Chapter 67

Our gazes locked, and simultaneously we burst into action.

"Haahaaaaa!"

"Nuuooooo!"

As if on cue, we both charged forward at the same time.

"Haa!"

"Nuuun!"

Our swords clashed, and a deafening roar echoed through the air.

"Exactly as it looks... brute strength...!"

"Za, za, za...! Your side... despite that small frame, you possess an incredible strength...!"

Our physical strength was perfectly matched. From this point on, swordsmanship would decide the outcome.

(Comparing strength is a waste of time... I need to create some distance and regroup.)

Just as I was thinking this,

"---<Cataclysmic Flame Shield>!"

He suddenly deployed a shield of flames at point-blank range.

"What, at this distance...!?"

My vision was filled with red, and the intense heat stung my eyes.

"Ku, Eight Blades---Yatagarasu!"

With eight slashes, I carved through the shield, and Zaku was far behind.

It seemed he had hidden himself behind the massive shield and leaped back during that time.

He crouched deeply and launched a thrust from a great distance.

"---<Cataclysmic Flame Spear>!"

A spear of scorching heat was released from the tip of his greatsword.

"One Blade---Hishou!"

To counter his ranged attack, I released a flying slash.

However,

"Too weak, too weak!"

The raging Cataclysmic Flame Spear easily pierced through Hishou and charged at me without losing any of its power.

"What!?"

I immediately leaped to the right to avoid the flame that had taken the form of a spear.

(Hishou isn't enough...?)

To counter Zaku's <Cataclysmic Flame Spear> at a distance, I needed the power of a technique on the level of a Goukou-class attack.

While thinking about Zaku's attacks and how to counter them,

"---After dodging, you should be more on guard, you know?"

I realized he was right in front of me, his greatsword raised.

"Shit...!?"

"Kazenryuu---Enreizan!"

Four slashes, enveloped in flames, approached at an incredible speed.

"U, Unshinryuu---Urokugumo!"

Caught off guard as I landed, I countered with four quick slashes.

However, Zaku's sword was not as forgiving as my hasty slashes in an unfavorable position.

(What power...!?)

The four slashes were quickly broken through.

I desperately writhed to avoid them, but...

"Ku..."

Two slashes hit my right shoulder and left leg, causing a sharp pain and a burning sensation simultaneously.

I jumped back to regroup, despite the pain.

(Fortunately, the wounds aren't too deep.)

They wouldn't affect my ability to continue fighting.

(The real issue is how to break his stance...)

Zaku's stance was the same as mine, a standard guard.

The greatsword in front of his abdomen didn't move an inch, a perfect blend of tension and relaxation---a terrifyingly 'natural' stance.

(This stance isn't something you can master overnight.)

He was more solid in the basics of swordsmanship than anyone I've fought before.

He must have had a natural talent and spent a vast amount of time training.

(However, something is off...)

There was one thing that stood out about his refined swordsmanship.

"Did you learn that swordsmanship from a Holy Knight?"

From his basic stance to defensive techniques, even his footwork---Zaku's movements were identical to those described in the Holy Knight's swordsmanship manual.

Then,

"---I was a Holy Knight once, you know."

He muttered with a slightly bitter expression.

"What...!? A Holy Knight, in the Black Organization!?"

The Holy Knight Association, an international organization dedicated to world peace.

The Black Organization, a large-scale criminal organization that disrupts world order.

They are polar opposites.

"---There are things that can't be done within the Holy Knight Association."

Zaku said this with a stern look on his face.

"---But now, such trivial matters don't matter! Come on, Allen! Show me more of your shine---your sparkle!"

He suddenly raised his voice, dispelling the heavy atmosphere.

"Sing---Kitsunebi!"

Zaku swung his greatsword, and scorching flames rose, gradually taking the shape of a living creature.

"---Koouun!"

The creature that was born from the Cataclysmic Flame was a crimson fox, burning fiercely. There were easily over ten of them, baring their sharp fangs and menacing me.

(He can even do this...?)

Damn, what a versatile ability...

"Zahahahaha! Come on---let's go to the climax!"

"---Come on!"

After that, our swordplay became intense.

"Garurururur!"

"Ku... Haa!"

