Chapter 573 - 185: Eternal Talent... Shines Bright!

Chapter 573: Chapter 185: Eternal Talent... Shines Bright!

——These two people... especially that man, must be feeling utterly desperate right now.

Scythe Weasel thought smugly to himself.

——After all the effort to defeat that Shinno, they thought they could finally breathe easy, only to have someone much stronger suddenly appear.

——Heh, if it were me, I’d feel desperate too.

Driven by the smug feeling of "victory in hand, time to toy with these two prey," he very much wanted to see Aoto’s expression right now.

Unfortunately... Aoto’s face was currently shrouded in the shadow of the trees, obscuring his features, let alone his expression.

——What should I do...?

Mukiwa lightly bit her lower lip, glanced sideways at Aoto beside her.

——Mr. Tachibana probably can’t fight any longer now.

——With just me, there’s no way to defeat this guy...

——I have to find a way to escape...

——If I am determined to flee, this guy shouldn’t be able to catch me.

——But Mr. Tachibana...

Mukiwa glanced again at Aoto’s battered, exhausted body.

In Aoto’s current state, he’s certainly within Scythe Weasel’s grasp... which means, to ensure Aoto’s escape, the only option is to stall Scythe Weasel.

Should I escape, or take on Scythe Weasel to buy Aoto time to flee?

This kind of choice... wasn’t even a question for Mukiwa.

With almost no hesitation.

In less than a moment, Mukiwa made up her mind.

"...Mr. Tachibana."

Mukiwa slightly lowered her center of gravity, softly said in a volume only she and Aoto could hear:

"Do you still have the strength to run?"

"This person is just too strong; we’re no match for him now."

"If you still have the strength to run, get out of here quickly."

"I’ll buy you some time."

When she spoke about "buying you time," Mukiwa’s eyes flashed with resolute determination.

This timid girl who was even afraid to speak loudly to strangers, continued to speak with a firm and powerful tone:

"I may not be able to beat this guy, but holding him off for the time it takes to burn an incense stick is more than enough."

At this, Mukiwa paused.

"...Don’t worry about my safety."

Mukiwa slightly turned her face, showing Aoto a smile incongruous with the current atmosphere filled with menace and a faint sadness.

Her smile communicated to Aoto, "Rest assured, I’ll be fine."

"Once you’re far enough, I’ll escape too."

"You know my speed; escaping through this house-filled Castle Town is my strong suit. If I want to run, there’s no way this guy can catch me."

The strong-willed girl seemed to want to say more.

But a strange sound interrupted her——

...

"...Haha, hahaha..."

...

"Mr. Tachibana...?"

Mukiwa looked in shock at Aoto, who unexpectedly let out a low, chuckling laughter.

Scythe Weasel also stopped in his tracks, his mocking smile froze slightly, casting a puzzled look at Aoto, who still lay on the ground.

Under the scrutiny of two gazes, each containing different emotions... Aoto slowly got up.

Supporting himself with his left hand on the ground, he slowly lifted his upper body while raising his right hand to brush off the leaves that had fallen on him.

The clear moonlight shone on Aoto’s face as he sat up, emerging from the darkness under the trees.

Finally, Scythe Weasel, who had been eager to see Aoto’s expression, got his wish.

He saw what expression Aoto had now.

In that instant, the mocking smile on Scythe Weasel’s face faded visibly, his eyes widening slowly in shock.

Aoto... didn’t show the expression of despair he had expected.

Quite the opposite—there wasn’t a trace of negative emotion on his face.

There was neither despair nor regret, annoyance...

He even... smiled.

Aoto’s slightly upturned lips bore a faint smile.

Like he had encountered something deeply satisfying.

"Hahaha..."

Sitting up, Aoto chuckled lightly a few more times, then raised his hand to rub the back of his head, which had hit a tree trunk when Scythe Weasel kicked him away.

——That change of move just now was truly amazing.

——I probably could only perform such a swift maneuver when in perfect condition, with both ’Lone Brave’ and ’Gathering Spirit’ at full power.

——How did this guy so quickly change the sword initially held in the upper stance to one horizontally positioned at his waist?

——It didn’t rely solely on the strength of the arms and fingers... many subtle techniques were also involved.

——What an amazing fellow.

After sincerely praising Scythe Weasel in his heart, Aoto picked up the sword next to him and slowly stood up.

——Alright.

——Defeat him!

Aoto raised his gaze, staring intently at Scythe Weasel.

The same flame-like glow that appeared during the decisive battle with Shinno now blazed fiercely in his eyes!

Scythe Weasel instinctively met Aoto’s gaze... then uncontrollably stepped back with his right foot.

What’s with this guy?!——Only realizing later that he had unwittingly retreated half a step, Scythe Weasel’s face suddenly turned exceptionally grim.