"The rules are a one-on-one match. You win when your opponent gives up or stops short. I have no intention of harming you here.

　Futa nodded lightly to Richter.

So let's get started.






　Richter, the Gladius, is about to unleash a sortie! The stance is simple.







　The stance is simple. It's a good idea to be prepared to slash with a low stance, keeping your cutting edge pointed at Futa.

　Futa, on the other hand, took the exact same stance.

　Richter's eyebrows twitched.

"Whatever they said, they were telling the truth. I thought you were going to use the Konzesh?
It's none of your business what I use.
"...... must be. All you have to do is crush it so that you can't even excuse yourself for losing because it's your weapon of choice.
Oh, don't worry then.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

"The weapon you use is my weapon of choice.
"You barked.

　Richter's eyes narrowed, and then he jerked to his feet.
　The next moment, with an explosion of momentum, he was directly in front of Futa.


　--Gladius.


　It is a simple double-edged sword, also known as a duelist's sword.
　It is a sword within a sword, with no guard, just a grip and blade.

　That is why the fight is a simple game of slashing and crushing the opponent.

　There is no need for twists and turns. Just a battle to "prove" one's strength head on.


　The sword represents the man.


　There is a word for that in this world.

　It's a common expression that says you can tell a lot about a person by the sword they hold.

　But Futa knows it to be true.



　Iron and iron clashing bluntly.


"Ohhhh!
!

　He plunges headfirst, swinging his raised sword down.
　In response to this extremely foolish action, Futa responded by raising the same sword he had lowered.

　With both hands, they tried to push the other into the ground.


　The winner of the battle, as I suspected, would be Futa.


　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what to do.

You're better than me in terms of simple strength.
You're better than me in simple strength.

　The clash with Richter that remains in Futa's arm.

　It was more than a little heavy for a man who swung his sword to measure the difference in strength between him and his opponent.
　It was a blow with all his might, you could say.

　However, it could be said that it was a blow with all my strength, because my body was not yet warmed up.

　In that sense, it may not have been "all-out," but it felt like a spurt from the beginning of the run.

　Futa was about to tilt his head and ask if he was just being strong, but Richter asked him with a question mark on his face.

Of course. I'm not sure what you mean by that.
It's not really a test, is it ......?
I've never gone easy on anyone in my life.
Oh, ......, you're that kind of guy.

　Testing your opponent's strength. It is an essential element in the battle of the strong.

　There are techniques that can only be unleashed if you know your opponent's capabilities in reading, knowledge, and reaction, and if you trust your opponent's capabilities.

　If the opponent is capable of fighting like this, he will respond to this. So, the main point comes after that.

　An opponent who can fight like this will know the weakness of this sword. So I'll exploit that weakness.

　If he's this good, he'll react to this surprise attack. So this is a fake.


　The first time Lilac and Futa met, they were "greeting" each other to see how good they were.

　But Richter has none of that.


"Have you ever killed someone who couldn't reach you?

　I asked him.
　The fact that he made no move to check his opponent's strength meant that he had struck down with a single blow all those who could not reach him.

　There is no study. Only the exchange of lives on the battlefield.

　He's a very different creature from a fighter.


Of course. Everyone who pointed a sword at me was against the house or the royal family.

　A bit of a faraway look in Richter's eyes.

"Don't worry. I'm used to being stopped short. Capturing them was part of the mission.


You're not just a ...... nobleman, are you?
Well. It's none of your business now. Let's go.

　He's coming at us head-on.

　A flash of lightning from the side is "fast" even to Futa's eyes.

　Sparks fly.

"d*mn it, not yet!

　More strikes. A series of blows. From a large horizontal cleave, a kesa, a cut-up, a downward swing, and a reverse kesa.

　The speed is so fast that even Futa is dazzled.

Lander Style Dueling Technique: One Stroke

　Like a stroke of the pen, a constant barrage of blows hit Futa.

　Futa uses his gladius to block all of them.


"There it is, the sword dance of Master Richter!
If I take that, I'll be dead already!
No one on the battlefield has ever survived that!

　--What Hooter doesn't know is that...
　What Huta didn't know was that when Lilac and Richter fought, Lilac would always be able to avoid this move and win the fight.
　The simple difference in skill gives Lilac the upper hand.

