Chapter 42: Knights and Cats

“Liddell, he did it!”

“Isn’t this the first time someone cut the crossbeam with a sword!?”

“The sword itself didn’t break or bend either.”

“It’s amazing; it really is a magic sword…”

The enthusiasm of the knights who were watching made it clear to Isamu that the results were very favorable. However, he didn’t know the specific extent of this sword’s capabilities.

As the excitement of the onlookers continued, Liddell approached Isamu holding the broken crossbeam in his hand with an excited expression.

“Isamu-dono, this is incredible!!”

With a broad smile, Liddell praised immediately.

“Until now, no matter what sword we used, we couldn’t cut through this crossbeam! This magic sword changed that!”

Isamu closely observed the smiling Liddell’s face while examining the broken crossbeam he held.

It seemed that the crossbeam wasn’t completely cut; it had broken after about 70% was severed. In fact, this was a more accurate representation of the situation.

“With a regular sword, we could barely cut about half, or around 30%, but with this magic sword, we managed to cut about 70%. I don’t think it’s simply a doubling of sharpness, but it’s undeniable that the sharpness has visibly improved.”

He seemed to be explaining enthusiastically, maybe because he was so delighted.

“Liddell, could you give me more specific differences? Has it become sharper? Has the hardness of the sword increased? How does it feel when you cut it?”

Diluc, who was watching from a little distance, walks up to me and asks him a question.

Liddell looked surprised at that question, then lowered his tone a little and began to share his thoughts.

“Ah, sorry, Captain. I got carried away… Well, I do feel that the sharpness and hardness have both increased, but the increase in hardness seems to be more significant. However, overall, I’d say the quality has improved the most. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s like a legendary sword from a fairy tale that can cut through anything. If I put any more strength into it, I think it’ll probably break.”

“I see. Interesting… magic tools using earth magic stones are often used to make walls or armor harder, so perhaps that’s how this sword enhances its sharpness.”

“It was quite an intriguing sensation. Even though it looks the same and weighs the same, it felt like I was using a completely different sword.”

“Is it that different? There were no issues with edge deformation, it isn’t chipped?”

“No, I checked, and it’s fine.”

“Good. In that case, let me have a turn with it.”

Diluc received the sword from Liddell and tested it with a few swings to get a feel for its weight and grip.

“Just cutting in the same way wouldn’t be impressive… there’s no art in that.”

He muttered, thinking for a moment. Then, with the sword held horizontally in his right hand and the palm of his left hand supporting the sword from below, he aimed the tip at the target and lowered his hips.

This stance wasn’t for cutting; it was for thrusting, a movement even an amateur like Isamu could understand.

“Shhhh!!!”

Taking a short breath and stepping forward quickly, he launched a series of rapid thrusts.

It makes a dry clicking sound as it digs into the log.

He had delivered five thrusts in almost the same spot, leaving holes about five centimeters in diameter and ten centimeters deep in the log.

“I see, this is the sensation…”

Diluc checked the sword’s tip, squeezed and released his grip a few times to assess the sensation, and then took the same stance again.

He began another series of fast consecutive thrusts, this time in the opposite direction to where Liddell had broken the crossbeam.

This time, the sound was slightly higher, and the opposite crossbeam also toppled with a clattering noise.

“””OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”””

“Captain did it too!!”

There was another round of cheers. After picking up the fallen crossbeam with a satisfied look, Diluc returned to Isamu.

Upon inspecting the broken part, it was apparent that it had been cut in a semi-circular manner, just like how it had been thrust into the log earlier.

Did Diluc approach breaking the crossbeam differently than Liddell due to his pride as the captain?

“Isamu-dono, it seems that this magic sword’s sharpness enhancement also applies to thrusting. As Liddell mentioned, it can penetrate about twice as deeply.”

“I see… So it’s not simply enhancing the act of cutting, but it directly interferes with the sword’s performance. Then, ‘Nyaaa~’ What’s the matter, Orihime?”

As Diluc contemplated the effects of the magic circle based on his impressions, Orihime arrived at Isamu’s feet with a pitter-patter.

She glanced at the target, executed a few left and right cat punches shadowboxing style, then looked up at Isamu and let out a short “nyau.”

“Could it be that Orihime also wants to give it a try?”

After a moment of contemplation, Isamu asked, and Orihime narrowed her eyes and responded with a short “nyan.”

“Diluc-san, I’m sorry, but could I let Orihime use that target too? She seems eager to do it…”

“Oh! Would we be able to witness Orihime-dono’s heroics? Please use it as much as you’d like! I’ve been wanting to see the power that helped Liddell and the others!”

Although Isamu apologized, Diluc was genuinely delighted and responded more positively than expected.

“Alright. Orihime, Captain gave the green light! I’m not sure what you’re planning, but do your best!!”

With Isamu giving the go-ahead in response to Diluc’s permission, Orihime let out a small “nyaa,” then lowered her posture.

She perked her ears into the so-called “squid ears” and lightly wagged her tail, forming it into a zigzag shape. It was a behavior commonly observed when cats were in a state of readiness.

And…

“Nyaa!”

After a tension-free meow similar to what Isamu had heard during the goblin battle, Orihime dashed towards the target like she had been launched.

It was as if she was gliding just above the ground, a cream-colored mass moving towards the target. It wasn’t an optical illusion; Orihime’s body appeared to be radiating light as she approached the target.

Then, just before reaching the target, she shot up abruptly and leaped towards the right-side crossbeam.

She used the crossbeam as a pivot, performed a quick one-turn around it like a gymnast’s iron bar, then floated gracefully in mid-air. As if she were a gymnast executing a moonsault in the air, she landed perfectly as if nothing had happened.

In terms of time, it all took just a few seconds.

Everyone in the gallery, including the knights, watched in awe, speechless. Then, with a clattering sound, the remaining right-side crossbeam fell to the ground.

“””ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!”””

The third thunderous cheer resounded, the loudest yet.

“Fantastic! To cut through the crossbeam in an instant… Truly, Orihime-dono, you’re just as incredible as the magic sword! Your skills match the rumors!”

Diluc, with a look of excitement in his eyes like a boy seeing his admired hero, or rather heroine, expressed his thoughts.

When Isamu looked around, all the knights were similarly excited.

As for Orihime herself, after returning with an air of composure and swaying her raised tail, she rubbed her face against Isamu’s leg and curled up at his feet with an air of satisfaction.

From this day forward, Orihime’s popularity in the knight order would reach new heights, and she would be affectionately referred to as “Orihime-sensei.”

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