The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia Chapter 68

Bonus chapter from sponsored chapter.

Duel against the Hime Kis.h.i.+.

Enjoy the chapter~

Translator: Raizu
Editor: s.h.i.+rayuki

Chapter 68 – Sword Saint and Princess Knight

Everytime Liliana waved the holy sword Alflex, many soldiers are blown away by the wave of magic.

There are several famous swords in the continent. Those that aren't part of the [Seven Heavenly Swords] are called [Holy Swords]. Only three have been cla.s.sified under this category. The holy swords are widely regarded as the ultimate swords for carrying the power of the G.o.ddess and naturally, they carry an immense amount of magic power.
One of such swords is the Alflex Liliana is currently waving around.
However, these holy swords have one major drawback. It chooses its wielder. In that respect, Alflex had chosen Liliana as its wielder and thus, an irreplaceable companion to her. A sword destined for her, so to speak.

[I am Liliana! The first princess of Redgear Kingdom! Is there anyone in Arcadia who dare cross swords with me!?]

Liliana rode through the battlefield while shouting that challenge. Faced with such an overwhelming power, naturally no one among the soldiers dared to accept her challenge.

[The Arcadia army, said to be blessed by the heavens is unexpectedly sloppy. Is there no real man amongst you lot?]

Liliana snorted as she decimated the fleeing soldiers. At that time, suddenly, she sensed a huge pressure approaching. She involuntarily looked toward the direction from where the pressure came.

[Something is approaching me… what in the world is it?]

As she looked closer, she found a young looking knight on a white horse riding calmly towards her.

[Oh, is it that woman? Is she Princess Liliana?]

[O Master, that fellow brings along with her a strong capability. Better take this seriously… or you might find yourself in peril.]

[…are you worried about me?]

[I'm just worried that you'll lose.]

He was riding in such a slow pace as though he's not in the middle of a battlefield. But Liliana realized that this young man is a strong opponent. Also…

[He's riding a talking horse? A magic beast?]

Liliana was whispering to herself. But it still reached Saint's acute hearing.

[That girl! How dare she compare me to those lowly magic beasts!]

[Well, I bet anyone seeing a talking horse will be as surprised as she is.]

Ares urged Saint to approach Liliana still.

[This will be our first meeting. I am the son of Holy Arcadia Empire's Archduke, Ares Schwarzer. One of the generals of Arcadia forces. Might you be Redgear's Princess Liliana?]

Liliana quietly grasped Alflex, pointing it toward Ares without giving any reply.

[I do not know what are your intentions, but you are in my way. Are you prepared to bear the consequence?]

[…good grief, you don't even let me explain myself. Why are you so hot headed?]

[Well, it's only normal to have those kind of expressions in the midst of battlefield…what are you expecting?]

[…Saint should just keep quiet…]

Ares also drew out Divine Sword Oldeus from the [Seven Heavenly Swords] hanging around his chest. Oldeus emitted blue glow when charged with magic. Liliana eyed the sword with suspicion.

[Is it a holy sword or a magic sword… either way it's just a sword.]

[Indeed…it's a sword that I couldn't say the name even if you force me to. It's that kind of sword.]

Hearing that reply, Liliana laughed.

[Interesting! I suppose I'll have to correct myself there! Perhaps I'll enjoy this exchange!]

Ares also responded in kind.

[Now that we are here… allow me to gauge how good you truly are.]

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Everyone around could only bear witness to the duel in silence. There was no other sound but the whistling wind. The battlefield was unbelievably quiet.

It was Liliana who made the first move. She galloped toward Ares to attack.

[Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]

Following that roar, Alflex exploded in blue brilliant light that threatened to engulf Ares.

[Too slow!]

Ares received the blow with Oldeus, letting his own magic power to surge out.
The magic power of Oldeus and Alflex clashed, creating a shockwave.

Liliana laughed joyously.

[You actually managed to receive my first attack. I think I've finally found an opponent where I can go all out for once!]

That said, without waiting for Ares' reply, Liliana released Alflex's power once again.
It is said that holy swords and magic swords have their own special characteristics.
The special trait of Oldeus is its [Invisible Slash]. As for Alflex…

[『Body Strengthening』…what a troublesome ability.]

[Show me what you are made of!]

With the Body Strengthening improving her power exponentially, Liliana lunged towards Ares with a lightning fast thrust.

[Kuh!]

Ares involuntarily retreated a few steps.

[This is it!]

Liliana was convinced that victory is already within her grasp. She could slay high ranking demons, said to be the natural enemy of humankind, with this attack. She had this confidence.
The opponent seemed to be slow in reacting and apparently, had been caught off guard. The thrust was certain to hit.
Liliana had her sword pierced Ares' neck…or so it seemed.

At that point, it took her a moment before realizing that she had been blown away.

[….ku…what is going on? Why am I the one being blown away…?]

[Because what you pierced was just my afterimage.]

The voice came from behind which made Liliana to turn around in a sudden reaction. What she saw there was the smiling face of Ares.

Liliana had merely pierced Ares' afterimage. His movement was so fast that probably no one here had noticed. He had moved so quickly to avoid Liliana's attack.

[There is still more!]

But Liliana's attack did not stop there. She immediately attacked right after turning around. Due to Body Strengthening, the speed of her sword slashes were much faster than usual. In fact, the slashes were nearly invisible to normal eyes. Even so, Ares calmly watched the storm-like slashes.

Alflex's special characteristic is that its [Body Strengthening] not only greatly improves speed but also strength to the point that one can cut down a golem made of stone in ease.

Ares did not cower before that kind of power. He looked at it calmly, seemingly working on something.

At this point, Liliana also began to understand the level of her opponent. At the same time, she started to feel humbled.

[Why! Why it won't hit!?]

[You have a lot of useless movement. I could tell that much.]

[W-what!?]

Ares jumped backward to disengage from Liliana. He then raised three fingers.

[Three exchanges. We'll decide this duel in 3 sword exchanges.]

Feeling underestimated, Liliana was visibly upset.

[You…you gotta be kidding meeeeeeeeeee!!]

Liliana jumped at Ares once more.

Looking at the incoming attack quietly, Ares poured magic power into Oldeus. Responding to him, Oldeus started glowing in a dazzling bluish white light.

[One!]

An invisible slash attacked Liliana as Ares swung Oldeus.

[Kuh!]

Liliana did not stand idle as she willed Alflex to meet that attack but was still knocked back in the aftermath of their clash.

[Kuh! What in the world is this?!]

Meanwhile, Ares had already snuck in when Liliana regained herself.

[Two!]

Ares swung Oldeus in a vertical arc from below.

Liliana still managed to block this attack as well, but couldn't accept it properly, resulting in her letting go of Alflex as her body being flung into the air.

[Dammit!]

[And the finis.h.i.+ng strike!]

A voice came from above Liliana who was still floating in the air. Looking up, Liliana saw Ares swinging Oldeus down.

[I'll be careful not to kill you, but pardon me for it'll hurt a little… three!]

Ares smacked at Liliana's silver haired head with the flat of his sword.

She was slammed to the ground as a result.

(The world is wide… I really can't afford to take it easy…)

Liliana thought inwardly…as her consciousness faded.