After seeing him many times, I, as a knight, judged that Murscht's strength was equal to that of Exoik, and in terms of skill level, Exoik was stronger .......
　But this man in front of me has defeated Ulfe and is here. At a glance, there was no sign of any injuries.
　And when I saw Mursht covered in blood on the night of Topala's death, I felt even the slightest bit of fear.
　This is similar to what I felt when I had a real hand-to-hand fight with the knights of Tarz. The will to win, even when lagging behind in simple physical ability.
　Lord Raggedy said it was the strength of determination. Whether or not you can put all of your heart and soul into that one moment will determine whether you win or lose.

"Don't worry about a thing. I'll kill you and then I'll destroy him. No tricks. Let's do it without worry.
...... Okay.
I just need a little more distance, okay? Preferably against the wall. You don't want to get jumped and killed by a squire, do you, Master Hilmera?

　With those words, he and Princess Hilmera moved away. He moved closer to the entrance door, his eyes still fixed on Mursht.

'Ilias, Mursht's words do not lie. Hilmera is not going to move. Don't look at me, just concentrate on the battle.
"Okay.

　His words wiped away any remaining melancholy. You'll be able to take a look at it and see what you think.

I'll go to ...... then!
I'll be back.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do. But I couldn't kill the momentum and my own body was flung backwards.
　I staggered back a few steps and straightened my posture. My arm is still numb from the single blow. His current speed is equal to or greater than Lord Ragdoll's, and his sword pressure is definitely higher ......!

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　The next stab was again met with a thrust. The impact misses his foot and he bounces back at Murscht. If you know that's how it's going to be, you can handle this thrust with swordplay.

"Yes. There have been many times when I've been cut back or dodged, but this is the first time I've been stopped head-on! Are you really a person?
"Of course.

　Mursht's super-fast movement is not magic, but a result of magic enhancement. It's an attack that allows him to strengthen his body to a density that no normal human can withstand.
　In order to make the most of his agility and super-acceleration from weakness, it is necessary to minimize the strengthening of magic power to protect his own body, which may rebound.

How about this?

　Mursht runs. This time, instead of just jumping into the air, he flies around and distracts the others. Even though he was moving very fast in rapid succession, there was no sign of the use of magic to heal his body.
　A technique that should have been impossible with his body. It is a technique that is only possible when you have reached the level of Lord Ragdoll, who has trained his body like steel.
　It is conceivable that something beyond the natural talent of someone like Wolfe, or the bastard child of Yugra, has made such an insane technique possible for Murshto.

"Huh!

　It's impossible to take on all the attacks from all sides head-on. Then he switches to a passive stance.
　Once, twice, three times, I hit the stab with my sword, shifting his own trajectory and mine. If even a single blow strikes me, my body will surely not be safe. I kicked aside the impatience that invaded my mind as I tried to deal with it calmly, and looked for a way to counterattack.
　His physical abilities are extraordinary, but I don't sense from him any mastery of swordsmanship. Lord Ragdoll can wield a variety of sword techniques at that speed, but he can only stab and thrust.
　He relies on his own talent to fight. So if we use that, the sword can reach him!

(Now!)

　At the moment of the stab, he turns the direction of the stab toward the ground by force. In a straight line, the Murshto jumped into the air, but was angled downward and slammed into the ground with its own speed.
　The expression on his face is one of surprise, but the will in his eyes has not wavered in the slightest. However, his body is unable to move due to the impact of the slam. The one who pursues is ...... now!

I'm not sure what to say.

　He stepped forward at once, closed the distance and thrust into Murscht's chest. Murscht was unable to evade, but took the direct hit and was blown backwards to the wall.
　I was astonished. My thrust had blown Murscht away. Yes, I blew him away.
　The feeling on his arm, which should have been flesh gouging and bone crushing, was nothing but a solid jewel that had been flicked away.

You're still strong, aren't you?

　Mursht, who had been slammed into the wall, was up and about as if nothing had happened. The armor on his chest is damaged, but that's all.
　There is a small amount of blood on the tip of my sword, but judging from the amount of blood, I can see that it has stopped after tearing through a thin layer of skin.
　If the opponent was taking it easy, or if his magic was not yet strengthened, I could do something similar, but right now I am not cutting any corners. It was a blow that I fired with the intention of making sure that I killed him.
　I could feel the unpleasant sweat on my back. Will my full power be able to cut this man's body?

"With so much talent, so much skill, I'm not even the least bit proud. But I don't think I can beat you. Why do you think that is?



　Mursht is diving at us. But his speed is much slower than before. It's as if he's trying to catch you with a big swing.
　No matter how hard the body has become due to the strengthening of magic, it cannot be powerful without speed. I'm going to catch that blow from Murscht.

"Agh!

