Currently, Arnold was desperately dodging the sword slash that Beast Kind Leowald had unleashed. Although he has been barely evading it since earlier, if Leowald were to land a decent blow on him, it would undoubtedly become fatal.
Without moving an inch from his spot, Leowald swung down a giant sword, worthy of his stature, as he aimed for the Arnold, the one who was right before his eyes.
Accompanied by a noise that sounded like the air had been cut and torn apart, the pressure generated by the sword came flying towards Arnold, as if it was a blade of wind.
While Arnold was fending off Leowald’s attacks with full force, he began to resent Rarashik’s remarks internally.
At that time, Rarashik mentioned that she would participate in the duel with the 『Evila』 under the condition that she could bring Arnold and Muir. It went without saying that it wasn’t merely the two who were mentioned that were surprised. Leowald, Mimiru, and even the all the soldiers present had expressed astonishment.
However, in the midst of this, Rarashik simply spoke the following with a grin.
Of course, Arnold refused. He mainly expressed his distaste due to Muir’s participation. He didn’t really mind if he himself had been elected. As he had fought his way up to this point, he was confident that he had grown stronger thanks to the training that he had received.
Although he would be participating, as the opponent’s side would obviously have the 《Cruel》, his chances of winning would be considerably low. Yet, even so, if it was for the sake of his country, he would not hesitate to fight.
However, Muir was different. She had yet to fight a full-fledged battle besides her encounters with monsters and Rarashik. Furthermore, she had yet to experience a fight where one would have to risk their life.
It was precisely because of this that this duel was important for her, or so Rarashik had said. However, from Arnold’s perspective, it was still too early for her to participate in such battles.
It was needless to say that Arnold was aware that Muir was working hard in order to become stronger. In fact, Arnold thought that Muir had indeed become stronger. Yet, in spite of this, he was still not convinced that he should allow her to participate in such a war.
In the face of Muir’s words, Rarashik nodded. And then-
At those words, Muir’s resolve had been determined. Seeing her firm expression, Arnold’s shoulders drooped. He did not expect that things would turn out in such a manner.
However, it was not Leowald, but the one who was near him, Barid, who gave a voice of complaint. The contents of such complaint was regarding doubts about Arnold and Muir’s strength.
Even if they were Rarashik’s disciples, the opponent had requested this confrontation while practically demanding that the Gabranth prepare their best forces. If they were to present half-baked individuals in this duel, the one who would be shamed would be the king himself.
It is precisely because of this that Barid doubted the two’s ability. Rarashik and Leowald had also thought that this was natural.
Therefore, Leowald issued a certain condition. He said that he would consider it if they could cause a scratch on his body, even if the wound was a mere scrape.
Following this, as everyone headed towards the square where the soldiers were training, it was suddenly decided that they would hold a sparring match there. Furthermore, the setup was that it would be both Arnold and Muir against Leowald.
Although both Muir and Leowald’s offensive power was tremendous, even after they had been fighting for a long time, the fact that he had not moved from his starting position since the beginning of the match was a tribute to the king’s strength. Muir, filled with awe towards such a king, spoke in a voice that attempted to dispel such feelings.
Watching these two, Leowald happily laughed.
Saying this, the large sword that he was holding began to release a fine vibration as it gradually reddened, as if it were being tinged with heat.
As he swung down the large sword that he had raised high in the sky, this time, as if it was wearing flames, a bright red sword blast came flying towards the two.
Arnold also began to concentrate power into his large sword. As he did so, the wind began to converge onto the sword.
A sound that shook the atmosphere could be heard coming from Arnold’s sword. Following this, he simply turned towards the sword blast and began to assault it.
Arnold received Leowald’s flying sword blast head on.
Almost as if two knives had been rubbed together, the noise of impact roared.
In order to protect Muir who was behind him, Arnold, who was slightly losing his ground, stood firm so as to ensure that he wasn’t blown away.
Witnessing Arnold block a blow that he had place a reasonable amount of force into, Leowald narrowed his eyes due to Arnold’s unexpected power.
