Chapter 30

"Is there no response...? Then, at the very least, will you tell me your purpose? Otherwise... I will have no choice but to cut you down and end this."

Laurence declared this with a grand voice.

The direct use of the word "kill" sent a chill down Hikaru's spine. This kind of life-or-death situation was something he had never experienced before.

He had to believe that his exact location was unknown—otherwise, he wouldn't be able to take any action.

Hikaru decided to ignore the presence of the royal family for now. His goal this time was the captain of the knights.

—Is there any point in taking the risk to attack the captain of the knights here?

This question had been nagging at the back of his mind ever since he arrived at this training facility.

The answer was clear: "There is little point."

As long as they considered Hikaru's purpose to be a "test of strength," his original goal of "avoiding East's death sentence" should have been achieved. Of course, this was only a "probably" level of speculation.

—Then, what are the benefits of attacking the captain of the knights?

The answer was clear: "To turn 'probably' into 'certain.'" Conversely, this was the only benefit.

Weighing the risk of attacking the captain of the knights, who was overwhelmingly stronger than other knights, against this benefit, it was a completely unprofitable deal.

(But... still...)

Hikaru's bad habit, "curiosity," was itching.

He could verify how far his "stealth" would go—until now, he had never had an opponent against whom he could use his full strength.

This captain of the knights would be fine to attack.

After all, his "natural recovery" was 8. While the maximum value for "natural recovery" was 20, 8 was still significant. He wouldn't die from a simple attack.

(Strange...)

If he were still in Japan, he wouldn't have taken such a "gamble." He was as far from violence as possible and never thought about confirming his own strength or confidence.

It was because he lived in peace.

(In this world, the value of life is light. Am I getting used to that lightness? It's dangerous... but it doesn't feel entirely bad.)

However, Hikaru reconsidered. He might eventually hit the limits of his "stealth" and "occupation." This was a chance to confirm that early, and in a roundabout way, it was a safety measure.

Hikaru gripped the pebble he took out of his pocket. The distance to the captain of the knights was about 10 meters, diagonally behind him, in a complete blind spot.

(Go!!)

Using all his strength, Hikaru threw the pebble. The target was the back of the captain's head, which was exposed without armor.

The time it took for the pebble to reach its target was only 0.3 seconds.

(I got you, captain—)

In an instant, the captain's body spun like a tornado.

The large sword he drew shattered the pebble into pieces.

"Huh...?"

He couldn't help but let out a sound.

What was that movement just now? How did he detect my attack?

(The sound?)

When a pebble flies, it makes a sound. The sound of the wind. The speed of sound is about 340 meters per second.

The pebble Hikaru threw started making sound only after it left the range of his "stealth." The captain heard the "sound of the wind" and reacted instantly—

(Impossible... No, it is possible. That's why he's the strongest in this country.)

Goosebumps ran down his body.

Laurence, who had accurately pinpointed Hikaru's direction, said:

"There."

Hikaru felt the danger all over his body.

This was the second time Hikaru had faced "death." The first time was a car accident.

"You were a talented one, but—go to hell."

The large sword was black, with a blade of almost uniform width from the tip.

The captain of the knights, who had easily raised the sword,

"Oraaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!"

With a shout, he swung it down.

The space seemed to melt.

The melted space flew forward.

It struck the black cloak that was barely visible behind the pillar—along with the pillar itself.

The shockwave generated by the sword swing. The shockwave broke through the pillar and embedded itself in the outer wall of the building, causing it to burst outward.

It wasn't magic.

Laurence had no magical aptitude.

This phenomenon was caused by the sword pressure alone.

"...What a quick end."

The dust settled.

The black cloak was crushed under the broken pillar.

"Hmm?"

But Laurence's eyes widened.

The body of the boy that should have been there was missing.

Only the cloak, pinned to the pillar with a stake, had been the victim.

(Damn! What was that! Is he really a superhuman!)

His heart was pounding.

