Chapter 161: The Four-Way Battle – Alderic
[space_man][space_man]Al readies his sword, his gaze fixed on the horse-faced Degraded Demon.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I admire your spirit in wanting a one-on-one, but do you humans really think you can win against us demons?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s not that I think I can win, it’s that there’s no way I can lose.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Bold words, Commander-san. I’m Marrin. You should introduce yourself too. I’ll make an exception and remember your name, human.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Alderic Lutobalk. You don’t have to remember it, horse-face!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Al leaps, slashing at Marrin with his wind magic-clad blade. However……
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”H-hard!?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin catches Al’s sword with his shoulder, the blade failing to inflict any damage.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Your swordsmanship is decent, and imbuing your blade with magic to increase its power isn’t bad either. But that level of attack won’t cut me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin grabs Al’s arm and throws him. Al regains his footing and charges at Marrin, slashing wildly.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s wrong, Alderic? Is that all you’ve got?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Seeing how his attacks fail to even scratch Marrin’s skin, Marrin taunts him. Then, he notices Al chanting a spell.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What are you planning!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin lunges at Al, but before he can reach him, Al’s chanting stops.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Air Cutter!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Countless wind blades are unleashed, targeting the spots where Al had previously slashed, carving into Marrin’s body.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Those earlier attacks were just markers. With this many, surely this has to have some effect……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Al wipes away his sweat, creating distance between them.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah, that one did it. If I had put in a bit more magic power, it might have been a little dangerous.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin stands unharmed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Just how tough are you……? But if increasing magic power is the key, then I’ve got you!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Al begins chanting another spell.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Are you stupid, Alderic? Telling your enemy exactly what you’re going to do is the same as declaring you won’t let them attack anymore!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin closes the distance in an instant and punches Al in the stomach. Al is sent flying.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Gah…… This feeling…… Physical enhancement magic…… That toughness must be because of that……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t space out, Alderic!!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin attempts to stomp on Al as he lies on the ground. Al twists his body, narrowly avoiding the attack.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”How about this!?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin repeatedly stomps with both feet, and Al continues to evade by rolling on the ground.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”How pathetic, Alderic. Crawling on the ground like that suits you humans!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As Marrin extends his leg to stomp on Al’s face, Al grabs his foot. He pulls, causing Marrin to fall, and then stands up.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That position suits you better, horse-face. Air Cutter!!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He creates distance and activates his magic. Countless wind blades slice into Marrin, who is kneeling, trying to get up.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marrin had anticipated that Al would increase the magic power in his attacks, so he had also enhanced his physical enhancement magic. However, the result was that he was unable to deflect Al’s magic and was sliced open.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Not only did he increase the magic power…… but he also changed the nature of the blades…… It’s a completely different spell……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The previous Air Cutter had been simple blades, but these blades were vibrating at high speed, increasing their sharpness.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I need to be able to do at least this much if I want to catch up to those three. Air Slash!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Wind blades are released from Al’s swinging arms, severing Marrin’s head.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”As I thought, there was no way I could lose, Marrin.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With those words, Al collapses, exhausted.
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As Al sits and rests, the other three return at the same time.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What, you’re all together? Eld and Marie are carrying something. Is that the Degraded Demon’s body?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As he watches the three approach, they each wave, so Al waves back.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]At that moment, a sharp pain shoots through his back and abdomen. He looks down and sees something protruding from his stomach. He quickly realizes it’s a sword. But it’s not his sword. It’s a sword he’s never seen before.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Through his blurring vision, Al sees Eld throw a chunk of ice, and then his consciousness fades.