Sousetsuka

Chapter 338 Strongest Sage, Let Heal

 

The ray of light accelerated to several hundreds kilometer per hour and caught up to Zadokilgias a moment later, penetrating the demon--and proceeded to evaporate clouds few kilometers in the sky above.
It's a spell cast by absorbing about 10% of the enormous mana the [Dragon Breath] carried. This much power is only to be expected.

"Did that without rehearsal... but that went well huh."

I cut off my connection to Dragon Veins as I murmured.
Short as it might, establishing a connection to Dragon Veins stirred by the vast mana of [Dragon's Breath] took quite a toll on my magic circuits.
The end result was worth it though.

"Down you go."

Zadokilgias who ate a direct hit of the ray fell off the sky.
It's lost both its arms, one of its wing is burning, its side has been greatly gouged out.
It doesn't have the power left to fly--but it survived.

Not dying from an attack that blew even clouds apart, quite something indeed.
It must have changed its posture during the less than 0.01 second it took for the ray to be invoked and avoided direct hit on vital parts.
As I was thinking that--Zadokilgias invoked a spell.

--[Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type]
Amongst all recovery magic there is, it's the spell most suited to heal severe wounds.

Unlike ordinary recovery spells, this magic strengthens the rate of recovery by taking in mana in the surroundings as a component
Since the area around here is filled with a vast amount of mana, vestiges of Iris's [Dragon Breath], the spell's recovery power is also many times more potent.
How it managed to make a split second decision to pick the optimal magic even in its terrible state, this demon is really adept at fighting.

But of course I'm not going to stay silent as Zadokilgias is healing itself.
Since Zadokilgias flew vertically straight above and then fell, its landing spot is right next to me.
I was going to head to that spot as I stepped on barrier magic.

However...
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"...Still got that much power left huh..."

I murmured as I stared at the scene unfolding before me.
Countless magical barrier have been deployed in all possible directions I could take to get close.

It's a ploy to buy time no matter how you look at it.
Those barriers themselves aren't that sturdy--but proceeding through them would take time.
Zadokilgias would have finished restoring its body in the meantime.

Iris's [Dragon Breath] is our trump card.
This fight will get a lot harder if it manages to overcome this situation.
And... Zadokilgias intends to cut its way through this situation.

Zadokilgias is currently deploying multiple barrier magic in addition to [Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type]. A difficult feat even in its normal state.
It's obvious why Zadokilgias deployed this degree of magic even after taking that much damage.

It had anticipated this situation the moment I cast my magic and took extra care so the body parts needed to cast magic were left unharmed.
It must have sacrificed its right arm with the intention to restore it back later.

I broke through the magical barriers picking the shortest route toward Zadokilgias while thinking that.
However Zadokilgias would deploy additional barriers every time I destroyed one.

And while I was occupied in that--Zadokilgias's recovery rate saw a sudden rapid increase.
It's reached the spot with a thick concentration of [Dragon Breath]'s mana.

The wound on its side gets restored in the blink of an eye, its lost arms are gradually forming back.
And then--Zadokilgias suddenly stopped the invocation of [Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type].

"...Hum?"

As Zadokilgias blurted in puzzlement, it turned its line of sight at its recovering right arm.
Looks like it had noticed something wrong as the recovery spell worked its magic.

Afterward, Zadokilgias surveyed the surrounding area--its eyes found broken magic stones on top of faraway roofs.
There are broken pieces of magic stones on top of roofs all over the place here.
Broken arrows could be found near those magic stones.

(Figured it would notice.)

The oddness Zadokilgias sensed is no mere imagination.
Zadokilgias has absorbed mana infused with a trick due to [Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type].

『How is it going?』

Ruli contacted me through comm magic.

That's right.
Those broken magic stones on roofs were made by Ruli delivered there on arrows Alma shot.
The magic stones put on those arrows had been augmented with a specific magic that would break the magic stones once the arrows landed and disperse altered mana in the surroundings.

Alma and Ruli hadn't directly participated in this fight not because I didn't count them.
It was done on purpose so Zadokilgias wouldn't notice them, all for the sake of this point.

『Perfect! You did great!』

I proceeded through the barriers as I responded to Alma.

Zadokilgias has indeed realized the girls' trick.
But it's far too late.

The distance between me and Zadokilgias is virtually nil now.
Those barriers would buy at most 10 seconds of time.

Even Zadokilgias can't deal with me with both its arms missing.
Its moves are limited with its arms gone, only death awaits this demon as it can't block my magic and sword.

And--Zadokilgias only has one option left to restore its arms.
[Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type].

Even if there's something wrong with it, even if it knows that it's a trap, Zadokilgias has no other choice but to use that.
The demon itself appears to be fully aware of that.
Zadokilgias invoked [Enforced Restoration - Mana Converging Type] it once suspended at maximum output, and took in a huge amount of mana to fully restore its arms.







Previous Chapter

17-50. Innocent God (2)

 

Satou here. [Coward who breaks the rule gets defeated in a frontal fight] or [Too strong an adversary gets defeated by exploiting a loophole in the rules], despite their contradicting natures, both are classics in tales.
I like either development, however I think someone who follows the rules to a T in real world is just setting up their own defeat flag.



◇



"Turn into fodder."

God Parion instantly closed in on us with her Authority, and swung down the <<PERISH>>-clad Divine Sword in an attempt to cut god Karion and god Urion along with the spaceship.

--Unit Arrangement.

"I know that already--Sight Seizure (Everything in my hand)."

The large spaceship got pulled in right before god Parion just as I warped it away.

"Wargod Trample."

--Oh no.

Enshrouded in blue light, god Parion made a fierce charge as she cut the spaceship in half.
I managed to get us away from the ship barely in time, but since the two little goddesses and the purple little girls weren't considered my units, we got separated away.

"Arisa. Sorry but just to be safe--"
"--if you're telling us to take shelter, I refuse."

Arisa declined while I was mid-sentence.

"Arisa-chan is right! This is the part where we triumph over through the power of effort and friendship!"
"Master, we would like to be of use to you."
"That's right nanodesu! Pochi and Tama will do their very best nanodesuyo!"
"Aye!"

Following the beastkin girls and Arisa, the other girls also state their intentions to fight together.

"Satou, from where we stand, god Parion isn't that much different from Demon God."
"Listen to Karina-sama. I have my reservation in rebelling against god Parion, however, stopping someone who has committed the grave sin of deicide is my duty as a miko."
"I think so too! Besides, I believe the nimble Satou-san will surely put a stop to Parion-sama."
"Un, Master Satou will be fine."

Zena-san and the other girls put their near-faith-like trust in me.

"Satou, Wand Ship."

I took out her wand ship as urged by Mia.
Looks like she wants to fight god Parion using the real anti-god magic, not the lesser ones.

