Chapter 7- Types of combat skills and how they can be used

When the sunlight that pours into the relevant sea area is drastically reduced due to the influence of the Sky Continent, the glaciers become even thicker and wider.

The Glacier Crossing occurs at that time.

“Interestingly, in both continents, certain monsters become active.”

Estelle explained.

“Why is that?”

Ren asked.

“Oh my, why would a mere glacier have such an impact…?”

Licia wondered

“Many monsters cross the path of the glacier, traveling between the two continents in search of food for evolution. It might be instinctual… or just foolishness!”

Estelle replied.

However, not all these monsters become perfect predators. While the monsters crossing the glacier are powerful, there are also many monsters that see those individuals as potential prey.

“The Lesser Griffon must have been affected too! Maybe it sensed the sudden increase in activity among other monsters and was provoked by a sense of rivalry!”

That’s the Glacier Crossing, a natural phenomenon that occurs once every dozen years.

For Leomel, as it is situated between neighboring countries, it rarely needs to directly deal with the Glacier Crossing. This powerful nation prioritizes its own interests and only considers assistance if requested.

The battle continued, and the Lesser Griffons were unable to harm Ren and Licia, gradually succumbing to defeat.

Their aggressive nature, relentless appetite, and ferocity revealed why the country targeted them for extermination. The insatiable hunger and cruelty relentlessly drove the Lesser Griffons.

Despite a significant decrease in their numbers, the situation remained unchanged.

Verlich, who had been observing the situation, looked up at the sky.

“Hmm?”

A large Lesser Griffon flapped its wings to attack Verlich.

It was the leader of the flock, an exceptionally large and powerful individual. As soon as Verlich became the target, the other Lesser Griffons followed suit.

However, Verlich remained unfazed.

“I’m counting on you, Onee-san,”

“Yes, indeed. If I look closely, that might be one of the arranged monsters. It works out well.”

Estelle responded.

Walking with her long coat fluttering, Estelle crossed paths with Verlich and drew the jet-black great sword on her back. Its name was [Kuroi] a renowned sword forged by Verlich.

The sword she held in her hand was surrounded by a pulsating bluish-purple aura.

Occasionally, sharp sounds reminiscent of purple lightning emanated from the sword.

As time passed, the aura became more intense, distorting the scenery around the blade.

Now, Estelle was about to unleash one of the special combat techniques that only Sword saints could handle.

“――――End it.”

Estelle swung her sword enveloped in waves.

A technique of relentless injustice used by Sword saints, where every sword strike becomes a deadly blow.

The Lesser Griffon flying in the sky was assailed by a pressing black sword pressure. There was no violent force in it; rather, it seemed to swim through the air, passing through the body of the Lesser Griffon.

However, the individual that was struck by the sword pressure—the waves—underwent a transformation. Without exception, the momentum of the flying Griffons rapidly weakened, their vitality drained, and they lost the light in their eyes, plummeting to the ground.

“Just birds in the end, nothing more.”

A cold statement, spoken as if exhaling.

The current technique, depending on the user, not only varied in the color and attack power of the waves but also changed its very nature.

When used by certain individuals, it enhanced the user’s physical strength with each strike, while in the hands of others, it could continuously inflict damage on the opponent.

It could even nullify magic, and the sword, enveloped in an aura, seemed to undergo a complete transformation.

Those who wielded the techniques of Sword saints had unique variations in their nature.

While the strength of their respective natures varied, Estelle was particularly exceptional among the Sword saints.

[――――Death Eater.]

The essence of the combat technique unleashed by Estelle, bearing those two titles, was known only to herself. No one else knew it. The strength of the Lion ‘s sanctuary’s Director was not disclosed even to members of the royal family.

Ren and Licia watched as the Lesser Griffons fell helplessly and held their breath.

However, Verlich was different.

“There’s something I find difficult to say, Onee-san.”

Rubbing his beard with a hesitant expression, he started speaking.

“What is it, Verlich? Have you fallen head over heels for my power?”

“Unlike those two, who are surprised, I’ve seen it many times. So, it’s less of a surprise and more of admiration, I guess.”

“Hmm, I see. Honesty is appreciated… Huh? Then why do you have a wry smile? If you have something to say, don’t hold back. It’s fishy.”

“…Well, then I’ll say it.”

Whether she had forgotten one of her intentions or wanted to demonstrate her power and stimulate Ren and Licia, Verlich scratched his cheek and reluctantly continued.

“Umm, you see… when you make them crash like that, there’s no material left.”

The lion’s sanctuary’s director… the Sword saint’s answer was…

“…………Ah.”

From the response that took a considerable amount of time, Estelle realized what she had simply forgotten.

The pitiful expression she had at that moment didn’t seem to belong to someone who had demonstrated an extraordinary technique.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

When they returned to Elendil, the night had already grown late.

“Well then, I’ll head back too.”

Verlich said.

He spoke before disembarking from the magical airship and transferring to the magic train. There was no trace of fatigue on his face.

