Volume 5 Chapter 17 The Duel Challenge With A Magic Sword.
"Hey! Come out, Horace! I challenge you to a duel!"
The area in front of the Hero's Mansion is usually quiet.
Well, it's mostly visited by people you wouldn't want to deal with, like knights from the Theocracy Nation, adventurers with bad reputations, and others who are hard to understand, like the ones here today. Even though it's the home of the hero, there's almost no business activity around it.
So, it probably gives the impression that "it's okay to cause trouble here."
Ratis, wearing a two-handed sword with a dragon design on the handle, is shouting in front of the gate.
"...Hmm, there's a strange feeling in the air. I see, so thats is the magic sword."
"But its power feels small. There seems to be more to it than meets the eye."
"Well, I don't think he can beat my big brother."
Horace, Rangella, and Nousa were talking.
They all probably feel the same way: this is "troublesome."
For now, since Horace stood up, the other two also stood up and followed him.
They opened the door, went outside, and headed to the front of the gate.
"Finally, you came out! Keeping me waiting, what do you think you are?!"
"Whether you or I are important, you're not someone I should be polite to."
"Shut up! And why do you look so thin?"
"Personal reasons. It's none of your business."
Personal reasons. Though, it's not complicated or anything. He was just pushed aside.
But there's no need to talk about all the details of what happened last night, so "personal reasons" is probably the best way to put it.
"Tch, you're wasting time! Hey, you've got the fragments, right?!"
In response to Ratis's shout, Horace pulls out two fragments from his pocket.
"Let's duel with those on the line! The winner should be the one worthy of holding them!"
"So basically, you're not risking anything, huh?"
"Shut up! Can't you just listen to what I say?!"
"What will you do if I can't listen?"
"Those fragments aren't something you're worthy of. I'll defeat you with this magic sword and take them!"
Ratis said that and drew the magic sword he wore on his waist.
The sword looked mysterious, and everything about it was black.
"You understand, right? You're a monster. Even if I kill you, it won't be a crime!"
"Well, that's true, so I won't deny it, but..."
"Then, let's settle this with a duel! If you surrender, I'll stop."
"..."
"Big brother. When words don't work, you can always use actions."
"Who said that?"
"Mom."
"I figured as much."
"──What kind of lesson is that?"
Horace's face darkened at Nousa's advice, but Rangella had no choice but to comment on the extra remark.
When words don't work, use force.
That's probably how the world works.
However, society should try to avoid violence as much as possible.
In the middle of this, it's just bad for teaching.
"Hmph, so it's a duel. Personally, I really dislike when that word is used so easily, but... there's no choice."
Horace sighed.
"Here I go, dieeeeeee!"
The moment Horace was about to move, Ratis swung his sword and attacked.
The precision of his swordsmanship, coming from a stable and strong stance, was definitely impressive for a swordsman.
"Hmph... hsh!"
Horace, with nothing in his hands and no equipment, placed his right hand on his empty waist.
As if there were a sword there, he gripped the handle tightly and swung his right arm in one go.
In the next moment, a sword appeared and clashed with Ratis's magic sword.
"Hmph... where did that sword come from!"
"Try to think hard about it."
The two were locked in a sword clash, their blades grinding against each other.
But Ratis, despite his effort, couldn't push his sword forward at all.
"Wh-what's going on? I can't push it at all..."
"What's wrong? Aren't you proud of your sword skills? Go ahead and win already."
"Shut up! I'm the strongest swordsman of the Order of the Sealed Dragon! Now that I'm holding this 'magic sword Duran,' no one can beat me!"
Ratis stepped back and swung his sword again.
It's not about one strong attack, but continuous strikes.
Each of them accurately targets a part of the opponent's body that could weaken them if hit, and as expected, the swordsmanship is good.
However, none of them get through as Horace's sword blocks them.
"Wha-what is this? What am I cutting... I hear the sound, but it feels... strange..."
"Hmm? You finally noticed something's off?"
"What the hell, you!"
Ratis looks upset, but Horace keeps his surprised face.
"Hey, big brother. That's the same as mom's, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Heh... he can keep it up for so long, that's impressive."
"What are you talking about!"
"Well, to put it simply, big brother is... holding nothing right now."
"Huh?"
Ratis looks confused after hearing this from Nousa.
When he looks at Horace, there is indeed a sword in his right hand.
"Holding nothing? Are you blind!"
"...Eh, Ah, no, wait... Huh?"
Ratis yells, but ignoring him, Rangella looks like she's thinking, 'What is this nonsense?'
"Oh, Ms. Rangella. Did you notice like me?"
"Well, kind of... But, is it possible? Like, 'using only willpower to hold a sword and trick everyone' or something..."
"...W-what are you guys saying?"
"You don't get it unless I explain? The sword I'm holding... no, 'holding' isn't even the right word. The sword you think is here is just an illusion. This sword wasn't taken from an item box, nor was it made from magic. It doesn't exist at all."
"...No, that's a lie."
"You and everyone else are being tricked. Just by my presence, everyone believes I'm a swordsman holding a sword."
"That's such a ridiculous story!"
"Well, it only works if there's not a huge difference in strength. Seriously, mom's swordsmanship is amazing, and when I was a child, she often played with me using this trick."
"Wha, you're saying you played with me!"
"Huh? Of course. How could there be a 'fight' between you and me?"
Horace takes a step forward.
...Just how much does that one step mean?
Yes, when someone 'clearly superior' takes a step forward with the intent to attack.
"W-wait!"
"A duel is something you stake your pride on. Don't worry, I'll crush you."
In the next moment, Horace closed in on Ratis.
Without hesitation, he thrust the sword he had into Ratis.
"Ugh..."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you."
"Ha, haha... Uooooooh!"
The sword that had been thrust into Ratis's chest.
However, if he knows it's not real, it doesn't hurt the body.
And since it's stabbed into his body, as long as it's not pulled out, Horace is unarmed.
Then, if he fights back here...
"Don't underestimate me."
"Huh?"
When he looked up from the sword in his chest, there was Horace, winding up his right fist.
Without hesitation or holding back, he punched Ratis straight in the face.
"Bueeaaahhhh!"
Spinning wildly in the air, he crash-landed on the cobblestone and then rolled away.
Ratis stopped after a few seconds, but was completely unconscious.
Moreover, it seems he had 'adjusted' things, as there were no injuries at all.
"As expected, when it comes to stress relief, fists are better than swords. Yeah."
"That's right, Master. When aimed at people, fists are better than swords. Swords are more dangerous."
"What are these master and disciple even talking about..."
Horace, looking pleased, and Rangella, nodding in agreement.
In contrast, Nousa, looking annoyed.
...Could it be that these guys, when they want to let out their daily frustrations, intentionally pick fights just to beat people up?
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