Serende is a neighbor of Mejis, but the influence of the Yggra cult is the second lowest after the most distant Trine. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of damage caused by the demon world. Demons from the Mejis demon world would occasionally travel to Serende, but intelligent demons understood that they could hunt people more effectively by targeting nearby Mejis rather than distant Serende. This was the reason why Mejis and Selende maintained a somewhat distant relationship, even if there were no diplomatic problems.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in the world. ......

　The fact that the Nektohar, a demon tribe, was hiding in Serende was kept under wraps. This is because the people of the planet Yugra were trying to prevent Serende from acting on their own while they were beating the base of Trinh's side. That's why we, the Holy Knights, showed up and explained the situation for the first time. ...... The result was rather hollow.
　Although we were allowed to search freely, the Serende side did not cooperate in any way. Even if it is a platoon, how is it possible to not have even a watchman by your side? I don't think it's right to complain about the freedom of movement in another country's territory, but as a defender of my country, I still want to think about it.

"Master Yox, we are almost at our destination.

　We are currently on our way to the ruins of a medium-sized city in Selende. Relatively peaceful Selende has the will and luxury to treasure the relics of the past, and there is a custom to leave behind temples that were built long ago and remnants of countries that died out. It is said that what we are heading for now is also the remains of a facility of a nation that is said to have died before Serende was founded by Yugra.

Oh. Well ...... does the key work ......?

　He turns his attention to the key he is holding in his hand. From the outside, no one would think that this is a key. At any rate, it is nothing more than a cube of material made from multiple ores and attached. The principle is that it interferes with the wavelength of a specific magic power, so it doesn't even need to be in the shape of a key.
　I arrived at the ruins and looked around. There are many deserted buildings, but there is no sign of anyone living here. As I walked forward with the key in my hand, I heard a strange sound, as if the key resonated with something.

"This is...
I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　A few moments ago, the structure in front of you was old and in no condition to be used. However, immediately after the key resonated, the scene changed and the facility was restored to its former state.
　Nektokhar and his men had restored the site to its former state, disguising it as a deserted place with T'Dwari's techniques while using it as a base. Celende values the relics of the past, but does not overly care for them. It was a perfect cover.
　There are clear signs that someone is using it. Then it's no wonder the enemy is lurking nearby. Have your men draw their swords and be on the lookout.
　Should we use detection magic, or should we use it if they can already read our movements? It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. ...... If you don't know the bottom of your opponent, you should take the worst-case scenario into consideration.
　I'll give you a hand signal to prepare for the simultaneous use of detection magic. I can feel the tension in my men increasing rapidly. Counting on their fingers, they synchronized their timing and activated the detection spell simultaneously. Some of the holy knight's equipment is equipped with magic seal stones, so he extends the range of the detection spell while avoiding his companions. The detection range extends smoothly, so there is no possibility that the magic seal is planted in the facility. Then, in the shadow of the nearby facility, there was a reaction of a person with high magic power.
　My men also confirmed this and pointed their swords in that direction. A person with such high magic power would have noticed our detection magic. No, they must have known we were coming when they said they were in this kind of place in the first place.

"Oh, don't be so alarmed. I'm not trying to scare you or anything. I was trying to figure out how to show up in a cool way, but before I could come up with a good idea, they just used detection magic on me. ......

　A young man emerged from the shadows. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. He has long orange hair, and his facial features match the description in the physiognomy book.

It's ...... arc real.
Yeah. Arcreal is Aisia. Well, I borrowed the name Isiah from my dead master.
Is this the apprentice of Aisia ......, the Sword Demon?

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It is said that his skills were second to none, even to the strongest knight of the Tarz, Salvette Ragdoll.

Master was famous after all. Even though he was so weak. So you're sure you're Yokus, the leader of the Holy Order, right?
Yes. Where are the ...... main characters, Nektokhar, Ritual and Raheit?
I'm sure Ritual would have a problem with that. Well, they've moved, as you can see. Ritual told me that the Yuggra Star People should be here by now, so I thought I'd stay and say hello. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out. I can tell you that.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. But the fact that Arkreal is still here to check on them means that they are not far away, somewhere in the Serende territory.
　If we can capture the man in front of us, we can find out where Nektokhar and the others are now, but if the ...... story is true, this man is as strong as the hero Yugra, and it will not be easy. What should you think about this situation?

