kscans

Chapter 61 - A Woman's Battle

Altorine's voice was filled with fighting spirit as she questioned me.

Why is she asking me that? I wondered aloud.

"You understood what the undead meant by 'the final blow' and acted accordingly. I had no idea what it was talking about. Of course, the people from Owari Village wouldn't know either. I've interacted with them enough to know many of their words—expressions for 'fool' or 'it cannot be helped,' and so on... Now, to return to my question, how did you know?"

She pressed me again, her aura intensifying.

What should I do? She probably wouldn't believe me if I told her about the other world.

In that case, I'd have to rephrase it.

"...It's because I'm from the same country as that warrior. ...It wouldn't be strange for me to know, would it?"

I explained, hoping she would find it plausible.

However, her suspicious gaze never wavered.

"...Then was what you said at the guild, about coming from the Kingdom, a lie?"

To that, I replied.

"...It wasn't a lie. When I came to this continent from my homeland, the first place I set foot in was the Kingdom. That was two years ago. I lived and hunted there, and I set out on a journey because I wanted to know the limits of my own strength. ...That's the simple version, anyway."

Altorine considered my explanation.

"...Your story is consistent, for the most part. But you're still hiding something. ...I'm sorry, but you'll have to come with me to the station."

Altorine readied her sword.

Resigned, I was about to draw my own blade when Tina stepped forward.

"...Shinsuke. Let me handle this."

She stood in front of me, sword at the ready.

From what I could see, Altorine was slightly superior in terms of skill. Tina knew that too. In that case, I thought, she must have a plan.

The two women glared at each other, but the standoff didn't last long.

Altorine made the first move, charging straight ahead. Tina calmly met her, sword raised.

What followed was a fierce clash of steel.

Both were parrying and swinging with all their might.

It was the same with Bardos and Rodel, but swordsmanship in this world seemed to rely heavily on brute force. ...Perhaps it's because they don't fight other people that often, or maybe it's because an overly elaborate technique would be a fatal liability against a monster. Still, to see two women swinging their swords with such raw power...

...It was a strange sight.

Normally, you'd expect them to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. I wanted to ask why they couldn't fight with more grace, but I couldn't say something so tactless during a real duel. Just then, Altorine swung her sword in a wide horizontal arc. ...The impact sent Tina flying, but she quickly regained her footing.

Altorine was now channeling magic into her entire body.

Altorine's perspective.

Who are these two, especially Shinsuke? ...The only way to find out was to cross blades with him directly. That was my plan, but now this woman, Tina, was my first opponent. It wasn't what I had intended, but I decided it was a good opportunity to show them the extent of my own abilities.

...In short, I would use her as a litmus test.

After their exchange, Altorine had a new appreciation for Tina's skill.

She was quite skilled. She definitely had the power of an A-rank adventurer.

...In that case, I won't hold back. Altorine decided to use her skill.

Tina's perspective.

When she said she wanted to fight Shinsuke, I was filled with a sense of displeasure. It wasn't a life-or-death battle, but I could feel a testing atmosphere coming from Altorine, and it annoyed me to no end. ...That's why I decided to fight her myself.

To make her understand that I was the one worthy of Shinsuke.

After their exchange, Tina understood Altorine's strength.

As expected of a Knight-Captain. Her skill was first-rate. She was definitely an A-rank powerhouse.

I can't underestimate her. I won't be able to win unless I use my full power without holding back. With that in mind, Tina decided to use a new technique.

The two of them created distance and glared at each other. They had likely gauged each other's strength after a few exchanges. The intensity in the air was palpable; I could tell that the next time they moved, their special techniques would be unleashed. It was a scene straight out of an anime.

Just as I thought that, Altorine made her move. ...Raising her sword, she shouted.

"Skill: 'Charge'!!"

An invisible wall seemed to form in front of her as she ran.

I figured that wall served to block all incoming attacks. I couldn't think of a way to counter it at the moment. The only option was to dodge. Tina, however, stood her ground, neither panicking nor moving to evade Altorine's charge.

I couldn't figure out what she was thinking. ...But then I saw wind swirling around her sword.

A small tornado was coiling around the blade.

"Gale Strike!!"

She shouted as she thrust her sword forward.

A horizontal tornado shot out from the blade. It looked just like a drill.

The drill of wind slammed into Altorine.

It was blocked by her invisible wall. ...Its momentum was blunted, and it failed to stop her advance.

