Defiled Hero Chapter 010

Defiled Hero

Versus the Phantom Dark Knight

The gale winds blew fiercely. I took a low stance, protecting my eyes with my hands.

I was assaulted by a strong shockwave, and the ground shook.

Peeking through my hands, I saw a massive demon twice my size. It was wearing human-shaped armor reminiscent of a knight's, and held a rusted lump of iron similar to a sword.

「This child is the Phantom Dark Knight Gradius. It fights like you do, you know?」 (Tsukuyomi)

This heavy knight, how would it fight like me with light equipment and a one-handed sword?

The large sword approached.

I bent my body, evading the sword.

The sword screeched as it cut through the air. My back ran cold. Leaving no gap, the sword approached again.

Damn, the speed of the demon's giant sword is unbelievable.

The ominous sword shone in the moonlight, assaulting me repeatedly. Unable to evade in time, I stepped forward firmly and received the sword.

A terrible shock ran through, cracking the ground and pressuring my body. I could feel my sword breaking. Even though it was strengthened, it couldn't withstand a direct impact, I see.

Changing the direction of my body, I barely avoided being hit.

Instead of a sword strike, it felt like a meteor.

One hit from that and I'll be dead. To regain my stance, I backed off immediately. Phantom Dark Knight Gradius, calm and collected, approached once again.

The opponent is a demon. It may never tire, so avoiding a prolonged battle is necessary.

「What do you think? Long ago, this child crushed 4000 troops, and destroyed an "impregnable" castle wall in one hit, causing an entire country to despair, you know! Can you even defeat it without the holy sword?」 (Tsukuyomi)

The attacks from Gradius came one after another, as I kept it in my field of view and replied,

「...So it would appear. It would be easy with the holy sword.」 (Izayoi)

Its speed is the same as mine. Is its power equal, or is it greater? It's strong and fast, but that's it.

It's fast, but that doesn't mean it can't be overcome. It's strong, but that doesn't mean it can't be overpowered. Even if there's no weakness, I just need to make one. I have more combat experience.

『Hurry up and beat it Izayoi! Astrea-chan divided her power, but her magic will be gone soon! It's going to become dangerous!』 (Astrea)

(I know that. I'll end it soon. Put more power into the blade.) (Izayoi)

『You don't understand at all Izayoi!』 (Astrea)

If she runs out of magic power, even parrying the blade will become impossible.

Performing an unnatural move, I dodged the sword again. The large sword carved into the ground. I used that moment to get inside Gradius' range.

Gradius tried to step back, but it wasn't in time. Holding the sword level I cut through the large demon's foot, separating it.

The attack may have worked, but lowering your guard is bad. Its regenerative power is high. It'll heal in a few minutes.

The fairy's magic power is just about gone. It has to be now.

This one strike will end it!

「——Astrea.」 (Izayoi)

『This is the last of it, okay?』 (Astrea)

More power was infused into the sword, and blue light overflowed. Gradius staggered from having lost its foot. I accelerated and thrust forward.

Using all of my strength, I thrust the sword through a crack in the armor, rending its flesh. A beam of blue light ran through Gradius' body.

With a resounding crash, Gradius fell to the earth, dissipating into a large plume of black smoke. Confirming Gradius' disappearance, the blue light disappeared from the sword.

(Is the fairy alright?) (Izayoi)

『Alright, as if! She would've been fine, but we're back to where we started now. It was just a little more, what a pain!』 (Astrea)

The fairy was truly concerned.

When the water fairy's consciousness returns, I'll apologize.

「Gradius caused despair to many people, and yet you dealt with it right now, as expected of the former hero... I want you even more now.」 (Tsukuyomi)

「...It's my win. Shut up and disappear already.」 (Izayoi)

「*Ufu,* Very well. As promised, I'll overlook this town. T'was a fun night. May we meet again someday.」 (Tsukuyomi)

「If you come see me again, all I'll hope for is the power to kill you.」 (Izayoi)

「I'll think about it.」 (Tsukuyomi)

Saying so, Tsukuyomi became a shadow and disappeared.

