Foreigner Volume 7, Chapter 130

Volume 7 Chapter 130, Magic Sword ~ 38

「Ah, my Lord!」

「Onii-san!」

「Danna-sama!」

　Screams go up from the three remaining magical slaves. It was the first time they had seen Satoru shed blood since he came to this world. Leia's agitation was so intense that her wards began to shake.

　But Satoru turned his head. There was no sign of agitation there. The sleeve of his left upper arm had been cut open, and blood was indeed flowing, but it would not affect him that much.

「I'm fine. It's just a piece of skin.」

　Leia is relieved and re-focuses on her warding.

　It is true that he is surprised that he has been hurt for the first time since he came to this world. However, it is a matter of course that when a blade touches you, you get hurt. The fact that he had been in so many situations where he had ignored it until now had almost paralyzed his senses, but the pain caused by the cut was a natural prickle, and Satoru's heart quietly welled up.

　Releasing what remains, the woman also turns to face them.

　It was predictable, but she was no ordinary woman after all. With a very smooth yet sharp movement, she ran her sword along the Giant Killer and made a move to slash his left arm. Satoru was able to react quickly, so it was only a shallow move, but Satoru's reaction was by no means leisurely.

「Wasn't I invincible?」

　While noticing the energy in Satoru's voice as he blurted out to Leia, Leia opened the window of her own knowledge.

「There is such a thing as compatibility in this world! To those who live in evil, that sword is the worst poison!」

「Hou, Knowing what the Holy Sword is, you are the 【Fallen Sacrificial Princess】 Leia Löwenstadt, as rumored. As expected of former royalty.」

「Nuh」

　The atmosphere froze. Satoru also frowned. He had not touched on Leia's past, but as he had already mentioned, she was a noblewoman in terms of her behavior and language. It is no surprise that she was royalty. The fact that Leia is a character in a fairy tale that is probably known throughout the world, and to that extent, she would have to be royalty to be convincing.

　While the woman was addressing Leia, her attention was perfectly focused on Satoru.

「However, you are not the main reason why I have come here this time. It is the Demon King Satoru. Of course, if this is all over, you are the next one who I must be dealt with.」

「Kuh!」

　It seems that before he knew it, Satoru had become what one might call a Demon King. Satoru was upset. Well, I may have done something that could have been called that, but honestly, it's a bit disconcerting. I have never taken the initiative to become the Demon King.

　However, for some reason, Satoru doesn't feel hatred toward the woman who boldly says that she would have done the same to Leia if she had gotten rid of him. She is limpid and pure. She does not feel hatred toward them, he can honestly say that.

　The woman returns her attention from Leia to Satoru, and once again she holds her sword at the hip as if she were ready to fight. Perhaps that is her sword stance in swordsmanship.

「But still... if it were true, I should have been able to cut off your left arm with a single blow, but I was only able to cut off a piece of skin because of your ridiculous magic power, I suppose.」

　Hmph, Satoru snickered. There certainly wasn't much room to spare, but still, it wasn't so much that he couldn't avoid it.

　It was certainly due to his ridiculous magic power. It is not his imagination that the more he concentrated on her movements, the more he strengthen himself.

　And the torrent of sublimation of this magic power has no effect on himself.

　If that is the case...

「Oi, girl」

「What is it? Demon King from another world.」

　Her supple limbs tell him that she is probably a little younger than himself. The woman cut him off without a hint of concern, and Satoru was convinced by her response.

　That this trap was set by the Academy of the Wise. The only one who knew that he was summoned from another world, other than his companions, was guessed by the Academy of the Wise. The High Mentor, the director of the academy, wrote a letter to the head of the village of World Tree. Satoru doesn't smell like a sorcerer, so he is probably an outsider.

「You, do you have something against me?」

「No? Nothing in particular. If I had to say so, two of my clan members have already been defeated by you, or more precisely, by Leia Löwenstadt, but I have no grudge against you.」

　The woman who replied so casually was, as usual, seamless. To put it another way, she is too seamless. She is showing a lot of composure in her speech, but not in her demeanor.

「Those who felt your power was too ridiculous and dangerous asked our clan to defeat you. We complied.」

　Satoru laughed a little. It may have looked like a terrible smile to some people watching, but Leia and Minerva could tell that it was not. That was just a dumbfounded and bitter smile.

　You can tell by the way she stands. She is honest. And probably at a ridiculous level. She even tells them things she doesn't need to tell. Perhaps it was a farewell gift to the dead, but the Academy of the Wise asked an outside clan or something like that, and she came out to confront Satoru―

　Satoru understood what she meant. She is an enemy who has been standing in the way of Satoru, but she is not an enemy in the true sense of the word.

「I see, I get it now. Then, let me give it a try!」

　At that moment, about 30 fireballs appeared around Satoru. Each one roared as if it had a will of its own and attacked the woman. But...

