Part 1
The Water God Style has five secret arts.
The Water God Style founder is the one who created the strongest secret arts.
If you can use three of those five moves, you would be considered as a [God] rank.
Throughout the history of the Water God Style, there were individuals who had mastered four of them, but...
Only the first generation [God] rank mastered all five of the Water God Style's secret arts.
Water God Reida Ryia was one such individual having mastered three of the secret arts.
She is an old woman.
Her pri is long past, her abilities are degrading with age.
Regarding this, there is a bit of uncertainty.
About why has she retained the title of Water God.
She was chosen for teaching swordsmanship in the Asura Kingdom for many years.
She has not nad a successor even after a dozen years.
Why does she continue bearing the title of the [God] rank of Water God Style?
Is it because she has exceptional talent?
That much is true.
The Water God Reida is unmistakably a genius.
Enough not to be inferior to any of history's Water Gods.
But, be that as it may, she doesn't have so much talent that she'd win over old age.
So is it that there's no other talent left?
That's not the case.
Currently, there are several individuals who have mastered three of the secret arts of the Water God Style.
But why didn't those few consider taking over Reida's burden as [God] rank in Water God Style.
[They weren't suitable for that], said one with [Emperor] rank in Water God Style, entrusting that position to Reida.
Why?
That's because Water God Reida used the two most difficult of the five secret arts.
By combining those two mystic arts, a phantom art is created, which could be called a sixth secret art.
『Deprivation Sword Kingdom』
She strikes from a single stance, be it a swing striking down, up, left or right.
From where she is, it's possible for her to kill all of her opponents in every direction.
If anyone moves even a step, she will respond to that movent, capable of cutting down everything.
Part 2
"Nobody moves. I want to avoid this if possible."
Perugius' subordinate, Arumanfi of the Bright, moved as soon as Reida had appeared.
He was behind Reida in an instant ... and was sheared in half in the next mont.
He did not leave a corpse, but disappeared in particles of light.
Then Perugius' underling Trophimus of the Wave also moved.
He points his hand towards Reida, as if to fire off sothing.
Looks like he will.
But Reida only tilted her sword slightly for just an instant and Trophimus was sheared in half.
He too disappeared, becoming particles of light.
Next, she moved to and sliced off my wrist the mont I sent magic power to the ring I was wearing.
No, it only seed to have been cut off.
What I lost was the wrist of my prosthetic hand.
My left hand is alive and well.
But, looking at my hand that abruptly disappeared, I couldn't help but shudder.
The next one that moved was a senior noble.
In an attempt to escape by himself, his leg's tendon was sliced as a result.
He let out a scream before collapsing from the strike.
It was a strike with the back of the sword.
None of the guards were able to move.
Neither Eris who is prone to strike first, nor Ghyslaine.
Ariel, Perugius and his subordinates, as well as myself had all been nailed down by Reida.
Everyone in the room was aware that they were in Reida's range.
They understood that if they took action, it would result in an instant death.
"...It doesn't seem that anyone dares to move. Well, Auber."
When Auber was called, he was stiff.
Even a swordsman of his level, cannot escape from Reida's pressure.
"W, why are you here...? "
"Ariel, Perugius...and Quagmire, right. Hurry up and take their necks."
Auber alone was able to move.
He sent a puzzled look to Reida.
"M-?"
"That's right. Who else will do it? "
"But ... "
At that point, Auber glanced at Eris.
Looking at it with a sidelong glance, Reida spat with still eyes.
"It is no good that Eris is among the enemies, huh. Whether the attack in the forest, or on the street at night, you did a half-hearted job. Even a coward like you wants to act swordsman-like in front of your disciple."
Everyone held their position while Reida was badmouthing them.
"Why do you think you were hired for such a high price?
Is it so you could just take the money using your prestige as a North Emperor, lose two of your disciples, and watch your employer die without being able to do anything?"
" ... "
"Weren't you a more underhanded person?"
"...Yeah."
Auber made his move.
With a sword in the right hand, he joined the party.
Heading toward Ariel's direction.
This is bad.
I have do to sothing.
I can't move.
What should I do.
This is one of Hitogami's pawns.
With only one [God] rank from Water God style, this happens.
I had heard of the counter for the Water God style from Orsted.
I listened to his explaination carefully.
It's to [Take action so that it doesn't co to this.]
Run away out of their sight before you see the Water God style, then take a stance.
