Thanks to the brilliance of power demonstrated by Esdeath, Night Raid was backed into a corner, with Susanoo defeated, Tatsumi and Leone unconscious and Saber out of the fight for the time being, there really wasn't any hope for the distraction team. Their last hope, is that the Air Team arrives in time.

Borick: "Hahahaha! As expected from General Esdeath, you defeated every last one of them! You rebels have no business trying to kill me!! You fools! Scum! How pathetic!!" As he berated the downed Night Raid, Esdeath silently began approaching Tatsumi, who was still protected by Incursio's impregnable armor.

Esdeath: "It still makes me wonder..." she grabbed onto Incursio's helmet tightly with a determined expression. "Well then, let's see who's inside."

CHAPTER 34: KILL THE DESPAIR PART 2

As Leone just lied there completely unconscious, Borick had his eyes on her, looking lustful and dazed by her rather revealing attire. Despite missing one of her breasts from Esdeath's torture, she still looked more than attractive to completely catch Borick's attention. He got up from his post and began making his way down to her, with full intent on showing her some twisted form of love however Kurome and Akaruime immediately noticed.

Kurome: "If you move around on your own..!"

Akaruime: "W-Wait sir! Don't approach-ack..!" she hissed as she held her bandaged neck, more specifically the wound she received from Chelsea, which began bleeding again. *Thoughts* "Ugh... The wound that woman gave me is still... To think that a single needle can cause me this much pain..."

Kurome: "Akaruime.." She rests a hand on her shoulder, causing the green-eyed assassin to look at her. "If you can't do it on your own, please don't hesitate to lean on me. She stared at the Black-eyed assassin before smiling a bit.

Akaruime: "Right. Thanks, Kurome." Lieselotte noticed this and approached them.

Lieselotte: "I knew something was off... So you're injured nastily, huh?" Kurome looked at her while Akaruime squeaked lightly. She quickly turned to her.

Akaruime: "P-Please don't tell the Boss. I-I..." She was cut off by the blonde holding her hand up.

Lieselotte: "Relax, sweet cake. Honestly, I find the fact that you're injured but still fighting so strongly, is impressive. I'll support you and after the mission, I'll see if I can help heal your wound up." She gave her a genuine and friendly smile, taking Akaruime by surprise before she smiled and bowed respectfully.

Akaruime: "Thank you."

However, everyone was disrupted by the glass above Esdeath and Tatsumi shattering. Jumping through it, was Akame, Mine and Kuraime. Esdeath, Lieselotte Kurome, Akaruime and Borick all looked on in shock, with the Icy General clicking her tongue in annoyance.

Esdeath: "More assassins now of all times!?" The three landed in front of her, with the thrusters of Kuraime's Ajax firing. Creating a large ice meteor above their heads, Esdeath launched it at the assassins, but Saber quickly dashed in front of them, and made an upward swing with Excalibur, sending a golden mana arc straight at it, slicing the ice meteor in half. Despite missing one of 4 mechanical angel wings, she was still able to fight. "Tch, you..! I should gave destroyed you when I had the chance!"

Kuraime (Ajax): "Remember the plan; I'll go straight for Borick while Mine covers me with Pumpkin. Akame and Saber, keep Esdeath and Lieselotte off of me."

Akame, Saber and Mine (Pridwen): "Roger!"

Kuraime observed her surroundings and assessed the situation in a split second. Holding her rage against Esdeath hidden, she made her move towards the living target. The ravenette dashed towards Borick, triggering a fighter's response in Esdeath who began to advance.

Esdeath: "As if I'd let you!!" However after Turing her back from Tatsumi for a spilt second, her eyes widened before she narrowly ducked underneath a kick from the Incursio-wearer. He regained consciousness...!" She made a quick jab towards him, only to be surprised that he caught her attack. "He reacted in time...!?"

Tatsumi's thoughts: "Even if it's for 0.1seconds, I'll hold back Esdeath!!"

The Icy General clicked her tongue in annoyance before she gasped lightly, sensing an attack coming her way. She quickly conjured an ice wall that just managed to block an incoming Murasame strike from Akame, though soon after, Tatsumi kicked the general away. Now standing side by side, Akame and Tatsumi got into a standoff with the General, who was starting to get more riled up.

