Kays Translations

Chapter 37- The Sword Demon [Afterward]

It seemed that the Sword Demon was not escaping, but rather being driven away.

Pushed back by the flash unleashed by Licia and the inferno unleashed by Ren while she was unconscious.

In Ren's ears, he could hear the sound of it trying to stand up.

The impact of the collision with the Sword Demon caused another statue to crumble. From the sight of him kneeling while using his giant sword to fend off the debris, one could still sense his determination to keep fighting.

While tenderly caring for his body pierced by light, he slowly stood up.

『...Just, please, be safe, Ren. 』

These were Licia's words when they fought against the Maneaters in the hills. When Jerukku forcibly released his own seal, allowing the Maneaters to regain their true power and overwhelm them.

Once again, they found themselves in a similar situation.

Despite resolving to become stronger, he couldn't help but feel pathetic about himself.

"Licia, please wait for me."

He didn't arrogantly claim that he would defeat it alone. It was a word spoken to alleviate his concern for Licia, who had just awakened.

However, that didn't mean he didn't have the thought of defeating it on his own.

The strength of the sacred magic that now filled his entire body invigorated his heart.

Ren wielded an iron sword instead of a flame sword.

It was because this was the most comfortable choice when using his formidable sword techniques.

"Will you trust me and wait there?"

The answer was already predetermined.

Since they started their journey together, there had never been a moment when Licia didn't believe in him.

Licia, facing Ren's back, said,

"---I have believed in everything, from the very beginning."

Her words delivered the utmost encouragement to Ren.

The temporal barrier had already weakened considerably. The mist had also become much thinner. The time when the seal would be broken was fast approaching. It meant that the arrival of the moment when the two could go outside was also approaching.

"Don't think it's unfair for it to be two against one. This is a battle where lives are at stake."

Memories of Ren's time at the academy raced through his mind.

As expected, his world of existence was filled with such occurrences.

He didn't always want to immerse himself in these battles, but unfortunately, he had come to think that he was being true to himself by engaging in such fights.

"Your Majesty... Ugh! 』

He had already lost an arm, and his armor was tattered.

However, one shouldn’t underestimate him. Just like Ren, the general of the Demon King's army was tenacious and would not give up on the fight. As if to prove it, the Sword Demon charged forward. With even greater speed than before, he raced through the stone pavement, creating a whirlwind. More ferocious than a dying monster, he poured all his remaining strength into his massive sword, emanating a pulsating aura.

Sparks flew and dispersed with every clash of swords, and the scattered magic power displayed a brilliant spectacle. The iron magic sword showed no signs of shattering.

"If polishing my sword ends up making me the Sword King... Well, that's just something I've considered."

It started with a conversation with Lessard at his mansion. Then he talked with Radius after starting to live here. On every occasion, Ren could only muster the words that it would be nice if he could become that, at best.

He had restrained himself, thinking that the limit was approaching.

I just hope it turns out that way, he said expressing a hint of passivity, while putting up defensive measures.

"The essence of a mighty sword, as sung by the Lion King on the battlefield, is 'Slaying stars, gazing at darkness.' If you aspire to become a Sword Saint, strive to never forget that. 』

Estelle once spoke these words.

The colossal sword easily cut through the skin of Ren's cheek. He gritted his teeth.

He pushed the limits, honing his proficiency in wielding the sword and unconsciously mastering its usage.

『 Tsu….!!”

It was from this moment that Ren first pushed back the Sword Demon.

It might have been due to the enhancement from divine magic. However, Ren himself was growing within this deadly battle.

Continuous strikes without a moment to catch his breath. The iron magic sword faintly emitted black magic power.

"I will go on, no matter how far. To become stronger."

"Grrrr! 』

"That's why I will win."

Raising the iron magic sword shrouded in black, he aimed its tip at the Sword Demon.

Ren turned around, and the Sword Demon turned around in astonishment.

"And right now, I don't feel like losing."

"...! 』

The Sword Demon's demeanor changed upon hearing his words.

The aura of a powerful individual shown by the boy, who was not supposed to be his enemy despite what he had witnessed, was undeniable.

The awakening before him was no ordinary occurrence. Even though it was a demonic creature that once served as a general in the Demon King's army, that fact remained unchanged.

『 Your Majesty—』

He had pride. There was an unyielding spirit that refused to serve anyone other than the Demon King.

"To your command—』

The words that had been repeated time and time again were uttered once more, enveloping all the giant swords in waves. Unlike before, all the power that had been directed towards enhancing the armor was now devoted entirely to the attack. It was no ordinary monster; it appeared even to be a knight with pride.

Ren, who stood ready, was no ordinary boy either.

