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

===Part 3===
 
After their conversation ended, Kurt had left the treatment room.
 
He intended to convince the young people of the village to not act on impulse.
 
Akatsuki thought with just that conversation alone it was not enough for Kurt to completely trust him. However -- at the very least Kurt should be in a position where he would cooperate. So Akatsuki decided to leave his back to Kurt and began to prepare to stand once again on the battlefield. He took hold of his right wrist with his left hand, and tried to grasped it with all his power. The grip strength felt through his palm was inferior compared to normal.  
 
"It's probably only half ... ... That should work."
 
Akatsuki laughed to himself. It was not the schedule that decided a match, rather it was the myriad of ever-changing factors in the real fight. It was impossible to always be in the absolute best state when preparing to face an enemy.
 
So Akatsuki resolved himself that he was going to be victorious.
 
And when Akatsuki got off the bed the door to the medical facilities was flung open like a hot brick, and a group of people rushed in. It was Chikage, Kuzuha, Haruka as well as Loutier.
 
They probably they came running over, since they were all out of breath. Seeing them like that, Akatsuki couldn't help but smirk,
 
"Yo. What's with all the panic --!"
 
However, his comment was interrupted. The petite body of Kuzuha had immediately wrapped her arms around Akatsuki's waist.
 
"We were worried...... really worried about you......!"
 
While tightly hugging Kuzuha to calm her trembling shoulders, Akatsuki was shaking his head.
 
"I'm sorry...... this was my fault," Akatsuki said with a wry smile.
 
Then one after another the other three came closer to his side.
 
"After hearing from Kaidou you regained consciousness we all came running over as fast as we could."
 
After she said so, Chikage sighed with a smile on her face,
 
"It looks like you're almost back to normal."
 
"Ah yeah, I feel fine."
 
Akatsuki answered, and then asked,
 
"How are things on your end? Are those guys in the village still making a fuss?"
 
"Yeah...... but, it's not like it is unreasonable. We feel the same as them, and are anxious for her to be immediately rescued."
 
And Haruka said with a pensive look on her face,
 
"There was just a message sent from Disdiya saying to effect they are holding Miu-san hostage. And unless we promptly lay down our arms and issue our unconditional surrender -- at sunrise they intend to carry out her execution."
 
"Still, that plot is way too cliche...... Do they think they have already won?"
 
Akatsuki snorted, before a mocking smile emerged on his face,
 
"It appears a practical lesson is needed before they can correct their mistakes."
 
"Akatsuki, are you intending to go to the enemy camp?"
 
Luckily she arrived with the others in time, Loutier couldn't help but let out a sigh.
 
"Charging in the enemy's camp by yourself isn't a smart move -- Myuu-dono, would want you to reconsider."
 
"You should know by now trying to stop me is useless...... that guy might be in some dungeon crying alone."
 
Akatsuki barely finished telling, when -–
 
"We already know that none of us can stop you."
 
Kuzuha still clinging to his waist looked up at him,
 
"But please, let us go together with you to --"
 
Before she had a chance to finish, Kuzuha abruptly lost all her strength and fell towards Akatsuki. He had put her sleep with a soft chop to the back of her neck.  
 
"Please don't be too offended Class Rep, but I couldn't let you finish what you wanted to say."
 
During the battle at Gorudono Grand Canyon Kuzuha had pushed herself to the very limit. It was impossible for him to take her along in such a state.  
 
And -- that was also the case for the other three.
 
"W-wait a minute, Akatsuki! Why --"
 
Chikage was baffled as she stepped up closer. Akatsuki promptly poked her forehead with his index finger. All the power was drained from her body at once, her eyes slowly shut before losing consciousness.
 
"You were asking me why I would do such a thing? Well...... it's not like I don't understand you feelings."
 
Akatsuki gave her a gentle smile and,
 
"But, in your condition you couldn't even dodge that level of surprise attack. How can I let you follow me to the battlefield?"
 
