“That gap is not as big as I thought.”
After exchanging a few rounds with the Traveler, that thought passed through Hertlocker’s mind.
By prior agreement, Hertlocker had taken on the position of disrupting the Majin’s spellcasting and blocking the escape routes.
Using the black steel powder that could move freely, he made it hard for the Traveler to hop away and relentlessly protected the Traveler’s rear, making it difficult for them to escape.
As a result, their group naturally surrounded and attacked the Majin Traveler.
The fight was looking like they were pressing the Traveler hard.
Without a weapon and with one arm missing, it was certainly a tough matchup for the opponent.
“Ugh. Another barrier?”
“If you can’t handle it, then you should’ve brought a magician too!”
Thanks to the support of the two magicians, it could be said that the situation was easier than handling the madman.
Even though three people were surrounding and attacking him, the physical abilities of the Majin were far superior, so they could only grant him a single opportunity to counterattack.
However, every time that opportunity arose, a flawlessly timed barrier interrupted, preventing the Traveler from attempting even a single counterattack; they just kept getting pummelled.
Whenever the Traveler managed to escape the encirclement and distance themselves from the three fighters, a gigantic pillar of flame burst forth, blocking their path.
“Is this what human power is like? It feels like I’m facing a whole legion.”
With a toothless sword raised, the Traveler let out a rough breath.
They had never fought such a difficult battle against humans before.
Since the number of Majin had dropped below ten, they had treated human strength as insignificant, akin to that of weak bugs.
And yet, to struggle so hard against just three fighters supported by a couple of magicians was unthinkable.
The Traveler had no idea they were facing the continent’s finest swordsman, assassin, and magicians.
“The durability of my sword is shot! Just a little more pressure, and we can win!”
Trie suddenly dashed out and shouted.
Everyone’s stamina was depleted; their bodies were signaling their limits.
That was true for everyone involved.
But they couldn’t show that to the enemy.
Engaging in a false bravado, Trie shouted even louder to boost morale and deceive herself.
“Ah. I was told not to bring this out unless necessary…”
At that moment, Hertlocker noticed the look in the Traveler’s eyes and trembled.
At first, he thought the Traveler was acting relaxed despite the unfavorable situation.
But as the Traveler threw the toothless sword to Trie and reached into the empty air, he realized the reason for that apparent composure.
“Durandal?!”
A violet light shimmered at the Traveler’s fingertips.
The legendary sword that held enough power to tear through dimensions.
It was the power of Durandal.
“Everyone get back!!!”
Hertlocker’s shout rang out.
Then from the Traveler’s hand, a sword was drawn out into the air—
*BOOM!*
Violet flashes of light scattered in all directions.
Three people instinctively shrank back and looked up in horror.
*RUMBLE…!*
Colossal cracks appeared in the surrounding buildings.
Neat cracks at the height of a person’s neck.
Soon after, dust began to rise, and buildings started to crumble down.
If I had been even a moment slower, my neck would have been among those collapsing.
Trie clutched her throat and broke into a cold sweat.
“This isn’t magic. There’s no time lag at all when it’s shot out.”
To think a destructive beam could cut through buildings with just the power of a Majin’s swing.
Such a weapon could never be faced by a human body.
Just as they had been on high alert to monitor the spells being cast by the Majin, the situation had become even worse.
If they did not retreat, they would be annihilated.
But if they retreated, the Traveler would immediately join up with the Majin Tiltitz and launch a pincer attack on Schlus.
If that happened, Schlus would definitely die this time.
Not only would his heart be crushed, but his body would be turned to dust.
“That damn bastard…”
That guy, the hope of humanity?
Why must he be kept alive at all costs?
Hertlocker clenched his teeth as he stared straight at the Traveler’s sword.
His resolution was set.
“Everyone get back! I’ll hold the Traveler off alone until Schlus Hainkel arrives for support!”
“W-What?!”
“Get lost, you worthless maggots! If you die, the weak-minded Schlus Hainkel will break apart!”
“…”
If I die, Schlus Hainkel will just lament the loss of a valuable tool.
Tears would never fall.
But even as a Majin, Schlus Hainkel’s weak will would surely lead to him whining pathetically if that green-haired knight or barrier magician were killed.
Then, he would miss the chance for revenge.
So it was right to remain alone here.
No matter how vast the power contained within Durandal, it wasn’t infinite.
That kind of absurd attack would run out after three or four times at most.
“GAAAAAH!”
With a scream, Hertlocker lunged at the Traveler with a dagger in hand.
Only then did he understand why Trie had pushed herself earlier, draining her strength.
This was the only way to conquer fear.
Hertlocker’s eyes meticulously tracked the Traveler’s shoulder, arms, and leg muscles.
Just by watching them twitch, predicting where the attack would come was not that difficult.
But the real problem was that even knowing the trajectory, the speed was too great for his body to keep up.
*CRASH!*
A violet light flickered past the tips of Hertlocker’s ears.
The partially destroyed building behind him split in half in an instant.