The "trap" Hikaru had set earlier was to hang the cloak in a position where it would be visible. He threw the pebble from that line of sight. If the line of sight was known, the cloak would be visible first, making it seem like an attacker was hiding behind the pillar.

It was a safety measure. Hikaru thought he wouldn't need to use it.

Hikaru was optimistic that, given the captain of the knights wasn't wearing plate armor, he would be an easy target for a thrown object.

(Completely unexpected. What was that reaction speed?)

Hikaru was on the catwalk. He had thrown the pebble from there. Laurence knew the direction Hikaru was in but didn't realize he was on the catwalk.

He was looking around, searching for Hikaru.

His strength was absurd. This strength was why the princess could watch alone, thinking he wouldn't lose. However, the purpose of the princess's visit was still unclear.

(Should I get closer and throw? But that... eliminates all the benefits of throwing.)

The advantage of throwing is being able to attack from a hidden position.

If he got closer and attacked, and if the attack was blocked or the natural recovery overcame the damage and he was counterattacked, it would be all over.

(Then, should I retreat?)

He briefly considered this possibility,

(No, I can't.)

He smiled, along with a cold sweat.

(I haven't tested my "maximum" yet.)

Hikaru took out his Soul Board and used the remaining 1 point. He slowly descended from the catwalk to the ground.

Laurence didn't notice. Hikaru was in a fully "stealth" state.

(...Let's go.)

He controlled his trembling legs.

He walked—toward Laurence. Gripping the "Strength Dagger" in his right hand.

Yes, what Hikaru was about to do was "close combat." It might be odd to call it a "battle." He didn't intend to fight.

(One hit, one kill.)

The opponent was definitely trying to kill Hikaru. Hikaru couldn't afford to hold back.

Let's go.

To defeat the strongest in the country.

"......?"

Laurence seemed to have a sudden intuition. But he didn't know what it was. Perhaps he thought the thief had disappeared.

For a moment, he was caught off guard.

A chill ran down his neck.

"?"

Suddenly, a pungent, bloody smell enveloped him. Laurence didn't realize at first that it was his own blood.

"W...What...?"

Blood was gushing from his neck—his carotid artery.

The neck. An unprotected area not covered by muscle.

It was impossible to aim for a spot just below the face. Especially for someone as strong as Laurence.

Yet, he was cut. He didn't even know how.

But the confusion lasted only a moment.

Laurence caught a shadow running past him, hidden by the spray of blood.

"Damn!!"

He swung his sword instantly.

The power was less than before, but it could easily cut a human body in half.

At this distance.

The tip of the sword would definitely slice through the person—

"Damn!!"

Hikaru jumped at that moment. It was a crazy sideways leap, ignoring inertia. Despite this, his jump far exceeded his normal physical capabilities, dodging Laurence's sword.

(He's faster than I expected, with "Explosive Power" 2!)

He had allocated the points to "Explosive Power" on the Soul Board he opened earlier.

Hikaru thought this was a considerable safety margin.

The unexpected attack from "directly in front."

Cutting the carotid artery and running behind, hidden by the gushing blood.

Moreover, the princess was in the direct line between Laurence and Hikaru. If Laurence swung his sword seriously in that direction, the sword pressure would fly, potentially involving the princess. Laurence couldn't swing his sword.

But Laurence did swing his sword. The shockwave destroyed the wall just below the princess.

It was close.

Without "Explosive Power" 2, he wouldn't have been able to dodge.

Hikaru realized that to fight an opponent of this level, he needed excessive safety measures.

The wall collapsed. The sturdy training ground, with two walls collapsing—two very close walls—partially collapsed.

The princess was on the catwalk. Checking with "Mana Detection," she was standing up in a panic. She was about to fall.

Laurence would head toward the princess.

"—Huh?"

"There you are!"

Even though he had read it, Laurence charged at Hikaru.

His "stealth" was weakened after being recognized.