"Master, gimme mine and Hikaru-tan's too."

In addition to the two's, I also fetched Nana's shield ship and other heavy-duty support equipment.

"Arisa, I've designed these three wand ships strong enough to withstand your Unique Skill. However--"
"I know I know. I'm just gonna barely touch the line, for the sake of our love life."
"Please don't touch that line if you could help--"
"Master!"

Parion made her move.

Looks like she's discovered god Urion and god Karion who were hiding themselves with Authority.

"Core Two, retrieve those pink little girls."

I passed over a small spaceship equipped with dimensional submerge functions to Core Two and Unit Arranged away before she could reply.



◇

"Divine Ruin Fist."
"Unrivaled Mobility (Nothing can hit)."

God Parion used her Authority to dodge the rain of vermilion-colored bullet hell god Karion unleashed.

"--Strongest Lance (Nothing cannot be pierced)."
"That shan't be done."

God Urion neutralized god Parion's finishing move.

Arisa and the girls offered me their participation through Familiar Link, but I told them to wait for a chance.
God Parion will surely launch a counteroffensive the moment she gets hit by the wand ships' assault, thus finding the right timing is crucial here.

"Master Wizard."

--Geh.

God Parion used Demon God's Authorities to deploy Divine Dancing Armor and Dragon Rending Slash.
She blocked my light attack with the armor and stopped us from coordinating with the slash.

"--Strongest Blade (Nothing cannot be cut)."

Finding an opening, god Parion shook me and god Urion off and tried to cut god Karion in two.

--Oh crap.

I warped god Karion to my side right before Divine Sword cut her.
It went well even though I used Unit Arrangement reflexively. Looks like both god Karion and Urion are now considered my own units, likely because of our joint struggle.

But really, she's strong.

We're full on the defensive even though she's up against a united front that includes two gods fully wielding their Authorities.

"I hate that."

God Parion appeared before my eyes with her sword swinging.
I somehow managed the flurry of Dragon Rending Slashes followed by the Divine Sword.

"Urion!"

God Karion's scream reached my ear just as I dodged god Parion and her Divine Sword.

God Urion's head has been lopped off.
Reaped by god Parion holding a scythe.

What's going on?

God Parion is right in front of me.
It's not a fake. She's holding the Divine Sword and even using her Authorities.

The one holding the scythe is also god Parion, who's rushing for god Karion's neck now.

--I won't let you.

I teleported in with sight-based Unit Arrangement and parried away the scythe.

"Urion must go back to life!"

God Karion stuck god Urion's head and body together and prayed for her revival.

"Won't happen."

The Divine Sword-equipped god Parion went for the two little goddesses.

I shook off the scythe god Parion with sight-based Unit Arrangement and put myself between the three gods.

"Perish together."

<<PERISH>>-clad Divine Sword is drawing closer.

I'll sacrifice the holy magic divine sword and--.

--No, I've got another card in my hand.

Eye-blinding flashes, roaring and shockwaves blew away god Parion and the Divine Sword.
I just used [Demon God's Attack Magic] that had been stored away in my Storage.

The second god Parion came out of the explosion while staggering.
It's probably not enough to defeat her, but it must have dealt some damage.

"You won't hurt Master, so I report."

I've been wondering why the scythe god Parion isn't attacking, turns out Nana and the beastkin girls have been keeping her at bay.

"Out of the way."
"Cicada Shell no Jutsu~?"

Nana who was going to get cut up along with her Paladin Domain got saved by Tama's ninjutsu.

"Sure Hit Blade (Never Miss)."

God Parion took throwing swords out of [Unlimited Armory (Endless Swords)] and launched them at the girls on the front line.

"Nyu!"
"Phalanxus~ nanodesu!"

Pochi flicked away the throwing swords with her Phalanx.
It couldn't manage to completely stop the attack however, broken pieces of throwing swords and Phalanx's vestiges blew Pochi and the girls away.
Since Tama had picked her up, I'm sure Pochi is fine.

And, making best use of the chance Pochi and Tama gave.

"--<<Dragonic Penetrator Hexa>>"

Throwing away her powered exoskeleton as she propelled herself forward, Liza rained down [Pierce All] Dragon Spears upon god Parion.

"Unrivaled Mobility (Nothing can hit)."

God Parion dodged her with Unique Skill.

"NOTYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!"

Liza forcefully altered her course by shooting magic edge cannon out of her tail and drove a finisher I had never seen before on god Parion.

"Dragonic Penetrator Infinity."

A barrage of attacks intense enough to make her afterimages look like mist assaulted god Parion from all directions like a wide area attack.

"--Mwuu"

The Divine Dancing Armor protecting god Parion broke apart, leaving several scars on her body.

"I hate that."

I pulled Liza to me using Unit Arrangement to rescue her from god Parion's assault.

"Well done."
"Master."

I praised Liza even while fiercely clashing with the other god Parion.

"Karina Saint KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!"

Powered up by Zena-san's [Saint Prey] and Raka's super strength, Lady Karina unleashed down a kick at god Parion from high in the sky.

"Won't get hit, anymore."

God Parion's Unique Skill easily dodged her.

"Raka-san! Now's our chance!"
『Disperse.』

The instant lady Karina passed by god Parion, the light wrapping her dispersed into a flash.

"Mwuu."

『Arisa!』
『OK!』

As the flash of light blinded her, giant golems controlled by princess Sistina manifested around god Parion.
Arisa must have teleported them there.

Those golems clad in emerald-colored lights charged at god Parion all together.

"Why can't, I dodge?"

I could feel divinity coming from the giant golems.

"Tenion's doing... Everyone is a big meanie."

Looks like god Tenion has joined the fray through Sera.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◇



"Urion must go back to life--"
"--Karion."

God Urion's voice could be heard.
Looks like god Karion managed to revive god Urion with her magic or Authority.

--Eh?

The dots displayed on my radar are increasing in number.

As I turned around, I was greeted with the sight of god Urion and god Karion having their hearts pierced by blue swords and spears.
Those blue-colored weapons are brandished by three god Parion.

The scythe god Parion is blocking my way, the Divine Sword god Parion emerged out with a light and sucked in the two little goddesses.

"Gods are omnipresent."

That appears to be the mechanism behind these five god Parion.

We had a hard time fighting two, five would be too much.
To top it off, god Parion's Divinity increased every time she slew a god. Those gods look like they got sucked into the Divine Sword, but their Divinities seem to flow into god Parion.

We're gonna need a miraculous reversal here.

『Master. Above, after three seconds--』

Arisa contacted me through Familiar Link.



◇



"3,2,1--"

I moved above with sight-based Unit Arrangement.
Along with the girls of course.

God Parions are hounding us with their eyes.

