Chapter 67

"Let's go that way. It's probably this road."

"Yeah, got it."

Levius the Bishop and Spur had already left, and Fissel and I ran in their direction. However, I had no familiarity with the layout of the North District. I could get a rough idea of the direction, but I couldn't pinpoint their exact movements. In the end, I had to rely on Fissel's navigation.

"Fissel, did Lucy tell you?"

"...No. It was a coincidence."

"...I see."

While running, I casually asked a question, but the answer I got was completely unhelpful.

Hmm, she's sticking to the coincidence angle, huh? Well, if it wasn't a coincidence, things could get messy in an emergency. Even if the other party is me, she's clearly aware of the importance of information control.

"...I found them."

After running for a while through the quiet night of the North District, the darkness made visibility poor. However, the streets were almost deserted, so running around would draw attention. As we ran, I spotted a stout figure and the clanking sound of full plate armor.

It seems this chase will end sooner than I expected. Levius the Bishop and Spur were simply too slow. With that build and full plate armor, it's no wonder they couldn't run fast.

"Huff... huff...!"

"Please stop, Levius the Bishop."

"...!"

I called out to stop them when I was close enough to hear Levius the Bishop's heavy breathing. I realized I was in a bit of a bad mood. My voice had an unintentional edge to it.

I need to calm down. There's a possibility of combat, and being in this state will dull my sword skills. I took a deep breath to steady my breathing and calm my mind.

While it was possible to continue fleeing, surprisingly, Levius the Bishop stopped in his tracks after hearing my voice. He might just be too tired.

"...It's the Reberio Knights. We need to hear your story in the appropriate place."

"..."

I couldn't say it was on the orders of Ibroi the Priest. If asked why the Reberio Knights were moving now, it would be complicated, but they had provided us with undeniable evidence of a half-baked resurrection miracle. It's best to proceed from here.

After my words, Fissel silently readied her sword, clearly indicating that she wouldn't allow any further escape. Her sword magic is handy in situations like this. She can attack from a distance, so even if they tried to run, she could respond immediately.

"You don't understand the research value of that miracle..."

"That's not for me to hear."

I cut off Levius the Bishop's irritated words. As I said, it's not my concern. Personally, I'm even negative about the resurrection miracle. It's wrong to manipulate the laws of life with human hands. Of course, there are those like Mui who desperately desire it.

"Please come with us, Levius the Bishop."

"..."

Levius the Bishop doesn't look like the type who can fight. His only remaining trump card is Spur. I don't know how skilled he is, but it's a two-on-one situation. The odds are in our favor.

By the way, I left Kurni in charge of the scene. I hope she's okay. She's a member of the knights, so she should know what to do.

"...Spur."

"Yes."

Levius the Bishop's last hope was Spur. He nodded quietly and drew his estoc. His stance was composed, different from the knights we faced earlier.

"...What!?"

The next moment, Spur's estoc was right in front of me. I hastily deflected the incoming sword. My stance wasn't optimal, so I couldn't break the sword as I did before.

This guy is fast! How can he move so quickly in full plate armor? Cold sweat trickled down my back.

"Ugh!"

"Kuh...!"

Spur, after his sword was deflected, continued his attack without losing his stance. Come on, estocs are supposed to be handled delicately! His sword came down with incredible power and speed, and I had to parry it multiple times.

It was difficult to counter his sword skills. Unlike Hembritz or Srena, he didn't fully commit his weight, using his waist, shoulders, and arms to generate maximum speed with minimal effort.

However, Fissel couldn't intervene in the sudden combat. Spur and I were too close, and if she joined in, I might get hit. I didn't expect him to close the distance so quickly!

This knight, Spur, is clearly in a different league. His sword speed and technique are on a whole different level. His estoc also seemed to be of higher quality than a typical knight's. Despite deflecting it multiple times, I couldn't break the blade as I did before.

"!"

We exchanged blows in silence. In the midst of this, I sensed a slight shift in Spur's focus. His eyes were obscured by his helmet, but I could tell his attention had moved.

"! Fissel!"

He must have decided that a prolonged fight with me wasn't favorable and suddenly changed his target to Fissel. Fissel, I'm sure, wasn't off guard, but from her perspective, Spur's sword had been aimed at me the whole time.

It was a surprise attack. To completely block it, I had to step in front of her.

"Phew!"

"...Damn!"

The sound of Spur's estoc and my longsword clashing rang out. It was a close-quarters clash. I hadn't experienced this stance in a while.

"Fissel! Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm... fine!"

—It was close. If my judgment had been a millimeter slower, Spur's estoc would have definitely hit Fissel.

Fissel is a skilled swordsman and mage, capable of combat. I can't say "don't target her" because this isn't a sparring match but a real fight.

But, despite knowing that, I can't calmly watch my former disciple in danger. I'm not that composed.

This isn't over, Spur. I can feel my calmness from earlier burning with renewed intensity.

"—You're strong. That's why it's a shame."

"...!"

