49 Those That Donst Understand Are Boring (2/2)

”I would have loved to fight you at your full strength.”

So I say in a voice that only Violet-san can hear, amidst the scattering blood.

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”As I had said, it seems that Shadow is already on the ropes.”

So says Nelson triumphantly, which Alexia ignores.

In this fight between Shadow and Aurora, it had been Aurora's incessant onslaught from the very first move. Alexia watches on with shock at the red lines dancing at terrific speeds.

No matter how she looks at it, there's no way that that is a forged weapon. It is clear to see that its shape is freely changeable, and Aurora is controlling it as if it's a part of her body. Most likely, it is capable of spreading in a much larger range to pierce a large number of targets all at once.

Someone restricted to a single sword is no opponent.

This is a fighting technique of old. Alexia is well aware that this is definitely not something that she can even dream of standing against.

”He's clinging on longer than expected. But the difference in strength is all too obvious.”

That's not it.

Alexia refutes Nelson's assessment in her heart.

It may look like Shadow is being pressed by Aurora's fierce attacks, but that's only because he hasn't initiated a single attack yet. He is still only observing this fighting technique that he is seeing for the first time.

Aurora is indeed strong. Since she can fight with Shadow in the truest meaning of the word.

However, it's just that the red spears have yet to graze Shadow even once.

”No matter the size of a scourge of mosquitoes, they cannot kill a lion.”

So says Shadow as he blows away those spears that number more than a thousand with a single swing.

Then the red spears become as thick as logs, assaulting him from all directions.

They raise high-pitched screams as if to assert that they possess enough strength to kill lions, at times splitting, at times snapping like jaws, chasing and chasing and chasing Shadow.

But none of them land.

Instead, after every single pass, Shadow's evasion becomes more refined.

What seems to be the smallest possible movement is eclipsed the next moment by one even smaller.

What Alexia thinks the ultimate exchange of offense and defense is overwritten again and again.

”Amazing...”

”As expected...”

Alexia's and Natsume's murmurs overlap.

The truly strong can drive the opponent to the ropes through defense alone. That is something that her swordsmanship teacher had previously told her.

The very illustration of that is being played out before her eyes.

”What is that damned witch doing. Just finish him off already!”

Irritation can be heard in Nelson's voice.

But, no longer.

No longer can Aurora stop Shadow.

The decisive moment is but a flash.

All Alexia can see is a fraction of the exchange.

Shadow steps in, Aurora swings her huge scythe, then there's already blood fountaining into the air.

Blood from Aurora, that is.

That seemingly effortless and instantaneous ending is exactly like a lion wringing the neck of a lamb.

What did Shadow do exactly? What had happened in the exchange? No one knows.

That's why there was no suspense.

It is as if the furious fight spread out before them mere moments ago was but a dream. The entire venue is as still as death.

”She... lost? That's impossible! It was Aurora who was on the offense the whole time!”

So shouts Nelson.

Most likely, in his eyes, Aurora had been winning to the very end.

His head is not capable of processing what he perceives to be an abrupt upset. But Nelson is not the only one. Almost everyone in the audience had probably been mistaking the winner and loser while watching.

”Exactly what had happened... there's no way Aurora can lose! That woman is...!”

Shadow flutters his jet black longcoat and soars into the night sky.

”W-, wait! Give chase! Don't let him get away!”

So shouts Nelson immediately after regaining his senses.

The Holy Knights all spring into motion, chasing after Shadow in a fluster.

Alexia releases the breath that she had been holding in since who knows when, then ruminates over Shadow's sword in her head so that she won't forget it.

”What a terrific sword as always...”

So sighs Rose.

Right when Alexia is about to voice her agreement, the venue is once again filled with dazzling white light.