Translated by: Rinkage
Chapter 20 – Conclusion
Eh…..What the devil are you doing?
Even those who were rooting for Durf appeared to be dumbfounded with their mouths agape.
The flame that tormented Stalin disappeared.
He threw off his burnt armour and stood up.
No matter how you look at it, the armour that was made from the supposedly high-quality materials had become damaged.
With this, the endurance competition had become even.
That said, the enemy’s chance of success was probably the one that had increased.
「W-What in the world are you doing, Regis!?」 (Shadiverga)
「…………」 (Regis)
Shadiverga cried out in a fluster.
Stalin readied his swords again.
The moment I stood myself facing that guy, the voice resounded in my head once more.
(……Don’t resist. I’ll return this knife to your father-dono, once you die.)
Ah, just as I thought.
Did you two plan this in advance?
Stalin swung his sword at me, but I accepted that strike without avoiding it.
As a result, in addition to the severe impact, I received a slash on the left side of my stomach.
「…..Ga-, gu–」 (Regis)
A burning sensation.
But I would not succumb to such an attack.
On looking at my state, a sense of anxiousness could be seen in Stalin’s eyes.
「…..This is the end. Face your despair in the underworld, fallen noble.」 (Stalin)
*Chakkiri* He clashed his swords together and began chanting.
The sense of despair I felt earlier came back once again.
「…….The flash from the prison feast that drove me to madness. The Dark God of Ugliness dwelling in the two swords—-『Chaos Stroke』」 (Stalin)
The outline of his figure became blurry.
It was completely fuzzy, just like a mirage.
Stalin then came at me with his swords.
If I were to strike back right now, everything would be wasted.
He swung his sword horizontally at me, aiming for my neck.
But, it wouldn’t be possible to completely avoid his slash.
A skilled mercenary would not be able to see through this attack.
The attack ended up hitting the area around my collarbone.
The sharp pain I felt was far worse than the last one.
As expected, I couldn’t endure it, causing a groan to escape my lips.
「…Gu, gua」 (Regis)
I collapsed to the ground as is and climbed to my feet immediately after.
I am going to be killed.
The moment that sense of death crept into my mind—-
「Seaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!」
It was howl that sounded like a mad dog, loud enough to even wake the dead.
That gallant yell didn’t seem to have come from the ring, but—-
「Edgar Christanval, at your service!」
A loud crashing sound could be heard simultaneously with the voice.
The sudden entry of the intruder had broken the silence of the hall.
The sneaky assassin who had taken my family’s knife as hostage was blown off to the end of the hall.
He stood up in an instant, and glared at Edgar.
「….Tch, a surprise attack? 」 (Assassin)
「….Bitch, can’t you see this knife here? 」 (Assassin)
「Aa, it’s a pretty knife. It even made me feel like taking it as is. 」 (Edgar)
Edgar smiled provokingly.
Then she hid it again with a calm expression on her face.
On seeing that, the assassin’s eyes widened in shock.
「….T-That’s impossible. The knife should be here—」 (Assassin)
The item in your hand…
That must be what he was thinking.
My thoughts appeared to have been proven correct when he started examining the knife in his hand in a hurry.
At that moment, a small shadow overcast him.
「Thank you for dropping your guard. 」 (Edgar)
Her voice sounded so cold that even the air around seemed to shudder.
The assassin flinched back in that instant.
The sharp knife pierced into the area around his right shoulder.
「…Guaa! You bitch!!」 (Assassin)
Nevertheless, could it be that he was already used to the feeling of pain?
It would actually be a fatal injury for someone who fights with dual sword.
That knife was, in fact, the cheap copy I bought when I first came to the Imperial City.
In order to create the opening for her, I handed it to Edgar in advance.
「This is not the end. Here I go! 」 (Edgar)
Edgar whipped out a straight sword while the assassin silently pulled out a knife in response.
It was exactly the same as when Shadiverga was attacked.
