With a red spark, Count Salzberg's sword gouged out Ryoma's right cheek.
　At that moment, an intense heat, as if he had been pressed with a burning trowel, struck Ryoma.
　At first, there was no change in appearance.
　However, eventually, the wound began to open up a little by little, and the raw flesh underneath the skin began to show its face.
　However, the peach-colored flesh appeared for only a moment.
　Gradually, countless bright red dots emerged, and soon they became countless threads that silently dripped down towards Ryoma's chest.　
　Ryoma didn't feel any pain.
　If he had to, the only thing uncomfortable would be the feeling of wetness on his cheek.
This is probably the result of the large amount of adrenaline being produced in the brain in the event of a life threatening situation.
　Right now, Ryoma's heart was filled with amazement and admiration.
　It's not indignation at Count Salzberg's mother-in-law for taking him by surprise, nor is it anger at himself for not being able to prevent the blow.
　Indeed, a blow in the middle of a conversation is a surprise attack.
　In the general sense of the word, it is certainly a blow that can only be called cowardly.
　But what is the value of such criticism?
　Surprising, deceitful, and using a verbal blade to upset the opponent is even the rudiments of battle. Such things are only natural to do and to be done.
　The two men in this room right now, pointing their swords at each other, are not dancing. They are killing each other, risking their lives.
　There are no rules for killing each other.
　There are only consequences. The living and the dead.....
　Then what had shaken Ryojin's heart, the answer was really simple.
''I'm surprised I didn't expect you to use a shrinking cloth. I didn't mean to be caught off guard, but I received a rather heavy one.
　Even though it has weakened somewhat, blood is still flowing down from Ryoma's cheek without stopping. The fact that this amount of blood comes out despite the massive secretion of adrenaline, which has a hemostatic effect, is proof that this wound is quite deep.
　While his right cheek turns bright red, Ryoma smiles.
　At Ryoma's words, Count Salzberg laughed happily.
''Oh no, you really are a good fighter. There are only a few people in my memory who are skilled enough to prevent a blow like that from happening. And that was a surprise attack, no matter how you try to explain it. I never thought I would receive a word of praise instead of blame for that.
'The word "cowardly" is just a loser's crap... right?
　When he said that, Ryoma showed him his shoulders, cowering.
　Sports have rules. But there are no rules for killing each other.
　No, to be more precise, it's not that there aren't any, but to be honest, there's no point in it.　
　Because unless there are people standing by in a special environment like a duel, killing each other is basically settled by the parties involved.
　And there is no common set of rules between the two parties before they start killing each other, nor is there a paper trail to prove it.
　As long as the fighters cannot have a common understanding of the rules, there is no such thing as a foul.
　And even more so, if there were spectators around, there were only two people in this room, Mikoshiba Ryoma and Count Salzberg.
　If they had left behind a document setting out the method of battle, what good would it do?
　In order for a rule to be effective as a rule, it must be monitored by something with absolute power.
　It's not just a matter of how many people are on the planet, it's a matter of how many people are on the planet.
　This inability to do so is the reason why warfare continues to rage around the globe even though people say they don't like war.
　When it comes to the current offensive and defense, blaming the other side for their cowardice will not only mean nothing, it will cause them to lose their cool and dig their graves.
　Knowing this, Ryoma would not condemn Count Salzberg.
　However, Ryoma's attitude tugged at the heartstrings of Count Salzberg, and he laughed again.
It's good, really good. It's a good thing that the latest knight who is obsessed with chivalry and doesn't know the battlefield can't say these words.
'Well, it seems that there are many who are adamant about chivalry.
By the way, I heard that you had a lot of trouble with that during the last civil war...
　Ryoma guesses who the words are referring to and smiles bitterly.
''Yeah, that's just...''
　A monster of coldness and rationality who can take any means for his own benefit. Frankly speaking, it can be said that Ryojin and Count Salzberg are generals with the same qualities. If it were up to me, I'd want to bring him into my side as my top priority.

　The death of Count Salzberg has already become an imperative due to the intertwined agendas of various people.
　It's not just a matter of time before he is killed, it's also a matter of time before he can be overturned by a single thought from Mikoshiba Ryoma.
(But........when the Count is a monster that even uses shrinkage.......)
　The blow delivered by Count Salzberg just now is a technique that is worthy of being called an immense feat.
　Shrinkage.
　Originally it was a warp-like movement method used by hermits in Daojutsu, but in Japanese martial arts it has a slightly different meaning.
　This technique, which uses a fast and disorienting gait to close the gap and then unleashes an attack, is the culmination of a long process of accumulating the three elements of mind, technique and body.
　This means that he is an overwhelmingly superior opponent to Ryoma Mikoshiba.
''It can't be helped. I'll have to use my inner strength.
"Oh, you still have a trump card!　No, no, he's a very interesting man indeed.
　At the words of Ryoma, who cowers his shoulders with a single sigh, Count Salzberg chuckles in amusement.
''Yes, I do have one.......though it's not a move I'd want to use very often.
　Both hands gripping the hilt are filled with strength.
　This trump card, which he used once before, invites Liang Shin to the realm of a warrior god beyond humanity. So much so that he can slaughter the monster called a giant beast by himself.
　However, the mighty power could be a blade that could kill you if you failed to control it.
It's not just a matter of time before you're ready. "Wake up, wail, and give your resentment to me.
　A whisper spilled from Ryoma's lips.