98. Five Kingdoms and Thirteen Knights of the Oracle [5]
I quickly headed to the staff room, holding Ria and Rose under my arms.
The vice-director noticed me as I walked through the ajar room.
「Oh, Allen-kun! Thank god that you are safe… Ri-Ria-san? Rose-san?!」
His eyes widened at the sight of the unconscious two.
「Don’t worry. They’re just unconscious.」
「I-I see, that’s good. But to think even you would be so deeply wounded… The enemy must have been quite formidable.」
「Yes, it was a pretty close fight. By the way, I succeeded in destroying the barrier. How is the contact with the outside coming along?」
「Aa, that was done perfectly! The director will probably arrive in another five minutes. I’ve already contacted the Holy Knights Association, too. You’ve done really well, Allen-kun!」
「That’s reassuring.」
When Leia-sensei arrives, this fight will be ours.
(Yoshi, the fight is going to be over soon!)
In the meantime, I’ll do what I can.
「Well then, vice-director. I’m going to the president’s backup.」 I said, and tried to leave the room.
「No, Allen-kun. You should escape from here.」 the vice director grabbed me by the shoulder and said with a serious look.
「I received contact from one of the teachers who headed to the front lines. One of the『Thirteen Knights of the Oracle』was confirmed among the enemy. Even if it’s you, there is no way for you to win in that battered state!」
「…Thirteen Knights of the Oracle?」
Now that I think about it, I feel like Dodriel mentioned something like that in the middle of our fight.
「They are the top executives of the Black Organization. Each of them is a super-skilled swordsman equivalent to the power of a national force. And each one of them is said to possess strength of 『Director Class』.」
「S-Same rank as Leia-sensei?!」
「Yes. Fighting against the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle is like dealing with an entire nation. That’s why you should escape quickly, Allen-kun.」 the vice director said, putting his hand on my shoulder.
However, there is no way I can back down after knowing that.
「…In that case, I must definitely go.」
「Wha? Why!?」
「The president and others are still fighting against such a formidable enemy. And yet, I can’t just run away with my tail between my legs.」
My power is small.
However, “difference in numbers” has a big significance in a fight.
It’s better to have as many people as possible, even if it’s just one more.
「Thank you for your concern.」 I said and left the staff room.
「W-Wait Allen-kun… Dammit, Director… Please hurry.」
■
I ignored the vice-director’s warning and went to the schoolyard. An unbelievable scene spread before me.
「W-What… the hell…?!」
The whole place looked like a desolate wasteland and the students of Thousand Blade Academy lay defeated on the schoolyard.
And in the middle of all that, a tall, slender man stood, with an air of calmness surrounding him.
(This guy was the one…!)
Blood rushed to my head boiling with anger, but I immediately shook my head and regained composure.
And while entering into his sight, I carefully approached the fallen president.
「President, are you all right?」 I gently shook her shoulders.
「A-Allen-kun… Run away… You definitely can’t win… against that monster…」 she said, and lost consciousness.
(He’s that formidable, huh…)
A formidable swordsman to the extent where even the president, who absolutely hates to lose, said『definitely can’t win』.
Although it would be too much of a burden to take him on in my wounded state, I have no choice but to do it.
I’m the only swordsman who can still fight in Thousand Blade Academy.
If I were to run away, everyone in this place might be massacred.
(I have to stall for time somehow…)
I put together my thoughts, raised my guard to the maximum, and walked up to the perpetrator who caused this catastrophe.
「Did you do this?」
「Indeed. There were a lot of bugs. So I shook them off a little.」
「…Bugs, you say?」
The anger that I suppressed earlier has been reignited with my friends being called bugs.
「If I’m not mistaken… you’re Allen Rodore, right?」
「?!」
He knew my name for some reason.
「Don’t be surprised. I simply got information that there’s a child who is slightly capable.」
「…I see? It feels unpleasant to not know my opponent’s name when they do mine. Why don’t you name yourself?」
I managed to stretch the conversation and earn some time.
「Hmm, you have a point. I am one of the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle, Fu Rudras. Pleased to make your acquaintance from now on.」 he said, bowing slightly.
He seems to be the type of man who can be reasoned with.
