Chapter 182 - The Man Who Cuts Clouds
Explosives, huh. They’re using the worst possible means so casually. The bombs used in our headquarters and this explosion are likely related. It’s not something you can just use casually, and the sheer power of it suggests it wasn’t a makeshift device, but a magic tool specifically created as a bomb. If that’s the case, the sources for obtaining such items must be limited.
We already knew the second son's faction of the McDallian Family used bombs, but the source of acquisition hasn't been revealed. But the bomb used against the Clad Family earlier was almost certainly set by the Gandrault Gang. If that’s the case, they must be the source, right? No, it might be too hasty to jump to conclusions. The opposite scenario is also possible.
"Considering the red mist magic tools, it’s natural to suspect the Gandrault Gang provided the bombs, right?"
Liliane, who was apparently thinking along similar lines, posed this question, her hand on her cheek. Indeed, the Gandrault Gang’s frequent use of magic tools in battle makes them the most plausible source.
"Maybe. But the easiest way is to get them to talk. I’ll catch a few and bring them back. I’ll make them talk, for sure."
"Then I shall accompany you."
Her calm smile in such a situation is unsettling, but I can also see her as a reliable ally.
Now, about the enemy aside, I can’t ignore the damage and the victims.
"I hope the young lady is okay..."
Just when I thought she’d escaped one crisis, here’s another. That girl seems to attract trouble.
"She’s a lucky one. She’ll be fine."
The Clad Family’s main house suffered catastrophic damage, that much is clear. But I doubt Balgar Clad and Cloud Cutter would go down so easily. The non-combatants and families of high-ranking officials should have been well-protected.
The young lady is an important figure in the Anastasia Union. The Clad Family would have taken every precaution to ensure her safety. There’s a good chance she’s still alive. That’s why we need to stop the group in bowler hats before they cause more harm. We need to secure them as sources of information, and regardless, we have to fight them. We won’t let them get away with this.
From the high ground where we were, the Clad Family’s residence is quite a distance away, and the house where the bowler hats emerged was also quite far. Whether on foot or by vehicle, we should arrive at roughly the same time. We need to make it in time. I can’t push the young driver any harder, so I’ll have to endure the anxiety.
When we arrived at the scene, it seemed we were a bit late. I could see the members of the Gandrault Gang beyond the large gate.
"There might be survivors, so no large-scale attacks. Valeria and Liliane, focus on capturing a few of them. I’ll search for survivors."
"I’ll try to incapacitate them without killing. I’ll give the same instructions to the combat team."
"I’ll capture the leaders first."
With the skill gap, we can afford to go easy. The enemy’s numbers are significant, but even if we make a few mistakes, capturing a few should be manageable.
"Yeah, let’s wrap this up quickly."
The Clad Family’s grounds aren’t suitable for vehicles, so we parked on the side of the road and made our way in.
While everyone rushed towards the enemy, I held my silver super-hard bat and began a quick magical detection.
I intended to help any survivors and hoped to find a trace of the young lady if she was alive.
"...Strange."
There were several weak magical signatures in the grounds, making it hard to distinguish between critically injured survivors and magic tools. More peculiarly, there was a large space within the rubble of the house that felt unnaturally devoid of magical energy. It was a peculiar sensation.
"Could this be a space that blocks magical energy?"
I’ve only seen magical energy blocking used in treasure chests. But if it’s used to conceal aggressive magic tools or as a base, it could be a significant threat. For us, who rely heavily on magical detection, this is a real danger. We need to rethink our approach.
If magical detection isn’t enough, we need to investigate up close. Some enemies were already making their way towards the rubble. We need to hurry.
I bypassed the battle taking place in the parking lot and ran through the garden alone. I couldn’t use long-range attacks because I didn’t know who was buried where. Throwing weapons could result in stray shots, and I couldn’t risk it. There might be survivors hiding in the rubble, and that rubble could be blocking magical energy. Given these considerations, I couldn’t attack recklessly. It would be safer to proceed cautiously.
Using my full speed, I struck the back of an enemy with my super-hard bat, shattering their spine and pelvis to incapacitate them. I then pursued the next target. This was restrained, but with so many enemies, it would be difficult to capture more than a few.
I brought down a few from behind, and after covering half the garden, the rubble suddenly exploded. It was from inside the house, which had been reduced to rubble.
At the same time, a man who had tried to approach was sliced in half diagonally. In the next instant, another man was cut in two, followed by another who had his skull split. It happened in a single breath. Someone with poor eyesight might have thought they all fell at once.
The movement was too fast. The speed and sword skills surpassed even Zenobia, who used acceleration magic. It was an extraordinary speed. Someone like me would have no chance of dodging such an attack. This was an exceptional fighter.
I recognized the man wielding the sword and glaring around. I had never seen him in battle before. This must be the legendary swordsman known as Cloud Cutter.
A one-sided slaughter began in front of me.
He approached his enemies with a strange, fluid gait and cut them in two with a single stroke. The speed and skill were so overwhelming that it seemed impossible to block or dodge. The weapons were cut along with the bodies.
His attacks, which seemed haphazard, were actually highly skilled. I couldn’t look away.
I tore my gaze away and looked at the rubble where Cloud Cutter had emerged. There was a large, shelter-like space.
"Ah, there they are!"
Inside the open shelter, I saw Balgar Clad and the young lady, along with several other survivors. This was the space that lacked magical energy. I was impressed by their level of caution.
