SWNOVELXO Chapter 404
The swordsmanship of the criminal and the superhuman’s mastery of mana are on completely different levels.
Beyond merely circulating mana within the body to awaken transcendent power and senses, the technique of resonating the sword with ethereal mana creates strikes that can slice through the thick skins of monsters as well as the blades of the inexperienced.
As my sword clashed with Milanet’s in that moment, the tremendous force of impact sent our blades bouncing away from each other.
‘Now I really have to concentrate.’
With each exchange of sword strikes, I had to ensure I could firmly control the blade that threatened to slip out of my grasp.
Because a battle purely of raw mana and reflexes is about to begin.
It’s not impossible to break through and claim victory in one go, but maybe in archery. To channel overwhelming mana or predict the opponent’s attack with foresight is indeed a challenging feat.
As the tempo of battle intensified, there was one good piece of news.
‘I’ll take the first atmosphere.’
As the wind pressure swirled around us, our clothes and hair billowed, the first thing I managed to control was my wrist, which had been thrown off balance by the shock, along with the direction of my blade.
Thus, I lunged forward with my sword.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Milanet, who took a step forward instead of reclaiming her sword first.
Her longsword shot upward toward the sky.
Chaeeng─!
“Do you think I would fall for the same trick twice after experiencing it once already?”
Tsk… I didn’t particularly want this duel to drag out. I was hoping to go for a decisive victory like Siabel.
‘Did I underestimate her too much?’
Milanet was not so easily overpowered.
If she lost this duel, the rumors surrounding her would be impossible to shake off.
She must have realized that the identities of those she was involved with in covert dealings would soon be known throughout the town.
Indeed, she had no choice but to fight desperately.
“…You’ve also changed quite a bit, haven’t you?”
“You insulted my two masters, and as their disciple, I cannot simply stand by.”
“Ha.”
Milanet gave a hollow laugh.
“It sounds like you think the Baron can defeat me easily. However, after briefly exchanging blows, I can’t say your swordsmanship seems to rival that of archery─”
She even went so far as to provoke with cute remarks.
If we had met on the battlefield, she’d be a mere arrow away from death. Yet here she was, with that irritating tone, taunting me with widened eyes and a gaping mouth.
As someone who’s seen more action on the battlefield, I surely couldn’t let her feel comfortable.
“…Finally, it seems the Baron is showing his fighting spirit. It appears you have shown your true intentions at last.”
“Just focus on the sword.”
And so, after we aimed our swords at each other, the melee began.
*
Milanet had learned to observe and absorb since she was young.
The power to draw countless people from outside to bring glory and development to her house and estate stemmed from a wealth of gold coins.
To control those attracted by gold and make them loyal to her estate requires a power that commoners cannot dream of.
‘I’ve dedicated more time and a deeper understanding of swordsmanship than the Baron.’
So, when she learned how to earn money by managing a small shop, she never abandoned swordsmanship, even if it meant giving up other pursuits, always making sure to have excellent teachers.
‘Besides, I’ve got some talent myself.’
Unlike her peers who spent more time trying to break down barriers, she had no such stagnation. Her skills grew honestly with every hour she put in.
She had faith in the fortress built from her childhood dedication to practice.
However—
‘…But what is this discomfort?’
This duel felt different.
At a glance, it seemed as if she and the Baron were exchanging strikes on equal footing.
Thus, she dodged the Baron’s attack aimed at her wrist and countered, aiming a straight thrust at the Baron, but—
Every attempt of hers failed to connect into solid hits or secured counters, leaving her draining her own stamina instead.
‘Does that mean he’s reading my strikes perfectly? No way—’
The moments when she had seen a look of surprise or confusion on his face proved not to be deceptive.
Her strikes should surely have been a beacon for breaking through his defenses.
Yet why was the tide of battle not turning and remaining stagnant?
As she pondered this and pressed forward with a rougher offensive, in that moment of determination—
Kaaang─!
“……!”
Typically, she would have swiftly deflected the forceful strikes from their clash. In the wild exchanges of blades, where every forceful interaction is crucial—
The Baron’s method of attack changed again.
Zzzzzzz─!!
Sparks flying, it made a horrific sound, almost impossible to attribute to clashing swords.
‘He’s climbing up my blade…!’
It was madness.
With both of their mana saturated into their blades, he climbed up her blade, disregarding the recoil.
With such output, he piled on a barrage that pressed down her own mana. Surely his wrist and arm bore the cost of the onslaught.
‘Gambling? Or is it a ploy for self-detonation?’
The moment she thought that, she could forget all about it, just from the look in his eyes.
‘No, that’s…!’
It wasn’t gambling or self-detonation.
The Baron, riding her sword and scratching his way towards her, had merely changed his approach.
His achievements were well-known even within the kingdom. He had forged his reputation by slaying cultists and the monsters threatening peace. More than from defeating cults, he had boldly killed monsters and demons alike, making his presence felt.
Not detailed and intricate swordsmanship aimed at piercing vital points, but crude, straightforward swordplay designed to split tough monster skins and crush bones. Heavy yet concise swordsmanship began to devour her.