(What, what, what! Aren't you going to save the princess!? That's not a skill balance that can be left alone!!)

Thinking this, Laurence swung his sword at an incredible speed. Hikaru fled desperately. "Explosive Power" was useful here, but overuse would drain his stamina and quickly destabilize his posture.

The shockwave further destroyed the wall.

(I need to block his vision and return to "stealth" mode—)

The cloak that could have blocked his vision had already been a substitute.

He only had pebbles, which were insufficient to cover his vision.

(—No, there is one.)

A method to hide his vision for a moment.

More like a tool.

(If I use it, I'll have to retreat.)

"Strange technique... magic? But if your position is revealed, it's over, right?"

"Not necessarily."

"What!?"

Hikaru removed his mask.

The silver mask was thrown at Laurence's face.

Just a moment.

A moment was enough.

For a moment, Laurence lost sight of Hikaru, even though he was standing in almost the same spot.

The indoor training ground being dark helped. Hikaru's black hair and black clothes also played a role. In broad daylight, this level of deception wouldn't have worked.

"Where are you!?"

Laurence crushed the mask in his hand.

(No, no, no, why can you still move after being cut in the carotid artery!?)

Laurence's face was pale, and the blood was still flowing. The wound seemed too deep for "natural recovery" to handle.

With this much blood loss, he should have already lost consciousness and died from blood loss—normally.

"Kyaaaaa!?"

At that moment, the platform where the princess was standing tilted and began to fall.

Laurence couldn't pinpoint her exact location, possibly due to a magical device.

"That voice is Princess Kyustoria!? Why is she here!?"

(What, you didn't know the princess was here!)

"Ah—"

In an instant, the princess fell—thrown into the air.

Below was broken wood. The tip of the sword was quite sharp, and if she fell there, it wouldn't be a minor injury.

Worse, the ceiling was creaking.

If she sprained her ankle, she wouldn't be able to walk immediately. If the ceiling fell on her—

"Damn!!"

Leaving Laurence, who still couldn't pinpoint the princess's location, Hikaru dashed.

The distance wasn't far. It was good that Hikaru had been gradually increasing the distance from Laurence.

There was no particular reason to save her, but if the princess died, it would be a bad start to the day.

Of course, there would be people in the castle who could use recovery magic, but they couldn't bring the dead back to life—right?

"Kyaaaaa——Ah!?"

"Ugh."

Catching the falling person with both hands was heavier than he imagined. Electric-like pain shot through Hikaru's knees and waist.

But he couldn't stop there. The ceiling creaked and began to collapse.

"Nice timing, really!"

"Kyaaa!?"

Hikaru literally carried the princess and ran. He jumped out through the hole in the broken wall.

The roof behind them fell with a loud noise. Laurence's voice, "Princess!? Are you alright!?" echoed, but he couldn't see them.

With this much commotion, the guards would notice. A whistle sounded somewhere, and the area became restless.

"...You're the thief?"

Hikaru, who had stopped, was spoken to by Kyustoria.

Hikaru wanted to click his tongue. His face was seen because he had thrown the mask.

Moreover, at close range.

(But, I probably won't have the chance to meet the "princess" again. It doesn't matter.)

Hikaru looked directly at her face, hidden by the hood of her cloak. She was beautiful. And she seemed quite thoughtful—though sneaking into the night training ground suggested she might be a bit of a tomboy.

Hikaru quickly put her down.

"Are you hurt? Did you sprain your ankle or anything?"

"Eh? Ah, no... I'm fine."

"Good. The captain of the knights might die from that bleeding, but I think he'll survive. He's a muscle doll. The soldiers will arrive soon, so you'll be picked up by them."

Hikaru turned his back on the princess.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"I can't wait."

As Hikaru started running, the princess said softly,

"...Roland...?"

"You said you were an adventurer named Hikaru, but you're not really adventuring, are you?"

I thought the same! It's because Laurence was unexpectedly strong.

Next time, we'll have the aftermath and then the adventure part.