Chapter 19: Chapter 18 - A wild mercenary

Nailah and Edward sat across from each other, the tension between them palpable. Edward leaned in slightly, his expression skeptical yet intrigued.

"So, if I understand correctly," he said, narrowing his eyes, "you're telling me that in this region, there are three major bosses, and you're one of them. You plan to take over the other territories to secure your business?"

Nailah nodded firmly. "That’s right."

Her expression darkened as she continued. "That’s only the beginning… After that, I must defeat Lucius, one of the rulers of the underworld, and force him to clear my name. Then, I’ll take my rightful place back in Skyland. But to do that, I need strong, reliable people on my side. So far, I’ve found no one worthy."

Edward exhaled sharply, pushing himself up with his hands on the table, unable to hide his worry. "Mistress, this path is dangerous. Why not start as a merchant? Build a legitimate business instead of diving into illegal dealings!"

Nailah scoffed, irritation flashing across her face. "Oh sure, I could do that and then get bullied by a local gang the moment I start making money—just like every other merchant around here. I can’t afford to play by their rules. If I want to clear my name and return to Skyland, I have to take control."

She sighed, the fire in her eyes dimming just a little. "Edward, I already owe you too much… If you don’t wish to follow me, I understand."

Edward’s expression tightened in frustration. "Mistress, stop this nonsense! You know I would follow you to the ends of the earth!"

Nailah looked at him for a moment before asking, "Edward, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

She hesitated, then finally spoke. "Why did you save me? Why did you risk your life for me?"

Edward’s eyes softened. "Because I knew you were innocent. And because I know you’re destined for great things. Jason knew it too."

A small smile tugged at Nailah’s lips. "I never even thanked you."

She opened her mouth to finally express her gratitude, but Edward cut her off before she could finish. "No need, Mistress."

Suddenly, Nailah’s body tensed. Something was off.

Edward noticed it too. His posture shifted, ready for a fight.

Without warning, something crashed onto the table, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Nailah and Edward leapt away just in time.

As the dust settled, a towering figure emerged—a tall muscular man with dark skin, long dreadlocks, and a bandana covering his forehead. He rested a massive tetsubo, a spiked iron club, against his shoulder, a grin stretching across his face.

"Not bad! I’d be disappointed if you couldn’t at least dodge that," he said, his voice deep and amused.

His grin widened as he locked eyes with Nailah. "Blood Baroness."

Nailah frowned. "Who are you?"

The man pointed a thumb at himself. "I’m Yasuke, and I’ve been paid to kill your ass."

He swung his tetsubo forward, pointing it at her. "Now, let’s have a blast, shall we?"

Nailah’s eyes flared with determination. She clenched her fist, blood dripping from a small cut in her palm. "You asked for it."

With a flick of her fingers, blood strings shot toward Yasuke’s neck.

Her confidence shattered in an instant.

"What?!" she gasped.

Yasuke smirked, holding the blood strings in his bare hand as if they were mere threads of silk. "Interesting trick."

Edward’s eyes widened. "This is bad!"

Yasuke yanked the strings hard, pulling Nailah toward him at breakneck speed. He raised his tetsubo, ready to strike the moment she got close.

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But before he could land a hit, Edward swung his sword from a distance, slicing through the blood strings, setting Nailah free.

Thinking quickly, Nailah sent more strings upwards, latching onto the wooden beams of the ceiling. She pulled herself up like a spider, evading Yasuke’s next attack.

Edward charged toward Yasuke, his sword flashing. Yasuke blocked the attack with his tetsubo, their weapons colliding with a loud clang. He grinned wildly.

"Show me what you’ve got, old man!"

Edward didn’t hesitate. He drove a powerful kick into Yasuke’s torso, sending him flying backward.

Nailah seized the moment. As Yasuke hurtled through the air, she launched herself downward, slamming her foot into his stomach. The force sent a shockwave through the floor as she bounced off him and landed beside Edward.