Esdeath: "Tch... Damnit.. You two...!"

Lieselotte spotted Kuraime blitzing towards Borick at high speeds. Gritting her teeth, she got ready to use her >Chrono Calculation<, however a golden arc of mana sped right past her, barely missing her but interrupting her spell. Looking over, she spotted Saber dashing towards her.

Lieselotte: "Ugh, this is gonna be annoying..."

Spotting the oncoming Death Assassin, Borick attempted to flee, only to feel something grab onto his leg, keeping him place; Leone had regained consciousness and was preventing him from escaping. Seeing this, Akaruime equipped Hades as both her and Kurome leap into the air and towards Kuraime.

Akaruime (Hades): "Big sis!!"

Kurome: "Don't you dare, Kuraime-Neesan!!"

However it was too late as Kuraime blitzed around Borick, hooking Ketsuekime's scythe blade to his neck before she yanked on it, completely decapitating Borick, making the mission a scuffed success. Esdeath and Lieselotte looked on in shock.

Kuraime (Ajax): "Oyasumi." Immediately afterwards, she swiftly parried a strike from Akaruime

Akaruime (Hades): "Big sis... How dare you..!!"

Kuraime (Ajax): "A-Akaruime..." As she was occupied with her younger sister, Kurome made a horizontal swing at her with Yatsufusa, only for the ravenette to disperse into a flock of ravens and reappear in front of them.

With Esdeath, she just gave Tatsumi a spin kick, knocking him back before she held onto the tip of her hat, grinding her teeth together out of frustration.

Esdeath: "Tch... Mission failed, huh..."

She begrudgingly said before she swiftly unsheathed her rapier and blocked a blade strike from Akame. She grunted lightly but scowled before the two entered a high speed sword clash, with Esdeath making sure to not let the scarlet eyed assassin even scratch her with Murasame. She soon sent a swift kick towards Akame, who blocked just in time but was pushed back a little before rushing forwards again, yelling out as she swung downwards with Murasame. However, taking Akame and everyone who was watching by surprise, Esdeath had caught Murasame's blade, with ice completely covering her hand to protect it from being cut.

Esdeath: "Murasame... Such a powerful Teigu, but for me, it's just annoying.. So let's get rid of that annoyance, shall we?"

The scarlet-eyed ravenette's eyes widened before she began struggling to pry her Teigu from Esdeath's grip, however Murasame's blade slowly became incased in Ice before one good pull from Esdeath, caused the entire blade to snap and shatter.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Murasame is..."

Mine (Pridwen): "Broken..!?"

Akame stared at her now broken Teigu, eyes widened before she suddenly was kicked back into a bench by Esdeath who had a smirk on her face.

Esdeath: "One cursed blade down, another to go." She glanced over to Kuraime who had knocked back Akaruime. She was mainly staring at Ketsuekime, with full intent to destroy it too. The armored violet-eyed Assassin felt something and looked at Ketsuekime, which was glowing ominously, but the aura was much stronger. Her eyes widened underneath her helmet as she understood what happened.

Kuraime (Ajax): "Murasame got destroyed..!?"

She turned and faced Esdeath who was grinning as she began to dash towards her, only to stop upon a bright golden light shining behind her. Turning around, she spotted it was from Susanoo, who had managed to fully recover.

Esdeath: "It's fully regenerated...? But how!?" She glanced down to Najenda who was standing up, glowing a bright golden; it was clear she was using the final use of Susanoo's Trump Card.

Najenda: "The Third... Magatama Manifestation!!" During the activation, she ended up spitting out some blood but kept going. *thoughts* "Frequent repeated usage is supposed to be impossible... But if I don't force myself and use this, we'll die. With this I've used up all of my Life Force... I'll leave the rest to you, Susanoo." Completely drained, the silver haired ex-general fell over with Susanoo smirking and looking at Esdeath.

Esdeath: "Najenda, why you!!" However, she ended up putting up a wall of ice to block an incoming punch from Susanoo, however it was significantly stronger than any other attack he threw at her.

Susanoo: "YASAKANI NO MAGATAMA!!"

Esdeath: "Hm! It's power has increased." Susanoo was pushed back lightly but he quickly stopped himself as Saber flew right past him, slashing Esdeath's ice wall into pieces; she had just recently knocked Lieselotte down.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Suu, Saber, I can fight now too.."