Either behind or ahead of them is fine; even above or below works.
Run away while you still can.
Even though I was told that.
It has co to this situation.
" ... Na! This! "
Suddenly, the security of the castle entered the room.
Knights in armor.
No, that silvery armor ... apprentice knights?
"P-Put away your sword ...! "
"Don't move! "
Reida's shout stopped the Knight apprentices.
However, there was one apprentice who didn't listen, proceeding further in.
Walking a few steps in this pressure, that person removed her helt.
Erging from under the helt was the face of soone I'm familiar with.
Water King Isolte Cruel.
Why is she here?
There shouldn't be a single knight guarding the castle today.
Is this Darius's doing?
In anticipation of such a situation, did he station the apprentice knight?
Or was this just a coincidence ?
"Honored Master, what on earth is going on here? "
"Oh, is it Isolte...?"
"Using the secret arts at a place like this...!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll explain. Today, Water God Reida and North Emperor Auber shall begin their rampage."
"Ram... page? "
While Isolte frowns upon hearing that, Reida continues her words.
"Let's see... Both of us here had conspired with the Kingdom of the Dragon King.
Blinded by huge amounts of gold, we tried to assassinate officials of the kingdom.
Ariel is brutally murdered, then the murderers are killed by an apprentice knight who was present at the ti by so chance.
Isolte Cruel becos a hero, and Water God Style survives."
Starting with a laugh, Reida saw the first prince.
"Yeah, isn't it a good plot? I should've beco a writer... Make it happen like that, Grabell boy."
"Did I just hear sothing stupid, esteed master... ! "
Trying to step forward, Isolte's legs are stopped.
Perhaps in Reida's excitent, she caught Isolte in her area of attack.
" ... Hurry, Auber."
" ... "
"What? Are you worried that the North God Style will lose it's social status? Don't screw with , I'm cleaning up your ss! It's too late to step down now, calm yourself."
Auber shook his head.
He picks up his sword, and turns around to Ariel.
But, he shakes his head in hesitation.
He is at a loss.
"What are you doing, Auber! Kill Ariel now! And that whore over there as well!"
Darius' cry resounded.
He also included Tris.
For Darius, it's not only Ariel's death that is desirable.
If evidence remains, even after Grabell becos king, he might still be in trouble.
"Don't worry about what happens later! I'll do sothing about it!"
Hearing the cry of Darius, Auber seems to have regained his resolve.
Looking a little bit different, he continues walking to Ariel's direction.
Oh, this is bad.
This situation.
Is it already checkmate?
"Chi... "
Eris is trying to move.
For better or for worse, she tries to escape Reida's barrier.
"Eris, it's useless "
"But. "
"Please, stop it."
"Then, what do we do...?"
I do not want to see a situation where Eris dies.
But what will I do?
What should I do?
I do not know.
What if we move all at once?
No, that's no good.
It's not a skill that could be broken so easily.
I assu, regardless, we're too far apart to coordinate the attack.
What about Perugius?
He has not moved since earlier.
No, he's looking at with a bored face.
A face that seems to say, [What are you going to do about this situation?]
Even though his two subordinates are dead, he doesn't look agitated at all.
Could he have sothing in store?
Or is he relying on sothing?
No, there is no such free ti.
Auber is trying to kill Ariel right now.
No choice.
There is no choice but to move.
I will attack both Reida and Auber at the sa ti.
I will use『Electric』magic.
I will be injuring the surrounding people near .
It might not be able to completely defeat them, and I might also get incapacitated if I use lightning.
Plus, Water God Style can evade even magic. The success rate is low...
"Rudeus... Let's do it. "
Seeming to have noticed my finger's movent, Eris gave a signal with her eyes.
We'll die together...
Sylphy, please pick up my bones later.
" ...!"
And, at that ti.
A jolt passed through the core of my being.
"T, This is ... !"
Auber's body starts to tremble and stops moving.
Reida's forehead starts to sweat profusely.
No, it is not just those two people.
In this place, most people have begun to tremble and jerk their bodies.
Even though the world stopped moving from Reida's pressure, their faces turn pale and shiver.
So he noticed.
Ah, thank goodness...
From the ring a little while ago, magic seems to have properly gone through.
"Damn it, I give up... Darius, I wasted too much ti talking..."
" ...W, What? What's, going on!? This cold air...!"
"Change of plan. Auber, it's bad but can you take Darius and flee from this place right now?"
