Chapter 6

I haven't caught up with all the feedback... I'm sorry m(_ _)m

I have read all the comments, and they have been a great encouragement to me (*´∀｀*)

I have also made some corrections based on the points you pointed out. Thank you very much!

[Added on 19.6.27] I added the experience point description at the end. I had forgotten to include it... (Thank you to those who pointed it out in the comments!)

A few hours later, we were able to join the battle line.

The location was a hilly area, with Milancia stationed on top of a hill.

The Gaias Empire army was at the foot of the hill.

Tactically, we had the advantage.

However, the Empire had a formidable warrior who could turn the tide.

"【Great Blade Blazing Fire】!"

A black knight nearly three meters tall swung a supermassive sword that exceeded his own height.

A crimson shockwave radiated outward, slicing through Milancia's knights.

He alone was overwhelming the kingdom's knight units.

"To be able to cut through steel armor like paper—"

Leiza murmured.

"A wide-area attack weapon skill. As expected of the 'Black Fierce General' Grimmelwald."

"Fierce General?"

"The Empire has seven of the strongest knights, known as the 'Fierce Generals.' Grimmelwald is one of them."

Leiza explained in response to my question.

I see, he's a top-class warrior of the Empire.

"Come closer if you dare, those who value their lives! I'll make you my sword's prey!"

Grimmelwald continued to wield his supermassive sword.

Indeed, he is strong—

Completely different from the Imperial soldiers and knights we've fought before.

In terms of simple melee combat ability, he surpasses even a Manticore.

At least, the me who had just awakened to the 【1000x Experience Bonus】 couldn't stand up to him.

But—how about now?

After accumulating more combat experience and leveling up repeatedly, the current me.

Or—

"Oh, the second squad members!"

A knight rode up on horseback.

A beautiful young knight with golden hair and blue eyes.

"Captain Arture, how is the battle going?"

"Not well."

In response to Leiza's question, the young man called Arture shook his head.

"As you can see, Grimmelwald is performing heroically, pushing back our army. The third and fourth squads can't even get close."

"Then, if we defeat him, the tide of battle will turn in our favor, right?"

I asked.

"Of course, but—"

Arture frowned.

"Who are you? What's with that shabby equipment? If you're just a common soldier, stay back."

"I'm not even a soldier, just a farmer."

I replied with a light-hearted answer.

"A farmer, really!? This is a sacred battlefield for knights! Those who are not knights should leave!"

Saying that, the young knight dismounted and started running towards Grimmelwald.

Why would he give up the mobility of his horse to do something—?

I was puzzled as—

"I can't let a farmer help! It would be a disgrace to the fourth squad! I'll defeat him!"

Brilliant sparks shot from Arture's feet.

"【Axel Move】!"

His body blurred and disappeared.

No, it was a super-fast movement.

It seemed to be a skill that increased movement speed.

Arture, moving at super speed, lunged at Grimmelwald with a rapier.

"Too slow! No matter how much you accelerate with a skill, it won't work against my 【Mind Eye】!"

But Grimmelwald easily blocked the attack with his greatsword and knocked Arture back with a counterattack.

"Then—【Six Thrusts】!"

"Useless, 【Whirlwind Blade】!"

It was a battle of weapon skills.

Countless silver lights filled the space between them.

Arture, accelerating, attacked with incredible speed.

Grimmelwald defended and counterattacked every move.

A fierce duel between two top-tier knights—

"Still no good, he doesn't even flinch—"

Eventually, Arture retreated.

He was probably trying to regroup.

Grimmelwald snorted and continued to cut down kingdom knights with his supermassive sword.

"I can't just stand by and watch."

I stepped forward.

"This time, I'll be your opponent."

"Ho, you stand before me without fear."

Grimmelwald laughed.

It was a ferocious smile, like that of a carnivorous beast.

"I'll show you respect for your courage and cut you in half."

"Whether you show respect or not, you'll cut me in half anyway."