"Mythology Down."
"<<Mythology Extinction>>."
"Mythology Eater."

Three anti-god magic swallowed the five god Parions.

"Oho? She didn't dodge that."
"Un, that was surprising."
"Lacking learning ability."

The one getting pushed down by the golems aside, I didn't expect all five to get hit.
She probably never imagined that other members besides me could deal her a crushing blow.

"What a terrifying destructive power."
"Yes, Liza. I can't see myself taking that head-on."
"Huge win~?"
"Our embeepee are Arisa, Mia and Hikaru nanodesu."

Pochi must have meant MVP there.

"You two, save celebrating after we've confirmed her defeat okay."

Indeed.

"Oow..."

One god Parion showed up blowing the explosion away.

She's lost one of her arm and part of her body, cracks have formed on her skin, dark bluish lights are getting discharged out of her body in place of blood.
Her halos are blinking, her voice is cracking.

"...Got careless."

Apparently even god can't get away from an ambush coming outside her cognizance.

"But I won't get careless anymore."

As she psyched herself up, her broken body returned to its original state like it was rewinded.

In addition, the dark blue aura gushing out of her body transformed into make-up and dress armor, an indigo blue halo and a vermilion halo got added behind her back. The blue halo that was floating behind her moved to her head, making it look like a cap.

"No way, even that didn't do the trick?"
"Okay now this is bad."

Yeah, never would have thought she could instantly restore herself back after eating three anti-god magic directly.

"Divine Retribution."

God Parion's attack magic flew toward the spot Arisa and the girls were.
Foreseeing that, I pulled them at the optimal timing with Unit Arrangement and then sent them together with the other girls to a safe zone--the small space ship Core Two boarded.

The Wand Ships that were left on the spot got instantly evaporated.

God Parion herself doesn't seem invested in the removal, she's not checking whether it was a success or not.

"Tenion next."

God Parion murmured unfeelingly.

"But, before that--."

God Parion emerged right before me.

"--Gotta remove the annoying Irregular."

Incoming <<PERISH>>-clad Divine Sword.

I moved hundreds of kilometers away with Unit Arrangement.

However, god Parion showed up before me in less than an instance.

"God is omnipresent."

Meaning she can appear anywhere huh.
No wonder she didn't stop me with Sight Seizure.

--Kuh.

The holy magic divine sword Pendragon I used to block her attack creaked before tragically breaking down.

--This is bad.

"Got you."

God Parion's scythe was about to reap my neck.

Jet black and rainbow-colored sparks flew.

A rainbow-colored sword has blocked the scythe.
Holy Divine Sword Excalibur made from a fusion of holy sword Excalibur and a Dragon God's fang.

"I see, there were two fangs."

Parion nodded.

Creak, a crack formed on the rainbow-colored sword.

Now that she's absorbed the two little goddesses and got her Divinity boosted, god Parion has gotten multiple time stronger.



◇



"But, it's over now."

Holy Divine Sword Excalibur broke into pieces after a few clashes.

"I'll take you in together with Demon God."

God Parion's sword and scythe drew near.

I blocked the Divine Sword and the scythe with the two broken rainbow swords.

The rainbow swords' grips broke down and fell on Netherworld's ground.

They gouged down the purple soil before stopping deep inside the land.

Faces of the girls crossed my mind.

No, not the revolving lantern please.

This time I had a flashback of the Bridal Knights' members.

--Two pieces of schedule table.

How come this image is--.

Hoping for a miraculous reversal, I look at my Storage.

--Found it.

Then there is a way out of this.
I communicated what I needed at a minimum through Familiar Link and moved away using Unit Arrangement.

On the upper deck of the large spaceship god Parion sank.

"Futile."

God Parion caught me up instantly.

"It's over now."
"Yeah, it's over now."

I operate my Storage with my thought.
One luminous dot is my lifeline.

"Obedient. Obedience is a good thing."

God Parion nodded.

"I'll make your death painless. Any last words--"

Last words?

I'm controlling a string of Divinity using Primeval Magic.
So meticulously in order to slip past god Parion.

"Right..."

What I need to say--.

"--it's checkmate."
"Checkmate? I know that. Learned from heroes. Your checkmate."

God Parion raises her scythe.

"Nope."
"Nope?"

Parion tilted her neck in confusion and then noticed the string of Divinity coiling around her lower half.

"Futile."

God Parion swung her sword to cut the string.

Right at that moment, a rainbow fang broke through the spaceship's deck and pierced Parion's body from behind.
The girls lurking in the ship have pushed out a [Pierce All] dragon god fang I had taken out inside the ship.

"Why..."

God Parion's body is blinking intensely.

"Parion, thinking that I was all alone is your undoing."

The real reason for her loss is a duplicate bug of my Storage though.
Just like how the Bridal Knights' schedule plan handwritten by Arisa became two, the originally only two [Dragon God's Fangs] had also been duplicated. The latter is probably Dragon God (Kagura)'s doing though.

"Not yet. I haven't lost yet."

Even after having her God Core's damaged by the Dragon God's fang, god Parion clung on to life without giving up.

『RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT』

The yellow halo transformed into an arm and grabbed god Parion.

『USELESSSSSSSSSSS』
『OVEEEEEEEEEEEEER』
『STAAAAAAAAAAAAAY』

Orange, green and purple halos also turned into arms and grabbed god Parion's body and face.
Looks like the gods' consciousness have remained inside their robbed Divinities.

"So noisy. Shut up."
『SATWOUUUUUUUUUUU』
『NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW』

The vermilion and indigo halos shined and raised Parion high up into the sky.

Looks like Urion and Karion realized what I was trying to do.
In the sky, Parion tore up the arms and threw them away. The vermilion and indigo halos remained as are.

"Not yet. I haven't lost yet."

God Parion is breathing heavily.

With her God Core damaged, she's lost a lot of Divinity, her whole being is destabilizing.

"Nope, it's your loss."

--Because.

"I have--"

I look up into the sky.

"Declared my victory (checkmate)."

Netherworld's sky gets split apart as a star comes down the starless sky.

"--I don't wanna!"

Parion teleports away.

The star vanishes along with her.

"It's futile."

Authorities are miraculous powers wielded by gods.

Meteor Shower has been pumped with enough Divinity by the strongest Dragon God herself to kill herself, an exceptional disposable Divinity.
Nothing can defy such power.

I shut my eyes.

Images of falling stars come up in my mind.

Stars fall onto the young goddess' back.

Stars fall onto her as she escapes to the human world and to the Realm of Gods.

The moment she stops moving due to exhaustion will be her last.

The stars mercilessly broke her body down, gouged down the Realm of God's land, demolishing even those divine grounds.

> Title [God Slayer: Parion] Acquired.
> Title [God] Acquired.
> Skill [God Slay] Acquired.

