Rudeus woke up from the aftermath. The dust had yet to settle. He couldn't make heads or tails of the sight before him. He rubbed his eyes and called out for his friend and patient.
'Oh god. I might have overdone that. I cut the mana by a tenth, and it still managed to knock my Stone Fortress. I hope Satella and the giant are okay. Where are they? I can't see through the dust, dammit!'
"I'm fine! *cough cough*. Rom-san is fine too."
A pool of terror within Rudeus' stomach dissolved as he heard the angelic bell-like voice of his half-Elf friend. He ran towards her voice and found Satella healing the old man on the ground. Despite the carnage wrought by his spell, both seemed relatively fine, with only minor bruises and burns. Of course, minus Rom's deep shoulder wound.
"That was some rea~lly impressive magic. I've only seen two other mages with stronger spells like that."
"Ha, ha. Is that so? It's like a trump card, so I don't use it that often." He meekly replied.
'Indeed, considering how devastating it was, you can't use it other than as a last resort.'
"How's the giant doing?"
"The cut is deep, but he should be fine if I keep my healing going."
Rudeus only smiled in satisfaction after fighting tooth and nail at his slim chance at survival. He saved everyone he wanted to save and stopped the evil assassin from hurting anyone anymore. He got the good ending.
Speaking of assassins, nothing was left of the woman that assaulted them just ten minutes ago. Did the blast knock her away? Or did the spell instantly vaporize her on the spot? Truth be told, Rudeus didn't want to know the answer, and neither did he care that much.
'So, this is what it feels like to truly live seriously? It's... not a bad feeling. After we heal the man, we find that Felt girl and ask for her insignia back. We did save her life after all, and I did give her that flawless emerald. She'll be able to get out of this shit hole with that. I'll ask Satella a nearby Inn, and perhaps her address and maybe a kiss on the cheek too, then head-'
*Crack, rustle, rustle*
Before he could finish his thoughts, the rubble toppling over caught his attention. He turned to see the crazed woman still alive, sprinting towards him at supersonic speed. His Demon Eye was not enough to react in time to the crazed sprint, as she was too close for Rudeus to cast a spell. He watched in slow-motion as her daggers inched closer and closer toward his abdomen.
"That's enough!"
An authoritative voice echoed the partially destroyed Loot House. With a crash from the ceiling, an elegantly dressed man with flaming red hair appeared between Rudeus and the assassin, blocking the attack with his bare hands.
The woman backflipped several times, creating distance from the stranger that appeared out of nowhere.
"Reinhard-sama?"
"I'm sorry for being late. You did well holding her off. I'll handle things from here."
Rudeus had only met the man a few hours ago. Even then, it was more of a passing acquaintance. He couldn't possibly know Reinhard's strength or proficiency with the blade, yet for some reason, deep within his heart, he felt at ease at the redhead's introduction.
"A-alright, we'll focus on healing the man. Be careful, though. She's crazy strong and can heal!"
Rudeus scurried towards old man Rom and Satella, diligently healing the giant. If Reinhard said he could handle things, then Reinhard could take things.
"Hoh~, I'm blessed with the presence of the sword saint? This day couldn't get any better."
"Black hair, black dress, and twin daggers, you must be the infamous "Bowel Hunter"."
"Ora ora, You know me? I'm flattered to be known by the great Sword Saint."
The Bowel Hunter took a fighting stance as she faced the Sword Saint head-on. Despite her disadvantage, tired from fighting Rudeus and Satella, she looked just as manic and sounded just as excited as before.
"Your opponent will be me, Reinhard, Van Astrea. The Sword Saint."
'Hah? He's just a sword saint? Sure, that's impressive, but that bitch is clearly at King or Emporer level. She'll gut him in two before he knows it!'
'Ah, no, wait, this isn't the world I come from. Their ranks might be a bit different. At least Elsa seems excited to fight him. No matter, I'll have to support him if things go bad.'
"Hmm. Say, will you not be using your sword? I've always wanted to taste its legendary sharpness."
"The Dragon Sword, Reid, is quite picky. The fact that it hasn't left its sheath means you're not worthy of an opponent."
"Instead, I'll face you with this."
Reinhard picked up an old sword belonging to the Loot House. The moment he gripped the old swords, it shined brightly as the years of degradation seemingly vanished to show his reflection on the blade.
"I can't say I'm not disappointed, but this will have to do."
Elsa dashed towards Reinhard at inhuman speeds as her words left her mouth. She was much faster than before her fight with the mage duo. Reinhard didn't seem to care as he perfectly deflected each strike without moving a single step from his position.
*Clang, Clink, Tang*
The sound of steel cashing with each parry reverberated through the roofless building.
'The way he's deflecting all her attacks, he's gotta be at least King level in Watergod Style. Could Reinhard be a powerful swordsman in this world?' Is that what Sword Saint meant in this world?'
"He's only blocking. Why isn't he fighting back?"
"It's because of me. We both draw mana from around us. As long as I need to heal him, Reinhard-sama won't be able to go all out. I'll give you a signal once he's fully healed." Satella replied.
'So even that isn't him at full strength? How strong can this guy be?'
The two continued to dance with their blades. One leaped all over the halls while the other planted on the ground. It was the fight between a fly and a truck.
"Alright, there, I'm done with my healing."
"I don't know what's happening, but do your thing, Reinhard!"
Reinhard smiled at Rudeus' words. As a knight of the kingdom, it was his duty to protect the citizens of Lugunica. How could he ignore the cries of a friend in need? With the healing magic finished, he began drawing ambient mana to finish the fight.
"Oh~Ho. Are you finally taking me seriously? I haven't ever had the chance to be struck down by the Sword Saint himself. What will you show me now?"
"The Swordplay of the Astrea family."
