Chapter 295
Chris nodded his head.
Unlike usual, he felt no desire to provoke his opponent.
“That is correct.”
“You’re a fledgling.”
“!!”
It wasn’t a provocation.
He truly thought so.
Because the gap between the Ghost Sword King and Christian was that great.
“You are not a match for me.”
“……”
“I had expectations, hearing of a newly appeared Hero, but I came for nothing. This is problematic. If I cut down a fledgling like you, it will only damage my dignity. Still, I came all this way, so I can’t just go back.”
The Ghost Sword King looked all around him.
“Should I just kill them all?”
“!!”
An indifferent voice, devoid of any killing intent.
But for that very reason, it felt all the more genuine.
For the Ghost Sword King, killing everyone in this place was the same as stepping on an ant.
“Having made me come all this way for nothing, shouldn’t you all pay that price?”
Everyone in the venue froze and gripped their swords.
The Starlight Knights drew their blades, forming a circle to protect the Holy Emperor.
‘Of course, what else would you expect from the Killing Fiend.’
Chris shook his head.
During the Age of Ruin, the Ghost Sword King had sided with the Demon King of Bloodletting and spilled an immense amount of blood in the Alliance.
So much so that the people of the Alliance later came to call him not the Ghost Sword King, but the Killing Fiend.
As a touch-and-go atmosphere flowed, the Ghost Sword King shook his head.
“Enough. I will just go back. All of you, consider it a stroke of luck. If my house did not have an important event ahead, none of you would have kept your lives.”
An unexpected statement.
It seemed he was trying to avoid a clash, as he was likely planning to strike the rear of the Dark Alliance soon.
The Holy Emperor was also here, so if blood was wrongly shed, it could lead to an all-out war with the Holy Empire.
It was just as everyone was letting out a sigh of relief.
Chris stepped forward.
“Stop.”
“!!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at Chris, who had fearlessly stopped the Ghost Sword King.
“What is it?”
“Did you not agree to a duel with me? Are you avoiding it?”
The Ghost Sword King burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!!”
A chill ran down everyone’s spine.
It was only laughter, but it felt as if their very souls were being cut.
The Ghost Sword King’s eyes shone menacingly.
“Do you not realize what great mercy I have shown you? Now that it has come to this, I suppose I will have to take your head. Even if it is beneath my dignity, a Hero is a Hero, so if I take your head, it can at least be used to liven up a drinking party.”
A figure standing beside him stepped forward.
“I will take care of him, Head of the house.”
He was a young man with a sharp impression.
It was a familiar face.
‘Akhen, the Evil Spirit Lord of the Ghost Sword Demonic House. A man who rose to the core of the Ghost Sword Demonic House at a young age due to his outstanding talent.’
He was another one who was infamous.
This one, in particular, was a bastard who not only cut down enemies on the battlefield but also slaughtered civilians for fun.
A man who had to be killed, should the opportunity arise.
“Very well. You take care of him.”
“Thank you.”
Akhen stepped forward and drew his sword.
Chaaang!
“As it happens, I was in a foul mood because of some annoying punk from the Dark Demonic House. This is perfect.”
“……”
“Prepare yourself. I won't give you a clean death.”
The annoying punk from the Dark Demonic House.
It seemed he was talking about Chris.
Akhen was also a promising prospect of the Ghost Sword Demonic House, and it seemed the accomplishments of Christian, who was of a similar age, had gotten on his nerves.
“Wait, there is something I would like to ask the Ghost Sword King first.”
“Shut up with your useless talk and….”
“You’re the one who should shut your mouth. The Hero is speaking, you small fry. I was speaking to the Ghost Sword King.”
“!!”
As Chris rebuked him, Akhen snapped his mouth shut.
He had been overwhelmed by an unknown pressure.
“What is it?”
“If I defeat this man, will you keep your promise and have our duel?”
“Very well.”
“There is more. Please promise that you will accept the outcome like a magus, no matter what blood is shed during the duel.”
“!!”
It meant that he was not to be held responsible even if his opponent died.
The Ghost Sword King let out a hollow laugh.
“This generation’s Hero is full of confidence. Do as you please.”
The face of Akhen, who was standing in front, turned bright red.
Kiiiiiaaaaaaaaaak!
As he drew his sword, a demonic shriek echoed out.
It was the Ghost Sword Arts.
A secret art unique to the Ghost Sword Demonic House that amplified power by trapping the resentment of those they killed within the sword.
That wasn't all.
Hwaaaat!!
A cool, indigo demonic energy rose up.
An energy so chilling that even those standing far away felt their hair stand on end.
“I'll kill you!!”
Along with the demonic shriek, the indigo black sword energy surged forward.
Papapat!
Countless additional swords fell toward Chris. It was a continuous attack using his will.
An attack that combined both power and swordsmanship, it flew exquisitely, predicting Chris’s possible paths of evasion.
However.
‘If this were before, I might have found it threatening.’
Chris let out a smirk.
For reference, the man's level was mid 6-Star.
It was an excellent level, but unfortunately for him, the difference in class with Chris was too great.
Chris was no longer at a level where he would associate with such ‘rookies’.
‘How should I handle this.’
For a split second, so many possible counters came to mind that he had trouble choosing.
Chris chose the method with the most impact.
Sreuk.
He drew his sword and aimed at the approaching swarm of black sword energy.
But there was something surprising.
He didn't draw up any mana at all.
As if he were in a practice match.
“Look at that!”
“Why isn't he using mana? That’s dangerous!”
The spectators from the Alliance cried out in surprise.
Akhen also frowned.
He couldn't understand his opponent’s actions.
But he wasn't particularly wary.
