Chapter 414: Play Along in This Act

As indicated by Mine's tone, Bulat's situation seemed far more dangerous, so Wood could only proceed to assist him first.

As for Tatsumi, facing two opponents alone was indeed perilous, but Wood had unwavering faith in the "Chosen Child of Fate." He was certain Tatsumi wouldn't die in such a situation.

Not that the "Child of Fate" couldn't perish, but in a heated shounen manga, the protagonist only dies during a final showdown with the big villain—a near ironclad rule.

Clearly, this storyline was nowhere close to the finale. The Revolutionary Army hadn't yet toppled the Empire, and Daidas and Nyau of the "Three Beasts" were nowhere near the level of final bosses. At most, they were elite underlings.

Arriving on the dragon ship's deck, Wood immediately understood the predicament Bulat had gotten into.

Bulat's opponent was General Liver, the strongest of the "Three Beasts" and Bulat's former superior.

As former comrades, both were intimately familiar with each other, which allowed Liver to detect Bulat's infiltration and force a confrontation on the ship's deck—a terrain advantageous to him.

Liver was a former Imperial general known for his bravery and intelligence. He was falsely accused and imprisoned for refusing to pay bribes, only to be rescued by Esdeath. Since then, he had devoted himself to serving her.

His Teigu was called "Black Marlin: Drinker of Blood," which was made from a water-dwelling dangerous beast's fluid-controlling organs. With this Teigu, the user could manipulate any liquid they touched, including blood.

Considering that they were currently on a ship surrounded by water, Liver's Teigu, "Drinker of Blood," allowed him a substantial advantage.

Yet Liver did not anticipate how much Bulat had grown in strength. Despite his overwhelming advantage, Bulat managed to hold his ground, even putting pressure on Liver at times.

Desperate, Liver resorted to his Teigu's secret skill, the "Blood Blade Kill," using his own blood as a weapon. Even Bulat's "Incursio" could not fully withstand it, leading him to sustain injuries.

What Bulat hadn't expected, however, was that Liver had spiked his own blood with lethal poison. Bulat, injured by the "Blood Blade Kill," had also been poisoned.

When Wood reached the deck, both Liver and Bulat had ceased fighting and instead seemed to chat like an old commander and his subordinate.

According to Liver, the poison in their veins was incurable, leaving both with no chance of survival. Since fighting would lead to death either way, they decided to save their strength in hopes that a comrade might arrive so they could share their final thoughts.

Liver, old and already weakened, died first. Seeing his former superior die right before his eyes, Bulat couldn't help but feel sentimental.

"You too were a victim of the Empire's darkness. In that case, why did you choose to stand so firmly on the Empire's side?

"Was it loyalty to the Empire, or was it because of General Esdeath, who saved your life?"

Bulat asked, gazing at the lifeless body of Liver. Sadly, his fallen superior was in no condition to respond.

"It looks like it's my turn next, huh? Too bad I won't get the chance to meet that general—the one you dedicated your life to serving—and that I won't see Tatsumi's growth, or witness my comrades shattering the Empire's darkness. What a pity."

Though he was poisoned and facing death, Bulat showed no fear, only regret for not being able to see the Empire's future.

"Yo, Mine said your situation was dangerous, but looking at it now, it seems like you won, right?"

When Wood arrived on deck, he saw the lifeless Liver and a weakened but living Bulat. He couldn't help but tease him.

"I didn't expect to have this much luck—seeing a comrade one last time before I die. Wood, I've been poisoned by General Liver. Before I die, there's something I'd like to ask you."

Seeing Wood approach, Bulat forced a weak smile. He had thought he wouldn't have the chance to leave any last words, but it seemed fate had other plans for him.

"You said you're poisoned? Let me take a look…"

"Don't waste your time. Liver said the poison is incurable; he himself died from it. I just want you to pass my Teigu, 'Incursio,' to Tatsumi and share a few things with him."

Bulat removed the dagger with the attached chain from his waist and handed it to Wood.

Wood, however, didn't take the dagger, instead carefully examining Bulat's body. He said casually, "If there's something you want to say to Tatsumi, you should say it yourself.

"You know how much that kid looks up to you. If I relay your words, it won't have the same impact."

Hearing Wood's response, Bulat, though nearing death, couldn't help but feel exasperated.

Of course, if he could, he'd talk to Tatsumi personally, guide him, and entrust him with "Incursio." But the problem was that he was about to die. He was poisoned, with perhaps only a few minutes left. There was no time for him to meet Tatsumi in person.

"But Wood, I'm poisoned and about to die…"

"Stop talking nonsense. I have a way to save you. However, even if I pull you back from the brink of death, you'll probably never be able to use 'Incursio' again. That Teigu places too much strain on your body. If you use it again after I save you, you'll definitely die."

Before Bulat could express his shock, he felt himself enveloped in a soft, green glow.

