A/N:

AkameKillGuy: Thanks a ton for sticking around and keeping the faith! I'm glad you're enjoying Tatsumi and Esdeath's evolving relationship. There's plenty more drama, romance, and adventure coming their way—stay tuned!

MyyGottMitUns: Wow, your review seriously made my day. First off, I'm really sorry for the long wait—I know how frustrating hiatuses can be, and I genuinely appreciate your patience. Life got in the way, but comments like yours motivate me to get back on track. I'm beyond honored to hear my fic resonated with you so deeply. I've actually heard great things about Kill Your Regrets: An Epic Evolution, and I'll definitely check it out—thanks for the recommendation! Glad to have readers like you. Thanks again for the heartfelt welcome back! Gott Mit Dir, my friend.

BigBlueFish: Haha, not dead yet, my friend! Thanks for hanging in there and for the welcome-back. Hope this new chapter lived up to expectations!

Islam Linarez: Hey, your comment really made my day! I'm thrilled this chapter brightened yours as well. Glad you're enjoying the new developments—I promise there's even more excitement ahead. Thanks so much for your support!

Big thanks to everyone else reading, reviewing, and supporting the story. Glad to be back, and I promise the updates will keep coming.

[ . . . we didn't know what to expect . . . ]

Esdeath glanced down at the remains of Jason Wolfgang, her piercing blue eyes narrowing with an analytical glint.

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her mind turning over Wave's claim that this thing had once been human. "An artificial Danger Beast created from a dead human...?"

That was no small feat. The kind of scientific brilliance required to pull something like this off was beyond rare. In all her years, there had been only one person she knew who could have attempted such a thing. "Dr. Stylish."

But he had been long deceased, his mad experiments put to an end when he foolishly raided Night Raid's headquarters without informing her first. "And yet…"

Her gaze flickered toward Tatsumi. "On the other hand..."

Before Tatsumi could even blink, he suddenly found himself scooped up in Esdeath's arms.

Again.

"Wha—?!" The former assassin barely had time to react before Esdeath affectionately nuzzled her cheek against his, slipping seamlessly into her schoolgirl persona. Her usual air of cold command was replaced with lovesick delight as she hugged him with a suffocating amount of enthusiasm.

"Oh, my dear Tatsumi!" she gushed, practically sparkling with joy. "You looked so cool just now!"

Tatsumi let out a strangled noise, his face turning beet red. "E-Esdeath, not here!"

But she didn't care.

She rubbed her cheek against his again, sighing dreamily. "Mmm~ You know, seeing you fight is the quickest way to turn me on…"

Tatsumi visibly short-circuited. "C-C-CAN YOU NOT SAY THAT IN FRONT OF WAVE?!"

Wave, to his credit, looked more pained than anything. He tried his best to ignore the utter absurdity happening mere feet away from him and instead focused on something far more important.

Limping slightly due to his broken leg, he carefully reached down and picked up the ember lotus.

The small, ethereal flower still flickered with its unnatural flame, but thankfully, it didn't seem damaged from the battle. Wave's gaze then flickered to the side—where he spotted something familiar.

The apothecary jar it had originally been contained in.

His brows furrowed. He was amazed that the fragile-looking jar had somehow not been crushed in the chaos of the fight. "Huh. Guess I won't look a gift horse in the mouth."

With careful precision, he placed the ember lotus back inside, making sure it was properly secured—just as Professor Kastigar had instructed. If everything was intact, then that meant there was still hope that the professor would hold up her end of their bargain.

All the while, behind him, the ice queen continued smothering Tatsumi.

"I just love watching you fight, darling~," she purred, tracing a gloved finger along his jawline. "You're so decisive in battle. So fierce. It just makes me want to-"

To which Tatsumi stammered and interrupted, desperately trying to escape. "Y-YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE TO KEEP SAYING THIS STUFF OUT LOUD!"

Esdeath beamed at him. "But I do!"

Wave, still trying to tune them out, straightened slightly and turned his attention back to Tatsumi—not out of interest in Esdeath's typical fixation, but rather…Tatsumi himself.

His thoughts drifted back to the way Tatsumi had defeated Jason so effortlessly.

Wave had been fighting that monster for hours, struggling for his life, pushed to his limits. Then Tatsumi had shown up and ended it in the blink of an eye.

The ex-Jaeger swallowed slightly. He recalled the rumors—that Tatsumi had defeated Esdeath during Night Raid's infiltration of the palace weeks ago. But knowing everything he knew about his former commander, he had never once considered those rumors to be credible.

As Tatsumi and Esdeath continued their playful back-and-forth, Wave cleared his throat loudly, hoping to get their attention. The boyfriend/girlfriend duo glanced in his direction simaltaneously—Tatsumi's face finally returning to its normal color, though Esdeath's arms remained draped possessively around his shoulders.

"So, not to interrupt whatever... this is," Wave began awkwardly, gesturing at them, "but why exactly are you two here? You said something about hunting an Omega-class Danger Beast?"

With a look of reluctance on her face, Esdeath released the Incursio wielder, smoothing out her navy-blue dress jacket as she resumed her usual commanding posture. "That's correct. Tatsumi and I are on a hunting expedition."

Tatsumi nodded, adopting a more serious expression. "There's a creature in this cavern—one that's been said to be the Omega-class Danger Beast. I saw it firsthand when I was here last time, during a Night Raid mission months ago." His crimson eyes then shifted toward the massive stone cathedral-like doors looming ominously at the far end of the cavern. "The creature passed through there."

Wave turned, eyeing the enormous doors with a thin current of skepticism in his eyes. "I tried opening those earlier, but they wouldn't budge. Not even a little."