> Job Restriction has been Liberated.

> Special Ability [Unit Creation] has been Liberated.





※ Next update is planned for 2/23





Previous Chapter

15





The next day, Lecan visited Shira since his work at medical center finished early.

According to Shira, Eda was there up until noon. Seems like she's been making a nice progress on <Sleep>.

Shira has been staying all day at home lately. She's probably doing some suspicious research in her basement.

Lecan finally succeeded on casting <Lightning> that day. However, he couldn't get a grip on the sensation of deploying the spell around his body's perimeter.

He had to hold down the spell power to the very minimum since he was practicing at Shira's house garden. It was actually harder to cast the spell that way. However, Shira said that was the correct way to learn magic control.

The day after, Norma's medical center had an off day, thus Lecan went to the orphanage. It's his fourth service day.

During a break after the usual tumult at the beginning, an elderly priestess apprentice came by.

"I don't see Archie and Sirima around."

"They both have left to work on their own, Archie at a bucket maker, Shirima at a farmer in Patts village. I'm really glad they managed to find work before they turned 15."

"I see."

"They asked me to send their regards to you, Lecan-san."

"I see."

"They wanted to ride on your back one last time."

"I see."

"Now now. Cheer up."

"I don't need any cheering."

"Now now. Don't look so lonely there. We should be happy for them."

"I'm not lonely."

"Now now."

"Listen you."

That day, Lecan prepared a big ball made of ivy and soft leaves to play a game of throw where players aren't allowed to let the ball touch the ground. The ball ended up in tatter at the end thus he made a promise to bring a new one next time.





16





The next day he went to the medical center, the orphanage the day after, then another day after, he went to the medical center in the morning, and to Shira's house in the afternoon. Eda was present at the time, and Lecan was made a guinea pig for her <Sleep>. Eda managed to cast working <Sleep> without having her hand touching the target. For the last test, Shira told Lecan to remove his silver ring and he ended up losing consciousness when Eda cast <Sleep> on him.

"Have you come to, Lecan."

"I have. But I felt something weird with the way I woke up."

"That's cause I had Eda rouse you up."

"What? Are you saying Eda made me fall asleep with her <Sleep> and then woke me up herself?"

How exactly did she do that to Lecan who was sleeping due to an abnormal status.

"It's a bit of a secret skill, y'see. Those who have learned any one spell of mind magic for real can also employ a trick to undo an abnormal status afflicted on someone."

"Hou."

"Of course, even though Eda-chan has built up resistance against mind magic, it won't work against someone with strength and skill above her. She can't undo an abnormal status whose strength exceeds hers. That said, there aren't going that many people who surpass the size of Eda-chan's mana pool."

"I see."

Lecan may have equipment to counter abnormal statuses, but having a comrade who can also do that is reassuring. Arios will surely show his worth right away, and that ability should help her join any party in the future.

"For now she'd better off furthering <Sleep> than learning other mind magic spells. Once she's able to cast it from a distance, it'll even work on magic beasts. Lots of magic beasts on deeper floors are resistant against mind magic though."

In that case, she's going to be a powerful asset. What a delightful miscalculation.




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
17





The next day was a full day house call, and the day after was an orphanage visit. On that day, the vice temple head called Lecan in to the back.

"Lecan-san. I have received the estimated cost for the statue rebuilt. It will be three gold coins."

Lecan paid the amount.

Lecan has no idea how much architectural structures cost.

However, he feels three gold coins are pretty cheap for such a statue. It's likely not the full cost.

The vice temple head gave Lecan her blessing by grandly drawing a holy mark in the air, before continuing her talk.

"Lecan-san, you cast <Recovery> on Bazrig-san, didn't you?"

"Yea."

It was in one of the house calls the day before yesterday.

"That person, you see, was under the care of our temple for years. Care which includes Recovery naturally."

"I see."

Lecan gives zero crap about that.

"Thanks to that, his condition itself never went too bad. However, the pain never truly left his side."

"Seems so."

"But then his condition saw a remarkable improvement after receiving your <Recovery>."

"Yea."

"Has Bazrig-san's illness been healed, I wonder?"

"No, apparently not. But since he had been given strong herb prescription for use during this period of improved condition, he wouldn't deteriorate back to his previously terrible condition, said Norma."

"That's a very good thing. Thank you, Lecan-san."

"It's a job."

"But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, unfortunately."

"Hou."

"Bazrig-san appeared to be dissatisfied by the fact that one single cast of Lecan-san's <Recovery> would bring such a huge change when years of temple <Recovery> changed nothing."

"That's not my problem."

"He's been spreading rumors all over the place about how our temple has been raking in huge profits with less effective Recovery."

"People are free to share their impressions to others on stuff they paid money for."

"My, shocking. Did you have a formal education?"

"No. Was a regulation in the previous country I was in."

"Oh, is that so. But does that also apply to slanders that are far from mere impressions?"

"If that's how the person concerned truly feels."

"Suppose a fruit store, they're selling Yelconte fuirt for two copper coin each. Another store nearby is selling Yelconte fruit for one copper coin each, what do you think is going to happen?"

"The first store won't sell those fruits."

"Right it won't. It's going to be left unsold and go bad. They'll then suffer heavy loss and might even fall in debt."

"The first fruit store can just sell it for one copper coin."

"That's the issue, Lecan-san. You need money to stock up fruit and for the labor. Also true for the carriage and horse feeds. There are proper reasons for that price of two copper coins."

"We ask five silver coins for a <Recovery>. The same price point as the temple's. Using your analogy, we're also selling Yelconte fruit for two copper coins. What's the problem?"

"That's where you're wrong, Lecan-san. The class of <Recovery> you deploy is worth one gold coin of offerings at the temple, no, possibly much more. Add to that your large mana pool. You can't tell me it costs the same."

"<Recovery> won't go unsold nor go bad."

"The monetary offerings the temple received from <Recovery> are used to purchase medicinal herbs and to treat the poor. We don't ask monetary exchange to those who truly cannot afford it. We even take care of those who require treatment from the day we receive them to their death. It also covers the cost of running this orphanage. Same with food distribution for the needy, and our services that provide housings and job mediations to widows. Having unsold <Recovery> would mean no more soup for the children here."

That wording is just unfair, thought Lecan.

However, he's got no doubt that the vice temple head is telling the truth.

Besides, the biggest issue is most likely the damage on temple's influence, yet vice temple head said nothing regarding that.

She went to a great length talking in a way that would pull Lecan's heart strings. That didn't go unnoticed to Lecan.

"What do you want me to do."

"Please consult with Norma-san regarding that. I believe in you and that person finding the right path. It's a shame that this has come to a point I have to talk to you about this. Please forgive me, Lecan."

