Volume 7 Chapter 58 Oath's Sword' Arthur
Arthur's sword easily cut me in 2.
The speed was on a completely different level from before. I realized that the 'Oath' until now had been holding back Arthur's true power, and that it was only just barely enough to let me fight back.
"Forbid Healing."
While cutting me down diagonally, Arthur says. With one swing, he's seriously trying to kill me. My body is being torn apart by the holy sword, my collarbone shattered, my ribs broken, and I'm on the verge of collapse.
But.
I'm not going to lose, no matter what.
"Deep Gravity."
The Geas that forbids healing is broken. I'm restoring my body from the cut end using Anahata Chakra. From the side where I was cut in 2 by the holy sword, I'm now unharmed and swinging my fist down.
"Pierce it! Durandal!"
"That's what makes you my worthy opponent."
The Durandal that fell from the sky is strongly deflected by Arthur's Excalibur. I take a stance with both arms, and charge at Arthur's chest.
"Let's settle this with a fistfight."
"I'm thrilled. I won't lose next time."
My fist and Arthur's sword clash.
The iron and iron clash in a seemingly endless frenzy. The metallic sound grows louder and louder, making my ears feel like they're going to burst.
Sparks fly everywhere. I'm using all my strength to punch with both fists, but the single Excalibur is somehow deflecting my hands one after another.
But this isn't the end. I'm controlling the greatsword Durandal with gravity magic, aiming for Arthur's back.
Arthur says.
"You're clever."
Arthur closes his eyes. I realize that the "Protection of Willow Wind" that was lost has returned.
Arthur receives the Durandal's attack from behind and deflects it. And right in front of him is me. I'm caught off guard, and barely avoid getting pierced by Durandal.
"Whoa! You're not going to do that!"
Just in time, I grab Durandal and counterattack with the returning blade. A fierce metallic sound echoes. The blades clash. Arthur opens his eyes and thrusts the brave warrior's face at me head-on.
"Hahaha! I was like a sick person until now! I never thought I'd feel this refreshed! Having a body that's not controlled by Geas is amazing!"
"Ah, I'm satisfied too, Arthur! I suddenly got twice as strong! I should've taken it one step at a time!"
I swing my sword with all my might. Arthur matches my pace with his returning blade. Ah, I'm completely losing in terms of speed. I guess you can't win against a swordsman with a sword.
"Don't say that, Wade! It's been centuries since I've felt this high. So, please, let's enjoy this fight!"
This time, Arthur deflects my sword. I try to swing my returning blade, but Arthur takes advantage of the opening and pierces me.
"Forbid Healing!"
"Guah, you got me with one hit, you bastard!"
I kick Arthur's torso with both legs while still pierced. "Deep Gravity!" I use it to destroy the Geas and recover. Right after, Arthur comes at me again.
"Forbid Healing. Come on, Wade! Show me your true power! This can't be all you've got! The real you, who's been driven mad, shouldn't be this weak!"
"Damn it! You're really getting on my nerves!"
Arthur keeps pushing me with his swordsmanship. As long as I'm holding a sword, I'm at a disadvantage. I'm a fist fighter and a gravity magician, and the greatsword is just a secondary weapon.
What do I do? I think. I have many options. But which one will get through to Arthur? I accelerate my thinking with the Sahasrara Chakra.
And then, I come up with a plan.
I let go of my sword.
"Ah, I see. I've thought it through."
I aim for Arthur's opening and dash in, throwing a punch at his jaw. A one-hit kill uppercut. Arthur dodges it with just his head.
"Not yet!"
I keep throwing punches. Arthur receives one with Excalibur and adjusts the distance slightly, bringing the fight to a range where I'm at an advantage.
He's really got a good sense of combat. He's been doing just fine with that rusty straight sword from the start. With a sword, I can't win for sure. I think that's only natural, and Arthur probably thinks so too.
―――That means he's not expecting it. So, to catch him off guard and get to that goal, I throw a punch.
My punching speed is just barely enough to match Arthur's sword speed. That means I can create an opening. From there, I'll find a chance to win.
The clash of fists and swords. The metallic sound, the sparks, scatter across the morning grasslands. I'm fighting desperately, waiting for the timing to strike.
The morning sun is behind me now. It's still rising, and the sun is still ascending. That moment will come. I'm pouring all my energy into my punches to make sure I don't miss it.
"Wade, you're an exceptional warrior. But is that all? Is that really all there is to you?"
I don't say a word. I just keep punching away. But I can feel it. Arthur is getting used to my fierce attacks. Soon, my punches will fall behind Arthur's sword. When that happens, I'll lose.
"You must be hiding something. You've got that look in your eyes. If you keep this up, it'll be all over, Wade. Show me. I've shown you, haven't I? Show me your true self―――."
