Chapter 522: 522

Short brown hair and a tidy moustache. A height short enough to be mistaken for a child, and at his waist, a dagger that looks more like a child’s training sword than a real weapon.

Is this man truly the legendary swordsman Anise Howgrey? If he really is, then does he truly possess the godlike sword strength that he’s rumoured to have? I can’t help but hold doubts. However, when he flew closer with the Holy Knight he’s riding with, I sensed something.

I cannot beat him. Was fighting this mysterious figure really what I journeyed for?

I don’t sense any of the aura of intimidation that I feel from master swordsmen or powerful monsters. But, I sense it intuitively. This man is no swordsman. Or rather, he does not fit in any category of swordsmen I know.

Whenever I have fought a swordsman or monster more powerful than myself, my feeling of excitement has always overridden any fear I would feel. All I would focus on was what techniques my opponent might show me, how they might move, and whether they might be stronger than me.

But, this man is different. It feels almost like I’m peering into a bright-red burning crater. Jumping in means certain death, a death that cannot be resisted. My instincts are shouting warnings incessantly into my ear.

That is why I must say it. I close my eyes and apologise to Aro and the others in my heart.

I will probably be scorned as a traitor. The one who proposed the plan for me to fight in the air to deny them rest was none other than myself. And yet, there is only one thing I can do now.

I open my eyes and point my sword at Howgrey.

“I didn’t think I would meet you at the edge of the world like this, legendary swordsman, [Ascetic]! As a fellow swordsman, I challenge you to a duel! But, this place has too many hindrances. If you accept my challenge, then follow!”

I quickly turn my back on everyone and have the lecherta fly away. I worry for a moment whether he will follow, but glancing back, I see that the dragon that Howgrey is riding is giving chase.

I was able to achieve my objective. If I had left Howgrey to roam on that battlefield, then… Most likely, everyone would have died. I must now delay Howgrey for every second I can manage… Once I’ve achieved that, my role will be over.

“…Sorry, lecherta, magiatite. If we don’t pull him away, they’d all get dragged in.”

The lecherta cries out mournfully.

“But… I have no intention of losing.”

My words are a lie.

No matter what, I cannot imagine a future in which I battle Howgrey and survive. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt this way in my life.

“H-Howgrey-sama, surely you have no obligation to go out this far…?”

The Holy Knight riding with Howgrey admonishes him.

“It’s fine. I am bearing Saint-sama’s wishes in mind. As long as I take the lives of the companions, I am permitted to do things in my own way to some extent.”

Howgrey responds with a tone of indifference.

For a while, we continue to fly in silence. I look around. The ground is covered in mist, but I can see boulders strewn about, piled up to form towering cliffs.

“That’s enough.”

Howgrey mutters. But, I need to bring him as far away as I can.

“Beyond here is a suitable place for a duel between swordsmen. Follow me, [Ascetic].”

“It’s no use.”

Howgrey replies immediately.

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“Your aim is to buy time. In deference to your willingness to sacrifice yourself, I have come this far. But, I can’t trouble Saint-sama too much with my own selfishness. This is as far as you go.”

A chill runs down my spine. He has seen through everything. He probably knew from the moment our eyes met.

“What’s wrong? Will you go against your word and flee? That would be fine too. You are carrying your own burden, after all. But I will warn you, you won’t be able to get away at this distance.”

Howgrey calls out to me. There’s no great difference between his dragon’s speed and the lecherta’s. I had thought using skills to flee would have been a valid option. As a result, I don’t understand what exactly he means. However, I suspect what he says is true. 

“…Very well. Let’s descend down to the ground.”

“No… We’ll do it here. You fought Alexio-dono while still mounted, did you not? It’s not as though you brought me here out of a fixation on duels.”

Howgrey shakes his head slightly.

“You put your life on the line to pull me away from your companions.”

“…That’s true.”

I mutter as I ready my sword.

“…Lecherta, turn around please. We’re going to fight.”

Responding to my words, the lecherta takes a wide turn, bringing us face to face with Howgrey. He squeezes past the Holy Knight to take the front.

“Here I come, Ascetic!”

I shout, raising my sword high. I pretend to swing it down, but then suddenly twist, instead releasing a horizontal slash. But, it doesn’t hit. As though he knew how I would strike beforehand, Howgrey dodges below the sword, not even having to move particularly fast.

As the zephyr and lecherta fly past each other, a sharp pain runs down my back.

“Argh…!”

It feels like he stabbed me with that dagger of his just as we passed. But, the damage isn’t too severe. His movements were slow, and his strength is unremarkable. His level might not be very high. The next time we clash, I’ll make sure to land a hit.

But, the next moment, the pain suddenly intensifies, feeling as though my insides are being scooped out from where he stabs me. At the same time, my consciousness recedes.

The world sways. No, the lecherta is shaking. Blood is spouting from the giant black wings in front of me.

At the same time as he cut me, he also cut the lecherta’s wings. How he was able to do that with such a short dagger, I cannot understand.

“Goodbye, [Dragon Hunter].”

Howgrey quietly mutters. That voice alone is oddly clear in my mind.

A pair of rocks jut out from the thick fog below.

“…Sorry, Irushia.”

I murmur as my consciousness fades to black. I hear the lecherta’s distant cry.

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