Necromancer 49

Test

49. Battle with the Holy Sword Wielder

"Gahhh!"

Kenzaki shouted.

His voice transformed into a shockwave, rushing straight toward me.

"[Shield]!"

I summoned a barrier with my skill, deflecting the attack.

"Swordsman, Red Mage! Fire!"

Getting close to that holy sword was too dangerous.

Testing the waters with long-range attacks was the best approach—so I gave the order.

Vwoom!

The Swordsman unleashed a magical blade, while the Red Mage launched a fireball.

"Hah!"

Kenzaki swung the holy sword with casual ease.

The rainbow light it emitted obliterated both the magical blade and the fireball in one sweep.

"It’s useless—"

"Haha! That’s the Hero’s Sword for you. If the king had told me about such an amazing thing, I could’ve made better use of it!"

Kenzaki laughed gleefully.

Indeed—

With that sword, I might have easily defeated the intermediate demon Bloodclaw we faced the other day.

Why hadn’t the king mentioned the holy sword?

Did he not know about it?

Or was there a reason it couldn’t be used?

If it was the latter, then perhaps—

"Now it’s my turn to attack!"

Kenzaki charged toward me, holy sword in hand.

"Swordsman, Red Mage!"

I ordered them to fire again, as both a distraction and a defense. But once again, their attacks were easily deflected by Kenzaki’s swings.

Defeating him with long-range attacks seemed impossible—

"Kenzaki, stop. If you come any closer, it’ll turn into a fight to the death."

I warned him.

"Huh?"

"That holy sword is dangerous. I can’t afford to die, so I’ll have to respond with full force."

I glared at Kenzaki.

"I’ll have to stop you—even if it means attacking with the intent to kill."

"Oh? Bring it on!"

Kenzaki grinned, his lips curling into a smirk.

"I didn’t know you had this side to you, Shigure! Haha, I think I like you a little more now!"

"Do you want a fight to the death?"

"I just can’t forgive anyone who looks down on me."

Kenzaki snorted.

"That’s why I won’t forgive you or Ran. Ran’s locked away, so you’re next, Shigure."

"You’re planning to kill me and then Ran?"

"Exactly."

Kenzaki’s grin widened.

"I won’t forgive either of you for looking down on me. Most of all—"

His eyes sharpened.

"You made me submit... made me fear you. I have to erase that version of myself by killing you both."

"Kenzaki...!?"

"You two shouldn’t exist. As long as you’re alive, I’ll never escape the miserable version of myself!"

Whoosh!

The holy sword began to radiate a dazzling light, its blade wrapped in a glowing aura.

"Now, disappear, Shigure...!"

Kenzaki readied the sword.

It was the classic seigan-no-kamae, the standard kendo stance.

As expected from someone in the kendo club, it looked flawless.

There seemed to be no openings.

How should I attack—?

I drew my sword and positioned the Reaper by my side.

"This opponent is tough. Let’s attack simultaneously."

"The holy sword, huh..."

The Reaper muttered.

"What’s wrong?"

"The holy sword—true to its name as a ‘divine weapon’—has a purifying effect on the undead like me."

"Purifying—"

"If it cuts me, at best, I’ll be sealed for hundreds of years. At worst, I’ll be completely annihilated."

"...!"

I was speechless.

"...I see. I’ll take the lead."

"What?"

"You’re an invaluable asset. I can’t let you get destroyed."

I stepped forward.

"...You’re an odd one,"

The Reaper muttered.

"I’ve never heard of a master protecting their minions by putting their own body on the line."

"Really? It seems logical to me."

I replied lightly.

"Anyway, provide support. Now—"

Without waiting, I dashed forward.

Even though Kenzaki had [Beast Transformation], my physical abilities surpassed his.

I just needed to evade the holy sword and land a decisive strike—

"Too slow!"

But as I tried to outmaneuver him with speed, Kenzaki easily intercepted me.

"Fast—!?"

Kenzaki’s speed was on a completely different level from before!

"Heh, it’s the power of this sword. I’ve gotten even stronger! You don’t stand a chance anymore!"

Kenzaki swung the holy sword.

"Tch...!"

I blocked with my own sword.

Clang!

An unpleasant sound rang out as my blade bent under the pressure.

Creak, creak—it groaned.

This wasn’t good—my sword wouldn’t hold.

"I’ll slice through you and your sword, Shigure!"

Kenzaki grinned and pressed harder.

"Urghhh...!"

I struggled to hold my ground in the blade lock, but I was slowly being overwhelmed.

Crack.

A fissure ran along my sword.

At this rate, I’d be cut in half—

"Master!"

The Reaper charged forward.

Swordsman and Red Mage followed, launching a magical blade and fireball.

Even if it meant catching me in the blast, they were trying to push Kenzaki back.

"Futile!"

Kenzaki roared, and the shockwave he created blew away both the magical blade and the fireball, sending the Reaper flying as well.

Even his shockwaves had grown stronger—!

"It’s over, Shigure!"

Kenzaki put even more power into his attack.

—And then it happened.

Glow...

A faint light enveloped my sword as it blocked the holy sword.

"What...!?"

I was stunned.

At the same time,

Rooooaaaaarrr...!

A mighty roar echoed.

From right beside me.

"This voice—"

I turned in astonishment.

There stood a knight clad in silver armor.

"Mirage...!?"