Kays Translations

Chapter 35- The Sword Demon [front]

Finally, the two turned around, escaping the magic circle.

Licia looked at the center of the shattered stone pavement, where dust and debris filled the air.

"Is it the guardian of the seal!? Or... a survivor of the Demon King's army!?"

Shattered fragments of the stone pavement fell like rain.

"That is probably..."

Ren squinted his eyes and stared into the dust.

A colossal figure of at least five meters, adorned with golden engravings on jet-black armor. It had four arms and a cloth draped over one shoulder. It pulls out the giant sword that had broken the necklace and attacked Ren and Licia while they were fleeing outside the magic circle.

It was clearly advancing towards Ren and Licia.

"The commander who led the Demon King's army, I presume."

They remembered the events at the academy vividly.

It was the exact appearance of the commander of the Demon King's army depicted in the old book they saw in the executive committee room. Except for the color of the cloth draped over his shoulder was different. They were awestruck by his posture, holding a deep crimson giant sword that resembled a large ruby, with all four arms poised to strike.

Given the current situation, it was easy to predict that he would attack them.

Licia sighed and reluctantly spoke.

"Hey, who should we be angry at?"

"For now, it's definitely Elfen Church. The seal's management has been negligent."

"Yes... but we need to do something about him if we want to voice our protest."

There were two questions.

First, why did the necklace suddenly fall to the stone pavement when they arrived? And second, why were we involved in the first place?

(To find out, we have to survive and leave this place.)

Fortunately, their opponent's movements were considerably sluggish.

They showed great courage by leaping into the magic circle, but they had been trapped within this seal for a long time. Presumably, they were only able to move now because the seal had weakened, but it must still be difficult for them to move within this space.

(But how did they manage to survive?)

Even if it was the commander of the Demon King's army, could they have survived within this seal for hundreds of years?

There must be something special, otherwise they wouldn't be able to resist the Time Cage. Ren furrowed his brow as he looked at the cloth draped over the monster's shoulder.

(I'm certain it was supposed to be a faded blue...)

But now it was gray.

That cloth had a special power that allowed the monster to survive even within the Time Cage. Like an animal hibernating, it had endured the long passage of time. Therefore, when the power of the cloth began to wane, its color faded as well. At least, that was his conjecture.

After sharing this information with Licia, Ren said,

"We have two options. One is to fight and defeat that creature. The other is to buy time while waiting for the seal to break."

With each step the colossal monster took, the stone pavement cracked. In the depths of the dust cloud, it emerged wielding a second giant sword.

"We don't know when the seal will be broken, but there is a possibility that we can escape to the outside."

"That's right. So it's probably best to avoid fighting."

Licia nodded in agreement.

The two turned their backs to the Rosas Caitas and began to move towards the stone staircase. Their opponent was the monster who served as the commander of the Demon King's army. It was not a choice they could make lightly to engage in battle.

...However, their escape routes were becoming increasingly limited.

Suddenly,

The mountain surface and ground suddenly shattered, and the gouged out rocks surround the area in a circle. Purple electric gushes between the rocks, a supernatural phenomenon. The magic was so powerful that even Ren's star killer couldn’t counteract it.

The celestial sphere also turned red, and the seal beyond it appeared distorted.

It seems impossible for the two of us to escape as planned.

However, if we seize a small opportunity, we might be able to create some distance.

(――――There's no other choice, is there?)

Certainly, he was called the Sword Demon before he joined the Demon King's forces.

I wonder just how powerful his sword techniques are, coming from his four arms.

"I'll find a way to distract him."

"Huh?"

Licia opened her eyes wide in surprise.

The Sword Demon, who had taken position in the center of the magic circle, swung his four arms and looked at Ren and Licia.

There was no room for them to be on the defensive. If the opponent used magic that couldn't be negated by Star killer, the difference in power would be evident.

"I'll buy you some time, so please run! Get away from here, even if just a little!"

Just as the Sword Demon was about to start walking, Ren stepped forward.

To stop the massive swordsman in front of the dust cloud.

"I never thought I would be fighting not only the Demon Lord's followers but also a general of the Demon Lord's army!"

