It was a one-sided and overwhelmingly scheduled overrun.
　Every time Ardis ducked, the enemy's cavalry steadily decreased in number.
　At the same time, the number of flying swords, which had increased countless times, attacked like arrows fired at the same time and drove the cavalrymen into a corner.

　The enemy was already floating and there was no formation or anything else.
　With the exception of a few who had direct visibility of Ardis, they disappeared from their horses without even being able to grasp what they were fighting against.

　Of course, Aldis doesn't have much time to spare.
　This is the result of the enemy's confusion, and the enemy's goal was the extermination of all of Aldis and the others, which is the reason for their superiority.
　If this many of them had pointed the finger at Kirill and the other students from the start, it would have been difficult to prevent every single one of them, even if they were indeed Ardis.

　However, the current situation is proceeding as Aldis had planned.

　It is a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're on your own.
　But having failed to do so and stopped dead in his tracks, Aldis no longer has any cause for concern.

　Another rider, the sword wielded by Ardis causes the horseman to bleed and fall off his horse.
　As Aldis kicked the back of the riderless horseman and leaped, a single dagger flew at his leg as he was about to land.

''Poof!''

　Aldis ducked in a panic as the projectile was sharper than expected. The dagger that failed to catch his leg was thrust deep into the rough earth.

''There's an opening!

　A horseman who threw a dagger at Aldis, who was out of stance, comes charging in.
　In order to intercept that cavalryman with a javelin in hand, Ardis swung the 'Tsukishirofubuki' that was waiting at his side from the enemy's side.

''Hmph!''

　However, the cavalryman drew his long sword from his waist and dispelled it with a single swing, a blow that should have taken him by surprise.

　Aldis looked away for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and intercepted the enemy who charged at him.
　Once he jumps back diagonally, he kicks the earth as soon as he lands and rapidly changes his vector forward.
　He instantly increased his speed to close the distance, and with both hands firmly gripping the Sotensaika, he thrust up from underneath his opponent's feet.

　Its sharpness is unparalleled.

　It's a blow that has mowed down many cavalrymen on this battlefield as well.
　But that--

''You're going to prevent it!

　Unintentionally, a startling word escapes from Aldis' mouth.

　A cold chill runs down Aldis's spine as he is dispatched with the long sword for the satisfying thrust he released and subconsciously tries to step in to make his next move.
　Almost instinctively retreating back, Aldis' face was struck by the enemy's single right-handed javelin strike.

(Not good!)

　Deciding that it would be impossible to retreat in time, Ardis quickly deployed a barrier.
　The barrier built to block the spearhead and Ardis was broken through and dissipated the moment it was born.

(Lightly!)

　The enemy's strike, which I thought I could prevent with room to spare, is unexpectedly sharp.

　Nevertheless, even if you can't stop the spear, you can at least reduce its momentum for a moment.
　For Ardis, that one moment is enough.

　He assessed the point of arrival where the spearhead would finally pierce, and understood with his senses that his evasion would be in time, but the next moment he was informed that it was a naive estimate.

(Stretching?!)

　The tip of the earpiece, which was still approaching past the expected point of arrival, made Aldis' skin flush.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　The spear passes by Ardis's side as she dodges in the nick of time.

　Instantly, Aldis realized why the spear had cornered him.
　After the enemy broke through Aldis's barrier, as soon as he realized he couldn't reach his pause, he let the spear go from his hand and extended its limit of reach.
　Although it was a one-time surprise attack, it was enough to catch Ardis off guard and make him break out in a cold sweat.

　Sensing the next danger, he raised his Aoten Aika and a heavy blow was struck there.

''Ho!　Let's prevent this too!

　The cavalryman grins with an admiring voice.

　Their clothes are luxurious, and at a glance it is clear that they are different from other ordinary cavalrymen.
　The voice of a cavalryman who seemed to be the commander of the enemy troops that just came out of his mouth said.

''It's amazing that there are so many messengers in the kingdom!

　An enemy cavalryman, who seemed to be the commander, strained his voice as he crossed swords with Ardis.

''It's mutual.

　The opposite Ardis also has a look of surprise in her eyes.
　Not since Ted in Byakuya's Myoujo, had there been an opponent who had so easily dismissed Aldis' attack with pure martial arts alone, since Ted in Byakuya's Myoujo.

It's a shame to let that power dissipate here. "It would be a shame to let your power dissipate here, but I've lost a lot of my men as well...

　The forces pushing their swords into each other were at odds, but it was the cavalry captain who first broke the balance.

''You must die!

　He catches Aldis' sword while gently drawing his long sword.
　The cavalry captain's blade attacked Ardis, who drew his sword as well to prevent him from losing his stance, striking the first move.

　Of course, that attack was expected by Aldis as well.

''I refuse!

　As he tried to flick the long sword that was swung down with the Aoten Saihua, Ardis realized that he had failed to take the initiative again.
　This is because the cavalry captain's body, along with the long sword, was covered straight up towards Ardis.

(The whole body!)

　The cavalry captain threw his body off his mount and unleashed a blow that carried his momentum and weight.

(You're going to combine them!)

　Sensing his intentions, Aldis quickly tried to kick the cavalry captain in the groin, but so did his enemy. He reflexively turned his right knee to the bottom of his right leg inward to block it.
　However, it broke the cavalry captain's stance as he tried to clinch Aldis down.

　Their bodies collided with each other.
　Immediately deflecting the momentum by deflecting half of his body, Aldis jumped back from the spot and took his distance.

　The cavalry captain, who dismounted without showing any hesitation, had a surprising look on his face.