Tatsumi gave a knowing nod. "I had a similar experience last time, but I'm a bit more prepared now." He rested a confident hand on the hilt of Incursio, his gaze sharpening.

The ice queen raised an eyebrow, glancing at him curiously. "I assume the conditions of our foolish wager won't impede my participation in this upcoming battle?"

Tatsumi chuckled softly. "Naturally."

To which she replied with a pleased smirk curling on her lips. "Good."

Together, Tatsumi and Esdeath started toward the imposing cathedral doors, their footsteps echoing softly across the cavern floor. Tatsumi paused briefly to glance back over his shoulder at Wave, his expression calm yet firm. "Wave, you'd better sit this one out. With that leg injury, you're in no shape to fight."

The ex-jaeger grimaced slightly but nodded without protest. "Yeah… got it."

Tatsumi approached the doors with his body posture entirely calm. Drawing Incursio with practiced ease, he began delivering lightning-fast slashes against the heavy stone. Wave strained his eyes just to catch glimpses of Tatsumi's incredible speed, the flurry of sword strikes leaving nothing but faint blurs in their wake.

But despite his extraordinary speed and precision, the massive doors showed no signs of damage—not even a scratch.

The former assassin gave a self-deprecating chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah, that's about what I expected."

Esdeath stepped forward, a confident gleam in her eyes. "Allow me."

She gracefully shifted into a familiar stance, arms crossed elegantly. "Grauhorn."

Instantly, a massive pillar of ice—grade-one, pure and devastating—shot forward with incredible force, slamming directly against the doors. Yet despite the power behind Esdeath's attack, the doors stood unyielding, entirely unfazed.

Tatsumi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, glancing sideways at Esdeath. "Maybe try grade-two this time?"

To which Esdeath quickly shifted her gaze away from Tatsumi, an unexpected flicker of discomfort briefly crossing her features. "I doubt it would make much difference," she said briskly. "Perhaps it's time you used Incursio's true power instead."

Tatsumi studied her carefully for a moment, almost as if sensing something unusual about her tone—but he dismissed the thought almost immediately. "Alright," he said, stepping forward again.

Flexing a familiar crimson aura around himself, Tatsumi tightened his grip on Incursio's hilt. In response, the shortsword began to transform dramatically, shifting form and color until the blade portion took shape as a long, crimson claymore.

Wave watched in astonishment. He had never seen Incursio take that form before.

Holding the newly formed claymore firmly with both hands, Tatsumi unleashed a rapid succession of heavy two-handed strikes against the massive doors. Wave opened his mouth to speak, to point out the apparent futility, but Esdeath raised a hand, smirking with amusement.

"Just watch," she instructed.

At first, nothing seemed to happen—but after a few more relentless swings, Wave noticed something extraordinary. Tiny droplets of water began dripping from the blade of the crimson claymore. His eyes widened in disbelief, yet Esdeath merely watched with fascination, a quiet intensity burning in her gaze.

The more Tatsumi swung, the more water droplets gathered around the blade, slowly beginning to rotate around its edge. With each additional strike, their speed increased rapidly, growing denser, sharper, and faster until the droplets melded into a spiraling jet stream of high-pressure water wrapped tightly around the claymore's blade.

Wave held his breath, hardly daring to blink as Tatsumi, expression fiercely determined, raised the sword once more and delivered a single devastating slash.

The colossal doors parted effortlessly, cleanly sliced in half as though they were nothing but butter.

Wave's jaw dropped, speechless. Esdeath, meanwhile, gazed at Tatsumi with unabashed pride and admiration, clearly savoring every moment of his display of power.

Tatsumi stood calmly at the now-opened passageway, his claymore held confidently at his side. He briefly glanced back at his companions, his crimson eyes alight with anticipation and readiness for battle.

"Ready?" he said coolly, stepping forward into the shadowy corridor beyond.

The duo ventured deeper into the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing against stone walls softly illuminated by rows of flickering candles. As they moved further inward, another imposing stone door soon came into view—almost identical to the one Tatsumi had just sliced apart.

Esdeath frowned slightly, shaking her head with mild disdain. "Whoever designed this clearly suffered a severe deficit of originality."

The Incursio wielder said nothing, instead gripping his crimson claymore firmly, the blade still shimmering with the powerful jet of pressurized water. He took a breath, then swung decisively at the door.

Yet, instead of slicing through it as before, his eyes widened in shock as an identical slash instantly emerged from the door—rushing straight back at him. Only thanks to his heightened reflexes and visual acuity did he manage a desperate backstep, narrowly evading the blade.

"What the—?" Tatsumi breathed, clearly shaken by the inexplicable occurrence.

The ice queen's eyes narrowed in intrigue and surprise. Approaching the door cautiously, she slowly extended a single finger, pressing it against the stone. Her eyes widened when the very same finger emerged from the door's surface, mirroring her action exactly. Immediately pulling back, she examined her finger closely, astonishment plainly visible in her normally stoic expression. "This is… peculiar."

Determined to understand, Tatsumi stepped forward again, carefully extending his hand through the stone door. He watched closely as his own hand reemerged instantly from the door toward him, forcing him to quickly pull it back in startled confusion.

"What kind of trick is this?" he murmured, glancing back at Esdeath in bewilderment.

At that moment, Wave limped over, carefully favoring his injured leg. His voice was strained, but certain. "I've seen something exactly like this before—in a military town in northern Bestimmung. No matter how many times you poke your hand through, it always comes right back out."

