Chapter 11 – Confrontation
“My name is Light. And you are?”
“Ayame.”
“Ayame-san. First, I have some unfortunate news.”
The Sword Saint, Light, gazes directly at me.
“Currently, I am injured. I probably cannot engage in a proper match as you wish.”
He raises his right hand lightly. I notice he’s wrapped in bandages, but is it an injury? If so, I can’t force him to fight. It’s quite disappointing, though.
“Sensei,”
A girl standing beside him speaks to the Sword Saint.
“Is something the matter?”
“About this match. Would it be alright if I took your place?”
“I don’t mind. But he’s probably a master,”
As I expected, even the Sword Saint’s side seems to have some idea of my abilities. They must have keen insight.
“I understand. However, I also want to confirm my own strength.”
“…I understand your eagerness. The special circumstances surrounding you as well. I’d actually prefer to oppose it, but perhaps this is a good opportunity to stand against him.”
It seems I will be fighting that girl after all.
“Ayame-san. Sorry to ask, but would it be alright if you fought her instead?”
“I don’t mind. Anyone pursuing the way of the sword wouldn’t refuse,”
“Thank you.”
As always, the Sword Saint remains courteous. All the masters in our world had a sharp, intense aura, but he doesn’t seem to be like that.
“I’m Ayame. Please take good care of me.”
“…Riana. Nice to meet you.”
She still wears her deep hood, so her face isn’t fully visible. However, her voice is very clear and beautiful. Her movements are also precise and deliberate.
“Then, let’s see both of you face each other.”
I draw my Amajiki and assume a stance. Of course, I do not release my abilities.
This is a mock battle, not a duel.
We’ll fight seriously, but I won’t hurt her.
“…Gulp.”
I can tell she’s nervous. Her eyes also seem strangely focused and intense. From the earlier conversation, I sense she might be carrying some complicated feelings or issues.
“Now—Begin!”
At the same time as the Sword Saint’s battle-hungry voice, she quickly closes the distance.
“Haaahhhh!”
It’s not bad. But I’ve grasped all her abilities.
I lightly block the sword flashes pouring down from above.
“…Guh…!?”
“You can’t win on strength alone.”
“Even so…!”
It becomes a fierce exchange of swordplay, but suddenly her sword’s weight increases. She isn’t just using magic to enhance her body; it feels like the sword itself has become heavier.
Is she channeling magic specifically into her sword? I see. That’s a useful technique I hadn’t considered. It’s enlightening.
“Interesting. So that’s how you can use it,”
I admire the technique, and gently deflect the heavy sword.
“Good. Keep pressing harder.”
“Aaaaagh!”
Shouting loudly, she pushes her sword even more aggressively.
You can clearly see her efforts. How much dedication must she have to acquire such skill at her age?
I continue to deflect her attacks, finally lifting her sword upward and knocking it away.
She never let go of his sword, but her torso was completely exposed.
Then, I pressed the tip of my sword against her throat.
“…I surrender,”
Since she had given up, I sheathed Amajiki.
“Well, that was a magnificent technique. Riana-kun wasn’t too bad either,”
“Sensei. Thank you very much. And thank you, Ayame-san,”
The girl, Riana, gave a slight bow.
“Um. That sword—where on earth did you acquire such a weapon?”
Since Riana asked me a question I answered honestly.
“It’s on the battlefield,”
“Battlefield…”
“However, I feel your sword technique isn’t purely based on swordsmanship. You haven’t yet shown your full potential, I think. Perhaps you’re combining magic with your sword techniques? You were enchanting your sword with magic, but you should be able to develop even more magic than that.”
“…! Do you understand that much?”
“I thought your approach was somewhat unique.”
Her sword was certainly impressive, but if asked whether she was a pure swordsman, I would say no.
Occasionally, there were signs of magic mixed in. The speed of its activation and its accuracy surpassed even Eric’s the other day in the duel.
Probably, she is more skilled with magic, but I couldn’t understand why a mage would use a sword.
“Ayame-san. Although it’s only my non-dominant left hand, do you want to practice with me? It might not be exactly what you’re hoping for, but—”
“That’s true, but I’d like to see even just that,”
Despite his injury, he was a Sword Saint who had mastered the sword. I wanted to catch a glimpse of her true strength.
We both took up our swords. The Sword Saint wielded with his left hand alone, yet I couldn’t see any openings.
“Well then, let’s begin!”
At Riana’s call, the mock battle started—but both of us remained still.
We moved only subtly, watching each other’s movements.
I can’t get a read on him. If we face off like this, I can gauge a certain amount, but I couldn’t see through the depths of the Sword Saint.