Ren swung his iron magic sword at the colossal figure that exceeded five meters. The sharp sword flashes left the sound behind and were surrounded by a sharp wind.

"Ooooooooh!"

The Sword Demon swung down his deep crimson giant sword, emitting a roaring sound. Ren, who received it from below, groaned, feeling the possibility of being crushed. At the same time, he felt his whole body filled with sacred magic.

(――――This is...)

Rather than being surprised, he swung his sword.

Looking up at the Sword Demon, he exerted all his strength.

"Haaaah!"

"――――!?』

Ren pushed back the deep crimson giant sword.

Just before another giant sword was swung down, it was deflected.

"I told you to run!"

"I never agreed to that! I'd rather die than leave Ren behind!"

It was Licia’s resolute voice as she deflected the crimson giant sword with her own sword. Without missing the momentary opening of the Sword Demon, Ren stepped forward and swung his iron magic sword. It was impossible to cut through. The iron sword couldn't make a single scratch and was deflected.

Feeling the tingling sensation that surged through his hand, Ren frowned and clicked his tongue.

"As expected of a general of the Demon Lord's army...!"

It was the first time he had encountered such hardness. He couldn't imagine how he could make a wound, but fortunately, the Sword Demon had just awakened and was weakened due to the seal. Ren swung his sword, hoping to exploit that weakness.

However, he noticed something strange halfway through.

With each clash of swords, the pressure emitted by the Sword Demon increased.

"Ren, watch out!"

He closed the distance. Ren's iron magic sword clashed with the deep crimson giant sword in the Sword Demon's hand.

Compared to the beginning, the Sword Demon's strength had increased. It was not a misconception. The sword pressure itself might be a type of magic, as it wreaked havoc while obscuring the field of view with the accompanying dust cloud.

"Gooo...!"

With each swing of the multiple giant swords, a whirlwind that cut through the skin danced in the air. Red blood, defiant against the deep crimson of the giant swords, stained Ren's cheeks.

Ren didn't hesitate or falter.

"It's nothing... compared to this!"

Ren evades one of the approaching giant swords with agile movements, then climbs up the belly of the second sword using a swift kick. The third sword, which was swung horizontally, is deflected slightly by Ren's sword and shield.

Only one sword remains, the fourth one.

Ren's downward swing with the iron magic sword was faster than the sword demon's upward swing. However, when the two swords collide, Ren is overwhelmed by the difference in strength.

"Ah..."

"Ren!?"

Pathetically, just like when he trained with his father, Roy, in his childhood.

The sword that was swung from behind deflects Ren's entire body. His body, sent flying, is caught midway by Licia, who shields him, and they both return to the crumbling magic circle.

Blood flows from the scrape on the back of his hand.

"As the seal weakens, it seems to be getting stronger,"

Licia says as she heals Ren's injuries.

The light of the magic circle to which the two have returned is already feeble.

"When I was knocked away, how was the sword demon's appearance?"

Ren asks.

"Well... It was extraordinary, like nothing I've ever seen even in the Holy Lion Sanctuary. Both the sword's swing and brute strength."

His advance is faster than expected for his massive size.

Recognizing the threat, Licia creates multiple layers of dazzling light walls. When the crimson giant sword is swung down, it shatters like mere glass. It is ultimately just a means to buy some time.

"It seems we don't have the luxury to think about what comes next,"

Unfazed by the continuous shattering of the light walls.

The magic circle that originated at her feet engulfs Ren, overlapping multiple times up to their knees, waist, and shoulders. It exudes a power that feels exceptional, as if it has summoned the strength of their selves a few years into the future, making it seem believable even if it were said to be so.

"Are you getting stronger again?"

"Hehe. I'm doing my best too. Of course."

The faintly remaining magic circle of the time cage flickers in response to Licia.

The true value of sacred magic. The dazzling flash surpasses even the brilliance of the time cage. There is no time to consider the consequences. She must unleash the maximum sacred magic she can do now.

...The walls of light crumble. The crimson giant sword gouges the stone pavement with the force of its downward swing, breaking and shattering it. The overwhelming brute strength easily pulverizes the stone pavement, raising clouds of dust.

