Kays Translations

Chapter 52: Bout vs. Leone

While the Sword Saint of Light was engaged in a fierce battle with Evil, Leone and the kingdom’s army were stationed in front of the second city’s gate, waiting to see the enemy’s move.

There were two gates to enter this city: one from the first city and one used to head towards the third city. Leone and the others were positioned at the latter.

While the enemy was not in sight, Leone took a brief rest in her tent.

Sitting on a roughly made chair placed there as a formality, she ate the sweets brought from the castle, suppressing her trembling hand with the other. She was so nervous that she couldn’t taste anything.

“Grrr~~~”

The sound of a stomach growling could be heard.

Just to clarify, it wasn’t Leone’s.

“Grrr grrr grrr grrr”

Being able to make such rhythmic sounds, the culprit was quite skilled.

The culprit making the noise was in the same tent.

Leone looked at the maid standing behind her.

“Is something wrong, Princess?”

The maid, who answered Leone with a nonchalant face, was a beastman girl younger than her.

　

The maid named Ur was brought along by Absolute Ark.

Since Leone had agreed to let her accompany them, she ended up deciding to keep Ur by her side.

It was absolutely terrible to have such a young girl on the battlefield; Absolute Ark was the worst.

If he was going to bring someone, wouldn’t Maria, who accompanied them during training, have been better? Or could it be that this girl was as strong as Maria?

Leone glanced at Ur and dismissed her previous thoughts.

(……That can’t be.)

“Did you just hear a stomach growling?”

“I didn’t hear anything?”

That’s a lie. If there was a stomach growling, there’s no way a beastman with her superior hearing would miss it. Besides, even though she maintained a calm demeanor without changing her expression in response to Leone’s words, she kept glancing at the plate of sweets.

Was she really thinking she could hide such an obvious behavior?

“Grrr.”

“Haa… Do you want to eat?”

“N-no, I’m fine!”

Startled by Leone’s offer, Ur hastily shook her head.

Even though she was young, she was still a maid. She seemed to understand some manners. However, despite her verbal refusal, her gaze remained fixed on the sweets.

“Fufu.”

Leone found Ur’s honest reaction adorable and couldn’t help but smile.

While talking with Ur, Leone’s trembling had stopped without her noticing.

Just as she was about to offer Ur the sweets again—

There was a bit of commotion outside the tent.

“Excuse me! Princess, the enemy has appeared!”

A messenger burst into the tent, bringing Leone back to reality.

“I understand. I will go immediately.”

Her previously relaxed mood once again became tense.

She received her sword from the maid Ur and donned her full-face helm.

“I am heading to the battlefield now. You stay here. Also, you can have all the sweets there. It’s a thank you for easing my tension earlier.”

With those words, Leone left the tent.

Her steps were heavy, but she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

♢

A few kilometers away from where Leone’s forces had formed their formation, the Black Fairy’s forces were gathering.

“Oh dear, they’ve got themselves well-armored with knights. This is the crane wing formation. They plan to use their numerical advantage to encircle us… What do you think, Bout?”

Bruce sought the opinion of Bout, who was standing behind him.

With Evil absent, Bout, as the No. 2, was now the leader.

Bout stood with his arms crossed, looking uninterested.

“I won’t do anything special. I’m going to charge in, so you all do whatever you want as long as you don’t get yourselves killed.”

“I thought you’d say that. You do realize we’re up against the kingdom’s army—strong enemies. The ones who tried to kill the Sword Saint of Light and me are still around. You might end up dead, you know?”

“…The Sword Saint of Light is probably not here. Nor is the one who fought Bruce.”

“Oh, is that so? Is this your specialty, sensing strong opponents?”

“Yeah, there’s no strong male opponent… but there’s a strong female. Do you know who it might be?”

“Hmm, if it’s a strong woman, it could be Princess Leone.”

Bruce put a finger to his lips in a suggestive pose before answering, though it wasn’t cute at all.

Hearing Bruce’s answer, Bout displayed a ferocious grin. He looked like a hungry predator that had just spotted its prey.

Bout was the strongest and most battle-hungry member of the dark organization, Black Fairy.

He was always craving fights with strong opponents.

Thus, he was thrilled at the prospect of battling a strong foe he had found after a long time.

“Princess Leone… Even Evil mentioned her. Oh, this is going to be fun… Where is she in that formation?”

“Probably at the very back, since she’s royalty.”

“Got it. I’m heading out… Don’t get in my way.”

“Yeah, right, like I would? Go on, go on.”

Without any anger at Bruce’s casual response, Bout walked towards the enemy lines alone as instructed.

A young soldier from the Black Fairy, watching Bout’s retreating figure with concern, spoke to Bruce.

