I allow Amaterasu to absorb the XP, as the blade needs to be much stronger. Currently, it cannot even cut through an armored insectoid, forcing me to reveal one of my hidden cards instead.
While I could have used magic via Magneto against… Kazak? It would not have been as effective as me pulverizing its inside with the might of Martial Arts. And besides, I do not really have time to toy around with it, especially when I am in a hostile territory.
Speaking of which, I eye the monsters standing around, and under my glare, they regain their wit and finally run for their lives. Some have already escaped, and those are the smarter ones.
While I could let them all go, but I need to demonstrate a show of force to whoever is watching. There are always someone watching since it is a Hive Mind.
As such, an aura surrounds Amaterasu as I raise the blade towards the sky. With a simple downwards slash, wind blades manifest and surge forwards, carving up the ground, slashing through the buildings and most importantly, dismembering countless of monsters.
I repeat the attack while approaching the group of women, who stare at me unflinchingly.
Unlike those monsters, they are infected or have become drones. Thus, unless the Hive Mind demands it, they would stand their ground no matter what happened.
That alone makes me frown deeply. I have expected the Hive Mind to react, given the fact that I have interfere with its plan the second time so far. But I suppose the Queen is smarter than I give her credit for.
"Your highness," I eventually speak up with a courteous bow.
After a moment, all the women before me responses as one. "For you to best one of my generals, you have my attention."
"Apology, your highness, but I am merely defending myself," I point out as I put away Amaterasu. "As I was under the assumption that he was one of your personal guards, I have to fight with my all. If not, I would not be standing here, speaking with you."
"Then speak," the Queen responses simply, getting straight to the point.
I nod. "I would like you to relinquish your control over these people here. I have unfinished businesses with some of them, you see, and it is just not good for my reputation if let my clients perish while still under my protection."
"And why would I agree to your request?"
"You would have one less enemy to worry about," I state the obvious. She has witnessed the relatively short battle, and while she doesn't fully understand how I manage to kill Kazak, she understands that I am more powerful than I appear. Also, there is my meaningless slaughtering of monsters.
There is a moment of silence, and I do not mind the wait as long as it is short.
"You do have a point, but I cannot simply agree to your request," the Queen responses.
Of course not, as she is a Queen. If she does, she will be disposed of by one of her children. The Hive is similar to the tribe of Lizardmen, in which, they value strength – the Strength to Rule. Giving in to my request simply because I have requested will destroy her reputation.