episode_0069

“Then please help me.”

Lucia immediately accepted my words.

“… Do you know who I am?”

Lucia calmly nodded and explained.

“I saw you talking to the prince earlier.”

So you thought you had the ability to help?

Since this is a suggestion from someone who is capable of conversing with the prince, it cannot be empty words.

You figured out a lot in a short amount of time.

“Being greeted very politely by the princess.”

“… Then the conversation will go faster. However, we cannot help you blindly.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Rather than hoping… .”

I grabbed her blindly because of memory correction, but I still don’t know who this woman is.

Is he really a superhuman who inherited Lorenzo’s bloodline?

If it’s true, why did you hide it?

How did the Fiorene family survive while they were wiped out?

Does he have some kind of relationship with the murderer?

More fundamentally, is it a talent worth recruiting?

There’s a lot to know.

“First, I want to see your skills.”

“That’s right.”

The contest will be held tomorrow, and entries will be accepted until tonight.

So, I have time to check my skills.

Aside from that, the expression on the receptionist’s face, who sharply rejected Lucia, hardens awkwardly.

I think they also heard my conversation with the prince.

Other than the receptionist, people who heard the conversation cast curious glances in this direction.

I never thought I would get this much attention when I came here… .

“Shall we move first?”

“Let’s do that.”

*

I moved to the spacious training hall with Lucia.

It was a space behind the duel arena where the competition was held.

Even though it’s in the back, it’s not a hidden place.

Besides Lucia and me, there were quite a few people in training.

Still, the space was large enough to allow people to sit at a distance.

“How can I prove it?”

Lucia asked as she raised a sword.

It is a false sword with a blunt blade.

It looks like a sword, but it is no different from an iron club.

I also answered in the same way, raising my sword.

“I will check it myself.”

“… Are you serious?”

“Because he is a former warrior. It will be okay.”

The weight class that Lucia supports is ‘F-D class hero or equivalent superhuman.’

So there is no problem if I deal with it directly.

“I understand.”

It’s nice that the decision was made quickly, but it’s hard to guess what he was thinking.

“By the way, have you ever competed with others? Or something like a training period or something like that.”

“Hmm… . I don’t have any proper information to give. It’s been about 15 years since you became a superhuman? But the amount of training is not much. Have you ever competed… Once?”

Here’s a rough estimate.

This is a case where he initially had no ambitions as a superhuman, but started training late.

“Okay.”

Lucia pointed her sword straight at me.

The upper position where the hands are raised to head height and aimed at the opponent.

Lucia slowly narrowed the distance and slashed diagonally.

I blocked it head on without spilling or dodging.

Lucia tangled her sword and flicked it upward, taking the upper position again.

From top left, top right pose.

Again, this time, cut deeply and move naturally to the lower position.

This is a standard move in Fiorene swordsmanship.

A hard and restrained sword technique in which posture and movement directly lead to the flow of attack and defense.

It is the exact opposite of Kylie’s swordsmanship, which is more elegant and soft than her temperament.

In a way, it’s natural.

Lorenzo has made everything into a system that can be called ‘sword law’, but Kylie is not like that.

Just cut and stab as you see and feel.

It is the result of finding strong opponents, fighting them, killing them, and absorbing them at will.

-Kang! Kaduk!

The swords clash and make a sharp sound.

Instead of attacking, I only focused on defense and evasion.

It’s clumsy and stiff.

It is not the restrained hardness typical of Fiorene swordsmanship.

Both body and technique are lacking.

Maybe he had a good sense of distance, but he didn’t swing his sword in the air, but that was it.

‘But for some reason… . ‘You look frustrated.’

This is a feeling of frustration that seems to be due to a different reason than immaturity.

“Huh… . Hehehe… !”

After only a few swings, Lucia’s breathing became noticeably rougher.

It’s frustrating to listen to.

It’s surprising that he wants to challenge a duel competition with this kind of stamina, and it’s also surprising that a superhuman’s body is in this condition.

Even though he is not immune to disease, he is a superhuman with an extremely high tolerance.

What on earth should I do to make my body like this? .

“Stop.”

As soon as I said those words, Lucia stopped moving.

Sweat pours from her like rain.

The hand that sweeps up the flowing hair is gaunt and withered, and not only the hand but also the entire arm is wrapped in bandages.

That’s not all.

The bandages covering the face were stained red and yellow.

As if there was pus or fluid beyond it.

“Study… . Okay… .”

Lucia breathes uncomfortably.

What stopped her was not this physical strength.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Yes… ?”

“Why don’t you reveal your true skills?”

“… … .”

Lucia’s swordsmanship was somewhat unstable.

There was some immaturity and clumsiness that came from lacking skills, but that wasn’t everything.

It felt unnatural, as if I was forced to move while wearing clothes that didn’t fit.

In that unnatural movement, the eyes were constantly shaking.

I may not know exactly what she’s thinking.

However, I was able to vaguely read it from those hesitant eyes.

That there is something else you want.

Every time an attack was blocked by me, I would make an expression of regret that there was another way but I couldn’t do it.