"Then reduce my orphanage service day quota."

"No can do."








Previous Chapter

14



Lecan went out to the front yard.

And took <Sword of Rusk> out of <Storage>.

Twilight wraps over the surroundings as night is hanging down the whole town.

Arios followed after him slightly later. He's holding a short sword. Must have taken it out of his <Box>.

Eda followed after.

"Eda. Stay at the corner if you want to watch. Don't move a step from there."

"Yes."

It's a cramped yard but the size feels just like inside a dungeon.

Lecan isn't wearing his <Overking Bear> overcoat today.

Standing before a swordsman as skilled as Arios wearing clothes with zero defensive power is making his body tense. Lecan doesn't dislike that kind of sensation.

Arios takes an overhand grip with the short sword.

"Arios. Don't you know how to wield a short sword with a reverse grip?"

"Reverse grip, is it. Does Lecan-dono wish to teach Eda the reactive stance then?"

"Reactive?"

"A stance that specializes in defending."

"That's right."

"Worry not then. My school of swordsmanship covers both overhand and reverse grips. Stances that are fit for fighting even in a cramped location."

"That's good."

The two stopped talking.

In a fight between a long sword and a short sword, the long sword user should be the one taking the initiative, thought Lecan as he took a step forward.

That was when Aris jumped out.

(Hou.)

A quick lunging attack without a preliminary motion. This man's skill is the real deal.

Arios used his left hand to pull his right hand where the short sword was and closed in on Lecan straight on.

Lecan swung his sword down to meet his charge.

(No good!)

If he swung that sword down, Arios would parry it while getting into the range of Lecan's bosom. He was leading into that situation.

Lecan immediately bent both his knees. If Arios keeps on charging in, Lecan will crush him with the difference in their weights.

Arios instead twisted his body and went to Lecan's left.

(Good move.)

While keeping his cool, Lecan made use of the recoil from bending his knees to jump out left ahead.

Surprisingly, Arios moved in sync with Lecan's trajectory. Wonderful reflexes and flexible muscles.

Arios's short sword was about to strike Lecan's left side. Lecan turned his body around and flicked away the short sword with his sword.

But the short sword was angled sharper than Lecan's expectation, averting his sword away to the right.

(Nicely done.)

As Lecan gave the praise, the short sword was heading to his defenseless abdomen. But Lecan who had anticipated that used his left hand to grab and stop Arios's right hand. That right hand is holding a short sword.

The two stopped moving.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Arios-kun, do your best."

(You there. You're cheering the wrong person.)

Arios's bent left arm is pushing the back of his short sword's blade. This short sword is single edged. And the support from this left arm is the secret behind Lecan's sword getting pushed back.

Since he wanted to see Arios's fighting style a bit more, Lecan put strength into his left arm and shoved Arios aside.

Arios who got thrust away fell behind, scraping the ground. However, he hasn't lost his balance.

Lecan turned around, showing his back to Arios.

"Now's your chance~. Go get 'im~."

(Whose side are you on again.)

It hasn't been that long since the match started, but it's getting quite dark out. Human eyes tend to easily miss out things in this environment.

Distance is the most important thing in a fight between swords. However, sense of distance goes awry in this situation. Just how will Arios fight in this circumstance.

It's vanished.

Arios's presence has vanished.

(Now this is surprising.)

Of course, Lecan's <3D Perception> is showing where Arios is clearly. However, if Lecan didn't have this special ability, he wouldn't have been able to discern Arios's location.

Wonder if it's some kind of skill.

Arios zeroed in on him as he pondered that.

Arios who demonstrated an ever-transforming movement when he was launching a counteroffensive with reactive stance is moving a bit too monotonous when he's on the offensive. And it's way too neat.

Without looking back, Lecan threw the sword in his right hand.

The sword flew straight toward Arios's head. Arios who was devoting himself fully on the offensive was a bit slow to react to that, barely flicking away the incoming flying sword at the last moment.

However, he lost his balance then and was unable to react to Lecan who swiftly turned around.

Lecan once again grabbed Arios's right hand where the short sword is with his left hand. On top of that, Lecan has positioned his right hand ready to attack anytime. Arios's muscles tightened up when Lecan's rock-destroying fist clenched hard.

"Alright. We're done."

As Lecan released his grip, Arios knelt down and hung his head down.

"This is my loss."

"Yea."

"I'm in awe. I cannot believe how you so easily broke through <Veil Gait (Sfada)>."

"Sfada? Is that technique you used to hide your presence earlier?"

"Yes. It's a gait passed down in my school of swordsmanship."

Meaning it's a skill that can be taught to someone else.

This was the exact moment Lecan abandoned his plan to make use of Arios only for four five days.

Learning a technique that makes one harder to detect as they move around, even if not as perfectly as Arios did, would be a huge boon to Eda.

He also had no idea short swords were such a convenient weapon.

In addition, he's now convinced that Arios is the perfect man to teach Eda in the way of short swords.

There's simply no way to avoid getting close to your opponent when you fight using a dagger or a knife. A lot of sword and dagger wielding beginners would attempt to attack from outside those weapons' range then lose their balance when that get parried off, opening them to a fatal hit. However, a weapon cannot unleash its full strength unless it's wielded at its appropriate range. Short swords are a weapon that has to be wielded very close to the opponent. One requires the courage for that.

On that point, Arios wielded his short sword from a very close proximity, never far. If Eda could learn his breathing and body carriage, her defense would go up by leaps and bounds.

There's just one thing he's worried about.

"Arios. Do they sell single-edged short swords around these parts?"

"I don't believe so. I  think it'd be faster to custom order one from a blacksmith than going around looking for one. However, the defensive technique I used earlier can also be used with a double-edged sword as well if you have a hand shield equipped on your left arm."

"I see. Alright. Teach Eda in the ways of short swords."

"Yes. Do I get a passing mark then?"

"You pass. That's true for your apprenticeship as well. That said, I got no clue how to teach you to fight. Watch me fight and learn from it."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

"I said four five days earlier, forget that. Adding another day to make it six, I should be done with my business by then. Mind though, it could also be prolonged, what's with the other party and all."

"Yes. I just need to teach Eda-san the basic of short sword defensive stance in the meantime then?"

"That's right. I'm going to Dungeon Ninae with Eda afterward. You ever go inside Dungeon Ninae?"

"No. I have never gone inside any dungeon."

"Really. You're coming too."

"Yes."

"Come with us into the dungeon and snatch my sword skills there."

"Yes."

"Also, can you teach Eda a technique to erase presence?"

"That will solely depend on whether Eda-san has the attributes for it or not."

"Then find out whether she's got those attributes things. Then, go from there."

"Yes."

"Lecan."

"Hum?"

