Volume 6 Chapter 42 Side Wolf
As the Black Blade (Yukina) charged through the dirt towards him, Rouza readied his azure monk staff to counter.
"I've never seen such incredible strength! Why don't you come to Sanmoto with Mikage?"
"Don't get too cocky!"
"I'm not as relaxed as you think!"
Yukina swung the black spear with no fancy moves, just raw power. In that moment, Rouza's azure monk staff, wrapped in ice blades, struck. But it seemed shallow; Yukina grimaced in pain but pushed forward with even more force, attacking with the black spear.
(This is really unbearable!)
Without wasting a moment to speak, Rouza smirked. In fact, since this fight began, the corners of his mouth had been upturned the whole time.
To an outsider, it might look like he was dodging Yukina's attacks with ease and countering effortlessly.
And that wasn't entirely wrong. However, instead of just taking the hits, the pressure from Yukina's attacks felt like they could crush him if he tried to deflect them. The fear was overwhelming.
He instinctively knew he couldn't let those kinds of strikes hit him. Techniques are meant for those who are weaker to use. If you already have overwhelming strength, you don't need them.
Because of this, his counters felt light. Even when he found an opening to strike with the ice blades, he hesitated to commit fully. If he messed up, he imagined being crushed right then and there. Every time the black spear came close, sparks of fear shot down his spine.
But that feeling was exactly what Rouza had been waiting for.
As he visited Arcus and naturally gathered information about Mikage, news about Black Blade (Yukina) started to come in as well.
It was expected, but Getsuya's reaction to the rumors of a romantic relationship between Silver Flash (Mikage) and Black Blade (Yukina) was quite severe. Even Rouza, his master, hesitated to approach him to calm him down.
On the other hand, Rouza personally looked forward to the day he could meet Yukina. At the very least, the fact that rumors were circulating meant that the two were definitely connected. He never imagined that such a serious person (Silver Flash) would become close to a man until he came to this country. Additionally, there were whispers about the 'Great Magic Blade' that appeared in the rumors. Though it was just speculation, he suspected it was something similar to the azure monk staff he possessed.
When he actually met him, he was a 'man' beyond his imagination.
The courage he occasionally showed was enough to intimidate Getsuya. Even if it was just bravado, Rouza had only met a few people who could exude such an impressive aura. Each of them was exceptional, and it was clear that Yukina had a hint of that as well.
At the same time, he was certain.
──He would eventually cross swords with this man.
Rouza was known as a big gambler, recognized by both himself and others.
He loved to spend the money he earned from gambling extravagantly, but more than anything, he craved the intense thrill of a serious match.
Being a lazy person at heart, he genuinely enjoyed putting his whole being on the line for a moment of confrontation. Because he desired the laziness of everyday life, he cherished those fleeting moments where everything was at stake.
Gain or lose. Join or resist. Win or lose. Live or die.
The opponent has weapons with a will just like their own. There's no way they would be lacking. Even wrapped in an unprecedented chill, Rouza was fully experiencing a tension that felt like it was burning him from the inside.
──The greatest strength of gambler Rouza is his ability to read the atmosphere.
Using all 5 senses and even a 6th sense, he reads the opponent's aggression and the flow of luck, sensing and determining the key points of the match. When losing, he minimizes the damage, and when winning, he maximizes his gains. Rouza has been very skilled at this since long ago.
In that regard, Yukina is very easy to read. Perhaps he is even aware of it himself. If he can figure out when, where, and how the attack will come, it becomes easy to deal with him.
──That should be the case, but.
Yukina's attacks, even if he reads the starting point correctly, send shockwaves that make Rouza's spine tremble. Even knowing this, he can't hold it back. If he makes even the slightest mistake in his reading, he risks being turned upside down in an instant.
The flow of the match is slightly in his favor. However, Yukina's fierce spirit is strong enough to easily swallow that advantage. With just a small trigger, the balance of the situation can tip dramatically.
In a serious match, the fact that 'anything can happen' is the most dangerous situation to be aware of. Rouza's instincts felt this to be the most terrifying against Yukina.
──Therefore, he plays his strongest card while maintaining his advantage.
'The preparations are complete, Rouza-sama.'
The azure monk staff (Touga), which had been silent until now, speaks to him through telepathy.
──WHOOSH!
"Nuuhh!?"
By chance or on purpose, the black spear swung sharply at the slight opening Rouza showed, and he quickly deflected it with his azure monk staff. The timing was perfect. However, it still had enough power to blow him away.
Even without a direct hit, he could feel his bones creaking and his insides shaking. It felt like being hit by a massive iron weight swung by a giant.
"Raaaa!"
Yukina raised the black spear high, letting out a loud battle cry at the sight of Rouza losing his balance. For him, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But Rouza also had the same chance in mind.
While still on one knee, Rouza stabbed the azure monk staff into the ground.
At that moment, Yukina's eyes widened in shock as he swung the black spear back. The spear (Gram) must have given him a warning.
"Sorry, but it's too late now."
From the spot where the azure monk staff was planted, 'Great Ice Prison' erupted, quickly enveloping Yukina, who was poised to strike with the black spear.
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