However, having completely lost his stance trying to dodge that attack, Hertlocker found himself—
“This is the end.”
“…?!”
He had become powerless before the Traveler, who had raised his sword above his head.
I’m going to die. No doubt about it.
All that noise made for just three seconds of delay in the end.
As he thought this and squeezed his eyes shut, Hertlocker’s eyes flew wide open.
A yellow flash shot toward the Traveler from behind!
“Ugh, what a hassle!”
The Imperial Knight Commander and Trie were launching a surprise attack on the Traveler’s back.
With a single gesture, the Traveler turned and swung his greatsword to disrupt Trie’s flash spell—
“Oof?!”
The upper body of the Imperial Knight Commander was severed and collapsed forward.
Next was Trie.
Before Hertlocker could regain his footing and charge, the tip of Durandal was aimed precisely at Trie, and violet light began to shine.
“This is why I don’t take on apprentices…”
Feeling death approaching, Trie squeezed her eyes shut.
The Traveler put all his strength into his swing.
“Eh?”
“You are…?”
A shadow fell across the Traveler’s face.
Suddenly, a huge man stood before him.
The man had Durandal pierced through his abdomen.
The power of Durandal, poised to erupt with light, was being devoured and drained into the man’s body by the violet hue.
Upon recognizing the man’s face, the Traveler sighed.
“This is a complete disaster.”
From afar, the intense magical power response began to be felt.
It must be Schlus Hainkel, who absorbed Tiltitz’s powers.
The Traveler immediately released Durandal and snapped his fingers.
At that moment, the Traveler’s new model vanished.
“Ugh!”
Hertlocker’s black greatsword only sliced through the air as he arrived late.
What fell to the ground was a small crow, blood gushing from its severed wing.
.
.
.
The Traveler used the teleportation technique to make his escape.
It was not something to blame Hertlocker and Erica for regarding their magical restraint.
If a Majin intended to conceal a spell, there was nothing humans could do.
From the start, he had likely planned the concealment alongside the deployment for an escape.
The Imperial Knight Commander was dead.
His upper and lower body were severed, completely shutting off any chance of revival.
And Sergey’s condition was somewhat, no, very serious.
“I brought an elixir, professor.”
“Get that away from me. Can’t you tell just by looking at my condition?”
Sergey chuckled softly and coughed.
I sighed and examined the spot on Sergey’s abdomen where Durandal was embedded.
There was no way this body would be punctured.
Yet here he was, pierced through.
The legendary sword was fully absorbing its power through that body…
Slowly, I touched near Sergey’s heart and examined the inside.
The heart, severely corroded by Mana Energy, had nearly stopped functioning.
His body was almost like a corpse.
The entirety of his upper body had rotten away completely.
The elixir could heal wounds, but it was impossible to resurrect already dead cells and flesh.
Revival was impossible, but Sergey still had a bit of time left.
“Ah. Schlus Hainkel. Are you there?”
“I’m here, professor.”
It seemed he was blind.
I took hold of Sergey’s large hand, which was flailing in the air.
That hand, which had once made a tremendous sound even with a light pat, now had lost its vitality.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how much trouble you’ve caused me. I had to work hard to suppress voices from professors saying we should expel students who run around the battlefield and meddle in politics. Ha ha…”
“I had a hunch.”
“Don’t lie. If you had any inkling, you wouldn’t have caused such a ruckus. You must have wanted to put me in an awkward position.”
“…”
I had no words.
It was indeed true that I had taken advantage of Sergey and Ludwig as shields to freely stir up trouble.
“Professor, do you have any last words for your family?”
“Don’t interrupt me… You’re as willful as ever. I thought I wouldn’t drag this body to the battlefield again in my lifetime. I’ve seen my students dying in war countless times. Yet, I can’t stand the sight of you dying. Maybe I’ve grown soft in my old age.”
“…”
Trie, who had approached silently, was holding Sergey’s hand.
Tears flowed endlessly down her cheeks.
“They say a hero is born in troubled times. I thought it was strange how such outstanding students were coming in this batch. It looks like Lady Aigis has been supporting us. After all, I’ve been praying like that…”
“It’s not Lady Aigis. It’s all thanks to you, professor.”
“What nonsense is that…”
“It’s all the result of your teaching; those are the students you saved with your own body. It’s not divine power; it’s the fruit of your labor.”
“Ha ha ha, you have a way with words. Thanks to you, I can go with a smile.”
“Professor, your heart has stopped. It seems like your consciousness will fade soon, so please hurry and leave a will for your family—”
“Hey, kid.”
“…?”
Suddenly, strength returned to Sergey’s grip.
That gigantic hand lifted and settled atop my head.
“I’m no professor anymore. Let’s stop that annoying title.”
“Sergey…”
With a sudden drop, Sergey’s hand fell.
His lips stopped moving.
With a gentle smile.
Like one who had simply fallen asleep.
“Hero. Thank you for your hard work.”
The last moment of a great hero.
The instant I released Sergey’s hand, I too felt an unexpected dizziness and my eyes closed.
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