Chapter 169 (2/2)

”The truth is...”

”Come on, let's start the battle!”

Chiba raises his Katana at me. If he's as good at reading moves as he says he is, he must have had special training. Or maybe he possesses a rare ability.

Even in that state, he seems to be aware of my presence.

”Dah!”

”Fu!”

Giin

Our swords clash. I could feel the force of our blows connecting. His is a long, thin weapon, but it still possesses enough power to break anything that gets in its way. Chiba quickly unleashes his next attack. There are no unnecessary movements, and he chains every attack with his next one, flowing naturally, with no delay in between.

He's incredibly fast. In fact, I think I'm pretty slow myself. I can barely perceive when the blade approaches me.

Who the hell is this guy?

”You'll never beat me if you're too slow to perceive my movements! And that's just a small test!”

Chiba's attacks started to get faster. I can't perceive his attacks.

This guy is definitely the strongest of the three demon generals.

”I never thought I'd have to kill you without seeing your face first. Perhaps this is fate. You will die in the name of Rudra-sama.”

I've been learning his moves with mimics while receiving them.

This guy has more skills than me. He has a different strength than Pionne's grandfather, Mugen. I'm not sure if the skills to handle a katana can be used with a greatsword.

”Oh, my vision is starting to come back. Now you...”

”Master!”

Right after hearing Kaede's voice, there's an explosion nearby. Chiba and I are stunned by the impact.

”What the hell...?”

Chiba and I fell to the ground the moment the explosion came toward us. I stood up and checked the situation from afar, and saw countless explosions on the battlefield. It seems to be some kind of magical attack.

The magic that was released from the royal capital was pouring down like rain. Why are they using a large scale attack even though they have allies mixed in with the enemy?

I fixed my gaze towards Chiba to see his reaction, and he was still on the ground. He might have fainted, or he might have died. Either way, it's pretty obvious this Lord of his is a real bastard.

”Chupii!”

”Kura～”

Chupi brought back Rosuke and ordered Kuratan to assume the role of umbrella in the face of the attack.

Kaede and Frau, who had returned, took cover with me underneath Kuratan.

”This is crazy, how could he possibly be willing to kill his own forces?”

”Maybe their role was to stall us, just like we were supposed to stall them.”

”Look over there, is that the main army!?”

I directed my gaze at the entrance to the royal capital using the binoculars. The main army was forming up in a line one after another, the number being about 10,000 soldiers.

I don't think they are strong enough to stop the three of us.

But the situation didn't stop there.

Something else was being brought out from behind the gates.

Slaves...?

A bunch of dwarves with chains around their necks were lined up in front of the soldiers. A voice could be heard in the distance.

”Surrender immediately. Resistance will lead to the death of innocent people.”

So they plan to use the hostages?

”We already know that you are the heroes known as the Manyu Brigade.”

The soldier continued speaking.

”I don't know who sent you, but you should forget about defeating Rudra-sama. You are no match for someone like him. Look at my soldiers and tremble at our presence.”

Toph toph toph toph

Five evil dragons emerged from the ground. Their sizes were much smaller than the one we had fought before, but, even so, they were still big enough.

”Drop your weapons and step forward. If you lay down your life, your friends will be spared.”

I see, so that's their intention? They'll have to kill Kaede and Frau first if they want to see me on my knees and dead, but as long as they live, I'll stand my ground and keep fighting.

Although if I make one wrong move, they'll kill all the hostages. I have to think of something...

There's no choice but to obey for now.

”Master!”

”My Lord?!”

”You two, don't move. I'll take care of this.”

”But...!”

I dropped my greatsword and headed towards the enemy forces unarmed. Now... What should I do?

I'm between a rock and a hard place.