Chapter 44 - Vesteria Kingdom and Elite Guard [7] (1/2)
44. Vesteria Kingdom and Elite Guard [7]
I defeated Galius-san in the first match – now in the following second match.
「Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu!」
「Nu~u!? Ga-ha…」
Just three seconds right after the match started, I floored my second opponent at lightning speed
「Romeldo-Gora unable to continue! Winner, Allen-Rodore!」
When the commentator declared the results, the Great Arena was enveloped in an unsettled atmosphere.
「O-OiOi… Isn’t that guy… too strong!?」
「He is fast… and strong…」
「If we lose the next match… then it would mean our defeat, right…?」
As if to fan the flames, the commentator declared exaggeratedly.
「The famous swordsmen of Vesteria castle lost two matches in a row!? Allen-Rodore, a foreign swordsman shrouded in mystery! Just who is this man!?」
I was staring at my palm while such an atmosphere loomed.
(Mysterious power surges through me… With this, I can definitely do it…)
「Now! Today’s special match is finally here – the third match! The last person is…! The captain of Her Highness Princess Ria’s exclusive elite guards! Claude-Stroganoff!」
As soon as the announcement was over, Claude-san appeared from the east gate in front.
「C-Claude-samaaaaaa!」
「Please! Please! You’re the only one we can count on…!」
「Please bury the blasted Allen-Rodore…!」
This is the most excited the audience has been today.
As expected, the Captain of the Elite Guard is very popular.
「You pervert worm… I never expected you to make it this far…」
「…So you were the final opponent, Claude-san.」
「Fuun. Be prepared, I’ll make you pay for last night…!」
Saying that, she drew out her sword even though the match start hasn’t been declared.
Combined with yesterday’s incident, she seems to be super motivated.
「Then, from here on! We will start the last match today! Are both participants ready!? Then – Start!」
At the same time as the start signal.
「High King Style – Strong Strike!」
Claude-san closed the distance with me in an instant and brought down a downwards slash from overhead.
(As expected, she started with this move…)
I had predicted this move from her aggressive personality and,
「-HA!」
I intercepted the slash with an Iai-slash gaining enough acceleration when drawing my sword from the sheath.
Our swords collide violently, and sparks flew.
「You worm… What a ridiculous strength…!?」
「Well, thanks…!」
「Kuh!?」
As I pushed back our locked swords and took control of the fight by breaking her posture, I stepped in half a step forward to set up a follow-up attack.
However,
「Don’t underestimate me!」
She turned around in a flowing motion without any wasted movement and performed a sharp side sweep.
「!?」
I, who was in a forward-bent posture, stepped back right away and evaded the sweep.
(…Splendid)
The flow from one technique to another was superb.
It seems that Claude-san’s defense cannot be broken with a slight『break』like just now.
「Tch, that’s a futile good reaction…」
「I can say the same for Claude-san. That was a superb body movement.」
「Shut up!」
After that, we continued to exchange furious sword blows.
Her sword was faithful to the basics.
Whether it’s the downwards slash she performed earlier or the side sweep – each one was an exemplary of the basics. It was a beautiful, polished sword.
Furthermore,
「High King Style – Destruction!」
「Guh!?」
There was a definitive strength in her delicateness and preciseness.
This sharpened swordsmanship must have been acquired at the end of a harsh relentless training.
Howeverー
「HAA!」
「Guh…!?」
There was a big difference in our physical abilities.
(I can do it… As I am right now, I can overcome her with strength…!)
(This guy, how is he so strong…!? Is this really the same person…!?)
Physical strength is the basis of all swordsmanship.
If the skills are almost equal, then a simple difference in physical strength means everything.
「Fuun!」
The diagonal slash I unleashed,
「…D-Damnit!?」
Claude-san, pushed by that power, was blown far behind.
「…You pervert worm」