They stood together, watching as Yasuke lay on the ground. But instead of staying down, he let out a loud, gleeful laugh.

"I’m having a blast! It’s been so long since I had a fight like this!"

He pushed himself up, cracking his neck with a devilish grin.

Nailah’s fists clenched.

This guy… she thought, a sinking feeling forming in her gut.

Might be stronger than Bors.

Yasuke charged forward, his fierce grin stretching across his face. "Let’s keep the party going!"

Edward barely had time to react before their weapons clashed. The force behind Yasuke’s strike sent a sharp tremor up his arms.

"His attacks are quite heavy!" Edward muttered through gritted teeth.

Yasuke grinned wider, veins bulging as he put even more strength into his next swing. Edward had no choice but to brace himself. The impact sent him flying across the room.

Yasuke stood tall, his tetsubo resting on his shoulder. "Come on, old man!"

But before he could charge again, red strings wrapped around his body from behind, binding him in place.

"What the—?!" Yasuke struggled against the restraints.

Nailah smirked. "Got you!"

To her shock, Yasuke bent his knees and leaped into the air despite the strings digging into his flesh.

"How!?" she gasped.

Ignoring the pain, Yasuke twisted midair and drop-kicked Nailah. She barely managed to block with her arms, but the force sent her skidding back.

"He’s nuts!" she muttered. "The more he moves, the more the strings cut him!"

Yasuke landed with a grin, his skin lined with fresh cuts where the strings had once held him. He paid them no mind. Instead, he laughed and charged straight for her.

Edward stepped in, intercepting the next strike with his sword. "Since your strikes are so heavy..."

He twisted his wrist, redirecting the attack. "I just have to parry them."

Yasuke blinked. "Eh!?"

He swung again and again, but Edward skillfully deviated each blow.

"Hah! Interesting!" Yasuke laughed as Edward spun around and struck him with the hilt of his sword. Yasuke copied the movement instantly, backhanding Edward, but the butler blocked it.

"Let me try that too!" Yasuke grinned. "I should add this one to my arsenal!"

Edward clicked his tongue. "This kid has amazing reflexes..."

He jumped back as Nailah spoke up. "Edward."

Edward turned to her. She stepped forward, her movements steady, confident. A small smile played on her lips. "Let me handle this."

She turned to Yasuke. "Yasuke, was it? What is it that you want?"

Yasuke raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Nailah’s expression turned serious. "What is your dream? Your goal?"

Yasuke’s grin returned as he jabbed his thumb at his chest. "I’ll become the greatest warrior on this earth!"

His eyes hardened, a flicker of something deeper behind his usual reckless enthusiasm.

Nailah smiled. "Then why don’t you join me?"

Yasuke scoffed. "Why the fuck would I do that?"

Nailah met his gaze. "Because I want to reach Elysium. And for that, I’ll need the best among the best. Only powerful opponents stand ahead of me… You might even get to face the Emerald Knight someday."

Yasuke’s grin widened at the name. "The Emerald Knight, huh? You seem serious about this."

Nailah’s eyes burned with conviction. "Of course, I am! I’ll reach Elysium even if I have to turn the Empire upside down!"

Yasuke threw his head back and laughed. "Alright! I’ll join you."

His voice turned cold. "But if I see you’re not good enough or that you can’t deliver... I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you both and move on."

Nailah’s smirk didn’t waver. "Very well."

Yasuke swung his tetsubo over his shoulder. "Let’s celebrate, then!"

Bottles clinked on the table, alcohol flowing freely. Yasuke was already slumped back, completely drunk.

Meanwhile, Nailah and Edward stood by the window.

Nailah turned to him. "You wanted to tell me something?"

Edward nodded. "Yes."

Edward hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I’ve got someone in mind who could truly help you on your journey. I’d like to be excused for a few days to recruit him."

Nailah studied him, then nodded. "Alright. I do hope he’s competent."

Edward smirked. "You won’t be disappointed." He turned and walked out, leaving Nailah to watch him disappear into the night.