Ngh...

How am I still unable to defeat them?!

No...this isn't over!

My lord, I'll hold them here. You must please make a temporary retreat!

Urgh!

Nggggrrrrgghhh!

M-My lord?

Ngh... I-I... What am I...doing?

O-Oh, I remember...

I staged a...a coup. What... What have I done?

H-He seems different from usual.

......

Heh. Oh dear, it seems my control over him has been broken.

You! You're that woman who serves Genba!

Raka!

Hehehe! I'm glad you remembered me.

Wait, you just said that he broke your control, didn't you?

Does that mean that you were controlling Genba...

...your own lord, using some sort of power?

Yes, more or less.

He was torn between his desire to deal with the Tenmu-do and his loyalty to you...

...and it preoccupied him constantly.

It was simple to seize on that weakness and control his mind.

Th-That's horrible! Oh, Genba...

Ngh... Princess, please...forgive me.

You fiend!

How dare you do this to our lord!

Hehehe...

Urk! Wh-What is this?!

The same technique as before!

Yeah...I can't move...

This is called the Phoenix Bind. It's my ultimate technique.

It draws out strength from within the bodies of powerful foes and then uses it to bind them.

Grh...

Now, since you came all this way...

...I have a little treat for you.

A-A treat?

Hehe. That's right, a treat.

When we met earlier, didn't I tell you that the thing you're looking for is very close at hand?

Now you'll see what I meant.

......!

What was that?!

How do you like this world's sealed god? How does it feel to face the Phoenix?

Y-You mean...some sealed gods can possess human bodies?

You seem surprised.

But I'm not controlling the Phoenix...

...nor does it control me.

What do you mean?

Our desires are aligned.

By which I mean...our desires to plunge this nation into a maelstrom of bloodshed and chaos.

What?!

Y-You monster! You used my lord to achieve such an end?

I-I will not let this stand!

Ngh!

You're wasting your time.

Didn't I just explain it for you? This technique uses your own strength to bind you.

The greater your strength, the greater the strength binding you!

Ahahaha! It's the perfect technique for people like you, wouldn't you agree?

Urgh... I can't move either.

Y-You'll pay for this!

Ungh...

Grr...

I was hoping we could have more fun, though, Hans.

While it's unfortunate that I'll have to end your life here, I have no choice now that Genba is free.

And anyway, this is rather nice in its own way.

Tehehe! I love fighting strong opponents...

...but I also love tormenting the helpless.

Well, now!

I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd have that much strength left.

That attack just now probably took everything you had left, but it wasn't quite enough.

I lose most of my power when I use this technique...

...making me just as helpless as you, in a way.

So if that had hit me...hehehe!

Oh well, it's over now.

Such a shame, it wouldn't have to be this way if you only had someone among you who was weak enough that this technique would have no effect.

...?!

Gragh!

Huh?!

No way!

You...the technique didn't...?

Urgh!

I-I can move again!

Good work, Sakunoshin!

Thanks, Sakky!

Hahaha! If I may say so, I have the utmost confidence in my own weakness!

Wait. Actually, that's kind of depressing when you think about it.

......

I can't believe it. Who would have thought...they'd do something so ridiculous like having someone like you around.

...!

You will now pay with your life for deceiving Lord Genba!

Hmph...

Ngh!

Just because you have broken the Phoenix Bind, do not think that it has made me weaker!

......

Ngh, ohh, P-Prin...cess...

It seems that we'll have lots of company if we stay here.

I'll wait for you up above.

Hans, it's time to settle this!

She went out the window...

...but, by "above" did she mean the roof?!

I bet you're right.

Since we've made it this far we have to go, right, Hans?