Auber is puzzled at Reida's words.
"Why Darius... instead of First Prince Grabell? "
"Ma, even an old lady like won't forget her debt. "
Reida laughed thinly.
"Hurry! At this rate, regardless of friend or foe, everyone will die!"
At her words, Auber thought for a mont, then nodded.
Grasping Darius's arms, he dragged his heavy body, taking him away.
"This way."
"Hu, Yea... "
Auber fled in a direction differing from the entrance the apprentice knights ca from.
No one can stop them.
Tied down by Reida, I cannot move at all.
" ... "
Silence envelops the area.
"Whew. How far can they escape? If I knew about this earlier, then perhaps I wouldn't have co..."
"...Why?"
Soone asked this question.
It was Ariel.
Even in the face of death, her complexion hadn't changed.
She seems to question why Reida is helping Darius.
I also have doubts in that regard.
"Everyone's noisily asking [Why, why]. Co on, this isn't sothing unusual."
Reida has a pleasant look.
"It's a story of when an old woman was just a young girl.
Praised as a genius, the ecstatic girl beat up a noble of the sa age at a dojo... and received retribution after.
Outnumbered and surrounded by a crowd, she was knocked down in an instant.
Just when she was about to have both her hands–the life of a swordswoman–cut off, and turned into a daruma, she was rescued.
By a single noble boy who was higher ranked than those nobles."
... What?
It was Darius?
"She beca a Water King and was selected to work as a fencing instructor.
When she tried to give her thanks then, he'd beco a fat and sly man with a twisted character.
He didn't rember , either."
...
"I sure felt let down.
After all, I'd thought that even if his face was bad, he was a boy with a straightforward, righteous character.
[Maybe, if I could et that person]... I've even thought so maiden-like things."
Reida has a distant look in her eyes.
Rembering the illusion that she thinks she can now move on from.
"Well, it was an end to the girl's first love... But well, I didn't resent that, I just needed to repay my life's favor."
Reida said.
In few short words, in such a short ti.
A confession towards no one in particular.
"Honestly, I also had forgotten about it.
But, on the way back to Asura, there was a sudden revelation in my dream.
If I ca back to the royal palace as a Water God Style instructor, I could return the favor of that ti."
So it was Hitogami.
And now, a man opposing Hitogami is coming towards us.
While, unfortunately, his presence poured overwhelmingly, one man is running through the castle at great speed.
Auber will probably run in the opposite direction of that man.
They do not have the power to detect his presence, but he understood sohow.
Auber is a person sensitive to such signs.
"It's funny. Even though he had completely forgotten about it long ago."
" ... "
"But at this age, it no longer matters anymore. By removing the feeling of love, it becos a whole new feeling. It becos a feeling to repay the kindness of a lifeti."
Then Reida opens her eyes.
" ... He seems to have arrived."
The front door opened.
A lone man entered.
"Hi!?"
Everyone is overco with fear from seeing his figure.
So leaked, while others collapsed on the floor.
There are those who are hostile too.
However, everyone here holds a similar thought.
『I'll be killed.』
Silvery hair and golden eyes.
A lone man with a dangerous, frightening face.
Orsted stood there.
"Long ti no see. Did you co to perform the final rites for this old lady's short remaining life? "
"That's right. Because you're an apostle of Hitogami."
"Apostle, huh... So you let go the previous ti because I wasn't one then? My my, in my last monts I'm going to have to fight an unbelievable opponent..."
Locking gazes, Orsted approached Reida in a straight line.
There was no hesitation.
"『Deprivation Sword Kingdom』"
Reida's body blurred.
Her sword was never at a fixed location.
Every ti Orsted took a step, golden flickers flew out from the sword.
With sword flickers leaving an afterimage, Reida and Orsted are tied with a thread of gold.
All sword flickers has been defended against.
Sparks are scattered around Orsted.
He repelled those sword blows with his bare hands.
One step, two steps, three steps.
The number of sparks increase with each step.
Orsted still does not stop.
He reached the front of Reida's eyes in no ti.
"Die."
And all too soon.
Very anticlimactically, Reida's chest had been penetrated.
By Orsted's transparent hand, Reida is run through.
She was discarded like a rag.
" G-Grandmaaa! ! "
Isolte cried, and the killing intent vanished.
But, as if ti stood still, no one made a move.
What just happened? No one understands it.
Only fear dominates this place.
Everyone thinking that they would be the next to die.