"Just a little more time to prepare,"

"Leave it to me again. I won't let even a finger touch you, Licia-sama."

"Yes. I believe in you."

Even without Licia's request, he intends to protect her.

Ren nods and steps forward next to Licia, ready to move forward immediately.

"Hey, Ren,"

Licia speaks up, looking up at Ren's face.

"If things had turned out like this, don't you think we should have participated in the festival in the Imperial Capital? If we were there, we would have been fighting against people of our own age who participated in the martial arts tournament, and by now, maybe we would have been fighting in the finals."

"No, I don't regret it."

"Hehe, I thought you would say that, Ren."

"However, I do wish they had added 'Underground' to the name of the festival."

The two of them exchanged glances and smiled.

Who would have imagined that something like this would be happening behind the scenes of the grand event taking place in the imperial capital?

Self-deprecating, Ren remarked before engaging in a deadly battle behind the stage.

"This might be just like us."

"Indeed. It's certainly characteristic of us to fight away from the spotlight."

As they faced the fierce battle ahead, they exchanged words calmly.

It wasn't as if they thought this would be their last moment. It was simply a way for the two of them to find solace.

"...It's a bit late, but would you consider evacuating?"

"You idiot. It's really too late, and Ren understands that, right?"

With a wry smile in response to Ren's words, Licia tightened her grip on White End, her emblematic sword. Her hand holding the sword never trembled, and there was no trace of fear in the smile she cast upon Ren, who stood beside her.

While witnessing the injustice beyond the swirling sandstorm surrounding them, she said,

"Or perhaps you're dissatisfied with the person standing beside you?"

In the face of the encroaching sandstorm, Ren flashed his iron magic sword. With that, a gust of wind, one of the magic abilities, dispersed the storm clouds. Licia stepped forward, turning back to face him. Gracefully and with a beautiful smile, she reached out her hand to Ren.

A wave of light emanated from her fingertips, enveloping Ren's body.

"Well?"

She provocatively conveyed her message with her eyes, without uttering a word.

"Even in this situation, Licia-sama is as she always is."

"Even if we were to die, having you by my side is more than enough. It would only mean dying a few decades earlier."

"I see..."

Ren took Licia's hand.

An exceptionally strong flash of light enveloped the two of them, and power surged through their bodies.

"Don't get angry if I get injured."

"You're annoying. Since you've taken the hand of the Saint, Ren, be prepared as well."

Many of the divine statues had weathered away, some shattered by the hands of the demon king's subordinates. Licia smiled beside Ren without a trace of doubt.

There was no room for doubt. As long as she was with him, everything would be fine―that was the only feeling she had.

"You're looking forward to my sacred magic, which has grown stronger since the old days. Perhaps Ren's sword skills have also improved a bit."

The last barrier, the wall of light, shattered.

Approaching were numerous colossal swords, radiating a deep crimson despair.

Ren took a deep breath and stepped forward, bellowing powerfully.

"Haaaaaaah!"

With a newfound power that hadn't been present before, he deflected the colossal swords.

In that faint momentary opening...

"Ren, you're strong, aren't you?"

Licia, proudly showcasing her strength, leaped from behind, kicking off the ground, and aimed for the neck of the Sword Demon.

"But don't forget, here beside you is the White Saint――――!"

No matter how formidable the opponent, they only needed to chip away at them bit by bit.

The Sword Demon attempted to evade, but the shoulder of their black gleaming armor was pierced by the power of Licia's sacred magic-infused White End, and dark smoke began to seep out. The Sword Demon staggered, taking half a step back. The black armor lost a bit of its luster.

"Ren! Just like this――――"

"Yes! Once more――――"

However, the seasoned swordsmen, who had begun to harbor hope, came to a halt.

The Sword Demon wielded four colossal swords, each emanating the same deep crimson energy. It was evident just by looking at them—the waves of magic power that had reached the pinnacle of violence.

What had seemed to be going smoothly was nothing more than a misunderstanding. It was a concentrated mass of power that conveyed the message that things had been underestimated.

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