is Night Raid's enemy."

Level power :

Esdeath : 51

Dijon : 48

Bulat : 39 ( + 1 )

Mine ( with teigu ) : 37 ( 45 max )

Akame : 35

Leone : 35

Sheele : 34

Seryu : 32 ( Koro, 44 max )

Ieyatsu : 32 ( + 7 )

Sayo : 32 ( + 8 )

Lubbock : 30

Tatsumi : 28 ( + 2 )