He was supposed to have injured his right shoulder, yet you wouldn’t be able to tell it at all, from the way he carried himself.
There was not a single opening in his stance, as he glared at Edgar.
「….Do you think, you can win? Considering that, you’re a fool, who can’t even beat my brother.」 (Assassin)
「…Of course. I was supposed to be the one, who should be participating in this duel. But, I had to leave it to my brother, due to this pointless injury of my body.」 (Assassin)
The assassin proclaimed.
It appeared that the power that he has hidden, is stronger than this guy.
By the way, Stalin is looking towards the audience seats in silence now.
He was observing the situation while holding the sword close to my neck.
「…Someone hindering? But, just watch. My younger brother, will shatter your hopes.」 (Stalin)
Ah, so that’s how it was.
But, are you trying to give me a short-lived elation by making me see all these?
Then, after looking at me condescendingly when I have fallen into despair, you would kill me subsequently?
There was no way my younger brother would lose to Edgar.
That confidence of his must had come from his past results.
Stalin brothers.
I am well-aware of the danger posed by that coordination.
The audience seats were in a state of chaos.
Their current condition reminded me of a dozen baby spiders scurrying around.
What happened to all that noble pride that you guys had always been flaunting?
Edgar seemed to have the same thought as me.
Then, she looked at the assassin with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
「Well then, shall we have a match? 」 (Edgar)
「You’re free to say whatever you want. Besides, whoever said that I was actually serious in that underground match the last time? I made a blunder at that time, but I will show you my real power now. —-I will certainly be serious.」 (Edgar)
「….Hmph. Then show me what you’ve got.」 (Assassin)
The assassin drew close to her with a quick movement.
Edgar avoided it by a hair’s breadth.
Then she jumped behind, taking a distance from him.
The assassin began charging at her again.
But, before he could do that, Edgar activated her magic.
「Burst open the flame of sword, pierce through the sky. Burning fire pass through the crimson wedge ―― 『Enchantment Fire』」 (Edgar)
At that instant, the flames that burst out could be seen enveloping her straight sword.
Her eyes became like those of a mad dog, looking extremely violent.
The last time she invoked this magic, she was using a sword cane.
And she was using a sword cane as her weapon, too, when she fought against Stalin previously.
But, it is different now.
It was probably something that was used when she was a mercenary.
Despite the difference in size between her stature and the length of the sword, she was swinging it without any trouble.
What a ridiculous strength!
On the other hand, the assassin sneered at her.
「…Just a deceptive appearance. The attack power of the sword itself remains the same. 」 (Assassin)
「….What!?」 (Assassin)
Edgar raised her sword high over her head.
Then she started chanting an especially powerful incantation in that state.
「Come forth the God of Flames, I wish to protect oneself. Repel all the wickedness from this one sword—-『Holy Burster』!!!」
All the flames released were gathered in the sword.
In the end, the sweltering heat with unthinkable high density subsequently dwelt in that huge sword.
What had happened made her look as if she was brandishing a treasure sword made of red jewels.
The appearance of Edgar was like that of a fire spirit, giving off a mysterious feeling.
In the midst of all the screaming, Edgar raised her spirit.
「Here I go! Vanish from my sight! 」 (Edgar)
「You son of a bitch. For you to have released that much of flames—-」 (Assassin)
A hellfire emanated from the huge sword.
Just looking at that intensely burning flame seemed to hurt my eyes.
The assassin unconsciously took a step back.
It took her only a split second to move close to him and swing her sword down.
The assassin tried to defend against the attack once more with both knives.
The materials used to form the knife itself were melted by the heat, shattering the knife’s blade and the sword was swung right at the assassin without any resistance.
—-A seemingly explosive sound resounded through the arena.
「…..Gu, guaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!」
The upper body of the assassin was slashed.
Nonetheless, the armour was tragically burnt into nothingness, literally, revealing only his bare skin.
