Chapter 17 – What It Takes to Defeat a Hero (2)

A familiar, flat, yellow plain stretched before me, a battlefield I had seen before. But this time, my perspective was different. I was… above it all, soaring through the sky like a hawk, the figures below reduced to ant-like specks.

–Too high?– The world zoomed in before I could answer, the figures resolving into recognizable human forms.

–The situation has changed, so the approach must change as well. Observe, little bird. Study the flow of battle. The tactics, the strategies.–

–Watch. And learn.–

And so, I watched, as the Demon King unfolded countless battles before me. A dizzying array of weapons, of techniques, of strategies. Duels, skirmishes, full-scale wars. The advantages of preparation, the folly of reckless abandon. Similar weapons clashing, disparate styles colliding. One side dominating, the other crumbling. Stalemates broken by a single, crucial decision. Giant monsters rampaging across the land, flying units raining devastation from above. Swift countermeasures, desperate defenses, the inevitable turning of the tide.

The perspective shifted, from invading demons to defending mortals, attackers becoming defenders, and vice versa. Battles fought on even ground, on treacherous terrain, in the heart of raging storms, on sinking ships. Every imaginable scenario, every possible variable.

“How can anyone… account for all of that?”

–That’s why fundamentals are important. You can’t plan for everything. It’s… inefficient.–

Fundamentals. What did she mean?

–Swordsmanship alone isn’t enough. A master swordsman can still drown if he can’t swim. Or fall to his death from a great height.– Even the most skilled warrior could be felled by a stray arrow, a moment of carelessness, a sudden change in the terrain.

–But with the right… countermeasures…– That was where strength came in. Power to overcome the unexpected, to adapt, to survive. And when strength failed… wisdom and strategy could bridge the gap.

–It’s not something you can master overnight. But keep it in mind.–

–There are countless forms of swordsmanship, little bird. But ultimately… the sword… it’s a weapon for the weak.–

“Because it’s a… tool?”

–Why do you think the sword became so… ubiquitous?–

“The symbol of the Church.”

–Precisely. You’re more perceptive than I thought.– The sword wasn’t inherently superior. A blunt weapon, an axe, even a spear… these were far more practical for the untrained. But the sword… it had become a symbol. The cross-shaped blade, the arming sword, a symbol of knighthood, of divine mandate. Knights swore oaths upon their swords, the clergy blessed them, imbuing them with sacred power. And so, the sword became synonymous with nobility, with chivalry, with divine right.

–Convenient, of course. Easy to carry, aesthetically pleasing. Unlike a spear, or an axe. And a bow… that’s a weapon for the… less fortunate. A blunt weapon requires brute strength. None of these are… fitting… for a warrior of God.–

The sword, a symbol, a representation of faith, of divine power. Even the heroes of old, the legendary warriors, they all wielded swords.

–Its symbolic significance predates recorded history.– She dismissed the topic with a wave of her hand. –In the Demon Realm, however, weapons are… less common.–

–When we do use them… it’s because they offer a significant advantage. Power. Efficiency.–

–Remember this, little bird. A sword is just a tool. A means to an end. There’s no… inherent value in it. No truth. Don’t be limited by your preconceptions. Explore. Experiment. Find what works for you.–

–You’ll face opponents who wield all manner of weapons, all manner of styles. You need to understand them. Their strengths, their weaknesses. If you don’t… you’ll be at a disadvantage. And in battle… a disadvantage can be… fatal.–

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–The masters of Imperial Swordsmanship may use similar movements, but their application… that’s where the true artistry lies.– Strength, agility, cunning, endurance… each attribute shaped the style, the approach. The Imperial Swordsmanship was versatile, adaptable, a solid foundation. But…

–It takes time, little bird. Years of dedicated practice, to truly master it. To develop the necessary reflexes, the muscle memory, the… instinct.– Five years, ten years… to reach a level of true competence. And even then…

–It’s… inefficient.–

–A good choice for your children, perhaps. Easy to teach, a solid foundation. But you, little bird… you have no… attachment to it. Do you?– Resentment, perhaps.

–What about the Dabass Kingdom’s… Tushinryu? A… rather dramatic name, but… effective. Though not suitable for a knight. It’s a warrior’s style, not bound by the… symbolism… of the sword. They choose their weapons based on… aptitude. A more… personalized approach. Though less… practical… for training large numbers.–

–There are countless other styles, of course. Human, and… otherwise.– And so, I watched, a torrent of images flooding my mind, warriors wielding all manner of blades, their styles as diverse and unique as their weapons. The Demon King offered commentary, explaining the origins, the evolution, the… devolution… of each technique.

And then…

–Your father. At his peak. Curious, aren’t you?–

I watched, mesmerized, as Luelde moved, a blur of motion, his sword a dance of death. Opponents fell before him, battered but rarely killed. He subdued them, incapacitated them, his overwhelming power evident in every movement. A few met more… permanent… ends, but Luelde himself remained untouched.

–That was… shortly after he acquired the Holy Sword.– He was… astonishingly strong. A different level entirely. Even before the Holy Sword, he had been a formidable opponent.

–But even then… he was no match for your Emperor.– The Hero-Emperor. Younger than me, and yet… he possessed a seasoned experience, a quiet confidence that Luelde lacked.

I watched their duel, a clash of titans. The Emperor, sword and shield, against Luelde and the Holy Sword. The Emperor deflected a blow, the shield cracking under the force of the impact. He used the broken shield as a weapon, a distraction, before lunging forward, his sword a blur. Luelde dodged, barely, the two exchanging blows, a whirlwind of steel. The Emperor drew a dagger, wielding it with surprising skill, deflecting Luelde’s attacks, creating openings. Luelde was outmatched, technically, but his superior physical strength kept him in the fight.

–He was a year younger than you are now, I believe.–

This wasn’t a sparring match; it was a battle to the death, a display of skill and power that left me breathless.

–Surpass that level, little bird. If you can’t even beat that… you have no hope of defeating him at his full strength.– She hummed a cheerful tune, a jarring counterpoint to the brutal reality unfolding before me.

“Has he… ever been defeated? In a real fight?”

–Many times. Though rarely… decisively.–

“Was there anyone… he considered… truly unbeatable?”

–Three, perhaps. Though their methods are… beyond your reach.–

“Not including you.”

–I said three. Why bring me into this? You can’t learn my techniques, little bird. Give up on that foolish notion.–

“It’s not that… I just thought… you might want to… boast a little.”

Silence. She looked at me, her eyes narrowed. –You dare mock me, little bird? I could kill you a hundred times over for such insolence.–

Silence. Even her casual threats carried a weight that made my knees weak.