"It seems I can make contact with your blade now." Ajax grins as the two clash.
DeSoton grits his teeth, his water blade fizzling where it meets Ajax's lightning charged sword.
"Annoying."
For the first time, he's not untouchable. The fight just got real.
"Sword arts: Electric slash!" Ajax yells, slashing his sword at DeSoton.
The lightning charged slash connects slamming into DeSoton's water blade with a shockwave of energy.
DeSoton is actually pushed back, his feet skidding across the floor.
"Ghk!"
"Ugh jeez what's going on?" Ishida says walking up besides Rumi.
Ishida leans on Rumi, still injured but awake.
He watches the fight eyes wide as Ajax actually lands a hit on DeSoton.
"Holy shit."
"What the hell is the idiot Ronin doing?" Ishida says, trying to stand before immediately wincing in pain.
Ishida squints, confused because DeSoton isn't destroying Ajax. He's struggling.
Rumi shrugs beside him.
"No idea. But that lightning charm is wild."
"Charm? How did that bastard of yours find that?"
Ishida says.
Rumi shrugs again.
"Hell if I know. One second he was losing, next bam, lightning sword. All I know is he apparently stole it from a bar before he met me."
Ishida just stares, baffled by the sudden turn of events.
"Oh my god it's the love of my life oh miss Rumi I'm sorry you had to see me in that state it'll never happen again I promise." Ishida says suddenly rambling after realizing he's talking to Rumi.
Rumi's face turns bright red, completely flustered.
"W-WHAT?! Shut up, you idiot!"
She shoves Ishida lightly, but there's no real anger, just pure embarrassment.
"Oh sorry m'lady. Not very gentleman like of me. Ishida groans, sitting straight up.
Rumi covers her face with her hands still blushing furiously.
"You're such a dork."
Meanwhile, the fight between Ajax and
DeSoton rages on in the background.
"Not so tough when someone else has a charm huh?" Ajax grins at DeSoton.
DeSoton grits his teeth, clearly frustrated that the tables have turned.
His water blade clashes with Ajax's lightning sword again, sparks flying wildly.
"Shut up and fight!" he snaps at Ajax.
"Oh yeah I will Sword Art: Aggressive Electric slash!!" Ajax grins again, slashing his sword at DeSoton.
The lightning charged slash screams through the air hitting DeSoton's water blade hard.
This time, the impact sends a visible shockwave, cracking the floor beneath them.
DeSoton actually staggers back genuinely surprised by the force.
"Not done yet!" Ajax says before slashing electricity at DeSoton.
Another lightning slash connects, this time hitting DeSoton's shoulder.
A yelp escapes him as the electricity burns, sending him stumbling to one knee.
For the first time he looks genuinely injured.
"Sword arts: Electric Dance!" Ajax says before disappearing in a blur.
DeSoton tries to block but the Electric Dance is too fast, too chaotic.
Multiple slashes land in rapid succession, lightning scorching his armor and water blade alike.
"Gah!" He grits his teeth, struggling to keep up.
"Oh yeah this is sick!" Ajax says having the time of his life.
DeSoton is on the defensive, parrying desperately, his water charm flickering from the strain.
Rumi and Ishida watch in awe- either of them expected Ajax to turn the fight around this hard.
"Holy crap"
"I thought you said your charm was the strongest?" Ajax says taunting and quoting DeSoton.
DeSoton hisses through gritted teeth, clearly pissed.
"It is-but yours is... annoying!"
His water blade flickers unsteadily like it's struggling to keep up with the lightning.
"Clearly you made yourself think it was the strongest cause no one was able to challenge you!" Ajax yells.
DeSoton's eye twitches because damn, Ajax isn't wrong.
He's been untouchable for so long that facing a real challenge is throwing him off.
"Shut. Up."
"One more. Sword arts secret art: Cielo eléctrico!" Ajax says, thrusting his sword at DeSoton.
The air crackles as the lightning surges forming a concentrated, blinding spear of electricity.
DeSoton barely raises his water blade in time to block but the force is overwhelming.
"GAH!"
Ajax lands on the ground and sheathes his sword.
The lightning fades, leaving DeSoton on his knees, water charm flickering weakly.
He pants heavily, armor scorched and pride shattered.
Rumi and Ishida stare in stunned silence. Ajax... actually won.
"That's it. Now leave this place and NEVER come back! You hear me!" Ajax yells down glaring at DeSoton.
DeSoton glares humbled, humiliated, but too injured to fight back.
After a tense moment he slowly gets up. Turns. And walks out the door without another word.
The room falls silent. The battle is over.
"Your little shitty leader. Won?" Ishida says surprised.
Ajax exhales, finally relaxing his lightning charm fading.
Rumi rushes over, grabbing Ajax's arm to check if he's okay.
"You idiot," she says but it sounds more like relief than anger.
"What, I'm fine?" Ajax says deadpanning
Rumi punches his arm hard.
"You threw a charm at him like an idiot!"
Ishida just laughs weakly, still leaning on the wall for support.
"Oh yeah I'm here-. Oh c'mon I missed the fight dammit." Ryizen says entering the room
Ryizen scans the room taking in the damage, Ajax panting, and DeSoton gone.
