episode_0112

112. Sparring.

The One-Armed man’s guidance was so slow it made me want to yawn. Only after Johann gave him a warning could we finally arrive in front of her room.

Burp!

Suddenly, the door opened, and one of the squadron members left, her face pale.

It was the female squadron member that Sarah had pointed out earlier.

‘She must have gotten an earful. Her expression is terrible.’

Thanks to her, the door was wide open, and she and Johann made eye contact beyond it.

“Johann… Mister?”

She trailed off, seemingly embarrassed. It was an unexpected visit, after all.

“May I come in?”

“Ah, yes. Please, come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Johann entered the room with a short nod. It was a structure that didn’t seem like the room of a Chief of a Sword Squadron.

A bed, a wardrobe, and a quiet desk. That was it.

It was a decoration that suited her disposition.

“I apologize for the sudden visit. You must be very busy.”

“No, it’s alright. I was going to call Johann Mister a little later anyway. Because there are many things I need to talk about.”

It was a meaningful statement. As she said that, she glanced sideways at the One-Armed man.

Johann was quick to grasp her intention. He said to the One-Armed man.

“Return to your original post. I have something to discuss with her alone.”

“……Excuse me? What does that……”

The One-Armed man’s expression hardened. He was trying to hide it as much as possible, but his face clearly showed his displeasure.

Johann sighed.

“I suppose one arm isn’t enough, is it?”

“I will return.”

The One-Armed man, who almost became the No-Armed man, quickly tucked his tail between his legs.

Affection was important, of course, but the body of a martial artist was more important.

As soon as the One-Armed man disappeared from her sight, she spoke.

“I heard that you established a religious group called the Demonic Sect… what are you thinking?”

She was currently sitting in a chair in front of the desk, and Johann pulled up a chair and sat facing her as well.

“I thought that there was no better medium than religion to lead people. There’s no other meaning.”

“I see. That’s a good idea.”

“Not at all. Rather, Sarah, who has already become the Chief of the Black King Fortress Sword Squadron, is more amazing.”

Her eyes became hazy. It was a look that reflected the past.

“What are you talking about? There are quite a few Others belonging to the Black King Fortress who have become Chiefs. I’m just one of them.”

“Even if there are many Others, I don’t think they can beat Sarah.”

“……”

Sarah smiled quietly. It was a silent affirmation.

Johann immediately got to the point. There was no need for unnecessary formalities between them.

“Do you know anything about how this upcoming Joint Martial Arts Conference will be held, and what the rewards will be?”

“Ah…… That’s what you were curious about.”

Johann perked up his ears. Soon, her explanation began.

“First of all, the heads of each sect, or their representatives, gather in one place……”

Unexpectedly, she had a lot of information. It seemed that she had a significant role in the Black King Fortress.

Her quiet, beautiful voice echoed in the room for a while. Johann listened to her attentively.

He mixed in questions from time to time and gave appropriate affirmations.

As her explanation was coming to an end, Johann asked.

“This isn’t an ordinary scale. In fact, it’s called a Joint Martial Arts Conference, but isn’t it no different from a distribution of power?”

“That’s right. That’s why the Black King is paying special attention to this event.”

“Huh……”

Johann’s head became complicated. What should he do now?

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Johann’s mind.

“Sarah. How about sparring?”

“Yes? Sparring?”

“Yes. Didn’t Sarah also come to this trial and learn martial arts?”

“That’s right. I learned our Sword Squadron’s unique martial art.”

Johann fondled his sword hilt.

“I’m still lacking, but I was able to learn martial arts. How about, could you teach me once?”

“Well…… I guess it’s possible.”

Johann thought about the upcoming Joint Martial Arts Conference.

Rather than sitting still, it would be better to hone his martial arts.

‘If it’s Sarah, she would be more skilled at martial arts than me. This is an opportunity.’

So the two headed to the training grounds in front of the detached palace.

***

Standing facing each other, she said.

“It’s unexpected. I didn’t know that Johann Mister had learned martial arts.”

Johann smiled smoothly.

“Haha, it’s a very useful physical skill. There was no reason not to learn it.”

“I agree. Unlike what I learned in the Tower, it’s a much more profound physical skill. I also gained a lot of enlightenment.”

