“So, does this mean we’ve visited all the villages now?” “Garakia Village is still left. True, we talked with Panara, but we haven’t met with the village chief yet.” “Let’s get going then. Looks like it’s gonna rain soon.” “You’re right, Kuuga.”
Hey there, Kuuga here. We’d been continuing the reconstruction work in Uumira Village, but after handing over the operations to workers dispatched from the central government, we’re back on the road in our covered wagon. Unfortunately, it’s cloudy. Looks like it’s gonna rain any minute now… Luckily we’re traveling through mountain paths, so if needed, we can set up a tent under the trees to keep warm. Now then, apparently that guy Panara who was causing all that commotion in Uumira Village turns out to be the village chief’s son from Garakia Village. Seems he was so moved by Shuri’s cooking that he gladly wrote us a letter of introduction. I wasn’t there myself, so this is just what I heard. Hopefully this will help clear up all those troublesome misunderstandings quickly.
“How much further to Garakia Village, Aeclys?” “Still quite a ways… We left after noon… We’ll probably need to camp out once.” “It’s going to rain soon. We should prepare the tent before that happens.” “Lill thinks so too. The horses need rest.” “A little further ahead, there should be an empty house. It’s like an unmanned lodge that travelers and merchants use for overnight stays. I’ve used it before. There’s even a stable, so we can let the horses rest.”
Oh, so there’s a place like that? That’d be perfect for waiting out the rain.
While we’re talking, the wagon suddenly comes to a stop, interrupting our conversation.
What’s wrong? Can we see that unmanned lodge already? I peek my head out of the wagon… and when I see what’s there, I jump out and take up my sword stance.
“What’s wrong, Kuuga?” “Stay inside, Shuri!! You too, Aeclys!! Lill, guard the wagon!!” “Understood!”
Lill immediately understands the situation and pushes Shuri back inside as he tries to peek out. As for me… this isn’t good, my hands are trembling. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this sensation.
Standing in the road ahead is a mysterious figure wearing a black robe.
His appearance is bizarre, as if darkness itself had been made into clothing. With his face hidden by a hood, I can’t make out his features. However, I can’t take my eyes off the strange weapon visible beneath the robe… a short staff with a crimson magic crystal adorning its tip. And above all else, the figure’s overwhelming presence sends danger signals straight to my brain.
Run, it tells me.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this sensation. Haven’t felt it in a long time. It represents both the difference in ability between opponents and my own confidence. In an instant, just by looking at him, that confidence crumbles. That’s the kind of opponent this is.
“Who are you?”
I try talking to the robed figure first. …Of course, there’s no response. Instead, he starts walking toward us.
“Stop! If you come any closer… I’ll take it as intent to harm the former lord’s daughter and her guards, and I’ll kill you without mercy.”
The threat proves useless. If anything, he starts walking faster. The distance between us closes rapidly. Looks like he has no intention of backing down!
“Don’t hold this against me!”
I take up a waist-level sword stance and close in on my opponent. I channel the force generated from my toes through my ankles, knees, hip joints, waist, spine, shoulder blades, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingertips in one smooth flow. The result is a lightning-fast strike. I’m going for his neck with everything I’ve got.
I mean it – everything. Normally, his head would be off by now.
But this person blocks my strike effortlessly! He stops my sword with that staff, using just one hand!
“You…!”
I readjust my distance and stance. The robed figure also takes a one-handed stance with his staff. From his stance… one-handed sword style…? As I’m puzzling over this, the robed figure flexes his wrist. A blade of light appears from the jewel’s tip. I see, so that staff is a magic engineering weapon. That glowing blade is probably made of magical energy too… honestly, it’s my first time seeing something like this.
“Not bad at all! I’m going all out!”
I launch an upward slash from the right at the robed figure. He receives it while stepping back with his left foot. Using the momentum from being deflected, I spin my whole body into a left sweeping attack. But the robed figure counters by instantly stepping forward with his right foot, closing the distance while blocking the attack. At the same time, he leans in with his weight, pressing against my sword. He’s good! He knows exactly when my stance is most vulnerable! But don’t underestimate me! As he tries to press in, I relax the strength in my left elbow holding the sword and drive my elbow into his shoulder. As the robed figure’s stance crumbles and our distance increases, I plant my foot and rotate my waist, thrusting with my left hand. I add a twist to the thrust as I deliver it. The explosive force from planting my foot, combined with the waist rotation into a close-range thrust – my ultimate technique! Try blocking this if you can!! The thrust is about to connect with their solar plexus— But the robed figure surpasses even this!? Instead of dodging left or right, he drops his body into a crouch! This was completely unexpected! My sword strike was already moving at a speed and timing that should have been impossible for a normal person to either block or dodge. Yet he responded to it! This person! The moment I miss with my thrust, the robed figure spins and launches a kick. The kick sweeps my ankle, finally breaking my stance.