"You said six days earlier, that means you're going to the orphanage right?"

"That's right."

"Eh? Where are you going again, Lecan-dono?"

"Somewhere inhabited by terrible foes."

"Just what kind of foes to make Lecan-dono go that far?"

"They might very well be the toughest adversaries I've ever encountered in my life. At first I was planning to put it off, but no I'll have to put it to an end."

Eda said that the children there are pretty attached to Lecan, but Lecan himself can never get used to children. He feels like he won't be able to truly enjoy the dungeon if he goes on while leaving the orphanage behind.

He must finish off all the unpleasant things so he can head off to the dungeon with a fresh outlook.

Thus Lecan made his resolve.





Previous Chapter

Chapter 337 Strongest Sage, Be Sacrificial Pawn

 

"Who knows."

After saying that, I continued my assault while being careful not to create an 『Opening』.

What makes this difficult is the fact that this [Opening] Zadokilgias is looking for differs from an [Opening] in ordinary battles.
Zadokilgias isn't looking for a chance to land a risk-free hit on me.
But a situation where it can land a fatal hit on me--while not getting hit by a fatal hit itself.

...Even if Zadokilgias's physical ability is only at the level of an ordinary demon, it's still far sturdier than mine.
For example, this demon would not hesitate to sacrifice one of its arm if it means reaping my neck.

On the other hand, I kept launching fatal strikes at Zadokilgias while being probed for that [Opening].
I can only ever launch attacks that will instantly kill Zadokilgias, otherwise it would have launched a counterattack that ignores any damage incurred, all while maintaining the balance required to dodge.
As such, even if it looks like I'm holding the upper hand right now, I don't actually have that much room to move around.

And yet, having Iris here presents a huge advantage to me.
She hasn't been able to deal a blow yet, however she's got the [Dragon Breath] with her.

On top of boasting unbelievable range, [Dragon Breath] possesses enough firepower to erase Zadokilgias without leaving any trace if it hits.

Meaning, Zadokilgias must be prepared to evade Iris's [Dragon Breath] at all time.
That's why this demon has its wings always at the ready to take the flight at a moment's notice.
In normal times, it wouldn't have even bothered to manage its posture for wings deployment, saving it for emergency instead.

By doing that, Zadokilgias could avoid getting instantly erased by [Dragon Breath] even if that meant creating an opening.
Recovering from a non instant death attack is not at all difficult to those who excel in combat.
While for me, once [Dragon Breath] gets invoked, death is the only fate that awaits me having no means to dodge it and all, thus even if Zadokilgias suffers some damage in the process, it can take all the time needed to heal itself.

Despite knowing all that, I'll be instructing Iris shoot [Dragon Breath] now.

"Go, Iris!"

『I understand!』

Hearing my voice--Iris's claws dig into the ground, stationing her body.
Iris's magic circuits have stabilized. She can afford one shot of [Dragon Breath].
And then--.

『Here I go!』

Iris has started generating her [Dragon Breath].
An enormous amount of mana is converging inside dragon Iris's mouth.
Zadokilgias looked flustered when it saw that.

"--Knew it, you're a sacrificial pawn!"

Zadokilgias released the mana stored in its wings as it shouted that, executing the accelerative force that demon wings possess.
Naturally, doing that in the middle of a close quarter sword fight would create many openings.

I didn't let that chance go and went slashing at Zadokilgias's neck.
The trajectory is such that it can't be parried away or dodged.
The only way for Zadokilgias to escape death here is to--.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Correct."

I swung my sword while muttering.
However, it was Zadokilgias's left arm that got sent flying in the air, not head.
Zadokilgias has sacrificed its left arm to protect its neck.

Even after losing left arm, Zadokilgias accelerated straight above with its wings perfectly calmly.
Zadokilgias had gained enough time to escape out of [Dragon Breath]'s range in exchange of its left arm.

Since [Dragon Breath] is a wide area attack that goes along the ground, there is almost no way to escape it on ground.
However, it's not completely impossible to do so in air.
Even against the flames of high ranking Darkness Dragon Iris, one can cheat death by going about 300 meters above ground.

Iris's [Dragon Breath] is already about to get invoked, its trajectory can't be altered anymore.
Once Zadokilgias had gone away leaving its left arm behind, Iris's [Dragon Breath] was shot toward the spot I was at.

Right in that instance, I invoked a spell.
The very same magic I deployed in my first meeting with Iris after reincarnating--a spell to destroy [Dragon Breath].

"Wha..."

The moment the spell I invoked touched the [Dragon Breath], its spell formula immediately crumbled down.
Zadokilgias sounded surprised when it saw that.

Even Zadokilgias couldn't have predicted there would be a magic capable of breaking down a [Dragon Breath].
After all this magic is completely outside the realm of Zadokilgias's magical skill.

In order to develop this [Dragon Breath]-destroying magic, one needs to have a complete understanding on the extremely complex [Dragon Spell Formula].
After defeating Zadokilgias, the past me took hundreds of years just to finish developing it.

Just as the theory says--the [Dragon Breath]'s magic circle broke into pieces.
The flames also vanished along with a dry sound, and in its place, a vast amount of mana that was forming the [Dragon Breath] remained.
I've been waiting for this.

"...Now then, it's finally this thing's turn."

As I said that, I took [Man-eating Blade] out of Storage magic and established a connection with Dragon Veins.
Once the connection is formed, I begin constructing a magic.

[Man-eating Blade] connects human's magic circuits to Dragon Veins, enabling them to utilize Dragon Veins as if part of their body.
With Dragon Veins being [Part of Body], Disqualified Crest's limitation of not being able to construct magic far away from the bearer's body has now come undone.
As a result, I have successfully constructed a gigantic magic circle not even other Crests could dream of.

That gigantic magic circle absorbs the vast amount of leftover mana from the broken [Dragon Breath].
A moment later--a dazzling ray of light was shot out the center of the magic circle I constructed, heading straight toward the sky.







Previous Chapter

17-49. Innocent God

 

Satou here. It's said that children are pure and innocent, but those qualities are also what prompt some of them to do something ruthless out of curiosity. If you happen to catch them in the act, it's one's duty as an adult to gently admonish them.



◇



"Why?"

Beyond the jet black and rainbow colored flying sparks, god Parion's childish face warped in displeasure.
Because I got in her way of killing the three gods.

To be perfectly honest, god Karion who's taught me [Miasma Barrier] and the noisy yet harmless god Urion aside, I'm not too keen on saving the haughty god Heraruon, however, since he happens to be one of gods that protect human world from outside forces, I wound up saving him as well.

"What is that? A sword going toe to toe against Divine Sword, weird."

God Parion stared at my rainbow-colored sword.

"This is Holy Magic Divine Sword Pendragon."