Swish, she drew her longsword. Surprisingly, her sword was the same as the one she used in the Tower.

On the other hand, Johann’s sword had been constantly changing. Because he had often faced opponents who were superior in martial arts.

Johann said. Johann didn’t tell his opponent to do their best or anything like that.

Rather.

“Please go easy on me. I’m going to lose anyway.”

“Hehe, that’s like Johann Mister. I’m sorry, but……”

Tap-!

Immediately after, her figure had arrived in front of Johann. She smiled lightly and swung her sword.

“If I hold back, will your skills improve!”

Johann felt a chill down his spine.

‘As expected! She’s not just strong!’

Johann’s neck bends in a strange curve. For a moment, it seemed as if he would escape Sarah’s swordsmanship, but she forcibly gave strength to change the trajectory.

Johann gasped and drew his sword.

Clang-!

With a fierce burst of sound, Johann’s figure was pushed back.

The rebound felt from the sword was weaker than he thought.

Johann smiled as he felt cold sweat running down his forehead.

“You’re matching my physical abilities.”

“There has to be this much restriction for you to be an opponent. Otherwise, it’s no different from showing off my strength.”

Unlike Johann, who mainly raised his magic power, she is a hardcore physical swordswoman.

The difference between a child and an adult would be less severe than this.

There’s no way out. Now it was a pure martial arts match.

“I’ll learn a thing or two.”

“Yes.”

Johann pressed down on the ground and flew up.

Kiiiing-

Johann’s longsword shone blue as it let out a strange sword cry.

She’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, sword energy?”

“Huuu!”

A blue trajectory heads for her ribs. Surprisingly, even though she was clearly skilled enough to create sword energy, she just swung her sword.

Was it arrogance, or confidence? It was impossible to distinguish.

There was no choice but to collide.

Claaang!

“Kuukk!”

Tingle, Tingle-

A tingling pain arose from the two hands gripping each other.

Johann’s eyes widened.

‘How!’

Her sword clearly had no change.

No glimmer, no torrent of internal energy was felt. She stopped Johann’s sword with pure martial arts power.

She said in a flat tone.

“Your use of sword energy is immature. You’re not completely covering the sword yet. The control of power is also lacking, and you’re lacking in many ways.”

Whoosh, she lightly pulled her sword. Johann’s center of gravity leans forward.

Contrary to the sword being pulled, her knee stretched forward.

Thwack!

Johann’s shoulder twitched.

“Keueukk……”

Thick liquid poured from his mouth. Accident Acceleration had been activated since earlier, but he couldn’t stop it.

Experience is different, talent is different. In every way, Johann was behind her.

If she hit Johann in a row, she would easily win. But she didn’t.

She just retracted her extended knee and slowly retreated.

She smiled coolly.

“It’s a pity to end it already.”

Johann trembled. How charitable of her.

Johann, who had been catching his breath for a while, lowered his stance.

“Huu, huu. I was only going to learn one or two things, but it doesn’t seem like the educator has any intention of doing that?”

“We’re colleagues, it would be a shame to only teach you one or two things.”

Colleagues…… Johann sincerely hated his past self who had become close to her.

He still felt nauseous from how she had struck him.

“Huu, here I, go!”

Johann’s sword flashed blue once again.

He rushed towards her, leaving behind a blue afterimage.

Sarah smiled faintly and raised her sword.

‘This is more fun than I thought. Teaching Johann Mister.’

Her sword stretched out, drawing a soft curve.

***

“……”

In the middle of the yellow clay training grounds. Johann was lying face up in the shape of a big letter ‘X’.

The fabric of his entire body was torn to shreds, and his face was swollen.

Those who had been watching Johann and Sarah’s sparring couldn’t help but think. That man, is he dead?

Fortunately, her power control? was very good. Sarah pointed to one of the squadron members with her finger.

“Escort Johann Mister. Bring the best doctor you can find and take special care of him.”

“……Yes, yes!”

The squadron member hurriedly carried Johann. This man is a guest whom the Chief values. Naturally, his touch became cautious.

As Johann disappeared from sight, she turned around and left the training grounds.

She walked along, stroking her palm.

‘I should spar more often.’

The feeling wasn’t bad.

Her red tongue licked her lips.