Chapter Fifty-Six
Immediately after, I felt as if I heard the sound of teeth grinding, molars clenched tightly together. Then, swoosh, the figure that shouldn’t have been visible appeared, and at the same time, a voice filled with rage reached me.
“…I said I wouldn’t show mercy if you interfered.”
“I’m aware of that. Knowing that, I’m asking you to fight me.”
The ‘Magician Hunter’s’ expression was still obscured, just like before, making it difficult to discern. But even though I couldn’t see it clearly, I was certain his face was still convulsing in anger.
“…For no good reason?”
“I told you my reason. That’s my justification for interfering with you.”
“That’s not a reason…!!!”
He roared. The ‘Magician Hunter’ screamed from the bottom of his stomach, looking as if he were about to attack at any moment.
If this were a vendetta against a parent, or if the person he was trying to kill was a member of my family, the ‘Magician Hunter’ probably wouldn’t be this angry.
Because those would be reasons that anyone could affirm as justifiable.
However, what I spouted wasn’t something universally applicable.
And because it was a thought beyond his comprehension, he couldn’t understand.
Unable to understand, he screamed.
Not only did I say such ridiculous things, but I even declared them to be my true feelings, asking why I would dare interfere with his righteous cause.
“…If you had a legitimate reason to stop me, fine. I’d indulge your desire to revel in battle. But you don’t, do you—!!!”
Eyes filled with rage focused on me, unmoving. His posture spoke volumes, as if he wouldn’t miss a single movement.
“What reason do you have to fight!? What reason do you have to point your sword at me and stand in my way!?”
“I could give you any number of reasons, but if I had to say one, it’s because you’re strong.”
“…You fight to become stronger? And you truly believe that’s a justifiable reason to involve me, who has nothing to do with this?”
“At least, in my mind, it’s a justifiable reason. That’s why I’m interfering with you.”
“…D-Don’t mess with meeee!!!”
It was a scream that sounded like he was coughing up blood.
I knew, without having to be told, that my way of thinking was strange.
I knew, better than anyone, that it wouldn’t be accepted by everyone. I had learned it the hard way.
But because it was me, I had to say this.
“—I’m not messing around.”
“That’s exactly what messing around is!!!”
I didn’t say those words because I wanted sympathy.
“…You can think whatever you want about what I say. I don’t have the right to force you to think otherwise. But this is justifiable, no matter what. This feeling is justifiable, no matter what, and it can’t be wrong.”
“How can it be justifiable…?!! How can such a base motive be justifiable!!”
“The troublesome thing is, it is, to me.”
Even though I knew those words would rub the ‘Magician Hunter’ the wrong way, I spat them out, feigning normalcy.
“After seeing that, I couldn’t help but admire him. He kept pushing himself for a beautiful reason, unaware of his physical limits, swinging his sword until the very end. I was captivated by the man who, for a single promise, single-mindedly poured his heart and soul into it until the very end. So I decided to avenge his regrets. That’s why I have to become strong. I have to become strong—and slay the stars.”
So this was, to me, perfectly justifiable, I asserted my selfish, outrageous argument.
“…This is pointless.”
Then, there was a clatter.
That sound was undoubtedly the sound of killing intent, declaring me an obstacle to be eliminated.
Oh, yes. That was right.
If he were to deny me, it had to be with a sword, not words. No matter how long I waited, no matter how many logical arguments I presented, I had no intention of being convinced.
“…Do you really think you can beat me?”
“No. That would be a joke. I’m here because I don’t think I can win.”
“…I see, you’re a madman.”
“Call me whatever you like. I’m not particular about names.”
The conversation stopped, and silence descended.
“…Fine. If you insist, I’ll fight you. But only for a moment.”
“I look forward to it.”
A moment.
I intuitively understood that there was no falsehood in those words directed at me. I waited for the attack that would soon come—
“—‘Accelerate.’”
By the time I realized those words were the name of a magic spell, the ‘Magician Hunter’ had vanished from before me. There was no one around, of course, just the silent night streets. Hence, the footsteps I could barely make out.
Almost reflexively, I turned around and at the same time, swung the sword in my hand into the empty space—a collision.
A definite impact reached me.
But immediately after.
“‘Gravity Control.’”
