Chapter 260: Miku Joins the Crew (Two-in-One)
"Boom!"
The thunderous sound of rolling thunder filled the sky, and everyone's ears were filled with a ringing sound.
"Ah… This is even louder than my concert!" Miku covered her ears, the booming sound of the thunder drowning out her voice.
The colors in the sky seemed to vanish, leaving only the blue electric currents in the thunderclouds.
"This is no different from your previous Thunderstrikes," Esdeath said calmly. "No matter how large the range of your attack is, you can't defeat me with this move."
"Just watch!"
The thunderclouds, which had gathered electric light, had now turned into a sea of thunder. The dark clouds had transformed into a deep blue, within which shadows of figures roared.
"Roar!" It was the roar of a dragon.
"Howl!" The roar of a thunder beast.
"Chirp!" The call of a phoenix!
Several animals, positioned in different directions, raised their heads and howled in anger, enveloped in dark lightning. Their bodies became brighter, the electric charges in the sea of thunder became even more turbulent. The true Thunder God was awakening—
"!" Esdeath suddenly felt her heart race, and she had a bad premonition.
"Ice Mountain!"
Esdeath's strongest defensive move, a massive ice mountain hundreds of meters high, rose from the ground and enveloped her completely.
In an instant, the thundercloud released a dazzling white light, resembling the core of a nuclear explosion. The brightness hurt the eyes of those watching, and they quickly closed their eyes.
The light was released, and thunder roared!
A massive thunderbolt, as thick as a pillar, covered half of the island. The dazzling light and the deafening sound waves hit from all directions, shaking the island.
This blue-white thunder pillar descended like the Thunder God's scepter.
The people aboard the Akagami (Red-haired Ship) saw this scene and felt as if they were witnessing the true power of the Thunder God. Fortunately, even though sisters Carla and Kana had undergone severe trials, they did not kneel in prayer for the forgiveness of the gods.
Under the brilliant light of the thunder pillar, the sunlight seemed dim in comparison, as if the entire sky had been pierced by the thunder pillar.
After dozens of seconds of bombardment, the thunderclouds slowly diminished in size, and the thunder pillar gradually disappeared.
A huge mushroom cloud appeared, with rocks that had melted due to the high temperature flowing as lava on the ground.
The people outside finally opened their eyes, the image of the intense light still etched on their retinas, while the thunderous roar of the lightning still echoed in their ears.
The battlefield, which had originally been elevated, was now gouged out in a large area. It looked like a small-scale nuclear explosion, which left everyone a little shaken. The fact that they weren't knocked out by the aftershock was a good thing.
Esdeath crouched down, her head bowed, her long blue hair draped over her face, obscuring her expression, making it hard for Eric to see her face.
But judging by her posture, there seemed to be no issue. The perception from the Shin Mind still heard her strong heartbeat.
The invincible Esdeath, how could she be taken down by a single strike after Eric awakened his abilities?
"Powerful move, but still not enough—I've won!"
Esdeath raised her head, showing a victorious smile. "I won't let you make a move again, 'Mokebate Mo'!"
"Uh-oh…" Before the words were even finished, Eric was surrounded by a bluish halo, and time and space froze in that moment. The scales of victory tilted towards Esdeath.
"Swish…" The sound of a sharp blade entering flesh, the western sword only stabbed a part of him, avoiding vital organs and sinking into muscle.
The smoke cleared, the lava flowed again, and a gentle breeze blew across his face.
The pain of the stab hit Eric , and the muscles in his face twitched.
Esdeath held her sword hand out straight, the sword and her arm forming a straight line.
A faint smile appeared on her face, and with a seductive voice, she declared, "I won, it seems I'll be on top from now on."
"I knew about your 'Mokebate Mo,' how could I not guard against this move?" Eric spoke, but his voice came from above.
"I'm sure you couldn't be defeated by 'Thunder God Temple!' No one knows you better than me, Esdeath!"
"God's Judgment!"
Before the words were even finished, the thunderclouds, now reduced in size, began to swirl again, and a wide blue thunder pillar descended from the sky.