“I don’t know why, and I’m not sure exactly what the level of competition participants is. I don’t think I’ll be able to achieve anything with the skills I just hid. If you are not sincere, it is difficult for me to help you.”

“… You have great insight.”

Lucia briefly acknowledged.

“That’s right. It would be polite to do it sincerely. It takes some time to prepare… Could you please wait?”

… What should I prepare?

“Just try it.”

“Yes.”

His tone is so calm that it makes you feel aloof.

Still, he wants to have something to say and is quick to make decisions.

If it’s special, it’s special… .

I quietly watched Lucia preparing.

If you look closely, you can see that the hair is black but has a dark purple tint.

The purple eyes are also slightly dark, almost grape-colored.

… grape?

For some reason, it reminds me of Vivian and Helena.

Naturally, I try to stand with Lucia in front of me.

Strawberries, oranges, grapes… .

… What are these fruits?

Lucia finished her preparations diligently, struggling out of breath even to lift a single sword.

One two-handed sword, two one-handed swords, one large circular shield that covers the upper body, and one buckler shield slightly larger than a fist.

A long halberd, two hatchets, one dagger for anti-armor, and four throwing daggers.

I packed a lot of it by using the belt that goes around my thighs and forearms.

… What on earth is this loud combination?

I can’t even guess.

Are you going to manage all of this with that low level of stamina?

Doesn’t it seem like suffering comes from what you have in your body?

“Phew… .”

Lucia, who was carrying weapons all over her body, seemed to have difficulty even standing.

She eventually took a pill out of her pocket and swallowed it.

Could it be drugs?

“Isn’t there a ban on drug use in the regulations?”

There are hallucinogens and stimulants that can be used to compensate for lack of physical strength or poor physical condition.

Whether you use it in a dungeon or on the front lines is up to you.

Not here, right?

I also don’t want to take in someone whose mental state is such that they are dependent on drugs.

“Ah. It’s not that kind of medicine.”

Lucia pointed to her face.

“It’s a painkiller.”

I knew right away what it meant.

Her bandages were already stained an uncomfortably red color.

“Ingredients and usage amount have been inspected.”

“Well, if you say so.”

What should I do? I have to carry painkillers with me… .

“Phew… .”

Lucia’s breathing became more comfortable as the medicine began to take effect.

“Then, I’ll go.”

Lucia lowered her posture while holding the hatchet and shield.

Are you preparing to rush in?

Since we’ve already crossed swords a few times, I don’t have high expectations.

All you have to do is show everything you have to show.

Why are you the last survivor?

Why did Lorenzo hide Lucia?

I want to know that… .

-bang!

“What… .”

Something flew towards me, so I held out my sword and blocked it without even having time to think or judge.

It was a shield that covered my entire vision.

Lucia was holding it.

-Boo!

The sound of something being thrown.

After that.

-Patchoux!

The sound of kicking the ground.

The shield is still standing where it collided with my sword.

It was such a brief moment that I couldn’t even remove the shield.

‘A surprise attack while blocking the view?’

It’s a tricky tactic that the Fiorene family doesn’t have.

Below, or behind.

With alert and activated senses, it is invisible but predicts through sound.

‘under.’

Something is splitting the air and aiming for my ankle.

I threw the shield aside and at the same time did a back tumble and retreated far away.

-Tsk!

The tip of the halberd’s spear grazed the spot where I was.

Even that wasn’t an attempt to cut or stab me.

He hooked the halberd’s blade to the back of his foot and tried to pull it to throw it away.

“Suddenly things have changed so much… .”

Moment.

She appeared holding a halberd in both hands.

There is only one hatchet stuck to my waist.

There are two hatchets that I brought with me when preparing.

What were you holding at first?

I couldn’t believe it was the sound of something thrown earlier… .

I stopped thinking and immediately left my seat.

Immediately afterwards, a hatchet fell from the sky where I was standing.

‘You predicted it and laid it down?’

As soon as she could avoid it, Lucia clawed the floor with the blade of her halberd and sprinkled sand.

The ocher-colored sand covered Lucia.

Just before being covered, she was in a javelin throwing stance.

‘crazy… .’

-Boo!

The halberd flew in, piercing the center of the sand dust that covered the son-in-law in a circle.

As soon as I dodged to the side, Lucia jumped out from the sand and dust.

-Quad!

He reflexively blocked the two-handed sword he swung.

It’s completely different from before.

Whether it’s swordsmanship, swordplay, or posture, I’m not tied down to things like that at all.

It’s so rough that it’s ignorant.

In the meantime, he is faithful to very basic swordsmanship.

Do not try to clumsily exchange swords while intertwining your swords.

Properly assess strength and balance and look for gaps.

Lucia momentarily twisted her body and let go of one hand.

The delicate balance is broken.

As time slowed down, I was able to avoid it.

But I got curious.

If I follow her flow here, what awaits me next?

I pretended to be slightly shaken, but immediately my fist came flying out.

As I lowered my posture to avoid something, something caught on the back of my neck.

‘hand?’

Before I knew it, Lucia had both hands free and was grabbing me by the back of my neck.

Hold the lowered position and bring your knees toward your face.

Even when competing with weapons, he is bold enough to never hesitate to throw them away.

