Chapter 400: Leopard Warrior

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Heading toward the direction of the castle, I raced through the labyrinth.

(……Still haven't encountered anyone.)

I've covered a fair amount of distance.

But so far, I haven't been able to meet up with any allies.

(I hope someone has already met with Munin, the key to this battle.)

Those who entered close to Munin’s turn.

Takao Sisters and Ayaka Sogou.

Touka, Seras……

Following the tendencies of the labyrinth, their chances of encountering each other should be higher.

I deliberately entered the labyrinth at a different time from Munin, considering the possibility that Munin’s teleportation point might not align with the usual tendencies.

Patterns are just patterns; there are no guarantees.

Munin might have been teleported far from those allies I just listed.

However……

If the transfer points do follow the usual pattern, my chances of encountering Munin early on are low.

(In any case, it would be best for me to reunite with at least one of my allies.)

I focused my awareness on my hearing.

(……Unable to pick up sounds from far away, I can’t really fully use my strengths here.)

That said, with strong concentration, I realized I could just barely pick up distant sounds.

After a while, I noticed something.

The walls of the labyrinth absorbed sound.

However, it doesn't mean it makes the place completely soundless.

Likely due to my exceptional hearing, I could make out faint sounds.

Others might barely catch any sound even if they strained to listen———–

[                                                            ]

For a moment, I felt as if time had stopped.

A blanketing shock, enough to make me feel such an illusion.

And then——– a crushing pressure pressed down on me.

I had been carefully trying to mask my own footsteps.

Focusing intently on the sounds and presence around me———– or so I thought.

And yet, “it” was there, giving off no sense of presence.

Right there.

In the space I was about to pass through.

To my side———–

[ " This is quite exciting. " ]

My sharp gaze caught sight of it.

Standing there, dressed like a white knight————–

[ " A battle. A battle it shall be. " ]

My self-defense instinct reacted first huh.

I immediately took a defensive stance.

That said, I could feel myself instinctively grinding my teeth.

If the information Loqierra provided was correct……

(This one should be that one called Ars————)

[A Divine Servant.]

▽

Faced with such an opponent————— I ran.

Just before I withdrew, Ars appeared where I had been, swinging his sword.

Ars was armed with a sword and a shield.

————-I managed to dodge the attack.

(I easily managed to dodge his attack…… He's not as fast as I thought?)

To gain some distance, I ran in the opposite direction of Ars.

Keeping an eye out for any ranged attacks from behind me, I sprinted down the corridor.

I had already heard about the strength of these Divine Servants.

(He's not someone I could defeat on my own. Still……)

———–Something feels strange.

The sword and shield that Ars held.

They seemed slightly smaller than I’d expect for his build.

(That sword and shield…… Where have I seen them before……? Oh, right…… I saw them while waiting for teleportation———–)

[———————–]

It was the shield that caught my attention, leaving a strong impression.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I recalled the original owner.

(If I'm not mistaken———–)

Those should be weapons of one of Faraway Country's Four Warlights.

(That lamia's……)

Her name was Armia Plum Lynx.

I remember she was part of the initial raid team.

The sword and shield had a small amount of red blood on them.

(So…… She had already encountered that Divine Servant huh.)

No, my mind went directly to the worst-case scenario.

I haven't seen any corpse.

So, she might still be alive.

I…… want to believe she's still alive.

I glanced behind me.

Ars was nowhere to be seen.

I couldn’t hear any footsteps either.

That said, before I encountered him earlier, he had been completely silent.

So, if he were to appear out of nowhere, it wouldn’t be strange———

[Mngh.]

I sensed a different presence.

Turning a corner, two Sacraments appeared ahead of me.

I kept my speed, drawing my two katanas, and as I passed by, I cleaved them both in an instant.

These two katanas had been handed to me by Gio Shadowblade before teleporting.

These had apparently come from a sealed room in their country.

(These katanas…… They feel so natural in my hands. And what’s surprising is their sharpness……)

But even though I easily took down the Sacraments, I couldn't get too confident.

I didn’t have an outstanding special ability like Touka.

I wasn’t as smart as Touka or Hijiri.

