Umarekawatta “Kensei” Wa Raku o Shitai

The moment the blade crosses, a roar echoes around.

The blade of magic and the flash of thunder - the blade and the blade bumped into each other, and that time passed in an instant.

Ruino, who gained momentum from the air and fell, rolls over the ground and eventually falls down.

The body of the knife I held was broken.

On the other hand, Iris, shaking off Purple Electricity, stands firm on both feet.

"Ha..."

Exhaling loudly, Illis looks back toward Ruino.

Ruino was also about to stand up towards Illis.

Squeeze the broken knife pattern, trembling body, and still desperately try to scratch it. But...

"... eh"

Zushari and fall again.

Illis was already close to the limit, too. A special blow, maximizing each other's magic.

It's also the first experience for Illis to have drained so far in just one swing.

Still, you can't fall down yet.

Illis slowly walks out and stands in front of Ruino.

"My... win"

"... winning or losing won't be decided until one of us dies..."

While he can barely move anymore, Ruino looks up and sees Illis.

Those eyes have yet to admit defeat - even in this state, Ruino is still going to fight.

Illis has the same experience as Ruino today.... a battle you will never lose will desperately try to move your body, even if it exceeds its limits.

"If you stop me..."

"I just have to kill you? Let me get this straight. You lost to me. Losers can't even choose to die on their own. Like right now."

I don't think Ruino would choose to harm himself, but I guess he's not left with that power either already.

We did everything we could to bump into Illis, and we lost.

She can't do anything right now.

Illis goes on with the words.

"If you're still going after Dr. Schweitz, I don't mind. But only one thing - you lost to me. Dr. Schweitz is much stronger than I am. That's why I'm so strong as to teach my teacher a sword... because I'm much stronger. I am such a teacher's apprentice. Don't think you have the right to fight your teacher when you lose to me, your disciple."

"I have no right to...?

"I don't. At least until you can take me down - you don't have that right. If you want to fight Dr. Schweitz, you must be strong enough to defeat me first."

There is little difference in force between Illis and Ruino.

Only slightly this time, Illis outdid Ruino.

Understanding that, Illis made it a clear word.

I know I'm putting myself in danger - Alta is an Iris escort, and if it were, it would be normal for Alta to fight Ruino before he fights Iris.

But Illis is not just going to be protected.

So that Alta could protect us about Iris, so that Iris could also, and eventually, protect Alta. - This is the first step.

Listening to the words of Illis, Ruino grins with a crease.

"Hit, I can't seem to beat you... I can't beat Alta Schweitz, right? Sure, I wonder if you're right. I lost to you."

Stop Ruino from trying to get up.

Rolling around, Ruino looked up at the sky.

After a long silence, Ruino turns his clenched broken sword - toward Illis.

"So, next thing you know... we're going for it, right? If you keep me alive, I'll keep after you. Still, you're telling me... you're not gonna kill me?

"Yeah, if you're only after me... I won't kill you. Fight again and again, and I'll beat you up. So let me know how you really feel?

"... Really?

"Why would you want to fight a strong man?

Clearly, I haven't heard why from Ruino.

I didn't know if you'd answer, but Illis needed to know.

If she really is just a girl who enjoys the fight purely - because she has to settle completely with Ruino any day.

To the inquiry of Illis, when Ruino exhales small,

"Phew... I've never heard you care about that before... Yeah, there's only one thing I can say - that if I'm the strongest, it'll all be over. If I were the best, I'm sure no one, other than me, would get hurt."

When I'm done saying that, Ruino weakens and drops the knife he grips.

Keeping consciousness was probably the limit anymore - crossing the blades and finally being able to hear Ruino's true heart out.

She is, after all, just like Iris.

It's just that the process and the way to be strong is different from Illis.

If that's all I can confirm, that's enough.

"... Ha"

Iris also kneels on the spot at the limit.

It was also the limit of what was already standing - but there is still work to be done in Illis.

At the top of the lighthouse, there's Alta. The Swordsmen should still be there.

We must defeat the swordsmen who are after him.

……

That's all I thought about, Iris gives a hazy look.

Where Illis, who has reached his limit, has gone to Alta, and I'm sure it will only be a foothold.

Alta may praise me for 'hard work' - but for words like that, not hard work.

- If you still can't do that, rely on me.

It's Alta's word.

Iris was able to 'win without killing'. But not yet...... I just don't have the strength to protect Alta after doing it.

Illis is still in a position to rely on Alta.

Besides, it's what Iris himself believes. Alta is the kingdom - because he is the "mightiest knight".

Stronger than Illis, stronger than Garro. Because I believe he will never lose.

(Sorry, Doctor. And then - I'll take care of it)

Iris squeezes the purple electricity and points its sword tip to the top of the lighthouse.

Now I've done everything I can. So, 'I believe in Alta', with all my will.