"Wait, you won? Without me?"
"He sounds more offended than anything." Ishida snickers.
"Well yeah. Where were you exactly?" Ajax says.
Ryizen crosses his arms, pouting.
"I was getting drinks. Didn't realize the fight would end so fast."
His side eyes Ajax slightly jealous he missed the action.
'You were totally lost." Ishida sighs
Ryizen huffs, kicking a pebble on the floor.
"Whatever. I still would've helped."
Ishida rolls his eyes knowing Ryizen is just salty he didn't get to fight too.
"Well the mean guy is gone and he'll never come back." Ajax says.
Ryizen finally grins, clapping Ajax on the
back.
"Damn. Good job."
Rumi sighs relieved that the threat is finally
over.
"Maybe. Maybe I did make the right choice joining this idiot." She thinks to herself
Rumi glances at Ajax then quickly looks away, cheeks pink.
She definitely didn't hate seeing him fight. Or win. Or anything about that.
A small, secret smile forms.
"Well done, I knew you kids could do it." Ean's says walking into the room.
Ean surveys the scene, the damage, the tired but victorious faces.
A rare proud smile crosses his usually stoic face.
"Good. That bastard is gone for good."
"Oh sorry master I failed in stopping him and." Ishida says immediately bowing despite his injuries.
Ean frowns, immediately noticing Ishida's injuries.
"Idiot. You fought hard."
Without warning, Ean pulls Ishida into a brief, rare hug.
Anime
"M-master?" Ishida says.
Ean pats Ishida's back once then steps away, clearing his throat like nothing.
Ishida is frozen, face burning red. He's never been hugged by the Master before.
Rumi and Ryizen exchange glances that say: this is historic.
"So old man I kept my end of the bargain. Know you gotta tell me. How do I even begin to start on how to find Kimmegona's sword?" Ajax asks, interrupting the feel good moment.
Ean's expression sobers all warmth gone.
"Right. First, you'll need a map of the Black Hollows."
He walks to his desk and pulls out a rolled parchment marked with ominous symbols.
"Black Hollows?" Ajax says, looking at the map.
Ean unfolds the map, revealing a dark, twisted landscape of caves and ruins.
"The only place Kimmegona's sword has been since his death. It's not easy to get in."
Ryizen leans over whistling at how grim the map looks.
"But this is only a fraction of a clue on where it is exactly." Ean's says
Ean nods, tapping a specific spot on the map, a cave entrance marked with skulls.
"This is where they last saw it. But the Black Hollows shift. Caves collapse. Pathways change."
And you'll need keys to even know how to find the place. Ean's says
Ean pulls out a small, rusted key from his pocket handing it to Ajax.
"This is the first key. It opens the initial gate."
Rumi frowns, they're going to need more, aren't they?
"There are a total of 20 keys. Where might they be? I have no idea. It'll take time. A lot of it."
"That's fine old man. This is a start ,that's all that matters." Ajax says pocketing the key.
Ean studies Ajax then nods, satisfied by his determination.
"Good. Then you leave at dawn."
Ryizen grins, already hyped for the adventure. Rumi just looks worried.
"But before I let you leave I have one favor." Ean's says before pointing to Ishida. "Take Ishida along with you." Ean's says
Ishida's eyes widened completely unprepared for this.
Ean continues, voice firm: "He needs to train. And you could use a second."
Rumi looks at Ishida surprised but not upset. Ryizen just smirks.
"Hold on a second. I'm not joining some rogues. I'm your butler. You're my Master. I'm not leaving you." Ishida says standing up
Ean's expression hardens not angry, but firm.*
"Ishida. This isn't a request."
A rare moment of the Master using his authority. The room goes quiet.
"As your last request as your master. Ajax Nozami is now your new Master. You now live to serve his dream." Ean's says.
Ishida stiffens completely shocked.
The room goes dead silent. Even Ryizen stops smirking.
Ean has just transferred his butler's loyalty. Permanently.
"No I won't do that!" Ishida yells, holding back tears.
Ean's gaze doesn't waver cold, but not cruel.
"You will. That is an order."
Ishida clenches his fists, trembling not from anger, but from heartbreak. He's being ripped away.
"Yes. Sir." Ishida says, turning around.
Ishida won't look at Ean. Won't cry. Just obeys.
He turns and walks to Ajax, shoulders stiff still a perfect butler, even in pain.
A heavy silence fills the room. The decision is final.
"So does that mean you're a part of my Kabukimono?" Ajax says breaking the ice.
Ishida nods stiffly, still not looking at anyone.
"Yes. I serve you now."
A quiet resignation in his voice he's loyal to a fault. If Ean says it, it's done.
"Thanks for everything. Former Master Ean. I'll never forget you! And what you've taught me! And when Ajax holds that damn sword I'll make sure you see me along with him! Yah hear!" Ishida says finally letting it all out.
Ean's stern face finally softens just a little.
"I know, Ishida. I trust you."
A rare moment of affection between them. Then Ean nods firmly at Ajax with a silent "take care of him." Stare that Ajax just returns with a smile.
End of chapter