noveltune Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Slowly, the girl looked at the man who raised his sword towards her, showing a bewildered expression.
However, sensing the man’s seriousness in that solemn atmosphere, the girl asked with a stern face.
“Are you seriously thinking of requesting something like a life-or-death duel?”
“Not at all. To begin with, do you really think you can kill me?”
“...I can’t. Killing you...”
As the girl mumbled, the man chuckled and replied.
“I feel the same way. There’s no way I can defeat you. So let’s just spar normally. I would appreciate it if you could give it your all. I’m aiming to go all out.”
“...Are you saying I should use my abilities?”
“No, I’m just saying to give it your best as a swordsman. Even so, I don’t think I can win against you.”
Saying this, the man addressed the girl.
“Still, a swordsman should convey what they want to say through their sword. I have something I’d like to tell you. So, pick up your sword.”
At the man’s words, the girl slowly raised her sword and got into position.
Sensing that she was ready, the man charged at her without hesitation.
In the usual practice of swordplay, it would be common to introduce oneself first, but the man had discarded his name, and the girl had no name.
Thus, an introduction to each other was simply a mutual acknowledgment for the duel.
The man burst into laughter.
While the man wielded a real sword, the girl held a wooden sword.
The wooden sword was one that he had carved to match the girl’s height and the weight of a real sword as she grew.
However, it was the man who suffered from the clash of their swords.
In that moment, the impact was so intense it made one wonder if the blade would be chipped.
Although it was a wooden sword, the girl possessed the skill to make it feel sharper than any fine blade.@@@@
Yet despite the numbing pain in his wrist from the counterattack, the man struck again without pause.
The girl grimaced as she accepted the blow.
Had his message been conveyed?
He was a man without skill in persuasion and didn’t know how to convince anyone.
He simply conveyed his feelings sincerely.
And the man wanted her to realize her dreams.
Someday, she had said she would achieve what he couldn’t.
The dream of becoming stronger than anyone.
The man recalled the memory of the day when they raised their glasses in celebration.
She didn’t want to be his substitute; she desired this for herself.
Then he could only support her dreams.
He merely needed to tell her not to be bound to him in order to achieve them.
The swords clashed again and again.
But amidst the clashes, the man sensed that the girl wasn’t putting in her full effort and gripped his sword tightly.
How could he claim to be a mentor when he couldn’t even draw out his disciple’s full strength?
He wanted to show her a sword he wouldn’t be ashamed to have taught her at least for a time.
That willpower infused itself into the sword.
Then, the sword in his hand cried out.
Realization isn’t something special.
It simply requires persistent effort to grasp.
And the effort he had put into swinging his sword without laziness all this time culminated in this one strike.
The man understood.
He had stepped into the realm that had defeated him, the level he had long aimed for.
However, without any glee, the man calmly showcased his finest strike to the girl.
And responding to that blow, the girl’s sword swung,
quite quietly.
Silently.
And there, waiting for her, was nothing but the high cliff she had always seen and a sword stuck in the ground in front of it.
It was the same sword he cherished and never let go of even while he slept.
“...Did you really have to leave without a word like this?”
The girl asked this with a sad expression.
Naturally, there was no answer to her question, but she already knew why he had done this.
Last night, she had heard the reason from him.
The man had known.
As long as he remained alive, she would never leave his side.
He must have thought about it too.
A future where they would age and die together.
Yet he chose not to do so.
Because he wanted her to fulfill her dreams.
Because he had said he wished for that.
“...Really, from start to finish, he had no guile at all.”
That was why the man had left.
To not bind her, to allow her to spread her dreams.
That was his own way of supporting her.
So very uncrafty, yet so very extreme.
“Since I’ve been supported, I suppose I must meet expectations.”
Muttering this, the girl slowly walked towards the cliff.
“Don’t entertain any illusions. I’m only doing this because I truly want to. It’s not specifically for you.”
Then, she took the sword that was shaped like a present and raised it towards the sky.
“So, just watch from there. Witness me become the strongest in the world.”
Believing that her words would reach the nameless swordsman who had gone to the highest place,
And on that day, the girl departed from the mountain.
*
In some tavern, a man was dining.
He was a swordsman whose name had become quite well-known.
Naturally, no petty folk would dare to trouble him, and he was enjoying a quiet meal because of that.
But,
“Kalise. Am I right?”
The peace was shattered by someone calling his name.
Annoyed, he turned to see who the ruffian was interrupting his meal.
Rather, it wasn’t a ruffian but a woman.
With ebony hair that boasted a beautiful hue, it made him wonder if she had come seeking some leftover favor.
With such beauty, there might even be room for negotiation depending on the price.
“Do you remember this sword?”
Unfortunately, seeing her brandish the sword, he assumed that wasn’t her intent and paused his chopsticks.
“Unfortunately, I don’t remember.”
“Hmm, is that so? Well, it doesn’t matter. After all, that’s not the purpose.”
The woman gripped the sword and said.
“Stand up. I challenge you to a duel.”
“...Are you asking me for a lesson?”
“No, of course it’s a life-or-death duel.”
Immediately asking for a fight to the death, he thought she was quite unaware of her own status and inquired her name.
“...What’s your name?”
“One name is enough for anyone to remember me.”
The woman smiled and said.
“Well then, shall I introduce myself as the Witch of Pride?”