第４５６堀：これは好機とみる人々 (Part2)
"That kind of thing is best left to the pages of a story."
As I was thinking that, Taiki-kun opened his mouth, perhaps having come to a realization of his own.
"Ah, I see. So, while we're focused on the duel, Bicks might be planning to make a move?"
"Exactly. They might use the border to unleash some monsters our way, or something of that sort."
"No, that’s already been accounted for, hasn't it? John and his group are surrounding the perimeter, so they won't be able to move an inch, inside or out. That goes for wyverns and other flying types, too."
In the face of firearms, such flying creatures are nothing more than target practice. When I said this and looked at Seraria, she glared at me with half-lidded eyes.
"People don't usually go that far. Or rather, they *can't*. You really need to understand that your way of thinking is abnormal."
How cruel! Seraria just called me crazy. I looked to my guards, Samantha and Cleena, for support, but they just nodded in agreement with Seraria. I had no allies here.
"Honestly, if Bicks is coming here so boldly after planning all this, he’s more formidable than I thought. In the past, his intellect was always directed toward the wrong things, but being forced into a situation where he has to fight has brought out a talent—for better or worse. He’s starting to come up with surprise attacks using the dungeon. We need to capture Bicks as soon as possible."
I agreed with that. I wanted to finish this before it became a headache.
"Well, it was unexpected in many ways, but for us, this is a golden opportunity."
That was Taizo-san.
"With this, we can round them all up in one fell swoop. There couldn't be a more convenient situation for Kirika-dono, Steve-kun, and the others in the Kingdom of Swords to search the castle and the dungeon. We’ll block their retreat, and we’ll capture both Nogosh and Bicks. That will be the end of it."
As Taizo-san said, while it was unexpected, it was certainly convenient. It was a perfect chance to catch them all in one net, literally.
"And then, in front of the public, I will beat that idiot to a pulp and show him his own immaturity."
Taizo-san muttered that while gripping his sword tightly. Ah, so *that* is the main objective for you, isn't it, Taizo-san?
No one even brought up the possibility of losing. The sheer intensity radiating from Taizo-san’s unprecedented anger made it impossible to voice any objections. To be honest, I didn't think we would lose, either.
"W-well, setting that aside, we have a general idea of the enemy's objective. Let's review the security deployment around the execution day with that in mind. We have to make sure this is finished once and for all."
"Indeed. We shall crush them completely."
Taizo-san, his motivation undiminished, continued discussing security with Taiki-kun.
"…Hey. Personally, I think the biggest mistake in all of this was making Taizo angry, don't you?"
"…I think so too."
"That man. Is he really a researcher? His swordsmanship is so good it makes you want to ask that. The Jigen-ryu style that requires no second strike… that’s just absurd. I don't feel like I could parry it at all."
As Seraria said, Taizo-san’s skill level is remarkably high. In terms of skills, he’s ranked at 7, exceeding the limit of 5. When I asked Luna if 5 wasn't the cap, she told me, "Don't lump us in with Earth, that gathering of eccentrics."
What do you mean, Earth is a gathering of eccentrics!? That was a joke, but apparently, there are far more seekers of the path on Earth than in this world. There is no concept of levels or skills—only training. Luna said it might be because they don't know the "peak," so they just keep striving to master their craft.
Well, I can understand that. Levels and skills are visible, so they act as easy-to-follow guidelines, but without them, you have no choice but to keep going until you are satisfied. For instance, trying to cut clouds, water, or waterfalls with a sword seems to be a uniquely Japanese pursuit. Well, there is even a sword called the "Lightning Cutter," after all. No, wait, did that have a different meaning?
Because of things like that, Earthlings often end up outside the standard skill framework. That said, with people like Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami Nobutsuna, who has infinite swordsmanship skills, a number like 7 is still relatively tame.
In any case, Seraria, a battle junkie, has sparred with Taizo-san, but she has never won in pure swordsmanship. She could win if she used magic or Narjia-san’s weapons, but that would be a defeat in Seraria’s eyes, so she is determined to win with pure ability. You can tell how firm her resolve is by the fact that she even goes out of her way to spar inside Taizo-san’s magic and skill-nullification field.
"Well, never mind worrying about Taizo-san. We need to coordinate with Kirika, Steve, Mauve, and the others, too."
"I'll leave that to you."
"Got it."
I left that to Seraria and headed back to formulate the operation to seize the castle and dungeon that Nogosh and his group had abandoned.
From one muscle-head to another. A wonderful answer of "Why not just blow everything away?" And then, there’s Yuki, left in confusion.
The world is truly a mysterious place.
The frustration of missing a 90% hit chance in G-Gen, only to get hit by a 30% attack!