The first one to move is Isolte.
She drew her sword and took a stance against Orsted with trembling legs.
"How dare you, the esteed master...! "
"..."
As if nothing had happened, Orsted moves towards the terrace.
Isolte starts running after him to the terrace.
"Rudeus-sama! "
Cried Ariel when she ca to.
"Please chase after Auber and Darius! They must not escape!"
Following Ariel's roared phrase, ti began to move again.
Selfish nobles started to flee with their escorts in tow.
Three people. Ghyslaine, Eris, and I ran out of the room and chased after Darius.
"Ru, Rudi? What happened?"
Sylphy ca over as well.
She doesn't seem to grasp the situation.
What should I do, bring her along?
No, Isolte is still in the room.
She is looking down from the terrace outside while being stunned.
She seems to have given up on chasing Orsted...
"Sylphy, guard Ariel-sama! Be careful of Isolte! We will chase Darius!"
"Okay!"
I leave Sylphy and Luke to protect Ariel.
With that last minute judgent, we gave chase.
Part 3
It is uncertain why Ariel scread [Chase Darius!]
Maybe it was just in the spur of the mont?
Don't let Darius get away!
I wonder if it's because of the old woman's tale?
Ariel must have another reason for to chase Darius.
She's also a Dragon's dog like .
Maybe her reason is simply: [Don't let Hitogami's apostle Darius get away.]
Kill Darius.
It's decided that I must do this.
"This way! "
In accordance with Ghyslaine's nose, we run down the hallway.
Ghyslaine and Eris have no doubt whatsoever in Ariel's words.
Chasing after a fleeing enemy, they wear stifled smiles.
Feeling the adrenaline, I run down the hall steadily.
Security is low.
It's not entirely absent, but they seem to be after soone else.
A voice saying, [He fled towards the Royal Palace!] can be heard.
Perhaps they are after Orsted.
" ... I saw them! "
With no disturbances, we easily caught up to them after a few minutes.
Darius, with his huge body, was being carried by Auber.
Heavy wheezing can be heard as they rush down the corridor.
" ... Tch! "
Looking back with a sharp glance, Auber clicks his tongue.
He supports Darius's shoulder, and flees into a nearby room.
We imdiately rush in after... and suddenly co to a stop.
Darius catches his breath, while Auber with his unsheathed sword is facing us.
"...Ku, Ku! "
Writhingly Darius glares at .
"Agh, why did sothing so stupid have to happen? This is strange, too strange."
"Darius-dono, you have lived a long life, so you should have experienced this type of thing before. How about calming down and using your head to get us out of this situation? "
Auber replied To Darius's cry.
"I did as God said! I shouldn't have been cornered like this! "
Darius refutes with a red face.
" ... My my, so you're a religious guy. Then at least calm your breathing and pray for my victory."
While scratching his cheek, Auber took up his swords with a helpless look.
Before us, he brandishes his swords head on for the first ti.
And he introduces himself.
" 『North Emperor』 Auber Corvette."
To that challenge, Ghyslaine and Eris quickly ready their swords.
"『Sword King』 Eris Greyrat."
"『Sword King』 Ghyslaine Dedorudia."
Should I also introduce myself?
While I hesitated, Darius pointed his finger at Eris.
"The one with red hair! Boreas! It's you! You're a Boreas Greyrat! "
Eris bit her lips and frowned blatantly.
"... That has changed."
" I! I have provided various help for Boreas's needs!"
Darius didn't hear Eris's reply and shouted while spitting out his saliva.
"Even with Fedoa territory's disappearance, I helped them with gold!"
... Co to think of it.
Darius provided the capital to fund the Fedoa Region Search Group, right ...?
Although I heard talk that there was an ulterior motive.
Being caught off guard, this part of is a little weak.
Ulterior motives of investors aside, many people were still saved by it.
"That's irrelevant to !"
Eris spit out her words harshly.
She is smart.
"J-Jas also received my help!"
Jas.
The current head of Boreas, Eris's uncle.
"Installing him as Boreas family head, and preventing him from being crushed by the all-out attack from nobles is also due to my help! "
It's a completely different matter.
"Because of that, the reconstruction of the Fedoa territory is also going well!"
No, no, that's a lie.
"I've seen it on the way to the Royal Capital, but reconstruction of Fedoa territory isn't advancing at all."
"Don't listen to that youngster! If Boreas had completely collapsed, other lords would have sold the Fedoa territory bit by bit and abandoned it!"
