Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 130: The Severing Sign
“Hehehe… Isn’t this just fine?”
Ogres typically have two horns on their foreheads.
However, this evolved ogre’s horns had merged into one.
Not only that, the broken greatswords had also merged into one, transforming not into a new greatsword, but into a nodachi that suited the ogre’s size.
“…You waited, human.”
“””””!!!!!!!!”””””
While it’s rare for monsters to speak human language, their existence is well-documented. High-ranking dragons, for example, can fully understand human speech and often communicate in their dragon form.
But for Gulf and the others, who still lacked experience, encountering such a rare being was a first.
“No… I can’t. I mustn’t kneel!!!”
The transformed ogre… the true name of which is Sword Demon.
He didn’t spare a single thought for the humans behind him.
His consciousness was solely focused on something that resembled a human figure, which had once pushed him to the brink of death.
Despite exerting a pressure earlier that showed his superiority over Gulf and the others in their previous state… now, facing their resolve to stand against him, he realized just how futile their bravado was.
To such an extent… he was reminded of the fundamental difference in strength between beings.
Even Waltz and Lyune, who were accustomed to being surrounded by monsters, were not exceptions to this, their breaths shallow with anxiety.
“Attacking during a transformation is a breach of etiquette.”
“…I may not fully understand what you mean, but I suppose I should appreciate that sentiment.”
(It’s strange to be thanked by a monster… But if he’s wielding that blade, or rather, that nodachi? If he swings that seriously… it’ll cut through.)
He didn’t cut down the figure in front of him; he cut through the world.
In his combat experience so far, Ishud had felt the sensation of a strike that made him think that way.
And now, facing the ogre turned Sword Demon, he understood that it was capable of such a strike… As always, he wore his usual smile.
“That’s my line.”
“Oh? Are you thanking me?”
“That’s right. Encounters with beings like you don’t come often. But… naturally, it’s only expected that you… aren’t in perfect condition.”
“… … …”
No response.
For Ishud, silence was as good as an answer.
Just like characters in Dragonquest, leveling up didn’t automatically restore their health and magic to maximum, and it was the same for Ishud and his companions.
Even though adrenaline surged, they were far from their best condition.
“That’s not why… but how about it? Shall we stake it all on one strike here?”
Saying this, Ishud sheathed his two battle axes and drew a different blade from the one he used against Shidou in their duel—a noticeably longer masterpiece, the Taro Tachi.
“Isn’t your preferred weapon the battle axe?”
“Indeed, my best weapon might be the battle axe, but don’t worry. I am a berserker. My true weapon is the madness that ensures I will kill my opponent no matter what. If I can channel that madness into any weapon… it doesn’t matter which one it is.”
“…I was born to fight you, after all.”
Gulf and the others couldn’t quite grasp what the ogre speaking human words in front of them was saying.
Ignoring the indifferent thoughts of these humans, he continued.
“Mighty human, what is your name?”
“Ishud. Ishud Regula.”
“Ishud Regula… I shall etch that name firmly in my soul.”
“I see. Then, shall I know your name as well?”
“Ogre… no, Sword Demon.”
“I’ll engrave that name in my memory too… Well then, shall we?”
“Yeah.”
Although their weapons had long reaches, the surrounding trees had been felled by their earlier fierce battle, so swinging their nodachi and taro tachi posed no problem.
“Let us begin, in earnest.”
There was no need for agreement in words.
Even so… naturally, the same words escaped from both of their mouths.
And in the next moment, something snapped.
“Wha…t?!?”
At the very least, that’s how Gulf and the others perceived it.
Something… had snapped.
“Ishud… Regula. I… am grateful for having met and fought… a strong one like you… at the end…”
Something snapped, the gust of wind ceased… and the Sword Demon slumped diagonally, defeated.
“Even though it’s the same line as earlier… I’m grateful too, that I met you.”
It can no longer hear.
The strong one has already breathed his last.
Despite understanding that, I wanted to speak my true feelings aloud.
“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, uh… yeah… Ishud!”
Ad
“Hm? Ah, looks like I was a bit late.”
In the final strike, Sword Demon slashed diagonally downwards… while Ishud slashed diagonally upwards.
Not the usual stance for drawing the sword, nor for the posture of the iai strike.
“Hey, drink the potion quickly!!!”
“I know! It’s not like my arms or legs got chopped off, so calm down, you big boobs.”
Evolved from an ogre into a sword demon, he gained sword skills… but his skill level was still at one, still a novice.
In contrast, Ishud, whose profession wasn’t a samurai but a berserker, had already mastered sword skills for several years.
If Ishud had used his skills, it might have been a decisive victory.
But this fool chose to compete with just simple sword strikes.
Now, as per usual… exactly as those words, he fought only with the simple technique of wielding his own body and sword.
“Phew~ As usual, you’re so fast~ Oh, it’s been a while since I felt this excited.”
Although he didn’t use any sword techniques, Ishud activated his Berserker Soul, which he used in his recent battle with Roberto, accumulating madness before unleashing it.
Despite not using any techniques, that strike was truly a wholehearted blow.
However, as a result, he couldn’t completely cancel out the strike released by the sword demon.
“Even if that ogre… if the sword demon had another year… no, maybe half a year more of actual combat experience, it would have truly been a fight to the death.”
Ad
Thinking that after several years, he had gained strength that he couldn’t handle himself… he humbly kept his Taro-tachi and smiled again at the corpse of Sword Demon lying face down on the ground.