The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 236: Hope in Anxiety
The shadow of the killer disappeared into thin air like a mirage. There is no reason to be surprised. With a Spirit Contractor as the opponent, it was a natural thing.
He calmly checked his presence and overhead, the air slightly wavered. Rather than ensuring the enemy directly, Kaizo quickly performed evasive maneuvers.
A moment later, the place where Kaizo was standing was peppered with magic «Destruction». The floor that became nothing was gouged out with the air. If it hit directly, one would disappear without a trace.
(I can't let it touch me one bit.) Kaizo gripped the copy even tighter.
(I will definitely protect this!)
At that time, Kaizo realized.
(So yes, this is the first time I have fought in this kind of battle.)
Without any orders, he wanted to protect something with his own will and fight while desperately wanting it.
The killer swooped in front of his eyes. In his hand was a sword made of magic. The knife ran. Kaizo immediately whipped out his one-handed sword, protecting the book in his chest.
The one-handed sword was knocked out as if it had been absorbed. The assassin kicked the ground again and moved into the attacking distance.
Just before the killer's blade touched the copy. Alicia's smile once again flashed across her mind.
(I won't let you!)
"Ohhhhhhh!"
Kaizo instantly inserted the divine power into his left hand.
Normally, Spirit Contractors without a Contracted Spirit could not use Spirit magic. However, Kaizo concentrated his holy power to the maximum extent and created a fake sword of holy power.
That may be in theory, but it was the first time it worked. The soaring divine power sword fended off the sword «Destruction» the killer. In addition, the black cloth mask was cut thin.
A soft cloth fell from the mouth of the murderer.
“I'm surprised. To think that other than through spirit magic, you will bring out the holy power sword.”
The one who smiled fearlessly was a beautiful girl with clear gray eyes.
"You!"
"This is a gift for that. Look through it this time."
And then, a flash of sword exploded.
"Amplete Sword Arts, First Form, «Vegu» Lightning Flashes."
****
"Law..."
Kaizo woke up again on a soft bed.
(Somehow, it feels like this has happened before.) In his hazy mind, he thought of that.
"It looks like you're finally awake." A bewitching voice came from near his ears.
Turning around, he found Aidenwyth sitting by the bed with a smile.
"What is all that about?" Kaizo asked looking unhappy. No, that's not a good question. He somewhat understood his purpose.
"Is there anything lacking in my sword?"
"Rubber. Because rather than through theory, it's faster to learn with the body."
Less than a Kaizo sword. It is the existence of something to protect. Of course, as he struggled to protect the book, that was Alicia, the sensation he had of that determination to protect felt like he had sharpened his entire body into a sword.
"With the body, yes." Kaizo said cynically and pushed the top of her aching shoulder.
Lastly, if Aidenwyth took out that sword technique, if Kaizo's reaction was even too slow, it would pierce his heart.
"People who have seen Absolute Blade Arts twice only consist of you. It's commendable."
"If I don't see it, I'll die."
"Well, that might be true."
Kaizo sighed at the witch without the slightest bit of fear, "By the way, your body back then, what exactly?"
Just then, the face she glimmered under the black cloth was a girl of about fifteen years old. His stature was also much smaller. If his physique was the same as it is now, perhaps Kaizo would have known his identity from the very beginning.
"I changed my body a little bit. I can restore my youth to a certain cycle."
In the past, it was «Hope» obtained «Biru» Palace Witch. And for some reason, Aidenwyth muttered that as if scorning himself.
"Young bet. Don't tell me, young and immortal?"
"It's not something comfortable. It was not something separate from this world, it was the spirit king's blessing." He shrugged his shoulders and opened the «Edith» key he had in his hand.
"Well, that's a promise. Put the ring in your hand."
"D-yes." Kaizo took out the ring and placed it on her palm with a nervous face.
Aidenwyth lined up the ritual instrument on the ground with a trained gesture and placed his hand on the ring, then started chanting the words of release written on the book.
The ring in his hand glowed bluish white. Moreover, the spirit language character written on the front face lit up as if it was on fire. The next second, strong winds raged within the room.
