Arnold: 「s.h.i.+t! Mind telling me how it came to this again?」


Currently, Arnold was desperately dodging the sword slash that Beast Kind Leowald had unleashed. Although he has been barely evading it since earlier, if Leowald were to land a decent blow on him, it would undoubtedly become fatal.


Leowald: 「Hora hora(1), what’s wrong Arnold?! If that’s all you got then I can’t bring you along, you know?!」


Without moving an inch from his spot, Leowald swung down a giant sword, worthy of his stature, as he aimed for the Arnold, the one who was right before his eyes.


*Shubaa-!*(2)


Accompanied by a noise that sounded like the air had been cut and torn apart, the pressure generated by the sword came flying towards Arnold, as if it was a blade of wind.


Arnold: 「Uooo-!」

Raras.h.i.+k: 「If all you do is evade, you won’t be able to defeat the enemy!」

Arnold: 「E-Even if you tell me tha~a~a~t-!」


While Arnold was fending off Leowald’s attacks with full force, he began to resent Raras.h.i.+k’s remarks internally.

At that time, Raras.h.i.+k mentioned that she would partic.i.p.ate in the duel with the 『Evila』 under the condition that she could bring Arnold and Muir. It went without saying that it wasn’t merely the two who were mentioned that were surprised. Leowald, Mimiru, and even the all the soldiers present had expressed astonishment.

However, in the midst of this, Raras.h.i.+k simply spoke the following with a grin.


Raras.h.i.+k: 『How do I say this, I’m fairly certain that you know that these guys are my disciples. This will probably be a good experience for them.』


Of course, Arnold refused. He mainly expressed his distaste due to Muir’s partic.i.p.ation. He didn’t really mind if he himself had been elected. As he had fought his way up to this point, he was confident that he had grown stronger thanks to the training that he had received.

Although he would be partic.i.p.ating, as the opponent’s side would obviously have the 《Cruel》, his chances of winning would be considerably low. Yet, even so, if it was for the sake of his country, he would not hesitate to fight.

However, Muir was different. She had yet to fight a full-fledged battle besides her encounters with monsters and Raras.h.i.+k. Furthermore, she had yet to experience a fight where one would have to risk their life.

It was precisely because of this that this duel was important for her, or so Raras.h.i.+k had said. However, from Arnold’s perspective, it was still too early for her to partic.i.p.ate in such battles.

It was needless to say that Arnold was aware that Muir was working hard in order to become stronger. In fact, Arnold thought that Muir had indeed become stronger. Yet, in spite of this, he was still not convinced that he should allow her to partic.i.p.ate in such a war.


Muir: 『But, if I go there, then I’ll be able to meet Hiiro-san(3), right?』


In the face of Muir’s words, Raras.h.i.+k nodded. And then-


Raras.h.i.+k: 『Don’t you want to show him how strong you’ve become?」


At those words, Muir’s resolve had been determined. Seeing her firm expression, Arnold’s shoulders drooped. He did not expect that things would turn out in such a manner.

However, it was not Leowald, but the one who was near him, Barid, who gave a voice of complaint. The contents of such complaint was regarding doubts about Arnold and Muir’s strength.

Even if they were Raras.h.i.+k’s disciples, the opponent had requested this confrontation while practically demanding that the Gabranth prepare their best forces. If they were to present half-baked individuals in this duel, the one who would be shamed would be the king himself.

It is precisely because of this that Barid doubted the two’s ability. Raras.h.i.+k and Leowald had also thought that this was natural.

Therefore, Leowald issued a certain condition. He said that he would consider it if they could cause a scratch on his body, even if the wound was a mere sc.r.a.pe.

Following this, as everyone headed towards the square where the soldiers were training, it was suddenly decided that they would hold a sparring match there. Furthermore, the setup was that it would be both Arnold and Muir against Leowald.


Arnold: 「Muir! I’ll try to somehow block the next blow so you go on the offensive!」

Muir: 「U-Un!」(4)


Although both Muir and Leowald’s offensive power was tremendous, even after they had been fighting for a long time, the fact that he had not moved from his starting position since the beginning of the match was a tribute to the king’s strength. Muir, filled with awe towards such a king, spoke in a voice that attempted to dispel such feelings.