''Quite a drastic thing to do, isn't it?

I don't even have a riding advantage in this situation anyway.

That makes sense.

　Ardis agrees with the cavalry captain who replies while standing up.
　The cavalry captain's eyes narrow with an expression that says "I knew it," after the black-haired boy's words and attitude.

''You are not just a mercenary. What are you?''

I'm sorry to ask you to buy me out, but I'm just a mercenary.

Hm!　Do you think that a mere mercenary is playing tricks on my hippopotamus?　I'm not kidding.

It doesn't matter if you're joking or not, reality is reality. It doesn't matter who I am or who you are or where you are, does it?

　The cavalry captain shut his mouth at Aldis's provocative attitude.

　After a long but brief silence, the cavalry captain uttered some regretful words.

...... Was it a mistake to underestimate the mere presence of one person and stop flying horses?

　But saying that now would not make things better.
　If the cavalrymen knew about Ardis and the existence of sword magic, this wouldn't have worked out so well.
　They would have avoided fighting a tough opponent and suffered no small amount of damage if they were charged with all their cavalry towards Ardis' rear.

''That's frank. It would be helpful to us if you could just honestly admit defeat and pull back, too.

Get off me!　After all these subordinates, I can't back down with a big smile on my face!

　As he shouted, the cavalry captain held his long sword in both hands and slashed at him.
　The sword barrel of the intercepting Aoten Saika shone sky blue in the sunlight.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　The cavalry captain retreated backwards and dodged the blow, then quickly closed the distance and slammed a sharp sword strike into Ardis.

　One, two, three.
　There was a dull metallic sound as the swords were struck by each other's two hands.

　The cavalry captain's long sword swung sideways at Aldis's side.

''You have a good arm for someone so young!

Thank you for that!

　He flicked it off with Soten Saihua, and Ardis saw a slash to the cavalry captain's hand as a return favor.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

It's time to get this done. It's time to get this over with.

Yeah.

　Ardis, on the other hand, wordlessly readied his Aoten Aika and looked at the cavalry captain's way out.

(Hmm?　(The magic is ......)

　Ardis, who had been gazing at the cavalry captain, noticed a change in the flow of magic power floating around him.

　At the same time, the cavalry captain's mouth spun out an unfamiliar sentence.

''--My power, my blade, my aspiration (kokorozashi). --The sound of red, the spirit of black, the life of silver. The reward is here - the atmosphere of confusion.

(Chanting?　(What?)

　A magic chant that Ardis had never heard before.
　It is certain that there was some kind of movement using magic power, but as expected of Ardis, he cannot predict magic he has never seen or heard before.

　As the chanting ends, the cavalry captain brings out a sharp thrust with his long sword towards Ardis.

(Body enhancement?)

　Predicting from the cavalry captain's actions that the magic he used would strengthen the body or give some effect to the weapon, Ardis chose to deploy a barrier against physical attacks instead of a magical barrier.
　Unlike the makeshift barrier that was deployed and broken in a haphazard manner earlier, it was a solid barrier that was created by meticulously constructing magic power.

''I got it!

　The cavalry captain's long sword thrust out with spirit.
　Even if you can't completely flip it, the tip of it, which seemed certain to kill its momentum, slipped smoothly through the barrier.

(Slipped through!)

　Ardis rushed to get rid of the long sword with the Aoten Saihua, but the sword's blade cuts through the air without any response.

(An illusion!)

　Aldis instantly discovers its true identity and the effect of the magic used by the cavalry captain.
　However, at that time, the real long sword, which was already aimed at Aldis's brow, was right in front of her.

''Kuch!''

　Faster than he could think, Aldis's instincts called back the flying swords.

　He combined the five flying swords in front of him as he jumped backwards (swooping backwards), creating a pentagonal pyramid-like shape that was tipped on its side.
　He wrapped the cavalry captain's long sword around the base of it and spun it around the long sword.

　This time it was the cavalry captain's turn to shout in surprise.

''What?!''

　The cavalry captain tries to pull back the long sword that was almost blown away by the spinning flying sword, but of course Ardis doesn't miss the opportunity.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Sheesh--!

　The cavalry captain's voice was cut off there as he realized his failure.
　He didn't even give him time to evade, because Aoten Saihua slashed his throat.

　The cavalry captain slowly tilted his body and fell down, creating a red stain on the rough earth.

''Ta, the captain is ......!

　Turning to the stunned cavalrymen around him, Ardis gave a wry smile and warned them.

''Do you still want to do it?　If you're up for it, I'll take you on as many times as I can.

　The enemy's cavalrymen must have seen him as a fearsome demon with countless flying swords floating around him.
　Eventually, as the death of the cavalry captain spread through the troops, the enemy lost the will to fight and began to retreat.

　When the sight of them disappeared, Aldis finally breathed a breath of relief.

''Phew. I guess we've managed it.''

　After sheathing Aoten Ayaka and calling back Kiku Haruka and Tsukishiro Fubukiuki, Ardis turned her body to the students who were stunned in the back.
　A voice directed at no one else spilled out of the students' mouths.

'Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ....... We've won!

I really did get rid of that number, all by myself: ......

'No way. ....... What the hell is that ......?

　The scene unfolding in front of my eyes may be so unrealistic that I can't believe it.
　Even the soldiers of the messenger seem to have lost their voices now.
　Even Kirill, who should be the one who understands Aldis's abilities the most, had a subtle expression on his face that is hard to describe.

''Alright. Well then, let's move quickly before the new guys arrive.''

　Regardless of their feelings, Ardis gave the order in a light tone that made it hard to believe that they had fought a fierce battle just now.