「Useless」

　The woman said so calmly and slashed her sword, which she had been holding at her waist, into a horizontal cleave. All of the fireballs that Satoru shot at her seemed to be sucked into the sword. There is no change in the appearance of either the woman or the sword.

　―So that's how it is, I see.

　Leia's voice rose as if to supplement Satoru's understanding.

「Sorcery will not work on her! That sword sucks magic power―Ggahh!」

「Leia!」

　Satoru raised his voice. Since she had first attacked Solor and Rico, who was trying to get out of the circle, and Satoru had prevented her from doing so, she had been thoroughly fighting only Satoru. Leia, it goes without saying(?), that the woman had not touched Minerva or Liz. If they had been caught off guard, they might have been.

　However, there was a long needle-like object, which looked like a hidden weapon, sticking into Leia's thigh. She frowned at the pain, but still smiled inappropriately at her Lord who turned to her.

「T-This is nothing serious.」

　Leia is the 【Immortal King】, and surely an attack of that magnitude would be nothing.

　Liz pulled out the needle with caution. For a moment, Leia looked as if she was enduring pain, but the warding over her head did not waver. The wound was quickly sealed by the peristaltic action of the needle.

　However, Satoru's anger gauge is about to boil over when his beloved magical slave is injured.

「It's a one-on-one fight. Will you please not interfere?」

　However, Satoru quickly regained his composure when he sensed a bitter tone in the tone of the principal woman who had released the hidden weapons.

　―That was dangerous.

　It was also an accident that Satoru could not catch the movement of the woman who released the hidden weapon, but he must not lose himself in anger. It's obvious that if you do that under these circumstances, you will be in a bad situation.

　He doesn't know why, but that woman genuinely wants to fight Satoru alone. She just gives a warning to Leia for putting a damper on her fight for honor. He can tell from her demeanor that she probably didn't want to do that either.

「If you don't interferer, I won't touch those women. I promise you that in the name of my sword and my clan.」

　Satoru couldn't help laughing. After all, this woman is ridiculously honest. Humanly likable to the point of being likable.

「That being said. I have no idea who you are or what that sword is.」

　Satoru glanced back at Leia, holding back the feeling that the woman was too honest to be distracted. He is wary that the woman will throw the hidden weapon at her again. After a little hesitation, Leia slowly opened her mouth.

「That sword is the Holy Sword 『Soul Eater』. And the one who wields this sword is the head of the Holy Sword Clan. The clan is descended from the heroes who defeated the Demon King in mythical times.」

　This time, she didn't seem to regard it as an intrusion. She did not make full use of hidden weapons.

「That's right. As expected of Leia Löwenstadt. The erudite and gifted 【Immortal King】」

　Behind her mask, the woman laughed.

　The fearless attitude of the enemy woman was the same as that of Satoru, who had received a blow. The wound on his left shoulder had already stopped bleeding, and it was no longer painful, just itchy.

「Not a very good name for a holy sword. I see, it sucks magic power. ......」

　Satoru was convinced when he released a fireball and she was able to get rid of it. The reason why she was able to move with ease in this circle of sublimating magic power. It is in that sword.

　The holy sword 『Soul Eater』 eats magic power. In other words, as long as that sword is in her hand, no matter what form it takes, sorcery will not work. The fireball that was generated just a little bit seemed smaller than usual, but it was probably due to the influence of the circle.

「And the magic power that it has sucked is returned to the user. ...... It is tremendous magic power. The magic power it just sucked in is enough to overflow from my soul.」

　This time, Satoru was honestly aghast. He carried the Giant Killer on his shoulder, which was held in his right eye ― a form of opening, but the woman did not strike.

「......Would you bother to tell us? Expose your hand to your opponent. Can you afford it?」

「I don't like cowardice. I would have preferred a one-on-one battle of strength against strength, technique against technique. But, as it is my position, that's not going to happen.」

「I see. You're a weird guy, aren't you?」

　―She's a strange guy, I mean she's like samurai or a warrior

　Satoru chuckled as he thought about the existence of these warriors, who are now extinct in modern Japan. She was a woman, but that made a lot of sense in her words and actions.

　Her face is covered by a frightening mask, so it is impossible to see her expression. However, she must be astonished because of the way her shoulders twitched at Satoru's comment.

　Satoru can say clearly. He doesn't dislike her. She is being honest with him. He should be polite to her as well. At least, much more so than at the Academy of the Wise, where they were sneaking around.

「Leia, Minerva, and Liz don't interfere.」

　The three of them, who were watching Satoru and the woman without batting an eye, nodded reluctantly at Satoru's words. There are times when it is more dangerous to be meddled with. Especially when it comes to a higher level of conflict.

　Satoru floats one of the water balls.

