An air of dread covered the battlefield, as if you could not even blink your eyes. The agitation and tension that burned my skin was lumped deep in my chest.

　Kalia's silver sword, which had been devouring my right shoulder, was pulled out. The blood, which has lost its crimson color and is now black, gleefully spurts out of my shoulder.

　Immediately, the dull pain changed its color to a nerve-ripping pain. But before you have time to frown at the pain, Kalia takes another step toward you and swings her long sword at you. The silver color reflected the sunlight and floated above my head.

　My eyelids twitch with horror. I can easily imagine the silver sword being swung down like a decapitator and smashing my skull open. A definite shiver covered my body.

　Run, or you will die. If you face it, your life will end here. Get away, quickly. As if my brain had been stimulated by its own instincts, it told me to turn away. What's the point of this fight, reason cries. Why don't you just run away? There's no point in this duel, just put down the sword and it's all over. This is ridiculous. Why should I risk my life and shed my blood for this?

　I'm sure I obeyed this voice once. As a human being, as a creature, I must have been making a very serious decision. But then I'd never get to this hero again. Not when I'm so close to him. My eyes waver.

　The sword is useless now that it is out of range, and there is nothing I can do to prevent Kalia's silver sword. The Silver Reaper will reach my skull before I can raise my sword.

　So, if there is nothing I can do to prevent it, I will have to break his side first.

　Like Kalia, I take a step closer. Twist your right shoulder to gain momentum and swing your arm like a whip, as if you were trying to repel the fearsome pain given to you. Then he threw his fist at the thin, white throat. My throat let out an inarticulate scream. And just when the distance between me and Kalia was as close as it could get...

　--Good girl, Lugis.

　Such a voice and a thumping sound pierced my ears.

　Instantly, my vision flickered. It's as if my ears have gone crazy, and I can't pick up any sound. What the hell is going on here? I can't understand what's happening.

　The lower half of my body, or rather, my body itself, momentarily released itself from the control of my existence, and bent forward as if it were staggering. At that time, I finally realized that I had been given some kind of shock to my skull that I could no longer even recognize as pain.

　--Oh, you b*tc*. Kalia, you son of a b*tc*. Oh, shit. Move, roll. Roll and avoid.

　It's no longer a thought, it's a broken word. My stumbling body was pulled down to the ground by a command from my brain that was torn but still trying to connect.

　The next moment. Kalia's knee became a weapon and ran through the space where my body had been. My eyes trembled.

　Well, if that knee had gone into my dove tail, I must have forced myself to let go of my consciousness. And I would have lost all color in the arms of that woman, Kalia. Yes, just like before.

　He rolled his body, leaving a trail of blood on the ground, sending dust flying, and stood up with the momentum. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have been able to stand on my feet anymore. Perhaps I would never be able to do the same again.

　In the midst of my still shaky vision. The impact on my skull finally tells me what's going on, as a single pain. My ears can't pick up any sound, not yet.

　Although the distance between us has widened slightly, Kalia has already readied her long sword, as if to give us no respite. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　Now, what to do. What should I do?

　You can't intercept the swinging sword, and when you try to close the gap, you are met with a harsh blow. The blow that he had just struck must have been to the skull with the hilt of the silver sword that Caria was holding high. To be honest, it's a wonder I'm still alive from the neck up. I'd like to praise myself to the fullest just for coming back alive from that fight.

　Dueling with that thing, with that being, is still insane.

　The first time I crossed swords with Kalia, in a tavern. At that time, Kalia was still able to manipulate me. It's no wonder that at that time, Kalia's swordsmanship was far from perfect. From what I know of her, the sword she wielded had a crude shine to it, and the way she handled her legs was poor. She was just an apprentice knight who could not hide her mental agitation. He was just a human being, wielding a sword with only a glimpse of his natural talent.

　But now, what? The power in Kalia's limbs is not excessive, and her chest is filled with self-confidence and arrogance. Even that arrogance is no longer a matter of carelessness and pride, for Kalia has acquired the skill to do so.

　She is well aware that she is not a match for any of them. It's not just a matter of time before you'll find yourself in a situation where you'll be able to't get out of it.

　Then, there is only one thing to do now.

　Take a half step back with your right foot. The tip of the sword, which had been thrusting out, was pointed upward, as if pointing to the sky itself. He readjusts his stance so that he can swing the sword in one movement.



"Lugis, you--

　That's what Kalia called out. Both of them were still in their stances, and their lips were just wagging. In response, he threw his voice. At the same time, I took a step closer to her.

"What is it, Caria? If you're going to give up, I'd like to see you do it.

　Kalia's cheeks crumple into a smile, and her lips ripple.

Pull it out.

　And that was the end of the conversation.

　Perhaps she was trying to give me some kind of warmth, I thought. As if to say, "If you put down your sword now, you can go home in one piece.

　But those words are no longer necessary. You won't find it anywhere in my skull.

　The difference in ability is obvious. I can't even begin to compare our geniuses. In addition, I have injuries to my right shoulder and skull, my vision is still shaky, and my ears can only pick up a few sounds. The pain that wriggles through my body is still forcing me to feel the scratching of my nerves.

　--Oh, much better. Great. Nothing more.

　It's no wonder I'm wounded, those who don't have a choice but to bleed from their bodies and move on. That's how victory is born. And you're dealing with the hero of the battlefield, Kalia, Kalia Vadnick. If you want to get something from her, you can't be unharmed.

　I'm going to regrasp my treasured sword once more. He checked the sensation in his right hand.

　--Let's settle this, Caria. To the duel in the tavern. The journey we once took, when I cowered in fear of you.

　The sun glinted off the edge of my vision. I saw him burying himself in the messy streets of Belle Fain.