Tatsumi nodded, acknowledging the ex-jaeger's explanation but clearly unsatisfied. Stepping several feet back, he decided on another approach. Without hesitation, he sprinted full-speed into the doorway.

Yet the moment he crossed the threshold, Tatsumi emerged directly back toward Esdeath and Wave, still sprinting, only now wide-eyed with astonishment at the impossible phenomenon.

"That's…" Tatsumi panted, stopping himself abruptly. "That's completely impossible."

Esdeath stepped forward again, her analytical mind rapidly processing possibilities. She ran a gloved finger thoughtfully along her chin, carefully examining the door.

"Incredible," she whispered, eyes sparkling with intellectual fascination. "It appears this door has properties that allow it to subtly manipulate spacetime. No matter how you approach or enter, you always emerge rotated precisely 180 degrees. Fascinating."

Tatsumi sheathed his claymore, allowing Incursio to revert to its dormant shortsword form. He glanced at the door thoughtfully, then back at Esdeath. "Maybe if I keep slashing at it enough times, Incursio can adapt—"

"No," Esdeath interjected firmly, a sudden seriousness entering her voice. "I forbid it."

Tatsumi looked surprised by her uncharacteristic sharpness, hesitating momentarily. After a second, he nodded reluctantly, deciding to heed her caution. "Alright. You must have a good reason."

Esdeath relaxed slightly, her expression softening. "Incursio's adaptive capabilities are certainly impressive—but they're imprecise. There's no way to know what sort of injury you'd subject yourself to by repeatedly attacking a door designed to redirect your actions." She paused, her tone softening further. "Besides, we don't even know for certain that this door leads to the omega-class danger beast. You'd risk your life for potentially nothing."

Tatsumi conceded quietly, "Fair point."

A thoughtful silence fell over the group—until suddenly, Wave's eyes widened, a look of realization dawning across his face.

"Wait—I have an idea!" Wave interjected, suddenly energized despite his injuries. "The whole reason I'm in this cavern is that I'm trying to figure out how to open a door exactly like this one in northern Bestimmung. If we all work together, maybe we can figure out how to bypass this strange effect."

Tatsumi and Esdeath exchanged brief glances before turning their attention fully toward Wave.

"Alright," Tatsumi replied with renewed determination, giving Wave a nod of approval. "Let's hear it."

[ . . . we decided to meet Professor Kastigar . . . ]

After several hours of traveling through thick snowfall and lengthy discussion about Wave's plan to secure Chancellor Eisen's assistance through the Steel Festival, the trio finally reached the gates of Professor Kastigar's majestic estate in the city of Hertz.

By the time the horse-drawn stagecoach came to a gentle stop, evening had already blanketed the estate grounds in a delicate, snow-covered hush. Tatsumi parked the horse-drawn stagecoach with practiced ease, tying off the reins and gently patting the animals' necks in gratitude. He then maneuvered towards Wave, offering a supportive shoulder to Wave, whose injured leg was now throbbing with relentless pain.

The ice queen stepped gracefully from the carriage behind them, carefully holding the apothecary jar containing the ember lotus. She glanced thoughtfully at Wave as she walked beside them toward the mansion's grand entrance.

"So," she began casually, "why exactly did Professor Kastigar insist you plant this ember lotus in that particular cavern?"

Wave shrugged slightly, shifting his weight against Tatsumi's shoulder. "Honestly, I have no idea. That was her one condition for helping secure my participation in the Steel Festival."

Esdeath glanced skeptically at Wave's injured leg, raising an elegant eyebrow. "And just how do you intend to compete in a festival of physical events with a broken leg?"

"We have a few weeks before it starts," Wave replied confidently, though he winced slightly as he adjusted his posture. "Hopefully, that'll give me enough time to heal."

The former Night Raid assassin tilted his head toward Esdeath curiously. "Speaking of the Steel Festival, have you ever participated?"

Esdeath shook her head, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "I've never been invited," she answered dismissively. "And even if I were, I'd probably decline."

Wave raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why not?"

A sinister chuckle escaped Esdeath's throat as her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's just say carnival games and friendly competitions aren't my style. I prefer battles of life and death—fights that truly test one's limits."

Tatsumi shook his head with a slight smirk, shrugging playfully. "Well, too bad you won't be enjoying any of those anytime soon."

Esdeath let out a frustrated sigh, clearly irritated by Tatsumi's remark.

The Grand Chariot wielder glanced between the two, confused. "Wait, what's that supposed to mean?"

Tatsumi chuckled softly, glancing knowingly at Esdeath. "Let's just say she's forbidden from harming anyone unless I explicitly allow it."

Wave's eyes widened in astonishment as he turned to Esdeath. "You seriously agreed to something like that?"

Esdeath closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, visibly annoyed yet oddly resigned. "Love has a habit of making even the strongest warriors commit foolish acts."

Upon entering the mansion, Wave immediately called out, "Professor Kastigar! We're back!" But his voice echoed unanswered through the spacious halls. Silence.

Wave shrugged, his exhaustion clear. "She must be running an errand or something."

The trio continued upstairs, approaching one of the guest rooms. Quietly entering, they found Kurome sleeping soundly beneath plush covers in the queen-sized bed, her breathing slow and steady.

Esdeath's gaze softened briefly at the sight of her former subordinate. She took a step forward, prepared to wake Kurome—but Wave quickly shook his head and pressed an index finger to his lips, signaling silence.

Esdeath paused, considering him curiously, before quietly following them back into the hallway, gently closing the door behind them.

"Is something wrong with Kurome?" Esdeath questioned quietly, genuine concern evident in her typically cool voice.

