Chapter: 253
Karl still remembers when he met his lady, the one he vowed to serve for life.
Back then, his lady was still delicate. It had been about a week since she had started training, so she wasn’t as sloppy as before, but just enough.
Her ability to handle a shield was outstanding, but aside from that, she was just an average person.
At that time, Karl didn’t have high expectations for Lucy’s talent.
He knew how exceptional the divines were on the contemporary continent.
No matter how great her talent was, he was convinced she wouldn’t be able to catch up now.
Karl’s judgment was quite reasonable. He had seen countless talents rise and fall before he established himself.
However, there was one thing Karl hadn’t considered. Common sense only applies to those who remain within its bounds.
For someone already standing outside of it, the word “common sense” holds no meaning.
Lucy Allen, that monster, proved to the world what it meant to inherit the blood of the Allen family within just a year. She showed that there is a sequel to the heroic tale written by Benedict Allen.
Even now, it was the same.
The being standing in front of Lucy was no ordinary presence. The skeleton claiming to be Garad, one of the heroes, undoubtedly possessed the power worthy of that name.
The enormous magic power lingering around the seemingly shabby bones.
Even with hundreds of years having passed since its death, its presence remained strong.
The overwhelming martial aura betrayed itself in every movement.
Just that proof alone.
As soon as Karl faced the skeleton, he assessed whether he could win against it.
And soon concluded that it was impossible. He could buy some time with his life, but that was it. Even if he collaborated with Professor Luca beside him, the outcome would not change.
Even now, Karl did not think his judgment was wrong. The sword strikes aimed at his lady were overwhelming.
Perhaps out of consideration for her, they were not powerful, but the mastery emanating from the hand holding the sword, the arm wielding it, and her body was far superior to Karl’s.
If he tried to block that sword now, he would surely end up being toyed with and lying on the ground.
Such was the swordsmanship. A technique worthy of the name of a hero.
Yet, Lucy effortlessly parried that swordsmanship.
The first attack.
It seemed light at first glance, but since it contained the pinnacle of swordsmanship, a clumsy response would result in being cut down along with the shield.
The second attack.
Karl thought it would be a horizontal slash, but instead, the sword shot upward from below, driving downward into the ground.
The third attack.
Rather than being blown away by the sword aimed at her shield, she even pushed it back.
The fourth attack.
She gracefully intercepted a swift strike that Karl could barely follow with his eyes.
If the sword of the skeleton was fitting of a hero, Lucy’s shield technique was also overwhelming enough to evoke memories of heroic tales.
Even after parrying that legendary sword technique four times, a sense of ease overflowed from Lucy’s face.
“…You call that a parry?”
Hearing the skeleton’s exclamation, Lucy casually checked her shield. Despite overcoming four trials, the shield Lucy held was spotless.
One might ask if she had just entered the trial.
“Is it weird?♡ Did I misunderstand?♡ A dog bone told me it would let me know the weight of a hero~♡”
As she thrust her shield forward, Lucy’s voice was filled with giggles as usual.
No matter who the opponent was, her peculiar lexicon made it impossible to contain her anger. One of the blessings Lucy possessed.
The skeleton, despite clenching its bones so hard that they creaked, couldn’t stop Lucy.
“Hey♡ Is this what you call the weight of a hero?♡ Kyaahhah!♡ It’s so heavy♡ I think it could serve as a paperweight!♡”
“…Enough already.”
Although Lucy’s former self might not have known better, the current Lucy understood discernment. She surely knew that such provocation would shatter her opponent’s consideration.
Still, the reason she continued to provoke was clear.
“Kyaah~♡ I’m so sorry~♡ The little girl’s shield is too weak to break through, huh?♡ You’ve probably forgotten what it means to be a hero because you’re too weak!♡ It would be great if you were a bit stronger!♡ Ugh♡ Hic♡”
Having gone through the previous attacks, she was unsatisfied.
She wouldn’t acknowledge that such an attack was a trial.
“Hmph.”
Realizing Lucy’s intent, Karl couldn’t help but exclaim.
It’s only been a year.
It’s been just a year since his lady sincerely began her training!
And yet, she was already stepping confidently towards the position of a hero, easily overwhelming the divines of her generation.
This wasn’t just because of the blood of the Allen family or love from the gods.
It was simply because the talent possessed by Lucy Allen was far too great for this world to bear.
Ah, it’s too fast. His lady’s growth is incredibly rapid.
From someone who once lay sprawled on the ground while running, has she grown strong enough to reach this level?
At this rate, before long, this knight will not even be able to stand beside her.
Not a chance.
He cannot allow it.
This knight has vowed to dedicate his life to her.
While other things might be acceptable, he couldn’t acknowledge being discarded due to a lack of ability!
Training. He must train.
To become stronger than now.
To stay by his lady’s side.
For sure.
“Sloppy Senior?”