Fu Rudras. He was about 190 centimeters tall. Long black hair stretched to the back. For a swordsman, he has a very thin body. He appeared to be in his early thirties. I got an intellectual impression from his deep, well-formed face. If only he didn’t have a sword, he’d look like an actual scholar. He wore a black cloak on top of his white noble clothes.
However, the outer cloak was engraved with a green pattern, which I think I have seen somewhere before. Perhaps this was a special garment allowed only to the executives.
「Are you aiming for Ria?」
「Ria…? Aa, come to think of it… that’s the name of the current generation’s Fafnir’s host, isn’t it?」 he put his hand to his chin, as though recalling his memory.
「Fafnir’s『host』…?」
「Yes. We’re collecting phantom spirits including Fafnir. We don’t really care about the girl. All we need is the content inside.」
「”Phantom Spirit”? “Content”? What do you mean?」 I tilted my head to the series of unfamiliar words.
「Hmm… I don’t mind talking about it and I quite like young people with intellectual curiosity. I’d like to slowly talk over a cup of tea, but, unfortunately, I don’t have the time right now. Let’s do it when we get another opportunity.」
Then, Fu held up a rapier-like thin sword and exuded a dense bloodlust. It felt almost suffocating just standing in his presence.
「Wha?!」
「What’s the matter? Aren’t you going to assume your stance, Allen Rodore?」
And when my opponent said that, I realized for the first time, that I was standing defenceless.
「Kuh… HAAAAAAAAAAA!」
I scraped up the remaining spiritual power in my body and clad myself in dense darkness.
I was able to restore my spiritual power slightly by resting my body for a short while
(I can hold out… for another couple minutes…)
The moment I assumed Seigan no Kamae,
「Where are you looking?」
「Wha?!」
Fu was behind me.
「-Shi!」
「……」
He unleashed a merciless blow aimed towards the base of my neck.
I kicked the ground sideways and dodged by a hair’s breadth.
「Hou, that was quite the reaction speed.」
Witnessing the attack without any hesitation in『killing』, I felt the difference in the『number of battles』and『experience』between us.
(If I keep defending, I’ll be killed…)
Offense is the best defense.
I dropped my center of gravity and closed the distance with my fastest speed.
「Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu!」
「-Wind Wall」
The Yatagarasu I unleashed with all my strength was stopped by an invisible wall.
「What?!」
「Don’t show discomposure during a battle – Wind Cut」
At that moment, a dreadful『gust』shot through my abdomen.
「Ga, ha!」
I felt a tremendous shock as though my stomach had been gouged out.
I was blown back by the unstoppable force, rolling on the ground without even being able to take a defensive posture.
「…Hmm, it looks like you’re plenty exhausted. However, you can pull off this kind of movement without even a soul dress. It’s too good to kill an outstanding talent like you…」 Fu said with a calm expression.
(This is bad… I might not be able to win…)
As expected of a swordsman said to be equivalent to a national force.
It’s frustrating, but… this stage is still too early for me who has yet to master soul dress.
(But… I can’t back down here!)
I have to buy a few more minutes no matter what! Until Leia-sensei arrives!
I whipped my body which was screaming in pain and managed to stand up.
「…You can still stand? The durability of your body is only as good as your mental strength.」
I sank every last bit of my remaining darkness and unleashed an attack which contained every last bit of my strength.
「Sixth Sword – Dark Roar!」
An enormous slash wrapped in jet-black darkness rushed towards Fu.
However,
「-Supreme Wind Blade」
His enormous blade of wind tore through my Dark Roar very easily.
「No, way…?!」
Dark Roar, which had never been broken before, was destroyed.
Looking at that hopeless scene, I stood petrified, speechless.
Immediately after that, the Supreme Wind Blade, still boasting tremendous power,
mangled my whole body.
「Ga, ha…」
The wounds I suffered from the blade of wind were… deep. Too deep.
To the extent where I can’t even think of continuing the fight.
(Shit…)
As I crawled on the ground, gritting my teeth hard, Fu suddenly looked away from me and said something unbelievable.