The ex-jaeger exhaled heavily, eyes downcast. "It's…complicated. Her Imperial Arm, Yatsufusa, has nearly destroyed her mind. It's draining away her sanity." He hesitated a moment, his expression troubled. "The entire reason I'm up here in Bestimmung is to find a cure."

Esdeath's lips curled into a knowing smirk as she processed Wave's confession. "So that's why you ventured into that perilous cavern alone, nearly got yourself killed, broke your leg, and now plan to participate in a 'silly' festival? All to chase down some vague clue on curing Kurome?"

Wave glanced back at his former commander, eyes full of realization at the way she had succinctly summarized all of his efforts in the past few week. All he could do was nod.

"I see..." Esdeath murmured quietly. A small smile formed on her lips as she folded her arms in mild amusement. "It seems love truly does make us do foolish things, doesn't it?"

Wave's face turned bright red in an instant, flustered panic overtaking him. "H-hey! Who said anything about love?!"

Esdeath chuckled dryly, shaking her head dismissively. "It's obvious to everyone but you, Wave."

He turned away quickly, desperately trying to conceal his flushed face. "Whatever."

Tatsumi, unable to resist smiling slightly at the exchange, shook his head and said nothing. He helped Wave toward a nearby seat, allowing him to gently sit down and relieve some pressure from his injured leg.

The ice queen stretched gracefully, carefully setting down the apothecary jar onto a nearby table. She cast another glance at Kurome's bedroom door before sighing wistfully.

"Love truly makes fools of even the strongest warriors," she muttered, half to herself, half to Wave. "It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in that regard."

With a resigned sigh, Wave could only offer a weary chuckle. "Glad I could provide you some comfort."

Esdeath turned toward a nearby hallway, clearly uninterested in extending the teasing further. "In any case," she announced calmly, regaining her dignified air, "we'll have plenty of opportunities later for sentimental banter. Right now, I desperately need a hot shower and some tea."

She took several graceful steps forward, pausing briefly to glance over her shoulder at Wave and Tatsumi. "I'll leave you two gentlemen to sort out your own matters."

As she continued down the mansion corridor, Wave sighed quietly, leaning against a nearby armchair for support.

He exchanged a look with Tatsumi, smiling weakly. "Well... she's certainly not wrong about the fool part."

Tatsumi chuckled lightly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I guess we've all got our foolish moments."

Wave smiled ruefully, shaking his head. "Yeah. Unfortunately for us, those moments seem to keep stacking up."

The two comrades shared a brief laugh, their bond growing stronger through the shared absurdity of their situations. But underneath the humor lingered a seriousness that neither could ignore.

Wave leaned back against the mansion's ornate armchair, carefully stretching out his injured leg. The warm glow from the chandelier above softly illuminated his weary face, painting an aura of quiet contemplation around him. He glanced over at Tatsumi thoughtfully before breaking the silence.

"You know," he began, a small chuckle escaping his lips, "now that I think about it, the last time we actually spoke, I didn't even realize you were part of Night Raid."

Tatsumi took a seat across from Wave, smiling with mild amusement. He ran a hand through his hair and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I suppose that's true. Back then, it felt necessary to keep things quiet."

Wave turned his gaze downward, deep in thought for a moment, before finally speaking up again. "If you don't mind me asking… why did you join Night Raid in the first place?"

The Incursio wielder's crimson eyes softened slightly. He leaned back and let out a quiet sigh, memories clearly flashing behind his calm demeanor. "Honestly, it started off simple. I wanted to earn money to help my village. But somewhere along the way, it became so much more." His expression hardened again, conviction glinting sharply in his eyes. "It turned into fighting back against the former Prime Minister's tyranny, trying to end the suffering he caused."

Wave took in Tatsumi's words, internalizing them carefully before leaning back with a self-deprecating smile. "Funny how it never works out how you expect it to, huh? I joined the Jaegers thinking I'd be fighting for justice, stopping the wicked, protecting the innocent… and instead, I ended up doing the exact opposite."

He shook his head bitterly, his voice growing quieter. "I mean, just look at what happened with people like Seryu… or Dr. Stylish… I was serving the very evil I wanted to destroy. Pretty pathetic, isn't it?"

Tatsumi studied Wave silently for a moment, before smiling gently and shaking his head. "I wouldn't say that."

Wave looked up at him, mildly surprised. "Huh?"

"You may have served in the Jaegers, but at the end of the day, you never abandoned your convictions. You never allowed yourself to lose sight of what justice really meant. The fact that you're here right now, risking everything to save Kurome…" Tatsumi's smile broadened warmly. "That's proof enough that you're still a good man. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

Wave smiled slightly, a sense of genuine gratitude flickering behind his tired eyes. After a brief pause, he turned back toward Tatsumi, raising an eyebrow. "Mind if I ask you something else?"

Tatsumi nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Wave's expression shifted into a slightly teasing smirk. "What exactly is the deal between you and Commander Esdeath, anyway? You two seem… awfully cozy, especially considering your history."

Tatsumi's face immediately turned crimson, and he glanced away sheepishly, clearly flustered. "I... uh... that is—"

Wave chuckled at his reaction. "Come on, spit it out."

Taking a deep breath, Tatsumi rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, she and I had that duel at the palace... and ever since then, Esdeath's changed somehow. I think maybe deep down, she's not quite as cruel and vicious as she likes to pretend."

Wave let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "Yeah. If I hadn't suspected something like that from the start, I never would've agreed to join her Jaegers in the first place." He paused for a moment, eyes narrowing curiously. "Still...how exactly did you manage to best her in single combat? I've never seen anyone match her, let alone beat her."

