Inside the tavern, a woman's declaration had brought an abrupt silence to the air. All eyes turned toward the entrance to behold a stunning figure—beautiful, with a cool temperament, flawless facial features, and an irresistible allure. Her smooth blue shawl cascaded like a waterfall down her back, and her captivating blue eyes accentuated her overall appeal. Dressed in a military skirt and white boots, with a belted waist showcasing her excellent body proportions, she was none other than Esdeath from the world of [Akame ga Kill].
Esdeath was known for her fierce personality and a penchant for combat, coupled with a strong desire for conquest. Notably, she had devised various methods for torturing prisoners, making her reputation even more formidable.
As she walked toward the bar, everyone in the tavern remained stunned. Esdeath nonchalantly produced a chain from her arms and seemingly attempted to put it around Ron's neck.
"General Esdeath, please calm yourself," Ron calmly remarked. Though he maintained a smile and skillfully turned his head to avoid the chain, a sense of helplessness pervaded his thoughts. It seemed he had unwittingly touched a sensitive chord in Esdeath's heart, leading to her unusual excitement.
With a resounding crash, the chain fell to the floor, snapping everyone back to reality. Esdeath, seemingly unfazed by the failed attempt, addressed Ron with an unusual fervor.
"Don't resist, just come with me. There are too many people in the way."
Esdeath scrutinized the man in front of her. Instead of being upset by Ron's avoidance, she appeared even more thrilled. Ron seemed to meet all the criteria that Esdeath sought in a relationship: growing up outside the imperial capital, easily dominated at a young age, and possessing a "clean" smile. The fact that Ron had greeted Esdeath with his habitual smile upon her entrance seemed to have further fueled her enthusiasm.
Esdeath' heart, encased in a tough exterior, appeared to have undergone severe chiseling, displaying faint cracks. One last criterion remained—having the courage to confront dangerous beings. For a man capable of transporting himself to another world, everything else must seem trivial.
Just as Esdeath prepared to take another step, two petite figures stood before her—Rem and Ram. Their expressions exuded vigilance, with one hand engulfed in flames and the other emitting steam, displaying their readiness for action. The sisters feared that their owner might be tempted to run away with another companion.
Unperturbed by their presence, Esdeath continued forward, dismissing their concerns. However, her progress was abruptly halted as an intense sensation enveloped her. Two cold eyes bore into her from behind, radiating an aura that sent shivers down her spine.
Turning around, Esdeath confronted a squinting woman and a blonde girl in a maid outfit. Acknowledging their strength, she drew the sword from her waist, eyes burning with fervent combat intent.
Esdeath relished challenging formidable opponents. Unfortunately, her world lacked adversaries capable of standing up to her. Official data suggested that overcoming her would require deploying 50,000 troops and ten Teigu users—an astounding combat prowess.
In the tavern, however, she found not one but two formidable adversaries capable of defeating her. The white-haired old man next to her counted as one, and the black cat resting on the bar counted as another. Four in total!
Sensing Esdeath' intense gaze, Rayleigh swiftly intervened, shaking his head and declaring, "Don't look at me; I have a bloody battle tonight and can't afford to waste my energy!"
Esdeath nodded, redirecting her attention toward Tohru, advancing slowly with a purposeful stride.
"No brawls are allowed in the tavern; you're causing too much disruption to my business," Ron lamented, sighing in resignation. Esdeath responded with a smile, suggesting, "Come with me. Let's retreat to my room and discuss life matters. I'll naturally put an end to this."
Internally, Ron grumbled about whether he was performing mental gymnastics or if it was Esdeath filling in the blanks.
Suddenly, a brilliant sword flashed before everyone's eyes. Esdeath had swiftly swung her long sword, creating a cacophony in the air as it moved toward Tohru. Just before the impact, Ron intervened, using "Ace" to halt the sword mid-air, reminding everyone of the tavern rule against fighting.
As Ron spoke the last word, a formidable Conqueror's Haki emanated from him, directed at Esdeath. In an instant, Esdeath felt an overwhelming pressure, sensing a transformation in Ron's demeanor and appearance. He seemed to embody the regality of a sovereign ruling over heaven and earth.
Under this newfound aura, Esdeath could only fixate on Ron. Though she didn't experience dizziness, an invisible force pushed her away, and Ron promptly caught her by the waist before she could collide with the bar.
Curious about the extraordinary power, Esdeath questioned, "What was that force just now?" Ron, releasing his grip, replied, "It doesn't seem human; it's something beyond us."
The intensity Ron displayed was unprecedented in Esdeath' eyes, reminiscent of a dragon's wrath set on obliterating everything in its path. Ron's fusion with the dragon physiology, coupled with the augmented Conqueror's Haki, surpassed the original power.
Unfazed, Esdeath remarked, "I'm more intrigued by you."
Esdeath decided not to escalate the situation further and, wearing a smile, took a seat at the bar. However, she couldn't shake off the discomfort of being referred to as "M" by Ron.
Despite Esdeath' playful teasing, Ron chose to respond with a mere smile, opting not to engage in banter. In a hushed tone inside the bar, he explained, "Both of them are tavern staff, and they can't engage in combat unless it's in self-defense. If you visit often, you'll likely encounter guests of similar strength."
Reflecting on the recent confrontation, Ron realized that if he hadn't intervened, Esdeath might have fallen victim to Tohru. Even within the Dragon Clan, Tohru held considerable power, surpassing the capabilities of a single Teigu. Ron, mindful of Esdeath' dignity, didn't want her to face embarrassment.
"Only Du Kang can be consumed," Ron suggested, attempting to ease the tension. Esdeath, her eyebrows furrowed, exuded a quiet demeanor, her long blue hair adding to her enigmatic allure.
"Don't worry, drinking can be therapeutic," Ron reassured with a smile. "The wine I'll serve you is called Du Kang. It's been said that only Du Kang can alleviate worries."
Shortly afterward, Tohru presented a jar of wine to Esdeath, advising her to savor it slowly. As the wine jar was opened, a robust fragrance filled the air. "Thanks," Esdeath expressed with a soft smile.
Observing this, Tohru couldn't help but shudder involuntarily. He found it perplexing—moments ago, Esdeath was engaged in a life-threatening struggle, and now she wore a serene smile. The sudden shift in demeanor left Tohru bewildered.
"Humans are indeed complicated to deal with," Tohru thought to himself, struck by the profound contrast in Esdeath' behavior.