LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 71
Chapter 71. A Feast of Swords and Spears
Well then, it’s Zilbagias, who changed into my workout clothes and stepped outside.
Once the discussion about Leila reached a conclusion, Platy said, “Since you’ve just returned from the training exercise, how about we have a spar after a few days?” And so, we ended up training.
Muscle head…!
By the way, before heading out, I made sure Leila and Platy met face to face.
“You’re Leila, huh?”
“Y-yes…”
Leila was rigid with nervousness in front of the imposing Demon Lord’s Duchess.
“I’ve heard about you from Zilbagias. I’ll allow you to serve him. You might feel a bit confused in this unfamiliar environment, but don’t hesitate to think of it as your home.”
This must be in response to my policy of treating Leila well. Platy, uncharacteristically gentle, spoke in a cat-like soothing voice.
Both the other servants and I looked back at Platy in disbelief, as if to say “Who are you!?” Meanwhile, Leila, despite the kind words, felt a chill from Platy’s demeanor, letting out a frightened gasp of “Hie…”
“…Did I say something strange?”
With a puzzled tilt of her head, Platy noticed the odd atmosphere…
Nonetheless, Leila officially became part of my group.
—After a short carriage ride from the Demon Lord Castle, we arrived at the edge of a forest in the suburbs.
Normally, we would train at the barracks, but this time we chose a place without outsiders.
It’s because I use the sword spear. Though Platy had granted permission, she seemed ready to stop me if she thought it would be better to use a normal spear before anyone could see.
In other words, this is a test.
I can’t mess this up…!
Let’s show them our potential, Adamas!
As I whispered that to myself, the holy sword sheathed at my side began to tremble.
…Stop it! It’s not that time yet!!
There’s no need to go that far!! Don’t awaken!!!
—As I desperately tried to calm the holy sword on the verge of releasing its hidden power.
“You’re Virosa, huh?”
“Yes.”
Platy’s attention shifted to Virosa, who had come to provide security.
Virosa, as usual, was dressed like a hunter typical of a Night Elf, wearing a black-dyed leather armor and carrying a bow. The slender sword at her waist was the only thing that showed her uniqueness.
“Despite being a Night Elf, mastering the sword is impressive.”
“Thank you… I’m still far from my peak, though.”
Virosa politely bowed with a calm expression, but in my eyes, she seemed wary, as if asking, “What does she want with me…?”
“I have only fought a handful of Sword Saints,” Platy casually mentioned. In other words, that means she has survived against Sword Saints multiple times…
“I want to see your skill. Please spar with me.”
“Yes… Huh?”
After nodding reflexively, Virosa questioned with a puzzled voice.
“I heard you gave Zilbagias a stamp of approval for his innate talent. However, there are countless types of Sword Saints. I want to know what level of Sword Saint recognized Zilbagias’s talent—so the best way to find out is to verify it personally, right?”
I see… Choosing this secluded place was also for that purpose.
With a magic spear in hand, Platy was already on high alert. In contrast, Virosa looked bewildered, as if to say, “Wait, are we really doing this?”
“You don’t need to worry about hurting me. Even if I lose to you, I’m not petty enough to sulk.”
Platy wore a confident smile.
Sensing that the Duchess was serious, the people around Virosa quickly distanced themselves.
“…”
Virosa, left alone, gazed at me silently. Somehow, I felt she was asking for help, but unfortunately, Platy is a woman who acts when she says she will…
I shook my head.
“…Understood.”
With a slightly reluctant expression, Virosa placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Suddenly, it seemed her form flickered, and a human swordsman stood there.
The draw of the Sword Saint was ominously silent—
Calmly adopting a natural stance with the beautifully crafted sword hanging down.
“I would like to spar.”
Opposite her, Platy seemed to be enjoying herself. I’ve personally felt her prowess with the spear, but what would happen when she fought Virosa…?
“…Then, I apologize in advance.”
The expression vanished from Virosa’s face. Once she committed, she was a man of action.
With a quick flick of the blade, she stepped forward, using her Night Elf footwork to deceive her opponent.
An otherworldly acceleration. The true essence of the Sword Saint. The sinister blade shone with a glare, swinging down mercilessly toward Platy.
“Well.”
Platy, retreating as if to temper Virosa’s momentum, swung her spear lightly to deflect the sword.
However, the blade smoothly changed its trajectory in mid-air, avoiding Platy’s spear to target her arm for a slash.
“Ah-ha!”
Platy let out a short laugh. She released her grip on the spear and swatted the blade aside with her palm, diverting its path at the last moment. Then, with her other hand, she pushed the spear in, swinging it back like a strike while launching a body slam-like counterattack.
Suddenly off-balance, Virosa grimaced; however, she used that momentum to rotate her body and unleashed an invisible slash.
A silver afterglow arced through the night forest—
Platy received it with her spear.
A piercing metallic sound echoed, and sparks flew.
Then, both of them retreated as if repelled.
They stared at each other, watching for any opening.
“…I concede.”
But soon after, Platy relaxed her shoulders and dropped her stance.
“You held back just now, didn’t you?”
Raising the spear to face level and letting the moonlight illuminate it, she spoke.
“I took a proper hit. You could have cleaved right through my spear if you wanted.”
“…However, I wasn’t able to claim your life in a single blow.”
Lowering her sword, Virosa wore a slightly sour expression.
“At that angle, I couldn’t have taken your head, and even targeting the torso wouldn’t result in instant death. If I left a half-hearted wound, my lady would just use the Teleportation Spell to return the injury right back.”
The weakness of the Sword Saint is their low magical resistance. Unless they wore a top-notch protective charm or had the support of a powerful mage, they were helpless against curses.
“If it weren’t for magic, that means your victory was assured.”
Platy shrugged.
“I acknowledge it. You are one of the finest swordsmen among the Sword Saints I’ve battled. I am pleased to have you as an ally.”
“It’s an honor beyond what I deserve, my lady.”
Virosa returned her sword to its sheath with a bow.
Whoa… That was a short bout, but man, both of them are strong.
I need to get more serious…
“I hardly saw anything,” Antendeixis commented, as if he were lounging around scratching his belly.
Come on… How did you even make it to being a Demon God with that attitude…?
“That’s easy with magic.”
Damn it, as a former magic weakling, this is infuriating…!!
“So, Zilbagias,”
Platy turned around to face me.
“It goes without saying, but it’s reckless to face a Sword Saint without magic. How many boastful spearmen have challenged Sword Saints on the battlefield only to have their heads taken off? When you see a Sword Saint, you should cast as many curses as you can before they get too close. …In practice, you often move alongside Heroes and Priests, so it’s not that simple.”
“I understand.”
“Honestly, the Human Race’s Heroes aren’t that impressive without Holy attributes, so make sure you remain vigilant against Sword Saints.”
What?!
“—Alexander is furious!!”
Antendeixis laughed, but this isn’t a laughing matter!
No matter how much of a big shot Platy is, I can’t just ignore that!!
“I would love to show you a Holy attribute user eventually, but… that’s all up to chance, so I can’t really say anything.”
With a thoughtful sigh, Platy smiled, “Well, that’s fine.”
“Now, it’s your turn. Let me see that innate talent recognized by Virosa, the fusion of sword and spear.”
Bring it on! Show me what you’ve got!
Here we go, Adamas! Let’s hit them with the pride of a Hero!
…Ah, wait, no need to awaken! Don’t awaken!!
I desperately soothed the holy sword, merging it with my relic, creating the sword spear.
“Then, I shall begin, mother.”
Suppressing my irritation, I made an effort to remain calm.
I channeled magic throughout my body and charged at Platy.