(Let's go, Ren.)

He took a deep breath and aimed the tip of the iron magic sword he held above his shoulder at the Sword Demon.

As Ren and the Sword Demon passed each other, the scene that seemed to be unfolding suddenly changed in the next instant.

With a clanging sound, one arm of the armor and a giant sword were severed and fell onto the stone pavement. In that momentary encounter, the iron magic sword easily cut through them.

On the other hand, the iron magic sword remained intact and still in Ren's hands.

"...I guess my power is still not enough."

He strongly imagined that power within his heart and manifested it.

Among the combat techniques Ren had learned, there was one attack that surpassed all others. It was an unjust attack characteristic of a powerful sword, with no special effect like that of a star-killer. The sole concept determined from the beginning of the powerful sword was to be strong. What a Sword Saint displayed was its absolute destructive power.

In other words, proof of the Sword Saint.

Even though Ren couldn't fully control it yet, he briefly demonstrated a glimpse of it. He couldn't use it again even if he tried, and the black magic power that the iron magic sword had been enveloped in disappeared, but it was already sufficient.

Considering the situation of the Sword Demon, it was definite.

The Sword Demon, who seemed immortal, was finally nearing its end.

『-Offer my body. 』

Despite being heavily wounded, the Sword Demon grabbed the giant sword with just its two arms and thrust it deeply into the stone pavement, shouting. Light emitted from beneath the shattered stone pavement, causing cracks to appear throughout the surrounding area.

Rosas Caitas began to crumble. Just before his footing collapsed, Ren hurriedly ran toward Licia.

"Licia! Take my hand!"

"...Yes!"

Ren tried to leave after taking Licia's hand, but the stone pavement collapsed along with the terrain underneath. It was destroyed deeply by the power unleashed by the Sword Demon's final act, and the two of them fell far below.

While the Sword Demon remained on its knees, leaving the giant sword impaled in the floor where it had been, he watched them.

As they continued to fall endlessly, the Sword Demon swung its arms, intending to finish them off. It manipulated the surrounding rocks with natural magic, unable to escape outside.

As Ren struck down the lightning bolts dancing around them.

"I'll be fine now. So let me fight alongside you."

"...Really?"

"Yes. I won't lie and trouble Ren like this."

Ren nodded as he looked at Licia's face.

"...Understood. But please, don't push yourself too hard."

"Yes. I promise."

They didn't think about what would happen after the fight. All that mattered now was settling things with the Sword Demon once and for all.

As they prepared to face the true, ultimate clash, Ren and Licia heard,

『Ash...ton! 』

"Wha-What...did you just say!?"

Ren hadn't introduced himself. Yet, the Sword Demon called him Ashton, surprising both of them.

However, it wasn't important to question the Sword Demon. Ren focused on the fact and tightened his grip on the iron magic sword, pouring his strength into his hand.

They closed the distance while kicking away the debris manipulated by the Sword Demon as they fell.

The Sword Demon no longer relied on its sword and instead used vast amounts of magic power to attack the two. It was a desperate attempt.

As they reached the area below the Sword Demon, when it tried to swing its massive arm, Licia blocked it.

Just before the demon could raise its other arm, Ren shouted while roaring,

"Haahhhhh!"

As he roared, he pierced the Sword Demon's chest, causing the sound of shattered magic stones from within its armor.

Despite the shattered magic stones, the Sword Demon tried to draw the debris towards Ren, intending to at least kill him.

"H-He can still move!"

"It seems so! But he should be at his limit!"

"Y-Yes!"

The colossal sword that had been floating in the air moved with magic power, aiming its tip at Ren. It extended its remaining arm, trying to stab him in the back.

...Suddenly, the iron magic sword was enveloped in a dazzling light.

Ren had been too engrossed in the battle to notice, but particles of light had drifted into his bracelet.

・Mithril Magic Sword (Level 4: 1900/6500)

It absorbed the Sword Demon's magic stones and underwent evolution.

Changing its name and appearance, it returned to Ren's hands.

The light pouring down from above illuminated the blade. The black iron color of the magic sword had now turned into a beautiful deep blue reminiscent of lapis lazuli.

"Ren! Together with me!"

The demon who had once served as a general in the Demon King's army was now defeated by a boy and a girl.

"This is the end, Sword Demon!"

"This is the end, Sword Demon!"

Ren raised the evolved magic sword, while Licia assumed a stance with her white End.

In its final moments, the Sword Demon weakly reached out its hand and uttered,

"Goddess's... descendant... 』

The Sword Demon vanished without leaving behind its armor, and its last words remained a mystery.

Thus, the battle in Roses Caitas came to an end.

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