Chapter 552: 552

“If you pursue swordsmanship to the limits, you will find laws that cannot be perceived through the senses. My skills are the starting point for twisting those laws.”

“What are you saying…?”

“The deviation is small enough that most can live their lives without ever noticing something is off. But if you thrust into that gap and force it wider, the deviation grows. The world mistakes nonexistent slashes as though they exist, forgets about the restrictions of gravity, and can even forget the effect of impacts on the body.”

I can’t understand what Howgrey is saying. But, it is undoubtedly the truth behind his three strange techniques.

“This is the hidden truth that I have reached as the world’s strongest swordsman. This world is an artificial creation.”

“…Th-this world is artificial?”

It’s not an idea I can obediently believe right away. But, I can sense his conviction through the sadness in his voice.

Howgrey is famous for having learnt to respect life as a result of war, and for eating the monsters he kills, while refusing to kill monsters he cannot eat. He probably arrived at that truth during the journey of the sword that he has devoted his life to.

All the life that he had come to respect was artificial, and the consequence of mastering his swordsmanship was to know the flaws of the world. It’s easy to see how it could be a double-layered denial of his life.

But… I can’t believe his words. I don’t even understand what it means for the world to be artificial.

Regardless, his incredible swordsmanship and unidentifiable abilities are proof that it is not mere delusion. 

I don’t understand the meaning of his words. But, there is one thing I do understand.

― Howgrey has reached some truth of the world that has evaded scholars and mages, simply by continuing to swing his sword. If I take his statement that the world being artificial at face value, then his sword is even deceiving god. This reaffirms the terrifying degree to which he has honed his sword, to the point that he can even twist the laws of the world to aid him. He shouldn’t be able to be so calm while holding [Frumious Fang Bandersnatch]. And yet, for Howgrey who can freely manipulate the laws of the world, the impact of rage and madness on his thoughts is reduced to practically nothing.

Even the grand title of the world’s strongest swordsman is insufficient to describe him. No matter how far back in time you look, there will never have been someone with more talent with the sword than Howgrey.

“By using [Exorcising Blade] to alter [Armour Piece] and [Godspeed Flash], the world can be made to mistake one slash as two: [Dream Wolf]. By repeatedly jumping off my sword with [High Jump] while also making small swings with [Godspeed Flash], the limits of [High Jump] can be surpassed: [Shadow Fox]. Through [Shadow Fox], attacks can be warded off and impacts can be made to pass through without harm: [Protective Shellfish]. Those are the names I give these techniques.”

He adjusts his grip on both of his swords and readies himself to strike.

“…Thank you for telling me.”

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He’s probably not lying. What he says is in line with my predictions.

“It is a matter of courtesy, at this point. Besides, my techniques aren’t made any easier to deal with by knowing their mechanism. Wouldn’t you like to know the name of the technique that kills you?”

He glares at me. I had thought that, if I could just understand the true nature of his sword techniques, the gap between us would shorten. But, he appears even more threatening now than when we first clashed. The more I know, the more apparent the distance between us becomes. Do I really stand a chance against him…?

“Why, Howgrey!? Why do you accompany that Saint!?”

Without thinking, I shout out. No matter what, I cannot reconcile someone like Howgrey serving that woman.

“Do not think so highly of me. This bumbling old man simply does not want to fade away without knowing the meaning of life. That is all. Through the Saint, I will ask God as to the meaning of this world. That is my objective.”

There is no hesitation in his speech. Persuasion seems impossible.

“Let’s end this, Dragon Hunter! Show me your everything!”

Howgrey runs towards me. His drive is greater than before. His priority has shifted from winning while keeping his exhaustion low, to simply winning at all costs.

He probably didn’t expect the fight to last this long, or for his movements to be seen through to some degree. In truth, even though I have [Autoregeneration], it’s nothing short of a miracle that I have survived long enough to grasp some of his movements.

The only way to contend with a swordsman stronger than myself is to fight as their equal. It sounds like a contradiction, but this is the truth. Through our multiple clashes, I have become able to see some of his movements.

At first there was nothing I could do, but now I can catch up to him to a small degree. I’ve learnt how to avoid his slash that shouldn’t exist, his [Dream Wolf]. I’ve even managed to interrupt his [Shadow Fox] once, even if it was just a fluke. His [Protective Shellfish] should consume a considerable amount of mana, and it shouldn’t work against attacks that he is not aware of.

He is certainly strong, but he’s not an opponent I cannot beat. No matter what, I will defeat Howgrey here. Even if it cost my life.

“I have no more conceit. I will fight with all my strength. I am honoured to have an opponent I can go all-out against.”

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