"Alright, looks like you're both out of steam. Time to end this little game."
Haruki casually forced the two back with a single slash, his tone light, almost indifferent.
Before either of them could respond, a blood-red, nearly tangible demonic aura began to coil around Haruki's right hand. It slowly crept along the blade he held, thick and viscous, enveloping the weapon in a sinister glow that made it look utterly otherworldly.
Haruki shifted his gaze to the two across from him. With a smooth motion, he pulled Lina closer with his left arm, shielding her eyes against his chest. His right hand raised the blade—and with a sweeping upward swing—
"Roar...!"
A thunderous bellow tore through the air, shaking the heavens and darkening the sky in an instant.
Before the stunned eyes of everyone present, a massive golden bat—taller than anyone on deck—formed at the tip of Haruki's sword, born entirely from his demonic energy.
But unlike the grotesque bats of the natural world, this one was majestic. Its entire body shimmered with golden fur, its wings spanning several meters wide, and its blood-red eyes locked onto Bulat and Tatsumi with chilling intensity. The moment its gaze fixed on them, both men felt an involuntary shiver run down their spines. A thick, blood-red aura swirled around the bat, impossible to dissipate.
With another piercing roar, the bat launched forward without hesitation. Its wings beat once, and it surged toward Bulat and Tatsumi, crossing the distance in an instant—faster than anyone could react.
"Tatsumi, watch out!"
Bulat's instincts flared the moment Haruki moved. The sheer pressure from the creature told him something was horribly wrong. When it appeared beside them without warning, Bulat didn't think—he simply moved, arms spread wide as he threw himself in front of Tatsumi.
He wasn't acting recklessly. His Teigu, Demon Armor [Incursio], was famous for its near-impenetrable defense. He believed he could at least take the hit and survive.
But reality proved him wrong.
Boom! Crack!
The bat struck with a deafening impact. There was a sickening crunch, followed by Bulat's agonized scream as he was hurled backward, the force so great it knocked Tatsumi off his feet as well, sending him flying across the deck.
"Bulat! Are you okay?!"
Tatsumi scrambled to his feet and rushed to Bulat's side. He knelt beside him, helping him up and shouting in panic.
Bulat had taken the brunt of the attack. While Tatsumi was only slightly grazed, Bulat…
"I-I'm okay... Don't worry, Tatsumi…"
Bulat stirred under Tatsumi's shaking, groaning weakly. He tried to reassure him, but as soon as he opened his mouth, a violent cough wracked his body. Blood gushed from his lips—dark, thick, and laced with fragments of shattered organs.
"Bulat—no, don't say that! You'll be fine, right?! Please…"
Tears streamed down Tatsumi's face as he saw the state Bulat was in. He knew—any fool would know—that Bulat was seriously hurt. And it was all because he'd shielded him from that monstrous attack. Tatsumi choked on his sobs as he tried to wipe the blood from Bulat's mouth.
"Cough… Tatsumi, listen to me. Take my Teigu. Jump off the ship. I'll hold him off. You… you have to run."
Though trying to comfort Tatsumi, Bulat knew this was it. There was no surviving this. So he did the only thing he could—he gave Tatsumi a chance.
Bulat had always believed in Tatsumi's potential, believing he had what it took to become a great general. Now, at the end, he chose to entrust that future to him.
With trembling limbs, Bulat struggled to his feet. He turned and extended a small, blunt knife toward Tatsumi—Demon Armor [Incursio], now withdrawn into its sealed state. Cracks marred its surface. Though it had saved Bulat once more, the Teigu had taken critical, irreversible damage. It wouldn't hold out much longer.
Bulat stood there, a dying warrior with only an ordinary weapon in his hand, facing down Haruki with everything he had left.
"No, I'm not leaving. Brother Bulat, you're going to be fine—we can still beat him..."
But Tatsumi refused Bulat's plea, his voice full of defiance as he stared at him with stubborn determination.
"Tch. Are you two seriously underestimating me? You really think there's any chance of escaping while I'm standing here?"
Just as Bulat was about to argue further, Haruki spoke coldly, his words laced with disdain.
To Haruki, Tatsumi's resolve was laughable. He didn't believe for a second that Tatsumi would suddenly awaken some miraculous protagonist power and turn the tide in a battle so one-sided.
Clang!
"Enough. Just die already."
Haruki tossed aside the cracked blade in his hand with a casual flick.
That sword had only been an ordinary one—nothing special. The fact that it had lasted as long as it did under the strain of his demonic energy was impressive enough. But with that last blow, it had finally given out.
Behind him, a golden vortex materialized in midair. Slowly, several radiant golden weapons began to emerge from within.
"Tatsumi, enough talk. Go—now."
Seeing Haruki's next move, Bulat didn't hesitate. He shoved the Teigu, Demon Armor [Incursio], into Tatsumi's hands and, using the last of his strength, kicked Tatsumi clear off the Ryuusen and into the river.
Shhhhk!
At that exact moment, golden weapons launched from Haruki's Gate of Babylon. With no resistance in their path, they struck Bulat mercilessly. Already gravely wounded and drained of strength, he was pinned to the deck by multiple weapons, unable to move.
"Hmph. No one escapes me."
Haruki's eyes narrowed as he watched Bulat sacrifice himself to save Tatsumi.
The story had already deviated so far from the original that Haruki no longer cared about sticking to the script. Tatsumi, the so-called protagonist of the original tale, meant nothing to him now.
With another pulse, the golden vortex opened again. More weapons floated into view, their tips aimed straight at Tatsumi, who now drifted atop the river's surface.
"Young master, please… let Tatsumi go this time."
Just as Haruki prepared to strike, Sayo—who had been quietly standing behind him—finally spoke.