Muir: 「Please take care as well, Oji-san!」(5)

Arnold: 「Aa!」(6)


Watching these two, Leowald happily laughed.


Leowald: 「Hohou(7), you’re going to try something? Then I guess I should bring my strength up a level, huh?」


Saying this, the large sword that he was holding began to release a fine vibration as it gradually reddened, as if it were being tinged with heat.


Leowald: 「Now, how will you respond to this, you two!? 《Flame Fang》-!」


As he swung down the large sword that he had raised high in the sky, this time, as if it was wearing flames, a bright red sword blast came flying towards the two.


Arnold: 「Ku-! It’s coming-!」


Arnold also began to concentrate power into his large sword. As he did so, the wind began to converge onto the sword.


*Buuuuuuuun…………*(8)


A sound that shook the atmosphere could be heard coming from Arnold’s sword. Following this, he simply turned towards the sword blast and began to a.s.sault it.


Arnold: 「Nuoooooooooooo-!」


Arnold received Leowald’s flying sword blast head on.


*Gigigigigigigigigigigi-!* (9)


Almost as if two knives had been rubbed together, the noise of impact roared.


Arnold: 「Nugu……ku-! Uwoo-!」


In order to protect Muir who was behind him, Arnold, who was slightly losing his ground, stood firm so as to ensure that he wasn’t blown away.


Leowald: 「Hou, not bad.」


Witnessing Arnold block a blow that he had place a reasonable amount of force into, Leowald narrowed his eyes due to Arnold’s unexpected power.


Arnold: 「Doon’t……come…………closeeeeeeeeeeer-!」


As Arnold had swung his sword with all his might, he was able to successfully tear through and pulverise the sword blast.


Arnold: 「Now, Mui~~~r-!」


Behind Arnold, Muir was present, her lovely set of Kemono-mimi twitching with a *pikopiko*(10). Every time that those ears moved, the crackling resembling a discharge phenomenon occurred.


Muir: 「Go! 《Fangs of Lightning》-!」


Muir vigorously shook her hands one by one, from bottom to top. As she did so, like how Leowald had launched his sword blasts earlier, a pillar of lightning had been emitted from her hand.

As she had two hands, two columns of thunder had been created. As if to avoid Arnold, the pillars split off to the left and right before rus.h.i.+ng towards Leowald, who was in front of him.


Leowald: 「Mu-!?」


As Leowald had instantly understood that Muir was a user of 《Binding》 that possessed the element of lightning, although his thoughts had halted for a split second, his expression soon reverted to normal as he wielded his large sword in an attempt to mow down the incoming thunder pillars.


*Suka-!*(11)


Although it was thought that he had completely captured the columns of lightning, strangely, as if they had a will of their own, the pillars completely evaded the sword’s attack. Following this, a pincer attack came from both sides and-


*Bachi bachi bachi bachi bachi bachi bachi bachiiiiii-!* (12)


-splendidly landed a direct hit on Leowald.


Leowald: 「Mumu-!」


He involuntarily scowled. Muir, who had saw this, smiled with pleasure as she thought that her attack had hit it’s mark. However-


Leowald: 「Nuo-!」


*Bachin-!*(13)


As Leowald placed all his strength into his entire body, his muscles began to inflate. At the same time, the lightning that had wrapped around his body was blown away.


Leowald: 「Gahaha! I was slightly surprised, but you won’t be able to make a scratch on me with just this?」


Certainly, Leowald had not suffered a single wound due to Muir’s attack. However, Muir-


Muir: 「No, just this much is fine!」

Leowald: 「What?」


It was then that Leowald had noticed Arnold’s imperceptible disappearance.


Leowald: 「Mu? Where did he go?」


As he spoke, he felt a presence in the sky above him. There, the figure of Arnold was present, his large sword being cloaked in wind like what had happened earlier that fight.


Arnold: 「How’s this-!? 《Wind Faaaaaang》-!」

Leowald: 「That lightning was just a distraction! However, I won’t let you!」


Leowald also readied his sword by reflex. As the two swords collided, sparks began to fly. Furthermore, due to the two’s powers colliding, a small explosion occurred.