「Direct magic power is sucked out, right? Even a little bit of magic power can be sublimated or volatilized in this ward.」

　Satoru looks at the floating water ball as he taps his shoulder with the Giant Killer. It was the same as usual, but the ball was smaller in size than usual and gradually became smaller and smaller. After all, this level of sorcery seems to be volatile.

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan was clearly suspicious of Satoru, who showed no sign of wavering or agitation, while still maintaining his composure.

「...... It should be. Are you really human? How can you stand firm amidst the torrent of this circle?」

「I'm human, in case you're wondering. And on top of that, I'll tell you this: ...... you made the wrong choice.」

「What?」

　Satoru's mood changed, and the head of the Holy Sword Clan swayed slightly as she held herself in a waist-high position.

「You missed your chance to win because you wanted to be magnanimous. You should have ignored the preamble and slashed at me.」

「Wha ......」

　It was clear. Surely with that sword, she would be able to hurt Satoru. Even Satoru would not be able to survive a stab to the heart.

　However, that is only if it hits.

　It is true that she is skilled. But her speed and strength are within the range of Satoru's imagination. He doesn't know how many members of the Holy Sword Clan's depth of experience she has, but if it is within the range of his imagination, he will not be defeated.

　A roar was heard around Satoru. Satoru's surroundings ― or rather, Satoru himself ― radiated silver light from within his body. The head of the Holy Sword Clan visibly flinched at the torrent of magic power that was so foreign and pure that it was as if his chi had become visible power and clothed him in an aura.

「Sorcery that directly affects me ain't gonna suck like that. And my magic power is not going to be dampened by a circle like this! Let's go! Brace yourselves!」

「......!!」

　Satoru charges forward with a roar.

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan also stood tall in the face of him ― and was astonished.

　Frankly speaking, his swordsmanship is a joke(?). It could be said that he simply relied on brute force.

　It was just fast and heavy.

　Simple as that. Satoru used his excess magic power to raise the level of his own physical ability.

　The holy sword certainly sucks magic power. It also seems to absorb the magic power directed at its wearer.

　However, it only sucks. There seems to be an aspect of returning the sucked magic power to the wearer, but it cannot suck magic power unless it hits.

　If Satoru thus directs all of his enormous magic power to raise the level of his physical abilities, the benefit of sucking the magic power of the holy sword will be meaningless.

　A series of high-pitched metallic sounds intersected. The breathless succession of attacks, each blow was so heavy. The speed was so fast that it was impossible to handle.

　Satoru had not yet fully swung his sword. Satoru, who is virtually blocked from sorcery and has no experience in kendo, had no choice but to overwhelm her with other elements in order to make sure she did not have time to use her superior skills.

　He would have to overwhelm her with his power. The attack power of his weapons is tremendous because of that. But she could still handle it, so it was a great feat of skill.

　Her parry was quite extreme, as she learned from her first attack. If he were to strike with a sword that would cut through the opponent, he would be knocked off balance. Hating this, Satoru did not swing his sword out, but instead softly returned it with his wrists and launched a series of slash attacks. However, he did not swing with all his might, and if he hit her, he would probably take her life with a single blow.

　She has the greater skill, and Satoru has the greater physical strength.

　The most powerful thing in one-on-one battles―Is speed. The difference in overall speed, which includes not only body movement but also reflexes, is the most important point that makes the difference between life and death.

　Satoru was superior in this aspect as well.

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan worked hard to deal with the slashes that came out one after another like a gale. If she failed to parry even one of them, she would have suffered tremendous damage, as evidenced by the strength of the impact.

　Even though she is far superior in skill, Satoru's attacks continue to intensify.

「Ughhhh!」

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan tried her best to deal with the attack, but she realized that she could no longer keep up with it, and tried to backstep to keep her distance. But Satoru would not let her do so. He instantly closed the gap and launched a further attack.

　There is a difference in speed. And the difference in simple physical strength is overwhelming.

　The impact that could not be washed away strikes the body of the Soul Eater and the head of the Holy Sword Clan. A dull sound begins to echo from the holy sword, and the bones creak.

　Satoru's power to manipulate such a heavy greatsword with unbelievable speed. The head of the Holy Sword Clan shouted in surprise at this power that far exceeded that of a human being.

「This──monster!」

　She wanted to counterattack, but she was too busy dealing with the situation. Despite this, Satoru still wielded his greatsword with one hand, holding down his overwhelmingly more skilled opponent with only his speed and weight.

　―One-handed!?

　I was horrified. This guy is not serious yet. There is more to it.

　I wonder how many times I have already dealt with it. Even so, I could find no opportunity to counterattack, and in fact, the speed of his attack was increasing.

　Her sword receives a large side-swipe blow with the sword, and at the same time, she flies away from the impact―I intended to do so, but I was blown away. And over a ridiculous distance.

