Chapter 22

The knight who was to fight me is named Reslaser.

As expected, when it comes to combat roles serving the king, it's the knights.

Even indoors, he (she) is fully armored as if in a battle. Wearing a helmet that completely covers the head, the face is completely obscured.

With no expression visible, and suddenly being told to "fight," I can't tell how this person is taking it.

To be honest, it's quite unsettling.

"Ah, right."

This is the time to use the parameter透视 ability I received from Abinion.

I don't really like peeking at others' information, but if it's someone I have to fight, it should be acceptable.

As the saying goes, "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster"...

---------------------------------

【Name】Reslaser

【Type】Human

【Gender】Female

【Age】21

【Lv】31

【Skills】General Virtue Slash

※Skill Description: Releases a slash attack with holy attributes. The power increases by 20% for each subordinate under the user's command (no upper limit). Activation condition: Sword equipped.

【Affinity】

---------------------------------

Being level 31 at just over 20 years old is quite impressive.

I can understand why the king would praise her so highly.

And then... huh?

【Gender】Female!?

"This is quite a whimsical time. A royal match against an adventurer..."

The knight in iron armor.

Though the voice is muffled by the helmet, it does indeed sound like a woman's voice.

Dressed in armor and wearing a mask, it's hard to tell from the appearance, but this knight is definitely female.

"I don't know how the conversation led to this, but since His Majesty is a wise ruler, this must not be a waste of time. There must be something worth seeing in you."

Hmm, a woman?

I can't really tell from the tone.

"Let me make it clear, I won't use any skills in this match. My skills are far too dangerous to use in a practice match."

"Twenty percent attack boost per subordinate, with no upper limit. Indeed, a formidable skill."

"!?"

The armored knight is taken aback.

It's natural, being seen through by someone she's meeting for the first time.

"You...! Do you have the <Person Appraisal> skill!?"

"No, just a <Skillless>."

"What nonsense... No, I think I understand why His Majesty is interested in you."

She quickly regains her composure.

This knight isn't just someone blessed with skills.

"Indeed, my skill <General Virtue Slash> increases my attack power the more subordinates I command, with no upper limit. I currently lead a unit of a hundred soldiers. Twenty percent power increase per person... that's twenty times the power with a hundred people."

"What a crazy skill."

"My skill's power calculation is independent of whether my subordinates are directly involved in combat. Even in a one-on-one match, my ultimate sword will cut you in half with twenty times the power. You should understand that this is a skill that can't be used in a practice match."

"No, use it."

"!?"

My words probably sound like those of a reckless fool.

I'm telling her to use a skill that will definitely kill the opponent.

"The king wants to see my true strength. I can't fulfill his wish without taking your full power. Don't worry, I'll endure it. Go all out."

Her words could be taken as an insult...

The armored knight (female) sighs in exasperation.

"But I can tell you're serious. Then I'll hold nothing back. Don't blame me if I accidentally kill you!!"

A terrifying holy aura gathers on her sword.

This is Reslaser's skill...!

"<General Virtue Slash>!!"

A terrifying sound slices through the air, and the sword approaches faster than I can hear.

It's fast.

With the presence of a hundred subordinates, the sword seems to exceed the speed of sound.

This isn't just a matter of the skill's power; it's also a testament to her own training and skill.

A terrifying sword.

But...

"What!?"

The knight's sword has stopped in my hand.

Successful catch of the ultimate sword.

"Impossible! Captain Reslaser's ultimate skill stopped!? By bare hands!?"

"I've seen her cut through iron with that skill!"

"To stop it with bare hands!? He must have an incredible defense skill!"

"He said he's <Skillless>!"

"What nonsense!?"

The gathered audience is in an uproar.

"How did you... stop my secret sword...!"

"I didn't do anything special. I just endured it with my trained body. That's all."

Anyone could do it if they tried.

I release the sword.

At that moment, Reslaser kicks off the ground to create distance.

"Fool! If you had countered while holding the sword, you would have won. Are you giving up your chance!?"

"I can't hit a woman, even in a match."

"!?"

Huh?

What's going on?

"How did you know I'm a woman...!?"

"Are you not?"

You're a woman, right?

"That's enough!"

The king interrupted the strange atmosphere.

The bald minister looks flustered.

"Ryuya, I have seen your true strength. And I recognize your achievements."

"It's obvious, you're not even worth recognizing, my lord is the strongest!"

Abinion is heckling from the sidelines.

"And because of that, I have made a decision. Ryuya, I want you to achieve a new feat."

"Your Majesty! Surely not...!"

The bald minister panics.

A new feat?

"There is a war going on in the northeast of our country. It's a fierce battle. We are resisting with all our might, but the situation is worsening. The enemy... is the demon race."

The demon race.

I've heard of them somewhere...

"They have been attacking humans and causing great damage since ancient times, then disappearing. This time, they are marching directly towards the capital, and we are doing our best to hold them back."

"Could the Explosive delivery request be...?"

"As you guessed, I ordered it to help in the fight against the demon race. Thanks to you and Noem, hundreds of soldiers have been saved from the brink of death. But it may only be a temporary reprieve."

The situation is that dire?

"To protect the people's lives, I am determined not to let the demon race take a single step into the capital. But how long can we hold out? I plan to send a unit led by Reslaser, but this will be the last reinforcement, win or lose."

"The demon race's level cap is <999>."

Abinion says.

"Ten times that of humans. It's not an opponent you can defeat in a normal fight. Except for one person here."

Me.

"That's the situation, Ryuya. Will you use your strength to protect humans and this country? Specifically, I want you to join the reinforcements led by Reslaser, go to the battlefield, and defeat or drive away the demon race!"

"Your Majesty, that's impossible!!"

The bald minister shouts.

"Adding a <Skillless> to our proud national army is unprecedented! It's a disgraceful act! Are you so desperate to survive that you would do such a shameful thing?!"

"Silence, minister! Are you defying the king's decision?!"

The king's stern rebuke makes the bald minister flinch.

"Whether skilled or not, those who live in this country are cherished subjects. If it means protecting the people, I will gladly discard my pride. It's unfortunate, but I have no choice but to rely on those with power..."

"The minister is right. As a <Skillless>, I can't stand shoulder to shoulder with the knights."

At that moment, disappointment appears on the king's face, but...

"But I am an adventurer. If you issue a request through the guild, I can take it as a quest. I'll go anywhere, even a battlefield. Adventurers are basically jack-of-all-trades."

"You're giving me a heart attack...!"

The king's expression has been changing dramatically.

"Very well. I will designate you and issue an emergency quest with top priority. Prepare accordingly."

"Understood."

"I won't skimp on the reward. I want to see you become a hero, even as a <Skillless>. I count on you."

And just like that, my next battlefield was decided.

A real battlefield.

What awaits me there?