Volume 4 Chapter 13 The Great Villain Of The World, Battles The Intruder
"──Eliminate them."
It seemed like they didn't want to talk.
The intruder standing on the wall immediately attacked.
Their spinning slash was like a technique similar to 'Suzaku Flame Dance.'
And it was fast.
While Shouou's 'Suzaku Flame Dance' was the graceful dance of the Suzaku bird, the intruder's technique was like dragging the Suzaku bird with a rope. They didn't care about the strain on their body at all.
They just wanted to cut down their opponent without hesitation. That was the only purpose of their technique.
...There's no way I can just fight them head-on.
Then I'll use──'Genbu's Phantom Double Strike!'
──Swish.
My sword deflected the intruder's slash.
Then, I followed up with a roundhouse kick that grazed his chest.
"──!?"
The intruder's eyes widened.
He probably didn't expect me to respond.
The Suzaku bird represents 'fire' in the 5 elements.
'Fire' is weak against 'water.'
So I used the 'Genbu Turtle' technique that represents 'water.'
This was the opposite of when I fought alongside Shouou against Zeng Taiga.
Back then, I used techniques that enhanced Shouou's moves.
'Wood' enhances 'fire.' 'Fire' enhances 'earth.'
By using what you could call 'Mutual Enhancement' techniques, we strengthened each other's abilities.
This time, it's the reverse.
I used a technique that counters the intruder's moves.
A water technique that extinguishes fire.
I thought I could weaken the power of the opponent's technique by doing this... and it seems I was right.
The suspicious person is holding their arm.
The sword that was deflected by 'Genbu Twin Attack' is shaking.
There must have been some impact.
The effect of 'conflict' isn't that strong.
Even if I use 'Genbu Twin Attack' against Master Raikou's 'Suzaku Flame Dance', I would just get blown away.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster', 'Mutual Enhancement' only increases weapon power by 10%, after all.
It's not that amazing of an effect.
...But the suspicious person in front of me is surprised after taking the 'conflict' technique.
That means they might be at my level or even weaker.
Or maybe... they don't know about 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' and its 'conflict'?
"────I will kill you."
The suspicious person steps forward.
It's another technique of 'Suzaku bird'... no, there's a feint involved.
In the middle of the 'Suzaku bird' technique, they forcefully switch to 'Seiryuu dragon'.
They are ignoring the flow of 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' and changing it forcibly.
Doing something like that puts a strain on the body... what is wrong with this person?
Who taught this suspicious person martial arts?
Are they really a disciple of Master Gyoun?
If so, why are they using such a twisted technique?
Why is this suspicious person using a technique that puts a strain on their body?
"────Fallen Dragon."
The suspicious person with their mouth covered by a hood spoke up.
The name of the technique was 'Falling Dragon'──it didn't seem to be the 'Seiryuu Dragon.'
It looked similar to 'Seiryuu Transformation' from 'Five Divine Swordsmanship,' but the movements were strange.
The suspicious person trembled and slashed in unpredictable ways.
I tried to use the 'Byakko Tiger' technique, but I stopped.
The suspicious person's swordsmanship──let's just call it 'Fake Five Divine Swordsmanship' because it's annoying. This 'Fake Five Gods' is unpredictable.
I can't tell what changes might happen in the middle of their technique. If I try to respond, I might get confused instead.
Then... I'll just fight normally.
This guy isn't as strong as Shouou.
The 'Fake Five Gods' has high attack power, but the precision of the techniques is low. Probably, the hit rate is low too.
I'll aim for the gaps in their techniques and attack normally.
I won't be confused by their technique changes.
Instead, I'll increase my technique's precision... 'Kirin's Horn Thrust!'
──Clank!
"──Tch!?"
"...It got through."
The suspicious person's technique changed in the middle.
But it doesn't matter.
My 'Kirin' technique slipped through the gaps in the enemy's technique and injured their arm.
As I thought, my technique's precision is better.
The enemy's technique is powerful, but it's too wide.
If it were the proper 'Five Divine Swordsmanship,' it wouldn't be hard to aim for those gaps.
...I've fought with Shouou many times before.
That effort is paying off.
Also, Shouou and I have been practicing with some unusual weapons.
Instead of wooden swords, we've been using something thin and fragile.
Specifically, it's just a branch we found lying around.
A long time ago, when Shouou revealed his true identity to me, he made a vow.
