kscans

Chapter 266 - The Third Trump Card and the Fused Flame

The two techniques collided.

…A clash between a god-slayer and a holy sword was a sight that could never exist on Earth.

The two were locked in a stalemate. …A struggle of pushing and being pushed. The moment one’s concentration broke would decide the match. The light was so bright it was dazzling even with closed eyelids. But neither closed their eyes. The moment they did, it would be their defeat. That, too, did not last long.

Suddenly, the swords exploded. …A meeting of flame and light. It’s possible that some reaction caused the explosion. But neither had the rationality to consider that.

…I retreated a few steps, then immediately charged for a follow-up attack.

I wasn't thinking. I was only hunting.

Sidoor similarly launched a follow-up.

He wasn't thinking. He was only winning.

As the two drew close, within range, they both swung down.

From there, a duel of shining blades began. …It was a sword fight similar to before, but different. Two lights that illuminated the darkness were crossing paths.

It was as if that place alone was a different world, shining brilliantly.

Having calmed down a bit, I was relieved that Kagutsuchi was able to hold its own. Sidoor's sword of light was stronger than Rodel's. My previous flame sword would have been overpowered. But this one was different. It was a blue that surpassed red. The temperature was on another level.

Sidoor was also calm as he fought. He had unleashed Absolute Excalibur to counteract the power of the blue flame. However, he couldn't extinguish it. But the holy sword was the same. …If it were a flame he knew, they should have canceled each other out. This meant it was not a flame he knew. …But it had power.

The burn on his stomach was proof of that.

…He would not let his guard down. And he had no intention of being hit. Because I will be the first to strike.

The thoughts of the two overlapped. They continued to exchange a number of blows far exceeding their previous sword fight. They must have been exhausted, but neither showed any sign of backing down.

And then,

""Oooooooooohhhhh!""

With a mutual roar, they swung with all their might.

…And again, an explosion. A massive explosion large enough to engulf them both. There was no way they could be alive. But from the left and right, two trails of smoke were drawn.

What emerged were me and Sidoor. Both had scorch marks here and there. Not only my armor, but half my face was covered in black soot. …Sidoor had soot on various parts of his body, but no decisive burns. I had them, though.

The difference in our races was unfair.

…Sidoor was trembling from the heat of his body. The toughness of a Minotaur was not only physical but also resistant to magic and the environment. He could walk through the cold of the arctic or the heat of the desert with a straight face. Normally, he wouldn't feel such things.

But he was feeling it now. …At first, it was a warm breeze, but with each exchange of blows, the heat intensified. To the point where his throat felt parched.

This was a first for him. That's why he had retreated at the moment of the explosion.

Sidoor said, "…Haha. Honestly, I’d like to keep fighting like this. But all things must come to an end. …From this point, I will use my final trump card. …Shinsuke. Don’t you hold back either."

As he said that, the light from his greatsword vanished.

…Only the moonlight illuminated Sidoor's surroundings. But suddenly, the darkness around Sidoor intensified. As if the darkness was swallowing everything.

As I was captivated by the sight, my flames weakened. I had to concentrate.

Then, the darkness converged, and Sidoor’s figure was revealed. There was no particular change in him. But his greatsword was different.

It was originally black, but now it was even blacker, with faint lights visible here and there. Like stars.

Sidoor said, "…This is my third and strongest trump card. …Absolute Gram. The last time I used this was against my master, when we fought for a seat among the Seven Demon Lords."

He was smiling at the memory.

…He must be reminiscing about the old days. To think he fought his own master and won. But it’s not that unusual. Similar things happen in modern society. Though not through battle, but through maneuvering. Surpassing the boss or senior who taught you to rise to the top. Everyone does it. It just doesn’t get bloody.

I said, "…Should I consider this an honor? …To be honest, this is my first time trying this, too. I might fail. Can you wait?"

To this, Sidoor replied, "…Yes, otherwise there would be no point in bringing out the demonic sword. Stake your life on it."

In a way, it was a threat.

…I channeled magic into the Brahmi script I had learned on Earth and carved into my armor. My body felt lighter than ever before, and my spirit inexplicably rose. It seemed to have worked.

I doubled the intensity of my blue flame.

"…Here I come! Raging Flame Slash!"

A slash of blue flame flew.