Akatsuki laid Kuzuha and Chikage side by side on the floor, and then turned towards the two people who remained -- Nanase Haruka and Loutier Trum. Then,
 
"I will absolutely accompany you."
 
Haruka said very firmly,
 
"That kind of surprise attack won't work on me. Above all, wasn't it you who said I needed witness everything before making my final decision. So no matter what, I will be witness until the end."
 
"I did say...... I would let you witness until the matter ends. But......"
 
Akatsuki said, then slowly walked over to Haruka,
 
"Taking a woman along with me who is not at full fighting strength really isn't my style. And you should witness the whole story of the war, however to keep you safe and to walk out the barrier alone I need to put you to sleep as well."
 
Akatsuki grabbed her arm at lightning speed, and forcibly pulled her close.
 
"Wh-what do you think your doing......!"
 
Completely ignoring the panicking of Haruka, Akatsuki smiled as he softly whispered in her ear,
 
"Recently there has been a growing trend of ascending to heaven with only the earlobe...... I would hate for you to miss out."
 
As soon as he finished talking he skillfully bit down on Haruka's ear.
 
"--!? Fua -- aaaaahhhh!"
 
After she cried out her body slightly quivered in his in arms. However Akatsuki didn't plan to not stop there, instead he poured even greater amounts of Ki into her until Haruka's consciousness faded far away.
 
After confirming she could no longer budge --  
 
"I would like to hear what you could make of him coming back."
 
Akatsuki helped move Haruka over, so that she was laying next to Chikage and Kuzuha.
 
"Hey Lulu......"
 
Akatsuki asked over his back while looking at the serene expression on the three's sleeping faces,
 
"Is there no way we could...... save Leon?"
 
After a moment of silence.
 
"Yes...... there is unfortunately."
 
Loutier sadly answered Akatsuki's question,
 
"Leon died five years ago. Right now his existence is only temporary because his soul was bound by the forbidden spell cast on him. The only way to save Leon is to let his soul truly rest in peace."
 
"If that is so...... then I understand. I'm sorry for this. but I'm going to hand these guys over to you."
 
Akatsuki then stood up,
 
"Akatsuki...... although your injury was healed, it only closed the wound. It hasn't fully recovered to its former condition."
 
Knowing there was nothing she could do to stop him, Loutier still gave him her warning.    
 
"And your physical strength has yet to recover...... In this state if you go back out to fight --"
 
"-- This state? Hey hey, are you not forgetting something, Lulu."
 
After he said so, Akatsuki turned to face Loutier,
 
"You already healed my wound, and those guys were so single mindedly thinking of me that that guy has become a hostage in the hands of the enemy."
 
Ousawa Akatsuki laughed fearlessly, as a reliable aura exuded from his whole body,
 
"I will clearly say it -- I am the strongest, just not in best condition right now."
 
 
 
Thirty minutes later.
 
Akatsuki's figure once again appeared at Gorudono Grand Canyon.
 
Although Akatsuki had been seriously injured he was still alive. As a precaution Disdiya had stationed soldiers to monitor any activity from Galivain. Upon seeing him they immediately went on high alert. However they merely stuck to their positions, and showed no signs of attacking.
 
Perhaps it was because of the eeriness. Even though location was slightly different the reappearance of Akatsuki still calmly standing on the top of a cliff reminded them of the battle. Therefore, not one of them were able to move. Akatsuki's tactics at that time went completely against their expectations. Now seeing him like that again Disdiya's soldiers couldn't help but be naturally cautious, fearing what surprises he had in store this time. And it was even more unnatural that, Akatsuki being fully aware that Disdiya had taken Miu hostage just stood there motionless. Therefore Disdiya's soldiers tensed their nerves, and strengthened their wariness.
 
But -- one thing was for sure.
 
That this time that wasn't an earth puppet, but Akatsuki himself. Even from their distance they could tell from the blueish white aura coming out of Akatsuki's whole body. That was the main reason the soldiers kept observing from a far away place.
 
Akatsuki openly stood on a cliff as if he was ridiculing their cowardliness.