Ep. 10: Licht battles Sonohara while Schmelman emerges, leading to Murdoch's intervention and a General's dark tale.

Licht fights Sonohara in a Star Stake, taking chest shots that trigger a red power surge, raising his sword count to 57,000 and blinding speed. Nana identifies this as Schmelman, an evil alternate personality, who defeats Sonohara, dropping her count to 16,000. Nana suspects Sonohara was drugged, noting her true kindness as an Ace who never killed. Hina hugs Licht, nearly provoking Schmelman, but Sonohara intervenes. A flashback reveals their high school past in modern Japan. Murdoch stops Schmelman, challenging him despite a chest wound. Schmelman cries, claiming he kills to spare friends. Murdoch fights fiercely, creating an iron warrior that knocks Schmelman out, reverting him to Licht. Murdoch collapses from his injury. Separately, a General tells children a dark version of The Tortoise and the Hare, while a soldier reveals his name is General Schmelman Bach.

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