It seemed that he had barely survived that attack.
He had received the attack, yet he still lives.
It would seem that he has a terrific vitality.
But the outcome of the fight had been decided.
She breathed out in relief on looking at the collapsed assassin.
「…..I have cut off your tendons. You will not be able to work as an assassin anymore. It’s just as act of killing each other so don’t think too badly of me.」 (Edgar)
She cancelled the magic and put away her sword.
Then she approached the assassin and picked up a blade.
It was a knife with luxurious looking decorations, which is also the symbol of bond between the house of Jirgens and the house of Din.
After retrieving the knife, Edgar faced towards me and shouted.
「—-That guy is the only one left! Go and win this, Regis! 」 (Edgar)
A reliable word of encouragement.
I clenched my knife firmly.
At that moment, a metallic sound could be heard from my neck.
I could hear someone clicking his tongue above me simultaneously.
「…Tsk. That brother of mine. I don’t want to think that I’m born from the same womb as that trash. 」 (Stalin)
「…..Well whatever. This match’s victory will be mine, once I kill you. Die this time, boy.」 (Stalin)
「Hey, you know. 」 (Regis)
That was when I butted in.
Even though I wasn’t too concern about the human relation of other people, those words made me feel highly irritated.
Stalin tilted his head at my words.
「….What is it? Last words?」 (Stalin)
「…Just another person. We’re getting along, since our interest coincide, to keep on living.」 [Stalin]
「….Hmph. What are you, trying to say?」 (Stalin)
Stalin distorted his eyebrows.
Even for someone like me, who has spent my life living like garbage, understands the importance of my family.
But, what about you, Stalin?
「There’s nothing in particular. Perhaps, regardless of what I have to say, we’ll never reach a mutual understanding.」 (Regis)
The memory of my sister’s face suddenly rushed unexpectedly into my mind.
I had wanted to become someone who appears more honourable in front of her.
I don’t want to taste the same sense of loss again.
「—That’s why, I’ll defeat you and protect my family.」 (Regis)
「Can you even hit me? With that sword of yours?」 (Regis)
「….What?」 (Stalin)
He gazed at me suspiciously.
In truth, this guy should have killed me at his first opportunity.
However, he ended up watching his brother’s fight against Edgar leisurely, instead of dealing the decisive blow.
Just watch.
The heat wouldn’t pose any danger to his life, but this element alone was more than sufficient for me.
The final stage of the match is sweet, so I should bare my fangs this way.
In order to put an end to his life, I took a side step.
Having noticed my movement, Stalin made a horizontal swipe with his odachi.
At that instant, I bent my knees just a little, evading the attack by swaying to one side.
The sword wound up passing by overhead, with just a small gap in between.
「….What the heck!?」 (Stalin)
「It’s the effect of heat haze. Due to the temperature here, the refraction of light is simulated.」 (Regis)
After getting out of range of the sword attack, I took a fighting stance once again with my knife.
At the very least, it would not be possible for him to land a hit on a moving target in this kind of condition.
Even my knife wouldn’t be useful in this state.
We were not in a place whereby we could easily hit the vital points.
The damage I might inflict would be far from defeating him.
That was the reason why, I had not been fully using my knife to fight until now.
And the time has some.
Now is the time for me to activate the decisive magic for this match.
「You might die if I were to end up striking your vital spot, so it’s best if you were to defend yourself.」 (Regis)
「….Quit, bullshitting!」 (Stalin)
Stalin tried to close in the distance.
On noticing his intention, I forced the magic power out from my whole body.
I began chanting in one breath, pushing all my dormant magic powers to the surface.
「Break the Heaven and Earth strike. Let the pole star fall all the way till it reaches the core —–『Meteor Breaker』!」 (Regis)
Due to the wind’s pressure, the flames became even more intense.
It is a magic that both Edgar and this guy are good at. An 『enchantment magic』.