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
"Oh, you're going to do it?

　You can feel that he is a strong man when you face him. But the magic of the guy you feel on your skin is not that out of the ordinary. That's more than the great demon that defeated me in Tarz. .......

"I've heard of your strength. I'm not going to choose any means.
That's fine. I'd appreciate it if you guys stayed put. It's a bit depressing to cut down the weak ones, you know?


What the f*ck?
Don't be provoked. This is not an opponent for sporadic attacks.

　I can see the anger building up in my men as they are insulted. However, it would be suicidal to make a desperate move without taking advantage of the difference in numbers. I gave the signal and deployed them to surround Arcturial. There are forty of us, including myself, and each of us can play the role of a forerunner or a rearguard, and we are also skilled in magical support.

It's not a provocation, though. It's not a provocation. ...... Well, that's true, you'll have to show a little ability to convince them.

　Arcreal draws his sword carelessly. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

"Hang on!

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. In addition, eight holy knights shot from behind, and the rest prepared to respond to the movements of Arclial. As long as he is showing a lot of leeway against such a large number of people, there is a high possibility that he will use some kind of unusual power. Analyze its power without taking your eyes off it for even a moment!

I'm not going to use any techniques.
"What?

　The head of the first holy knight who slashed at me flew off. I'm not going to use a technique, but I'm going to analyze its power! It's not that I don't like it. All of the magical shots that were fired were evaded without thought. A beat later, all eight of the men who had attacked him had been cut down.

"Just one more word of advice. Don't move small fry, and I won't kill you.

　The current attack on Ark Real was not something that could not be followed with the eyes. Probably all the holy knights present were able to see his movements. Arcreal was just swinging his sword a little faster than his opponent without any effort.

"Each of you switch to magic attacks. I'll go forward!

　Arcreal's speed was not something other Holy Knights could handle. I'm the only one who can fight in melee since I can attack from all sides without difficulty. It's definitely a nasty speed, but I can handle it well enough.

I'm not sure if that's a good idea. There's no point, though.

　Even at close quarters, Arcreal did not raise his sword. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

"Master Yox!
!

　I stopped the movement of my sword and turned my body backwards. But even then, it was too late, and I felt a hot sensation on my chest and arms. A few moments later, bright red blood spurted forward.
　There was no follow-up from Arcreal, who carefully avoided the magic from all sides with lean movements.

"Oh, you're alive. That was shallow.

　That's not true. The right arm that was sticking out in front of him was cut down to the bone, and his torso reached his lungs. The blow had torn deep into the walls of his magic-enhanced armor, ignoring them as if they were paper. If he had not turned his body, his torso would have been completely cut in two.
　I could barely follow it with my eyes, but Arcreal was swinging his sword faster than I was. The speed was much faster than before, and I was able to react just in time because I had seen my men being cut down.
　I kept my distance and cast a healing spell. But with a wound this deep, it couldn't be healed right away. My men behind me are also trying to cast a healing spell, but it's bound to be faster if he does it.

Can you heal it? Then I'll wait. It would have been a shame if it was over in an instant.
"......!

　Arreal didn't move. He doesn't seem to be planning to make a serious move. Although I resent the fact that he is showing his conceit as a strong man, this is an opportunity. He's letting what should have been an irreversible defeat go. He glances at his men and hastens their treatment.

"Well, it's a little tricky in here. I'm going to move to the side.

　Then Arclial moved forward, avoiding the corpses of his men lying on the ground, and changed his standing position.