…The flame, skimming just above the ground, melted the path it took. A direct hit would vaporize a human. Even Sidoor wouldn't escape unscathed.

However, just by holding the demonic sword in front of him, the blue slash vanished as if swallowed by darkness. It was like a black hole.

Sidoor said, "…This is the power of the demonic sword. It swallows everything, making it as if it never existed. Magic, living beings, without a trace. My master faced this and we exchanged several blows, but in the end, he was swallowed and vanished. …I wonder how you will fare?"

He readied the demonic sword.

…Swallowed just by touching it. That’s just unfair. A cheat if there ever was one.

Honestly, I myself thought my skills were a cheat since I acquired them so easily, but to think there was something even greater. …Wait a minute. He exchanged several blows? …So, if I have a power equal to that or a power that can nullify it.

…There is one thing. Something I haven't tried in my Brahmi script research. But my time with ‘Turmoil’ is running out. To try it in this state would be suicide. I have to survive with a surefire method.

I released all my remaining magic at once.

Seeing this, Sidoor said, "…Oh? Are you planning something? …I’ll wait, so do as you please."

He waited with a grin.

Then, my magic ran out and the blue flame disappeared. Sidoor just watched intently.

I shouted, "…Skill: Awakening!"

A red aura enveloped my entire body.

…My magic and stamina were fully restored, and my physical abilities increased. I sheathed my sword and drew it again. It was once again clad in blue flame. In addition, I activated the demon-warding Brahmi script. A script that nullifies magic. But it doesn’t nullify my own magic. Using that, I created a fusion technique.

I mixed purple into the blue, and it swirled like a spiral. The intense flame gradually subsided and converged. The color of the flame in my hand was a blue-purple. With this, I could do it.

Sidoor said, "…What is that? I’ve never seen anything like it. And I’ve never heard of a blue flame mixing with another. …Hahahaha. At this point, I’m more excited than surprised."

He was exhilarated and took a battle stance.

…Is it my imagination, or does his magic feel even stronger? No, I don’t have time to think about that.

I poured magic into the Brahmi script on my armor and steadied my breath.

"…Cheeeeeeeeeeeeest!"

I ran, shouting.

…The demonic sword is a threat. If anything other than the flame touches it, it's instant death. Then, I have no choice but to meet it head-on.

Sidoor, as if receiving that thought, took a similar stance.

"…Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

He ran, shouting in unison.

…The two drew closer. A clash of swords from within range. The power of the demonic sword should have drawn it in, but it was held at bay. The power of the demon ward was nullifying it. Furthermore, the heat of the flame was still present. It was a success.

Sidoor’s mind went blank.

…The demonic sword has the power to swallow everything. He had absolute confidence in it. But the moment it touched Shinsuke’s sword, it didn’t swallow. Or rather, that part alone was not exerting its power. …In his master’s case, he had poured all his magic into it to keep from being swallowed. …He hadn't nullified the power.

It was only natural for his thoughts to freeze. But he quickly recovered and calmed down.

…After fighting this long, being surprised was meaningless. The two swords separated, and a sword fight began.

From a battle of light, a battle of darkness began.

…The demonic sword, of course. The blue-purple flame did not have a strong light and gave a weak impression. If I didn’t concentrate, I would lose sight of it. I defended against a barrage of attacks from above, below, left, and right while counterattacking.

I was inflicting small wounds on Sidoor’s body. More like burns than cuts. From his expression, I couldn’t tell if it was having any effect on him.

I had to stay on guard so that not even a single blow would graze me. …Just then, the demonic sword grazed my helmet for an instant. The helmet began to be sucked in. ‘This is bad.’ I instantly tore off the chin strap.

The helmet vanished into the darkness of the demonic sword. I immediately retreated. My breathing was ragged. Even though I knew it was coming, the fear was considerable.

Meanwhile, Sidoor stood still, his breath ragged.

"…Hah, hah. Maintaining this demonic sword is tiring. …Let’s end this with the next one."

He held the demonic sword in a high stance.

I said, "…Yeah, this state is draining me, too. …Let’s end it."

I took a similar stance.

…I could feel our swords resonating with each other, growing in power.

…The two glared at each other. …A silent space.

Just then, there was the sound of a small stone falling.

Taking that as a signal, the two ran.

"Absolute Gram!"

"Kurikara Ryōdan!"

They clashed, unleashing their ultimate techniques.