“Gah!?”
Thud. An impact traveled through our joined swords, leaving me no time to breathe. It felt as if my own weight had multiplied several times over. And with each passing second, the pressure increased, amplified, expanded.
“…H-Hey…”
Before I knew it, the ground beneath my feet was cracking, collapsing, collapsing, collapsing. The area only continued to spread. It had far surpassed the level of mere pressure.
And then, I realized.
…As I thought, this ‘Magician Hunter’ was several levels above me.
This pressure was undoubtedly magic. My bones creaked, and it would be foolish to maintain the status quo. Therefore.
“‘Sh-Shooting Star’—!!”
To create some distance, I tried to unleash the ‘Star Slayer’s’ technique. It didn’t matter that my body couldn’t move properly.
With trembling hands gripping my rattling sword, I tried to fire ‘Shooting Star’ at him. But what came back was a cold remark.
“—That’s the second time you’ve used that.”
“Wha!?”
So you can make a full counterattack, he implied.
A look of disappointment pierced me, and at the same time, my instincts told me this was bad. I stopped just in time and changed my approach.
“It’s over.”
“‘Sword Creation’!!!”
In this pressing situation, I cast a spell, grasping for the best option.
I created knife-like swords in my empty left hand—two of them.
Without hesitation, I threw them at the ‘Magician Hunter,’ who was trying to do something else to me, aiming between his eyebrows.
“…Gah!!”
Perhaps judging that this was bad, the ‘Magician Hunter’ jumped back and retreated.
Immediately afterwards, the pressure that had been eating away at me disappeared, and I greedily took in oxygen.
“…You’re resourceful.”
“I get that a lot.”
I watched for a moment as the weapons I had thrown, now embedded in the ground, began to disintegrate and melt into the darkness of the night, carried away by the wind, before replying.
“But that exchange was enough for me to see through you.”
“…Hee…and?”
Even as we spoke, he slashed at me in a straight line, tracing a silver trajectory, scattering sparks around us.
“You don’t get it. You don’t understand anything. There’s a decisive difference in skill between you and me. Oh, I know that. I’m aware of it. But so what?”
While venting my feelings, I swung my sword busily. At the ‘Magician Hunter,’ who was on the defensive for some reason, again and again. The clash of swords continued without pause.
“Sure, that’s normal. That’s natural. That’s common sense!! But to become stronger, that common sense is the most unnecessary thing!!”
He saw through me.
…So what?
Swinging my weapon as if to slam it down violently, I turned my feelings into words and spat them out.
“What’s the point of saying such obvious things now!?”
These weren’t words of anger. It was an expression of disappointment that he, despite being much stronger than me, had decided to hold back after seeing through me, as if there was no need to pursue the attack.
I wouldn’t dare say he should treat me as an equal.
Perhaps his magic, ‘Collector,’ came with a price each time he used it. So it was quite possible that he was holding back.
However, he couldn’t be unaware of the fact that in the world of sword fights, even the weak sometimes devour the strong.
That’s why I told him the price would be steep. I told him with my eyes not to expect to leave unscathed.
“Before you say anything else, try and cut me down!! I’m the enemy who scorns your revenge as foolish!?”
Therefore.
“So—learn your lesson.”
I raised my sword towards the night sky.
And then, I looked him straight in the eye.
“Tch—!!”
Did he anticipate my next move?
The look of composure vanished from his face, and he clicked his tongue sharply. Then, swoosh, his figure faded like mist. It was unmistakably—‘Perception Obstruction.’
But it didn’t matter.
“Your judgment is impressive, but unfortunately, that’s a bad move.”
The correct choice here wasn’t to evade, but to close the distance and prevent him from using this technique at all costs. I wouldn’t allow him the opportunity to evade, whether it be forward, backward, left, or right.
And then, fragmented memories danced in my mind like fireflies. Memories of slashing, vividly surfacing.
The model for resistance was here.
Therefore, I opened my mouth and spoke.
“Shoot it down—!!!”
With my sword in hand, I spun around, slashing at the empty air, centered on where I stood.
A trajectory was born. A sword line, shining brilliantly like a star.
“—‘Falling Star, Naglfar’—!!”
[Translator – Vine]
[Proofreader – Lust]
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