“Ugh!?”
Even as my stance crumbles, I look at the robed figure, who immediately regains his position, plants his foot, rotates his waist, and launches a thrust at my forehead while adding a twist to his left hand holding the sword! That’s my technique! You’re mocking me, thinking my technique is so simple!? Then try copying this!? Against the robed figure’s thrust, I extend my right hand. I place it under his blade, like I’m supporting it. In that instant, I snap my right wrist upward. The twisted thrust will definitely cut my right hand, but I ignore the pain for now. As the robed figure’s thrust barely grazes my body, I continue moving my right hand and grab his left arm!
“…!?” In that moment, I sense something odd. The feeling of his arm is strange— No, there’s no time to think about that! I wrap his captured left arm with my body and execute a shoulder throw. Dropping to one knee with my stance broken, I quickly look up. The robed figure seems to have rolled across the ground some distance away, but he immediately break his fall to disperse the impact and stand up. This one is seriously tough. When was the last time someone crossed swords with me like this and forced me to my knee? No, there hasn’t been one. I’ve ended every fight with the first strike. In comparison, this robed figure has fought me as an equal or better, instantly mastered my technique, and forced me to my knee.
“Oh dear, that’s why I said ‘this girl’ would have trouble with this.”
Suddenly, a chill runs down my spine. That was a frivolous male voice? But the left arm I grabbed felt like a young girl’s? Yes, that was the source of the strange feeling. The arm I grabbed clearly belonged to a woman. From the muscle tone, a young girl at that. So why a male voice? As I’m thinking this, the robed figure removes his hood.
I’m horrified.
The face underneath is clearly not human. While the features, eyes, and mouth definitely belong to a young girl, that’s not all. The face has multiple mouths and eyes. This isn’t a metaphor or exaggeration – in addition to the girl’s normal facial features, there are eyes and mouths…!?
“Shall we switch? ‘This girl’? Should ‘this humble one’ take over?” “’This humble one,’ be quiet. ‘This lady’ thinks ‘this girl’ is stronger than ‘this humble one.’“ “’This lady’ say, honestly ‘this old one’ doesn’t care. Rather, why not let the newcomer ‘this fellow’ handle this level of opponent?” “…’This fellow’ will if that’s what’s desired. But, perhaps ‘this girl’ should still continue.” “Shut up! ‘This girl’ can still fight! Be quiet!”
My head feels like it’s going to explode. Each set of lips on their face is producing a different voice, and the girl is conversing with them. An absolutely abnormal sight. Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Shuri, who’s peeking out from the wagon, is staring with wide eyes in shock, and Lill is vomiting from the grotesque scene. And Aeclys is covering her mouth as she looks at the robed figure. Her expression shows clear terror.
“No way…!! Why are they here!? For what purpose!!”
From her tone, it seems Aeclys knows who the robed figure is. I readjust my sword stance and shout.
“Aeclys! Who is this person!?” “Th-that’s Grand-Ende’s ultimate weapon! A disaster that has absorbed and mastered all martial arts, wreaking havoc on various battlefields! One of Grand-Ende’s Three Treasured Generals, the Sword Treasure Ryufa Hien!!”
Sword Treasure…!? I’ve heard faint rumors. Back when I was still a rookie, I heard those rumors. But none of them made much sense. Because none of the rumors were consistent. Some said she was a cute girl skilled with the sword. Some said he was a silent man exceptional with the spear. Some said he was a cunning old man wielding a great scythe. Some said she was a beautiful woman with a great axe. Some said he was a frivolous man with twin sword techniques. Some said he was a swordsman with divine blade skills. The more I heard, the more it seemed like stories about different people. With so many varying accounts, the swordsman remained shrouded in mystery. And they’re right here in front of me!
“I see, so you’re Ryufa. What do you want with us!!”
At my question, Ryufa glares at me. Fighting down the strange fear of having all the eyes on their face directed at me, I stand my ground.
“’This man’ will answer.”
The girl’s face—the girl’s face distorts, the bone structure changes, and all the facial muscles rearrange themselves. What emerges is the face of a man with refined features. A black-haired, cold beauty. His gaze is as cold as ice and as sharp as a blade.