　However, if Lilac were to pull off this move, she would be forced to bend the knee before Richter.


"Master Futa!


　A worried voice echoed in the square.


　But...


"I see, it's your stamina that allows you to go all out from the start.
"How can you afford to open your mouth after such a barrage?

　This is a great way to make sure that you don't get caught in the middle.

　But that's not the case.

Imitation: Richter L. Klingbloom-Lander Style Dueling Technique: One Stroke

　Futa knew everything about this technique.

　He knew where to start swinging the sword next.

　This is a technique that keeps the sword swinging at peak efficiency.
　If he were to hit you without knowing, it would be a disaster.
　Besides, there are many junctures. If you challenge it with only half knowledge, the starting point will be shifted and you will be killed.

　But if you know all of them, react to all of them, and read all of them, there is nothing to be afraid of.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!
"Sharp and straight. Fast and many. It's simple, but in the end, it's all about skill. --Well, that's your move."

　Richter's gladius was straightforward.
　You've done a lot of work, honestly. There was no application, no finesse, but there was a solid foundation.

　The stamina to keep swinging his sword, and the strength to ward off his opponent's swords.
　With these alone, he has defeated all opponents head-on.


　But that's why.

　There is no reason for Futa to lose.

　All the fundamentals alone outweigh him.

"Not yet!　It's not over!

　Richter's sword comes down. Huta plays.

　Richter's sword is raised. Futa flips.

　Richter's sword is thrust out. Futa flips.


　At that time, the surroundings began to change.

"Master Richter, ......?
"Hey, why aren't you finished yet?
Why doesn't that guy look any different?

　The realm of the sword is incomprehensible to those who are far less capable.

　To them, Richter was a symbol of strength, nothing more, nothing less.
　How strong is Richter? Why is he strong? How is he strong?

　You don't understand that at all.

　So, being in league with Richter would unconditionally raise Futa's rank.

　In other words, it is an object of fear.

Why is ...... "unemployed" like ......?

　But that, too, ends with a "why". There is no understanding.

　And because it ends with "why," it gives rise to foolish people who make theories that suit them.

"Herr Richter!　Even if you're a guest of His Highness, don't go easy on him!
That's right!　And please don't play around with me!

　Deep down, they are afraid, which is why they contradict themselves.

　If you're really playing, why don't you just have fun with it?


"How about this!

　A thrust followed by a cleave. Every time Richter swings his sword, the dull clang of steel echoes.



I'll tell you what!
"-Mr. Richter, that's enough, right?

　Huta couldn't help but ask Richter, whose eyes were glazed over by the swinging sword.

　Richter's skill was understandable. He was top-notch enough. He might not be as good as Lilac, but he knew he was one of the best swordsmen in the country.

　That's why I didn't think he would misjudge Huta's ability.
　More importantly, his swordsmanship had already proven it.

　Then I thought Richter would understand.

　But...

"No, not yet!　You're not defeated until I admit defeat!　You forgot the victory condition!
Victory clause?

　Yes, we have a victory clause.
　Surrender or be stopped short.
　But wasn't the purpose to measure your strength?
　Futa tilted his head, but Richter barked again.

Yes!　That's why you're still with me!　I'll beat you!

　--Before he knew it, he had changed his name from "you" to "you".

　Richter's expression became a ferocious tiger smile.

"Ha, ha, ......!　I'm not done yet!

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

"Then I'm coming for you, Mr. Richter.
"Ha, come at me!

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

　He uses the exact same technique as Richter.

　It's the same technique that Richter uses.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!
There it is.

　A wave of attacks over and over again, with more physical strength than Richter.
　It's the simple strength that Richter himself has used to his advantage.

　This technique, which was a head-on assault on all of that, was vulnerable to being returned.

　And this was Richter's first attempt at such a long fight.
　He was so exhausted that he could barely feel his grip.

　There was a light click.

　Richter felt as if he had finally awakened.
　His own sword lying on the ground.
　Gladius pointed at him.

"Is it over?
"Yeah. I won, didn't I?

　I was surprised to find myself feeling sorry for myself.