I snorted.

"Indeed. Then, let's go!"

The black knight kicked off the ground and charged.

I also kicked off and charged.

Up close, his presence was even more formidable.

I blocked the supermassive sword with my own sword.

There was a loud crack, and my sword broke in half.

"Ugh..."

I jumped back.

What a powerful slash.

"Hmph, to withstand my slash and not be cut in half, you have considerable strength! But, your sword isn't strong enough to block this one."

I joked.

Alright, I'm calm.

I was relieved by my own mental state.

Grimmelwald is indeed strong.

But, I won't be intimidated.

I won't be intimidated.

Tack faced a monster, and I won't flinch no matter how strong the opponent is.

My fighting spirit will never waver.

"I won't engage in direct combat. I'll use this to decide the fight."

I raised the broken sword.

Fortunately, among the weapon skills I had just learned, there was one that could be used even with a broken sword.

My sword glowed blue.

"The light of a skill—then I'll counter it."

Grimmelwald also raised his supermassive sword.

The blade glowed with a fiery red light.

The icy blue light I emitted and the fiery red light from Grimmelwald.

The two brilliant lights illuminated the battlefield in red and blue.

Then,

"Take this, 【Great Blade Blazing Fire】!"

"【Great Blade Freezing Flower】!"

As the name suggests, it was a skill of the same rank as his.

The red slash wave from Grimmelwald and the blue slash wave I fired collided and canceled each other out.

"Ugh...!?"

"Our ranged attacks are evenly matched. Then, the rest is—decided by close combat ability!"

I shouted and closed the distance.

"Annoying!"

Grimmelwald raised his greatsword to counter.

But—I was faster.

While his power was formidable, my speed was superior.

Perhaps the experience from defeating the monster had significantly powered me up.

To the point where I surpassed even hero-class strength.

I wouldn't win in a straightforward power struggle, but I could outmaneuver him with speed!

Slash!

I narrowly avoided Grimmelwald's greatsword and struck him as we passed.

My sword deeply cut into the black knight's torso.

"Ugh... ugh... even with my eyes... I couldn't see..."

Grimmelwald fell to the ground.

"V... victory... for the kingdom's... knight..."

With those words of praise, the Empire's black knight stopped moving.

"To defeat Grimmelwald in single combat..."

Arture stared at me in shock.

"Who are you...!?"

"I told you. Just a farmer."

"Unbelievable—"

Arture was still in shock.

Then,

"Enemy general Grimmelwald has been defeated by our squad's Marius Farma! The rest are just cannon fodder, sweep them away!"

Leiza quickly declared.

The morale of the kingdom knights soared.

It seemed there were no other strong enemies besides Grimmelwald.

"I can't just stand here either!"

Arture finally regained his composure.

"Thank you for the assistance!"

He bowed to me and charged back into battle.

"We'll follow, fourth squad!"

He ordered his subordinates.

"Show the pride of the third squad!"

A female knight, who seemed to be the captain of the third squad, called out valiantly.

"Roar!"

The cheers grew even louder.

The kingdom knights charged at the Imperial knights one after another.

A fierce counterattack.

The tide of battle had turned in an instant.

The previous disadvantage seemed like a lie.

That's how much of an impact Grimmelwald had.

Or perhaps, a single combat duel can change the flow of battle so drastically.

I, who was still unfamiliar with war, couldn't tell which it was.

In any case, we had to ride this wave.

"I'll sweep away the Imperial army—"

I discarded the broken sword and borrowed a new one from an ally.

With the new sword in hand, I rampaged through the battlefield.

I must have cut down over a hundred enemy soldiers.

The second, third, and fourth squads also overwhelmed the Imperial knights.

In the end, the battle ended in a one-sided victory.

By killing Grimmelwald and many other enemies, I gained a large amount of experience points.

My total experience points increased from 4,126,000 to 5,566,000, and my level rose from 61 to 68.