Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 5 Chapter 5 (section)

===Part 14===
 
To how angry Leon was Akatsuki smiled, he wasn't in the least concerned. And calmly,
 
"Naturally -- what other reason would there be?"
 
That was so to speak a type of ceremony to eliminate the deep confusion and hesitation Akatsuki had.
 
"If I didn't pay back my debt in full from that time, how could I ever put my all into this fight?"
 
He knew it was unavoidable that he would face Leon as an enemy. It was meaningless to settle things if it didn't start from there. That was the reason Akatsuki used renkan keikikou at the time to push himself beyond his limits. Even with the heavy internal burden it puts on the body when he pushed his Ki to the critical limit it also greatly improved his power to heal external wounds. At that time the real focus was to defend himself not to attack. If not -- when the left side of his chest was pierced Akatsuki's heart would of stopped, bringing about an instant death.
 
However since his self healing power had been raised to the limit his heart was still able to beat. However the damage caused it slowed down to the point that Akatsuki barely survived.
 
His only...... miscalculation was that Listy was there to witness the scene.
 
"I'm sorry if I caused a misunderstanding...... but this way, soon you can have peace of mind."
 
And Akatsuki said,
 
"The me standing here now -- is undeniably able to defeat you."
 
He then held out his left palm towards Leon. Countless balls of light were released towards him. It was a continuous stream of energy bombs. Then Leon coldly grunted,
 
"Relying on this stuff --"
 
Leon used the sword in his right hand cut the energy bombs, or if needed brushed them aside with his left. The area was suddenly filled with a chain of explosions without leaving a scratch on him.
 
Then --
 
"...... Guh?"
 
One of Leon's arms intended to send another energy bomb away, instead it knocked him backwards without exploding. It was as if among the countless bombs a heavy iron ball was mixed in.
 
"Don't think you can push aside all of the energy bombs...... the Ki can also be condensed." (note -- energy = Ki. Energy bombs sounds better then Ki bombs.)
 
Akatsuki explained with a marginal expression, before he took advantage of the chaos to close the distance. As he went Leon prepared for the strike of the black demon sword, and knocked it back. However, it didn't matter. Akatsuki kept on attacking without allowing for a moments rest.
 
Some of the attacks were blocked by Leon, others were dodged, or certain ones were back stepped. Still, Akatsuki thought it was good. Every time he attacked it represented an unloading of his heart.
 
On behalf of his own growth.
 
...... My friend, can you see it!
 
Five years ago all my attacks fell short of reaching you, Leon. However, it was different now.
 
My sword is different from before, right? Have you ever seen punches and kicks like these?
 
These earth-shattering combos -- were impossible for me in the past.
 
Do you understand? All of this is the power I obtained after losing you. I had no other choice but to kill you in order for you to stop. From that abyss of despair this is the power. So please know. You have to understand me.
 
And see now -- how much stronger I have become.
 
"AAAAAAAAAAAAaaa--!"
 
Akatsuki let out a roar, and unleashed a storm of attacks. Leon's conscience was blinded by his hatred of Demons forcing Akatsuki to make the painful choice of killing him.
 
And now the two were fighting each other as enemies.
 
Still......
 
Leon was a close friend of Akatsuki's. Therefore he must be the one to stop Leon, and defeat Leon.
 
This time from the front. To see himself if his power -- could reach.
 
-- Akatsuki abruptly changed his tactics. He abandoned using his knees and legs to attack. Instead he focused on footwork and fine movements.
 
He took his speed up two gears, maybe even three.
 
"This ......!"
 
Whiling moving at high speed he heard Leon's confused voice.
 
As he spoke the syllables of that word reached his ears at different locations. Along with the ultra high-speed Akatsuki inter-weaved sudden stops. The extreme drop in speed was to produce afterimages of Akatsuki. Leon's attacks couldn't touch him at all. Against Phil Barnett Akatsuki simply used this speed to confuse him, but now it was different. He was going to completely combine attack and defense, while he forcibly deprived his opponent of any notion of attacking.
 
"Well --!"
 
