Standing in front of me are the two remaining assassins.
　One stepped back in dismay, but the other seemed unfazed.
　I catch a glimpse of a scabbard under his robe. --He's got a sword on his hip.

(This guy is ......)

　The assassin with the sword gives orders to the rear.
　The assassin then follows the instructions and disappears from the scene. Instead of two against one, it's one against one.
　One side seems to have chosen the path of stalling.
　The assassin with the sword takes a step forward.
　After a moment of silence, the assassin opens his mouth.

You're not going after him?
I will if you let me.
Hmm, that's impossible.
Of course not.
"Well, sir, ......?

　Iris asks in a worried voice.
　I only give her a hand signal to reassure her. The first one - the third one to be exact - has been defeated.
　But the assassin in front of me is a little different.

"I came here with great joy when I heard that I could fight the Saint Princess. It's not so easy. She's just an ordinary girl. I thought it wouldn't be worth fighting if it ended with an attack like that, but I guess it's not fortuitous. --I never expected someone like you to come along.
Is that a compliment to me?
"Indeed!

　At the top of his voice, the assassin took off his robe. His long gray hair was tied back and he wore an old-fashioned kimono.
　He is not a big man. Stroking his stubble, he touches the sword at his hip.

My name is Azuma Krai. My name is Azuma Kry, and I'm one of the Swordsmen.
I'm one of the "Swordsmen," ......?

　When Iris hears those words, she squeals in surprise.
　I know that name too.
　Swords and swords - a mercenary organization that finds joy in slaying people with them. It is said that as long as they have the money, they will always slay any opponent, half-legendary existence.
　--It is said that there is no exception, even if the opponent is a Sword Saint.

Do you know the girl there?
I don't know her, she's not famous. ......!　I'm...
Good. I have nothing to say to you. I have a prior engagement with a very skilled young man.
A commitment? I'm not making any promises.
That's good. Right now, at this very moment, we are both looking at each other to see when we will cut each other down. While we are talking, or after we finish talking. Maybe when we breathe in, maybe when we breathe out, maybe when we close our eyelids. Let's keep feeling each other's fear of death.
"Fear of death. I don't think we're both feeling that, are we?
...... Good, better and better. So much so that I wish this time could go on forever. But I can't take it anymore.

　At that moment, Azuma moved. He didn't move from the spot.
　He slumped slightly and drew the sword at his waist. With a flickering motion, the silvery blade of the sword could be seen.
　Iaijutsu is a technique used by sword wielders. It's not the right distance for a sword, but I know it.
　The blade could reach me - or more precisely, the blade made up of magical power.
　In that sense, it was similar to my swordplay.
　The air trembled and the trees shook. The force and power that collided in midair created a huge impact.
　Azuma moved backward slightly.

"Invisible, was it?
I don't know.　I didn't know there were people who could tell just by looking.

　We both just swung a single sword at each other.
　With that, Azuma seemed to understand my swordplay.

It's not just what you see. I can hear it in the sound of your swordplay - is it the same as the Sword Saint's?
If you know so much about it, I guess you don't need to give it away.

　Now it's my turn to move.
　I sit down slightly and swing my arm. There it is--the Invisible Blade. It's a sword created by wind magic, using only wind pressure.
　Normally, it has no function as a sword.
　Because wind is invisible and has no substance.
　But I'm using a wind blade. It releases a strong amount of magic power and creates a real sword with magic power for just a moment. It doesn't matter if the opponent is some distance away. It'll feel like you're just being slashed from nothing.


　This is the Invisible, one of the swordsmanship specialties of the Sword Saint, Raoul Isaruf.
　A few meters away from me and Azuma, the sound of swords colliding with swords echoed.
　It was not a metallic sound, but a sound like a compressed bag exploding. With a bang and a bang, the invisible blades crossed. The end was also instantaneous.

"K--

　What grazed my cheek was the blade of wind that Azuma unleashed.
　The blade that sliced through Azuma's body was the blade of wind that I had created. The clash of wind against wind, blade against blade, I was superior.
　Azuma's body swayed and fell forward.
　A moment later, with a step, Azuma ran forward. Sheathing his sword, his expression was devilish.
　But there was also a look of joy on his face - it was clear that Azuma was finding joy in the fight. I guess that's what swordsmen are for.
　Still, I can't reach him.

...

　A blow as we passed each other.
　I sliced away Azuma's sword, and this time my blade dealt a fatal blow to Azuma.
　Despite the fatal wound, Azuma slowly turns around and smirks.

"What's your name?
"Alta Schweizer. I just became an instructor at this school yesterday.
"...... Alta, huh. Thank you. ...... I never thought I'd feel so elated on my deathbed. ....... I'm not sure what to say.

　Azuma finally laughed out loud and collapsed on the spot.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"......

　He let out a small breath. As expected, I was a little nervous.
　It's been a while since I've fought with any kind of concentration.
　The swordsmen - if there were others of that level coming, this escort mission might be quite arduous.
　If there were other people of the same level working with him, they would be coming for Iris' life.
　And now one of their own is going to be killed. If the group is made up of people like Azuma, then they must be a bunch of battle freaks.

(I'm going to demand a raise in pay from the ...... leader, but first things first...)
......

　Iris looks at me with a dazed expression.
　One of them got away, but for once I had no choice. If you try to chase them, there is a chance that Iris will be killed.
　Perhaps the paralyzing poison was still lingering in her system, but she slumped to the ground.
　I walked up to her and said.

I walked up to her and said, "You should know that I'm only that serious. I don't know why you want to fight me so badly, but I think you know how strong I am.
"......
Let's just get back to it.

　I reached out my hand, and Iris gently took it.
　She grasped my hand so tightly that I could hardly believe she was paralyzed.

"Thank you, sir. And... I got you.
"What?

　My eyes widen in surprise.
　She saw me fight, and then she said it.

(Is this girl for real? ......)

　I was so surprised that I couldn't respond to Iris' words for a while.