The offer to pay 1000 gold coins is certainly appealing.
　But is this information worth a thousand gold pieces?
　Mr. Mare isn't lying, but he can still deceive me.
　This skill only detects lies, and if you don't believe it's a lie, it's ineffective.

　If there is a rule that first time users are required to pay too high a price for information, it is impossible to detect the truth.
　Let's check .......

''I'm flattered by Lex-san's offer, but I don't think the information Mea-san is offering is worth a thousand gold coins to me.

"Ho......

Okay. Then we're off the hook. Unless, of course, you're able to defeat the Nightmare without my knowledge.

　You seem to have given up on her, but you haven't.
　I got an inkling of that from the threatening remark of Ms. Mair.
　These people are in the business.
　He chooses his customers and clients, but he does so with some discretion.
　I'm sure he's trying to get to the bottom of things.

"Yes, sir. I thought that Mea-san's information would make it a lot easier for me, but it seems that I'll have to work it out on my own.

"Who can help themselves?　You just don't know what the Nightmare can do to you. My advice to you is to take the offer of the Sword Saint over there, it's better for you.

''I don't want to owe you that much for making you pay a thousand gold coins. Besides, a thousand gold coins is too much if you consider continuing to use an informant in the future.

"That's an awful lot of nonsense. You're just a child with an ego. A thousand of them is not an unfair price for the information on the Nightmare.

"Yes. Maybe so . But I don't know the market for information, and I don't feel like it's worth it.

Okay. You're an idiot. I think you're getting a little overconfident in your abilities.

So shall I show you proof that I feel that way?

Evidence?

''If I win the hand-to-hand meeting with Sword Saint Lex, you can take on the task of the Nightmare for 100 gold coins.

Ha-ha, you're totally unafraid of anything, just like Mr. Aden. I'm very much looking forward to meeting you.

Beating the Sword Sage. Do you know how difficult that would be?

Yes, sir.

So what do you do when you lose?

"Then I'll apologize for my rudeness and pay Mr. Mair a hundred gold pieces.

"...... Hmph, funny. Okay. I'll take you up on your offer. Even if you win against the Kenshin, you won't win by an eight hundred percent. You'll have to show me you're worthy.

I understand. Thank you.

　I don't think I have much chance against the Sword Saint.
　Still, I think it's important to make a match with these conditions.
　I have a certain amount of assumptions about what will happen if we lose, but winning is the easiest way to go.


　◇



　You came to the arena to meet up with the Swordsman Lex.
　The rules are the same as in the tournament.
　The player whose HP bar at the top reaches zero is the loser.

So let's get to work. Revell is in trouble if I lose, but I'm not going to go easy on him.

Yes. I'd be in trouble if I didn't.

Yeah, you tell me. But I'm gonna let you go ahead and fight. Bring it on.

　Mr. Lex beckoned me to join him.
　I'll run and close the distance and slash at him.
　The sword shot is blocked like it's supposed to be.
　He has a relaxed expression on his face.
　When you're a swordsman, you're a veteran fighter, no doubt.
　His experience shows that he has confidence that he can't lose to me.

　But unfortunately, I can't lose either.

　I attack, and Lex prevents it.
　Their swords met.

　I can see how far Mr. Lex's swordsmanship has surpassed my own.
　The difference is staggering.

Is this it?

I don't know.

　Well, I still think I can beat you.
　As a swordsman, you'll have no chance against me.

　But I'm not blessed with any real talent as a swordsman.

　A blade of wind is coming from behind Lex-san.
　It's a wind spell cast without a chant.


　It wasn't from myself, but rather, a magic power discrete and unleashed from a specific point .

　I was caught completely off guard, but Lex-san sensed the hint of an incoming attack, and in an instant, he blocked my sword strike and wind blade.

　What a gesture.

''You're ...... good. Revel seems to be better at magic than swordplay.

　Lex's relaxed expression falters a little.
　That attack must have chilled him.

Thanks a lot.

Okay, let's get to work.

　Mr. Lex, who had only been blocking the attack, suddenly began to attack .
　She unleashed a myriad of thrusts.
　Not only do you block them with your sword, but you also use your body to endure them.
　These thrusts, made with few movements, are seamless.

This is just the beginning!

　And next comes a series of slashes and pure attacks that don't use magic.
　He uses no skills or anything else.
　I'm just amazed that he's so strong with his own skills.

　I'm beginning to wonder if he's even remotely capable.
　I feel the same way as my father.
　You say you have no intention of losing, but you're not really giving it your all because I'm not worthy of it.


　...... That means I need to kill him before he gives his all.


　My strongest attack is the Strong Sword Kai.
　This blow will be used to close the gap between us.


　To close the gap, you'll need ...... and a few more cards.


　I'm going to have to get that skill.