Chapter 240: The Butterfly and the Ice Queen

Merraid clenched her fists in frustration, her face clearly showing that she couldn't understand how Esdeath wouldn't listen to any reason.

If it were anyone else, Merraid would have exchanged a few words before knocking her out and dragging her away. But with this woman, she couldn't do that. On one hand, she didn't want to hurt her, and on the other, she knew that even if she tried, she probably wouldn't be able to defeat her.

Merraid had always been very confident, sometimes bordering on arrogance. But even she had to admit that while her talent and skill were top notch in this world, they were on par with the great generals of the empire, such as Bulat and Budo.

However, the woman in front of her, with whom she had crossed paths since youth, belonged to an even higher level.

Empire Navy Admiral, Esdeath!

But despite this, Merraid still didn't think she could survive the next war.

So she told Esdeath everything she saw without reservation, just to let Esdeath understand the huge gap between the two sides!

But Merraid failed as expected.

"The World Government, which has already conquered three worlds, seems very strong. That's perfect, don't you think?!"

"Surely there I will find enemies who can satisfy me, right?" Esdeath said as she crossed her legs. Her tongue ran across her lips with an expression full of anticipation. Her eyes shone with palpable excitement, without the slightest attempt at concealment.

"Why don't you understand!"

"You are no match for those monsters, you will die!"

Merraid sighed, defeated. She knew Esdeath, that woman was a combat fanatic. But still, she had come to warn her.

Because she loved her.

"Die?" Esdeath slowly stood up, looked at Merraid calmly and said: "That means I am too weak, that's all."

"I see..." Merraid muttered, lowering her head, her face obscured by the shadows, as her voice turned cold and the atmosphere in the hall became oppressive. "Sure enough, I can't convince you with words. In this case, I have to try to take you away by force."

When she raised her head, determination was reflected in her eyes.

"Today, I will either defeat you and take you far away and live together, or you can kill me, which is better than watching you die!"

Esdeath looked at her with interest and said with a smile: "I forgot that you are still the strongest assassin in the empire, and it seems that we haven't fought each other for a while."

"Well, in that case, then you come and try, let me see if you have become stronger~"

Just as Merraid tensed her muscles, Esdeath raised a hand to stop her.

"In your current form you are no match for me. Transform into Madame Mera. I can wait."

Merraid sneered. "Still as confident as ever, huh? Alright, I won't hold back!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she stretched out her arms and twelve black insects resembling caterpillars emerged from her body, which began to spin white silk threads.

In the blink of an eye, Merraid was wrapped in a large white cocoon.

Esdeath waited with a smile, crossing her arms under her breast.

A moment later, the cocoon split in two, revealing a fully transformed Merraid.

Translucent, dark purple wings spread out from her back, and a pair of white antennae emerged from her temples. Her forearms and legs sported a purple pattern that seemed to mimic lace stockings.

Her appearance was like that of a dark butterfly, highlighting her sensuality even more provocatively.

"Very well, let's begin." Merraid said, ready for combat.

But Esdeath didn't seem satisfied. "What about that phrase the Oarburghs say before they fight? Aren't you going to say it?"

"That is equivalent to sentencing the other party to death in the name of Death, and this battle is not to kill you." Merraid looked at her affectionately and said softly.

"No, you have to say it!"

Esdeath has long been accustomed to Merraid's somewhat strange personality and continued to make requests without changing her expression.

Because there is nothing wrong with her sexual orientation, she is still waiting to have a normal sweet love with a man she likes~

"Well, okay then." Merraid replied, smiling indulgently before assuming a serious expression. She spread her arms and, in a solemn voice, said: "I am the Fang of the Death God Oarburgh, the Sword of Impermanence, and I will take you to the underworld to enjoy eternal peace."

"Yes, that's it!" Esdeath exclaimed, satisfied like a child who just got her gift. "It would be great if there is really someone in this world who can defeat death. I really want to see it."

But Merraid was no longer in the mood for jokes. In the blink of an eye, she was gone from her spot.

The next instant, a three-meter-tall ice pillar appeared where Merraid had been standing, only to burst into a thousand pieces under a fiery explosion.

Meanwhile, a swarm of black insects descended from the ceiling of the room.