I didn’t have the pure combat power to match Seras or Ayaka.

(This labyrinth battle…… my role here is more about supporting or assisting during combat———– basically, playing the part of a pawn……)

Thus……

Right now, my goal was to join up with allies who could "fight" Ars———

[Kuh!]

And then, at the end of the corridor, Ars appeared.

[ " Running away from the start gets us nowhere———– Isn't that how it is? Yeah, I know already…… Let's do it here. " ]

He had been lying in wait huh.

(Kuh…… Did he cut me off?)

Does Ars know the layout of this labyrinth?

The eerie part is how he had no presence until he "showed himself".

It’s as if he’s…… impossible to track.

(Can I even escape him?)

From a monster like this?

And, right now———–

(At this distance———–!)

I don't have time to dodge or retreat.

I raised the katana in my right hand to block Ars’ sword.

With the other katana, I focused on his neck.

Ars raised his shield, protecting his neck.

But instead of going for his guarded neck, I aimed my blade at the exposed area near his heart————-

[—————!]

When all of a sudden, from around Ars' shoulder, two whip-like appendages emerged.

Those whips————- they’re blades that can shift between hard and soft.

One of them deflected my katana aimed at his heart.

————Kiiiin!

A sharp, metallic clang echoed as the blades clashed.

The remaining whip on his right shoulder lashed toward me.

I twisted my body to evade it.

Whip-like blades growing from his body.

I had received intel about this attack method from Loqierra.

So, this wasn’t an unexpected move.

(Maybe that’s why I was able to react in time and dodge.)

After our rapid exchange, I kicked Ars’ knee and used the momentum to leap backward.

———-I managed to safely land on the ground.

However, Ars wasted no time and charged after me.

(This Divine Servant———–)

He has an instinct as a warrior, sharp and intense.

A unique aura that only the strongest possess.

I glanced down the corridor.

If the chance arose———– I would attempt to escape again.

I made another evasive move.

Ars’ sword cut through empty space.

Using experience-based intuition.

And the instincts of a beast.

It’s the same as when I fought Itsuki Takao.

My experience sparring with her sharpened my evasion, allowing me to avoid the blow.

The blade whips that Ars swung alongside his sword didn’t reach me.

(I can take this as the maximum range of the blade whips…… though it’s possible he intentionally wants me to think that they had such a range as a deception. However, if he didn’t “go for the kill” in that attack, it should mean that’s unlikely, right?)

Ars stopped his movement.

After his attack, he remained at an angle toward me, his body slightly forward.

Yet, his fighting spirit was only growing stronger.

(Alright, what’s my next move……)

It’s a delicate distance to make a move, and I don’t have an opening.

So I decided to try something.

[……I’d like to ask you something.]

Ars slowly straightened his posture, looking at me.

[………………………]

[That sword and shield you’re holding…… What happened to their original owner?]

After a few beats of silence, he replied.

[ " Hey, Horeva. If Golden-eyed monsters are capable of speaking…… Do you think I would be able to kill Golden-eyed monsters like this? " ]

Ars spoke "something that could be taken as an answer", though it hardly seemed like we were having a conversation.

(That sounded more like he was calling out to someone……)

I stayed on guard, wary of the surroundings.

(Is someone named Horeva nearby? No———)

I recalled Loqierra's assessment.

"A mutual connection of intentions with Ars is likely impossible."

Loqierra had observed Ars briefly before and came to this conclusion.

"This is just based on my impression but…… I feel like trying to engage him in conversation———- drawing him in through words———– would be difficult. Also…… it’s possible that Ars, as a Divine Servant, can only speak in quotes from his past self…… Quotes from the time before he was transformed."

"Among the Divine Servants, Wormungandr might be the only one who we can actually communicate with."

It seems Loqierra’s theory is accurate.

If that’s the case, learning about Armia’s condition might be difficult too.

Horeva might be the name of an old companion of his.

(So…… what should I do from here?)

I kept my eyes on Ars.

Against an opponent of this level……

One wrong decision here could be fatal.

[ " ……You’re good. I like fighting strong people. That's why———- " ]

Ars lowered his body, taking up a fighting stance.