The match was over.

If she couldn't stop Altorine, Tina had no chance of winning. ...Or so I thought, but then something strange happened.

The ground between the two of them had been gouged out.

What had been flat ground just moments before was now a treacherous path with terrible footing.

As a result, Altorine seemed to be having trouble running. ...And then, she tripped on a rock that had been hidden in the dirt. Altorine fell face-first with a spectacular tumble.

It seemed the invisible wall didn't react to obstacles on the ground. Just as I thought that, the wind died down, and a complete silence fell over the area. ...Tina had a look on her face that said she had no idea what to do.

Altorine remained motionless, her face buried in the dirt.

...Tina cautiously approached to check on her, turning her from her stomach onto her back. Still no movement. Her breathing seemed normal, but there was a bruise forming on her forehead. There had been a stone right where her face had landed.

...It seemed she had hit her head hard and knocked herself out.

In this case, it was best not to wake her forcefully. ...We had no choice but to wait for her to come to.

After a while, Altorine began to regain consciousness. Just when I thought she was waking up, a sleepy-faced Altorine mumbled.

"...Mmm, fooood... I'm hungryyy..."

Her voice was sickeningly sweet.

Tina and I looked at each other, wondering what to do, when Altorine's eyes slowly opened. She shot up with a jolt.

She looked around, straightened her clothes and armor, and cleared her throat with a dignified ahem.

"...Did something happen?"

Her usual expression had returned. But her eyes were clearly pleading, Don't say anything. We both silently shook our heads. Seeing this, Altorine's face relaxed with relief.

Now that she was awake, I spoke.

"...So, Captain. Why did you initiate a fight?"

To this, Altorine replied.

"...It's as I said before. Is there a problem?"

She asked with a composed look.

To which I said.

"...I certainly felt your fighting spirit, but I didn't sense any killing intent. If you were really trying to capture me, it wouldn't have been strange for you to exude killing intent. And yet, you didn't. ...It was as if you were testing me. Am I wrong?"

Altorine responded to my question.

"...You're half right and half wrong. It's true that I was testing you. I wanted to feel the extent of your strength for myself. However, it's also true that I intended to capture you. I was planning to take you with me after it was over. ...With me as the victor."

I replied to her answer.

"...As the victor? ...So, what about now?"

Altorine looked chagrined.

"This match is my loss. The loser obeys the victor. ...Do with me as you please."

Altorine spread her arms wide.

In that case, I had a question.

"Alright then, a question. ...Why did you target us?"

Altorine explained.

"It started with the riot yesterday. I saw you defeat the leaders of the mob. And you did it with a fighting style I'd never seen before. I decided I had to find out who you were. If you were enemies of the state, I couldn't just let you go."

She answered with surprising honesty.

...Did she realize what kind of danger she was in, saying something like that to the very person who could be an enemy of the state? I wanted to ask, but I held my tongue and continued to listen. I didn't want to interrupt her story.

Altorine continued.

"...That's why I prohibited anyone from leaving the country. What the gatekeeper told you was just an excuse to make it sound plausible. ...We couldn't very well single out specific individuals."

"Doing so would just cause unnecessary trouble, and we're already overwhelmed with handling the aftermath of the riot. ...That's all I have to say."

Altorine once again spread her arms.

Seeing this, I said.

"...If those were the circumstances, then it can't be helped. Anyone would be wary of an unknown entity. ...But since we have the chance, there's a lot I'd like to know. ...Would you mind if I took a look at your sword?"

At my words, Altorine silently handed me her sword.

The craftsmanship of the hilt was exquisite, and the blade itself was not only beautiful but also incredibly sharp.

I used 'Analysis.'

The materials were iron, Mithril, and Orichalcum.

...Orichalcum. I recalled it was a mineral of higher quality than Mithril, but it could only be mined in limited locations, making it famously rare, second only to Adamantite. ...However, with my skill, that wasn't an issue.

I made a mental note to create some later. As I handed the sword back, I asked.

"What is the name of this sword?"

Altorine took it back and replied.

"...It is the sacred sword, Claíomh Solais. It has been passed down through my family for generations."

Claíomh Solais. The Irish sword of magic, known as the 'Sword of Light' or 'Shining Sword.' As I was thinking that another sword from folklore existed in reality, Altorine continued speaking.

"...I've heard that it was brought here by a hero from another world."

She had just said something truly astounding.