Ikaku Akamuro had succeeded in striking down all five leaders of the Hidden Flame—the council known as the Ember Creed. At last, the long-stretched thread of tension within him snapped.

He collapsed to his knees on the water’s surface, planting his hands to keep from pitching forward. His breathing was ragged, his shoulders heaving.

He pressed a hand to the deep, demonic bite marks gouged into his chest and back. The wounds were wide. The bleeding wouldn’t stop.

Too much blood loss… My limbs feel so weak…

He tried to push off with his legs, to stand, but collapsed again. The girl inside his hatchet shook her head, her voice tearful as she desperately tried to stop him.

Ikaku, no! Don’t move, I’m telling you!

“…It doesn’t really matter anymore.”

What are you talking about?! Just stay still! You have to stop the bleeding!

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s give it a shot.”

Ikaku offered the crying girl a soft smile. She had never seen that look from him before.

The Axe of Price felt a fleeting flutter of joy, quickly swallowed by dread.

Ikaku steadied his breath and flexed, pouring every ounce of strength into his muscles. Blood gushed from his wounds, but only for a moment.

By raising his internal pressure and increasing his muscular density, he managed to stanch the bleeding.

“Hrrrngh…”

Ikaku reached out. The axe slowly flew into his grasp. He gripped it tightly and, ever so cautiously, got back to his feet.

Every real battle forges me. Every life-or-death exchange makes me stronger. Training can’t replicate the sheer tension, the ice-cold fear of a true fight.

Using my techniques under that pressure, keeping my focus absolute, making the right call when it matters… those are lessons learned only on the battlefield.

Good. I can still get stronger. Combat still has more to teach me.

Ikaku walked toward the small island ringed by torii gates, his steps slow and deliberate, testing the ground beneath him. With each footfall, a fresh bloom of blood stained the path.

The odds against Retsu Shido and Teruno Sakaki were impossible. But I found an opening. Exploited it and fought my way here. It was pure luck.

This whole life has been one lucky break after another. It started with a miracle reincarnation. A second chance. Left for dead in the rain by parents I never knew. Found by Director Teresa, raised by the Sisters.

The Akai Clan gave me a place to forge my ambition. They loaded me down with responsibility and love, and I carried the weight. I learned. From Instructor Kisame, Master, Senior Brothers Lee and Ron. From Masters Rafael, Chiyo, and Darshinu.From every teacher, every brother, every sister… I put in the reps. I did it.

My only regret… is that this is my limit. This is as far as my strength takes me. I smashed their lines, dealt a devastating blow, but it’s just one front. There are more of them. More scum who must answer for what they’ve done.Lord Jinichiro’s final mission was to take everything back, and I can’t finish it. That’s my one regret. But still…

Ikaku muttered in a raspy voice, honoring the young woman who had trusted him with her life.

“My lady… I’ve defeated your enemies.”

He pictured the Luxor heiress who sacrificed herself to save him. Without her, he wouldn’t have stood a chance against his foes.

I hope this gives you some peace. You and the others. But you chose wrong. It shouldn't have been me.

You should’ve fought for your own damn life. You were the one meant to survive this.

I gave it everything. Pushed this body to its absolute limit, and still the miracles ran out. The tank’s empty. All that’s left is to die praying someone else can hunt down what remains.

Dammit, Lady. Couldn’t you have just held on through the night? Why waste your life saving me?

I might be one hell of an Exorcist, but in the end… I’m just a man.

And the truth is, I’m already…

Ikaku stumbled forward, thick blood splattering onto the ground.

Hey, Ikaku… hey… you’re still bleeding…?

“…I’m in your debt, Redemptio. I know I was hard on you, but the truth is, I was fond. You’re an incredible magical weapon. I couldn’t have made it through the night without you. Thanks.”

The girl inside the blood-slicked blade wiped tears from her red eyes. Her sobs were faint, but the tears kept flowing.

The Axe of Price already understood his fate.

No… I hate this, Ikaku! Why are you saying that…? You never thank me! I’m just a pest to you! So why…? Stop it…!

He gently caressed the cracked, sobbing hatchet with a battle-worn hand.

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