　There is no other way to avoid a slash from a body slash than to dodge it up and down, avoid it at a distance, or receive it and let the impact escape. But either way, the evasive maneuver is a big one, and it is easy to create a gap, so she was supposed to take the hit and turn to a counterattack, but the sheer power of the slash was all she could do just to take it.

「Kahh! Guhhh! Guahh!」

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan rolled on the ground as if she had just been hit by the legendary Mithrim Golem, failing to even catch herself due to the sheer speed of the impact.

　After rolling for a distance of about five majors (45 meters) with a cloud of dust, she finally came to a stop.

　The head of the Holy Sword Clan was hit by a shock that almost disintegrated her body. But she did not let go of her consciousness.

「Heey, are you still alivee?」

　It was the voice of a man ― Satoru's voice. If there had been a follow-up blow to the impact, even the head of the Holy Sword Clan would not have survived. But there was no follow-up blow. Realizing that Satoru is still not exhausted yet, the head of the Holy Sword Clan forgot her position as head of the clan and became a warrior, becoming an individual named Isolde, and she trembling in fear.

　――I'm scared.

　For the first time in her life, she was afraid. The woman of talent, who is considered a genius even when compared to the successive heads of the Holy Sword Clan, was terrified by the overwhelming difference in power.

　But, however. As the head of the Holy Sword Clan, there was no way that she could just surrender herself to fear. The last bastion of humanity that could stand up to the Demon race that possesses abilities beyond the human race cannot be so easily destroyed.

「What of it, only this much ......!(?)」

　Isolde stood up with only her willpower.

　The wind whipped up and blew away the dust and smoke.

　The mask, which had been somewhat gruesome, was off. The mask was blown away somewhere, and the face that appeared was a woman.

　At the sight of that face, Satoru felt a tremor boiling in his heart. An inexpressible feeling like black stagnation. She was probably a little older than Rico. She is a beautiful woman with a sharp impression, but the hostility and respect she has shown him so far are different from the horrifying feelings he has been experiencing.

(What, is this?)

　Satoru observes the situation calmly.

　Leia's face, which is certainly looking at the face of the head of the Holy Sword Clan, was also colored with hatred, which is unusual. It is an expression that is not like her to lose her composure when dealing with anyone other than Satoru. It seems that he is not alone in this feeling that is rising in his heart. It is not that there is something in the girl's appearance, but something else. It seems that he is also affected a little, but it seems to be more restrained than the deafness that emerges in Leia, as predicted by the expression on her face.

「Leia! Don't look at her face! Concentrate on your art!」

　Leia's expression, which had been glaring at the woman with hatred, wavered with bitterness. She managed to respond to Satoru's voice, averted her gaze, and deepened her concentration on the art.

　The woman's figure was a wretched sight to behold. Her clothes and trousers were ripped here and there, and her wounds were almost all over her body. Her left arm hangs limply, and her shoulder is probably dislocated. She is holding a Soul Eater with only her right arm, but the tip of the sword is also stuck in the ground. Her wounds itself is slowly recovering ― probably from physical sorcery.

「Nuuaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!!」

　Even so, the head of the Holy Sword Clan slashes toward Satoru with a fierce, waving spirit. Satoru brazenly intercepted her. Although Satoru's strength and speed were superior to the woman's, even with her injuries, the woman's skill was definitely superior. For example, she has the skill to flick a sword away―Satoru instantly judged this and swung his greatsword from the upper deck in a rather large descent.

　Of course, the woman easily avoids it ― that was already factored in. It was just a check to stop her momentum.

　This woman is not a practitioner, so defeating her will not save Leia, Liz, and Minerva whom he is protecting.

　Considering the situation, it would have been quickest to defeat her and take care of the practitioners himself. However, Satoru did not do so. He did not hesitate because he was dealing with a woman. Satoru is a feminist, but he is not that naive.

　Satoru was not sure why, but he felt that he should not kill this person. Such was his hunch.

(Rico, Solor―)

　If Rico and Solor would clean up the mess, that would be enough. If they were to be defeated, Satoru would have to face that danger, but he trusts Solor, who is second only to himself in fighting power. However, thinking of this woman who was waiting for him, they would definitely be interrupted.

　If Leia could not bear it any longer, Satoru intends to ignore his own intuition, cut down this woman, and look for practitioners himself. In any case, he would keep on pulling until the very last minute.

　Satoru set his mind to it, made up his mind, and faced the woman. He dodged a sharp thrust with just his body movement. He wanted to attack her, but she was very skillful in not allowing him to do so. After a short distance, several hidden weapons were fired this time, but Satoru calmly knocked them down with his cloak. One of the long needle-like needles, which was released at an off-timing, hit Satoru, but it did not pierce him and fell to the ground. Apparently, there is no danger of harm to himself unless it is a sword in her possession.

　Trusting his friends, Satoru waits.

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