Arnold: 「Guwaaaaaa-!?」


Having been blown away by the shock wave, Arnold rolled up to where Muir was standing.


Muir: 「Oji-san!」


Muir rushed over in a split second.


Arnold: 「Itete……」(14)


While painfully rubbing his b.u.t.t that had received a nasty blow, Arnold waited for the smoke before his eyes to dissipate. Following this, a large shadow appeared.


Leowald: 「Fumu(15)……Gahahahaha!」


Leowald was laughing with his large sword slung over his shoulder.


Leowald: 「I guess I slightly underestimated you! You two aren’t bad at all!」


It was then that Arnold and Muir both understood why he was laughing.


Leowald: 「Gahaha! To think, not only did you scratch me, but you launched me all the way over here!」


Indeed. From where he was earlier, it was clear that his position had been displaced further backwards. Furthermore, when Arnold and Leowald’s swords collided, as his attack had become a fine blade of wind, he was able to make a scratch on his body.

Of course, if you were looking at it in terms of damage, it would almost be nil. However, it was true that the fine sword had engraved a number of wounds on Leowald’s body.


Leowald: 「Furthermore, you only used the elementary 《Fangs》. This is……they’ve been honed quite well, Rara.」


While saying this with an elated grin, Leowald s.h.i.+fted his gaze towards Raras.h.i.+k.


Raras.h.i.+k: 「Eeh(16), that’s because I showed these guys h.e.l.l everyday. If they weren’t able to do this, I would have made them start their training from the beginning.」


At these words, the two’s faces grew pale as they felt a chill creeping up their spines. It appeared that their bodies had remembered the contents of their training as they began to tremble.


Leowald: 「Gahaha! Certainly, there are still doubts as to their individual abilities but…I see. We should make sure to properly bring those that s.h.i.+ne! That is the the 『Gabranth』 way! Gahahahaha!」


At this, Leowald turned his face towards Barid.


Leowald: 「How’s that, Barid? I felt that these individuals had a good amount of resolve, but?」

Barid: 「…………very well. With this, it would not pose a problem if we were to bring them to the duel.」

Leowald: 「-is what he said. However, there is still one week before the duel. Until then, I myself shall train you.」

Raras.h.i.+k: 「Hou~. So it’s been decided, yes?」


Towards Raras.h.i.+k’s question, Leowald nodded vigorously.


Leowald: 「Aa, let’s achieve victory together! Arnold! Muir!」


Seeing him once again fearlessly laugh, Arnold and Muir’s cheeks twitched.


Arnold: 「T-This turned into something unbelievable, huh……」

Muir: 「U-un……but with this, I’ll be able to meet him……right?」

Arnold: 「……seems so.」

Muir: 「……although I don’t like the enemy’s side.」

Arnold: 「That guy doesn’t care about stuff like that, right?」

Muir: 「Ahaha, you might be right.」

Arnold: 「Besides, Leowald-sama also said something about bringing Hiiro over to this side, you know?」

Muir: 「F-For some reason, Hiiro-san has become liked by a really amazing person, huh?」

Arnold: 「Seems so. It was kinda unexpected that he was thinking of making Mimiru-sama’s son-in-law……Hii-!」


As Arnold suddenly saw a Hannya(17) behind Muir, he raised a scream. Although the person herself was smiling, for some reason, it was a smile that reeked of lies.


Muir: 「Ahaha……I’m really looking forward to seeing him. Isn’t that right, Oji-san?」

Arnold: 「Ah……un. That’s right.」


As Arnold felt a bleak sensation emanating from Muir’s voice, he cowered. Although he had an idea about why her att.i.tude had changed, if he was to pursue it, there was no doubt that sparks would fly. Therefore, he had restrained himself from doing so.


Arnold: (Daamn it! Hiiro, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You better remember this! But, it’s true that I’m looking forward to meeting again. Just you wait, Hiiro! I’ve already decided that I’m going to give your face one good punch!)


He looked up at the cloudless sky. Arnold’s thoughts held a strong resolve towards Hiiro, the one who was once his adventuring companion.