“Ugh…!”
With the pain squeezing down her grip and wrist, she involuntarily let out a sound.
Still, Milanet refused to relinquish her sword, preparing for sword wrestling like the Baron.
The moment she showed any weakness against his overwhelming assault, she would be devoured whole.
Boom─!
The Baron’s nose collided with the guard of her longsword, releasing a wave of pressure.
With the voice of the cold weapon resonating fiercely with increasingly fierce mana, and the tingling sensation creeping up her arms due to sheer brute force, the sword wrestling began.
“Is this how the Count’s swordsmanship is supposed to be?”
“The West and North have always been like this. After all, our opponents are not mere humans but monsters that threaten the kingdom.”
The solid strength of her upper body was supported by the legs that firmly anchored her.
Taking a stance to push the opponent back, Milanet declared.
“You’re fighting much more recklessly than I imagined…! Hup─!”
Allocating strength to her arms, she sliced downwards, attempting to suppress him, but—
“If you swing the sword while worrying about your body, you’ll just end up dead first.”
Her attempt fell flat.
Seizing the brief opening, the Baron closed the distance in an instant.
His hilt was aimed right at her solar plexus, and an explosive pain erupted from her chest.
“Cough…!”
Incapacitated, her brain felt as if it were melting from the pain. For a moment, her body slipped from her control, and saliva dribbled from her mouth.
Yet even amid this, Milanet still held onto her sword.
‘If I lose here…!’
Setting aside the false charges against her.
In this arranged duel, if the identity of her contract partner were to be uncovered, her neck could very well be on the line.
Channeling the mana that had permeated her sword, she firmly grasped the dead edge of her longsword with both hands.
TAH─!
After kicking off the ground to retreat, even though the edge was dull, pouring her honesty into the handle, blood flowed when she tightened her grip.
With all her strength, she manipulated her mana to strengthen the guard and the surrounding area, not the blade itself.
‘Now!’
The moment she felt all preparations were perfectly aligned.
She swung the sharp guard like a club.
Her sword carved horizontally, imbued with heavy force, aimed for the Baron’s temple.
‘Got it…!’
The Baron, taken by surprise, but only for a moment.
Having survived through numerous battlefields, he moved as if he had built up a wealth of experience over time.
Ching─!
A gust of air burst forth as excruciating pain surged through her two hands.
“Damn it…!”
In the clash against his mana-infused attack, it was the problem of having gripped the blade.
In an instant, her hands were covered in blood.
But right now was not the time to be worried about that.
“……!”
The Baron’s two halves of his sword had broken apart, flying through the air.
As that tremendous shockwave unsettled his weight, she could not let this golden opportunity slip away.
So, she attempted to carry this momentum and seize victory.
“Uuuugh…!”
Gritting her teeth in desperation, yet his face remained a calm mask, while his eyes burned with ferocity.
As he closed in rapidly, he pressed the blade that had lost half of its edge against hers.
‘No way… no way…!’
The guard she had put up had fallen behind him.
In an instant, she had no time to evade his approach.
‘This can’t be happening. It’s impossible!’
Even if his sword had pierced into her longsword, even if his blade had gotten caught and pressed upon her hand, she was not thinking of the risk.
“Where do you think you’re going—!”
Thus, recovering her longsword once more, aiming for the back of his head.
To evade the killing intent lurking in her neck.
Bending down to draw her sword in preparation to thrust him against the ground.
But his guard struck hard against her shoulder.
Even as the sensation traveled up her arm, all she could let out was a sigh of frustration.
“Ah.”
Even though her sword was all shattered and messily broken, the broken blade remained capable of ending her life.
If she had lowered her posture any further to try and stab him into the ground, she would have pierced herself instead.
For underneath her awaited her own demise.
Lowering her posture. Naturally, she looked up. The earlier impact must have been considerable. The Baron frowned down at her.
“I won.”
Milanet could not refute his claim.
Despite having received the attacking blow, he could manage a strike that could kill her.
Moreover, he still stood steadfast.
His left hand, as mangled as a hand could be, leaked blood. As his blood dripped down to cover her face, shrouding her vision, Milanet was overwhelmed and finally conceded.
“…I lost.”
In this honorable duel, the victor was the Baron.
*
After the honorable duel concluded.
Following the swift treatment of the priest, I found my shoulder and hand bandaged.
After taking a brief moment to rest and being alone in a quiet room.
The moment the door opened, a familiar silver-haired woman entered.
“Ray! Are you alright?!”
As the door closed, Shione began to fuss immediately.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her concern and responded with a grin.
“Did you see the bruise on my shoulder? That Milanet, she wields a sword even better than I could ever imagine. From midway through, she pulled every trick out of the hat. I was caught off-guard because of that─”
Milanet, contrary to what I had dismissed, truly mastered her swordsmanship.
It was more astonishing than I anticipated.
“Honestly, I feel like I’m going to die from all this pain.”
What was a bow-wielder up to with a sword, I wondered.
That’s why swords were off-limits!