He just considered it a foolish act.
‘So this is the Hero. What a fool.’
Hwaaaaak!
It was the moment the black sword energy surged forward.
Suddenly, an upset occurred.
Seuk.
Chris took a light step forward.
It was a simple motion, but the distance closed in a flash, and the direction of the black sword energy heading for Chris was strangely thrown off, dissipating into nothing.
A footwork so exquisite it could draw gasps.
‘Petty tricks…!’
Akhen of the Ghost Sword Demonic House roared in anger and brandished his sword again.
A continuous attack using his will, even stronger than before, poured out.
At that moment, Chris’s sword cut through the empty air.
It was a movement that was neither strong nor fast.
It was even like a butterfly in flight.
But then, something surprising happened again.
That single strike, like a fluttering of wings, strangely bypassed the surging black sword energy and aimed precisely for Akhen’s neck.
At this rate, before the black sword energy could reach him, Akhen’s neck would be cut first.
“!!”
Akhen hastily withdrew his sword to evade, but the same situation repeated itself.
He repeatedly tried to unleash his powerful will-techniques, but they were nullified by Chris's simple movements every time, and finally.
“Aren't your fundamentals too lacking? Is this all the Ghost Sword Demonic House's swordsmanship amounts to?”
“!!”
The moment Akhen’s eyes widened.
Slice!
Chris’s sword cut straight through Akhen’s neck.
“Keok?”
A look of disbelief on his face, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened to him.
“The level of the Ghost Sword Demonic House is nothing special either.”
“Y… you….”
Akhen opened and closed his mouth, trying to say something, but it was too late.
He collapsed with a thud, and the venue fell into a dead silence.
To defeat a high-ranking magus of the Ghost Sword Demonic House without using any mana at all.
Everyone stared at Chris, completely shocked.
“How about it? With this, am I qualified to face you?”
“……”
The Ghost Sword King’s face turned icy, and he stepped down from his palanquin.
It was an affirmation.
“If that is your wish, then I will kill you.”
“My, I believe that fellow just said something similar. Could it be that the Ghost Sword Demonic House is actually the Bluffing Demonic House?”
“……”
As expected of the Ghost Sword King.
He showed no particular reaction to the provocation.
He simply had a gaze that had sunk even deeper.
So much so that it made one’s pores prickle.
As goosebumps were about to form, Chris raised the corners of his mouth.
“Come.”
Fwaat!
Finally, the duel began.
* * *
The conditions of this duel were as follows:
To fight with pure ‘swordsmanship’ only, without mobilizing magi or mana.
The Ghost Sword King kept that promise.
He truly faced Chris using only pure swordsmanship, without mobilizing any energy at all.
However.
‘Damn it. He's ridiculously strong.’
Chris twisted his lips.
He could now understand why the Ghost Sword King had so confidently accepted a pure swordsmanship duel.
With his sword alone, the Ghost Sword King was strong.
Strong enough to cut down average magi or knights as if swatting insects.
“Is this all you've got?”
Fwaat!
The sword was swung.
It was not a will-technique, nor was it a miraculous ability.
But it was all the more threatening for it.
Though it was nothing more than a single line, he was unable to move an inch.
Kaaang!
Raising his sword to barely defend, Chris retreated.
“You’re not a Hero, you’re like a little rat.”
“Still, I'm doing pretty well, aren't I?”
The Ghost Sword King frowned at Chris’s response.
But inwardly, he looked surprised.
Because it was rare for anyone to be able to block his sword, even to this extent.
“I trained hard to lock you away in Purgatory.”
Chris responded with a grin.
For reference, Purgatory was the deepest prison in the Holy Empire.
After winning this duel, Chris planned to imprison the Ghost Sword King in Purgatory.
‘Killing him is problematic as it could lead to an all-out war. It would be best to keep him as a prisoner. All the better to control the Tri-Alliance as I see fit.’
Of course, that was only if he won.
Fwaat!
The sword flew at him again.
Chris focused all of his mind to block the sword, and the nerve-wracking scene continued.
“It’s no good. He’s no match for him.”
“The Hero’s swordsmanship is certainly incredible, but.”
The spectators shook their heads.
The Hero's swordsmanship was nothing short of brilliant.
So much so that among those present, excluding Sir Asran, the Sword of Light of the Karn Empire, there was no one who could guarantee they could face the Hero in swordsmanship.
But his opponent was just too much.
Just as the Ghost Sword King had first said, the difference in their class was too great.
“Wh-what do we do?”
Ruina, who had tagged along, whispered urgently to Evan.
“At this rate, that bast… I mean, Sir Hero is going to die!”
“It's alright. I believe in him.”
“Believe in what! He’s no match for him! There's a limit to how blind you can be!”
The Holy Emperor Istanya, standing beside them, also nodded her head.
“It looks bad to me, too. Is it alright to just stand by and watch?”
She said it with the intention of intervening if things took a turn for the worse.
But Evan showed a response that was still incomprehensible.
“It is alright. He will win.”
“No, what. He’ll win? I’ve been thinking this for a while, but are you really blind?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Sir Evan is crazy. He’s not in his right mind when it comes to that guy.”
As Istanya and Ruina reacted with bewilderment, Evan frowned and said.
“Look. Look at Chris’s current state.”
All they could see was him being pushed back helplessly.
However.
“He has not allowed a single sword strike to land until now. Even with such a difference in skill.”
“!!”
Only then did Istanya’s expression change.
She realized something was strange.
He seemed to be pushed back helplessly, yet he had not suffered even a single minor scratch until now.
That wasn't all.
In real time, as they exchanged blows, the aspect of the duel was gradually changing.