Feeling a sense of relief, I turned my attention back to the legendary swordsman’s battle.
His fighting style was brutally simple. He approached his enemies, cut them down, and moved on. He never struck the same opponent twice. Despite the simplicity, it was compelling. The sword, devoid of any effort yet powerful, easily pierced through the enemies’ bodies, leaving no unnecessary blood. It felt almost serene, despite the chaos.
The overwhelming disparity in skill led the enemies to quickly give up on fighting the swordsman. They weren’t trying to escape. Instead, they charged towards the shelter, trying to bypass the swordsman. The shelter looked sturdy and had withstood the explosion, so it was unlikely to be destroyed by long-range attacks. If they wanted to kill Balgar Clad, approaching the shelter was a more sensible strategy.
The swordsman, however, had more to show. His casual strikes cut through multiple enemies at once, including those who were clearly out of reach. The attack had a radius of several meters. It was impossible to escape such a monster. The enemies who entered the deadly radius fell like moths to a flame.
The swordsman, known for his incredible speed, now stood still, only swinging his sword. The next enemy was still out of reach, or rather, the range had expanded!
The silver flash extended farther with each swing.
Once, twice, thrice, four times.
Each swing extended the range and spread death. In a matter of moments, all the surrounding enemies were cut down.
When the last enemy fell, I felt as if I had awakened from a dream. Then I thought,
"Is that swordsmanship? There’s no way that’s possible!"
It couldn’t just be swordsmanship. It was more like a cutting spell. No other explanation fit, and I was almost certain of it. It was a unique and highly specialized magic, perfectly suited to the swordsman’s skills.
How far could that silver flash reach?
Could it really cut through clouds, as the legend suggests?
Could I withstand such an attack?
The silver flash and his overwhelming melee combat skills weren’t something achievable through mere effort and training. It was the pinnacle of exceptional talent, honed through dedication and immense time and effort. The skill was so sharp it bordered on madness.
I understood this without even engaging. It was frustrating, but as a young and powerful fighter, I recognized the difference in skill. Without any tricks, defeat was almost certain. This was a genuine exception.
To someone with limited vocabulary, he was simply amazing. But what a spectacle he was putting on.
"Huff."
I felt a pleasant shiver run down my spine.
What should I do? I wanted to test myself. I might lose without any tricks, but with everything at my disposal, who knows?
Besides, opportunities like this are rare.
For just a moment, couldn’t I forget everything?
I, too, had my own excesses to work through.
A hot body and a smoldering heart. He could surely relieve my frustrations. After all, he was stronger than me!
A smile spread across my face.
I couldn’t suppress my laughter.
"Hehe, hehehe, hehehehe."
My physical enhancement magic intensified, and magical energy surged through my body.
The magical runes on my black coat glowed faintly, enhancing my power even further.
The carbonium coat, reinforced by the leaking magical energy, provided protection superior to heavy armor.
I put on the custom gloves from Torietta and held my silver super-hard bat.
I had my hairpin, bracelet, and all the gear embedded in my coat. I had everything I needed.
This was my all-out effort. My absolute best at this moment.
And right in front of me was someone who could withstand it.
I had never had an opportunity like this.
I cast a melted gaze, visible even to myself.
If you’re a man, you’d accept, wouldn’t you?
Accepting such a beautiful woman’s invitation is only natural, isn’t it?
He narrowed his eyes and, without a word, swung his sword.
The ultra-fast silver flash approached.
"Hah, that’s more like it!"
"...Ah, already, can’t take it anymore!"
I moved instinctively, following the rhythm of my body.
It didn’t matter whether I could do it or not. I did what I wanted.
It would be a waste to dodge a beautiful silver flash. I swung my silver super-hard bat with all my might, aiming for the chest.
The custom bat, made from nova ore and coated with orichalcum, perfectly intercepted the silver flash, creating a shockwave.
"Got it! Heavy, really heavy!"
It felt like I had struck a solid blade. But now that I caught it, I could push back.
"Grrrraaaaaah!"
I swung with all my might, shattering the silver flash. A victorious smile spread across my face, but the man swung his sword again, silently and repeatedly.
"You silent bastard, getting angry?"
All right, all right, bring it on. Now that I’ve done it once, I’ve got the hang of it.
I broke through the approaching silver flashes, advancing step by step. Right, left, and back to right.
"Don’t take me for a switch-hitter!"
The tension rose. It was fun. Even though it wasn’t a ball, the magical energy attack felt substantial in my hands. I shattered one silver flash after another, reducing them to nothing.
But as I got used to it, it became a bit unsatisfying. The speed, sharpness, and weight were all extraordinary, but there was no finesse.
When multiple silver flashes overlapped, I realized I couldn’t handle them in order. So I decided to—
With a burst of determination, I swung my bat from an upper cut, slicing through the overlapping silver flashes like cutting through a daikon radish. The impact shattered the ground, and the magic shattered as well.
The attacks stopped. It had been an amazing assault, but it was clear it wouldn’t work against me.
Cloud Cutter might have the reputation, but he lacked the talent for long-range attacks. Though powerful, his straight, single-line silver flashes lacked variety and had a consistent effect. His true strength was in close combat. Even if he could cut through clouds, he couldn’t touch me.
Finally, the strongest swordsman has entered the stage.
But this is just the beginning. The battle is far from over.
The next chapter, “Peak Combat Prowess,” continues the story.
By the way, we’ve surpassed 1,000,000 characters.
Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to leave a comment!