“Our objective is that cook over there. Our master desires him.” “Master? No, more importantly—”
They’re after Shuri? The moment I realize this, Lill grabs Shuri and pushes him back inside the wagon. Then she grabs the horse’s reins. I get it. That’s the best course of action, good job Lill. Seeing Lill’s actions, Ryufa speaks.
“Well, it would be troublesome if you escaped. Let’s end this fight.” “What did you say?” “I said let’s end it. You can’t defeat me. It’s pointless to waste more time.”
Saying this, Ryufa takes a waist-level sword stance. Now the weapon has changed into a slightly curved blade. …Here he comes! Sensing this, I release the tension from both legs. I naturally bend my knees, instantly preparing to respond in any direction.
“Six Exhaustion Style Sword Form – Sakura (Chain Spiral)”
In an instant, Ryufa’s sword closes in on my face. Impossible, I couldn’t read his initial movement! A thrust at my brow, dodge! But the blade vanishes from before my eyes. The moment I stop, there’s intense pain in my right foot. Looking down, I see Ryufa’s sword has pierced the top of my right foot.
“Six Exhaustion Style Sword Form – Aramitama (Wild Spirit)”
Ryufa’s sword changes trajectory again, moving at a speed my eyes can’t follow. What I catch sight of is the sword’s hilt coming at me. Unable to dodge, the hilt strikes my solar plexus.
“Guhh”
All the air escapes from my mouth with a sound. But Ryufa doesn’t stop there, bending his elbow to deliver a second strike to my solar plexus. The instant double strike to my solar plexus completely blacks out my vision. I can’t breathe, can’t see, can’t move. The characteristic breathing difficulty and abdominal pain from a solar plexus strike hit me all at once.
“Hmm…”
Through my fading consciousness, I hear Ryufa’s voice.
“You shifted the point of impact slightly to avoid a fatal blow… This is the first time I’ve failed to kill someone.” “Uh… guhh…” “There’s no time. I’ll leave you here. Be grateful you still have your life. Now then, I’ll be taking that man.”
With that, my consciousness completely fades away.
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Chapter 68
“So, does this mean we’ve visited all the villages now?”
“Garakia Village is still left. True, we talked with Panara, but we haven’t met with the village chief yet.”
“Let’s get going then. Looks like it’s gonna rain soon.”
“You’re right, Kuuga.”
Hey there, Kuuga here.
We’d been continuing the reconstruction work in Uumira Village, but after handing over the operations to workers dispatched from the central government, we’re back on the road in our covered wagon.
Unfortunately, it’s cloudy. Looks like it’s gonna rain any minute now… Luckily we’re traveling through mountain paths, so if needed, we can set up a tent under the trees to keep warm.
Now then, apparently that guy Panara who was causing all that commotion in Uumira Village turns out to be the village chief’s son from Garakia Village. Seems he was so moved by Shuri’s cooking that he gladly wrote us a letter of introduction. I wasn’t there myself, so this is just what I heard.
Hopefully this will help clear up all those troublesome misunderstandings quickly.
“How much further to Garakia Village, Aeclys?”
“Still quite a ways… We left after noon… We’ll probably need to camp out once.”
“It’s going to rain soon. We should prepare the tent before that happens.”
“Lill thinks so too. The horses need rest.”
“A little further ahead, there should be an empty house. It’s like an unmanned lodge that travelers and merchants use for overnight stays. I’ve used it before. There’s even a stable, so we can let the horses rest.”
Oh, so there’s a place like that? That’d be perfect for waiting out the rain.
While we’re talking, the wagon suddenly comes to a stop, interrupting our conversation.
What’s wrong? Can we see that unmanned lodge already?
I peek my head out of the wagon… and when I see what’s there, I jump out and take up my sword stance.
“What’s wrong, Kuuga?”
“Stay inside, Shuri!! You too, Aeclys!! Lill, guard the wagon!!”
“Understood!”
Lill immediately understands the situation and pushes Shuri back inside as he tries to peek out.
As for me… this isn’t good, my hands are trembling. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this sensation.
Standing in the road ahead is a mysterious figure wearing a black robe.
His appearance is bizarre, as if darkness itself had been made into clothing. With his face hidden by a hood, I can’t make out his features.
However, I can’t take my eyes off the strange weapon visible beneath the robe… a short staff with a crimson magic crystal adorning its tip.
And above all else, the figure’s overwhelming presence sends danger signals straight to my brain.