'I will never point a blade at Tenhou for my whole life.'
That vow ended up affecting her training.
Then Shouou fights with me, she started to dislike using wooden swords. So, recently, she began using branches instead. Master Raikou approved of this.
'However, make sure to channel your "ki" into the branch.'
'Don't break each other's branches.'
'Focus on delicate movements.'
──She set those conditions.
Branches are much easier to break than wooden swords.
To fight without breaking them, you need delicate movements and control of your 'ki.'That's why Master Raikou said, "This actually becomes advanced training."
As a result──
"──You! You're so annoying!!"
"Yeah, I guess so."
The suspicious person is stepping in. It's a close-quarters battle?
I won't engage with that.
I keep a safe distance, looking for openings in their techniques. A thrust comes at me. It's a technique similar to 'Kirin.' That's why I can see the blind spots. I circle around to target their arm.
My sword makes a shallow cut on their arm. I quickly pull back.
The opponent swings at me, ready to take damage. If I had chased after them, I would have been hit.
I know that, so I don't fall for it.
I keep pushing for an endurance battle. We're on top of the town wall of Toukaku.
Wait and my allies will come. I just need to make sure the enemy doesn't escape.
The suspicious person's breathing is starting to get uneven.
The 'Fake Five Gods' must be putting a strain on their body.
I adjust my position.
The opponent is probably trying to escape outside of Toukaku.
So I move around to the outside of the barrier.
Every time the suspicious person tries to run, I block their path and keep them from moving.
That's why the suspicious person is getting frustrated.
Well, it must be annoying.
But this is how I fight, so it can't be helped.
Are you... a member of the 'Cloud' that crushes its own kind?"
The suspicious person speaks.
The 'Cloud that crushes its own kind' probably refers to Master Gyoun.
As I expected, this person seems to be related to one of Master Gyoun's disciples.
"Answer me. Are you a member of the Cloud!?"
"You haven't answered my question. Why do you think you get to ask and not answer?"
I ask in a mocking tone.
"If you want to talk, do it at the headquarters. Surrender quietly. You are breaking the laws of Toukaku."
"────Laws, you say!?"
In the darkness, a click of the tongue comes back.
The suspicious person seems to have made up their mind and readies their sword.
They steady their breathing and grip the sword with both hands. They take a stance I don't recognize.
Right after that──
"'Fallen God Fusion'──"
"Are you okay!? Platoon Leader Kou!!"
──A voice echoed from above the barrier.
It was coming from the direction of the south gate.
Looking over, I see soldiers with torches heading this way.
At the front are the guards on the wall.
At the back is Shuu-san.
"I'm sorry for being late──"
"""Intruder! Where did you come from!!"""
The soldiers push past Shuu-san and rush towards the intruder.
There are 3 of them. But their movements are all over the place.
The intruder laughs under the hood. This is bad──
"It's dangerous. Get away from that guy!"
"──'Fallen God Fusion: Fallen Scales'."
The intruder kicks off the ground.
The black figure flies into the air.
Right after that, I jump after the intruder using 'Five Divine Steps.'
The soldiers with torches look around as Shuu-san scans the area.
They have lost sight of the intruder.
The intruder jumps through the air and circles behind the soldiers.
The first to notice is Shuu-san.
Maybe expecting an attack, he quickly rolls to the ground.
The soldiers with torches don't notice.
The intruder slides on the ground and gets behind the soldiers.
I try to swing my sword down, but I stop.
The soldiers are in the way, and I can't attack them.
"──Unlucky."
"Ugh, what!?"
The intruder's sword digs into the gap in the soldier's armor.
One of the soldiers screams and collapses.
The intruder slips behind that body, using them as a shield.
The soldier is still alive.
So Shuu-san and the soldiers can't attack the intruder....
"My business is done. I'll take my leave now."
"'Kirin's Horn Thrust'."
My sword slashes through the intruder's thigh.
"────Gah, aaaaah!?"
A scream rises.
The suspicious person glared at me with angry eyes.
Of course, my sword didn't hurt the soldier.
It only cut through the small gap between their legs and struck the suspicious person's leg.
Using a twig for practice requires delicacy and precision.
Compared to that, it's not hard to cut down an enemy behind a soldier without hurting him.
You just have to find the gaps in the human body.
