LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 72
Chapter 72. Last Resort
“—[My name is Zilbagias]”
I declared while gazing at Platy.
“—[I am the fierce warrior of the demon race!]”
Generally, our training sessions with Platy exclude magic, but we are permitted to use protective spells and my [introduction]. It’s a fundamental magic we both rely on in real battles.
I felt a surge of presence swell within me.
The world twisted itself to align with my being.
The laws of nature bowed before me–
It was as if I had transformed into a gigantic lump of steel.
Or perhaps, the colossal sword of a giant.
My current charge was on par with a dragon!
“Ahaha!”
With her pupils wide open in excitement, Platy laughed heartily.
“You look incredible, Zilbagias!”
As Platy circulated her magical power, she thrust her spear with all her might.
Her rock-like strength was fully concentrated on the sharpened blade.
If taken head-on, it had the fatal potential to strike without hesitation.
I—however, had fully perceived the approaching tip.
I gently slid my sword along Platy’s spear.
And in one breath, I wrapped the spear in a circular motion, lifting it up. I employed sword techniques to evade the thrust within spear range.
Of course, one could do something similar with a spear, but the danger of having the blade slide along the shaft was on another level.
“Whoa!”
Platy exclaimed with delight. But if I hesitated, I might lose a finger.
Platy attempted to suppress my movements with sheer force, but she quickly realized my trap and swiftly pulled back.
The position I was in, having thrown Platy’s spear upwards—was now ready to slash with my blade.
With a spear, one would normally “strike” here. In a simple strike, the defender could thwart the attack by either striking or grabbing the shaft, thereby confining the attacker’s movements.
But how about a blade?
Touch it carelessly and you could get hurt. My momentum and magical power surged into a single strike. If I continued forward, I would split Platy right down the middle. Should she receive it with her weapon or offer a limb—
Make your choice!
With the strength of my magic and physical power, I forced two options upon her. Thunder roared, wind swirled, and the dormant holy sword sliced through the air.
“—Haha!”
Platy, who laughed defiantly, spun her spear around to deflect the cutting blow.
But I would press through!
Platy’s magical power was considerable, but enhanced by my [introduction], I would not be outdone. Even in raw strength, we could match each other—
“—Ooh!”
The blade glided over the magical metal spear, scattering sparks as it slipped.
At this rate, my fingers would be severed. Realizing this, Platy arched her body back and executed a knee strike like an acrobat to deflect my blade from the side.
—I figured you would come at me like this. The spear techniques of a demon are a hybrid combat style that combines martial arts. Just like when she deflected Virosa’s blade with a palm strike.
Prepared in advance, as she arched back, I twisted my hand.
Changing the angle of the blade from horizontal to vertical.
I would “receive” Platy’s knee strike head-on.
In other words, with the blade.
Protective spells—? Such a thing.
“Break through!”
In an instant, I poured all my strength into the blade.
A technique I had developed to efficiently use my limited magical power during my time as a hero. If I lacked magical energy in total, I focus and concentrate it to compensate.
The holy sword trembled fiercely, still faded, yet surged with my magical power—ripping through the protective spells like paper.
And it ferociously bit down.
Crack! A dry sound echoed.
“—Ouch!”
Platy, who had her kneecap split in two, grimaced in pain. But her movement didn’t stop; she thrust the spear’s tip at my solar plexus.
This time, I deflected it with my left hand, almost like I was using a shield.
Then I briefly let go of my spear with my right hand—regripping it tightly, as if it were a sword.
Our eyes met at such close range that I could even see the patterns in each other’s irises.
Ah, yes.
This was the sword range—!
“—Hah!”
I exhaled sharply, delivering a swift slash. The blade aimed for her neck—
“—!?”
Platy, her eyes wide in surprise, raised her left arm to protect her neck. She positioned herself to sacrifice her arm to avoid a fatal wound.
But just before impact, I twisted my hand again, turning the blade sideways.
With a loud smack, the blade’s flat struck Platy’s arm. Even so, the impact couldn’t be obliterated, causing her to stagger and hit her horn against my hand.
The dull sound of metal clashing with horn resonated. For a brief moment, Platy’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to her knees.
…A demon’s horn is directly connected to their skull. So a strong impact can leave one dizzy. Despite any helmet worn, the horn sticks out and it could be said to be one of the few weaknesses of demons.
