Chapter 41

"Ah, damn it! Just when I was feeling good, you ruin it!"

Growling with disgust, Raidor thrust the tip of Dainsleif forward. A black blade, released from the sword's tip, lashed out like a whip, attacking Selia as she ran down the hill.

"Curse Sword Combat Technique [Scorpio Thrust]!"

"Imperial Holy Sword Technique [Instant Lightning]!"

"---?!"

Just before the black blade reached her body, Selia vanished in a flash of light. The next moment, the princess knight appeared right in front of Raidor, brandishing a bluish-white sword.

"Enemy of the Empire, avenger of all!"

"Tch...!"

A holy sword enveloped in lightning struck at Raidor. He quickly leaped backward, dodging the fatal blow. However, the lightning strike he couldn't completely avoid hit his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through him.

"Using instantaneous movement is such a dirty trick! Is that the power of your holy sword?"

"Don't insult Claurus! I don't want to hear it from someone who uses such a monstrous power!"

Raidor and Selia stood a short distance apart, glaring at each other. Both were chosen by holy swords, but their appearances were vastly different.

Prince and princess.

Black sword and white sword.

A man enveloped in ominous miasma and a woman enveloped in bluish-white lightning.

These two living legends, who were supposed to have been resurrected in the modern era, were starkly contrasting and seemed as incompatible as oil and water.

"How can you, a hero chosen by a holy sword, do such things! How many people have died because of you!?"

Selia shouted, pointing her sword at Raidor. Her appearance, backed by lightning, was like that of a warrior maiden condemning and punishing evil, almost divine, like a myth.

"Hey, hey, what are you babbling about?"

On the other hand, Raidor, who had been placed in the position of the condemned demon, narrowed his eyes slightly and twisted his lips.

"First of all, it was the Empire that invaded the Zain Kingdom, wasn't it? You started the war, and now you're acting like a victim when you get beaten back? Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous?"

"The Empire is fighting to unify the continent and create a peaceful world! If the Empire unites the continent, everyone can be happy! Why can't you understand that!?"

"Peace... happiness...? Ha, you must have bugs in your head!"

Raidor bared his teeth and growled. The words spoken by the lightning maiden standing before him were so naive and self-righteous, almost refreshingly so. This pure girl had no doubt about herself or the Empire being the righteous side. She couldn't even consider that the invasion, done in the name of peace, might make others unhappy.

"Is this the level of an Empire's holy sword wielder? You're just a naive kid who doesn't know the harshness of the world!"

"Hey... you're not much older than me! Don't treat me like a child!"

"I'm talking about mental age. Try to understand how I feel, being dragged into your fairy tale of a sheltered life!"

"---! You're mocking me!"

Selia's face turned as red as an apple, and she slashed at Raidor. Raidor also quickly launched a counterattack, and the two holy swords clashed head-on.

"Ugh!?"

"Grh!?"

Wind and lightning. A small explosion occurred between the two opposing holy swords, and both of their bodies were blown back. Raidor adjusted his stance in mid-air and landed on both feet, while Selia rolled on the ground and took a defensive position.

"[Scorpio Thrust]!"

Raidor sent a slash at Selia as she rolled on the ground.

"[Lightning Bolt]!"

As soon as Selia got up from the ground, she released a bolt of lightning at the approaching black slash. The bluish-white lightning broke through Raidor's cursed slash and counterattacked him.

"Tch!"

Raidor spat and leaped to the side. However, Selia appeared in the space where he had leaped.

"[Instant Lightning]—Yah!"

"Grh...! Don't underestimate me!"

Raidor deflected Claurus, which was swung down at him, with an iron gauntlet. He then tried to counter with Dainsleif, but the attack, released from an awkward position, was easily dodged by Selia's agile steps, only managing to gouge the ground at her feet.

"Not letting you escape! Curse Sword Combat Technique [Goddess of Stone Eyes]!"

"Hey...!"

Raidor, still in the position of striking the ground with his sword, activated a ranged attack. A black dome with a radius of 10 meters appeared centered on Raidor. This was a cursed space that petrified enemies, turning them into statues in an instant.

"Ugh... What is this? It's so creepy!"

When the dome disappeared, Selia appeared calmly. Although she looked confused by the black miasma entangling her body, she didn't seem to be significantly affected by the curse.

"Tch... What a hassle. Is it the holy sword's blessing?"

Raidor realized his disadvantage and grimaced.

Raidor and Selia. It was unclear which of the two holy sword wielders was the better. However, it seemed that the curse power of Dainsleif had little effect on Selia, who was blessed by a holy sword. Selia, with the destructive power of lightning, seemed to have a significant advantage in terms of compatibility.

"Hmm? Could it be, big brother, you're cornered?"

Looking at Raidor's bitter expression, Selia smiled slyly. She had also realized her advantage, and a victorious look appeared on her innocent face.

"Will you surrender? I might spare your life. Since you seem strong, if you submit to the Empire, my father might hire you. He loves strong people."

"Hah, thanks for the annoying concern!"

Raidor spat out the words with contempt at her condescending tone, as if she had already won.

"Unfortunately, I've decided I'll never stand in anyone's shadow again. The idea of entrusting my fate to some emperor I've never met makes me want to vomit!"

"Hmm, I see. Then it's fine... die?"

"---!"

Selia used instantaneous movement again and stepped into Raidor's range. Raidor, with a twisted expression, met her with Dainsleif.