Chapter 56: Parting Ways, The Axis Order

Brand was dead.

Even with his impressive record of turning a one-against-three fight into a two-kill victory, death is death. In battles between Imperial Armament wielders, casualties are inevitable—this is an ironclad rule.

Tazmi inherited Brand’s Imperial Armament.

Hill had just fallen, and Brand soon followed. A storm was brewing, casting a dark, oppressive shadow over the Night Raid members, their faces unusually solemn and grave.

Tazmi spoke softly, “Kobayashi, brother’s death must weigh as heavy as a mountain. His death was not in vain, right? I’m qualified to inherit his Imperial Armament, aren’t I?”

His fearful, helpless expression sought affirmation.

“Who knows? But since Brand and ‘Possessed by Demons’ chose you, that means you have the right to wield his Imperial Armament,” Kobayashi said, flipping through the book in his hands, showing no sign of sorrow despite the death.

At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

Labock followed up with reassurance, “Tazmi, though inexperienced, you have surprisingly raw talent. Brand had high hopes for you and often said you’d definitely surpass him someday.”

“Exactly. Big Sister also believes you’ll become a fine man. When that time comes, you’ll belong to Big Sister,” Leoné said affectionately, gently rubbing Tazmi’s small face, dispersing his sadness.

The crimson-eyed girl nodded in agreement, “I believe in Brand, and I believe in Tazmi.”

“…Thank you, everyone,” Tazmi wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, hiding his grief and choosing to rally.

Everyone supported and encouraged one another, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

But that was exactly the problem.

Though they had grown, in their current state, they were absolutely incapable of defeating Esdeath. Witnessing her power only reinforced this certainty.

If they had to lose comrades every time to grow stronger, then…

Kobayashi spoke slowly, “I… am leaving Night Raid.”

The stunning declaration cut through the room.

The gathering, still trying to recover, suddenly fell silent. The warm hall grew cold in an instant. Everyone stared at Kobayashi in disbelief.

“Wha… What?”

“Quit Night Raid?”

“Saying you want to quit? Haha, Kobayashi, you’re joking.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s a pretty cold joke.”

Everyone laughed nervously until they saw Kobayashi’s serious expression, realizing the gravity of the situation.

“You can’t be serious! This can’t be real!” Leoné was the first to speak, questioning angrily, “Why? Why choose to quit now?!”

Najetan was also puzzled.

“What made you decide to leave Night Raid? Tell me your reasons.”

“My reasons… Leoné should understand best,” Kobayashi closed his book and said quietly, “After witnessing that terror, if you can still laugh and joke around, Leoné, you really are thick-skinned.”

“Leoné, you snuck out earlier to meet Esdeath, didn’t you?” Najetan asked to confirm.

“Yeah, Kobayashi and I did meet Esdeath. Kobayashi even talked with her,” Leoné admitted candidly but then questioned fiercely, “So after meeting her, you’re too scared to face her and just turn your back? Answer me, Kobayashi!”

“That’s not it. I just simply think Night Raid can’t win against her in the current state… as it is now.”

Kobayashi’s soft mutter made everyone suspect ulterior motives, but no matter what, he had decided to leave Night Raid.

---

“Do you think you can just quit now?” Leoné clenched her fists, angry. “Coward! I’ll correct your weak mindset—fight until you never speak of quitting again!”

“You got it wrong, Leoné. I never actually joined Night Raid.”

“...Huh?!”

“Yes. I never said so once.”

Kobayashi slowly stood up from his seat, looking at them calmly. “You just took it upon yourselves to see me as a comrade.”

“What did you say...”

Kobayashi’s words thoroughly enraged Leoné.

There was the reason comrades had died, the reason Kobayashi was quitting, and the reason concerning Esdeath.

In short, she was furious.

“Why? Why say that?” Tazmi demanded. “Aren’t we comrades? If not, then why did you help us clean out the Empire’s rot?”

“Because we share the same ideals. And… like you need money for meals and rent for lodging, I’m just paying my accommodation fee,” Kobayashi said, delivering an even more unacceptable statement.

“Just an equivalent exchange?! Kobayashi! You, you bastard!” The irate Leoné instantly activated her Imperial Armament, transforming into a lioness woman.

“Leoné, your next line is… then what do you think our feelings are? Just seasoning for casual chatter and play?”

“What do you think our feelings are? Just seasoning for casual chatter and play? …Ah!”

Leoné’s fury momentarily froze.

Kobayashi slowly closed his book, eyes curious as if seeing through them all. He said to her and everyone present, “It’s because of such impulsiveness that your thoughts are too easy to read, Leoné. Of course, you’re not the only one.”

