Chapter 44

In the first match, I defeated Mr. Galius, and the second match was about to begin.

"Eight blades—Yatagarasu!"

"Wha—!? G, ha...!"

In the instant the match began, I defeated my opponent in just three seconds.

"R, Romeld Gaura is unable to fight! The winner is Allen Roder!"

As the announcer declared the winner, the grand arena was enveloped in an uneasy atmosphere.

"Hey, hey... What's with that guy... Isn't he too strong!?"

"He's fast, and he's strong...!"

"If we lose the next match... we'll be the losers, right...?"

The announcer, as if to fuel the tension, dramatically declared:

"In the Vesteria Castle, the famous swordsman has suffered an unexpected two consecutive losses!? The mysterious foreign swordsman, Allen Roder! Who exactly is heeeeee!?"

Amidst this unusual atmosphere, I stared intently at my palm.

(I feel a strange surge of power... With this, I can do it...)

"Alright! The special match of the day is now reaching its final battle! The last opponent is—Her Royal Highness Reia's personal guard captain, Claude Stroganov!"

As the announcement ended, Claude appeared from the main eastern gate.

"C, Claude-samaaaaaa!"

"Please, you're our only hope...!"

"Please put that despicable Allen Roder to rest...!"

The audience was in a frenzy, and the captain of the royal guard was indeed very popular.

"Perverted mudbug... I didn't expect you to go this far... This is beyond my expectations."

"...So, it's you, Claude."

"Hmph. Be prepared, I'm going to pay you back for yesterday...!"

With that, she drew her sword even before the match began, clearly determined to fight.

"Then, from now on! We will begin the final match of the day! Are both sides ready!?! Then—begin!"

At the signal to start,

"Overlord Style—Rigid Strike!"

Claude closed the distance between us in an instant and delivered a powerful overhead slash.

(As expected, she came at me like this...)

Predicting her aggressive nature, I

"—Ha!"

countered with a well-accelerated iaido strike. Our swords clashed, and sparks flew.

"Y, you mudbug... What kind of strength is this...!?"

"Thank you...!"

"Kuh!?"

Having gained the upper hand in the clash, I took a half-step forward to launch a counterattack.

However,

"—Don't underestimate me!"

She fluidly turned and delivered a sharp horizontal slash.

"!?"

In a forward-leaning stance, I quickly took a back step to avoid the attack.

(...She's skilled.)

Her technique transitions were flawless. It seemed that a slight 'disruption' like the one just now wouldn't break her guard.

"Damn, you have a good reaction...!"

"Claude, you have excellent body control."

"Shut up!"

From then on, we engaged in intense swordplay.

Her sword technique was true to the basics. Whether it was the overhead slash or the horizontal sweep, each movement was refined and beautiful, like a textbook example.

Furthermore,

"Overlord Style—Annihilation!"

"Grh!?"

Her technique was delicate and meticulous, yet powerful.

This polished swordsmanship was undoubtedly the result of rigorous training.

However—

"—Ha!"

"Grh...!?"

There was a significant difference in our physical abilities.

(I can do it... With my current strength, I can overwhelm her...)

(What kind of strength is this...? Is he even human...?)

Strength is the foundation of all sword techniques. If our skill levels were almost equal—then the difference in strength would decide the outcome.

"Hmph!"

The diagonal slash I delivered,

"...D, damn!?"

sent Claude flying backward due to its power.

"...Perverted mudbug."

Despite rolling on the ground, she managed to take a defensive stance and absorb the impact. She quickly got up and readied her sword, but I wouldn't miss this large opening.

"First blade—Flying Shadow!"

I launched a long-range attack with Flying Shadow, a technique that can be used to attack from a distance.

"Flying slash...? Overlord Style—Rigid Strike!"

She managed to deflect the incoming slash, but it was just a feint.

"Disappeared...?"

"—Behind you."

"Wha!?"

Using Flying Shadow as a cover, I positioned myself behind Claude.

"Sakura Hua Itto-ryu Secret Technique—Mirror Sakura Slash!"

Eight slashes, four from each side, like a mirror, attacked her.

"Grh... Kyah!?"

She deflected five of the slashes with her incredible reaction speed and sword speed, but she couldn't handle all of them from that position. She was hit by three slashes on her right shoulder, abdomen, and thigh.

However,

(...She's impressive.)

All the wounds were shallow. She had opened her eyes wide to anticipate the slashes and twisted her body to avoid deeper cuts.

"You...!"

Claude, injured, jumped back to create distance. She seemed to have momentarily lost her composure but quickly regained it with a deep breath.

"...I admit, you're not just a fraud."

She said this with a bitter expression.

"...I'm not a fraud to begin with."

I corrected her, but it probably didn't have much effect.

"As a person, you are the worst perverted mudbug—'the enemy of women.' But as a swordsman, Allen Roder, you are worthy of respect."

"...Thank you."

I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or an insult.

"Which is why it's a pity... Allen. You lack 'talent.' And it's—hopelessly so."

Claude stated this definitively.

"...You're quite blunt."

I know I lack talent in swordsmanship. However, being told this directly... it was a bit harsh.

"Unfortunately, this is the truth. I have been leading the royal guard since I was ten, and I have trained over fifty thousand swordsmen. That's why I have confidence in my ability to recognize talent in swordsmen. I can say with certainty that you will never be able to master Soul Equipment."

She delivered the final blow with these words.

"Your 'effort' is indeed astonishing. Despite your lack of talent, you have demonstrated excellent swordsmanship and a well-trained body against me. You must have endured hellish training for over a decade. Your extraordinary mental strength is—already that of a 'monster.'"

Actually, it was over a billion years, but let's not get into that.

"But, you will never achieve greatness as a swordsman."

Claude continued in a matter-of-fact tone.

"A swordsman's strength largely depends on the power of Soul Equipment. This is a common knowledge in this world."

"...Yes, of course I know."

"You will probably continue to strive for the rest of your life, but the end result will be 'nothing.' After dedicating your entire life, you will only face the despair of never being able to master Soul Equipment."

"...That might be true."

Only a select few excellent swordsmen can manifest Soul Equipment.

And I... probably won't be one of them.

"Rather than walking that hellish path, I will cut off your path as a swordsman right here."

With that, she extended her right hand forward.

"Awaken—<Army of the Inorganic>!"

At that moment, a sword appeared out of nowhere. It was a long sword, known as a nodachi.

"...Soul Equipment."

"Yes, this is 'talent.'"

She quickly slashed the stone floor three times. Three emblems emitting a bluish-white light appeared.

(...What is this?)

The next moment, the stone floor cracked and changed shape. Small stones the size of a fist transformed into swallows and crows. Larger stones the size of a wine barrel transformed into owls.

"Chirp chirp chirp chirp!"

"Whoo...!"

"Whirr...!"

They flew around her, making sounds as if they were alive.

"This is... a control-type ability, right...?"

"Hehe, who knows? I'm not that kind to reveal my abilities so easily."

With that, she pointed the tip of her nodachi at me.

"Let's go—Allen Roder!"

"—Come on!"

This is where the real battle begins.

This is the final showdown...!