Suddenly, he closed the distance and was suddenly right in front of me.
“Not bad…”
I muttered quietly. He probably closed in during my blink.
However, I wasn’t unable to react. I immediately dodged his attack and counterattacked.
“—Impressive. You’re not just blocking, you’re evading.”
“You’re equally fast.”
Doing this all with just his left hand—no wonder I was shocked. The Sword Saint dodged my attacks as if he were performing a dance, skillfully wielding his sword with only his left hand.
I struck the sword several times, feeling its weight. Not a magic-like attribute like Riana’s, but pure brute strength. The weight from that slender-looking body—probably innate talent.
But still, the fight was never evenly matched. After deflecting his sword, I pressed my blade against his and ended the encounter.
“I surrender. That was an incredible sword.”
“No, you were also an amazing swordsman. I’d like to fight you again in perfect condition someday,”
If the swordsman were at full strength, I believe we could have fought closely and evenly. I truly acknowledged his talent.
“A Samurai from the Far East, huh? I had heard of such a being, but the world is vast. It made me realize I still have much to learn.”
“How old is the Sword Saint?”
“I am twenty-eight.”
“…I see. To be at that level in your twenties—truly a genius.”
Even if he were at full strength now, I probably would still be stronger. But I have dedicated a vast amount of my life to the sword. Meanwhile, he’s only twenty-eight—that young age and that strength.
It can only be described as innate talent that cannot be explained merely by effort.
“A genius, huh. I admit I don’t understand much about the theoretical aspects of swordsmanship. I tend to swing my sword based on instinct.”
“I think that’s fine. The Sword Saint probably shouldn’t overthink things too much.”
Geniuses are considered to be geniuses precisely because they cannot be understood by ordinary people. In that, there is no need for impurities.
“Excuse my bluntness, but I didn’t really feel much talent from your sword.”
Luna and Riana react to those words.
“Huh…?”
“With that level of skill?”
If taken at face value, it might sound like an insult.
But it is the truth, and the sword saint who saw through that much is indeed a remarkable person.
“That’s right. I was someone lacking in talent.”
“I thought your sword was backed by enormous effort and experience. But that is probably beyond even what a genius could reach. It’s already a path of hardship. I’m glad I met someone like you. I will also strive even more—to become a noble swordsman like you.”
He reached out his hand for a handshake, and I responded. Experts crossing swords—that’s almost like a dialogue.
He sensed the footprints of my entire life through my sword.
As he said, I didn’t have much talent for swordsmanship. But effort was my strength.
One day, I obtained a demon sword and learned how to wield it. I realized this sword was perfectly suited for me.
And I dedicated my whole life to the sword. Before I knew it, I was called the strongest swordsman in history and remained undefeated on every battlefield. Because of that—precisely because I lacked talent—I take pride in having refined my sword skills.
“Thank you as well for agreeing to this sudden challenge.”
“There’s no reason to decline a duel with a swordsman who carries such an aura as yours.”
Then, unexpectedly, he uttered words I hadn’t anticipated.
“Ayame-san. This is a sudden request, but if you don’t mind, could you watch over Riana-san?”
Chapter 12 – The Reaper
“Sensei, I’m sorry. But I’ll have to decline.”
Riana said this as she turned down the Sword Saint’s offer. Her expression was still hard to read, but there seemed to be a sense of sorrow in her voice.
“Why is that?”
“I do feel bad for Ayame-san, of course… but I have family circumstances to consider.”
“I see. It really is difficult, then.”
“Most likely impossible. I’d really like to stay here longer, but I can’t.”
“I understand.”
The Sword Saint finished the conversation with Riana and then gave me a small bow.
“My apologies, Ayame-san. I was the one who suggested it, and yet she had to decline.”
“If she has her reasons, then it can’t be helped. But she’s still teachable. I believe Riana’s swordsmanship has room to grow.”
“I think so too. But I understand swords through instinct, and teaching is just not something I’m good at. Haha…”
He laughed as he said that, but it was true—his sword style wasn’t something easily taught to others. It wasn’t based on any particular form. He simply wielded his blade with complete freedom.
It would be nearly impossible to replicate.
“Still… Why put up a barrier to keep people away? Just my guess, but wouldn’t a mage be able to detect that kind of thing?”
“Sharp as always. Up until a year ago, I didn’t bother with barriers either. But things have changed a bit. Have you heard the term ‘Massacre Demon[The Ripper]’?”[TN: Kanji 惨殺魔 (Zansatsuma meaning Brutal Murder Demon) and furigana ザリッパー (The Ripper)]
The Ripper… I remembered hearing that name at the Adventurers’ Guild.