Najenda: "No... Run away." He looked down towards the exhaust and seemingly dying Najenda. "The mission is complete.. Everyone retreat."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "What..? But with our current power we can..!"

Akame: "No we cannot." She walked over to them, sheathing her now broken Murasame. "Suu and Saber are just keeping Esdeath busy. We cannot win like we are now."

Najenda: "She's right.. Susanoo's power hasn't increased, he's only slightly stronger. It's not even nearly enough to kill Esdeath. Besides, we've used too much time.. Enemy reinforcements will be here any moment.." Tatsumi stared at her in silence before nodding.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Roger."

Backflipping out of the way of Natala's spear, Kuraime quickly bursts into her >Evernight Raven<, narrowly dodging the plasma Cheetah that Pyro sent dashing at her. Soon after, Kurome and Akaruime tried to attack her from behind, only for a pink shot from Pumpkin to fly right in between the two.

Mine (Pridwen): "Did you hear that Kuraime!? I'll use Pumpkin to hold them back while we retreat!" She yelled as blue beams fired from her mechanical wings, forcing for Akaruime to slash them in half.

Nodding, Kuraime backed away and landed next to Mine. Akaruime was about to dash towards them, only to fall to her knees and panting. Blocking Mine's sudden attack seemed to have drained her and combine with the pain she was still suffering from Chelsea.

Kurome: "Akaruime!"

Akaruime (Hades): "Don't let them leave!" She yelled before looking at Pyro. "Pyro, join Kurome and Natala!"

With Pyro and Natala by her side, Kurome dashed towards Kuraime and Mine, with the latter firing a shot from Pumpkin at them. Pyro however dashed in front of Kurome, and sent a plasma cheetah that charged right through the blast, causing Mind to gasp in surprise. Kuraime however grunted as she created a violet barrier around the two of them, similar to what she did back when she died with Merraid. The plasma cheetah clashed against the barrier, clawing at it as Natala slashed at it with his spear while Kuraime grinded her teeth together under her helmet. However...

"Charge Solid Impact!"

Hearing the familiar feminine voice announce that caused Kuraime and Mine to gasp in surprise just as the saw Dairoku, with his Barbatos armor in it's Rook Configuration, dead a devastating punch to both Pyro and Natala, sending them flying back into a wall.

Kuraime (Ajax): "Big bro!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Go! I'll hold them off!"

His armor reverted to normal before he converted Yoake to its Scythe form and blocked a strike from Kurome, entering a weapon lock with her. Despite being clad in the armor of Barbatos, Dairoku's encounter with Wave gave him some internal injuries as he grunted a bit, feeling a sharp pain in his left shoulder and abdomen.

Dairoku's thoughts: "Damn... Even with Barbatos, Wave hits like a train... I don't think I could use Yoake's Trump Card if I even wanted to... I'd just destroy my own body at that point..."

Kurome: "Dairoku..!!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Hey there Blackberry! I'd love to dance, but sadly, I have to look after your sister and the others!"

Hearing that caused the black-eyed assassin to grit her teeth and glare angrily at him before she lets out a grunt as she was pushed back before being kicked away by the vampire king.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Neesan! We're getting out of here!" With Tatsumi, he ran over to Leone and began to help her up by holstering her over his shoulder.

Leone: "Sorry... But can you pick up my fingers and stuff..?" Najenda however remained lying on the ground, her eyes closed as her breathing steadied before slowing down a bit.

Najenda's thoughts: "With this mission over, I'll be left behind... But as the architect of this reckless plan, it's what I deserve..." Just as she was accepting her fate, she felt herself being picked up by Tatsumi who holstered her over his other shoulder.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "There we go."

Najenda: "Hey. I'm going to die anyway. Go on without me..."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "If you have the energy to do all of that talking, we can't know that for sure!" He said grinning under his helmet as Kuraime and Mine grouped up with them. Akame looked over and spotted his armored boyfriend locked in an intense battle with Kurome as Akaruime struggled to get back up.

Akame: "Dai! We're leaving!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Yeah, yeah, I hear ya, Strawberry!" He said, ducking underneath a horizontal slash from Kurome before knocking her back by hitting her with the shaft of Yoake's scythe form.

