Chapter 75

The sword I took out was exquisitely crafted, shining with a silvery light. Anyone who saw it would think the same:

That it is — a holy sword.

Even though I am seeing it for the first time, I can't help but be captivated by its beauty.

"…But I don't think we should allow weapon exchanges in the middle of a battle, right…?"

In a typical match, if a weapon is destroyed, the match is usually over, and it's considered a loss. Exchanging weapons mid-battle is unheard of.

Unless it's for survival in a war, but this is a battle for the Dungeon Core.

"…But I don't think there's any rule that prohibits exchanging weapons mid-battle, is there?"

The knight answered my question for me.

"…Sir Ral克斯, is this acceptable? The Kingdom of Generate is a country that can't even follow such basic rules…?"

My sarcastic question made Ral克斯 frown and clench his teeth.

"…I, I don't think there's a rule against it. So, exchanging weapons is not a problem…"

Ral克斯 gripped the holy sword and glared at me.

His opponent wields a holy sword, a precious weapon made from mithril, a valuable mineral, and forged by the kingdom's best blacksmith. An ordinary weapon would be destroyed after a few exchanges. Even my Buster Sword, made from black iron, might not withstand it.

"…I understand. I will allow weapon exchanges."

"Tohuya-sama!"

"Tohuya!"

Shal and Lise called out to me, but I smiled and nodded at them.

"Don't worry. I won't lose."

I can't afford to lose, even if my opponent is a hero with a holy sword.

But Ral克斯 might feel the same way about the match.

"…I can't afford to lose either. Because I am — a hero…"

He declared it himself. Despite hiding his identity as a hero, he revealed it when he drew the holy sword. The members of the Kingdom of Generate didn't intend to hide it either; some knights even wore smug smiles. They must want the Dungeon Core that badly.

"…A hero…?"

"…That's, my father's, enemy…"

"Can't believe it… If that's the case, then that sword is… a holy sword…"

Shal and the others' expressions changed dramatically.

It's understandable. Shal, as a royal, once saw the capital occupied. Al's father, the head of the knights, was killed. Lise's parents, the lords of the town, were captured and executed during the occupation. They glared at Ral克斯, but he avoided their gaze.

"Wait for me. I'll definitely win."

I stabbed my sword into the ground.

"Since weapon exchanges are allowed, I'll exchange mine too."

I took out a Buster Sword from my dimensional storage.

Everyone except me gasped when they saw it. The sword was entirely black, twice as long as the one I usually use, and about the same height as me. It was also bulky. The decorations were ominous, not something an adventurer would typically carry. It was a sword designed to slay countless foes, made from adamantite, harder than mithril, and indestructible.

This weapon, the 'Giant Slayer,' was the one I used until I reached level 500.

It has two special abilities. In the game, it emits a killing aura that reduces the enemy's agility.

"…An amazing sword… Just looking at it makes my body tremble…"

Lise seemed to realize the sword's terrifying nature. Shal and the others were also trembling, their faces frozen in fear. The same reaction came from the Kingdom of Generate side, with knights and adventurers trembling in fear.

In the game, the killing aura affects everyone, regardless of ally or enemy, which is too impractical. But this is the strongest weapon in my dimensional storage. It should be able to match the hero's holy sword.

I gripped the hilt and swung it lightly. It should be heavy, but it felt lighter than the Buster Sword I usually use. This is due to the weight reduction ability.

In the game, agility is calculated based on stats and equipment. Heavy armor reduces agility. The Giant Slayer gives a positive agility bonus to the user and a negative agility bonus to the opponent, making it a legendary weapon.

After confirming the feel of the sword, I turned my gaze to Ral克斯, but he didn't seem affected by the special abilities.

"…As expected, a hero is a hero."

A person with 'courage.' That's why they are called heroes. He seems to be able to overcome the sword's special abilities.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's resume the battle."

My words made Ral克斯's expression stiffen.

"…Such a terrifying sword, I've never seen one like it… Who are you…?"

"I'll tell you if you can beat me. And what your country has done, too."

As I said this, I raised my sword and brought it down straight at Ral克斯's head. He was surprised by the speed and readied his holy sword to block mine.