"Yes!"
"It's shocking. I didn't think it was the highest-ranked spirit that could be human." Aidenwyth raised a voice of admiration.
"Allen..." Kaizo's lips trembled and his outstretched fingers touched the wings.
The dark spirit girl who was released, put her hand on Kaizo's cheek and smiled gently and muttered, "I waited for you long enough, Kaizo."
****
"And, yeah..." Kaizo cleared his throat and continued, "a meeting between Aidenwyth and me like that," taking his eyes off Victoria a bit, he ended the story.
As he had expected, talking about things from the past was rather embarrassing. While Kaizo was telling her story, Victoria did not speak once and just stared at her while listening.
"You, that sounds troublesome."
"Yes, because of Aidenwyth, I faced what was called death many times."
Absolute Blade Art belonging to «The Blue» Palace Magician has been forged into his body. To be honest, he didn't really want to remember those unreasonable training days.
"Umm, that's not it. No, it's okay." Victoria corrected herself as she shook her head.
"So, what happens next?"
"next?"
"With the spirit of darkness freed. I don't know much about him."
"Th-that is..." Kaizo hurriedly shifted her gaze. If he continues his story further, he needs to talk about the birth of «Rei Assar».
Just then, the lights in the theater went out and the surroundings became pitch-black. It seems that the action drama will finally begin.
"It looks like it's about to start. We'll continue next time."
"You how else."
She heard Victoria's breath in the darkness, "But I'm a little jealous."
"Yes?"
"Because the headmaster and the dark spirit girl knew Kaizo from the past."
After saying that, Kaizo could only fall silent without being able to reply to Victoria's words. Victoria reopened the conversation.
"Hey, Kaizo."
"Yes?"
"I'm cold, warm me up." Saying that, Victoria placed her small hand over Kaizo's palm.
"Truly a wonderful princess." Kaizo smiled wryly and held the hand gently.
"I'm not jealous, okay," the voice came out of Victoria's mouth, but it was drowned out by the bell sound of the show.
****
POV: Aidenwythe Miel Kais
_____________________________________
In upscale hotel rooms built in the business district «Wind Palace». Aidenwyth looked down out the window at the night view that stood out against the darkness.
"This may be the last «Swagner» Style Festival this eye saw." He narrowed his eyes and felt a little sentimental.
Aidenwyth had debuted and won twenty-four years ago. He was fifteen at the time. At the time, the «Festival Sword» Style system was still working fine.
Three years ago, an invisible crack appeared. And now, the current competition clearly had unusual circumstances. It was a short cycle of just three years from the last tournament.
Participation in a dark spirit fight that is not the user's official contract spirit. Strange existence that is not elementalist, let alone human, «Nephesis Loran».
(What exactly started here?)
Coming to «Wind Palace» has been done under Aidenwyth's personal assessment. Overseeing the activities of his students was only public camouflage for the imperial higher ups.
(Despite that, they are already aware of something at that level.)
Aidenwyth pushed her glasses up and quietly moved away from the window. He continued his personal investigation into another Assar Rei that had appeared in the tournament at the moment.
When the «Corpse» Killer Union, Vivian Medusa, who was caught behind the scenes was interrogated, her name appeared.
Killer Union «Corpse» is connected to the executive and secret parts of the religious organization Alphen Territory. Therefore, Vivian Medusa knew a lot of information about that Assar Rei.
According to the story, the masked girl appeared in the empire two years ago. It seemed like he entered the secret agency of a religious organization called «Ular», and within a few months, he climbed to the top of the organization.
The tactical class military spirits that had been purchased with imperial capital numbered twelve. It seems that the number of subordinate spirit elementalists, including orphans from «Instructional School, has exceeded twenty.
(This is not for terrorism. It was almost like war preparation. Such a girl leads the elites and participates in the «Style Festival of Sword». What exactly is «Hope» that he keeps for himself? This is not world peace!)
He sighed deeply and muttered, "While this heart is still beating, I must convey it to the boy," by putting his tender hand on his chest.
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.