“Now I finally have enough necessary materials. Once I find the materials from the Rampaging Tree King Torrent and the ones to use at the core of the furnace, I’ll be able to complete Lemuria’s trial run.”

While considering the possibility of substituting with other materials if necessary, Verlich returned to the Imperial Capital.

On their way back home, Ren and Licia reminisced about Estelle’s demonstrated technique. Estelle didn’t show any of her true strength; it appeared as if she had effortlessly swung her sword.

And yet, she was powerful. Too powerful.

“But, Estelle-sama…”

Licia said, chuckling, as she looked up at the sky.

“To go back alone to collect materials, she truly is an amazing individual.”

“That’s right. I wonder when she’ll return.”

“Fufu, it’s definitely going to be tomorrow morning or something.”

To collect the materials from the Lesser Griffon that had crashed in the forest, Estelle had returned to that location alone. The reason for doing so was simple: to ensure that the Griffon’s remains wouldn’t be devoured by other monsters. Many creatures would consume them entirely, leaving no trace. That’s why she headed back to that mountain once more.

“I’ll help too.”

“No, I can’t allow it. I don’t want to inconvenience your guardian. I won’t tolerate you returning home late.』

“That’s right, Ren. After all, it’s because Onee-san got too carried away in the battle. 』

“Ugh… It’s true, so it’s hard to argue… But there’s nothing else to be done! I wanted to show support as an older person to a hardworking youngster! Let me show off once in a while! 』

“Hahaha! I understand, Onee-san! 』

Regarding the materials needed for repairing the magic ship Lemuria, both Ren and Licia had intended to stay behind. However, if they did so, they wouldn’t be able to return home until the next day. That was not Estelle’s intention.

So, after bringing Ren and Licia back to Elendil, Estelle once again headed to the location on the magic ship.

Whether it was necessary for Estelle herself to return to Elendil specifically or not, that was a result of her sense of duty as the guardian she had taken on.

“Since tomorrow is a day off anyway, hunting will be a good change of pace, so don’t worry about it. 』

It would be a nice holiday for Estelle.

So, Ren and Licia also willingly took advantage of the kind offer.

“Hey, I wonder what color we’ll become.”

“You mean, when we’re able to use the Sword Saint-level techniques that Estelle-sama used?”

“Yes! I still feel like I’ll become white!”

“Maybe. As for me—”

Somehow, Asval’s flames came to mind, and Ren often recalled the experiences where he had overcome adversity with the power he inherited from the old dragon.

In that case, would it be a wavelength similar to deep red or golden flames?

There was no guarantee, but…

“Perhaps it will be red.”

When he said that, Licia remembered something.

“If it’s red, it’s similar to the power the Sword Demon wielded.”

“…But, it seems like something other than red would be more pleasant.”

“Oh, Ren.”

Estelle had said that the color of the wave produced by that technique manifested as a representation of the user’s personality and the nature of their magical power.

Ren couldn’t change the color based on his own feelings, and even if he thought about it, he couldn’t change it. For now, he decided to look forward to the excitement of becoming a Sword Saint.

“When you fought the Sword Demon, the one you used was also a technique, right?”

“Um, which one are you referring to?”

“The Flame magic Sword… Wasn’t that it? The flames you used with that sword. It had a power similar to Star Killer, right?”

Today, Ren recalled something that hadn’t been formally shared until now, and he touched on the technique he had developed himself.

Regarding the flames emitted by the Flame magic Sword and the power it demonstrated, similar to the Star Killer technique.

“I consider it a technique. I remembered a technique that Edgar-san showed me before, and somehow I became able to produce flames that felt similar to it.”

“…Is it really so easy to create your own original technique?”

Ren probably couldn’t do it, as he swallowed those words and chuckled.

It was a technique he had developed thanks to the compatibility between the power of the Flame magic Sword and various factors.

“However, while I can use that unnamed technique, it’s difficult to use Star Killer and the like.”

“You mean, only with the Flame magic Sword?”

“Something like that.”

It wasn’t that Ren, as a skilled swordsman, couldn’t use techniques, but the Flame magic Sword was demanding.

Perhaps it was because it was a magic sword obtained from Asval’s magic stone, but it always wanted to rely on flames.

Now that he looked back on it, there was a slight difference in the effectiveness of techniques even when he had the Mithril’s magic sword, which was an iron magic sword at the time. He also felt that it consumed more magic power.

“Then, then, it’s easier to use Star Killer with the Mithril’s magic sword, right?”

“Yes… Well, it may be good to have the ability to use them differently.

“Because each magic sword requires a different technique?”

“That seems to be the case.”

The Flame magic Sword was used for that unnamed technique, while the Mithril’s magic sword was used for other techniques.

Perhaps in the future, there might be new techniques developed even with other magic swords like the Great Tree’s magic sword. It might be better to have the premise of using different techniques for each magic sword.

Licia looked at Ren and continued, saying, “You know.”

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