"…Guh…"

Cracks spread from Ral克斯's feet. The sword feels light to the wielder, but it is heavy. Its power is so great that it can decapitate a dragon with a single strike. That's why it's called the Giant Slayer.

I can't use the skills of a berserker, but I can swing the sword. I swung the massive sword with ease and attacked Ral克斯.

"…No way, such a thing…"

A knight's voice leaked out. They probably didn't expect this. A hero shouldn't lose. I can tell Ral克斯 was summoned and trained after me, but I played for over ten hours a day. The movements are ingrained in my mind.

I move as if tracing those movements.

There's no reason for me to lose.

Ral克斯 took a step back, his expression one of disbelief.

"…How strong are you…? Really level 52…? It's hard to believe. But… I can't lose. I bear the name of a hero!"

'Vacuum Blade!'

From his horizontally held holy sword, countless vacuum blades flew towards me. I would normally use the same skill to cancel them out, but unfortunately, I can't use warrior skills.

So, I used 'Earth Wall.'

I created a wall of earth to block the vacuum blades. Ral克斯 was surprised by the sudden appearance of the earth wall.

Well, it's understandable. I'm known as a healer. But my class is — a Sage. I can use both healing and offensive magic, and the power and speed are different.

I dispelled the earth wall, repositioned my sword, and faced Ral克斯.

"I'm here to represent the Lunette Empire. Even if my opponent is a hero, I can't back down."

I gripped my sword tightly and swung it down. Ral克斯 hastily blocked it with his holy sword, but —

— *Crack*

His holy sword broke cleanly in half. I placed the tip of my sword at his neck.

"Is that a win?"

I smiled and called out to Ral克斯. He looked at his broken sword in disbelief and then lowered his head in resignation.

"I yield… I lost…"

Hearing Ral克斯's words, I withdrew my sword. I turned to the referee, who was frozen in disbelief, and he declared the match over.

I quickly put the Giant Slayer back into my dimensional storage to avoid the continuous emission of killing aura. Shal and the others ran over, their faces beaming with joy.

"Tohuya-sama! That was amazing! To defeat a hero so easily…"

"Tohuya is still Tohuya."

"Unbelievable. Stronger than a hero…"

"Really, unbelievable…"

Natalie, who had slowly approached after Shal, Al, Lise, and Myra, wore a proud expression.

"Of course. I knew you had potential. You're not just a 'Sage' for nothing. I'll catch up to you soon."

Natalie had previously said her goal was to become a Sage, but she didn't know how to achieve it. Now, with me as a guide, she has a clear path to follow.

"Unbelievable. What nonsense! A hero shouldn't lose! You, defeat him!"

Another knight gave orders to the adventurers, but they didn't even touch their weapons, shaking their heads.

"That's impossible… Even if we all attack together, we can't win. An adventurer's life is precious. We won't die in vain."

"Hmph, useless adventurers! Alright, three of us will attack, and Sir Ral克斯, get up!"

The knight grabbed Ral克斯's arm, but Ral克斯, who stood up reluctantly, had no fighting spirit.

"Maybe one-on-one, but with three, we can win!"

However, five women stood in front of me.

"…Do you think it's just Tohuya? We're here too… You'll have to deal with this 'Twilight Witch.'"

Natalie used the name she was known by in the Kingdom of Generate. The Twilight Witch was a figure who, for decades, had inflicted great suffering on the Kingdom of Generate. During wars, her powerful magic often changed the tide of battle, protecting the Lunette Empire.

"…No… Even the Twilight Witch is here…"

The knight, faced with an unexpected opponent, lost his strength and sat down helplessly.

"…I told you. We brought the Lunette Empire's best. It's your fault for not believing us. Still, how will you explain this to the princess of a country? You tried to attack several of our nobles. You should prepare appropriate apologies and compensation."

Shal didn't intend to let this go easily. She wasn't going to settle for just 200 million G. Attacking me is the same as attacking the head of the Lunette Empire's marquis family, which is equivalent to declaring war. Shal has grown and studied politics.

I smiled wryly, thinking about her growth.