Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 18: Swordsmanship
Just before I was about to engage the enemy, the effect of ‘ Avatar Release’ wore off sooner than I expected, and I returned to my normal appearance.
(If I use magic repeatedly, the transformation won’t last long… I need to train more. For now, I’ll get by without the sensei’s magic…!)
A ladder was leaning against the wall behind the mansion, and the bandits were climbing up it. I jumped down from my horse, then immediately ran forward, holding my wooden sword awkwardly.
“Whoa… wh-what is that little thing…! Gah!”
(Even if I’m small, I can still land a hit…!)
I leapt onto one of the bandit’s neck as he was halfway up the ladder, striking him and using him as a springboard to jump further — on the other side of the wall, I saw Reis-san fighting alongside the soldiers defending the mansion.
“Lady Ashrina! Lord Glasbel is over there…!”
Reis-san was fighting five enemies at once by himself and holding them back, but if he hadn’t, the lord would have been overwhelmed by foes.
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“Such a brat… what do you think you can do…! Gah…!”
“Gah…!”
To help Reis-san gain the upper hand, I quickly run past the enemy, striking him with my wooden sword and knocking him unconscious — it’s understandable that anyone might let their guard down after seeing that, but I won’t show mercy.
“Tch… but this ends now…!”
The man who had been crossing swords with lord Glasbel suddenly leapt back. In the next instant, the trajectory of a bolt shot from a crossbow streaked through the air like a black line — but…
(There…!)
My swinging wooden sword intercepted the line of the bolt. The magic-encharmed wooden sword did not break, blocking the bolt from the crossbow.
“Wah…!”
The bandit came charging at me. His sword slashing down at the enemy in front of him, a forceful yet sharp strike — but…
I dodged the downward swing of the longsword using only footwork, without using the wooden sword.
“What…!?”
(When not transformed, I can move faster over short distances — and then…)
“Fuh!”
Bowing my head carelessly now would means losing the upper hand— I struck him in the neck before he could turn his wrist to raise his sword.
“Gah…!!”
Even with a wooden sword, a sharp strike can tear flesh, causing blood to spray. I probably won’t get used to it right away, but I won’t be distressed by the sight of blood either.
“…Will your captain fight on your behalf? Or will all of you come together?”
“U… Uwaaaaah!!”
Without answering my question, the enemy lunged at me. If only they had been better coordinated, it would have been different, but they shouldn’t have attacked one by one — but since they aren’t fleeing, I’ll just take this opportunity to gain some combat experience.
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“Phew…”
After sensing no enemies nearby, I turned to Lord Glasbel. He looked utterly stunned.
“Um, well… Lord Eric and Lady Phyllis are both safe. It seems that was just a diversion.”
“I had no idea Lady Ashrina was this strong… I thought I had lived a long life, but I haven’t been this surprised in ages.”
“…Lord Glasbel, there’s blood coming from your mouth…”
“Ah, sorry to worry you. But I’ve forgotten my illness for a moment because I was so determined. I couldn’t face my people if I was to lay my head down to some bandit here.”
It seems he was prepared for something like this to happen— he pushed through his illness to fight, after all.
But he held on. Thanks to Lord Eric, Lady Phyllis, Reis-san, and the soldiers, we were able to fight and emerge victorious.
“Father…!”
I hear Lady Phyllis’s voice. Behind her I can also see Lord Eric. She dismounted from her horse and hurried over, tears in her eyes as she checked that her father is safe.
(Now that I think of it… I recall there was a quest to defeat these bandits where the client was only described as ‘a certain noble of the City Alliance.’ Could it be about Lord Glasbel in this world?)
It was supposed to be a request to escort children studying abroad at the academy. Maybe I’m in a timeline before that quest actually started.
(If so… my knowledge from my previous life might actually come in handy.)
“Father, I’m glad you’re safe. The group from the Petroone family, who were on their way from Fort Lean, are currently treating the injured.”
“Lady Ordina is safe as well, I see. Well done, you two.”
“…It’s pathetic to say, but we couldn’t subdue the bandits on our own. We were saved by a passing mage. He took care of them all by himself.”
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(…A mage… you mean the transformed me?)
It’s not far-fetched to think I might look like that. And the wooden sword I currently hold is the same as when I used ‘ Avatar Release.’
If someone saw this, they’d surely notice — I was getting nervous when finally Lady Phyllis looked my way.
“lady Ashrina, I’m so glad you’re safe…!”
“She saved us. She possesses incredible sword skills… She defeated the bandits in an instant with a wooden sword and even blocked an arrow that was aimed at me.”
Lord Glasbel’s face was pale and blood was trickling down the corners of his mouth, but he was very talkative as he explained exactly what he had seen.
(If I’m going to tell them I was the one who helped Lady Phyllis and the others, now’s my only chance… I’m starting to feel really embarrassed.)
Compared to my usual self, I feel like I’m trying to look a little pretentious after transforming. I think this is influenced by my teacher’s personality — and honestly, I don’t think I’m wrong.
“The wooden sword you’re holding… could it be that you know the black-haired mage?”
“…Y-yes. I do know him quite well.”
“I see… While Lady Ashrina is evidently skilled with the sword, the black-haired mage wielded some form of high-level magic — it looked like the same kind used in advanced spells — and swept away the bandits attacking Ordina and the others in an instant. It was truly like a dream…”
(Ahh…)
Lady Phyllis’s face was just as she’d said, the face of a dreaming maiden— and once again I had more reasons not to say that it was me.
“A mage… No, probably the black-haired swordsman. He has appeared again…”
(Ahhh…!)
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I can hear Reis-san muttering from a little distance away. I wonder if my senses are too sensitive.
“I would very much like to thank that man as well, but where is he now?”
“That’s …… he disappeared without even telling me his name.”
I didn’t say I was going back to help the mansion, so I guess that’s how it’s interpreted. I can’t help but feel like I’m crossing a fine line.
“We may see each other again. In that case, we should send out a notice to the territory to let them know who we are looking for.”
“I, I don’t think we should do that. He, well, he’s the kind of person who doesn’t want to be noticed.
“With such skill, he can be an officer in any territory. If I could have lady Ashrina’s permission, I would love to have him as my guest.
(Thank you, but I am already in your favor. ……)
The eyes of Duke Glasbel and the siblings sparkled – the same could be said for the maids from the mansion who had come out to treat the soldiers and listened to what they had to say.
“The dark-haired one,……, that means, he’s from another country, isn’t it?”
“I can’t believe Lady Phyllis is praising someone so much…”
(Ha ha …… ha …… ha ha. I’ll have to be careful when I use transformation.)
Despite saying that, I will definitely rely on the powerful magic that can be used during “Avatar Release” – the more magic I use, the more skilled I become, and the more magic I can use, the more the maximum amount of magical power would increase
“Father, what shall we do with the captured bandits? Will we send them to Fortleen’s prison?”
“I want to get some information out of them before that. They’re probably tight-lipped, but still…”
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I also want to know more. I wonder if there’s any way I can be present at their interrogation — I have other things I want to talk to Lord Glasbel about later, so I’ll ask for some time.