Chapter 6 (1/2)
Translator: Luk2048
I resigned myself to death when the sword flashed. No doubt that Ariante will be astonished, since she'll bring down the Devil King's enemy in just one blow.
However, Ariante's large sword stopped right before beheading me. The one who blocked the sword was naturally Rēko, who was asleep a moment ago.
”… My apologies. I was sleeping soundly while the enemy was right in front of me. I will atone for this disgraceful behaviour with the opponent's neck.”
”Well, if you were in a perfect condition that would be very likely.”
Ariante took one big step and both of them locked blades. Yet Rēko soon lost her balance and stumbled.
”Your power and speed are both higher than mine. However, you wasted these advantages on those small fries before. At that on opponents who needed not more than 10% of your power, it's as if you don't know what moderation is. If your strength falls to the same level as mine, then it's a contest of skills.”
She wasn't just swinging her sword with one's all strength. As if she was eroding Rēko's defence a.s.sailing from various directions, her attacks were ever-changing. On the other hand when Rēko counterattacked, she parried her dagger's blade upwards and broke her stance.
Ariante struck her large sword into the defencelessly exposed flank of Rēko.
Boom—
Rēko's small figure got lightly sent flying, plunging into stone blocks of the castle wall and raising a huge cloud of dust. She wasn't moving slightly in front of the wall, which cracked from the impact.
”R-Rēko?! Hey, you — Wait a minute, let's talk—”
”Prepare yourself.”
Ariante's sword glowed palely. It was the light of a dense magic power. I'll die if such a thing touches me.
I really wanted to turn tail and run, but unfortunately my legs completely refused to move. Ariante leapt and swung her sword aiming directly at the top of my head.
”Oowww——————!!”
After a brisk thump sound I howled in pain. I thought I was going to die instantly, but what a.s.saulted me was a resounding in my head raw, dull pain.
”I guess a being of your level won't be able to feel much pain. However, no matter what kind of being it is, this sword will definitely deal some damage. If you continue to underestimate me and stay defenceless like before, you'll experience a world of hurt.”
In other words I won't be able to die easily. Even torture should have some limits.
”H-hey, listen. Could you try changing to a normal sword? I think this one is fairly inhumane.”
”With you as the opponent there's no point in using an average sword.”
”But it's actually the opposite…. Because of this bothersome sword it'll just drag on strangely—”
Thinking it might be possible, I looked at Rēko. Despite having her side cut there's no blood flowing and her chest clearly rises and falls. It seems there was some damage but she's still alive.
I'm gla— when I thought that, I was. .h.i.t really hard in the face. Due to this weapon's nature, rather than a sword it seems to give an impact like a blunt weapon.
”Hey, time out.”
”I won't listen!”
”I'll die, really.”
”Certainly if you go on like this! It's time to get serious!”
And then I can say I was in h.e.l.l for a brief period.
When at last, my (half) dead body which wasn't even able to twitch, was perfected. I was certainly at death's door. It was almost like a state where I'd die just by being poked with a finger.
Ariante seeing that also furrowed her brows.
”… No way, you really are weak?”
”If I was strong I'd have escaped a long time ago.”
She started processing it while holding her chin.
”Okay, I got it. I'll finish you off with the next blow.”
”You're also a simple-minded person, aren't you?”
As soon as I said it, I was sent flying by a swing of that terrifying large sword. I was plunged right next to Rēko, destroying a few stone blocks. However, I was alive. My whole body hurt and I couldn't move, but I was conscious and breathing.
”… Oh?”
When I looked closer, it felt like Rēko rather than being unconscious was just sleeping peacefully. Ariante put her large sword inside a scabbard on her back and walked over. And then, she deeply lowered her head.
”Sorry for being so rough. I had to make sure whether you really were weak. If you let a human toy with you that far, even though it's hard to believe, it has to be the truth.”
”Was it necessary to go this far?”
”It was a story defying common sense. Your eyes didn't look like those of a liar, but unfortunately I couldn't just accept it without any proof.”
”You already half-believed me, right? Then couldn't you hold back a little? This will definitely leave a long-term injury.”
”You don't have to worry about that. To tell the truth, the only thing this sword deals is pain. It doesn't leave any injuries on the body. Tomorrow, you'll probably be able to stand on your own.”
”It hurt like h.e.l.l though, so no doubt it'll scar my mind.”
”That I can't help you with.”
After taking a breath of relief, I suddenly remembered.
”C-come to think of it, the story that you're a member of the Devil King's army—”
”That's obviously a lie. If you really were a powerful evil dragon and I challenged you as this town's adventurer, the compensation for that offense would also befall the city.”
Ariante shook her head.