As Arnold had swung his sword with all his might, he was able to successfully tear through and pulverise the sword blast.
Behind Arnold, Muir was present, her lovely set of Kemono-mimi twitching with a *pikopiko*(10). Every time that those ears moved, the crackling resembling a discharge phenomenon occurred.
Muir vigorously shook her hands one by one, from bottom to top. As she did so, like how Leowald had launched his sword blasts earlier, a pillar of lightning had been emitted from her hand.
As she had two hands, two columns of thunder had been created. As if to avoid Arnold, the pillars split off to the left and right before rushing towards Leowald, who was in front of him.
As Leowald had instantly understood that Muir was a user of 《Binding》 that possessed the element of lightning, although his thoughts had halted for a split second, his expression soon reverted to normal as he wielded his large sword in an attempt to mow down the incoming thunder pillars.
Although it was thought that he had completely captured the columns of lightning, strangely, as if they had a will of their own, the pillars completely evaded the sword’s attack. Following this, a pincer attack came from both sides and-
-splendidly landed a direct hit on Leowald.
He involuntarily scowled. Muir, who had saw this, smiled with pleasure as she thought that her attack had hit it’s mark. However-
*Bachin-!*(13)
Leowald: 「Gahaha! I was slightly surprised, but you won’t be able to make a scratch on me with just this?」
Muir: 「No, just this much is fine!」
Leowald: 「What?」
Leowald: 「Mu? Where did he go?」
Arnold: 「How’s this-!? 《Wind Faaaaaang》-!」
Leowald: 「That lightning was just a distraction! However, I won’t let you!」
Arnold: 「Guwaaaaaa-!?」
Muir: 「Oji-san!」
Arnold: 「Itete……」(14)
Leowald: 「Fumu(15)……Gahahahaha!」
Leowald: 「I guess I slightly underestimated you! You two aren’t bad at all!」
Leowald: 「Gahaha! To think, not only did you scratch me, but you launched me all the way over here!」
Leowald: 「Furthermore, you only used the elementary 《Fangs》. This is……they’ve been honed quite well, Rara.」
Rarashik: 「Eeh(16), that’s because I showed these guys hell everyday. If they weren’t able to do this, I would have made them start their training from the beginning.」
Leowald: 「Gahaha! Certainly, there are still doubts as to their individual abilities but…I see. We should make sure to properly bring those that shine! That is the the 『Gabranth』 way! Gahahahaha!」
Leowald: 「How’s that, Barid? I felt that these individuals had a good amount of resolve, but?」
Barid: 「…………very well. With this, it would not pose a problem if we were to bring them to the duel.」
Leowald: 「-is what he said. However, there is still one week before the duel. Until then, I myself shall train you.」
Rarashik: 「Hou~. So it’s been decided, yes?」
Leowald: 「Aa, let’s achieve victory together! Arnold! Muir!」
Arnold: 「T-This turned into something unbelievable, huh……」
Muir: 「U-un……but with this, I’ll be able to meet him……right?」
Arnold: 「……seems so.」
Muir: 「……although I don’t like the enemy’s side.」
Arnold: 「That guy doesn’t care about stuff like that, right?」
Muir: 「Ahaha, you might be right.」
Arnold: 「Besides, Leowald-sama also said something about bringing Hiiro over to this side, you know?」
Muir: 「F-For some reason, Hiiro-san has become liked by a really amazing person, huh?」
Arnold: 「Seems so. It was kinda unexpected that he was thinking of making Mimiru-sama’s son-in-law……Hii-!」
Muir: 「Ahaha……I’m really looking forward to seeing him. Isn’t that right, Oji-san?」
Arnold: 「Ah……un. That’s right.」
Arnold: (Daamn it! Hiiro, you bastard! You better remember this! But, it’s true that I’m looking forward to meeting again. Just you wait, Hiiro! I’ve already decided that I’m going to give your face one good punch!)
He looked up at the cloudless sky. Arnold’s thoughts held a strong resolve towards Hiiro, the one who was once his adventuring companion.