Tatsumi smiled faintly, reaching up to gesture toward his crimson eyes with their distinct cross-shaped pupils. "Najenda helped me unlock the true potential of my Imperial Arm. It wasn't easy—in fact, it nearly killed me—but this was the result."

The ex-jaeger leaned forward, examining Tatsumi's transformed eyes with renewed interest. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if I could undergo a similar metamorphosis with Grand Chariot..."

Tatsumi shrugged thoughtfully. "Maybe. Najenda probably knows more about these Imperial Arms than anyone else alive. You could always ask her yourself once all of this is over."

Wave smiled weakly, nodding slowly. "Yeah… I might just do that."

A momentary silence enveloped them, the weight of shared experiences hanging comfortably between the two warriors.

Just as Wave was about to speak up again, a sudden noise interrupted them.

"Wave!" a familiar female voice rang out sharply from downstairs.

Wave straightened slightly, startled. "Professor Kastigar?"

He called back quickly. "Up here, Professor!"

Only silence returned in response, followed by the faint creak of footsteps somewhere distant in the mansion.

Wave shrugged and gave a sheepish smile. "Guess she finally made it back. Took her long enough."

He sighed, struggling to stand up again, bracing himself against the armchair. "Well, we'd better let her know about our 'adventures' today."

Tatsumi chuckled lightly as he reached out, steadying Wave with a reassuring grip. "Yeah, probably a good idea."

Wave reached carefully for the apothecary jar sitting on the table, gripping it tightly as Tatsumi helped steady him onto his feet. The pair slowly descended the grand staircase toward the downstairs living room, where Professor Kastigar awaited impatiently, seated on an antique velvet couch, her cerulean eyes narrowed sharply.

Completely disregarding Wave's injured leg—and seemingly oblivious to Tatsumi's presence—she immediately snapped, "Did you complete my request exactly as instructed?"

Wave paused, feeling slightly put off by her cold demeanor, but held up the apothecary jar regardless. "It's here, Professor. Just as you asked."

Tatsumi quietly helped Wave settle into the plush recliner chair opposite the professor before handing her the jar. Kastigar examined the ember lotus intently, rotating the jar between slender fingers as she inspected the ethereal, flickering flame dancing within. After a few moments of silence, she gave a dismissive shrug.

"Hmm. Not bad," she remarked casually.

At that moment, footsteps echoed softly as Esdeath gracefully entered the room, clearly not yet having taken her shower, her icy-blue hair pulled neatly into a high ponytail. Approaching Kastigar confidently, Esdeath offered a practiced, aristocratic smile.

"You must be the illustrious Professor Kastigar I've heard so much about."

The professor eyed Esdeath skeptically, offering only an indifferent glare. "And just who might you be?"

Esdeath placed one hand over her chest and executed an ostentatious, overly courteous bow. "Captain Maria L. Gehrman, at your service."

Kastigar raised an intrigued eyebrow, turning toward Wave with mild amusement. "It seems your friend here possesses some manners. Perhaps you should take notes."

Wave blinked in confusion, stammering softly. "Captain Gehrman—?"

Tatsumi discreetly nudged him with his elbow, leaning over slightly. "Just play along," he whispered.

The ice queen straightened, eyes glittering sharply as she returned her attention to the professor. "Tell me something, Professor. Were you the one who created the artificial Danger Beast using the remains of Jason Wolfgang?"

Professor Kastigar smirked calmly, tilting her head back slightly in defiance. "And if I were responsible for such clearly illegal scientific experimentation, Captain, exactly what would you intend to do about it?" Her posture exuded a subtle yet unmistakable threat.

Esdeath merely shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unfazed. "Frankly, I couldn't care less what activities you choose to pursue in your spare time. However, you could have at least warned Wave he'd be walking headfirst into a life-or-death confrontation against an upper-ranked Danger Beast—especially one capable of resurrecting itself while near your precious ember lotus."

Kastigar waved Esdeath's criticism aside dismissively. "If I'd warned him, he might have fled."

Wave's eyes flashed angrily as he snapped back, his voice thick with indignation. "Excuse me, Professor, but I've never once run from battle—not now, not ever!"

The professor merely smiled thinly, unaffected by his outrage. "Forgive me, but I needed to be certain of your conviction." Her tone softened slightly, becoming slightly less cutting. "Regardless, I am a woman of my word. You've proven yourself capable, and I will gladly allow you to participate on my behalf in the Steel Festival. However, I expect you to continue assisting me in my experiments until then."

Wave gave a hesitant nod of gratitude, though his gaze quickly shifted toward Tatsumi and Esdeath. Clearing his throat, he addressed the professor cautiously. "Thank you. But…is there any chance that Tatsumi and Es—Captain Gehrman could also participate as retainers alongside me?"

Professor Kastigar rubbed her chin thoughtfully, eyes flickering with quiet calculation. "The rules do allow each participant three retainers…but before I'd even consider that, I'd need to verify their mettle."

Esdeath scoffed openly, smirking derisively. "Testing Tatsumi's 'mettle', much less my own would be nothing more than a waste of your valuable time, Professor."

Suddenly, Kastigar's expression shifted sharply, her gaze snapping over to Tatsumi as if noticing him for the very first time. She stared intently at him, eyes widening slightly in a look of recognition and disbelief. She looked almost as if she was gazing upon an apparition.

Slowly, she turned back toward Esdeath, her voice suddenly tense. "What…did you just call this young man?"

Esdeath, slightly puzzled by the professor's sudden intensity, shrugged calmly. "His name is Tatsumi. Why?"