Ignoring my thoughts, Spur increased the pressure on our locked arms. Damn, I'm at a slight disadvantage in pure strength. I'm not known for my brute force, so direct strength contests aren't my strong suit.

"—May the great god grant me strength."

"!?"

Spur, while locked in combat, recited a prayer. This is bad, a body enhancement spell in this situation is dangerous! I tried to put more strength and spirit into my arms, but I was gradually being pushed back. Damn, I was already at a slight disadvantage in strength, and with the spell, the strength contest was heavily in his favor.

This is bad, I'm being pushed back—!

"—Not a chance."

"...!"

Just as my arms were about to give out, Fissel intervened. Her longsword rose from below, aiming for Spur's arm.

The sound of gauntlets and swords clashing echoed. While it didn't cut through, the impact made Spur's arm waver. I took the opportunity to push my longsword forward and create some distance.

"Fissel...! Thanks, I owe you one!"

I jumped back to create some distance. Being saved right after trying to help her was a bit embarrassing, but it also showed that she was a capable swordsman, not just someone to be protected.

"...!"

Taking a breath and shifting my gaze, I saw Levius the Bishop starting to flee again.

No, this won't do. If I let him escape, all our efforts will be in vain.

"Fissel! Go after Levius the Bishop!"

If I let him escape, everything we've done will be for nothing. But chasing after him while ignoring Spur would be foolish. I'd be cut down from behind. So, I need to keep Spur occupied while Fissel chases after Levius.

"...Understood. Be careful, sir."

Fissel hesitated for a moment but then started moving at my command.

"...Damn."

"I won't let you go!"

Seizing the opportunity of Spur's slight distraction, I launched an attack. I folded my arms and delivered a compact horizontal slash, but it was deflected by his quickly raised estoc.

"Still got it!"

I followed up with a large step and a powerful swing of my longsword. However, he dodged it at the last second. Damn, you're in full plate armor, you should have been a bit off guard.

This guy overwhelms his opponents with his speed and power. Letting him take the lead would be bad. With the added strength from the spell, he was clearly more powerful than me. Engaging in a close-quarters clash would be dangerous.

"Shh!"

"Ugh...!"

After the horizontal slash, I switched to a counterattack. My sword was skillfully parried.

Damn, I'm not good at maintaining the initiative! But, I don't want to be on the defensive against this guy.

I need to keep attacking and look for an opening in his defense. Normally, someone in full plate armor would rely on the armor's protection and be a bit lax in their defense. I'm hoping for that.

"Annoying!"

Frustrated by my attacks, Spur swung his estoc to clear them away. Compared to his earlier precise attacks, this was a bit more sloppy.

Normally, I would step back to avoid it, but... I'll trust in Balder's strength and the potential of this longsword.

Besides, I'm in a really bad mood right now.

I'm not calm enough to step back and reassess the situation.

Most importantly, the situation is different from when I was surrounded by the knights earlier.

Now, it's a true one-on-one fight. No other enemies around!

"Phew!!"

With a burst of energy, I met his estoc with all my strength and skill. This wasn't a defensive parry but a full-on attack to destroy his weapon.

Normally, such an attack might break the opponent's weapon but also damage your own. This is especially true for swords, which are designed for cutting, not smashing.

Swords are finely crafted to be long and thin for cutting, not for brute force.

But, this longsword should be able to handle such usage.

It's a bit of a gamble, but I need to break this stalemate to take down Spur. That's why I decided on this attack.

"...!"

The result: it seems I won the gamble.

With a ominous sound, Spur's estoc broke in half. I could sense his shock, even though his face was hidden by his helmet.

"Got you!"

I followed up with a diagonal slash, using the momentum from my previous swing. I felt the solid impact through my sword.

At the same time, a red stream of blood splattered in the darkness.

"Ugh... So be it..."

Even with enhanced physical abilities from the spell, his physical defense wasn't improved. The cut through his full plate armor wasn't just a scratch; it clearly damaged his flesh.

Damn, I couldn't control my strength due to my frustration. But, this wasn't the kind of opponent I could go easy on.

I watched as Spur fell forward, blood pooling around him.

"...I need to catch up with Fissel..."

I'm concerned about Spur, but I need to prioritize catching up with Fissel and Levius the Bishop.

"...I still have a lot to improve."

My sword skills were dulled by anger and frustration, leading to an unexpected tough fight. And, I had to be saved by my former disciple. This shows I still have a lot to work on.

But, regretting it now won't help. I need to remember today's mistakes and learn from them.

"...Alright."

I took a deep breath and looked up.

The distance from the church to this point isn't far.

I hope the Reberio Knights will find Spur. I kicked off and ran.

When a series continues, I sometimes struggle with what to write in the afterword.

Personally, I don't like being brought back to the real world in the afterword, so I haven't been writing them for a while.

I'll announce it when everything is in order, but "The Middle-Aged Man in a Rural Area Becomes a Sword Saint" Volume 2 is scheduled for release on September 7th. Thank you for your support.

The manga adaptation is progressing smoothly, and I hope to have more updates to share in the middle or end of this month.

I hope readers will look forward to it.