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Chapter 118 - The Strongest Man in the Taltus Army
"...Tch, I'd rather avoid direct combat..."
Rugolf, having landed, raised his left hand towards me. Then, a hazy sensation flowed into my head once again. He probably intended to manipulate me, but I'm not scared of tricks that have already been revealed.
"Hraa!"
With a spirited yell, I let my magic explode in my mind, dispelling the invading magic. Just that was enough to clear my head.
The forces you summon will not defeat me. Mind control attacks won't work. The gift of [Domination] is now completely powerless.
"Guess it's useless after all... Can't even find a momentary opening... Dar..."
It seems like he finally realized he has to fight on his own. With a sigh, he took out short sticks from the belt around his waist and connected them one by one.
"Calling minions only tires me out... Fuah~ Well, it depends on how you use them, though."
What he completed was a long iron rod used for stick techniques. He swung it around vigorously while yawning. This guy is still muttering away.
"Hey, if you're up for it, why don't we get started? I really want to hear your dirty death rattle."
"Huh? Just because you're a bit strong, you're getting cocky... When I see guys like you or others in the Taltus army, getting all arrogant with mediocre strength, I feel like killing them... Fuwa~"
"If you want to mutter that much..."
Seizing the moment of his yawn, I quickly closed in. I swung my sword aiming for his neck.
"In the afterlife, you can—"
Doboo!!
"Ge... hoo!"
A dull thump pierces my belly. My sword missed its target, missed hitting his neck. Rather, I was met with a counteroffensive, and the end of the rod pierced my abdomen. Furthermore, to the side...
Dogooo!!
"Agh!"
The rod struck me with a sideways blow. The ground cracked under the force of the step, and the surrounding air groaned loudly. My body was thrown against the castle wall like a toy, and every bone in me screamed.
"Gah... cough, cough, ugh...!"
What power is this...! It's more intense than any attack I've taken before. I got up and used the back of my hand to wipe the blood that was dripping from my mouth.
"This power... what in the world... cough!"
"You seem surprised... You underestimated me, huh... I am the strongest vassal of Lord Taltus..."
"Strongest...?"
This guy, who always looks lazy and chooses the Gift of commanding others, is the strongest? I want to say that's not possible, but after taking that last hit, I have no choice but to believe it. At least he's way above Blum and Levia. But...
"If you're the strongest, why didn't you just fight on your own from the beginning? What, were you overconfident, thinking you could win anytime?"
"Tch, this is why ordinary people are..."
Scratching his head with an irritated expression, he sighed. I'm getting irritated too, damn guy.
"You probably wouldn't understand... the struggles of someone born with extraordinary power... Those without it wouldn't understand..."
"Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter, what are you trying to say? All I'm getting is your desire to look down on others!"
Activating Diamond Strength, Solid Defense, and Moonshadow Feet all at once. Doubling my attack, defense, and speed, I charged, lifting the sword held in both hands high.
"The jealousy of ordinary people... I just want to say it's annoying..."
Even my full-force strike was easily blocked by his stick. But if he blocked it, it's a chance; I can flow magic into him...
"Oh, no, I won't let you do that..."
He immediately pushed the rod, pushing my sword backward.
"Trying to melt it, huh...? I've seen it, you know, I've seen it countless times... I understand, I know that much..."
That's right. He's seen everything, whether it's me boiling weapons or Chimeras being boiled. I didn't have the luxury of holding back my abilities, and it's too late to regret it now.
"Even so, if I just touch you...!"
No matter how strong, no matter how superior, victory is assured as long as the tip of my sword grazes him. Touching equals instant death—my Gift's absolute strength. As long as I have this, I won't give up!
"Futile, futile... Do you really think you can compete with a born genius like me, huh...?"
I thrust, aiming for the face. No good, it doesn't even graze his cheek. In that case, I'll aim for the torso and unleash a barrage of thrusts. With all my strength, I continue thrusting as long as my breath lasts.
"Haa, good grief... Do you not understand when I say it's futile...? This is so boring that I feel like yawning... Fuah..."
This guy, seriously avoiding everything while yawning, is he mocking me? How about a slash aiming for the fingers holding the rod!
"I can see it..."
Just as the tip is about to strike, he swiftly changes the position of the rod. Thanks to that, the tip cuts through the air, and this surprise attack also misses.
"Is it over... Dar..."
Rugolf muttered softly. After raising the rod again, he swung it down. I couldn't even see the moment of the attack.
Goo...!
However, an intense impact struck the top of my head, and I realized I had been hit on the head. The surroundings flashed, and my consciousness was on the verge of fading. In that opening, he circled around behind me.
"Here's the finishing blow..."
Bagyaa...!!
A too-heavy blow struck my back.
"Ka—"
Not even a scream came out. In an instant, I crashed face-first into the castle wall, and my body was buried in debris.
My back hurts, my face hurts, and did my spine break? It's been a while since it hurt this much, a pain that feels like I'm dying all over. Am I even still alive? Uh-oh, I might not be able to stand anymore...
Clatter, clatter!
"...t, ...t!!"
...What's this sound? The debris is being moved, and the surroundings are getting brighter. Then, a warm and smooth hand touches my cheek. My body is enveloped in light, and the pain miraculously recedes.
"...Beato!?"
"...!"
"Thank goodness, Onee-san is alive!"
When I hurriedly got up, Beato's relieved face and Mel-chan were right next to me.
I see, Beato and the others were right nearby when I was sent flying. It's really good that I didn't collide with this kid...
"Thanks, Beato. You cleared away the debris and even healed me."
"...!"
"Um, I was also clearing away the debris, you know..."
"Sorry, sorry, I know. Thanks to you too, Mel-chan."
I haven't let go of my sword; I'm still holding it. But the strap of the pouch where I keep my belongings has snapped. What was in there again? Since I didn't expect to fight, I must have brought some fragile things.
"Can you hold onto this for a bit? Return it to me after I kill that guy, okay?"
"...!"
I hand the pouch to Beato and stand up. I have to be careful not to involve Beato and the others this time. I move away from them and face Rugolf, who is yawning.
"Persistent, aren't you... Haah, really tiresome..."
"No matter how strong you are, I will absolutely protect Beato. I will kill you. I won't die until then."
"Haah... After all this time, you still intend to defeat me, huh... I was born with the ability [Three Nights Over]..."
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