“Lord Bruce, is it really okay to let Bout go alone? He might get killed!”

“He’ll be fine. In fact, it’s better if we don’t go. We might get caught up in it.”

　♢

Leone and the commanders were sharing information inside the strategy tent. Leone was bewildered by the report of the enemy that had appeared.

“Only one person…?”

What could a single person possibly do?

Could it be an overly optimistic notion that this might be a messenger to announce their surrender?

“Yes. And if the information from the Ark family is accurate, it’s definitely Bout, one of the enemy’s executives.”

Leone recalled her memory.

Bout, the No. 2 of the Black Fairy’s executives, known as the Brawler.

He was the individual Absolute Ark was most wary of in this battle.

He supposedly possessed powerful annihilation-type skills.

Annihilation-type skills are specialized for fighting armies, and it is said that a user has the strength equivalent to at least a hundred soldiers.

Given that Absolute was wary of him, it wouldn’t be surprising if his actual capability far exceeded that.

A thousand, maybe even ten thousand… but is that really possible?

There are indeed individuals in the world with power equivalent to ten thousand. The Spatial Hero of the Holy Nation, the Dragonman of the Kingdom of Rainana, the Evil Woman of the Empire, and the Sword Saint of Light of the Suiroku Kingdom.

Honestly, it was hard to believe that the Black Fairy had someone on par with them.

Leone responded to the expectant gazes from those around her.

“Indeed. If he does not respond to surrender, signal the start of combat… Inform the knights at the front lines to engage the enemy in groups, keeping close together. The enemy is a pugilist, so it’s clear that his attacks will focus on his fists. Our attacks should prioritize maintaining distance, using magic, and avoiding close quarters. Also, send a messenger to contact the Sword Saint of Light, who is guarding the lord, and have him come here immediately.”

With the plan set, the commanders went to their posts on the battlefield.

Leone was left alone.

(I’ve done everything I can.)

Yet, an unease that she couldn’t shake off troubled Princess Leone.

　

　♢

　

The sound of the trumpet signaling the start of the battle was heard, and the knights charged towards the enemy.

“Uoooooooohhh!!”

They raised a battle cry to boost their own morale and that of their allies.

The target was a single, large man.

The man, seemingly unbothered, walked slowly towards the approaching mass of knights.

The distance between the two sides was about fifty meters.

“Magic unit, fireball spell, Fireball, fire!”

“Fireball!”

“Keep firing continuously without a break!”

A barrage of fireballs from fifty knights bombarded Bout from mid-range.

The storm of fireballs should have reduced anyone to a charred corpse. However, the man within the inferno continued walking without stopping.

“No way… Is it not affecting him?!”

A wave of shock spread through the battlefield.

Despite enduring such a massive attack, the man seemed completely unfazed, as if he were merely walking through a gentle breeze.

Bout, unaffected by the commotion, quietly responded.

“It’s not that it’s not affecting me. It’s just that your level is too low.”

“Cease fire! Frontline unit, surround him!”

Several hundred soldiers specializing in close combat advanced.

This frontline unit was composed of those skilled with spears. The reason for choosing spears was their longer reach compared to swords, making them highly effective in modern combat where swords were predominant. Additionally, given Bout’s fighting style with his fists, spears were an excellent match against him.

Bout was soon surrounded by the knights wielding spears.

“Stab him!!”

At the commander’s order, the spears thrust towards Bout simultaneously.

An attack from 360 degrees without any blind spots would result in severe injuries if not death. Only a monster could come out unscathed.

“What the… why can’t we pierce him?”

Despite thrusting with all their might, the spears stopped at Bout’s skin. Though he appeared human, his body was terrifyingly hard, giving the illusion that they were striking ore with their spears.

“It itches.”

Naturally, because Bout was indeed that kind of monster.

“Skill: ‘Hymn of the Earth’.”

Bout slammed his fist into the ground with all his strength.

In an instant, the ground began to shake as if an earthquake had occurred. The earth around Bout split, creating large fissures that swallowed those nearby.

“Uwaaaaaaaahhh!!”

Everyone on the battlefield was at a loss to comprehend this sight.

The frontline unit of several hundred soldiers, which had surrounded him, was destroyed in a single strike.

The battlefield, previously filled with the roar of their rallying cry, fell silent as if time had stopped.

The kingdom’s soldiers stood frozen, unable to comprehend the sight of their allies being decimated in an instant.

“Wait for me, Princess Leone.”

In the now eerily quiet battlefield, Bout gazed directly at the headquarters and spoke.

With that, Bout began walking towards his target, Leone.

　

　♢

“That’s Bout for you, truly invincible.”