Run, it tells me.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this sensation. Haven’t felt it in a long time. It represents both the difference in ability between opponents and my own confidence.
In an instant, just by looking at him, that confidence crumbles. That’s the kind of opponent this is.
“Who are you?”
I try talking to the robed figure first.
…Of course, there’s no response. Instead, he starts walking toward us.
“Stop! If you come any closer… I’ll take it as intent to harm the former lord’s daughter and her guards, and I’ll kill you without mercy.”
The threat proves useless. If anything, he starts walking faster.
The distance between us closes rapidly. Looks like he has no intention of backing down!
“Don’t hold this against me!”
I take up a waist-level sword stance and close in on my opponent.
I channel the force generated from my toes through my ankles, knees, hip joints, waist, spine, shoulder blades, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingertips in one smooth flow.
The result is a lightning-fast strike. I’m going for his neck with everything I’ve got.
I mean it – everything. Normally, his head would be off by now.
But this person blocks my strike effortlessly!
He stops my sword with that staff, using just one hand!
“You…!”
I readjust my distance and stance.
The robed figure also takes a one-handed stance with his staff.
From his stance… one-handed sword style…?
As I’m puzzling over this, the robed figure flexes his wrist.
A blade of light appears from the jewel’s tip. I see, so that staff is a magic engineering weapon.
That glowing blade is probably made of magical energy too… honestly, it’s my first time seeing something like this.
“Not bad at all! I’m going all out!”
I launch an upward slash from the right at the robed figure.
He receives it while stepping back with his left foot.
Using the momentum from being deflected, I spin my whole body into a left sweeping attack.
But the robed figure counters by instantly stepping forward with his right foot, closing the distance while blocking the attack.
At the same time, he leans in with his weight, pressing against my sword. He’s good! He knows exactly when my stance is most vulnerable!
But don’t underestimate me! As he tries to press in, I relax the strength in my left elbow holding the sword and drive my elbow into his shoulder.
As the robed figure’s stance crumbles and our distance increases, I plant my foot and rotate my waist, thrusting with my left hand. I add a twist to the thrust as I deliver it.
The explosive force from planting my foot, combined with the waist rotation into a close-range thrust – my ultimate technique! Try blocking this if you can!!
The thrust is about to connect with their solar plexus—
But the robed figure surpasses even this!? Instead of dodging left or right, he drops his body into a crouch!
This was completely unexpected! My sword strike was already moving at a speed and timing that should have been impossible for a normal person to either block or dodge.
Yet he responded to it! This person!
The moment I miss with my thrust, the robed figure spins and launches a kick.
The kick sweeps my ankle, finally breaking my stance.
“Ugh!?”
Even as my stance crumbles, I look at the robed figure, who immediately regains his position, plants his foot, rotates his waist, and launches a thrust at my forehead while adding a twist to his left hand holding the sword!
That’s my technique!
You’re mocking me, thinking my technique is so simple!? Then try copying this!?
Against the robed figure’s thrust, I extend my right hand. I place it under his blade, like I’m supporting it.
In that instant, I snap my right wrist upward. The twisted thrust will definitely cut my right hand, but I ignore the pain for now.
As the robed figure’s thrust barely grazes my body, I continue moving my right hand and grab his left arm!
“…!?”
In that moment, I sense something odd. The feeling of his arm is strange—
No, there’s no time to think about that! I wrap his captured left arm with my body and execute a shoulder throw.
Dropping to one knee with my stance broken, I quickly look up.
The robed figure seems to have rolled across the ground some distance away, but he immediately break his fall to disperse the impact and stand up.
This one is seriously tough.
When was the last time someone crossed swords with me like this and forced me to my knee? No, there hasn’t been one. I’ve ended every fight with the first strike.
In comparison, this robed figure has fought me as an equal or better, instantly mastered my technique, and forced me to my knee.
“Oh dear, that’s why I said ‘this girl’ would have trouble with this.”
Suddenly, a chill runs down my spine. That was a frivolous male voice?
But the left arm I grabbed felt like a young girl’s?
Yes, that was the source of the strange feeling. The arm I grabbed clearly belonged to a woman.
From the muscle tone, a young girl at that.
So why a male voice?
As I’m thinking this, the robed figure removes his hood.
I’m horrified.
The face underneath is clearly not human. While the features, eyes, and mouth definitely belong to a young girl, that’s not all.
The face has multiple mouths and eyes. This isn’t a metaphor or exaggeration – in addition to the girl’s normal facial features, there are eyes and mouths…!?