　The blow was much weaker than the one that came from the super high-speed rush. But it was much heavier than the impact I was expecting.
　There have been many times when I have crossed swords with someone and felt their thoughts. However, I have never received a blow with so much feeling in it. Am I being overwhelmed not by the pressure of the sword, but by the feelings contained in it?

I'd give my life for him. I know you feel the same way. You and I are equals in that way. But there's a difference.
"The difference is .......
I'm going to die here today. No matter what the outcome, I will die. I'm here to accept that fate.

　You find yourself pushed into it. Even with all my strength, experience and skill, the gap is slowly pushing me over the edge.

"I'm a knight, I deserve to die!
"Can you end it all here? Can you end it all here? Can you give up everything? Are you sure there is no ideal in your heart to dream of a future with him?
"Ah!

　He pulled his body back, blocked Mursht's sword, and swung it down against his collapsed posture. Murshto did not even try to avoid it, and my sword went for his neck.

"...... such.

　My sword stops at Murscht's neck. There's a little blood dripping from the contact surface, but from there on out it's as if the blade won't go in. No matter how hard I try to push, the flesh is blocking me.

You shook.
Aah!

　As soon as Murscht turned his body, he felt a heavy impact on the back of his head. It was as if he had been struck by a stone. He had been constantly looking at Mourshut's sword, but this was a ...... kick!
　It's not a good idea to just take it! It's a good idea to take a few steps back to regain your stance, and the moment you do, his sword will be right in front of you. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.

There's no need to be ashamed. It's not a weakness to dream young, it's a necessity for life.

　The sword I caught was as light as a feather. In the first place, the sword that I caught was only released by him. ......!

"Ah!

　The next attack was predicted by Mursht's action. He grabbed me by both shoulders and threw my upper body back. I found it impossible to avoid, and in desperation I returned the headbutt.
　Our heads bounce off each other with a dull thud. But because I was in a better position, I was able to recover slightly faster. I give chase--

"Ha-ha!

　I can't breathe, and I cough. It's not just air that leaks out, but blood as well. Sensing danger, he quickly distances himself.
　Murscht has fallen backwards from the impact of the headbutt, and is slowly getting up. My eyes were on his hands, on his bloody fingers. At the moment of the headbutt, he had thrust his fingers at my throat, tearing it open with the impact of the blow.
　I cast a minimal amount of healing spell to allow me to breathe. My vision was slightly red, apparently my forehead was bleeding as well.

"Haha, you're quite used to fighting in the mud, aren't you, Knight of Taze?

　Mursht gets up and picks up his sword. The blood seemed to be flowing from his forehead, but it had already stopped. The bleeding seems to have stopped not with recovery magic, but with magic enhancement alone.
　Murscht licked the blood from his forehead to his mouth and smiled. Is that a sign of comfort or is it .......

But your heart is still in turmoil, and all you have to do is make it bigger. For example, you can do this...

　Mursht dives in again at super-speed. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to have to.
　The timing of the collision has left me bewildered. Your mind is stunned at the sight before you. The Mursht, which should have jumped into the air at such a high speed, stopped right in front of me.

"Look, it's shaking again.
"!

　He dodged the sword that was thrust at him again, but he was hit by the re-accelerated Murscht with his torso. I was hit by a shock that made me think my whole body was going to fall apart, and I was slammed into the wall without knowing the distance between the top and bottom.
　That's not good, that's not good at all. It wasn't a fatal wound, but it was a serious one. It will take a few seconds for your body to regain its functions. If you are attacked during this time, you will not be able to do anything. ......?

"......?

　Without being followed, his body functions returned. I got up at once and took stock of the situation.
　I'm bruised all over, cracked in a few places, and need another ten seconds to regain my balance. I can fight without problems.


　Mursht, on the other hand, is sitting on the ...... ground as if he is slumped. No, he's not sitting, he's falling.
　Both of Mursht's legs are deformed into distorted shapes, and even his bones are visible through the flesh. He had managed to stop that super-fast rush with only his legs. It's better to be able to imagine the prototype.

It's tough. And it's not fair that it can use recovery magic. I've never even been interested in magic that doesn't work unless it's in form.
...... You're not going to be able to stand on those legs.
That's not for you to judge, is it?

　Murscht shaped the broken legs as if he were trying to straighten a bent wire. He did this without changing his expression, and without using any magic, he could have lost consciousness from the intense pain.
　No, that's not possible. Bones would be broken, flesh would be torn, even muscles would be shredded. No matter how prepared you are, the structure of the human body will not allow you to move anymore. .......

"......
As long as I have the will, I'll stay here. This is my end, there's no need to leave anything behind. Come on, I'm not giving up. Let's continue.

　The will in his eyes did not waver, and Mursht took his sword and held it as he had done the first time.