Reinhard sucked the ambient mana dry, channeling all the energy through his blade. Despite its typical invisible nature, you could practically see the raw power of the legendary swordsman.
Elsa smiled as brightly as ever and took her typical double-dagger attack stance.
"Elsa Granhiert." She proclaimed.
"Reinhard, Van Astrea." He replied in kind.
With their courteous declarations finished, Reinhard released the energy built up for his final blow. He released the pent-up energy with a downward strike, splitting the Loot House, the clouds, and Elsa. His blade illuminated brighter than ever before. The world lost its color as Reinhard's sword shined bright blue. The resulting explosion was just as strong, if not stronger, than Rudeus'.
As Rudeus opened his eyes, he was met with a wholly annihilated Loot House. None of its walls, furniture, or displayed items survived the attack as they all piled trash and rubble.
"I thought you were a swordsman, not a suicide bomber!" He shouted in surprise.
"Even if it's from you, that still hurts my feelings, Rudeus." Reinhard cheerfully replied.
The sword Reinhard borrowed was full of cracks and chips. Soon enough, the blade disintegrated into a pile of ash and flew out of his hands on the cold night breeze.
"I'm sorry for pushing you too hard. Rest well."
Rudeus stood up from the carnage and searched for the Bowel Hunter. Both his eyes and Demon Eye claimed she was gone for good. Though, It didn't hurt to be thorough.
"All this from a single sword strike? You're something else, huh?"
"Is it all over now?" Satella asked.
Standing up to meet Rudeus and Reinhard, she held her head, tripped over, and was caught by Rudeus. The constant battle and her healing magic drained her to exhaustion.
"Somehow, yeah. We made it in the end." Rudeus softly replied.
"Oh, thank you, Reinhard, for saving us. We couldn't have managed without your help. I'm guessing you heard my cries for help, friend!"
"I certainly would be proud if that were the case, friend. Though, a certain blonde child led me here. And an enormous explosion, of course."
Rudeus could only scratch the back of his head as his Nuclear Explosion was mentioned.
"He, he. Sorry about that. It was supposed to be my last resort to stop her, but it wasn't enough. So it was Felt who brought her here, huh? I guess we owe each other now."
Reinhard turned around to see Felt hiding behind a remaining pillar.
"She desperately ran around the streets and asked for my help."
"That's..." Satella commented.
"Now, hold on... We might not have made it if she didn't bring Reinhard-san with her. Just look at her scared face. Let's call things even and skip the ice-statue punishment." Rudeus begged.
"I... I wouldn't do anything so cruel. I just wanted to-"
*Crack*
"Rudeus!"
"Oh?"
Behind the pile of rubble, Elsa tore through the demolished building. Her smile was nowhere to be found. She looked annoyed for the first time since the fight with Rudeus and Satella. Squeezing every bit of strength, she dashed towards Satella with her last remaining dagger.
Reinhard ran towards her to intercept, but he was too far. He wouldn't make it in time to save them. All this effort, only to stumble at the end. What a horrible monster he is.
Rudeus reacted to it as well. His Demon Eye told him she aimed at Satella rather than himself.
*Stone Wall*
The rising stone successfully blocked Elsa's strike, preventing her further progression.
"He got in my way again!" She angrily spat.
Reinhard jumped between them with his hands, ready to apprehend the assassin.
"That's enough, Elsa!"
"Soon enough, I'll disembowel everyone here. Until then, keep your guts safe for me."
Elsa leapt out of the destroyed tavern and vanished under the moonlight.
Everyone else sighed in relief as the horrible terror was no longer in sight. Surely she wouldn't dare attack them again, right?
"Well, that's that, I guess. The place is destroyed, but we all made it out alive." Rudeus said.
"Ah! I have just saved you from a terrible assassin. Are we okay with that?" He continued.
"Okay?" Satella asked in confusion. She had never heard of such a word before. The boy's antics didn't help as he held both hands to the sky and waved them around.
"It means, 'Are we clear on that'. So... Okay?"
"Umm, Okay."
"I- your rescuer, am the one who saved your life. Wouldn't that mean you should pay me in kind?"
From the words of the strange boy she accompanied, Satella felt immense disappointment and betrayal. She once thought she had made a good friend, but no. People show their true colors when money is involved. He didn't follow her to be friends. He followed her to be rewarded. She would get this over with and return to the manor.
"Yes, yes, you're right. If it's within my power, I will grant it." She dejectedly spat out.
"In that case!"
With a swift twirl, he pointed his hands toward Satella, snapped his fingers, and said.
"Then please, tell me your real name."
"Ehh?"
Hearing the boy's simple request, Satella was surprised that he just wanted to know her better. Of course, he would know she used a fake name.
'What a dunderhead you are, Emilia!' she thought.
With her right hand on her mouth, covering her bright smile, the girl replied in joy that she didn't lose her good friend after all.
"Emilia. Just Emilia. Thank you for saving me, Rudeus."
Her silver hair shimmered under the moonlight. Those amethyst eyes only highlighted the accented shadows around her. She truly looked like the pinnacle of beauty to Rudeus' mind.
Rudeus could only smile at the sight. Even if he couldn't enjoy women, he could appreciate beauty when he saw it.
'All that hard work, just to learn her name... Talk about an unequal exchange.'
"You're welcome, Emilia. I had a lot of fun tagging along today. Say... you wouldn't happen to know an inn I could staa-"
"Rudeus. Rudeus!"
Before the boy could finish his question, he fell on his back from the physical and mental exhaustion of the battle, leaving Reinhard and Emilia calling out in worry.
"Rudeus. Rudeus! Are you hurt? Did she manage to hurt you?"
'Even when she panics, she's pretty cute, huh? That's half-Elves for you.'
With those final thoughts, Rudeus let the darkness take over as he fell unconscious.
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