Are you playing with me?
It's a bit rude to call it a game. It's not that I don't care about people's lives. I'm not the kind of guy who doesn't care about people's lives, you know?
"Then why are you waiting for my wounds to heal? Don't you just want to have fun?
Oh, you're not wrong. I respect human life, but only for that. I don't owe you my pride by suppressing my desires. If you don't like it, just come at me. I'll slay them all and be done with it. I'll even join hands with you when I leave.

　Arclial smiles indifferently. I don't feel any malicious intent to trick people. This man is simply stating the facts. He doesn't want to make fun of them, but he doesn't want to care about them either.
　I was wondering if I should have my men use magic to check him to buy time for the treatment, but I think it would be better to just give him time. I'll tell him to wait and concentrate on healing.



"...... Good.
Wow, you're fast. You're a holy knight, and you've mastered the healing magic.

　I'm not completely healed, but I've repaired the parts of my body that need to be moved. The blood still seeps through, but it doesn't hinder you from continuing to fight. He grabbed his sword and stepped forward again.

Thanks for waiting.
"No problem, I'm free today. I'll wait as long as it takes until I get hungry.

　He was hit by Arcreal's blow, but found that the speed and sharpness of his swing was extraordinary. In short, a half-hearted check would be meaningless. It is meaningless to swing a sword to see what happens, only to be finished off by a return blow. The next blow must be made with the intention of finishing him off without fail. The means to do this is .......

"Huh.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. I've been training since the day I was defeated at Tarz, to learn how to defeat an opponent who outclasses me. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you need to do to get it.
　The stance is the same as before, the tempo of the step is the same. The stance is the same as before, the tempo of the step is the same, but the distance between us is one step farther than the sword would normally reach. But just before he swings, he releases the magic in his sword and builds it.

You can't reach it, you know.

　He activates the wards with the sword as the main axis. This is the first time that I've ever seen such a thing. Lakra used the speed of the wards to increase the sharpness of the blade, but I added the speed of swinging the sword to give it an equal or greater cutting power.
　It is longer and thicker than the visible blade, and reaches the opponent faster than you can imagine. The first time you see this move, you'll know it's coming.

"Good.

　This time, he didn't try to stop it. This time I didn't try to stop him, so I couldn't take evasive action in time, and instead I had to watch Arcreal's movements with my own eyes. Arcturial did not evade after seeing my sword. From the beginning, he had slipped into a position where he did not exist in the path of the sword and swung his sword as if it was a part of his body movement.

"Kah!

　Perhaps the increased width of the sword had separated me from Arcturial, so Arcturial's blow hadn't cut my body in half. However, it was much deeper than before. My right arm was severed and my torso was only connected by a piece of skin. Of course, such an injury could not kill the momentum of the sword swing, and I fell to the ground.

"That was an interesting move. You used your warding as a blade to shift the distance between us.
You're a fool ...... to read me ...... before you swing your sword .......
"Yeah, I was surprised. It was only after I cut him down that I understood how it worked.

　If this is true, then he was evading where he should have evaded and swinging where he should have attacked, without understanding our moves.
　The story of the bastard that the people of Yugra met in Kuama comes to mind. The bastard was said to be able to sense and avoid threats that even he could not react to with his unique survival instincts.
　If so, does this mean that Arcturial can follow suit and use its instincts to take the best counterattack? I wonder if that is possible.
　You are about to lose consciousness due to a serious injury. I'm using all the healing magic I can to prolong his life, but he's in no condition to manage on his own.

"Yo, Master Yox!
Come to ....... ......
Come on. He didn't die instantly, so if we all work together, we can heal him in time. Come on, let's get him better.
Hey, .......

　Arcreal took a few steps back and told his men to heal me. My men are wary of Arcreal, but they rush over and start treating me. Arcreal watched them with a smile like a child waiting to be fed.

That wasn't so bad. It's been a while since my body felt good. So stick with me a little longer. I'll be stuck with you for as long as it takes until you die instantly!
"Don't be silly! The game is already--
If you don't want the cure, then it's over. Then I'll just kill you all. Well, good luck!

　The subordinate who was about to accuse Arcreal was speechless. Then he turned his gaze away from me with a sullen look and resumed his treatment.