"!" Esdeath looked at Eric , who held the Fire Spike in front of her, as the blue charge of lightning vanished. The Fire Spike fell to the ground with two clattering sounds.
"Using a large-area thunder strike to confuse my Observation Haki, leaving behind a lightning clone, even leaving the weapon behind for it, then hiding in the thundercloud..."
"You've grown a lot, Eric ..." Esdeath slowly said. Her beloved man had grown to be capable of standing on his own. She closed her eyes, opened her arms, and prepared to bear Eric 's lightning strike, a faint smile on her lips.
The imagined thunder pillar did not strike her body, and the burning pain did not shock her nerves.
The thunder stopped just inches above Esdeath's head, dissipating in the air.
Eric flashed in front of Esdeath and embraced her.
The expected pain did not come, instead, she felt Eric 's warm embrace.
Kurumi outside the battle groaned heavily.
Akame, who had always had a naïve expression, tightened her grip on Murasame.
Eric leaned in close to Esdeath's delicate ear, "That last move, 'God's Judgment,' you could freeze it, right? Why take it on with your body?"
"Hmph, being too soft on the enemy is your weakness," Esdeath said unhappily. "And your moves can't do much to me. It will leave a few burns at most."
"Who would attack his own woman?"
Esdeath tightened her arms. "So, it seems I didn't lose this fight."
"No, you've already lost to me in your heart," Eric said with emphasis. "From now on, I'll be on top."
"…Heh." Esdeath smiled softly and nodded, "Yes, my king."
The brief but long battle was now over, but the thunderclouds above continued to release lightning from time to time.
The two separated and walked towards the others.
"Phew~" Miku's heart, which had been suspended in the air, finally relaxed. It seemed that the man called Eric won, and now she wouldn't be...
As she was thinking this, Esdeath, sensing her, glanced over at her.
"Ah!" Miku quickly hid behind Kurumi, who was also an elf.
Wendy, running towards the two, didn't notice the stone sticking up from the ground and tripped, falling with a "plop."
"Wendy!" Akame rushed to help her up.
"Are you alright?"
"Eh heh heh, I'm fine." Wendy laughed sheepishly, brushing the dust off her clothes.
"Wendy, still so careless."
"Eric -nii, Esdeath-nee, let me heal you."
"I'm not injured, just a bit drained," Esdeath said, resting her hand on Wendy's head. "You should treat our captain first."
"Yes!" Wendy nodded obediently, extending both hands toward Eric . A light blue glow appeared between her palms, and the painful sword wounds on Eric 's body started itching before quickly vanishing.
"Wow, that's amazing." Miku widened her eyes as she watched the long knife wounds heal in an instant, with no scars left behind.
Kurumi introduced, "Wendy is our ship's doctor. Though she's young, she's quite capable."
"Now, it's time to talk about your situation."
"Eh? My situation?" Miku pointed at herself.
"Yes." Kurumi nodded. "You should understand that this world is very different from the one you came from. Do you have any family in your previous world?"
At this, Miku remembered her lost parents, shaking her head in pain. Her voice, tinged with tears, broke hearts as she said, "I'm the only one. I only have my voice. Everything else... I have nothing."
Kind-hearted Wendy, sensing the endless sadness and pain in her words, clenched Miku's gloved hand and comforted her, "Sister, I too lost my companions, lost everything. But now, I have new companions who make me feel the warmth of home."
"…"
Wendy softly invited, "Sister, why don't you join us? This family is very warm."
But Miku slowly and firmly shook her head. "I've lost before, due to psychological reasons, because of those ugly men, I lost my voice..."
"That voice was more important than my life!!"
"You have men on your ship, right? I never want to see those creatures again!"
Miku's heartfelt monologue left her in tears.
She had believed her fans, only to be betrayed by them; then she was abandoned by the company that took her in; finally, she was deceived by so-called gods.
Her hatred for men and her disappointment with the world.
She didn't want to trust anyone anymore.
"I said I would do it, and I did," Eric 's words made Miku, who was head down and crying, shudder.