As I slashed through the endless Kitsunebi,

"---There! Nuuun!"

"Ku!?"

Zaku's greatsword attacked from behind.

I was forced to defend against the wave of attacks from the Kitsunebi and the greatsword.

(Damn, the number is too overwhelming...)

I was one, while he had Zaku and over ten Kitsunebi. The difference in numbers was overwhelming.

Every time I tried to attack, the Kitsunebi would get in the way, and I would receive a painful counterattack.

If I focused on defense, the relentless attacks would continue.

(What can I do...?)

As I desperately tried to come up with a solution,

"Kitsunebi---Guren!"

"Koouun!"

Eight foxes scattered in all directions and attacked simultaneously.

"Ku, Sakura Hana Ittoryuu Secret Technique---Kagami Sakura Zan!"

With eight slashes, I repelled all the foxes.

"Kazenryuu---Daiein Zan!"

A powerful downward slash approached from behind.

"Ku!?"

Despite the awkward position, I managed to block it and intentionally leaped back to absorb the impact.

"Zahahaha! Truly an amazing reaction speed! Your body control is impeccable! I thought I had you, but to think you could block it!"

Zaku, looking completely at ease, created ten more Kitsunebi.

(If this continues, I'll be completely worn down... I have to take the initiative...!)

My positioning was perfect. All I had to do was wait for him to make a move.

As I maintained my standard guard and waited for the right moment,

"What's the matter? You can't win just by defending! Kitsunebi---Retsuka!"

"Koouun!"

Zaku launched all the Kitsunebi at me at once.

(---Here it comes!)

Immediately after,

"Second Blade---Rougetsu!"

The twenty slashes I had prepared cut through all the approaching Kitsunebi.

"Ho! An interesting technique!"

I couldn't miss this opportunity with the Kitsunebi gone.

"First Blade---Hishou!"

I released a slash much larger than usual with all my strength.

"Zahahaha! I told you that wouldn't work! ---<Cataclysmic Flame Spear>!"

The moment the intense explosion of flames shattered Hishou,

"---It's a feint."

Approaching from behind Hishou, I took Zaku's back.

Finally, the perfect opportunity.

"Fifth Blade---Dankai!"

Aiming for his exposed back, I unleashed my strongest attack.

However,

"Aim is good, but my back is not a blind spot. ---<Cataclysmic Flame Circle>!"

In the next instant, a massive explosion of flames erupted around him.

The intense shockwave hit my body, and the scorching heat pierced my skin.

"Ku...!?"

Blown back by the shock, I managed to take a defensive stance and gritted my teeth.

"You have that technique...?"

Even though it was a surprise attack, the powerful shockwave that had taken down the president and Holy Knights in one hit.

(To use it for defense...?)

As I clenched my teeth,

"However, you have a mysterious body... Normally, a hit like that would cause severe burns..."

Zaku looked at me curiously and muttered something.

During this time, I analyzed our conditions.

My body was gradually accumulating damage.

The right shoulder and left leg where I had been slashed, and small burns from defending against the Kitsunebi were visible.

On the other hand, Zaku was almost unscathed.

The only damage was a slight cut from the sword clashes, which could be considered negligible.

(...Trouble. At this rate, I can't win...)

The reason for this difficult battle was one thing---the presence or absence of a soul weapon.

In the end, the final obstacle was the 'talent' barrier.

(I have to do it...!)

It was frustrating, but Zaku was a superior swordsman.

To bring out his power---I couldn't win with my current strength.

---Remember.

(...Zaku said...)

There was no need to physically overpower him; to bring out a part of his power, I needed to overpower him mentally.

(...He said...)

My 'mental strength' and 'resolve' were lacking.

Then, I slowly sank deeper into my consciousness, deeper into the depths of my soul.

I will win.

I will cut down the enemy in front of me.

To protect Reia.

To protect the daily life with Reia.

So---

Just for today, just for this moment.

No, just for this instant.

So---

(Give me... your power...!)

I chanted it sharply, like a sharp blade piercing my chest, and at that moment,

I heard his voice from the depths of my heart.

[Damn brat... You can do it if you try...]

At that moment,

"This... is...!?"

A sword blacker than black, as if condensed darkness itself, tore through the space and appeared.