At that moment, Arthur's eyes flicker slightly. That's proof that the morning sun behind me has blinded him. It's the moment I've been waiting for.
"Ah."
I laugh.
"I'll show you. My true strength. With your defeat as the price."
I take advantage of the slight opening and punch my right fist into the crystal eye on my left hand.
The crystal avalanche attacks Arthur.
"Whoa! I've seen this before!"
"This is just a greeting, a flash of light! Explode, crystal!"
I unleash my magical power, and the crystal explodes. Arthur doesn't get hurt, but the sheer amount of it forces him to create some distance between us. That's exactly what I've been aiming for. Time to prepare.
I mutter to myself.
"Aphorism."
Just like Arthur earlier, I take a stance with my sword at the ready. However, the image I envision is someone else. With gravity magic, the greatsword Durandal fits perfectly in my hand.
From here, I'll go for the win.
"'O king, O hero. You shall meet your demise at the hands of a sl*ve'"
Durandal momentarily rejects me. But I recall my true self and release the rejection. What remains is the worst sword ability I can think of. Humm, Durandal is enveloped in fear.
There, I cut down the crystal and Arthur appears before my eyes. However, the momentum stops there. The king and hero alike are left breathless, intimidated by the fear.
"What is that? That sword is―――."
I smile wryly and answer.
"The Cursed Thirteen Blades of Victory, a copy of Muramasa's."
My sword slashes at Arthur.
Arthur dodges. The wound is shallow. However, Muramasa's "Fate's Usurpation" is activated. Arthur's heroic fate flows into me. Arthur is consumed by the curse.
"What is this? What's happening now―――."
"From here, Arthur! I'll recite the next Aphorism 'Anger is the source of my power'!' Ahh!"
My entire body is enveloped in the anger of the magic sword Gram. An immense power drives me to rampage. However, my head doesn't completely lose control. So, with the Sahasrara Chakra, I can regain control with my second brain.
I use the Sahasrara Chakra to reclaim my control, and with the remaining demonic violence, I slash at Arthur. Arthur receives it with a cold sweat. In that one exchange, I laugh.
"I'm stronger! I'm the one who's stronger!"
"Guhh!"
My sword, which has taken Arthur's fate and is wrapped in great anger, is heavier, faster, and stronger than Arthur's.
Before my sword technique, Arthur is pushed back and can't do anything. The torrent of anger-driven attacks destroys Arthur's stance. I create an opening to strike Arthur from the front.
"Aphorism, 'You should know the pain of a rotting body!'"
With the Black Death Sword Nergal's disease-infested thrust, I pierced Arthur. Arthur spat out blood, yet still didn't fall. I took a desperate kick and distanced myself.
"Ah, Wade. You're, you're―――the greatest enemy. The supreme rival!"
Arthur's face turned pale blue, and despite receiving such a brutal attack, he laughed. The composure he had until now was gone. All that remained was the pride of a swordsman and the thrill of a battle enthusiast.
Arthur raised his sword to the sky.
"So, take this! A single strike from the Holy Sword Excalibur! If I don't unleash this, I won't be able to face Excalibur!"
"Ah, come on, Arthur! And then, recreate it just like that, Durandal!"
The holy sword Arthur raised shone brightly, receiving the morning sun's light. The light accumulated on the sword, swelling up, and piercing the sky.
"Slash it away Ex... CALIBURRRRR...!"
"Crush it! Duran... DALLLL...!"
I took the same stance, and Durandal copied Excalibur's extremely thick beam. The clash of the massive energies produced a loud, explosive sound.
"WOOO...!"
"WOOO...!"
"OOOO...!"
"AAAA...!"
My and Arthur's roars echoed. The excessive release of magical power caused the Sahasrara Chakra to scream. The amount of magical power generated by the Sahasrara Chakra was surpassed by Excalibur's consumption.
And finally, the collision of energies broke apart.
A powerful explosion occurred, centered around the clash of our swords. Arthur and I were blown away, flying over ten meters (≈32.8 feet). The grass on the plain was torn out, creating a crater-like landscape.
But this didn't mean the battle was over. I rolled on the ground, kicking the dirt with my feet, and stood up, buffeted by the blast. At a distance of over 30 meters (≈ 98 feet), Arthur, covered in blood, glared at me, his sword held like a cane.
I took a deep breath, swung my sword widely, and calmed my mind. As I sensed Durandal's disturbed aura, I smiled wryly, saying, "Don't be jealous."
"The final blow is definitely yours, no one else can do it. ―――Cut them down, Durandal!"
The slash that came down was an infinite flash. The freely extendable and retractable Durandal, which had cut Arthur down.
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