"I said I wouldn't be hurt, and I would win— and I did."
"...Hiss." Miku raised her beautiful face, tears rolling down her pale cheeks like pearls, and sniffled hard.
"You must know that I'm a man of my word, so—"
"—I need your voice. I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Will you join us?"
[Miku's affection level increased, bond level remains unchanged.]
"But, but I couldn't even make a sound just now..."
Esdeath subtly rolled her eyes.
With Fujitora , Eric said seriously, "What I want more is you, though."
[Miku's affection level increased, bond level from 2 (Close Friend) to 3 (Trusted Friend), gaining 2 bond points.]
"I… I can't cook."
"That's okay."
"I can't clean either."
"That's okay."
"I only know how to sing."
"We need a singer like you."
[Miku's affection level increased, bond level remains unchanged.]
"And I'll always be your fan, listening to your singing."
[Miku's affection level increased, bond level from 3 (Trusted Friend) to 4 (Intimate Friends), gaining 3 bond points.]
'Thanks to the Orange Company for clearly outlining every elf's preferences and攻略 points, much appreciated!'
"Heh~" Miku wiped her hands with a smug expression, "Since you really want to hear my songs, I'll make an exception and join you."
"This is a treat for a real fan of mine~"
The young Wendy was very welcoming of the new companion, but what the others thought was something only the geniuses would know.
"It's settled then. You're going to protect me for life, My Darling~"
"Dar… Huh?"
Miku suddenly leapt into Eric 's arms, "Normally, just touching a man, even a fingertip, would make me want to throw up, but touching you, Darling, there's no problem."
"Clang!" Both Esdeath and Kurumi's foreheads popped with veins.
Akame struggled to stop her right hand, which was reaching for Murasame.
"Well, with so many people watching…"
Miku quickly let go of Eric and, to calm her nervous and excited emotions, hugged the petite Wendy tightly, saying, "So cute, thank you so much just now," and began rubbing her face against her.
Wendy didn't seem too bothered by Miku's intimate behavior.
"Although I understand your aversion to men, there are a few men on my ship..."
"I will endure it for Darling, but please tell them not to come too close to me."
"I understand." Eric nodded.
...
As they returned to the ship, everyone wore expressions like "Ah, I knew a new companion would join" or "Another beautiful girl, the captain's range of preferences keeps expanding."
"Well, this is our new companion, Miku." Eric introduced her, "She has a strong aversion to men, so male companions should avoid getting too close to her, or she might throw up."
Everyone looked at Miku's fingers still holding Eric 's clothes. "Is this what you call menphobia?"
But since it was the captain's order, no one objected. However, it seemed that Miku did look at men like they were cockroaches.
But why did she light up when looking at women?
Then Eric dropped another bombshell: "Also, Miku prefers girls, so girls, please protect yourselves..."
Everyone gasped: "Eh?!"
"Eh? Darling, how did you know?" Miku asked in confusion. "I didn't make it that obvious before."
"…In any case, girls, protect yourselves." Eric emphasized again.
"Ah—! Darling, you're so mischievous, it would've been fine to wait until after tonight..." Miku pouted regretfully.
The girls aboard the ship felt a chill. If Miku attacked in the women's bath...
Chiron, as the wise one, could see that Miku's condition was indeed problematic and had no doubt about Eric 's command. Lant, as a merman, wouldn't have any thoughts toward human women.
Gin , on the other hand, was full of admiration, 'Even a lesbian can be straightened out. The captain is truly amazing!'
Genos , more interested in getting stronger, had no feelings for women, and his current mechanical body didn't have such capabilities.
As for Deidara, a man who only cared about art explosions, women weren't as interesting as the clay in his hands.
But Esdeath smiled, "Come to my room, I'll leave the door open for you..."
"...!" Miku, gripped with fear deep inside, shivered. If she really went, it was likely she would end up as a guest at Esdeath's interrogation room, and her life wouldn't be guaranteed.
[Progress Achieved: Ship Doctor, Musician summoned, 12/15]
(END CHAPTER)
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