Chapter 427: Raika Finally Catches the Harem Bastard

Masanori was the first to move.

His eyes narrowed as he lowered his stance, one hand gripping the sheath at his waist while the other rested firmly on his katana’s hilt. "Let’s see if you can keep smiling after this, woman."

The explosive Qi from the [Top Rank Royal Grade Qi Burst Pill] surged through his meridians, gathering along his blade.

[Kurogane Style – Heaven Splitting Draw]

SHIIING!

In an instant, Masanori stepped forward and drew his katana, releasing a devastating horizontal slash toward Cassandra’s neck.

However, Cassandra merely tilted her head.

The blade passed barely an inch from her throat, slicing through several loose strands of her crimson hair. "My, my. How impatient."

Masanori’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t hesitate.

He immediately rotated his wrist, redirecting the missed attack into a second horizontal slash aimed at Cassandra’s waist.

[Kurogane Style – Returning Crescent]

His katana swept across the air, its sharp sword Qi extending beyond the physical blade.

This time, Cassandra casually stepped inside his reach. With a small movement of her wrist, she flicked her blood sword upward, striking the lower edge of his katana.

CLAAANG!

The two blades collided, sending crimson sparks scattering through the air.

Masanori felt a tremendous force travel through his wrist as his katana was knocked aside.

’What ridiculous strength...’

Cassandra smiled sweetly, her blood sword already turning toward his exposed shoulder. "Hehehe. My turn, dear."

However, before she could complete her counterattack, a faint distortion appeared in the shadow behind her.

Kagehito had finally made his move.

[Yamikarasu Art – Shadow Crow Execution]

Whoosh!

His figure emerged silently from the darkness, two black short blades gleaming in his hands.

He crossed his arms before unleashing a pair of deadly slashes toward both sides of Cassandra’s neck, attempting to sever her head in a single coordinated strike.

Unfortunately, Cassandra had already sensed him. "Oh? Another impatient gentleman?"

She suddenly bent forward at the waist, allowing both blades to sweep harmlessly above her head.

Kagehito’s eyes narrowed as his attack missed.

However, before he could withdraw into the shadows, Cassandra planted one hand against the ground and kicked her leg upward.

Her heel shot directly toward his jaw.

Whoosh!

’Fast!’

Kagehito immediately crossed his short blades in front of his face.

BAAANG!

Cassandra’s heel slammed against his weapons, releasing enough force to launch him several meters into the air.

Kagehito gritted his teeth as the impact sent a violent vibration through both arms. "Damn monster..."

However, Cassandra was already smiling. "Hehehe. Going somewhere?"

Without wasting the momentum of her kick, she twisted her hips, returned her foot to the ground, and spun around.

Her crimson sword followed the movement, sweeping upward toward the airborne ninja.

[Crimson Moon Severance]

SHWOOOOSH!

A massive crescent of blood-red sword Qi erupted from her blade, tearing through the air toward Kagehito.

Unable to dodge freely while airborne, Kagehito immediately twisted his wrists and crossed his short blades.

[Shadow Crow Art – Black Feather Guard]

Dark Qi erupted around his weapons, forming overlapping layers of shadowy feathers in front of his body.

BOOOOOOM!

The crimson sword Qi struck his defenses with terrifying force.

Several layers of shadow shattered instantly, forcing Kagehito backward through the air as he desperately circulated his Qi. "Argh!"

Just as the final layer was about to collapse, he forcefully twisted his body and used the remaining impact to propel himself toward the ground.

BOOM!

His feet struck the arena floor, leaving two deep grooves as he slid backward. A thin stream of blood trickled from beneath his mask.

Kagehito quickly raised his head, his eyes widening with disbelief.

’She nearly broke through my defense with a single casual slash?’

Meanwhile, Cassandra calmly straightened her posture, resting her crimson sword against her shoulder once again.

She glanced between Masanori and Kagehito before giggling. "Hehehe. Not bad. At least you two know how to cooperate."

Masanori tightened his grip on his katana, his expression becoming increasingly grim.

Kagehito silently adjusted his stance, the shadows beneath his feet beginning to twist once again.

However, Cassandra merely extended her free hand and beckoned toward them with one elegant finger. "Come now, gentlemen. Surely those expensive little pills can do more than that."

Her crimson-black eyes gleamed with wicked amusement as she slowly licked her lips. "After all, I’m only just getting started."

---

Meanwhile, Damian watched Cassandra casually toy with the two faction leaders, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Hehehe. Good, good. Now that’s more like it. Show those bastards what you’re capable of, Cassandra."

He crossed his arms, clearly enjoying the spectacle unfolding inside the Sacred Arena.

However, just as he was about to continue cheering, a familiar female voice suddenly came from behind him. "Damian."

Damian immediately froze. "Huh? That voice..."

He turned around, and the moment he saw the young woman with long yellow hair standing behind him, his eyes widened in surprise. "Raika?! What the hell are you doing here?"

Raika’s expression immediately darkened upon hearing his question. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that, idiot?"

She crossed her arms, glaring directly at him. "What the hell are you doing in the Sakura Empire? And why are you getting involved in a life-and-death battle against two established factions?"

Damian blinked before scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Well, you see..."

However, Raika had absolutely no intention of letting him explain things so easily.

She stepped closer, pointing toward the beautiful women gathered around him. "And another thing. What’s going on with all these women? How the hell did Linsey reach the Nascent Soul Realm? Why does Evelyn have a King Grade weapon?"

Her expression grew increasingly incredulous as she continued. "And don’t even get me started on that Peak Nascent Soul woman. Just what the hell have you been doing since I last saw you?"

Damian immediately raised both hands, trying to calm her down. "Whoa, whoa. Easy there, Raika. That’s a lot of questions at once."

Raika narrowed her eyes. "Then start answering them."

Damian let out a helpless chuckle before gesturing toward the battlefield. "Alright, alright. I promise I’ll explain everything, but can you give me a moment?"

He pointed toward Cassandra, who was still fighting Masanori and Kagehito. "Look, Cassandra’s still having her fun. Why don’t we wait until she finishes beating those two idiots?"

Raika glanced toward the arena before turning back to him with an irritated expression.

Damian grinned reassuringly. "Hehehe. Once the battle is over, we can sit down and talk for as long as you want. I’ll answer all your questions, alright?"

Raika stared at him suspiciously for several seconds.

Eventually, she let out a frustrated sigh and sat down nearby, crossing her arms. "Fine. I’ll wait."

However, her eyes narrowed as she pointed a finger toward him. "But once this battle ends, you’d better explain everything to me. And don’t even think about giving me some ridiculous excuse."

Damian chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Of course, of course. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything."

Raika snorted before turning her attention toward the battlefield. "You’d better."

Damian merely smiled, though he couldn’t help thinking to himself.

’Hehehe... Damn. Looks like I’ve got quite a lot of explaining to do later.’