Even among those type of magic, this spell, in particular, is an exceedingly hard to learn top level magic from the 『Expert Edition』.
I had not only exhausted all my magic power during training, but also suffered severe pain as though my body was being crushed.
I wouldn’t have mastered it, if it weren’t for the fact that I had repeated that process over and over again.
Indeed, truth to be told, there were numerous times when I had lost my consciousness.
Even those who research enchantment magic tend to shy away from this spell.
If I had not mastered that yesterday, I would’ve been tortured by an acute pain today in this match.
I was glad that I was able to make it in the nick of time.
This magic would abnormally strengthen one’s body.
However, the amount of risk faced might not actually be worth the price.
But, even so, that was why…
It was a magic most suitable for me.
「—With this, I’ll, defeat youch!」 (Regis)
My tongue got tangled up.
It felt as if my head was splitting into two, and there was an intense pain in my stomach, as though it was being knocked around like a sandbag.
It seemed that, among those who had used this magic, there were people who ended up dying due to the aftereffect too.
This was nothing compared to what I had suffered through in my previous life.
I successfully activated it and stared at Stalin after.
Was my form frightening to him? His eyes were opened wide in shock.
「….You, in that state—」 (Stalin)
「…Ku! 」 (Stalin)
Stalin tried to retreat.
He was literally surrounded by a sea of flames.
Well, I had spent an extraordinary amount of magic power and invoked Cross Blast earlier.
Although it wasn’t a high-level magic, it could barricade the ring with a wall of fire.
Back, then right and left.
Did he finally give up? Stalin faced himself to the front again.
I gradually approached him while gathering an enormous power in my body.
Upon noticing me drawing close to him, Stalin’s face twitched.
A strong sense of death.
He became frozen stiff by fear.
「You can’t seem to move, can you? I have been waiting a long time for this.」 (Regis)
「This is a good opportunity. I’ll have to pay you, and your master back.」 (Regis)
「……Stop iiittttttttt!!」 (Stalin)
Stalin started charging in at me.
He raised the odachi over his head, hoping to take my life.
In return, I thrust my knife out.
As a result, my knife stabbed into Stalin’s abdomen as his whole his sword grazed the area around my chest.
This is it.
It was the time for me to release the power that was reinforced by Meteor Breaker all at once.
「—-Eat this! Meteor Breakeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!」 (Regis)
I transferred all the power charged into the knife that was pierced into him, and raised it again with all my might.
Hereupon, his legs floated up into the air, and the raging flames in the area enveloped his body like tentacles, consuming his flesh.
With just a single knife, I lifted Stalin up into the air.
As if he was trying to put up his last struggle, he relentlessly scraped my cheek with the sword in his hand.
But, it was of no meaning since there wasn’t much force in the attack.
That was, his last attack.
A grievous look of pain that puts me on the brink of death in the fight was portrayed on my face.
But, how might it look like in his eyes?
Durf could be seen trembling in the audience seat, mumbling in fright.
That was probably what he was saying.
He suddenly cried out at me with a shaky voice.
「S-Stop! Stop it!!」 (Durf)
「I’ll admit that it’s my loss! J-Just don’t do it!」 (Durf)
「…Do you think I can accept that?」 (Regis)
I replied coldly.
Upon hearing my response, he broke out in cold sweat and shouted in a shrill voice.
「….Okay, I got it! I will give up on Walkins. You can do whatever you want to that trash. S-So, that’s why—-」 (Durf)
Father was seriously injured because of you.
Edgar’s shop was destroyed because of you.
And, you seriously irritate me—-」 (Regis)
Thereupon, I cut off my words momentarily.
At that moment, I released all the resentment held up inside me, and shouted my lungs out.
「—-I’ll have you compensate everything you humongous pigggggggggggg!!!」 (Regis)
「H-Hiyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!」 (Durf)
Durf tumbled off the audience seat.
No one had stayed by his side.
This was the so-called trust acquired with money and greed.
