episode_0317

Episode 317

Wihart’s face shows a joy that cannot be hidden. Rika’s blade flies towards Wihart’s neck.

Let’s go!

It was an attack targeting the gap between the helmet and armor. However, Wihart, as if he knew to aim for that place, repels Rika’s attack with a hand wearing a gauntlet. Rika didn’t panic and immediately put away her sword and prepared for a counterattack.

“Pretty good. But how many times can such a stunt be successfully performed? If you escape from a single moment, the whole thing will be cut down.”

Rika didn’t answer. However, he stopped and raised the kite shield. It was an attitude of provocation, telling people to come.

Wihart swung his great sword at Rika with a burning smile on his face.

“Take it!”

Cheaeng!

Just like the first hit, Wihart’s sword’s trajectory is distorted by the shield and falls to the ground. Rika aimed for the same position. The gap in Wihart’s neck. But faster than before.

However, Wihart was already reacting. The left hand was already guarding the position where the sword flew.

Nevertheless, Rika cut with all her might. With the intention of cutting off the entire iron armor protecting his hand.

Bright red blood splatters. Rika’s sword really cut Wihart’s hand down to the gauntlet. However, at the same time, Wihart’s leg hit Rika’s abdomen directly.

“Ugh…!”

Before the golden opportunity, Rika was pushed back. Even though he was wearing armor, the blow seemed to have spread to the inside of his body.

Wihart was also injured. He looked down at the cut and tattered gauntlets and at his deeply cut palms beneath them.

“Amazing. Exactly where the vanguard cut… It seems that it was impossible to take even three hits with this much armor.”

Rika didn’t answer. I just quietly caught my breath. The way his trembling shoulders rose and fell seemed like he was enduring pain. Maybe I have broken ribs.

Wihart took off his split gauntlets and threw them away. I squeezed and unfolded my fingers as if to check if they were moving properly. As if to confirm that there was no problem in moving, he held the great sword with his bleeding hand.

Even I, who had no knowledge of swords, could tell that something had changed. Posture of both hands. That is what Wihart looks like when he is sincere.

The smile disappeared from Wihart’s face. Geomsae with his sword body naturally hanging down. That posture was as natural as breathing. The air is pulled taut. Wihart’s yellow eyes were focused solely on Rika.

“Sweet!”

Rika spit out red-colored spit and straightened her posture. Wihart seemed to have no intention of attacking first. Rika took off the shield she wore on her left arm.

This is the end of the strategy for using the shield. It does not apply to Wihart in that state. It seemed like he was judging it that way.

But Rika didn’t stop there. I started removing the armor from my body one by one. Armor and even a helmet. Her red hair, tied in a single strand, is flowing.

Now, all Rika wears is cloth and leather. It’s a great contrast to that huge greatsword. It became impossible to expect any protection at all.

“It looks like they decided that further defense was pointless. You must have realized that even if you have armor, the moment you touch it, defeat is guaranteed.”

“Is it okay? In that state?”

“There is risk. If you allow even a single blow, you will immediately die or suffer similar injuries. But… even that is something you have prepared yourself for.”

I feel strength coming into my hands as if I was praying. Before I knew it, my palms were damp.

I want to see Rika win brilliantly. But more than that, I didn’t want to see Rika get hurt. Much less dying.

‘Rika…’

But Rika probably isn’t thinking about dying. There is no way Rika would make such a choice to lose her life in a place like this, leaving me behind.

So, I decided to suppress the feeling that was about to explode. And looked. Rika’s back as she prepares to compete.

Even as he watched Rika becoming lighter, Wihart remained motionless. It doesn’t seem like they have any intention of making the first move. Rika went on the attack first.

It’s a quick step. Rika closed the distance in an instant. I plan to burrow into my arms. The goal is to take advantage of the weapon’s enormity.

In general, this would be a valid judgment. However, this was not the case in Wihart’s case.

It’s just fast. Extremely efficient movements, extreme swordsmanship, and superhuman reflexes.

When put together, Wihart was continuing the attack and defense at that distance even with a heavy and huge greatsword, as if the disadvantage of close range was an ordinary person’s idea.

Rika is also a high-level prosecutor. Also, in order to lighten my body, I gave up all the things that could protect my body. It was literally like a light-bodied nighthawk, launching an attack with a sword that was barely visible to the eye.

