Chapter 419

419 – The Dragon Hunter’s Pride (side: Volk)

The dragon looks between the banquet hall and the escaping member of the Three Knights, appearing confused. It seems to be struggling to decide whether it is better to give chase or to stay here. Pausing to think on the battlefield like that is the height of folly. It’s a sight unbefitting of the eternity-knowing double-headed, the ouroboros.

If the reason for the hesitation is doubt over my swordsmanship, then I must dispel it right away.

Certainly, my compatibility with that two-faced monster is the worst. That monster’s strength is also a step above those I have been cutting down until now.

But if I wasn’t able to push through here, the title of the Dragon Hunter would be an empty threat.

This a perfect opportunity to take down one of the underlings of the Demon Lord, who is plotting the destruction of the world. It’s possible that, no matter how much I travel, I may never meet the legendary swordsman Howgrey. I had faintly suspected as such. If so, then it may have been for this moment that sharpened my sword. If I fall back now, my life of devotion to the sword might be rendered meaningless.

“Once I’ve cleaned up the small fry, I’ll follow you right away.”

Standing before my sword is a strange-looking young girl with indigo hair, holding a sword and with a second face in her chest. She’s one of the Three Knights under the princess’s, or rather, the Demon Lord’s direct command, the 『Phantom Butterfly Sword Mephisto』.

The dragon looks at me, and bows one of its heads towards me slightly, before heading towards the door that 『Absolute Death Sword Thermal』passed through. I have been entrusted with this place.

“The Dragon Hunter, is it? It seems like you’re looking down on us…”

The expressionless face on Mephisto’s first head mutters dispassionately.

“Hah, what an idiot. We know all of your skills and weaknesses! Dragon Hunter… For someone like you to have survived this long, the ones you fought must have been even more stupid than you!”

Extending from the chest, the second head laughs loudly. Her face is hidden behind her long dry hair, but an insanity exudes from the barely-visible eyes. It seems probable that that ugly head is the actual main body.

“Even if we fought a hundred times, we wouldn’t lose once, you know? Wouldn’t it be better for you to cry for help now? Go on, beg the dragon to save you, rather than lustfully chasing after a girl!”

I hear the dragon’s footfalls stop.

“I told you, I’d be right behind you. I won’t forgive you if you look down on me any more, ouroboros.”

After I speak, I hear the sound of the dragon moving once again.

“Right, this is fine.”

I say as I tighten my grip on my companion, the 『Moon Sunderer Leral』.

『Dragon Hunter-dono, you’re outclassed! I could repel Mephisto’s magic. But I would not be able to keep up with the speed of one of the Three Knights!』

The magiatite monster speaks to me through [Telepathy].

“There’s no need. You should clean up the ones around us. I’ll take this one.”

In the first place, that was the reason it stayed behind. That magic metal monster is good at dealing with the soldier-imitating slimes. Mephisto is already a formidable opponent. If those around me were to interfere, not only would my sword be unable to reach her, but I’d lose the thrill of a one-on-one battle.

“Ha! We already knew from the last time we collided. You really haven’t got much magic, have you? You’ll deal with us quickly, you say? As if you could put up a fight with such a half-hearted status. If you think you can deal with us quickly then, please, show us!”

Mephisto dashes towards me as she speaks.

Certainly, I have no magical talent to speak of. The only magic I can use is [Dimension], which stores items that can fit in a hand in a special space, allowing for the storage of tools or swords. Still, when it comes to how I fight, my inability to use magic is not something that I mind. Fighting with anything but the sword is unimaginable for me.

However, whenever enemies cast magic on me, it becomes a fatal weakness. Previously, even if the magic came from low-ranks, resisting it was impossible if I got hit. After a long period of practising receiving magic, I improved slightly. But if it’s against a high-rank mage, it’s a drop in the bucket.

A long time ago, back when I was a novice adventurer, I was often told that it was too dangerous for me to act by myself, since I couldn’t deal with magic.

However, perhaps because of my innately belligerent disposition, I could never get along with the timidity of the other reliable and wise adventurers. There was also the matter of how, no matter what wound I received, I would heal quickly. In the village I grew up in, I was placed on the verge of death after repelling the attack of a fierce bear monster by myself, and yet even my broken arm healed entirely over the span of just a single night, and so I was driven out of the village out of disgust. After that, I have had a hard time staying in one place.

“…[Mirage].”

Mephisto’s appearance blurs. It’s illusion magic, one of the worst types of magic for me. Even without needing to hit, it gives the enemy an advantage, so dealing with it by dodging isn’t possible.

I will observe and rely on my wealth of battlefield experience. That is my only option.

“Ahahahaha! I accidentally revealed us last time, but how will it go this time, I wonder? And, this is the finisher! This is the reason you can’t win!”

The second head shouts, the sound appearing to come from three separate locations. From the Mephistos’ swords, three muddy yellow lights shoot out.

“[Confusion].”

The three lights fly towards me. It’s confusion magic. If I receive it, albeit temporarily, I’ll lose my sanity.

Avoiding all three while also dealing with the three figures headed towards me is impossible, even with my physical abilities. I could try taking a bet, but if I repeat that several times over, I’ll eventually lose.

“Don’t get full of yourself, scum.”

I swing Leral, and cut through the three lights. Two of them blink out immediately, and the third bursts and scatters in all directions.

My technique, [Exorcising Blade], cuts through even magic.

“Wha-!”

Mephisto makes a sound of amazement.

“Certainly, I only have the sword. But, as long as I have a sword, I can fight anywhere. You’ve come rather carelessly close to me, haven’t you?”

I release another swing. I’ve already found the real Mephisto from the [Confusion]. The [Shockwave] released from my sword flies towards her real body.

Mephisto jumps up to avoid it. The first head frowns, as the second head hurls abuse.

“Cheh! Do a better job of avoiding it! Argh, why do I have such a useless dimwit as my companion!? Soldiers, assist me!”

But the slime soldiers are being bombarded by fireballs from the magic metal monster, and don’t seem to be able to spare any focus for us.

“Magiatite! You traitor!”

I shorten the distance to Mephisto, timing the swing of my greatsword to match the moment she touches the ground.

“…Don’t underestimate me. In a sword fight, I won’t lose either.”

Her sword scoops down towards me in a flash. It’s not a bad swing. It’s clear she easily possess enough skill to pass for an expert.

“If you weren’t fighting me, that is.”

“Eh?”

Mephisto’s right arm falls together with her sword. The arm transforms to slime in the air, and only the sword clatters to the ground.

“HaaAAAAAh!”

I slash horizontally. A line is gouges through the face on Mephisto’s chest, sending her body flying away.

“KyaaAh!” “IyaaAAaaAAh!”

Scattering slime, her small body slams into the wall.

“Dragon Hunterrrr! The likes of a human, the likes of a humaaaaan!”

The second head shouts as her gouged-out eyes snap open. Her face is healing at an incredible speed.

“It’s time to get serious! I’m really getting angry now! You need to snap out of it too! Use [Separation]! We’ll surround him!”

“…Understood, onee-chan.”

Mephisto’s face shakes and her head drops down, changing to a green colour. The remaining body also becomes green and takes on a new shape.

Mephisto has transformed into a slime with two human upper bodies.

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