It was extremely fragile and easily broken.
No one cared to help him when he fell into a predicament.
He must had given us the trouble despite knowing it.
「Uoooooooooooooooooooo!」
I took a strong step forward, with all the power in my body.
After giving Stalin the finishing blow by striking him with my knife with all my might, I flung him instantly by applying the centrifugal force.
In a split second, the shadow of a flying human figure could be seen blocking off the rays from the sun.
Stalin’s body soared at a momentum that made it look as if he was swallowed up by the sun, and then flew faster towards a certain point.
Yes. Where the body was heading to, was towards Durf who was screaming as he was trapped by the wall behind him.
Just before he received the direct hit, the employees let out a cry—-
「Hig-gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!」
A crushing sound loud enough to shake the very earth could be heard after an ugly cry echoed through the arena.
The attendants in the surroundings got involved in it too, resulting in a loud blast.
The nobles nearby, on the other hand, hadn’t raise a single cry.
All they did was to merely hold their breath at the sight before them, as if what had taken place at that moment shouldn’t have been possible.
The instant the smoke cleared, a tragic scene unfolded before my eyes.
Stalin could be seen in a miserable state, looking like a crushed insect at the audience seat.
He seemed to be still alive.
He seemed to have coughed out a huge amount of blood as he lay there as is, couldn’t make any movement at all.
The one in the most severe state was Durf.
I wonder if all the bones in his body were broken. He was merely lying upside down on the ground in a tragic state.
But, by the looks of it, he seemed to have preserved just his life due to his thick lump of fat.
But, that body fat of his was the one that had created this disaster.
Even as he was losing his consciousness, he was still being consumed by the hellfire.
A group of personnel had immediately brought water over to douse the fire, but he had suffered substantial burns.
His already ugly face became even more badly distorted.
Nevertheless, that condition of his didn’t arouse any sympathy from me.
It was a retribution fit for someone like Durf who had been scheming time and again.
There was just one thing that I would like to say to that guy.
I faced towards the audience seat and spat my words out calmly.
「Carve that wound into your body for the rest of your life. And let it remind you again when you try committing another crime. In this world, there are certain group of people whom you shouldn’t opposed to.」 (Regis)
The observer who had evacuated the ring in the midst of the chaos came back.
Having seen these, she made a loud declaration.
「Horgos’ representative is incapable of fighting anymore, and the representative of the house of Din does not have the intention to pursue as well. Based on the stipulation of Article 4 in the dueling rule pertaining to any additional minor points that determine the dueling method, it is impossible to continue this match. Therefore, due to the abandonment of the match, the victory goes to the house of Din!」 (observer)
At that moment, the arena erupted into tumultuous screams and cheers.
The upper rank nobles who had been receiving favours from Durf were furious.
A great sense of comfort permeated me when the shouts of jeerings and praises pelted my cheeks one after another.
My gaze suddenly landed on Edgar.
She looked worn out, but the injuries on her body didn’t seem to be serious.
I smiled back at her and turned towards Shadiverga.
On noticing me looking at him, he just nodded in silence.
Walkins who was standing next to him looked so pleased and overwhelmed, she had tears in her eyes.
The enchantment magic was taught by her.
I might be in peril if it wasn’t for that magic.
Walkins had splendidly responded to my unreasonable request in wanting to master that in just three days.
I nodded in response when she looked at me bashfully.
In the end, I turned my gaze upward towards the sky.
If you were to try reaching out for it, it might look as if it is within your grasp. But, it is actually an existence that is too far to reach.
I pulled out the knife and raised it to the sky.
An engraving of a silver sword and a gold shield.
This is our crest.
I raised the knife higher with one conviction in mind.
Even if we are fallen nobles, we could still emerge as the champion.
The reflected light illuminated the whole arena.
I slowly looked up.
The crest of Din was shining brilliantly there, as if it was promising us the prosperity of Din’s family from now on.