The members of Black Fairy who were not participating in the frontline watched Bout’s fight from a safe distance on a nearby hill.

“Awesome! Bout’s so cool!”

“Can he wipe out everyone by himself?”

“I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Bout’s performance was boosting the morale of his allies.

His overwhelming display of crushing the enemy with just his fists was simply breathtaking.

The men admired his strength, and the women were captivated by his formidable physique. Everyone could feel the excitement growing from his fight.

Raising the morale of his allies through his fighting and dispelling their fear of battle—that’s who Bout, Black Fairy’s second-in-command, the Brawler, was.

“Bout has never lost a fight in his entire life.”

 Bruce remarked to his nearby subordinates.

“Bout is from the slums too, right? That’s gotta be a lie, no way.”

The slums were a harsh environment where people fought, deceived, and ultimately killed each other to survive.

The others listening to Bruce’s words found it hard to believe and were skeptical.

“Everyone gets beaten up at least a little as a kid, right?”

“Nope, not Bout. He was as strong as an adult even when he was a kid. He never lost a fight, not even to the adults in the slums. That’s how he got the nickname ‘Brawler.’ It was practically his profession.”

“Watching this, I can believe it. What level is he?”

“70.”

“70?!”

“That’s what he claims. Though it’s probably half rumor, still.”

Most humans have an upper level limit of around 50. However, there are rare individuals who surpass this boundary. These exceptional beings are referred to as “Outliers” or “Superhumans” in this world.

Absolute Ark, Villain Ark, the Sword Saint of Light… and Bout is among them.

“It’s about time we join in.” 

Bruce announced.

The main force, led by Bruce, began to move out to support Bout. The battle was about to intensify further.

♢

“What the hell is that monster…?”

Someone in the headquarters muttered.

It was a sentiment shared by everyone.

Their weapons and magic were ineffective.

Most striking was that he was facing thousands of soldiers alone. His fists shattered the earth, swallowing up more than a thousand people like a natural disaster. His strength was truly that of a one-man army.

Witnessing such an extraordinary scene, the morale of the kingdom’s army plummeted drastically.

They had misunderstood Bout, the Brawler. 

He was a monster on par with the Sword Saint, capable of taking on thousands.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before their defenses were breached.

“Is the teacher… is the Sword Saint of Light not here yet?”

The adults around them exchanged uneasy glances at these words.

They had sent a request for reinforcements some time ago.

They had hoped the Sword Saint would arrive soon.

But that hope was about to be easily shattered.

“The princess… the Sword Saint will not be coming.”

The captain of the knights said quietly in a strained voice.

The teacher isn’t coming?

Why is that? I can’t understand.

“—?! Why is that?”

“Actually, we received a report a few hours ago that the lord’s mansion was attacked by someone. The Sword Saint is fighting the bandits alone, so it is difficult for reinforcements to come here. We thought we would protect the princess until the Sword Saint could arrive… I apologize for the delayed report.”

“?!”

“I withheld the information on my own discretion to avoid burdening the princess.”

The captain of the knights had no ill intentions.

But Princess Leone, this is essentially her first battle.

It was clear to anyone that she was under a lot of pressure, and the decision was made out of concern that she might collapse under any more stress.

However, Leone misunderstood this as ‘because I’m unreliable.’

Because she wasn’t trusted by everyone, she wasn’t informed.

Unconsciously, she bit her nails to distract herself from the frustration.

Her nails were ragged from being bitten over and over.

(I need to calm down and do what needs to be done now.)

Since the Sword Saint cannot come, Leone is the strongest among us.

Now is the time to fulfill her duty as royalty, her heart is saying.

“I will go. Everyone else, gather the remaining soldiers and retreat. If we stay like this, it will be a pointless death.”

“What are you saying! You mustn’t!”

“Please stop!”

The knights in the tent tried to stop Leone.

They understood Leone’s skill, but that monster was on a different level. It was a disaster. It wasn’t something that humans could handle.

“If anyone is to go, it should be us. Princess, please flee!”

The knights persisted, but Leone wouldn’t listen.

“I was once ambushed in Rainana and almost died. However, one of my comrades sacrificed themselves so that the others could survive. That one person fortunately survived, but never have I cursed my own powerlessness as much as I did then. I don’t want anyone else to die.”

In Rainana, she learned her own powerlessness, the fear of a life-or-death struggle, and the weight of life.

Even knowing she would lose, she was determined to act as a shield for everyone and buy them time to escape. This resolve had solidified within Leone.

(My brother will manage things afterward. Teacher… I will fight for everyone just as you said. This is right, isn’t it? I won’t run away. I’ll fight and die for everyone.

This is… the right thing to do, isn’t it?)