“You’re right. We’re really not mature yet,” Najetan admitted frankly, surprised. “But I didn’t expect you, Kobayashi, to grow so fast. In that case, we can’t let you go—not just to prevent intelligence leaks from Night Raid but because your talent is something we need.”

As she spoke, the Night Raid members drew their Imperial Armaments, encircling Kobayashi. Except for two missing, it was exactly as it had been when he first arrived.

But unlike last time, when Kobayashi surrendered cleanly, this time he looked confident.

This unsettled Night Raid slightly.

“By the way, you guys don’t seem to know Ryuji’s abilities yet. Don’t underestimate her.”

“What?!”

The Night Raid members rushed toward Kobayashi in an instant.

Yet even in this critical moment, he was very confident, quietly saying, “Rest assured, I won’t reveal any of your information. I guarantee it with my own honor.”

Because they still needed him to keep Esdeath occupied.

Leoné’s attack was the strongest and fastest.

She reached out to grab Kobayashi: “Stay with us!”

“Sorry, that’s impossible.” Kobayashi smiled, waving his hand gently. “Goodbye, everyone.”

Whoosh—

Time seemed to be carved away as Kobayashi, so close, suddenly vanished.

Their attacks struck empty air.

“Damn it! What kind of honor guarantee is that? Can your words even be trusted?!” Leoné slammed her fists on the ground in frustration, leaving a large hole in the floor. Kobayashi hadn’t hidden beneath the floor—he had truly disappeared.

Najetan remained calm and lit a cigarette.

After a moment’s thought, she ordered the others, “Abandon this base. Evacuate immediately. Don’t appear in the Imperial Capital for a while. And list Kobayashi as an enemy… When we meet again, show no mercy!”

---

Esdeath was troublesome enough. Adding Kobayashi to the mix was unimaginable.

Most critical was that after all this time, they still didn’t know Ryuji’s abilities!

Though Kobayashi’s active involvement partly concealed Ryuji’s powers, failing to identify the Imperial Armament’s capabilities was their negligence. They needed to send intelligence back to headquarters immediately and assign personnel to investigate the Imperial Armaments’ powers.

This was becoming more and more troublesome.

---

Back Mountain

“Yo, sorry to keep you waiting, everyone.”

Kobayashi and Ryuji suddenly appeared, greeting the three who had long been waiting.

“Well, yeah, it was a bit of a wait. But knowing what you were going to do, I wasn’t anxious. So, how is it? Everyone must be very angry.”

“Of course!”

Hearing that, Kobayashi complained bitterly, “Especially after you died, when I suggested leaving, those guys wanted to tear me into pieces.”

“Ahahaha! Can’t help it. Everyone cares about you, Kobayashi.”

“Well, thanks anyway.”

Kobayashi rolled his eyes and then looked toward the third person.

“General, you don’t seem very happy.”

“I’m not a general now, but a servant.”

He lowered his posture, but his usual calm and composed demeanor remained as he asked, “I’m glad you’re happy, but I still need to confirm—can you really save my master?”

“Ah, I swear by it.” Kobayashi pointed to the green eye pattern on his forehead.

“An Imperial Armament that can see the future…” He nodded knowingly but then asked, “If you can resurrect me, why not my two comrades as well?”

“Hey, hey, hey, I’m not a junk collector. I’m selective, you know.”

Kobayashi said disdainfully, “Those two aren’t as calm and composed as you, General. If resurrected, they’d probably cause a ruckus. Besides, you’d need bodies to cover up the resurrection.”

“True.”

He seemed convinced.

“Najetan was right: talent is paramount,” Kobayashi said regretfully. “It’s a pity that right now, the only Imperial Armament we have is your ring. By the way, Tazmi is using your Imperial Armament very well. You don’t need to worry.”

“I knew he could do it! After all, he’s the man I believed in!”

“Yes, yes, you’re right,” Kobayashi said perfunctorily, waving his hand.

“All right, all right. What do we do next?”

Kobayashi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then concluded, “After all… the dark, cruel, and ruthless path isn’t for me. I prefer the cheerful, carefree days with everyone laughing and having fun.”

The decaying Empire was beyond saving, but he didn’t want the rebels to occupy the Imperial Capital.

Got it!

Kobayashi looked toward a certain cult in the distance, a joyful smile on his face.

“Hey, the Akusis Theocracy… don’t you think that’s a pretty good name?”

If you fear injustice, then take fairness and justice into your own hands and be the one to judge.

Come, then!

Our era begins!