Professor Kastigar immediately turned to Wave, her voice strained. "Is it true? Is this young man's name actually Tatsumi?"

The Grand Chariot wielder nodded slowly, confused by the professor's strange reaction. "Yes, Professor. His name is Tatsumi."

Without another word, Professor Kastigar rose swiftly from the couch, her expression suddenly darkening with unmistakable hostility. "On second thought, I've reconsidered. I have no desire whatsoever to assist you or your Captain Gehrman."

Wave's mouth dropped open in surprise, disbelief etched into his features. "Professor, what's the matter? What's going on—?"

Kastigar raised a silencing hand, cutting him off. "I'm finished discussing this matter. Kindly show your guests the door, Wave."

She strode quickly toward the exit, leaving the room abruptly without another glance.

Wave turned toward Tatsumi and Esdeath apologetically, embarrassed by the sudden hostility. "I'm sorry… I have no idea what's gotten into her. Let me talk to her—"

Esdeath, however, merely shook her head sharply, her eyes turning icy with contempt. "Don't waste your breath, Wave. Anyone who displays such immediate disdain toward my Tatsumi isn't worth the time or day."

Without waiting for further argument, Esdeath grabbed Tatsumi's arm possessively and turned toward the exit, pulling him along gently yet firmly. "Come, Tatsumi. Let's go."

Tatsumi offered Wave an apologetic glance as he was pulled away. "Take care, Wave. We'll figure something out."

As the pair departed, Wave remained seated in stunned silence, his mind racing with confusion at the professor's sudden outburst. Whatever secret history had just surfaced, it clearly ran deeper than he had imagined.

[. . . we talked about our next steps . . . ]

Several hours had passed since Professor Kastigar's sudden departure, and night had fully descended upon the city of Hertz. Tatsumi and Esdeath had returned to their room within the heart of the bustling city—a luxurious suite illuminated by the soft glow of ornate lamps and the vibrant lights of the cityscape outside.

Tatsumi stood at the window, arms folded calmly as he gazed out through the room's floor-to-ceiling windows. His crimson eyes reflected the myriad lights below, his expression thoughtful as he watched the streetlights flicker to life, illuminating the gentle snowfall that softly blanketed the cobblestone streets. Horse-drawn carriages traversed the roads, late-night construction crews diligently toiling beneath the amber glow of street lamps.

At the far side of the room, Esdeath sat gracefully at the elegant vanity mirror; she studied her reflection calmly, seemingly unfazed by the events earlier in the day. Her long, ice-blue hair cascaded down her shoulders and back in flowing waves, freshly washed, released from its earlier ponytail and shining softly beneath the room's warm lighting. She hummed quietly to herself, a brush moving fluidly through her silky strands. She was clad only in a comfortable, white bathrobe—the soft material hugging her body comfortably as she tended leisurely to her hair.

The former assassin's brow furrowed slightly, the earlier encounter still troubling him. "That was weird," he muttered, breaking the comfortable silence.

Esdeath glanced at his reflection through the mirror, an amused smile gracing her lips. "You're still thinking about that unpleasant old hag?"

Tatsumi shook his head slightly, eyes still fixed on the construction site below, workers moving under the glow of late-night lamps. "It's just strange. I'm certain I've never met her before—but the contempt she showed me was unmistakable."

Esdeath casually flicked her brush through another lock of hair, indifferent to his concern. "Oh, please. That woman is nothing more than a pretentious freakshow."

Tatsumi arched an eyebrow, glancing over at her with mild curiosity. "What makes you say that?"

"You couldn't tell?" she asked, smirking slightly. "The entire place reeked of graveyard soil. I'd bet anything that Jason Wolfgang wasn't her first twisted experiment."

Tatsumi chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Your nose never ceases to amaze me."

The ice queen set the brush down gracefully and met his gaze through the mirror again. "I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it yourself."

He shrugged, eyes returning to the view below. "Why didn't you say anything to Wave about it?"

Esdeath rose from her seat with languid ease, strolling toward the king-sized bed with the easy confidence that defined her every movement. "Wave is a big boy. He doesn't need me meddling in his affairs." She paused briefly, glancing over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. "The only person whose wellbeing I'm responsible for is you."

Tatsumi laughed quietly. "So you think I'm not a big boy, then?"

Esdeath giggled softly as she lay back comfortably on the bed, stretching leisurely against the plush linens. "It depends entirely on which aspect of your personality we're talking about."

Tatsumi turned his head just enough to flash her a playful smirk. "Funny—I could say exactly the same about you."

Esdeath chuckled, rolling onto her side and propping her head up on one hand. "Then it's simply further proof of our compatibility, don't you think?"

Choosing to shift the conversation, Tatsumi focused once more on the streets outside. His voice grew serious again. "Do you have any ideas on how we can get into this Steel Festival?"

Esdeath sighed, rolling onto her back once more, clearly uninterested. "That entire festival sounds like a colossal waste of time."

Tatsumi didn't move, still staring thoughtfully out at the street, watching the construction workers beneath lantern-light labor diligently on a nearby building. "Chancellor Eisen supposedly holds answers about that mysterious door in the cavern. If we win, we'll get exactly what we need."

Esdeath rolled leisurely onto her stomach, propping her chin on her hands and kicking her feet gently in the air, eyes playfully fixed upon Tatsumi's back. "You could waste your time with a meaningless festival... or you could march straight into Chancellor Eisen's palace and simply force him to share what you need."

Tatsumi squeezed the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slightly. "You know I'd never do something like that."