It's a sword made from a fusion of Holy Magic Sword Pendragon I made as an oblation at Boreuhart yet somehow returned to my Storage and a [Dragon God's Fang] I had in my Storage, by way of Primeval Magic.

I was unsure if I could even use Primeval Magic without Divinity left, but it turned out just fine in the end.

To begin with, what Primeval Magic requires is a vast amount of magic energy. The reason for my dried up Divinity was apparently because it was compensating for my reduced MP from having my level deprived.
With a supply of MP from Arisa, my familiar, coupled with the MP tanks I got in my Storage, I could use Primeval Magic without any problem.

"I don't know, that sword."

God Parion casually swings down the [Godreaping Scythe].
I dodged that using Unit Arrangement.

God Parion exploited that opening to try and kill the three gods, but I stopped her again using Unit Arrangement.

"Don't get in my way."

Using Holy Magic Divine Sword, I parried away a slash of Divine Sword she swung as she turned around.
Unfortunately, it appears Divine Sword is a bit stronger still.

『--Strongest Blade (Nothing that cannot be cut)』
『That shan't come true.』

As god Urion shouted that, an indigo blue light poured down on god Parion, erasing away the blue light wrapping her scythe.
Even though it couldn't stop the swing itself, the scythe stopped moving after destroying the barrier, stopping god Parion's from destroying god Karion along with the barrier.

"Can't kill."

God Parion stamped her feet in frustration like a child.

--Huh?

Not sure if it's just me or is part of god Parion's blue aura stagnating and the once beautiful rainbow-colored scythe is starting to be clad in jet-black aura like the Divine Sword.

"Why! Parion! Speak, why!"

God Heraruon who had regained his balanced shouted that out loud as he charged in straight toward god Parion.
Alright, let's use him as a decoy and disarm god Parion's weapons during this chance.

"Parion should feel sorry. Karion said so too."

God Urion backed god Heraruon.

God Parion's Authorities are superior to the other three gods', but it's four against one with me joining the fray, thus even she's beginning to feel the heat.

"So many of you picking on me, no fair."

God Parion spoke like she didn't remember what she had just done.

Even though her mouth has formed the ^ shape, her assault hasn't let up as this fierce fight rages on.

We had many close calls, but my Holy Magic Divine Sword and god Urion's indigo blue sword managed to somehow deal with the scythe, then god Heraruon took that chance to grasp god Parion's hand holding the Divine Sword.

God Parion's mouth warped into ^ shape with a sour look on her face.

"This is as far as you can go, Parion."
"Heraruon is right. Parion should let go of these dangerous weapons."

"I, remember now--"

I could see the corner of god Parion's mouth slightly rising with her eyes cast down.

"<<PERISH>>."

--Oh crap.

The moment god Parion recited the Scripture, I kicked away god Heraruon, grabbed god Urion and Unit Arranged us away to a safe zone.

As we teleported away, I caught sight of god Heraruon having his knee getting destroyed, swallowed in Perish.
God Heraruon scurried away with god Urion's barrier protecting him, but it couldn't hold out even for an instant against the <<PERISH>>-clad Divine Sword.
The barrier broke down in no time, god Heraruon got swallowed in the jet black violence, ending his long life once and for all.

"--Parion, she's"

Next to me, god Urion said so in aghast.

Apparently she was in shock not from god Heraruon perishing by Divine Sword, but from how god Parion had completely transformed.

Well, I understand how she feels.

A jet black aura is overflowing out of god Parion's body, leaving only half of her adorable face while the rest of her body turned sinister jet black. The hollow blue-colored eye and mouth on the half part of her jet black face look especially scary.

It looks similar to Demon God when Impurities were encroaching him.
My baseless assumption would say the impurities Divine Sword had absorbed must have flowed backward into god Parion when she invoked its Scripture.

The scythe she's carrying has also turned jet black like Divine Sword, though the impact from this change has been softened by god Parion's transformation.

"Light Step (Faster than anybody else)."

God Parion instantaneously moved right in front of god Karion and swung down the <<PERISH>> Divine Sword.

--I won't let you.

I got between them using Unit Arrangement and frantically grabbed god Urion while vermilion barriers were getting broken apart one after another.

<<PERISH>> Divine Sword is closing in on me.

Won't make it in time to get away.

No choice, gotta sacrifice the newly made Holy Magic Divine Sword to buy time and--.

God Parion got blown away in front of the flustered me.

"Hehen, that's what you get for ever forgetting Arisa-chan over here!"

Looks like Arisa blew god Parion away with anti-god magic.

I and god Urion also got blown away by the shockwave, generated but we narrowly escaped death together thanks to that.

"Yeah, you tell her girl!"
"Nn, agreed."

Hikaru's anti-god magic hit god Parion in succession, then Mia's summoned Lesser Fenrir bit her down.

Unfortunately, the lesser version of anti-god magic intended for use against demon lords cannot seem to harm god Parion.

God Parion shoved aside Lesser Fenrir with her scythe and destroyed it with Divine Sword.

"Cheeky."

Her childish eyes glared at Arisa.

"<<CONDEMNATION>>"

God Parion recited the scythe's Scripture.

I pulled the girls to where I was using Unit Arrangement, and god Parion's scythe's horizontal swing missed its target.

--Oh crap.

I Unit Arranged myself and the girls away.

God Parion kept rotating herself even after missing, going for a round lap.
A jet black aura clad in <<CONDEMNATION>> power sliced Demon God's chamber in a circular section.

Both Nana's [Paladin Domain] and god Karion's vermilion barriers were utterly demolished by that jet black aura.

"Urion!"

God Urion who failed to escape in time had her lower half erased.

"Sheesh, how's she so strong with that 'payayan' face of her anyway."

I completely agree with Arisa's groan.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◇



"Core Two, prepare for emergency take off."

I brought everyone to the large spaceship's deck.
Together with god Urion, god Karion and the purple little girls of course.

Even with the Holy Magic Divine Sword as my trump card, going up against Scripture-activated [Divine Sword], [Godreaping Scythe] and Impurities-clad god Parion is a tall order.

Most importantly, there's no reason for me to risk my life trying to kill god Parion.
I probably wouldn't have thrust my neck in this internal dispute between gods if not for the fact that losing any more gods than this would hurt human world's peace.

"Eruptions~?"
"Anbali-vabou-nanodesu."

The girls starting from Tama and Pochi were taken aback when they saw the surrounding landscapes undergoing a complete 180 degree change.

Netherworld mountains are erupting, cracks are forming on the lands below, clouds from the eruptions are alight with thunderclouds and lightning everywhere you see, tornadoes sweeping over.

"Netherworld destabilizing is only natural now that Demon God is gone."
"Agreed with Karion."

God Urion has finished regenerating her lower half it seems.

