Volume 5 Chapter 34 (1/2)

Editor: barbequechar

The violent clas.h.i.+ng of metal could be heard coming from inside the room. For a moment, countless red sparks scattered in front of Ryouma, as Earl Salzberg's face nearly touched his own.It was enough that both men could feel each others breathing. However, in the next moment the overlapping shadow jumped away from each other again.

(I missed my chance huh?)

While feeling the wound on his right arm, Ryouma looked at Earl Salzberg standing right in front of him. Despite being wounded, Ryouma  didn't show any gap in his stance. Through rigorous training with his grandfather Koichiro, Ryouma gained resistance to pain. Of course, that alone didn't mean he didn't feel any pain at all. If one had to say it, it was more akin to willpower and patience when dealing with the pain.

But on the battlefield, winning or losing changes greatly depending on whether or not one could do such a thing. –

(Once again, I should be thankful to that grandfather of mine eh?)

It would be a problem if he didn't feel pain, but it was also a problem if his skill was dulled because he feared pain. One can suppress pain with willpower and fighting spirit, but when pain was feared ,the only possible outcome was dulling  one's own skill.

The only way to prevent the fear of pain was getting used to it. Seeing Ryouma's appearance Earl Salzberg's lips curled,  it was a smile of a beast that had tasted the blood of his own relative.

The Earl was having fun inside his mind. The intense exchange of offense and defense.

“Ho hum… It seems that wound alone isn't enough. Most of the people I've faced would be finished by now… Only you are different.”

Ryouma instinctively smiled at the Earl's words mixed with sarcasm and praise. It might be because he had the intention of wait-and-see, but Ryouma could feel Earl Salzberg didn't show much of his ability yet.

(The three important factors… His speed, power, and skill, I think he was the best among the enemy I have fought so far… I've never doubted Elensan's ability when judging others abilities, he is indeed as good as she said …)

Ever since he was summoned to this world, Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma had gone through many life and death situations. Among them, two people, Kyle Iruna during the Rozeria Kingdom civil war, and Greg Moore who he met during the confrontation with the Ortomea Empire were particularly impressive for Ryouma.