But it doesn’t work. Wihart seemed like a massive castle, a steel castle that changed its shape according to the opponent’s movements. A bird flying in front of the castle looked very dangerous.

“Huh…!”

In the end, it was Rika who allowed the first blow.

The handle of the great sword stabbed Rika deeply into the abdomen as she was jumping in the air. Rika rose higher than Jack, then fell and rolled on the floor.

“Keu…!”

Fortunately, I wasn’t hit by a blade. However, the match seemed decided. It felt like the intense shock had even reached my already broken ribs.

“Rika!”

She cried out urgently, but Rika could only let out a painful gasp. It seemed impossible to even declare surrender. Before we knew it, Wihart had gotten close to the point where he could step on Rika’s head.

A huge sword is aimed at Rika. Defeat means surrender or death. When I imagined Rika’s head splitting like a watermelon, I couldn’t stay still.

However, Wihart did not hit Rika on the head.

“Surrender.”

Wihart’s voice was full of respect. A shining respect for the opponent he competed with. It seemed as if he could sense kindness in his eyes as he looked down at Rika.

“They say they will surrender.”

It was Pilgret who expressed his intention to surrender on behalf of Rika, who could not speak properly. Before he knew it, he had drawn his sword and jumped into the arena.

“Pilgret Ostana. Is he the strongest knight in the royal capital?”

Wihart left those words and turned around and walked away. The center of the stadium, even the place where you were originally located.

Our knights come in and help Rika and take her away. After confirming that the waiting doctor was starting to administer first aid, I turned my attention back to the stadium.

Pilgret and Wihart were staring at each other. The expression “glaring” was not appropriate. It seemed as if they were talking with their eyes.

Then, suddenly, Pilgret spoke up first.

“How about treating your hand before coming?”

“Is this what you mean? It’s no big deal. Besides, this is a battle between swords and swords. You can’t do something ridiculous like that.”

“If it’s okay with you, that’s fine. Then, can we begin?”

“Ah, come anytime.”

It was a peaceful conversation, as if they were about to play chess from now on. However, immediately after that, the two people’s eyes completely changed.

And then a sword battle that had never been seen before began.

Pilgret’s sword extends. As soon as it is blocked, it rotates and extends again. It was like flowing water or a flame spreading freely.

Wihart also fought against it, showing off all his capabilities. The huge castle shakes. The two people fell together, narrowly passing each other’s swords.

Everyone could only watch with bated breath. Technology that has been refined to the limit is beautiful. As if eloquently expressing this, the two people were generously displaying their extreme state.

I couldn’t even judge the pros and cons. The very next moment it looked like Pilgret was in danger, it looked like Wihart was cornered. However, at one point, it seemed like the odds of victory were finally decided.

Pilgret’s sword sharply pierces Wihart’s neck. But that was an illusion from my position.

Pilgret’s sword, which narrowly missed his neck, only blew off Wihart’s helmet instead of his head.

But it seems like it was a good enough hit. A scar was also carved into his neck. Bright red blood is flowing out. The two people’s swords, which had not stopped even for a moment, stopped.

“Do you want to surrender?”

There was not the slightest hint of a winner’s pride in Pilgret’s voice. There was only a faint, simple feeling of satisfaction that could not be noticed unless you knew him well.

Wihart looked down at the hand holding the sword. His hands are already bloody in the aftermath of the tense match. Blood was dripping down the handle of the sword.

“Okay, I lost. I have lost, Commander of the Knights.”

Wihart looked at me from a distance. And then I got down on my knees until I heard a thud.

“It won’t take long. I will fulfill my promise now. No, I will do it, princess.”

A promise to stick your head in muddy water and apologize. Wihart seemed to be keeping that promise now. There was no muddy water on the floor, but Wihart’s own blood formed a small puddle.

Just as he was about to hit his head, a tearing voice echoed throughout the stadium.

“Don’t be funny! certainly! I’m sure you’ll win! Damn you, you damn bastards! This is invalid! You bastards like wild boars! It’s invalid!”

It was Ian who stormed into the middle of the stadium. He was ready to bite everything like an angry Chihuahua.

This match was a match that decided which side Wihart would be on. It’s natural for him to be angry because something like this is destroying the tower he worked so hard to build. But what can he do now?

The moment he thought that, Ian put his hand into his arms. Then, that ominous feeling came over me again.

More intensely than ever.