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Chapter 465
Chapter 465
Chapter 465
Chapter 465: Wind Sword Domain
For the time being, we decided to brainstorm a strategy and left the inn. It was dangerous to stay in the inn for too long with those companions. Nigel might not be able to understand the movements of the royal guards in the castle, but Eric, who is inside the castle, could.
The royal guard takes turns guarding the castle and my father, but the duty of protecting my father is mainly the job of the First Knight Order. Of course, there are exceptions, and such deviations could be dismissed as rare, but such discomfort accumulates into questions.
For this reason, we moved the scene to the castle. Alida returned to her guard duty, and Theodore and Elna began to spar.
As long as I'm with Elna, no one will suspect me.
Inside a circular ring, Elna and Theodore were there, swords at the ready. They were genuinely sparring, with no holds barred. The opponent is a genius recognized by Rossarc. They need to seriously practice with an equal opponent to improve their skills.
So I was watching their practice...
"It's hard to believe it's sane."
"Indeed."
Sebas agreed with my words. From his quick reply, it seems that Sebas feels more strongly than I do.
The only rule is not to step out of the circle. That's it. In other words, Elna and Theodore must confront each other directly without a place to run. To Sebas, who had lived as an assassin, it was an unimaginable practice.
Theodore was holding his sword low with both hands, and Elna was holding hers high. Then after a moment of strong wind, Elna's rapid attacks began. Without magic enhancement on my eyes, I had no idea what was going on. However, I did understand one thing: Theodore was able to fend off all those attacks without difficulty.
"Theodore is said to be a master of defense, a guardian of the sword, and there seems to be a reason for that."
"it's hard enough to handle just one of Elna's sword strikes, let alone multiple ones while standing still... Theodore's ability to handle them without difficulty gives a sense of his high level of skill."
"Although it's difficult to break an opponent focused on defense, I'm surprised Elna couldn't break through..."
In front of me, Elna's onslaught of attacks were repeating. But Theodore was taking all of them. Of course, there's a technique to it, but technique alone can't explain his super reactions.
The key lies around Theodore. Theodore has mastered the magic of the wind. He is combining that with his sword technique. He has a wind barrier around his body, which reacts to and intercepts any attacks that pass through it. His sword is also enveloped in wind, making it impossible to break unless with a significantly strong attack. This is Theodore's "Wind Sword Domain." It's an absolute defense that even Elna has never broken.
"I couldn't break it again..."
"If you could, I'd be out of a job."
In response to Elna's grumpy remark, Theodore laughed and replied, then walked over to me.
"That was a worthwhile practice."
"If Elna was at full power, it wouldn't have gone like this."
"You're not confident you could stop a sacred sword?"
"If I was willing to risk my life, I might be able to change its trajectory. But I don't intend to try."
"I thought so."
I laughed and looked at Elna. She looked genuinely troubled. This sore loser...
"By the way, can Nigel, your junior disciple, also use the same defensive swordsmanship?"
"He should be able to use it, though not as well as I can. However, he was a man more suited to offense, so he would prioritize overpowering his opponent with his attacks."
"Is personality reflected in swordsmanship?"
"Of course. My defensive swordsmanship, the Rossarc style Wind Form, is all about absolute defense. Therefore, opportunities for counter attacks are few. Unless you have a calm and persistent personality, you can't use it."
"I see. So it's not suitable for Elna."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean it's not for someone who thinks it would be faster to just knock everyone out in the exam, right?"
"Exactly."
Theodore agreed, and Elna fell silent. She couldn't stand up to her senior disciple, Theodore, and she couldn't deny her past actions. Well, it doesn't mean one is superior or inferior.
"The Wind Form, as the name suggests, requires you to flow like the wind and deflect everything. On the other hand, the secret technique written in the manual Nigel stole is the Flame Form, a swordsmanship that overwhelms the opponent like a flame."
"Can you use it?"
"I learned the basics, but I haven't mastered it. It's not a technique that suits me."
"So what would happen if the Wind Form and Flame Form fought each other?"
"It would lead to a stalemate. Both are concepts thought up by our master. They would nullify each other's strengths, leading to a long battle. The reason I need to borrow the hands of Alida and Elna is because of this."
Defense and offense.
A battle between masters who have mastered one or the other.
Is it inevitable that it will be drawn out?
It's sad that he probably wants to settle things with his own hands, but can't.
"If you could settle things with your own hands, would you want to?"
"I won't be selfish. After all, Your Highness is cooperating with me without gaining anything from it."
"True, I'm doing something that gives me no advantage... But this is the Imperial Capital. In times of crisis, it would be a sin for a member of the royal family to do nothing. Being a royal is a benefit in itself. If one enjoys even a bit of that benefit, responsibility arises."
Back during the battle with the vampires.
I told the vampires.
There must be those in this country who collect taxes and have their positions assured. It's the job of the empire's royals and knights to protect the empire. If they don't do their job now, they have no reason to exist.
At that time, Leo fulfilled that role.
This time, it's just me.
"I'm not convinced, but I understand. The answer to the question 'Why me?' is 'Because you're a prince.' That's all there is to it. So, you don't need to worry about me. Do you want to settle this with your own hands?"
"...If the opportunity arises."
"Alright. I'll consider it to the utmost."
After hearing Theodore's words, I nodded once and left the place.
If Theodore thinks it will be a stalemate, then the other side is likely thinking the same.
If they are thinking that, they will surely choose the place and time.
If they want to start a duel under the most favorable conditions, we also have ways to manage.
If they run wild indiscriminately, we can't do anything, but if they think about it, we can handle it.
Now, let's prepare.
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