Vol 1 Chapter 23 (1/2)

The first one to move was Zentos.

Rather than rus.h.i.+ng with an attack from the front, the strike was aimed towards the head from above—– However, that was just an illusion, it was an illusory slash by using the magic【Illusion】.

Because it was an illusion filled with killing intent, if it was used against a first rate warrior, then he would’ve reflexively attacked the illusion, thinking it was real.

However, his real attack was an upward slash from below, only a fraction of a second late because of his attack from above, both of his attacks nearly moved at the same time.

No one would live if they faced this attack for the first time, an instant kill attack mixed with a magic feint, Zentos had defeated a lot of enemies with this attack.

“But Kail dodged it without any difficulty.

“Wha……!? ”

Zentos voiced out his astonishment.

Kail dodged to the side, and calmly swung down his dominant sword arm on Zentos’s sword.

But Zentos jumped back in an instant, only receiving a scratch.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

Having his killing blow dodged and being injured made Zentos glare at Kail while gnas.h.i.+ng his teeth.

But Kail being Kail, he clicked his tongue.

He clicked his tongue, because he just missed one of the best moments to capture Zentos alive.

“If I was able to cut off one of his arms, then I could’ve subdued him…..”

Kail said, in a bitter tone.

It was because he knew Zentos would try to end the fight as soon as possible, and he knew that he would start with that killing blow.

This time Zentos used normal slas.h.i.+ng attacks at Kail, the sword attacking again and again.

Kail received those attacks one after one while slowly retreating.

For a while, Zentos’s continuous attacks, which could be called fierce attacks, were redirected by Kail, dodging them skillfully.

Patiently enduring it, and when a small chance appeared in Zentos’s attacks, he attacked immediately.

The attack was easily dodged, but at almost at the same time a kick was aimed at the b.a.l.l.s, the gold target.

TL note: This is something from archery, the best target is called the ‘gold target’. It’s also a pun, because in j.a.panese, the literal translation for your nuts is ‘golden b.a.l.l.s.’ Hence, it’s the “gold target.” (Thanks Varler) -Tensaiz

Because he swung down his sword from above and sent off a kick at the same time, Kail was only standing on one leg of course, but because of his excellent sense of balance, Kail was able to make a powerful kick without breaking his stance.

Zentos was somehow able to intercept the kick with the handle of his sword.

“What a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, using detestable tricks!”

“I learnt them from my teacher!”

Using kicks like this was because of Leila’s teachings, maybe because of that, both Kail and Seran used kicks a lot of times times in a fight.

Continuing, Kail used Zentos’s sword as if it were a springboard and made a big jump backwards, by making a flip in the air he had made some considerable distance.

“As expected, you’re strong.”

The Zentos that Kail knows, is the one three years from now, but there isn’t much of a difference between then and now.

There wasn’t much difference between their skill with the sword, you can say it’s nearly the same level.

But if we were to compare speed and power, Zentos would have fundamentally exceeded Kail’s.

Originally that difference was supposed to be negated with magic, but Zentos could use magic comparable to Kail’s own, so the difference in power didn’t change.

He is stronger than my current self, that was Kail’s evaluation of Zentos.

But Kail had the advantage, he could take his time.

“That is a good sword…..”

Zentos was looking at Sildonia, the sword Kail was holding. From all these exchanges he understood that it was a true masterwork.

Zentos’s sword was one fitting of a captain, but Sildonia was literally on another level.

Zentos had the disadvantage that he had to pay attention to how he used his sword, since if it broke he would be in a bad situation.

“Thank you for that, this fellow is also happy about it….. Ah, I’ll try asking again, but won’t you surrender? Ah, if surrendering is out of the question, how about fleeing the country? I’ll help you with the preparations.”

“……. You’re a really persistent guy aren’t you.”

“Then how about I give you some funds for escaping?”

“If you want to save me that much, then how about you sing a song about it.”

“That’s something called luxury.”

Kail says, while lightly laughing about it.

(There isn’t a disturbance in his heart….. just which kinds of things has he experienced at that age)

Seeing Kail like that, Zentos had given up on the mental warfare.

In the first place, to actually have small talk with an opponent in a dangerous battle, isn’t something someone with normal nerves can do.

Considerable combat experience. It’s as if he has a lot of experience fighting against opponents stronger than himself.

And the thing that bothers Zentos the most, is the way he strangely reacts to all his attacks.

It was as if he had fought against him many times, it was that kind of reaction.

In fact, the feint which used illusion magic, was a special move that is known by only a few.

Since most of the opponents who had seen it, were killed by it.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d…… including my first attack, why are you able to react to them so easily…… do you know me?”

Zentos doesn’t remember ever seeing the man in front of him.

But he knew for certain that he knew something about himself, he was absolutely certain of that.

“Let’s see, I kind of know you, yet I kind of don’t….. it’s hard to explain in a few words, since I have lived a weird life if I say so myself…… If you want, shall I explain everything from the start?”

“Since it’ll take long I’ll refuse…… I can’t waste anymore time like this.”

Kail grinned at Zentos’s words.

“Well it’s only natural, since I’m fighting to prolong this fight.”

Kail’s greatest advantage, it is time.

To Zentos it may seem as if princess Mirena has reached somewhere safe already.

In reverse, Kail only has to buy time until backup arrives.

At that point, it was already obvious to him who would win.

Kail didn’t have to win, all he had to do was prolong the fight, Zentos understood this all too well.

“…… So the one who doesn’t have a choice but to fight this duel, was me.”

According to the original plan, I should have already beaten him, no, I didn’t have any other choice than to have beaten him already.

Zentos finally became conscious of the fact that he was the one cornered, instead of the enemy.

The look in his eyes had changed, of course he went in with full power from the start, but now he’ll come with desperation.

The attacks from then on, would be given with everything he had got, not just attacks with the intention to fatally injure, but attacks with his own life on the line.