Chapter 54 For a Friend (Patreon)

『Well then, today is one of our most awaited matches!! It’s the battle between Participant La Veil and the Hero Kousaka Ayane!! It is a battle between two Participants who have effortlessly defeated their opponents so far, and who will winn the match this time, it is completely unpredictable!! How far will they go to show us their abilities!! Please let us see the limits of what humans can achieve. La Veil-Nee-san!!』

「Have you received that message?」

「Oh, yeah. Following what you said, are sure you are going to keep your promise of not taking away Arena’s life?」

「I don’t break my promises. Well, you can struggle more until you are one step away from dying.」

「Come at me, for the sake of my friends!」

Although she should know that after this she would end up dismembered, La Veil didn’t show any impatience and was only monitoring Kousaka. It was not a sign of anger shown in her eyes, it was composure. However, Kousaka who didn’t understand, switched feelings quickly, although it did kind of bother her.

(There is no burning feeling of rage, which would make me feel good… but well, she probably won’t forsake her friend)

『First Round for the semi-finals Start!!』

「「!!」」

*clank *clank *clank *clank

「Ha, wai, you’re joking right!?」

「Is this the extent of what a hero can dooooooo!!!!」

『La Veil-Nee-san is amazing!! She is currently sending a fierce chain of attacks towards the Hero!!』

On the first few minutes, La Veil was seriously trying to kill the Hero. She didn’t really intend to do so though, but still wanted to vent a bit. And it was also true that she really desired to fight the Hero.

「Yo, you understand what situation you’re in right?」

「I will properly lose! But, I will vent out a bit on you, little girl!!!」

「I’m already an adult Oba-san!! Holy Sword Activate!!」

Kousaka, whose attack power was increased, assaulted La Veil using her Holy Sword with heavy attacks. Because of the 10 times increase in status, the situation was immediately reversed. This time La Veil was being pressed.

「You may be a monster if compared to others I’ve faced, but won’t be able to win against me even at this state… Hey, hey, what’s wrong, can’t keep up? Are you just all bark, Oba-san?!!」

「Chii!!!」

La Veil Jumpe high above the stage and created a giant fireball. From there, she assaulted the hero with the giant ball of flame also along with innumerable small fireballs.

「Sunshine-Ray!!!」

「Oi, Are you really a human!!? But… That attack is useless!!」

Once Kousaka swung her sword, the the giant fireball vanished and only the small bullets remained. It was a repeat of the fight against Morial. After seeing that, La Veil finally understood the characteristics of Kousaka’s Holy Sword.

「Hmmm, I see! Magic absorption is your holy sword’s characteristics」

「Even if you know that about my Holy Sword!! It would still be useless if you cannot win!!」

When all the effects of the magic and light show finished, La Veil descended and once more posed with her Halberd. A smile then appeared on her face.

「I understood that magic is useless, then I can only fight with my flesh and blood. Let’s do this, a battle so fierce that it makes your blood and flesh tremble! Come Herooooo!!!!」

La Veil continued on confronting the Hero. Even with her strong body, the damage of the Holy Sword still penetrated her defenses even overcoming the effect of her dragon scales. But even while shedding blood all over her body, La Veil did not stop, even when her legs were torn and her wrists were slashed and was already blown away she still continued.

There were sorrowful cries from the audience, and there even some that were pleading to already stop the match. But each time they asked to stop it, La Veil refused with only eye contact. Kousaka didn’t care about it, she continued to chop up La Veil as much as she liked, and at the end, La Veil was left with missing arms, bathed in blood and barely standing.

◇――――――――――――――――

「Haaaah… Haaah… Seriously… You’re too persistent…」

Kousaka was out breath from too much movement. There wasn’t even one among the demons that she faced that were as study as her.

And as for La Veil, she only admired the strength of the Holy Sword. Losing to some legendary weapon was something she hasn’t experienced for quite a long time now.

「……Again, as expected, a Holy Sword is indeed strong…」

「Of course… It is something that can defeat a Demon King even if the wielders are only Humans after all.」

「Kukuku… I guess so, this is probably good enough right?」

「… It can’t be helped… Since killing you is not allowed, I will let you go this time, then see ya later…」

「…Is that really how you feel」

「Why you!!」

At that moment Kousaka turned back after trying to leave the place and then delivered a kick to La Veil sending her crashing into the wall. La Veil stopped right after hitting the wall and a cloud of dust surrounded her.

『The match have already been decided!! Please stop any more attempts of attacking!! Recovery team, please immediately help La Veil-san as soon as possible, hurry!!!』

In the fight that ended up becoming too unreal, the inside of the stadium became turbulent. The stage was a mess with all the blood and flesh splattered about. The arms and feet that rolled around was making it even more graphic.