Her expression turned lightly amused, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Of course. More of your pointless heroics." She tilted her head curiously, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Speaking of which, are your pointless heroics even consistent these days?"

He turned slightly toward her, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

Esdeath laughed softly. "Well, earlier today you killed Jason Wolfgang without hesitation—and quite effortlessly, I might add. I distinctly recall you once telling me you were done killing people."

Tatsumi shrugged casually, turning fully toward her with a calm expression. "Jason Wolfgang was already dead. You can't kill someone who's already deceased. The thing I defeated was nothing more than a Danger Beast."

Esdeath narrowed her eyes playfully. "And what if someone equally vile—someone as monstrous as any Danger Beast—appeared before you? Would you kill them?"

Tatsumi's expression softened, and he turned to face her fully, meeting her playful gaze with quiet sincerity. "If I were willing to do that . . . don't you think I would have killed you at the end of our last fight?"

Esdeath's eyes widened in surprise, before a delighted giggle escaped her lips. Rolling onto her back, she kicked her feet in the air like a gleeful child. "I don't know if I should feel honored or offended!"

Tatsumi yawned softly, finally stepping away from the window. He walked over to the spacious bed, lying down comfortably beside her, a faint smile on his lips. "You really love pushing my buttons, don't you?"

She rolled onto her side to face him, eyes gleaming playfully as she traced his cheek with a single fingertip. "It's my third favorite pastime."

Tatsumi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Third? What are the first two?"

Esdeath smirked confidently, her eyes dancing mischievously. "Well, second is obviously combat and general mayhem. And the first…?"

Before Tatsumi could react, Esdeath swiftly climbed atop him, pressing herself close, their faces mere inches apart. Both their cheeks flushed faintly, hearts racing quietly beneath the intimacy of the moment.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice little more than a soft whisper against his lips. "...this."

[ . . . Rokugou was not to be underestimated . . . ]

Elsewhere, aboard a luxurious cruise liner slicing through the frigid waters of northern Bestimmung, Leone once again found herself in state room 20005, nestled comfortably on the 20th floor—Rokugou E. Wolfgang's private suite.

In sharp contrast to the icy, biting winds outside, the atmosphere inside the lavish room was comfortably warm and inviting. Leone lay cozily beneath the soft caress of thousand-thread-count satin sheets, her head resting against Rokugou's toned, muscular chest. Her fingertips lazily traced playful circles across his bare skin, her disheveled blonde hair cascading haphazardly across her shoulders, evidence of the passionate evening they'd just shared. The elegant evening gown she'd donned earlier lay discarded on the carpeted floor alongside Rokugou's finely tailored clothes.

"You know," Rokugou murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of amused surprise, "you certainly live up to your name. I didn't expect you to be so… aggressive."

She chuckled lightly, her voice playful and teasing. "Oh, don't pretend you didn't enjoy every second of it."

He smirked in response, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I can't complain."

Taking one of her hands gently into his, Rokugou brought it to his lips, planting a tender kiss on her fingertips. Leone giggled at the gesture, rolling her eyes playfully.

"You never quit with the player routine, do you?"

But the gambler's gaze suddenly grew sharp, his smile turning enigmatic. "Funny you mention routines. Seems I'm not the only one here playing a role."

Leone's teasing demeanor faltered slightly, her golden eyes flickering with a brief flash of alarm. Quickly regaining her composure, she raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rokugou smiled calmly, his penetrating gaze unyielding as he inspected one of her hands in a tender and sensual fashion. "It means you've killed people before, haven't you?"

Leone's heartbeat quickened, dread curling subtly in her chest. Had he uncovered her identity? Fighting to maintain a mask of confusion, she let out a nervous laugh. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Rokugou chuckled, clearly unimpressed with her denial. "Leone, please. The calluses on your hands—the kind found only on mercenaries. Your arms and legs… far too toned and muscular for any noblewoman's routine lifestyle." His eyes narrowed slightly, capturing hers with intensity. "But more than anything, it's your eyes. You can't hide that subtle look—the one that reveals you've seen death up close, felt a man's entrails staining your fingers."

He planted a quick peck on the back of her hand. "Am I wrong?"

Leone's eyes widened briefly, panic flashing across her expression before she could suppress it. Rokugou gently cupped her chin, leaning forward to silence any protest with a deep, reassuring kiss.

"Relax," he whispered against her lips. "Whatever your real intentions may be, whatever game you're playing… the connection we shared the other night and tonight felt real. Nothing else matters right now."

The feral assassin drew back slightly, gazing at him in disbelief. Her cover was blown wide open, yet Rokugou didn't seem bothered—didn't even seem to care. What was his angle? Defensive and cautious, she released a thin veil of faux skepticism.

"And how exactly would you know so much about the characteristics of a killer?"

Rokugou laughed softly—a calm, matter-of-fact chuckle tinged with a chilling certainty, as if violence and death were second nature to him, a craft he had long mastered and now wore casually like an old, familiar coat. Leone didn't need to hear his explanation; his laughter alone spoke volumes, and she felt a shiver run quietly down her spine.

Unwilling to show her discomfort, Leone quickly composed herself, deciding instead to probe deeper.

"Fine," she said carefully, voice steady. "Let's say, hypothetically, that I am someone with ulterior motives. Why would you knowingly let someone like me get this close?"

He offered a confident, cryptic smile. "Let's just call it a gambler's intuition."

She sighed in mild frustration at his vague reply, a hint of irritation in her tone. "So… what happens now?"

Without hesitation, Rokugou pulled her in once more, capturing her lips in another deep, possessive kiss. When he finally pulled away, his eyes softened warmly.