Kurome: "Ugh..! No you're not leaving!" She yelled, pointing Yatsufusa to the roof as Night Raid's eyes widened, seeing she was about to summon her puppets, however Kurome lets out a grunt of pain as Yatsufusa went flying out of her hand. She looked towards Dairoku, who caught the ominous blade in his hand as he had Yoake in rifle form, pointed at her; he had shot her Teigu out of her hand. "W-Wait!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Not this time, Blackberry! I'm sick and tired of this damned Teigu! So let's a put to Natala and Doya's misery, shall we?"

>BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!<

As Barbatos amplified his strength more and more, Dairoku lifted Yatsufusa into the air before slamming it into the ground, creating a sizable crater. However, the impact completely shattered Yatsufusa's blade into pieces as Kurome and everyone else looked on, either shocked or in Kurome's case, mortified beyond belief.

Mine (Pridwen): "No way...!"

Akame: "Dairoku broke Yatsufusa.." The vampiric king threw the remains of Yatsufusa towards Kurome who dropped to her knees.

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Let. Them. Rest. Kurome." He said looking down at her. She just looked at her shattered Teigu, as if she witnessed a puppy dying. Dairoku sighed deeply before crouching before her and patting her head. "Hey, Natala and the others are watching over you, happy. So no need to feel sad."

He said before standing up and dashing over to his team, with Akame looking at him. He looked back at her and gave her a thumbs up that caused her to smile a bit. Soon after, Susanoo and Saber were knocked back towards them.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Suu! Saber-San!" The biological Teigu growled a little before looking up, seeing a massive hole in the roof from where Saber did her attack, forming a plan in his head.

Esdeath: "It seems you both gotten stronger, but that's not enough. You won't even be able to scratch me." She said with a grin as she approached them. However, Susanoo in response to this was to pick up Kuraime, Mine and Tatsumi by their collars. He looked at Tatsumi with a smile.

Susanoo: "Don't let go of Najenda and Leone."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Suu??" Seeing this, Esdeath began dashing towards them.

Esdeath: "Running away!?" However, Dairoku and Saber quickly got in front of them.

"Change Fang Blast!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Now, Saber! Barbatos Blaster!!"

Saber: "Excalibur!!"

With their attacks merge, Esdeath gasped a little before forcing a large and thick wall of ice to form in front of her, tanking the attack. Just then Najenda looked up at Susanoo who only smiled in return.

Susanoo's thoughts: "In my thousand-year-long life as a Teigu, I was able to meet a group of great people. I have no regrets" Then with all his might, he threw the assassins he picked up high up, sending them flying right through the hole in the roof. *out loud* "Farewell!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "SUU!!!" He just looked up at him, raising a hand before making a fist bump gesture, reminding Tatsumi of the time the two fist bumped.

Esdeath: "I won't let you get away!!" She fired multiple ice shards up at them however...

Susanoo: "I won't let you!!" He yelled, using his mirror to redirect all of the ice shards back at Esdeath who dodged them.

Esdeath's thoughts: "It's that reflective mirror..."

Akame: "Suu..." He looked back, finding the scarlet-eyed assassin in her armored boyfriend's arms as dragon wings sprouted from his armor's back. She looked sad but her and Dairoku both nodded in understanding. "Thank you.." She said before Dairoku flew the two out of the Cathedral's roof, swiftly.

Susanoo: "No... thank you.." He said with a smile before he summoned his large sword. However, he knew one remained. "Saber. You go too." The mechanized King of Knights remained silent, clenching her fists tightly before..

Saber: "If you were one of my Knights... I would never forgive you.." She said before flying up through the roof. What she said, caused the Teigu to small brighter

Susanoo: "That's why I'm happy I'm not one. Farewell... partner." Esdeath soon stood in front of him, her Rapier fully drawn.

Esdeath: "It seems that your Trump Card cannot be used in success. "

Susanoo's thoughts: "On the other hand, the forced second activation turned out fortunate.. I reached my physical limit before all of her life force could be used up. With this, Najenda's life would probably not be in danger." He smiled at that thought before getting into a stance. "I won't let you go after them."

The icy general sighed and closed her eyes before grinning and opening them.

