Contest of Strength

With a deafening explosion, the location where the silver-haired girl stood erupted into a violent blast. Rocks instantly shattered, debris flew everywhere, dust billowed, and flames shot up into the sky, with waves of air creating a raging hurricane that shrouded the entire area in a cloud of dust.

"Good job, Mine," said the green-haired boy, smiling and giving a thumbs-up to the distance. He was Lubbock from Night Raid.

"Be careful!"

"So fast!"

Lubbock's pupils shrank as he quickly turned to block, but it was too late. The sharp blade was already in front of him, and he could even feel the sting from the blade.

Suddenly, a spear shot over, just in time to block the incoming blade.

With a clash, the spear and the blade collided, creating a spray of sparks and a teeth-jarring sound.

The one who blocked Kaguya's blade was a man clad in armor. With a forceful push from his spear, he shoved Kaguya away and simultaneously kicked Lubbock's butt, sending him flying.

"Hey, hey," Lubbock protested, "can't you be gentler?"

"If I was gentle, you'd be dead," the armored man said sternly. If Kaguya was correct, he was Bulat from Night Raid, known for his formidable strength and close combat skills.

As soon as he spoke, Bulat twirled his spear, stepped forward, and charged at Kaguya like a thunderbolt. With sudden force, the spear moved with a life of its own, slashing diagonally from the lower left corner toward Kaguya's neck.

Kaguya's eyes were as calm as water. She swung her Kusanagi sword, seemingly slow but actually fast, like a stream of autumn water, radiating a chilling coldness.

With a clang, Bulat felt a tremendous force that nearly caused him to lose his grip on the spear.

Bulat was shocked. He didn't expect the seemingly delicate silver-haired girl to possess such astonishing strength. Gripping his spear with both hands, he shouted and unleashed his brute strength, forcing Kaguya back.

Using the momentum, Kaguya gracefully arced through the air, her silver hair fluttering. She spun and kicked, striking Lubbock in the stomach.

Lubbock was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth. Clutching his abdomen in pain, he struggled to rise, his internal organs injured.

"Hah!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the side. Leone charged at Kaguya from behind, swinging her powerful beast-like fist at her. Kaguya was suspended in mid-air with no support, seemingly about to be hit by Leone.

Suddenly, Kaguya disappeared, vanishing into thin air without a trace.

"Yomotsu Hirasaka"

A chill came from behind, Leone's pupils shrank, and she turned hastily to see Kaguya somehow appearing behind her, her long sword radiating bone-chilling coldness in her hand.

Lubbock was temporarily incapacitated, and Bulat was too far to assist. Leone seemed about to be pierced by the sword.

At that moment, a brilliant beam of light struck at Kaguya.

"Well done, Mine!"

Leone breathed a sigh of relief, but moments later, her eyes widened.

The silver-haired girl effortlessly swung her long sword, slicing the beam in half.

Undeterred, the silver-haired girl shot toward Leone like an arrow, the blade aiming for her neck.

Leone barely turned, raising her arms to shield her chest, her heart sinking. Judging by how easily the blade cut through Lubbock's threads, it was incredibly sharp. Leone had little confidence in blocking it, hoping her regenerative ability would reattach her head.

With a dull thud, the blade's hilt struck Leone's abdomen, causing her to spew saliva mixed with blood. Her body flew like a kite with a broken string, crashing into a wall, reducing it to rubble.

Leone struggled to rise, gasping for breath. Enhanced by her Teigu, her body was more resilient and her recovery rate faster than the average person. Despite this, the blow left her breathless and in pain.

She was puzzled; the silver-haired girl could have killed her but didn't, choosing instead to spare her. However, she quickly dismissed these thoughts, believing that regardless of her actions, killing so many civilians was unforgivable.

Though the battle seemed long, it was a mere blink of an eye. In that instant, two Night Raid members had lost their combat ability.

"I didn't expect the Empire to have such a princess," Bulat said, his body tense. "You've hidden yourself well."

Kaguya stood silently, saying nothing. Despite wearing a mask, Bulat sensed she was distracted.

"No matter your reasons, your actions are unforgivable," Bulat said coldly, pointing his spear at Kaguya. "Prepare to face justice."

As he spoke, Bulat's aura surged, enveloping him like a fierce storm as he charged at Kaguya. His spear thrusts were countless, forming a web of spear shadows that surrounded Kaguya.

His power had greatly increased, thanks to his Teigu, "Incursio," which significantly enhanced his physical abilities. While it placed a heavy burden on the user, it was nothing for him.

Bulat's movements were swift and elusive, his spear as relentless as a storm. To others, his speed would be overwhelming, invisible even, and they would be pierced before they could react.

Unfortunately for him, he faced Kaguya. Her greatest strength lay in her ocular jutsu, which granted her extraordinary insight. Bulat's actions seemed slowed down to her, allowing her to effortlessly anticipate and counter his moves.

Sparks flew, metal clashed.

The sharp clang of blade and spear echoed like a torrential downpour.

Bulat's pupils contracted as he realized that the silver-haired girl, known as the princess, was blocking all his attacks single-handedly. No matter how tricky the angle, she easily parried each strike.

Moreover, her relaxed demeanor suggested she wasn't even using her full strength.

How was this possible?