—Ignoring how difficult it is to apply a strong impact so close up, I silently mimed delivering the finishing blow to the kneeling Platy before taking a few steps back.
“…Incredible.”
I heard Garunya, who had been watching from behind, exhale and murmur.
If I had fully swung the blade, Platy’s head would have been severed from her body.
…It was the first time.
I had made Platy kneel.
Concentrating my magical power into a single point was something I had frequently done in my hero days, but it was the first time I could utilize it in this life. This was because, with a spear, the distance from the grip to the tip was too far, making it hard to feel the sensations intuitively.
But with this weapon, which could be used as an extension of the sword—
And if the tip was the holy sword from my past life—
It worked as I intended.
…However, at the same time, I nearly panicked from the instincts of my past life, almost letting out a holy attribute.
‘If I’d wet myself, it would have been the worst ending.’
That’s completely true. I can’t explain that…
“…Huh, heh…”
While I discreetly wiped the cold sweat from my brow, Platy started laughing in a low voice.
“…Wonderful! Truly wonderful, Zilbagias!!”
Her eyes sparkled brightly.
“An innate talent! There’s no other way to describe it! Virosa, your words were correct…!”
With a beaming Platy, Virosa, who had been watching with her arms crossed in the background, nodded silently in affirmation.
On the way back from the exercises, I had practiced together with Virosa, adapting my body to both demon spear techniques and the sword skills I had cultivated as a hero…
Yet, compared to Virosa’s refined fighting style, my movements were considerably rough. My sword techniques as a hero were more about flashy tricks, and it mostly relied on my magical power.
Though unexpectedly able to regain the sensation of concentrated magical power was nice…
“Honestly… I was surprised. I didn’t think breaking through protective measures would be so easy.”
Platy lovingly caressed her bleeding knee injury.
“Oh, I’ll treat this.”
I accepted Platy’s wound.
…Ugh, getting your kneecap split in half is incredibly painful!?
And my head hurts too! It’s a dull ache! It resonates from the tip of the horn deep into my brain!
“Guh…”
As I weakened and knelt, Liliana rushed over, exclaiming “Uh-oh, uh-oh!” Always sorry about this…
“Marvelous. Truly marvelous, Zilbagias. I have seen your potential with my own eyes.”
While Platy hovered close to me, licking my wounds to heal me, she wore a full smile.
“And as you mentioned, your weapon’s application differs from the demon’s spear techniques. There are still rough edges to refine, but from now on, work with Virosa to polish it further. You will surely be remembered in history as the creator of this new ‘spear’.”
“Yes, I will train hard.”
But I had no intention of passing it onto anyone else.
“Ah, I am so looking forward to it. You’re this formidable now. Just imagine how much broader the possibilities will be when combining magic…!”
Platy was bubbling with excitement, but then she put her hand to her mouth and pondered.
“…Right. Since you’ve already become a Viscount, your strength should be sufficient. From now on in training, we can activate any magic or dirty tricks as well.”
“Eh?”
Just when I thought I’d finally reached a level…
Already…!?
“Alright, Zilbagias, you’re all healed up now, right? Let’s do it again.”
With a smile, Platy readied her spear cheerfully.
I bit back a sigh, stood up, and grasped Adamas tightly.
“I can’t let my parents’ reputation down. Since this is the case, I’ll show you my last resort too.”
Oh no…
Ignoring my exasperation, Platy pulled out two backup magical spears from her belt, which were in portable mode.
“[Come forth, Cataclyssis]”
As Platy chanted, bulky, translucent arms sprouted from her back.
“…Huh?”
What…?
“These are the arms of my contracted demon, Cataclyssis. Just like how you keep a demon, I have received it within my body.”
Then, she tossed the backup magical spears into the air—
The demon’s arms gripped them firmly, readying them.
Three spears…
Is this the three-spear style…?
“Now, shall we begin?”
With a beaming smile, Platy approached me eagerly.
How childish…
Can’t today be a day when I let her shine a little…?
“Don’t lose, Hero Alexander! Show her what you got!”
Antendeixis laughed heartily, cheering me on.
…Alright, let’s do this!
Fueled by a reckless spirit, I charged at Platy, who wielded her three-spears technique—