"I know you're shocked, but don't say anything. I need to focus right now."

Bulat swallowed the words he was about to say and quietly focused on the changes within his body.

Surrounded by a warm, green light, Bulat could feel his vitality slowly returning. The toxins in his blood were gradually being purged.

Behind him, Wood stood with runic symbols glowing on his chest—the "Heart of God." His forehead was beaded with sweat.

As mentioned before, the mana in this world was extremely scarce—nearly negligible—making magic difficult. But Wood had a habit of inscribing healing runes on his body and storing mana.

Scarce mana didn't mean nonexistent mana. With time, even a small amount of mana could accumulate, and with the boost from the "Heart of God," Wood could manage to cast an "Advanced Spell."

In other worlds, Wood would casually cast "Holy Level" or "King Level" spells. Compared to those, an "Advanced Spell" was nearly useless in battle, and using the "Heart of God" to do it seemed a waste—so he seldom used it.

However, while advanced battle magic was useless to him, an "Advanced Healing Spell" was incredibly effective in a world with medieval-level medical capabilities.

If it were a "Holy Level" or "King Level" healing spell, Wood could fully revive Bulat with no side effects. But now, using the advanced holy magic spell "Purify," all he could do was rid Bulat of the poison.

As for the irreversible damage caused by the poison, Wood could not heal that without higher-level magic. He had done all he could to save Bulat's life.

Still, Bulat was stunned. As a former subordinate of Liver, Bulat knew his old commander would not bother lying about something like the poison—not when it killed him.

A supposedly incurable poison—yet Wood had removed it.

"Wood, didn't you say I could survive, but I'd be too weak to use 'Incursio' again?"

"If so, I still want Tatsumi to have 'Incursio.' He has a strong affinity for it, and I truly believe that he can fully wield its power."

Bulat had been watching Tatsumi closely since his recruitment, impressed by his potential, determination, and character.

Wood had once said that Tatsumi would grow strong, and at that time, Bulat was skeptical. But now, among the Night Raid, no one believed in Tatsumi's potential more than Bulat.

"Your body indeed can't handle 'Incursio' anymore, but as long as you avoid high-intensity battles, it shouldn't be a problem.

"If you want Tatsumi to have 'Incursio,' that's your choice. You don't need my permission."

In Wood's eyes, Bulat wasn't dead or incapable of fighting. Though he could no longer use "Incursio," he could always use another Teigu with less severe side effects. Even without a Teigu, Bulat's personal skills were outstanding, and he need not speak as if giving a final farewell.

"No, to inspire Tatsumi and help him grow, Wood, I want you to play along in a little act with me…"

On the other side of things, Tatsumi wasn't faring well. Facing two Teigu users alone, he had just managed to block Daidas' axe before being punched through the ship's thick wooden wall by Nyau, who had activated the secret technique "Summon Demon."

Had it not been for his protagonist status and a tough-as-nails fate, any normal person would have already died facing these two.

But despite being battered, Tatsumi was miraculously without fatal injuries.

Still, Tatsumi felt frustrated. Wasn't this supposed to be a foolproof mission? Wasn't everyone in Night Raid mobilized for this?

Then why had he been fighting alone this entire time, taking on two enemies by himself?

If backup didn't arrive soon, he was done for!

Slamming into the deck, Tatsumi forced himself to a halt, only to spot Wood and Bulat standing there.

Seeing Wood and Bulat, Tatsumi's previous apprehension instantly disappeared.

Night Raid's strongest warrior, Wood, was here, along with the man Tatsumi admired most, Brother Bulat. With these two backing him up, what did he have to worry about?

Seeing Tatsumi getting thrown to the deck, Daidas and Nyau, who had chased after him, quickly noticed Wood, Bulat, and the fallen Liver.

Though not deeply bonded, they had worked with Liver for a long time. Seeing their comrade dead, both Daidas and Nyau were furious.

The sight of Wood only intensified that rage, reminding them of their past encounter on the border.

"So, you're part of this 'Night Raid' group here in the capital, huh, Wood?

"Well, this time, I'll settle all accounts—I'll definitely kill you!"

Back in the tribal arena on the border, Nyau, one of the "Three Beasts," had once sparred with Wood, only to be brutally defeated.

Since then, Nyau had trained hard, always leading charges against the tribes in hopes of one day exacting revenge on Wood.

Today, Nyau was stronger than he had been in the original story, and after activating "Summon Demon," he was even capable of facing Esdeath for several rounds.

"Oh, it's you—the guy who only knows how to bully the weak. It's been a while, and it seems you've grown a bit.

"But don't think things will go like last time. Back then, we were comrades, so I held back. But this time, I won't."

Wood's taunt immediately enraged the hot-headed Nyau, who dashed toward Wood, aiming a punch straight at his face.

"You've definitely improved, but you're not the only one. If that's all you've got, there's no way you can settle old scores. You won't even leave here alive."