“I understand. Then I will accompany you. Everyone else, retreat.”

“Captain of the knights!”

“I intended to stay regardless. Princess, thank you for your dedication.”

As a result of the discussion, Leone, the captain of the knights, and a few knights and soldiers who volunteered to remain stayed behind while the others retreated. In the end, the captain of the knights strongly persuaded her to escape if it came down to it.

♢

We rode across the battlefield on horseback.

With the captain of the knights at the front, I was in the center, and knights were positioned at both ends, forming a diamond formation.

As we approached, even from horseback, I had to look up to see the size of that monster.

“So, it’s just you left…”

“You’ll regret what you’ve done, scum. Prepare yourself, for I am Gils Persius, captain of the Suiroku Kingdom’s army!”

Drawing his sword while riding.

The plan was to use our mobility on horseback to create confusion and buy time.

We split into two groups, with the captain of the knights and me attacking from both sides, attempting to pincer the brute.

A horizontal slash from both ends.

The brute, arrogant, didn’t even attempt to evade.

The captain’s strike didn’t wound the brute, his sword stopping on its skin.

But Princess Leone was different.

Leone’s strike made a shallow cut on the brute’s neck.

For the first time, the brute bled.

Though it was a small wound, it bled quite a bit due to its location, but the brute seemed unfazed.

“Oh, that woman over there has some skill. Her level is around 40, isn’t it? If it were closer to 50, I might have been dead.”

“Don’t forget about me!”

The captain of the knights aimed a thrust at the brute’s eyeball.

He was looking for a chance, thinking a weak point like the eye might give them an opportunity.

But—

“Out of my way.”

The brute struck the captain of the knights as if swatting away a mosquito, hitting him before the sword could reach.

In the motion of swinging his fist, Gils’ head was severed from his body.

“No way… Captain Gils—!!”

“You’re next.”

“!”

Leone repeatedly executed hit-and-run attacks, managing to inflict more wounds on the brute.

“Could it be that I might win?”

The moment she had this illusion, her heart was crushed.

The brute caught Leone’s sword blade with his fingers, stopping it cold.

“No way… Why—”

Was such an absurd thing even possible?

Leone, known for her speed even among the elite knights of the kingdom, had her sword easily blocked. She couldn’t believe what was happening before her eyes.

“What a pity… You intended to buy time, but your strategy was too obvious. Creating an opening on my end is child’s play. Well, if you were genuinely intent on fighting me, it might have been more enjoyable.”

The brute threw a straight punch.

It wasn’t just any punch; it was a strike meant to finish her off for sure.

(This is it, I’m dead.)

The scene before her eyes seemed to slow down, and she became acutely aware of her impending death.

The brute’s fist, like the scythe of a Grim Reaper intent on claiming her life, moved slowly towards Leone.

On the brink of death, Leone was consumed with fear.

(I’m scared—)

(Ah, no—I don’t want to die.)

At the moment she resigned herself to death, two shadows interposed themselves between the fist and Leone. They were the remaining two knights.

They pushed Leone aside, intending to sacrifice themselves in her place.

(Don’t—run away!)

She wanted to scream, but no words came out.

Their actions reminded her of her friend from Rainana, Mist Brauza, who once tried to sacrifice himself for Leone.

The approaching fist blew off the upper bodies of the two knights.

Leone, behind them, avoided a direct hit but was flung dozens of meters by the force of the blow.

She hit her head and back hard upon landing and immediately lost consciousness.

The battle between Leone and the brute ended without being a contest at all.

　♢

The battle ended abruptly.

With just a bit of rampaging, the kingdom’s army’s morale was broken, and all those who were still alive fled.

The brute, Bout, advanced towards the remaining encampment of the kingdom’s army.

The soldiers had fled, but there was still the scent of a strong one there.

“Even if the kingdom’s army runs away, the commander doesn’t, huh… Arrogant and foolish, but not unlikable.”

Bout felt his heart race at the thought of the upcoming fight.

Following the scent, Bout walked towards a larger tent than the others.

“Excuse me.”

Even though it was the enemy’s tent, it was still a woman’s tent, so he announced himself before entering.

And there he found—

“Munch munch, yummy yummy.”

A beastman maid with her mouth full of sweets.

Bout

Age: 32

Skill:

– Hymn of the Earth v7: By touching the ground, can interact with the earth and use wide-range earth-attribute magic.

Status:

– Level: 70

– Physical Ability: 550

– Magic Power: 255

– Intelligence: 30

Learned Magic:

– Earth

Techniques:

– Pugilist

– Unmatched

– Hunger Resistance

– Sense for Identifying Strong Opponents

– Reinforced Body

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