Chapter 274

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Is Esdeath strong? In all fairness, very strong, indeed! Her ice-based 'Teigu' combined with superb martial arts made her the ultimate victor in almost any battle, large or small. 

Her trump card, Mahapadma, could even freeze time itself, a terrifyingly powerful ability that set the bar for combat strength in this world. However, when Abel appeared, all of Esdeath's advantages became disadvantages. 

Just being immune to ice attacks nullified her strongest power. Without her Teigu's augmentation, even the formidable Esdeath couldn't surpass human limits. 

Abel, having undergone multiple evolutions and enhancements, far exceeded these limits, and with his innate talents, ten Esdeaths wouldn't be a match for him in a contest of swordsmanship and martial arts. The outcome was predestined.

This was why Abel hoped to achieve a five-star rating for this mission when he accepted it. As long as he could find Esdeath and create a one-on-one combat situation, he was destined to defeat her, fulfilling this optional objective.

"You actually did it," Najenda said, somewhat wistfully and in disbelief. The formidable obstacle that had troubled her so much was easily removed.

Leone, previously scared off by Esdeath, couldn't help but mutter to herself about the monster she had brought back. After the initial shock, everyone was ecstatic! The greatest obstacle to overthrowing the Empire had vanished.

"I'll leave the aftermath to you. I'm heading to the palace," Abel declared.

"To the palace? There's no need to rush. Don't you need to rest?" Najenda inquired.

"It was just a warm-up. Do I look like I need a rest?" Najenda paused, realizing Abel was not only unharmed but didn't even show signs of a fierce battle. 

Had it not been for the ice shards and her familiarity with Esdeath, she might have doubted whether Abel had defeated an imposter.

That posed a question. If it took at least fifty thousand elite soldiers and over ten Teigu users to defeat Esdeath, and Abel easily defeated her, how many soldiers and Teigu users would it take to defeat Abel? This was a question Najenda hoped never to know the answer to, as it would mean they had paid a terrible price. She never wanted to be Abel's enemy.

"Let's go. When such an opportunity presents itself, we must seize it! Today we launch a total attack on the palace!" Najenda didn't forget to send this crucial information to the Revolutionary Army far away using special means, so they could quickly come to the Capital. Otherwise, they would just be reaping the rewards without participating.

In the palace, Minister Honest continued to brainwash the young Emperor, planning to use Esdeath, the sharp blade, to eliminate the annoying 'civil officials' and eradicate dissent. 

Suddenly, a guard rushed in, knelt down, and reported that an enemy had penetrated the palace and the soldiers were retreating.

"What? How dare they! Where are General Budou and General Esdeath?" the young Emperor exclaimed in anger.

Minister Honest, calmly eating raw meat, asked, "Is it 'Night Raid' assassins? How many did they send?"

"Just one."

"One? Ah, a suicidal fool," Honest commented disdainfully after finishing his meal. "General Esdeath is not in the palace now, but she left her subordinates behind."

"Command the Three Beasts to confront the enemy and summon the Rakshasa Demons as well. There might be more enemies hiding. Also, summon General Esdeath back to the palace."

The young Emperor nodded repeatedly and echoed the Minister's words like a parrot. This pleased Minister Honest greatly; finding a malleable puppet emperor was not easy these days. At this point, no one in the palace took the intruder seriously. But soon, they would realize the extent of the threat.

The palace was vast, and Abel, having just dealt with a group of soldiers, found himself at a bit of a loss. "Should've kept one alive to guide me. Oh well, finding a few more will do the same."

As he continued inward, three figures suddenly surrounded him in a triangular formation.

"Daring to invade the palace alone? Quite bold."

"How has such a reckless fool survived till now? Truly a miracle."

"Enough talk, let's finish him!"

Speaking were a white-haired, bearded middle-aged man, a petite blonde young man, and a burly man wielding a double-sided axe. These three were Esdeath's loyal subordinates, the Three Beasts, all Imperial Arms users.

Abel conjured an ice blade in his hand, causing the three to pause in surprise. Using 'Dark Breath First Form: Shadow Assault,' the burly man with the axe hurled it at Abel, but it bizarrely passed right through.

"An afterimage?"

"Correct. And your reward is a trip to the underworld."

Abel, standing behind him, swung his ice blade, cutting down the burly man in one strike. It was a tactic that never failed against those unfamiliar with such moves.

"Damn it!"

"How are we going to explain this to General Esdeath?"

"There's no need. Before coming here, your General Esdeath has already gone ahead to wait for you."

Abel picked up the axe Imperial Arms, not entirely pleased with it but finding no resistance in wielding it.

"You're bluffing! General Esdeath is invincible!"

The petite man angrily blew into his flute, an Imperial Arms named 'Screaming Melody,' capable of manipulating emotions. 

"Stop that, it's unbearable."

Abel swiftly executed a 'Asura Aurora Slash,' sending a powerful flying slash that cut through everything in its path. Despite his efforts to dodge, the young man was sliced into four pieces, and his flute was damaged.

"Now it's just you left. Before you die, tell me where the Emperor and the Minister are, will you?"

Holding the ice blade in one hand and the double-sided axe in the other, Abel turned his attention to the last of the Three Beasts.