"Master, all prepped for emergency take off!"
"Commencing emergency take off. Rout all enemies around us with ranged attacks."
"Yes!"
"OK!"

Zena-san and Karina-sama who were taking care of stuff outside the ship had also returned to the deck, we demolished the demons swarming the ship as it took off.
Using Unit Arrangement to take the ship to somewhere safe would have been a more reliable choice, but I'm thinking I should save my Divinity for the future.

A distortion in space was generated as we came out of Demon God castle.

"No going away."

God Parion warped in and blocked our way.

"--Expected that already."

I shake god Parion off with sight-based Unit Arrangement.

"Won't let you go."

Figured she'd caught up.
I'm sure she'd go after us even to the human world.

"Hasn't she like, grown big?"
"She sure does."

God Parion is now gigantic enough to hold this large spaceship between her palms.

"Tell me Parion! Why, why are you doing this!"

Sera ran off to the deck and shouted out loud.

Judging from the emerald aura overflowing out of her, god Tenion is apparently borrowing her body.

"This is my mission."

By some sort of godlike power, god Parion seems to have heard god Tenion's voice through Sera.

"--Mission?"
"Creator God said. Climb up the rank, become a fine god."

God Parion spoke bit by bit.

"Don't you remember Tenion?"

She inclined her head to the side.

"I do remember. But, before that, he also told us to 『Bring up people, nurture piety』!"
"That's a minor issue. People are creatures that generate an infinitesimal amount of Divinity with magic essence (mana) as fertilizer. What Creator God ultimately wishes for is for a god to gain a vast amount of Divinity and climb up the rank."

Tenion faltered.
Looks like she's telling the truth.

"But, even if that's true..."
"And in order to climb the rank, massacring other gods and consuming their souls along with their Divinities are the most optimum."

Parion's innocent face nodded.

So it appears she's doing all this not out of malice but merely as ordered by the Creator God.

"Done going along to buy time."

God Parion turns her arms round and round.

"Got used to it."

Five halos manifested behind god Parion.

Possessing the colors of gods she's slaughtered--purple, orange, green, yellow and her own blue.
The halos have dark-colored outlines, likely due to the impurities.

"That Parion is dangerous. Karion said so too."
"I didn't. But agreed on the danger level. Parion is two rank higher than us. It's hopeless even with Tenion joining."

That much huh....

"Un, Parion the strongest."





※ Next update is planned for 2/9




Previous Chapter

12





That day was work at the medical center.

They had a lot of patients again.

Surprisingly enough, five patients asked for <Recovery>.

A rumor had been spread about Lecan going away in the near future, thus many people took the chance while they could.

Most of those couldn't afford to pay five silver coins in cash. Proof of Lecan's <Recovery> being seen as worth shouldering a debt.

That fact didn't make Lecan any more enthusiastic in particular, however. He just casually kept casting <Recovery> as instructed by Norma.

Lecan had a huge interest in the act of examining a patient's body by wrapping a wand with mana. He would ask Norma whenever something he didn't know came up. Most of his inquiries were cleared up right then. Norma would tell him the things that couldn't be answered on the spot later. Which were mostly things that shouldn't be heard by the patients in question.

"At the rate this is going, the majority of patients that couldn't be cured by my power alone should finish their treatment in a few days."

Norma was delighted.

So did Lecan. He believed the stuff he learned here would prove very useful. Just not in the meaning of saving others, but for the sake of saving himself from crisis and for inter-personal combats.




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
13





"Eda. What's that man doing inside here."

"Eh? I mean, Arios-kun hasn't got a reply from you about his apprenticeship. I can't decide that on my own, can I? So I thought, why not have him help me out with the cleaning and dinner then."

"Didn't you see me kicking this guy's sword away."

"Un. I thought that was horrible. But Arios-kun was moved by that. And when I heard why, I was moved too, like, Hee, so that's how it was."

"Moved? What was so moving about that?"

"Lecan-dono. I've made a huge mistake."

"Mistake?"

"I implored you to take me as your apprentice in order to break free of my shell and grow up as a warrior. And yet, your act of kicking away the sword I offered took my by surprise, numbing me from taking any action."

"That's a normal reaction."

"By the time I heard the door closing behind me, I realized that was your way of teaching me."

"What?"

"Unpredictable situations may arise during a battle. You have taught me exactly that."

This guy is a big pain in the ass, thought Lecan, but then he realized he could make use of this reasoning.

"That was a test. You failed. Go home."

"Eh"

"Eh"

Eda was also surprised for some reason.

"Le-Lecan. Isn't that just way too cold?"

"What's this got to do with you?"

"U-unn. I mean, like, I've got nothing to do during the day while you're out training at Norma-san's place, right."

"Weren't you going to Shira's house."

"Yeah, I went there today too. She said I'd be able to cast the magic soon."

"Good to hear."

"But I can't exactly go there every day. I'd be a bother to Shira-san."

Lecan was a bit astonished to hear the word 'bother' coming out of Eda's mouth.

Then it hit on him.

"Arios, was it."

"Yes."

"Can you wield a dagger?"

"I have never fought a battle with a dagger. I can wield a Kodachi, however."

"Kodachi?"

"It's a short sword."

Eda's main weapon is a bow, but she needs a sub-weapon.

Lecan was planning to make her use a dagger.

Daggers offer a superb handling, excellent sharpness and a good penetrating power.

Between all other short-bladed swords, that one is not easy to bend due to its thickness, the blade doesn't chip easily either.

It can be used to land a finishing blow on magic beasts, or to skin them.

Archers having a dagger for use in a close quarter combat was a normal practice in Lecan's former world.

A short sword has a less practical use than a dagger. As a weapon, it's half-assed.

But if it's the style Arios wields, it must be pretty good.

Lecan himself can use a dagger, but his style relies on brute forcing his way, not something that can be taught to Eda at all. Just when he was wondering what to do, Arios came forward about his short sword experience, so might as well have him teach her.

"Alright then. Arios. I'm giving you another test."

"Yes."

"I still have some business to do for the next four five days. Go teach Eda how to use a short sword in the meantime."

"In four to five days?"

"Just teach her the basic."

"In that case, I shall undertake this test."

"I'll decide whether to accept your apprenticeship depending on the results."

"Yes. I understand."

Of course, he's fully planning to fail him. Lecan had no intention to take in any other pupil besides Eda, nor had he any clue how to teach one anyway.

As they were sitting around the dining table, Arios spoke to Lecan.

"Master."

"I'm not your master yet. What?"

"Would you like to witness my skill with a short sword?"

Arios is looking up at Lecan with a gentle expression on his face, yet a strong light dwells in his eyes.

The corner of Lecan's mouth was raised as he faintly laughed.

"I'll have a look."






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