[ " Do it with me more. " ]

With a weighty step……

Fwoosh!

Ars lunged forward.

A straightforward charge.

So straightforward that its simplicity makes me wary.

Sword and shield.

Two blade whips.

I track his movements, looking for an opportunity to retreat, while handling each strike with my two katanas.

[ " ……Hehh? You actually dislike fighting? Even though you're strong? " ]

His words almost sounded like they were directed toward "me", as if he were genuinely trying to talk.

Though slightly distorted, his voice had the resonance of a young man.

His head is completely covered by a white helmet.

So, his face, his expressions———- they’re hidden.

Through the dark cross-shaped opening on the front, his golden eyes gleam.

Of course, his mouth isn't visible.

That must be why……

Even when he speaks, it doesn’t feel like he’s “talking”.

Yes——– it’s more like……

Those were voices from beyond the depths of darkness———– a remnant echo from the dead.

[——————]

I deftly wield both katanas, parrying his strikes.

In the midst of our deadly exchange, I think.

(This man…… He enjoys fighting.)

If there were any mutual understanding between us———- Ars had told me this.

I apparently dislike fighting.

Mulling upon those words, a question stirs within me.

I carry a certain pride as a warrior.

I understand the value and meaning of possessing the strength to fight.

It’s true that fighting has shaped who I am.

I know the satisfaction of honing my skills, the thrill of mastery.

However……

(If I could live without fighting…… then a life without battles is what I would choose, above all.)

For a time, I lived in peace at Erika’s home.

Together with Liz.

I…… was happy.

That’s why……

(Unlike me…… For someone like him, who truly revels in combat, the role of a gladiator is far more fitting.)

Indeed———- The truth is, I don’t enjoy fighting at my core.

(……Still.)

Even if it’s just for a moment, I’m willing to take up arms and fight to secure this peace in my life.

Because I, Eve Speed, believe that’s a worthy endeavor.

And———

(There’s no point if only Liz and I can find peace.)

Takao Sisters.

Pigimaru, Slei.

Seras…… and Touka.

They too, most likely, feel the same.

None of them truly revels in battle.

Thus……

(I also want them to grasp peace with their own hands…… to free them from this endless fighting. For this reason———— I’ve taken up my sword once more.)

The same goes for Erika.

The Dark Elf's own struggle is still far from over.

Before I left, I spoke with Erika.

"You still don't smile huh. One would think that while living day-to-day, a smile might escape here or there, but I've never seen you do that."

"I’ve decided I’ll only smile from the heart when Vysis has been defeated. When I feel myself almost smiling…… something inside just stops it without me realizing."

"So, instead of a smile, you say "How laughable" instead."

"……I thought perhaps I’d never truly smile again———- How strange…… Now I feel like, perhaps, there might be a day I can smile once more…… Yes, I truly think so."

Erika Anarveil.

(I want to bring peace to her as well…… Bring her the days when she can smile from her heart.)

Blocking his attack with my katanas, I raised my voice.

[Divine Servant of Alion's Goddess———– Are you so starved for battle!? Very well! If that’s what you seek, then I will stand as your opponent to your heart’s content! Come, face me!]

Following my words, a feral roar.

A raw, primal sound, as though unleashing my very beast within.

My fury was so intense, it almost seemed to vibrate the air itself.

Just after my shout——— Ars spoke.

[ " Haha…… Hahaha! Hahahaha! That's it! That's more like it……! It's just as Vysis said! My very existence likely———— only has meaning within battle itself! " ]

————Pfoosh—————

At that moment, from Ars' left chest———— right over his heart.

A blade had been pierced.

[ " Guuaaaahhhhhh———–!? " ]

The one who thrust the long blade into the back of the Divine Servant————

[That shout of yours…… was to get his focus entirely on you and make my ambush a success huh?]

……was the black-furred Leopardkin Warrior, Gio Shadowblade.

With an annoyed snort, Gio turned to Ars.

[Looking at this guy's outfit…… this must be the Divine Servant called Ars huh. From what I've heard about him though———— He wouldn't be done for with that, right?]