As Karl was adding that resolve internally, Luca spoke up beside him.
“Didn’t you say not to be astonished over trivial matters? What do I know, anyway?”
Karl couldn’t bring himself to respond.
His lady’s faithful hound would be sufficient all by itself, and the fact that someone else had appeared next to him was truly fueling his jealousy.
Perhaps thinking she had caught a weakness in his resolute demeanor, Luca smirked and tried to poke fun.
But then, a massive power surged from the skeleton.
The moment he saw it, Karl attempted to move his body before he could think.
That power. The current lady couldn’t withstand that.
No matter how excellent his lady’s shield techniques were, there are limits.
How could she possibly withstand an attack of a different realm!
However, Karl’s charge was blocked by Luca. She grabbed his wrist.
“Let go! I—”
“Karl. You are a knight. Are you saying you can’t believe in your Lord?”
“It isn’t about belief! This is—”
“I believe. Are you saying you are less loyal than I am?”
At Luca’s question, Karl froze in his tracks.
“You.”
“Just watch. Our young lady will create a miracle.”
Because that would be a truly delightful sight.
As he watched Luca smile while saying that, Karl made a decision.
“…Fine then.”
After this affair is over, he would ask Luca for a duel.
*
[Young lady! That's dangerous!]
‘Hmm. It does seem that way.’
Listening to the loud voice of Grandpa, he looked ahead.
An aura was overlaying the skeleton’s sword.
It didn’t seem like it was truly trying to destroy yet, as it didn’t showcase its full power, but that didn’t change the fact that it was still dangerous.
Regardless of the fact that I know the strategies against the skeleton, its power vastly surpassed mine.
If it weren’t for the trial, wouldn’t I be shattered by the skeleton in less than a second?
That being said, it swung its sword filled with aura. If I were to miss even a little, I’d be split in half along with my shield, and turn into Ru/Si instead of Lucy.
[In my excitement, I over-provoked! I should have let it be chill while it went through the trial!]
‘And now you’re saying this? You started chatting about things that would annoy Garad!’
Who was it that started getting all hyped up halfway through?
[Well that’s…]
‘You remember right? Laughing carelessly as things go wherever?’
Now that you’re backpedaling, it’s hard to talk about it. We’re accomplices in this, after all.
<…Is that so.>
Perhaps feeling guilty, Grandpa was at a loss for words.
Grandpa is really something else. What does he plan to do bringing up past mistakes when there’s no going back now?
Now is the time to discuss how to deal with the imminent danger ahead.
<…Young lady.>
‘What?’
[Why so calm?]
Grandpa. Are you finally noticing? Considering how slow you are to pick up on things, you must feel quite guilty.
I giggled while infusing divinity into my shield.
‘I’m confident.’
Why am I calm? Isn’t it obvious?
I’m confident I can block it.
Anyway, that attack from that guy is part of the trial, right?
No matter how strong the opponent’s attack is, if it’s part of the trial, there’s no issue.
This is the hero’s trial.
Heroes never deliver disasters that their opponents cannot overcome.
Even if the opponent is a garbage human.
It’s the same even now.
The skeleton’s impending attack surely carries strength, but it also provides many clues.
Where will the strike land? How will it attack? When will it strike?
All the clues are in my hands, so why wouldn’t I be able to block it?
[Young lady! That strike differs greatly from the sword strikes of that second prince! Your incomplete reenactment won't block it!]
‘It’s okay, Grandpa.’
[It can’t be that simple!…]
‘You think I haven’t faced a skeleton a thousand times before?’
How many times do you think I’ve met that skeleton?
Believe me, I’ve faced it countless times just to clear achievements.
With all that experience, do you think I haven’t encountered an attack like that?
In the end, what’s important in this trial is timing.
If I grasp the exact moment when the opponent strikes,
If I can move my shield accurately at that moment,
Then no extraordinary skill is necessary to overcome this trial.
I just need to thrust my shield forward.
Take a deep breath.
Focus my eyes.
Observe the skeleton entirely.
Before long, the skeleton’s jaw begins to quiver.
A signal that the sword is about to swing.
Seizing that moment, I rapidly turn my head, increasing strength in the hand gripping the shield as I let out a snicker.
Hah. Foolish skeleton.
What good is it to charge the sword with aura?
When its intention is so transparent, it’s like asking someone to parry it.
If anything, the earlier attack, which was too rapid to take note of, felt far more threatening.
There’s no need for haste.
There’s no reason to be tense.
There’s no need to use all my strength.
Just extending my shield forward at the precise moment is enough.
The sword, imbued with abundant aura, collides with my shield which merely had the divinity wrapped around it.
With a clear clash piercing my eardrums,
The sword that touched my shield rebounded violently.
Beyond the trembling aura, I caught a glimpse of the skeleton’s empty eyes.
<…What in the world.>
‘I told you, Grandpa.’
I told you I’m confident?
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