“I’ve heard it, yeah.”
“There’s been a string of incidents where mages are being brutally murdered. This injury actually came from one such ambush. I didn’t think I let my guard down, but in just an instant, a piece of my flesh was carved off.”
“You fought back?”
“No, it was a surprise attack in the dead of night. They struck once and vanished immediately.”[TN: They as in I don’t know the gender]
“I see…”
To injure someone on the level of the Sword Saint… even if the attacker was a mage, that kind of skill isn’t common.
At that moment, I thought back to the griffin. Suddenly, the dots began to connect.
“Could that wound… have been made by something sharp?”
“Yes. Not just me, all the victims had wounds made by sharp blades. Some of them were even members of the Mage Corps. A swordsman capable of killing high-level mages… they’re suspecting me. Now I’m being hunted.”
“But you didn’t do it, right? Why not prove your innocence?”
“I would if I could talk to someone reasonable. But Magaheim values mages above all. I’ll likely be punished for a crime I didn’t commit—unless I find the real culprit.”
“I sympathize with you.”
Even if he claims innocence, the other side could twist the story however they like.
“Sword Saint.”
“Just call me Light. I already know enough about you.”
I guess crossing swords would make my true age clear. So, I decided to ask Light something that had been bothering me.
“The other day, I fought a griffin.”
“Oh my! A griffin—that’s an S-rank monster. But knowing you, you took it down, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. But the griffin was already weakened. It had sharp wounds across its body, and they weren’t made by a sword.”
“…So you thought so too. I’ve come across monsters with similar wounds. The cuts were too clean and too deep for a sword. And my own injury—it wasn’t caused by a blade. It was magic. I’m certain a mage is behind this.”
“I agree. I thought the same thing.”
Our opinions aligned. I, too, believed that such precision and depth could only be achieved through magic.
One mystery was solved, but in its place, a new one emerged.
Then, just who—is the Ripper?
“The culprit is unknown. I’m also investigating, but I haven’t been able to catch their tail. Ayame-san, please be very careful.”
“Yeah. If I find anything, I’ll share it with you.”
“Thank you.”
We were about to return to the kingdom when I felt Riana staring at me.
“Is something wrong?”
“N-No! It’s nothing!”
“Your swordsmanship is still developing, and you’re also trying new things, right? If there’s anything you want to ask, feel free to come to me. I’ll be in the kingdom for a while.”
“…Thank you very much.”
Her voice carried a mix of emotions—at least, that’s how it felt.
†
“Ayame-san, you and Riana-san seem awfully close, don’t you?”
“Do we? I think she’s simply interested in my sword skills, nothing more.”
“Hmmm… is that so.”
“…”
Terrifying.
No matter the monster or formidable foe, I take pride in my composure and courage.
But still, the strange aura Luna gives off sometimes sends a chill down my spine.
Her eyes were locked onto me, devoid of light. Did I say something that upset her…?
“Uh, Luna. Did you already know about the Ripper case?”
“Yes. It’s well-known in the kingdom. Over the past year, there have been several mage victims. But it’s not like a mass murderer—more like sporadic killings that come and go.”
“Hmm. Only mages were targeted?”
“No, I think there were a few swordsmen as well. The Mage Corps has been investigating, but the case remains unsolved.”
It wasn’t something directly related to me. If they tried to attack, I’d simply cut them down. Still… I felt an ominous premonition.
“Ah, and the Mage Corps—that’s the organization made up of high-ranking mages, right?”
“Yes. Only selected mages can join. All of them are chantless spellcasters, and their abilities are guaranteed. That’s why, when one of their own was killed, everyone was shocked.”
As Luna continued sharing information with me, I suddenly sensed something—someone was nearby.
“Luna. Stop.”
“Huh?”
“Enemies. They’re targeting us.”
“…U-Understood.”
She responded in a low voice, calmly. That reaction was very helpful.
It was already night, and the moonlight barely illuminated the path. We were deep in the forest, where even that dim light was uncertain.
I had memorized the way back to the kingdom, so I thought returning at night wouldn’t be a problem—but I hadn’t expected to be ambushed.
“Come out. I know you’re there.”
Then, about five people emerged, all wearing deep hoods.
“I thought we completely suppressed our magic power…”
A man who seemed to be the leader spoke.
“In that case, you should’ve hidden your killing intent too.”
“Ho… As expected, barbaric swordsmen are blessed with keen animal instincts.”
“Enough talk. What do you want?”
“Nothing much. We just want to test your strength a little. We won’t kill you.”
They took combat stances. The four behind the leader began releasing their magic power.
“You’ve drawn too much attention. Let us teach you what happens to the nail that sticks out.”