Esdeath: "So you intend on using yourself as a decoy in order to buy time for your comrades to escape. Najenda's subordinates are all naïve."

Susanoo: "I'm a humanoid Teigu. I've already revealed all of my techniques. It's a fitting role for me."

Esdeath: "You... You said your name's Susanoo, right?"

Susanoo: "That's right." She only grinned some more before pointing her rapier at him.

Esdeath: "I'll remember you, not as a Teigu, but as a warrior. Your last moments of life... Your last struggle... Entertain me with them!!!"

With that final statement, the two adversaries dashed towards each other at blinding speeds, slashing their weapons together, however this would be the last battle Susanoo has.

In the tree line not far from the cathedral, the injured duo of Levi and Lubbock were making their way slowly out of the capital, with Levi supporting the green haired pervert since he was more injured than she was.

Lubbock: "Heh... Hehehe... That armored bastard should have paid more attention. He fell for my ultimate secret technique, Playing Dead." However as soon as he said that, he fell onto one knee, bringing Levi down with him.

Levi: "Maybe so, but that armored bastard did a number on us, especially you bucko." She said with a small giggle before poking his nose. "Next time, we won't be so lucky."

Lubbock: "Yeah, yeah..." He looked at her; despite her injuries, she was still a beautiful young lady in his eyes. "God I just wanna kiss you." The ninja giggled before moving her hair behind her ear.

Levi: "Hehe... I wouldn't mind that... But my breath kinda stinks of blood, heh." The two shared a light-hearted laugh before looking in front of them, where a buffed dude and the girl Lubbock saved were.

Girl: "Are you two alright!?"

Lubbock: "Oh... You're that girl from back then with the Rakshasa Demons."

Pais: "My name is Pais. I'm a spy for the Revolutionary Army. I help with the retreats of our allies."

Levi: "Haha... How convenient." She said as the buffed guy picked them both up over his shoulders. "We owe you one."

Pais: "It was nothing. I'm just glad I was able to return the favor."

Lubbock's thoughts: "Heh... Heh... What should I do...? She fell for me." He laughed a bit before...

Ritone: "He's someone who saved someone most important to me! I'll definitely save him!"

Pais: "Thank you, Ritone!♥️"

Lubbock's thoughts: "So that's how it is, huh? Damn it..." Levi watched him before snickering before she just bursts out in laughter. *out loud* "W-What is it!?"

Levi: "Lubbock, you baka~!" She teased

Lubbock: "H-Hey!!"

In the Cathedral, the aftermath of the battle between Esdeath and Susanoo was quite catastrophic. However, the Biological Teigu had fallen. With his core in her hand, Esdeath quickly crushed it.

Esdeath: "Even if they took significant damage, if the mission is a failure, then there's no point. How disappointing..." However, she had one thing on her mind; the man inside of Incursio's armor. *thoughts*: "Incursio... That voice... Could the person inside it be...?"

Lieselotte: "Ahh... That mecha king gave me a run for my money..." She groaned as she unearthed herself from some rubble from her fight against Saber. She looked around and noticed Kurome silently staring at her now broken Yatsufusa. However...

Akaruime: "Don't worry, Kurome..." Both Lieselotte and Kurome turned to look at Akaruime, who's Himitsume was glowing darkly as suddenly, Natala and Doya appeared next to her. "Himi consumed Natala and Doya's souls. Now they're bound to her." She said with a weak smile before falling over, causing Kurome to run over to her.

Kurome: "Akaruime..!" She had already fallen unconscious. The black eyed assassin remained silent as she closed her eyes before slowly petting her head while Himitsume glowed ominously

However, sitting in his room in the Imperial Palace, a dark skinned man grinned at his subordinates before him; this was the son of the Prime Minister, Shura.

Shura: "We're all here, I presume? It is time. The Entire Empire is our toy. I, Lord Shura, will have fun playing with you."

Night Raid Members Remaining: 12/13

Teigu Destroyed:

Speed of Lightning--Susanoo
March of the Dead--Yatsufusa
One Cut Killer--Murasame

REST IN PEACE, SUSANOO

END
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I bet ya'll weren't expecting for both Murasame and Yatsufusa to be destroyed too... Well the chapter after the next one will be... Quite sad...