Meeting her sure is a pain. Will it have to end with my victory or me becoming her servant?

Bernando's group in the back fought the two demon wolves for a long time, and it would seem that they disappeared when Tsukuyomi did. They couldn't beat them in the end, I guess.

「Hey, for all that talk you still couldn't beat them.」 (Izayoi)

「You, you bastard! ...A demon wolf has strength rivaling an A-rank monster. And there were two of them. Ordinary adventurers would have died immediately. Who are you to declare that?」 (Bernando)

「That doesn't matter at all.」 (Izayoi)

「As if! Do you understand your value? Defeating an A-rank monster with ease, and beating the large knight that was the real enemy?」 (Bernando)

「Aah, that. I know that much. You're the only witness. There's no need for anyone else to know,」 I raised my sword and pointed it toward Bernando and his group and said.

「W, wait! Weren't you talking all grand in front of the gate!? What are you going to do when they question you?」 (Bernando)

「...I'm just a braggart, and the enemy wasn't actually all that strong; if you say that then there won't be a problem, right?」 (Izayoi)

「B, but!」 (Bernando)

I brought the end of the sword to the base of his neck.

「I-I get it, I get it. Lower your sword.」 (Bernando)

「Then go back to the others already. It should be getting busy right about now.」 (Izayoi)

「Go back? What are you going to do? Are you planning on leaving the town?」 (Bernando)

「No, I'll be going back after the uproar has been settled... I only plan on working, though?」 (Izayoi)

「You...」 (Bernando)

With a disagreeable expression, Bernando and his group walked unsteadily back to town.

I'm going to stop at Laketown to check the water fairy's well-being. She's close to dying without magic power, so Astrea took an object out of the lake that a spirit could dwell in to avoid the worst-case scenario.

However, the fairy controlling the balance of magic in the area disappeared, and the situation is getting worse. The fairy is still alive, so if magic power can be retained, then recovery is possible.

That's all I know, I don't know of any other way. The problem at hand comes first.

「Izayoi, I heard about you from Bernando! Dashing around like a bird in the sky, defeating an A-rank demon resembling a wild animal, and intercepting a sword as large as a tree, brilliant and just, and, and————」 (Alfred)

「I didn't come here to listen to that. I just want the reward.」 (Izayoi)

In the mansion of the local lord, Alfred, sitting in the front room on a large sofa, explained my fight to me with excited gestures and a look of amazement.

Bernando's group fought the demon wolves the entire time, so maybe they had room to spare? It didn't really seem that way though...

Standing behind Alfred is the servant Lloyd. I glared at Bernando that was nearby. Have you guessed my intentions or not? Bernando's expression didn't seem to say so.

Bernando doesn't know he's incompetent, so for now I'll have to hit him once.

「Thank you, Izayoi! The town has been defended thanks to you. What would you like for your reward?」 (Alfred)

「Nothing in particular. Just money is fine.」 (Izayoi)

「...How much?」 (Alfred)

How much. What to do? Reyl Lake's water, fish and agriculture products are their specialties. The lack of magical power muddied Reyl Lake's water, and the water fairy disappeared. At this rate, it will become like the town of Arona.

It would feel uncomfortable to ask for a lot of gold from a town like this. If I didn't seriously consider the reward, it could become troublesome.

...nothing to do but try.

「Then, how about four of the boxes that I brought from Arona, filled with gold?」 (Izayoi)

「Four boxes worth?」 (Alfred)

「Aah, four boxes will fit in the Aaron's carriage. I can't carry that much. That's the reason for the four. I don't know what's in those boxes. I don't care what's in them either, just give me the money and it's fine. If they're filled with expensive things, then I'll have a loss... Even if there isn't much, the four boxes are enough to show your gratitude, right?」 (Izayoi)

Alfred was slightly troubled, and cracked a small smile.

「Because Aaron introduced you, I thought I could expect to meet an interesting person, but seeing you yesterday killed my expectations. However, Aaron really did bring someone interesting! Tell me more.」 (Alfred)

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