「Hmm, you’ve been beaten up quite badly, Dodriel.」
「Ahaa… sorry, senpai… However, I’ve captured Fafnir!」
The bloodied Dodriel came down from the second floor of the academy building.
A black shadow floated behind him, and Ria, who was supposed to be in the staff room, was hung mid-air.
「R-Ria?! Dodriel…!」 I shouted, the fear in my voice apparent.
「Ahaa. How are you doing, Allen?」 Dodriel, whose wounds have been somehow healed, brought his face closer to me.
「W-Why are you still…?!」
I cut him with Instant Flash.
He should not be able to move anymore.
「Ahaa, the advancement of science is amazing… Although this drug shaves off a little bit of your life span, it can instantly heal any injuries.」 he said, taking a blue pill out of his pocket.
(That’s a spirit pill…!)
Looking closer, the 〈Shadow Ruler〉 gripped in Dodriel’s right hand was greatly distorted.
(I see. So that’s what it was…)
Apparently, instead of rampaging after taking the spirit pill, it seems to have dramatically improved the self-healing ability.
「Kuh… Not yet!」
More than three minutes should have already passed.
(One more minute…)
If I run around with my last bit of consciousness, I should be able to buy that time.
The moment I put power into both feet and slowly stood up,
「…Eh?」
A strange shock that I had never experienced before struck the center of my body.
「Ahaa… The match between swordsmen is a serious battle! With this… It’s my victory, Allen!」
Dodriel’s face distorted with joy.
From there, as I slowly looked down – his sword was pierced deep into my chest.
「Shit…」
Hurts.
Hot.
Painful.
Can’t… breath.
The taste of iron filled my mouth and burning pain ran through my body.
I leaned against Dodriel as is and fell forward.
「Ahaha, ahaha, ahahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……!」
A laugh which jarred the ears.
What I saw at the end of my gradually blurring vision was the figure of Ria, restrained by the shadows.
「Ri, a…」
The hand I stretched out towards her by mustering my last bit of power, fell on the ground in vain.
And my consciousness sank into a deep, black darkness.
■
Dodriel, who thrusted his sword through Allen’s heart,
「Ha-Happyyy…!」
Pleasure, excitement, sorrow – he was laughing with a complex expression that was mixed with various emotions.
「Haha… Ahaha, ahahahaha, hahahahaha…!」
The man, who had fulfilled his revenge and achieved his purpose of living, was lamenting hollowly.
「You did something a little wasteful…」Fu said, and then gave out orders to his subordinate, Dodriel. 「We have already captured Fafnir, so let’s hurry and get out of here. I got information that Black Fist is coming here. And the『Bloody Fox』is also in this country. We don’t have to overstay.」
「Ahaa… I understand.」
The moment Fu and Dodriel turned on their heels, the entire Thousand Blade Academy was enveloped in murky darkness.
「「W-What the?!」」
Darkness spread as far as the eye can see.
Fu and Dodriel quickly pulled out their swords in that abnormal situation that they’ve never experienced before.
(This is… No way…!)
An impossible possibility crossed Fu’s mind.
There was only one swordsman who ruled darkness in this place – Allen Rodore – who was just ended by Dodriel.
(…But he should be dead!)
When Fu slowly turned around, there was,
「Kuku, Gyahahahahahahaha! After all, the outside air feels so good… n”A?」
An unscathed『Allen Rodore』stood, laughing in a good mood.
Long white hair emerged gently.
Black pattern appeared around the bottom of the left eye.
Crimson eyes shone brightly.
And above all, a ferocious look that did not bear the slightest resemblance to the normal Allen.
Fu and Dodriel widened their eyes in response to Allen, who had transformed into a completely different person.
「You have my thanks, insects! Thanks to you stupid bastards, I was able to come out to the『surface』…!」
Allen, who was clad in『darkness』which was realms apart in both quality and quantity than previously, casually held a『Black Sword』.
「「……?!」」
At that moment, Fu and Dodriel felt as though they were being squashed under the pure “pressure” emitted by the sword.
They both gulped at the same time. Finally recognizing the true power of the anomaly known as『Allen』.
「…Dodriel, cover me.」
「…Roger.」
Thus, the curtain raised on the death battle between『Allen Rodore』, and Fu & Dodriel.
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