“If a recipient of Amrita orally ingests more Amrita, they temporarily gain strength from Excitation Overdrive. What do you think happens when Amrita is injected directly into the veins?” Dimitri pushed down on the plunger. “If you don’t properly regulate the dosage, it’s too strong for the body, tearing it apart and killing the subject. I went through quite a few knights finding the appropriate dosage, but my research bore fruit. Behold: this is the true value of Excitation Overdrive.”
The blood caliber in the guard’s hand grew tremendously. It was so big it couldn’t really be called a sword anymore. The guard readied the massive weapon and roared. His eyes shone with a piercing glare. It looked like he had transformed into an inhuman beast.
“Kill this woman.”
The palace’s corridor was far too narrow for the enormous blood caliber. Swinging it would send it crashing into pillars, but the guard didn’t seem to care. He simply swept the blade. The pillars fell apart as if they weren’t even there. Jubilia barely managed to escape the oncoming blow.
“You kill her and I’ll give you the antidote. You better be quick, or you’ll end up a cripple.”
The guard reacted to Dimitri’s provocation and charged Jubilia. The blade of his blood caliber collided with the ceiling and floor with little resistance. His strength had surpassed the limits of a noble and was well into the territory of fictional monsters. Any blow would prove fatal.
“Jubilia, this way!”
Jubilia jumped on reflex at Saya’s command, and Dimitri stopped his escort in a fluster.
“Stop! Don’t injure the specimen.”
The guard’s attack finally halted. Jubilia let out her breath while remaining vigilant.
“He can’t attack me, so it’s safe here,” Saya said.
“But we won’t be able to reach the execution site like this. I’ll strike him down.”
“Can you?”
Jubilia turned to Saya and gave her a smile. She didn’t mean to, but she did anyway, despite the thick stench of blood in the air.
“Please command me to do so. If you do, I shall surely accomplish your will.”
Saya looked straight at Jubilia. She could see her own reflection in Saya’s eyes.
“Remove all obstructions before me, so that I may move on.”
“As you will.”
Jubilia leaped forth. This monstrous guard was strong. Far stronger than she was. Far stronger than Ivara, even. However, the pain and burden of Excitation Overdrive was beyond normal. It was likely proportional to the tremendous strength it granted.
So, what of Jubilia? She didn’t feel any pain or burden on her body right now. Her lady had ordered her to remove all enemies before her. The happiness she felt far exceeded anything else. A blood caliber was a noble’s pride, a manifestation of their spirit.
As I am now, I’m far stronger than any blood caliber. Such conviction overflowed within her. Jubilia stepped in, unburdened by doubt. The strength of her step shattered the palace floor. Using that momentum, she swung her sword straight down. The guards enormous weapon moved to intercept. It was far larger than her blade. Normally, Jubilia’s sword would shatter in this clash.
A stiff, dull sound rang in the air. It was the sound of a blood caliber breaking, signaling the end of the fight. Jubilia’s sword had sent cracks down the entire length of the enormous blade.
“Didn’t I tell you? I won’t lose to a bunch of ruffians who mistake who they’re meant to protect.”
Jubilia swung her sword once more. It drew a beautiful arc in the air, cutting through the cracked blade completely and slicing apart the guard’s body.
“Impossible...” Dimitri muttered in a daze. “Even if you were both using Excitation Overdrive, he was a high-ranking knight directly injected with Amrita. There’s no way he should’ve lost. Is the specimen the unknown factor?”
“It’s clear to me now,” Jubilia said, shaking her head. “You have no intention of treating Lady Saya. Seeing how you created such a monster, it would be disastrous to leave you at large.”
Jubilia brandished her blood caliber. Dimitri’s head tumbled to the floor with a thud. Right as she undid her Excitation, Jubilia sank to the floor. Now that her sense of exaltation from the battle was gone, the side effects of Excitation Overdrive were overwhelming her.
“Jubilia!”
“I’m fine. More importantly, we must hurry. There’s no time.”
Jubilia stood up and held out her hand to Saya. Saya’s slender fingers grasped her hand and helped pull her up.
Nagi watched the line of politicians come out, ending with Crow and Lernaean to the rear. He quietly drew an arrow from his quiver. Not yet. He wasn’t going to make a move until Lernaean showed a definitive opening. That was the plan.
“After fleeing, the False Sovereign Kyou incited Tainted and commoners alike to cause a revolt. He was already to be executed, but continued to pile on his sins. The weight of his crimes is beyond description. Do you have any objections?” Crow asked Kyou.
“They’re not Tainted. They’re Crestfolk,” Kyou answered, tied up atop the gallows.
“This isn’t the time for idiotic wordplay,” Lernaean cut in.
“Idiotic? Lernaean!” Kyou glared at Lernaean, who returned his gaze arrogantly. “Where is my sister?”
“I’m sure she’s watching from afar. There’s no way she’ll miss this. You’re about to be killed, after all.”
“What are you scheming? You should already have everything you want. You’ve taken over the palace after imposing my sister.”
“What slander. I have proper authority here, unlike you.”
Watching Lernaean smile, Kyou suddenly realized something.
“It can’t be...”
Their conversation was cut short. A man jumped out from the masses before they could. It was Keele. A step behind him, Bandore, Tess, and the other Crestfolk warriors leaped out. Nagi nocked his arrow, but in the next instant...
“All hands! Excitation!”
At Crow’s command, half of the politicians manifested their blood calibers. There were well over twenty of them. Knights had mixed in among the group.
“We knew you’d come!” Crow shouted. “Keep one of them alive! Nagi Strano is here! Exterminate the Tainted who dare defy the Sovereign!”
Keele dashed right for Lernaean, but was blocked by several knights.
“This isn’t the time for me to be playing with you,” Lernaean told him. “I’m busy waiting.”
“Quit spoutin’ bullshit!”
Keele swung his Halahala-coated sword, but the royal guards protecting Lernaean were strong.
“Well ain’t this some nice prey!”
Even now, Keele laughed like a wild man.
“Of course,” Lernaean said in astonishment. “They’re the elites of the royal guard. You’re the strange one for rivaling them despite being Crestfolk.”
“Thanks for the praise!”
“But what of everyone else?”
Just as Lernaean said, the Crestfolk as a whole were having a hard time. They had a slight advantage in numbers, but their opponents were blood caliber-wielding nobles. Even the Crestfolk who were accustomed to fighting were gradually being driven back. Only Bandore was holding his ground. His large axe was a threat even to the knights.
“Crow! You traitor!” Bandore yelled as he chased Crow.
“You’re the ones who betrayed the Sovereign!”
Crow fired his crossbow. Bandore dodged the shot in a panic as Tess closed in on Crow.
“How unexpected. I thought you’d run away immediately,” she said.
“I have my own circumstances!”
“So, Lernaean’s going to kill you if you don’t put on a good show?”