Suddenly, Esdeath unsheathed her sword and, with one movement, froze the swarm of insects, which disintegrated into ice dust upon contact with the air.

"After so many years, you still haven't improved the cold resistance of these insects~" Esdeath sneered as the temperature in the room dropped even further.

Merraid let out a growl. "That's why I made sure to bring enough Explosive Ants to take you on."

At that instant, a series of explosions shook the white castle, as two powerful women faced each other in a frenzied battle between fire, smoke and ice.

...

At some point, the noise in the castle quieted down.

Both sides appeared to have moderated their attacks, allowing the only building on this small island to remain largely intact.

However.

The main hall inside the castle was a mess, with frozen icicles, ice spikes and broken ice everywhere.

"How do you think you could beat me, you fool~?"

Esdeath smiled in satisfaction as she looked at her childhood friend, who was frozen from the neck down. At that moment, the young warrior was revealing her more youthful and carefree side.

"No matter how much of a war fanatic you are, there must be a limit, don't you think? What's the point of fighting a battle where you're sure to lose, and you might even die?"

"If you follow my plan, you could adopt another identity, join the World Government, and participate in their campaigns to conquer other worlds. Isn't that more tempting?"

Merraid made her last effort to convince her.

"A war that is bound to be lost?" Esdeath raised her eyebrows, bringing her right hand to her waist and smiling. "What you just said makes me want to try even more. I don't know the taste of defeat, you know~?"

But then Esdeath's eyes filled with ambition and greed.

"The war to conquer other worlds"

She had to admit that when Merraid mentioned it, her heart wavered, feeling tempted to surrender to the World Government. However, she quickly suppressed that impulse. There was no way she would betray on the battlefield.

Of course, if she ended up using all her power and still lost, and if they allowed her to live... maybe then she would consider joining them.

With that thought in mind, Esdeath waved her right hand, dispelling the ice surrounding Merraid into sparkling crystals that scattered through the air. Then, with a firm and graceful step, she began to walk towards the castle gate, her white heels clicking on the frozen ground.

It was then that Merraid's angry voice broke the silence.

"If you die, don't even dream of me avenging your death! I won't stand up to the World Government for you. In fact, I will mock your arrogance before your grave!"

"Heh, well I hope you'll keep me good company with your words then~"

Esdeath chuckled without looking back.

Finally disappeared from Merraid's angry sight.

Merraid, exhausted, collapsed onto the frozen ground, biting her lip in frustration.

"Then there is only one way next, I will join the World Government first."

"Since the World Government can accept talents from the first three worlds, there is no reason why Esdeath and I will be rejected!"

Thinking of this, Merraid stood up with his tired body. She must keep herself and Esdeath alive!

...

At the same time, on the Empire's side, a 50,000-strong army led by Najasho and Izou as his deputy, had arrived at the northern borders a few days ago. They were stationed in a fortress near the city of Partas.

Najasho used this fortress as his command center, deploying his army so that it directly faced the main battle division led by Lieutenant General Onigumo and the auxiliary army of 10,000.

Recently, both sides had begun engaging in small test fights.

"Weren't enemy soldiers supposed to fight with swords?" Najasho asked, puzzled, as he looked at the front line with a simple telescope.

At this point, both armies were entrenched in makeshift trenches, firing at each other with automatic rifles and machine guns. The sky was streaked with exploding shells, enveloping the trenches in flashes of fire.

In addition, a few heavy tanks had joined the fight, but they soon encountered fierce resistance from gigantic crab-like creatures.

"Lieutenant General, according to the latest intelligence reports, these troops wearing green uniforms and carrying firearms have recently arrived in our world through the Dimensional Gate. It is believed that they might be your second-line forces." An officer from the rear quickly reported.

"Second-line troops?"

Najasho turned his head and looked at him speechlessly.

The other side's second-line troops are fighting with their first-line troops, what's going on!

"Hahaha! Second line troops fully equipped with firearms, while the front line troops only use swords... Interesting, reminds me of my homeland. I'm looking forward to facing them." Izou laughed coldly, as he eagerly watched the fight.

"By the way, I'll take advantage of the opportunity to feed Kousetsu with blood." Izou added, with a dangerous smile.

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