「Eh, you are… Participant Aidle-san?」

Before everyone noticed, Aidle was already at the place where La Veil was, and she was holding La Veil in her hands, who was supposed to be buried in the rubble of the broken wall. She was holding a Red Jewel in her hand and was gently stroking the cheeks of La Veil. Her expression covered by her hood cannot be seen.

「Because I’ll be the one to help La Veil from here on, you can go, I can use Recovery Magic.」

「Oh, Oou…」

After saying that to the recovery team, Aidle carried La Veil while restoring her form as she moved to her waiting room. Restoring her appearance perfectly without blemish totally shocked and left the recovery magicians, who witnessed the feat, dumbfounded.

◇――――――――――――――――

When she arrived at the waiting room, she stored La Veil’s 『Skin』. Only her main body remained in her hands. Then after pouring magic power on it, she did a 『Teleport』 using dimension magic, and then Aidle walked quietly once more.

Her fist was clenched so much that she wounded herself, although it was cured immediately with Fairy Magic.

『Continuing on, we will commence the next match for the semi-finals!! We present to you the participant that finishes his battles with a single strike, Participant Genkaku. And though her appearance yesterday’s battle was a little scary, we present to you Participant Aidle!!! 』

「It is an honor to be able to fight someone of your caliber in this place, Aidle-dono」

「Un, I was also a little troubled by yesterday’s fight, but It’s a good thing that I am now matched against you. Oh and by the way, if I win this match, is it alright is if I ask you about something… Well, you can tell me if I win.」

「It’s fine, I’d also like to ask for something so it’s good」

『This time’s battle is also impossible to predict!! Will Participant Gekaku’s 1 hit strike finish Aidle, or will it be Aidle’s overwhelming power crush participant Genkaku!! Begin the Match!!』

「As expected, that won’t work huh. Well I already that 『Iai』 was not originally used for something like this.」

「Nu!!...」

Because I felt that something is wrong with my stance, I stopped trying to do the Iai stance. I’m sorry about this, you won’t be able to enjoy the game like this because I have circumstances needed to be solved. Therefore,

『Aidle-chan approaches normally!! Aren’t you afraid of entering Participant Genkaku attack range!?』

I concentrated a high amount of magic power into my sword and walk close. Fairy magic strengthens my dynamic vision to the limit. Then I stop one step before his attack range. That is 3 meters away from where he stood.

A stood on the spot for a bit… Then proceed stepping inside his attack range…

「-------!!!」

Gakkin!!...

「……ah, ahah……That is quite unexpected, Aidle-dono. 」

The clash was so fast that even Genkaku wasn’t able to completely perceive after swinging with all his strength. The tip of Genkaku’s sword was cut and was found on the stage behind me, and then no other attacks followed after that single strike.

「Your attack was certainly fast, so I had to put all my effort into stopping your blade」

「Is that so… It’s my defeat then」

Putting back his broken sword int it scabbard, he bow to me. Intense applause then came from the audience seat.

『A battle of a single blow!! It was so fast that it only lasted for a moment!! Still, our lovely girl Aidle was the one who came out victorious!! Congratulations on entering the finals!!』

I took the tip of his sword and handed it back to him, then asked about what I would like him to tell me before we start the match after we returned to the waiting area.

「So, what do wish to ask out of me?」

「It’s nothing serious, I just want to ask directions as to how I would be able to go to your home country, I’m interested in visiting it in the future」

「Oh, ok, then let me write you a guide」

Genkaku wrote the directions to reach Wado with the paper and pen that I’ve prepared. After writing, he said that he will be going back to his home country after this, so at the time we visit, we should look for him at the place he instructed.

「Wait…」「Hmm…?」

「Just a bit, Genkaku-san also wanted to ask about something right? 」

「Muu… But I have lost qualifications of doing so」

「It’s fine to ask, I will answer if it’s not something too troublesome」

Genkaku-san was reluctant at first but I was able to convince him and he lowered his head in thanks.

「……I’m only going to ask if you’ve heard about it but, do you know of a demon called Yamata no Orochi? I am on a journey in search for it you see」

That naming sure seems like a monster that came out of Japanese mythology. Is it also something that exist in this world? Is it real? Well, sorry, I also don’t know.

「Nope, haven’t heard of it…」

「Oh, is that so… Well, I guess that’s just how it is…」

This time Genkaku went away……

In that evening when I was resting at the Inn.

「Ah」

I noticed that 『Super Synchronization』 was activated and expired. Hmmm…… I see.

「……The end result was good…」

And then, I finally felt relief on my chest. I dove into my bed while cluttering my feet.

That night, I heard the two people calling from out the door 「Were Home」.

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Next Chapter is about events that happened behind the scene.