The side of the neck. Under the armpit. Between the legs. Between the ankles──there are gaps everywhere that a sword can pass through.
"I'll ask you one more time. Who are you? Why did you sneak into Toukaku?"
"──I have no reason to talk to a disciple of the clouds!!"
With a loud thud, the soldier used as a shield started to fall.
The suspicious person kicked the soldier's back.
I instinctively caught the soldier's body.
Right after that, the suspicious person kicked off the ground and jumped.
Towards the other side of the wall──out of Toukaku's town.
"I won't let you escape."
The suspicious person is injured in the leg.
If I chase with all my strength, I can catch them.
Moreover... they used the soldier without hesitation.
I can't just let someone like that go.
Maybe in ten years, that will cause trouble in Toukaku.
And Kou Tenhou might end up burning down Toukaku's town.
Then, I have to stop them now.
It's dark outside the wall, but the moon is out. I shouldn't lose sight of them.
If I run down the wall and chase them with 'Five Divine Steps'──
"Don't do it, Platoon Leader Kou!! You'll fall into the enemy's trap!!"
Suddenly, Shuu-san shouted.
"From what I can see, the enemy looks like a group of bandits or outlaws. Those kinds of people usually move in groups. It's better to think they have friends outside. Chasing them in the dark is like asking for trouble!"
Saying that, Shuu-san threw a torch over the wall.
The flame fell into the darkness.
And then──
Bang bang bang!
──Multiple arrows flew toward the torch.
One hit it.
The rest all hit the wall and fell.
I quickly activated 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.'
I tried to sense the presence of those outside the wall. But... it was too far away.
I felt a faint presence. A few people.
It was like a killing intent aimed at us. That was all.
It gradually moved away... and soon, I couldn't sense it anymore.
"...Thank you, Shuu-san. I appreciate it."
If I had jumped down like that... I would probably have been shot by an arrow.
I was careless.
It wasn't guaranteed that there was only one enemy.
...I still don't have enough experience.
Without Shuu-san's advice... it could have been dangerous.
"No, it's my fault... I made the platoon leader fight alone. I'm sorry."
"Is the injured soldier okay?"
"My colleagues are taking care of them, but... I don't know what will happen."
"...I see."
I looked at the floor of the wall.
There were bloodstains on the stone.
I don't know the intruder's purpose.
It's unclear if they snuck into Toukaku waiting for night or if they were already inside trying to get out at night.
It's a shame we couldn't catch them, but as Shuu-san said, chasing them in the dark is too dangerous.
We have no choice but to wait for morning and follow the footprints.
There should be some bloodstains on the ground, so I think I can follow the trail a bit.
"...They're users of techniques similar to 'Five Divine Steps' and 'Five Divine Swordsmanship,' and they use the term 'Cloud that crushes its own kind,' huh?"
I should report this to Master Raikou later.
She might know something.
Maybe... I could get a clue about the Toukaku turmoil too.
As I was thinking about this──
Clang.
I heard a hard sound at my feet.
Looking down, I saw something that looked like a wooden disc on the floor.
When I picked it up──
"What is this...? Is it shaped like a divine beast?"
The disc had carvings of the Seiryuu dragon, Suzaku bird, Byakko tiger, Genbu turtle, and Kirin.
However, the head part was crushed.
It looked like it had been stabbed and cut up with a small knife or something, filled with hatred.
I could barely tell it was a divine beast unless I looked closely.
"Platoon leader Kou!? Please show me that!!"
Suddenly, Shuu-san shouted.
When I handed him the disc, he leaned in close and stared at it intently.
"Do you know what this is, Shuu-san?"
"...I don't know what it is. But I've seen something like it before."
"Really?"
"Yes. After Heki Nei-san's family was killed... near the bodies."
Near Heki Nei-san's family's... bodies?
Does that mean, no way.
"Withdrawing my statement is easy. Stopping platoon leader was a mistake. I should have jumped down first and become your shield, platoon leader. While I was pierced by arrows... I should have let you capture them!!"
"...Shuu-san."
"This emblem is the same one that the people who killed Brother Heki's family left behind..."
Shuu-san clenched the emblem and said.
"For 3 years... both Brother Heki and I have been searching for clues. We finally found it. Those suspicious people are our enemies, and we absolutely have to kill them!!"
And Shuu-san's voice, filled with anger, echoed over Toukaku's walls.
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