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Arisuin Nagi silently retreated to the back. He didn't stop Ryoji from engaging the opponent out of respect for his choice.
At the same time, he knew how perilous this battle would be.
'The World's Strongest Swordsman.'
This title wasn't a hollow accolade bestowed in jest but a hard-earned truth, forged sword stroke by sword stroke through countless battles.
Approximately fifteen years ago...
Russia invaded Estonia, which had not yet joined the League. In an attempt to win over the Baltic States, the League sent its own forces to forcibly cross the Estonian border without Estonia's permission, nearly triggering World War III.
An army of around 300,000 soldiers roamed freely across Estonian territory, plunging the civilian population into constant fear. Government officials became mere figureheads, their protests ignored by both sides.
It was then that she appeared.
Alone and armed with only a sword, she charged into the heart of the invading army of 300,000.
In order to drive the invading forces from her homeland, she fought the entire enemy army single-handedly, killing them all. Using only her unparalleled sword technique, she annihilated them all.
Modern armies boast powerful Blazers as well as planes and cannons. At least several thousand Blazers marched alongside the regular troops within that three-hundred-thousand-strong army.
Yet with her blade, she cut through them all in a single day and night.
Throughout the entire battle, she relied solely on her sword technique, and she never once resorted to her Blazer's special ability. The League and the Union erupted in fury and issued arrest warrants for her capture.
But every pursuer who came after her vanished before her otherworldly sword technique like bubbles. Her name reverberated across the globe, earning her the dual titles of 'World's Strongest Swordsman' and 'World's Most Vicious Criminal'.
The League and the Union finally realized that their pursuit was futile, so they lifted the bounty on her. They even relinquished control of the territory surrounding her residence, stipulating that any Blazer who encountered her could flee without facing repercussions.
After Estonia joined the League, its government officially renounced all claims to Sword Peak Edelberg, the world's highest peak, and its surrounding lands in an effort to avoid conflict with her. This effectively made it her personal domain.
She was the world's strongest swordsman.
She was the ultimate pinnacle of all sword techniques, standing at the apex of the path of the sword.
For anyone aspiring to master the blade, her name was universally known and revered.
Even Saikyou Nene, currently ranked third in the League, would feel genuine dread when recalling her sword techniques and would openly admit that she was no match for her.
She wore immaculately white attire and carried dual swords that resembled wings.
"My name is Edelweiss, commonly known as 'Twin Wings.'" She revealed her name.
This was the strongest in the real world.
Compared to her, the Seven Stars Sword King seemed insignificant. Kurogane Ouma, Sara, and the Puppet Warlock all paled in her presence.
""My name is Ryoji, self-proclaimed 'Aurora,' the man who will one day become the Sword God!"As if to challenge her, Ryoji announced his title. "Before this woman, I absolutely can't show any weakness!"
"Ambitious aspirations," Edelweiss acknowledged with a nod. "But to reach that level, you must surpass me, naive boy! Though it's premature, you will now glimpse the vastness of the world!"
And so, the young man who called himself Aurora, the world's strongest swordsman, and Edelweiss clashed in a fierce battle.
...
"...Flickering Light and Passing Shadows!"
The instant the battle began, Ryoji held his breath. He pushed his physical abilities to an unprecedented peak.
His advance was as swift as a gale. The silver longsword in his hand swayed erratically, like a ship's sail heaving up and down, deceiving the mind.
This sword technique, derived from Trackless Step, exploited his opponents' subconscious vulnerabilities, plunging them into a momentary stupor and rendering them incapable of action.
Without prior training to counteract this subconscious attack, escape from its effects was impossible!
But!
Edelweiss, the world's strongest, remained completely unmoved. She calmly raised the sword in her right hand. Her blade, straight as a crucifix, arced downwards in a single, decisive strike.
A sudden chill crawled down Ryoji's spine.
He had completely lost track of his opponent's sword.
Ryoji's visual acuity was extraordinary. Even against Kurogane Ikki's fastest sword strikes, he could track their trajectory. Yet against the Twin Wings Sword, he lost all sense of its movements!
Clang!
A sword flashed like lightning.
Before he could react, his Flickering Light and Passing Shadows had already been shattered.
Even worse, a violent tremor surged through his arms, and a paralyzing shock jolted his hands, almost causing him to lose his grip on his blade.
Amidst the ear-splitting clash, Ryoji's sword was deflected with great force.
Then, another flash of light slashed forward immediately afterwards.
Once again, he could not discern the trajectory of the strike; he could see only a fleeting glint of light.
This strike was guaranteed to hit Ryoji head-on.
Instant kill!
'Sword Step!'
Ryoji's right foot slammed into the ground.
His body suddenly surged with divine speed, far surpassing the velocity of the Twin Wings sword techniques. With a single step backward, he retreated over twenty meters instantly.
The second flash-like sword strike missed completely.
"Hmm?"
Edelweiss let out a soft murmur as if she had noticed something. A thoughtful expression flickered across her face.
Ryoji finally caught his breath after retreating from her attack range, standing across from her.
Although they had only exchanged a single strike, it felt as exhausting as a full-scale battle against the Akatsuki Academy.
The world's strongest sword technique had put immense pressure on him.
Had it not been for his special ability, he would already have been struck by her blade.
"Her sword is unnaturally fast, impossible to track!" Ryoji thought, his heart pounding. "And she wields it so effortlessly, yet her strength is overwhelming."
He lowered his head and caught sight of his trembling hands.
The instant the colossal force surged through his blade, he had already diverted most of it into the ground. Yet the shock was immense, nearly knocking his sword from his grip.
The difference in strength was at least twentyfold.
The Twin Wings Sword weighed several times more than Kurogane Ikki's sword in his Ittou Shura state!
Judging by her effortless demeanor, she clearly hadn't exerted her full strength.
Based on her muscle patterns, she had probably only used her arm strength, without engaging her whole-body power.
Her strength undoubtedly surpassed that of a Level 7 in the Danmachi world.
'Facing the world's strongest, one wrong move and you're instantly dead!'
Ryoji immediately became highly vigilant.
Despite this, an inexplicable surge of excitement welled up within him, and his desire to clash with this woman grew stronger still.
"Second strike! - Devil Light Flowing Blade!"
Ryoji licked his slightly parched lips.
Then, without hesitation, he charged forward once more!
(End of Chapter)