Leon was backed into a defensive fight. So at once he took advantage of his new physical abilities from being dead, and escaped into the air.
 
It was a sound decision. Akatsuki's high speed movements and sudden stops required footholds to apply force.  
 
However, in the air he could restore the situation back to equal. But,
 
"-- Don't even think about it."
 
Akatsuki's speed surpassed Leon's arriving to the highest point in the air first. His back faced towards the ground before reversing to drive a kick down on Leon. Along with the Gaaakyi sound, Leon was slammed to the ground.
 
"......?"
 
Immediately Leon got back to his feet, and looked up at the sky. However Akatsuki was no where in sight.
 
"What are you looking at? I'm right here."
 
Akatsuki's voice came from behind Leon. If that was five years ago he would of never been able to mount an attack from behind Leon's back. Leon turned to look --
 
"Prepare yourself -- this duel is over."
 
Akatsuki boldly declared the winner, as he went to make his next move.
 
However, Leon didn't try to move.
 
"It is so......"
 
Suddenly, he regained the composure in his voice,
 
"Certainly, the next move is the end -- for you."
 
Just when Leon told him so.
 
"----!?"
 
Akatsuki was overcome by a rapid dizziness, and fell to one knee.
 
 
 
"What...... when did you.....?"
 
All his strength seemed to have left his body. His breathing fell into complete disorder, and it wasn't possible to stand back up.
 
..... Hah..... What could this be......?
 
An abnormal change had arisen in Akatsuki's body. It wasn't just shortness of breath his heart beat slowed dramatically. Rather than slowed it was more like couldn't beat.
 
"Ha! -- Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaa."
 
Leon laughed his head off like he had gone mad.
 
"That's not good, Akatsuki...... I was resurrected from a forbidden curse. How many times do you think you touched me directly?"
 
Leon smiled because as he said so, black smoke began to rise out from his whole body.
 
"The power that resurrected me is equivalent to "death" itself. You didn't notice, but as you touched me your body was slowly being eroded by death."
 
".....! So that is how it is......!"
 
After he said so, Akatsuki clicked his tongue in his mind.
 
If it was some sort of poison he could use renkan keikikou to purify it in his body, but very concept of "death" was directly eating away Akatsuki's flesh and life. This had nothing to do with his life span. Simply as of now Akatsuki's life force was reduced to almost to zero.
 
But -- Ousawa Akatsuki wasn't afraid of his immediate crisis, after all, the outcome remained to be seen. If he could offer up a final attack he will be able to end the duel.
 
Therefore Akatsuki stared straight at his enemy who was arrogantly declaring the end.
 
His eyes were focused on where he had to reach -- Leon Esuperio. Over there was the goal.
 
I will make it.
 
As he thought so, he mustered up his remaining power into his feet to stand up.
 
-- A scorching pain travel though his body from behind. Akatsuki's legs couldn't help but give way, and this time he helplessly fell to both knees on the ground.
 
"Ga -- ah.....!?"
 
The black magic sword fell from his hand, and as soon as it touched the ground disappeared.
 
Ousawa Akatsuki slowly turned to look. He clearly felt the last bit of strength rapidly leave his body.
 
And while his vision was fading he confirmed a figure of a person. Akatsuki wasn't trying to be inattentive of his surroundings, however his awareness became a little vague as his life force was waning.
 
As a result, it was not possible for him to react.
 
"-- Who said the fate of this war could be decided on a one to one duel?"
 
Baram Dy Alon Disdiya said as he looked down at Akatsuki.
 
Under the moonlight the sword in his hand was sparkling. At that moment Akatsuki thought -- he was as good as dead.
 
"Gah--!?
 
A short groan was raised by Emperor Baram as he widened his eyes.
 
A straight red line was traced from his shoulder to his waist, a large amount of blood spouted.
 
"N-no, it's not possible...... why......"
 
He manged to squeeze out his voice, unable to accept what had happened to him.
 
Slowly Baram's body tumbled to the ground.
 
And after a brief twitch he no longer moved.
 
For the reigning Emperor of the mighty military Empire that was his -- unexpected last moment.