kscans

Chapter 59 - Hero versus Demon Lord

The pledge certainly stated they wouldn't fight inside the base, but having them fight right next to it was a problem. He doubted the base would be destroyed, but even so, the large crowd of Lunaria's retainers was already affecting business at the base.

The moment Hayato was about to tell them to fight elsewhere, the Gothic Lolita woman beside him leaped at Ivan with a giant black scythe.

"You're a hundred years too early to fight Lunaria-sama!"

Hayato was surprised to see the Gothic Lolita woman's tone change so drastically.

"Sorry, but I'll say the same to you. You're not strong enough to be my opponent."

With those words, Ivan parried the Gothic Lolita woman's scythe with Excalibur.

He then unleashed a blindingly fast series of attacks on the off-balance woman. The afterimages of his sword became flashes of white light that assaulted the Gothic Lolita woman. It was Excalibur's Weapon Skill, White Lightning.

The Gothic Lolita woman who took the hit was left in a near-death state. Her HP bar was down to a sliver. There was no blood, and probably no pain, but it wasn't a pleasant sight.

Hayato immediately approached the Gothic Lolita woman and stood in front of Ivan.

"No fighting here, either. It wasn't written in the pledge, but I expect you to have that much common sense."

"...Well, I have been causing you trouble, Hayato, so I get it. In that case..."

"Wait."

Lunaria stepped forward. Still bound, her face turned stern.

"Hayato-san. I want you to let me fight Ivan here."

"Huh? No, I'd rather you didn't."

At those words, Lunaria's eyes welled up with tears slightly.

"P-please let me fight Ivan here."

"Um, why?"

"As the Demon Lord, I cannot let the Hero get away with attacking my retainer. No, I cannot forgive him for hurting my friend. Besides, my refusal to fight the Hero has caused trouble for you and the others. I will sever this connection here and now."

The retainers around them let out cries of admiration at Lunaria's words. The Gothic Lolita woman herself looked moved, blushing happily at being called a friend.

All Hayato could say was to do it somewhere else, but he was tired of being pushed around by the Hero and the Demon Lord, so he reluctantly gave his permission.

Just in case, he contacted Ash and the others and had them come over. They were there to keep things under control if something happened.

Lunaria pointed the tip of her sword at Ivan. She had been untied a moment ago, so now she was free.

(This isn't just an excuse to gloss over the fact she stole from the treasury, is it...?)

"Because I kept running away, I've caused trouble for many people. Come, Hero. Let's settle this."

"I like it. I like the usual diffident Lunaria too, but this dignified look isn't bad either. Oh, right, let me say this first. If I win, you're going to hear me out, okay?"

Ivan also pointed his sword at Lunaria.

"Who are you betting on, Master? I'll bet one pudding on Lunaria-sama. If I win the bet, please give me a Bucket Pudding."

"Isn't there a bit of a gap in what's being wagered?"

"I think the Hero is stronger, but I wonder?"

"You're for the Hero, big brother? Then I think I'll go with Lunaria-san. I'd like a Bucket Pudding too, please!"

"Could you guys take this a little more seriously? If those two start heading for the base, you have to stop them, okay?"

He didn't think there would be any attacks that could destroy the base, but this was a fight between the Hero and the Demon Lord. Anything could happen.

And so, the battle between the Hero and the Demon Lord began.

The Hero and the Demon Lord had almost identical equipment. Regardless of performance, both wore armor and wielded one-handed swords. Neither had a shield, and they held their single-handed swords with both hands.

However, in this particular battle, armor was likely completely irrelevant.

The sword Lunaria held was Arondight, and the sword Ivan held was Excalibur. Since they both dealt defense-ignoring attacks, armor was meaningless. In other words, whichever of them landed a few hits would lose. That was the kind of fight it was.

In this game, combat was a matter of one's own physical abilities. Weapon Skills unleashed from a weapon only add special effects and damage. They don't increase accuracy. Hitting or dodging was up to the individual.