"I'd like you to accompany me to the city of Hertz," he said-his voice hushed. "I have… personal business there due to my brother Jason's passing."

Leone hesitated internally. On one hand, Rokugou had clearly seen through her cover; continuing this charade was risky. But on the other, his offer aligned perfectly with Run's strategy for infiltrating the Steel Festival. Still, she needed clarity.

"And why exactly would you want me to join you on a trip like that?" she asked, cautious suspicion creeping into her voice.

Rokugou's lips curled once more into that frustratingly ambiguous smile. "As I said… gambler's intuition."

Leone groaned inwardly, her irritation only mounting. She wasn't sure which was more aggravating—the fact that he had uncovered her ruse so effortlessly, or that he seemed completely unbothered by it. Either way, this operation had suddenly become far more complicated and she was certain Run was not going to take too kindly to the recent developments.

[ . . . that's when I first saw her . . . ]

Morning sunlight gently spilled into the lavish hotel suite, illuminating the spacious king-sized bed where Tatsumi had laid comfortably throughout his slumber. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, adjusting lazily to the warm, golden glow that filled the room.

Turning instinctively toward Esdeath's side of the bed, he found the spot empty, the sheets and covers already impeccably straightened and neatly arranged. He blinked in a groggy fashion, briefly wondering where Esdeath had wandered off to this early in the morning, before sighing quietly and pushing the thought aside.

Deciding to shake off the remnants of sleep, Tatsumi rose from bed and moved through the luxurious suite, glancing around curiously. There was no sign of his puzzling companion anywhere. Shrugging to himself, he headed into the marble tiled bathroom, freshening up with a refreshing shower, brushing his teeth thoroughly, and stepping back out feeling fully awake and alert.

Dressing himself in his freshly laundered and impeccably pressed attire—which had been thoughtfully hung by the hotel guest services division the night before—he donned his familiar white long jacket, high-collared blue sweater, and crisp black pants. With practiced ease, he secured Incursio at his side, feeling reassured by the Imperial Arm's familiar presence.

Once fully dressed, he casually stepped onto the balcony, gazing down in a contemplative fashion at the bustling streets of Hertz stretching far below. A daring smirk crossed his lips, an adventurous impulse suddenly seizing him. Without further thought or consideration, Tatsumi vaulted gracefully over the balcony railing.

He descended with incredible agility, moving swiftly and methodically from balcony to balcony. His hands and feet found purchase effortlessly, vaulting over railings, scaling down the decorative masonry of the luxury hotel facade, and gracefully swinging himself from suspended flagpoles and ledges. He flipped off decorative awnings with practiced ease, his movements fluid, precise, and astonishingly daring—drawing gasps and startled admiration from the people on the street below.

With one final graceful twist, Tatsumi landed lightly upon the cobblestone streets below, perfectly balanced and unharmed. Applause erupted around him, amazed pedestrians clapping enthusiastically, clearly impressed by his athletic feat.

He chuckled in a bashful and sheepish manner, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed yet pleased smile. Internally, he wondered why exactly he'd chosen such a flashy and unnecessary exit. Had it been the influence of the Tyrant within him, or had Esdeath's flair for theatrics simply rubbed off on him over time?

Shrugging off his momentary confusion, the former assassin began walking casually down the busy sidewalk, thoughts shifting to the upcoming Steel Festival. Several weeks remained before the event, yet he still had no clear path for participation. Finding someone willing to accept him as their retainer seemed increasingly unlikely—particularly after the cold dismissal from Professor Kastigar. He briefly considered attempting to reason with her once more but quickly dismissed the notion. Her hostility had been too intense, too genuine. He was clearly unwelcome.

His contemplative thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, inviting aroma drifting through the air. Following his nose, he spotted a small pastry stand ahead, its freshly baked goods displayed enticingly. A rumble echoed in his stomach, prompting him to reach instinctively for the gold pieces in his pocket as he approached the vendor.

Exchanging the coins quickly, the vendor handed Tatsumi a deliciously fresh strawberry pastry, its sweet aroma tantalizingly delightful. Eyes filled with anticipation, Tatsumi turned away, eager to enjoy the treat on a nearby bench.

Yet in his eagerness to quell his growling stomach, he inadvertently bumped into someone, causing him to halt immediately.

"Ah, sorry about that!" Tatsumi apologized with politeness flowing throughout his expression, glancing down at the young woman he had collided with by mistake.

The girl before him was petite, almost delicate in stature, with soft blonde hair and large, curious eyes. Her turquoise dress, topped with a pristine white apron and accented with a matching ribbon in her hair, conveyed an innocent, doll-like charm. Clutched gently in her small hands was a peculiar mechanical device, seemingly occupying all her attention until the unexpected collision.

Slowly, she looked upward, meeting Tatsumi's gaze directly. Her eyes widened briefly, a spark of fascination and intrigue quickly filling her expression as a delighted smile gradually appeared on her lips. A strange and enthralling glimmer illuminated her gaze, captivating and slightly unsettling.

Completely unbeknownst to Tatsumi, the young woman now studying him with such intense fascination was none other than Dorothea of the Wild Hunt.

A/N: And so, amidst swirling intrigues and dangerous encounters, the threads of fate weave ever tighter around Tatsumi and his allies. With enigmatic doors refusing entry, and unforeseen alliances hanging delicately in the balance, questions abound. Why does Professor Kastigar harbor such contempt toward Tatsumi? What secrets lie behind the strange mirror like doors Wave and Tatsumi seek to breech? And what intentions glimmer behind Dorothea's captivating smile?

End of Chapter