-widely!

He blocked it with his palm and then stepped back.

Even then, Lucia did not stop.

I buy time by throwing the two daggers that were stuck in my thighs.

‘Did emptying both hands count? .’

I threw the sword into the air, and it fell into Lucia’s hand just as I was about to strike the dagger away.

Lucia, holding her sword again, rushes in.

-Kang!

Compared to the swords clashing with sparks flying, Lucia’s gaze was infinitely calm.

Even though his breathing became rough due to the intense movement, his coldly calm eyes looked directly at me.

I tried to fight back as a test to her.

Move the stabbing sword to the side, pull the handle upwards, and hold out the sword.

That moment.

Her eyes moved accurately and quickly.

I look at my shoulders, my gaze, and my sword.

‘and… .’

Once you pass a certain level, it becomes possible to split each second.

Perceived time slows down, and your eyes and body become more sensitive, allowing you to feel time delicately.

0.1, 0.2, 0.3, … Up to 1 second like this.

If you can capture that moment like a strand, recognize it, and move, you can move in a time different from others.

And to go one step further, if we can divide 0.1 second again, we will transcend the human realm.

This is an area I can never reach.

0.01, 0.02, … Up to 0.1.

The accumulated time is then 0.2, 0.3, … Up to 1.

It’s not something anyone can do.

Talent and effort can only be achieved if both are trained to the limit.

And now, I have glimpsed a glimpse of that transcendence.

One second is divided into countless pieces, and the broken pieces are recognized and used again.

After making that brief decision, Lucia leaned outward and pushed away the sword.

Of course, my counterattack was also defeated.

‘It’s not that I know it, it’s the physicality of seeing it and destroying it at that moment…’ .’

Now, Lucia takes a few steps back and catches her breath.

I covet it.

I’m just, purely curious.

How will I grow if I manage this absurd level of talent?

How far will it go?

What kind of appearance will it show?

The amount of training is minimal, and I’ve only competed once… .

I remember the moment I first met Kylie.

The most selfish and overwhelmingly talented member of the monstrous first hero party.

I was so selfish that I even felt defeated when I saw him in the third episode.

Is it possible to reach that level without proper training or management?

However, if you connect it with his performance in the second round, it is an understandable talent.

The power and skill to change terrain by swinging a sword.

The physical ability to sort out all the clutter with just one breath.

‘okay… . I had no choice but to admit it.’

It has to be like this.

You have to be at this level to become the first of the Thirteen Evils.

That’s what I thought.

The first of the Thirteen Evils that turned the world upside down.

The person who ushered in the era of heroes and villains at the end of the second war.

As a villain, he made everyone tremble with fear.

He was revered by everyone as a hero.

All evil, Kylie.

A seed that reminds me of my first meeting with the woman who was nicknamed ‘the arrogant hypocrite.’

Now, it was right in front of me.

“Phew… .”

As Lucia took her stance again, I also tensed my body.

Talent equal to or better than Kylie.

However, the result is a bit different.

Kylie’s talent is an explosive burst of power.

On the other hand, Lucia’s strength is not outstanding, perhaps due to her physical condition.

His strengths are his razor-sharp senses, fighting sense, and complex fighting skills.

The moment Lucia kicks the ground again.

-thud!

She fell forward.

“… Lucia?”

what.

Is this also a war law?

Play dead?

I couldn’t let down my guard because of what I had just seen.

I approached cautiously and tapped the side of the sword.

It doesn’t even move.

What is “? .”

Breathing is heard.

If I was going to pretend to be dead, I would have hidden my breathing. With that judgment in mind, I put down my weapon and turned Lucia over.

When Lucia showed her face, she was unconscious with a nosebleed.

It seems like his body couldn’t bear the load.

“… It’s going to spin.”

I had no choice but to carry Lucia on my back.

I can’t leave it like this.

If you take me to Fiorene Castle, there will be family or servants there.

***

That was a memory from one day.

‘What? This trivial skill.’

Ian taught Kylie a technique.

I couldn’t do it perfectly, and it wasn’t a technique that suited Kylie’s swordsmanship.

‘Well. ‘I’m telling you not to die.’

‘The concentration of bullshit is getting thicker as the days go by.’

‘Don’t be cocky.’

‘Just go away.’

There was a day like that.

“… … .”

And Kylie had just put the technique to the test for the first time in a very long time.

A noisy, even slightly dirty technique.

I disliked it even more because managing mana became more inconvenient than before.

Not only did the wall of the cavity collide with the sword energy, it even cut into sharp pieces.

“Who dies? . On subjects that are weaker than me… .”

Kylie pulled out the magic stone in one leap and came down.

It was no secret that those who saw her skills were amazed and in awe.

I am not happy at all when I receive their attention.

It’s just that Ian keeps coming to mind.

So I was annoyed.

“Fuck… .”

And, Kylie came here without even getting rid of her drunkenness.

I felt so pathetic like that.

‘If I kill that guy, will things get better… .’

I don’t know where it is, but I can find it if I want to.

But, once they find it, can they really kill it?

I hesitated again and again.

“… … .”

Kylie buried her unanswered questions in her drunkenness.