Putting it in that way it sounds convincing.
Was that really the case?
The reconstruction has not been going well is a fact.
But were the alternatives any better?
"If that's the case, you should've helped old man Sauros..."
Coming out clearly from my mouth, were those words.
At that, Darius's complexion changed dramatically.
"Sauros? Don't talk about that idiot, that toothless lion could never grasp the reality of the situation! That man tried to use the entire Boreas fortune to reconstruct Fedoa Region without thinking about the consequences!"
" ... "
I think that's a manly choice ... but.
Well, you can definitely call it a bad move.
The Boreas House is falling prey to other lords now, after all.
"I saved Jas who ca crying to ! I killed Sauros who was forcibly advancing things, and made sure that Jas would beco the head! The Boreas House and Fedoa territory still exist. This was all possible due to my help! So help ! Please overlook this!"
Aa...
That's not good.
Saying such things about the late Sauros.
I think these two people may no longer be stopped.
"In other words, you're Sauros-ojiisama's enemy."
"I see, so that's how it is."
At Eris's words, Ghyslaine nods, they take up their swords and bare their fangs.
"Then, I'll kill you."
"Hiiii!"
Darius gives out a short scream.
Auber sighed.
"I guess that ans negotiations have failed."
Thus, the final round begins.
Part 4
" Fu~u ... Fu~u... "
Has Darius collected himself?
He sat on the nearest chair taking deep breaths.
His shout just now is starting to look like a lie, with his calm looking attitude.
"Auber, can you win?"
"Well, it would be better if it was just the two Sword Kings, but that magician is troubleso."
With his back to Darius, Auber is pointing a sword in my direction.
He looks... settled down, I guess?
However, his eyes are not focused.
He's looking and moving restlessly, is that a feint?
"...... I know. The God also said so."
"God did?"
"That a mage in gray colored robe will co and kill . I did as I was told; I destroyed all the magic teleportation circles in the area and had you withdraw to the capital, however this is the result. I won't believe in him anymore."
Following Hitogami's orders, he moved about secretly, doing this and that.
Like Orsted said, chess seems to be a weak point of Hitogami.
Maybe he just doesn't like playing a two player ga.
"Do sothing. That's why I hired you. Your speciality is fighting while being outnumbered, isn't it?"
"Understood...If by any chance I win I will get a special reward, right?"
"Oh yes, that's right! I promise!"
――After that exchange, Auber was facing us.
He squared his shoulders against his opponents.
Seeing this, Eris and Ghyslaine straighten up.
"North God style...『 Red Ink 』"
"Gaaaaaaaa! "
"Uraaaaaaa! "
The mont Auber muttered that, Eris and Ghyslaine reacted.
But at that ti, I already understood the aning of 『 Red Ink 』.
I had heard from Orsted what kind of skill it was.
Ground.
A red carpet was laid on the floor.
Also, a red ball was scattered beforehand without anyone realizing it.
By the ti we noticed it, it was too late.
"This is!"
"Nu!? "
At the feet of Ghyslaine and Eris, a big pop "Pa~an" resounded.
Spreading under their feet, strong liquid adhesive was strewn, sticking the soles of the two to the carpet.
This ball was developed by a certain North Saint pharmacist, an instant adhesive.
Since the process is complex, I don't really rember how to make it.
The impact causes the ball to rupture scattering the contents around.
The strong adhesive kept Ghyslaine's and Eris's legs stuck to the carpet.
"『Water Flow』!"
Using water magic, I washed off the adhesive on their feet.
It is weak to water and loses its suction the mont it's exposed to moisture.
But, Eris and Ghyslaine's stance had already been ssed up.
Too unsteady for their kill moves, but with their well trained legs they still never-the-less managed to strike.
Too slow.
Auber has already started his next move.
He imdiately moves between Ghyslaine and Eris.
Ghyslaine's sword stops.
Eris's sword stops.
They're taught in Sword God Style, to never release a Sword of Light with allies in the way.
"First thing's first, you. Rudeus Greyrat."
Auber's target isn't Ghyslaine or even Eris.
It was .
I see it.
Thanks to the simulated training with Eris, my foreseeing eye has caught Auber's sword properly.
Imdiately, I moved the artificial hand into the sword's trajectory.
First move.
I guard another by using the art of 『Earth Shield』with the right hand .
"North God Style secret art...『 Oboro Cross 』!"
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