(Well, they're both NPCs, so I guess it's less a battle of physical ability and more a battle of processing power... I don't care who wins, just get it over with.)

Ivan's and Lunaria's swords clashed and were repelled. Neither landed a clean hit. Time passed with both of them unscathed.

(Lunaria is attacking while disorienting her opponent with high speed. Ivan is barely moving from his spot, standing firm and deflecting her sword. But, if this keeps up, I think Lunaria will win.)

The reason Hayato thought so was weapon durability.

Since they were blocking each other's attacks with their swords, both of their durabilities were decreasing. And the Arondight that Lunaria was holding was as good as new, having been remade by Hayato just a week ago.

He didn't know the state of Ivan's Excalibur, but its durability had been reduced from taking attacks from Esha and Ash a week ago. Since he had spent this past week visiting to apologize, he thought its durability was still low. Hayato could predict what would happen if this continued.

And that prediction came true perfectly.

Arondight broke Excalibur.

"Are you serious!?"

"It's over."

Lunaria's sword strikes became a movement leaving afterimages, turning into a black flash. That flash assaulted Ivan. It was the Weapon Skill of the demonic sword Arondight with its black blade, Black Swan, a counterpart to Excalibur's White Lightning.

With his sword broken, Ivan couldn't block the attack, and he was struck down helplessly, collapsing to the ground.

The next moment, cheers erupted from Lunaria's retainers.

(Is it okay for the Demon Lord to win? Normally, the Hero is supposed to win.)

Having won, Lunaria sheathed her sword and, for some reason, came over to Hayato.

"Thank you, Hayato. I was able to win because you remade this sword for me."

"Don't say things like that, the Hero will hold a grudge against me."

When he looked over at the fallen Ivan, a light shone down from above for some reason, and feathers began to fall.

When the feathers touched Ivan, he stood up as if nothing had happened. He had clearly resurrected on the spot.

No one here had used sacred resurrection magic. As Hayato was confused about what had happened, Esha explained.

"He probably had a Phoenix Feather. It's an item that lets you resurrect automatically."

"This is the first I've heard of such an item."

Ivan stood up and let out a big sigh. But immediately after, he smiled.

"So I lost. I never thought Excalibur would break."

"It was just that my sword was recently repaired. I was lucky. Thanks to Hayato."

"Then, does that mean I was unlucky? So it's Hayato's fault."

(Don't drag me into this.)

Ignoring Hayato's thoughts, Lunaria stood before Ivan.

"Is there something you wanted to say to me? You said if you won, but I'll listen now."

"You will? It's a little uncool since I lost, but if you'll let me, I'll say it!"

Ivan took a deep breath, his face becoming serious.

"Go out with me!"

"No."

The interval was 0.2 seconds. The Hero's love had come to an end. But Ivan didn't seem saddened by it.

"Yeah, that makes sense. No one would fall for a weak guy, huh."

"That has nothing to do with it. I don't like overbearing people."

"Now you're just kicking a man when he's down. Well, I didn't think it would work out anyway. I just wanted to get some closure... Does it sound like I'm trying to act tough?"

"I don't think so. I think there's someone out there who's more suitable for you than I am, Ivan."

"Thanks. You've given me hope to live. Um, Hayato, you got a minute?"

Ivan shifted his gaze from Lunaria to Hayato.

"...What is it?"

"Don't look so annoyed. Look, I'm sorry for dragging you into all this. And for rampaging at your base."

"I've already accepted your apologies and gifts for that, so don't worry about it. You too, Lunaria-san."

Both of them smiled at Hayato's words. And amidst applause from the gallery, the Hero and the Demon Lord shook hands and parted ways.

(You guys are actually friends, aren't you?)

Hayato was left with questions about the relationship between the Hero and the Demon Lord, but he was relieved that this event was finally over, even if things ended on a feel-good note.