Swordsmanship invisible to the naked eye, and power that easily shreds the sturdy armor of the Red Dragon Emperor. Even Arthur and Vasco Strada had been captivated by his skill. It seems the power of this otherworldly swordsman is considered an anomaly even by masters of their caliber.
The tide of battle turned against Walburga in an instant.
Former Student Council President Sona once said that Walburga is the type to retreat immediately if she sees she is at a disadvantage. Usually, she would have already deployed a teleportation circle and fled.
But now, she didn't move—she couldn't move.
She likely foresaw a future where the moment she opened a magic circle, she would be cut down.
Just as the atmosphere suggested we were about to defeat Walburga, a new presence appeared on the scene.
"Pardon the intrusion, everyone."
A man appeared, bowing politely. He was tall and lean, with brown hair tied back.
I had crossed swords with this man once before—
"Valus of the 'Peeping Tom'! Why are you here?!"
I shouted.
We fought him during the attack on Aulos Academy.
I couldn't lay a hand on him...! I couldn't even graze him...!
Valus turned his gaze toward me.
"Kiba Yuto-dono, it has been a while since the other day. —Truly magnificent growth. Your aura is of a different quality than before. Seeing a young swordsman overcome his walls and reach a new dimension... it is pleasant to behold. It was worth coming to spectate."
Spectate...?
Suddenly, something caught my eye. In Valus's left hand hung a convenience store plastic bag, filled with empty cans and some trash.
Seeing that, I... I just—
"Our battle isn't a soccer match, you know?!"
I couldn't help but retort! With Issei-kun gone, the role of the straight man has fallen to me!
Or rather, did that guy seriously come just to watch?! Like, literally spectate?! You were drinking beer and eating snacks while watching us, weren't you?!
Valus gave a thumbs up and smiled refreshingly.
"It was a wonderful battle. My excitement wouldn't stop watching it. I want to say to the young ones who fought here today—thank you."
It's no use; my retorts can't keep up! I can't handle any more stupidity right now!
"Yuto-senpai, fight on."
Koneko-chan cheered me on as I fell to my knees! Thank you!
Valus shifted his gaze from me to Maurice-san.
"I actually had no intention of revealing myself... but with the 'Sword Saint' here, that changes things. —I have come to request a match with you."
"Ho... You want to go a round with me? One-on-one?"
"Naturally."
The relaxed atmosphere vanished, and Valus's expression turned serious. He used magic to send the plastic bag of trash flying into a nearby garbage bin.
...He's surprisingly diligent about littering.
A dense pressure radiated from both Maurice-san and Valus, clashing in the air.
At that moment, Walburga spoke to Valus.
"Oh my, oh my-n. If it isn't Valus-kyun. Did you come to save me-n? Shall we burn this Ojisama to a crisp together?"
Is she suggesting teaming up with Valus to defeat Maurice-san...?
However, Valus's reply was—
"I said one-on-one. If you interfere... I will erase you."
His response was laced with sharp anger. Valus's killing intent shook the trees and cracked the ground.
Step by step, Maurice-san and Valus closed the distance. The scene was reminiscent of the battle between Arthur and Vasco Strada.
The one to make the first move was—Valus.
He drew his sword and slashed at Maurice-san.
Fast.
There was no wasted movement between drawing and striking. His strength isn't just his ability. His swordsmanship and magic are both high-level.
However, Maurice-san lightly parried Valus's high-speed slash—moving barely an inch from his spot.
"Nice sword arm. How about it? Want to join my order?"
"I am honored. But this is not the extent of my skill."
Valus vanished!
It was as if his presence had been erased. I looked up and scanned the surroundings, but I couldn't locate him.
A high-pitched metallic clang rang out.
Looking back, Maurice-san had caught Valus's downward swing.
Maurice-san parried the blade and launched a counterattack.
Swinging both arms, he pressured Valus with his dual-blade style. I couldn't even tell what kind of attacks he was unleashing. They were too fast to track.
All I knew was—cuts were beginning to appear on Valus's body.
Maurice-san was accurately catching the high-speed Valus, carving shallow wounds into his shoulders, arms, and thighs.
...How is this happening?
Valus's abilities are mind-reading and seeing a glimpse of the future. Both should make him terrifyingly effective in evasion, offense, and defense.
Valus reset his stance and looked at his own wounds.
"To think you would wound me..."
Maurice-san spoke.
"If I recall, your ability is reading minds and seeing the immediate future... right? I heard that from Issei."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then the strategy is simple. —Even if you read my mind, even if you see the future, I just have to swing the sword faster than you can dodge."
"..."
Valus was dumbfounded.
...Inadvertently, I understood Valus's feelings perfectly. And I agreed with him.
—This person is absurd!
Maurice-san stabbed the sword in his left hand into the ground.
"Well, since you went to the trouble of challenging me, I'll show you my trump card."
A dense aura began to overflow from Maurice-san's body. He took a slow, deep breath, seeming to knead something deep within himself. Simultaneously, his remaining sword dyed black once again.
This sensation... right. It's what he taught me before—Sword Chi (Kenki).
Maurice-san lowered his hips and gripped the hilt with both hands.
And then—
"—Black Blade: God Sever (Kokuto: Kamikiri)."
For a moment... just a split second, I felt like Maurice-san's arm moved. No one here likely understood what had just happened.
A dense wave of Sword Chi was released, that much is certain. But what exactly did he—
The next instant.
GUOOOOOOOOON...
The entire field... the dimension itself began to emit a disturbing groan!
It can't be, did he just...!
Rossweisse-san shouted.
"Did he cut the field itself?! That's impossible!"
"Hmm? I heard it can be repaired, right? Was that a no-go?"
"That is not the issue! You are being too unreasonable!"
He... he really cut the field itself...
I just have one thing to say.
"Are you really human?!"
"Of course. Just an ordinary Ojisan pushing fifty. Lately, my stream hasn't been great when I pee, you know."
I heard that one before! Also, I want to deny the "ordinary" part with every fiber of my being!
"T-That was close... I was almost split into left and right halves."
Valus said, wiping sweat from his brow.
He dodged that...? Judging by his expression, it was by a hair's breadth...
Valus regained his posture and asked Maurice-san.
"I once saw your sword from a distance... You have clearly increased in power. Just how far do you intend to go?"
To that question, Maurice-san answered quietly.
"As far as I can go... I let Light die. I let Issei die once. I don't want to see any more young ones lose their lives. 'The future belongs to the youth! Old geezers shouldn't interfere!'... people might think that."
Maurice-san smiled bitterly.
He stared at his own sword, then pointed it toward the heavens.
"As long as this life lasts, I will keep gripping this sword. I will keep mastering it. So I don't lose what's precious to me."
[Perspective: Kiba Out]
The Cheat-Ojisan went on a rampage! (Laughs)
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