“Shall we switch? ‘This girl’? Should ‘this humble one’ take over?”
“’This humble one,’ be quiet. ‘This lady’ thinks ‘this girl’ is stronger than ‘this humble one.’“
“’This lady’ say, honestly ‘this old one’ doesn’t care. Rather, why not let the newcomer ‘this fellow’ handle this level of opponent?”
“…’This fellow’ will if that’s what’s desired. But, perhaps ‘this girl’ should still continue.”
“Shut up! ‘This girl’ can still fight! Be quiet!”
My head feels like it’s going to explode. Each set of lips on their face is producing a different voice, and the girl is conversing with them.
An absolutely abnormal sight. Are my eyes playing tricks on me?
Shuri, who’s peeking out from the wagon, is staring with wide eyes in shock, and Lill is vomiting from the grotesque scene.
And Aeclys is covering her mouth as she looks at the robed figure. Her expression shows clear terror.
“No way…!! Why are they here!? For what purpose!!”
From her tone, it seems Aeclys knows who the robed figure is.
I readjust my sword stance and shout.
“Aeclys! Who is this person!?”
“Th-that’s Grand-Ende’s ultimate weapon! A disaster that has absorbed and mastered all martial arts, wreaking havoc on various battlefields! One of Grand-Ende’s Three Treasured Generals, the Sword Treasure Ryufa Hien!!”
Sword Treasure…!? I’ve heard faint rumors.
Back when I was still a rookie, I heard those rumors. But none of them made much sense.
Because none of the rumors were consistent.
Some said she was a cute girl skilled with the sword.
Some said he was a silent man exceptional with the spear.
Some said he was a cunning old man wielding a great scythe.
Some said she was a beautiful woman with a great axe.
Some said he was a frivolous man with twin sword techniques.
Some said he was a swordsman with divine blade skills.
The more I heard, the more it seemed like stories about different people. With so many varying accounts, the swordsman remained shrouded in mystery.
And they’re right here in front of me!
“I see, so you’re Ryufa. What do you want with us!!”
At my question, Ryufa glares at me.
Fighting down the strange fear of having all the eyes on their face directed at me, I stand my ground.
“’This man’ will answer.”
The girl’s face—the girl’s face distorts, the bone structure changes, and all the facial muscles rearrange themselves.
What emerges is the face of a man with refined features.
A black-haired, cold beauty. His gaze is as cold as ice and as sharp as a blade.
“Our objective is that cook over there. Our master desires him.”
“Master? No, more importantly—”
They’re after Shuri? The moment I realize this, Lill grabs Shuri and pushes him back inside the wagon. Then she grabs the horse’s reins.
I get it. That’s the best course of action, good job Lill.
Seeing Lill’s actions, Ryufa speaks.
“Well, it would be troublesome if you escaped. Let’s end this fight.”
“What did you say?”
“I said let’s end it. You can’t defeat me. It’s pointless to waste more time.”
Saying this, Ryufa takes a waist-level sword stance. Now the weapon has changed into a slightly curved blade.
…Here he comes!
Sensing this, I release the tension from both legs. I naturally bend my knees, instantly preparing to respond in any direction.
“Six Exhaustion Style Sword Form – Sakura (Chain Spiral)”
In an instant, Ryufa’s sword closes in on my face. Impossible, I couldn’t read his initial movement!
A thrust at my brow, dodge! But the blade vanishes from before my eyes.
The moment I stop, there’s intense pain in my right foot. Looking down, I see Ryufa’s sword has pierced the top of my right foot.
“Six Exhaustion Style Sword Form – Aramitama (Wild Spirit)”
Ryufa’s sword changes trajectory again, moving at a speed my eyes can’t follow.
What I catch sight of is the sword’s hilt coming at me.
Unable to dodge, the hilt strikes my solar plexus.
“Guhh”
All the air escapes from my mouth with a sound.
But Ryufa doesn’t stop there, bending his elbow to deliver a second strike to my solar plexus.
The instant double strike to my solar plexus completely blacks out my vision.
I can’t breathe, can’t see, can’t move. The characteristic breathing difficulty and abdominal pain from a solar plexus strike hit me all at once.
“Hmm…”
Through my fading consciousness, I hear Ryufa’s voice.
“You shifted the point of impact slightly to avoid a fatal blow… This is the first time I’ve failed to kill someone.”
“Uh… guhh…”
“There’s no time. I’ll leave you here. Be grateful you still have your life. Now then, I’ll be taking that man.”
With that, my consciousness completely fades away.
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