Chapter 383. Pathetic
「Hikigaya Hachiman's words were so outrageous that even Crusch froze in place. The stick-swinger was stunned for a moment before bursting into a loud laugh, waving his hand in disgust: "Kaha! I'm not interested in touching a man's body! Get lost, get lost!"」
「"Before that, give me back Julius's sword, would you? Otherwise, I'll strip naked right here."」
「Hachiman shrugged, uttering words that left the already dazed Crusch even more shocked. The stick-swinger gave a "tch" and casually tossed the broken sword over at a speed fast enough to kill Hachiman.」
「This crisis was resolved by Emilia. She caught the sword for Hachiman without a second thought, even though the friction made the skin of her palms sting with pain.」
「With the sword in one hand and supporting Crusch's shoulder with the other, Emilia turned around with Hachiman, leaving the second floor in the posture of the defeated.」
「After returning to the fourth floor and questioning the awakened Shaula, the identity of the 'stick-swinger' was finally revealed.」
「His name was...」
「The First Generation Sword Saint from four hundred years ago, Reid Astrea!」
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The appearance of the legendary Reid Astrea, one of the three heroes of myth, did not cause an overly violent sensation.
Everyone harbored endless curiosity toward the Sage because the Sage possessed wisdom and knowledge; his existence represented all possibilities. What he could achieve with infinite wisdom was unpredictable, making him a great unknown.
But the First Generation Sword Saint was different. Reid relied on his raw power, his strength—and when it came to strength, who could surpass the current Sword Saint, Reinhard?
Having witnessed Reinhard's strike that instant-killed Puck during the Sanctuary trials, and his grand battle with Regulus in Watergate City, even those who knew nothing of swordsmanship could see how terrifyingly powerful Reinhard truly was.
He was a living legend, the pinnacle of the world's might. His existence and power were not inferior to Reid's; in fact, he might even surpass him.
While every appearance of a Sin Archbishop caused the most intense uproar due to their unique authorities and atrocious behavior, the pinnacle of swordsmanship was a known quantity. In this regard, Reinhard had already demonstrated it long before Reid appeared.
Particularly for the people of Watergate City, who had felt Reinhard's slashes from a close distance. Having seen the world's highest peak, people would still marvel at the height of the second-highest peak, but that marveling would not surpass the first.
"That damn bastard pervert!"
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Puck's face was twisted in rage. He wished he could fly to the Sage's Tower right now to slaughter Reid, but the problem was... even as an avatar, Reid was not someone he could defeat.
Emilia also felt a bit of lingering fear. She was now an Emilia who understood sexual knowledge. If her chest were touched by another man—even if it was only in a future that hadn't happened yet—she would be very depressed. Because if that happened, she wouldn't be able to give her soul and body entirely to her knight, entirely to Hachiman.
"Does the legendary First Sword Saint really have such a hooligan-like personality? The mysteries of history from four hundred years ago are truly being uncovered more and more."
Inside the Karsten Mansion, Crusch was lost in thought. After pondering the truth of the First Sword Saint, Hachiman's two sentences from earlier couldn't help but flash through her mind.
He had truly gone to great pains to think of a method that wasn't overly aggressive yet could insult Reid. The final effect, in her view, was both hilarious and suggestive. Following Hachiman's words to their logical conclusion... if he took off his clothes, what would he be taking them off for?
"Is it... with me..."
She was no longer such a "steel-straight" girl that she couldn't fantasize about these things. She vaguely remembered that originally, she only wanted to recruit Hachiman into her service and become the monarch he recognized.
But now, looking back, Crusch realized that she had unknowingly been led far astray by her amnesiac self. What she craved was no longer just Hachiman's recognition, but more.
Things that made her face flush just by thinking about them.
Wilhelm, by her side, had no room to notice Crusch's abnormality. Since Reid appeared, his body had instinctively entered a combat-ready state.
Aside from him, the "Blue Lightning" far away in the Holy Vollachian Empire and Halibel—Anastasia's fellow countryman in Kararagi—were also affected. These individuals, who understood the sword and were of a high enough level, were all uncontrollably excited. Cecilus, who lived solely for the sword, was so happy he was practically ready to draw his blades!
To these people, Reinhard was too strong—too strong by far. Not only had his swordsmanship reached the peak, but he also had various Divine Protections affecting combat, interfering with the pure exchange of sword against sword.
But Reid didn't have that. Reid was at the pinnacle of swordsmanship like Reinhard—the legendary "Heavenly Sword" realm—but he didn't have a bunch of messy Divine Protections. Thus, a sword fight with him was purer, making it easier to gain insight into the "Heavenly Sword" realm.
"Ha, hahahahaha!"
The sword-obsessed Blue Lightning was ecstatic, laughing out loud right in the imperial palace. He decided right then: whether Emperor Vincent wanted to conquer the tower or not, whether they could find the Mabeast User Meili or not—even if it was only him, Cecilus, he would absolutely step into the Sage's Tower to fight Reid. To face this enemy and witness the splendor of the Heavenly Sword!
"An ancestor..."
In the Astrea mansion, Reinhard felt it. If it were this ancestor, Reid, he would surely be able to have an intense battle with himself at full power. He murmured with heartfelt emotion: "Truly strong."
Felt glanced at him with disdain, her look saying more than words ever could.
"Gwah—ye!"
On the balcony of the fourth floor of the Sage's Tower, the Shaula watching from there felt her scalp go numb. She admitted she was terrified. She knew there were trials, but she didn't expect the second floor of this tower to actually house an avatar of Reid.
"Master, hurry up and save me! Hurry and save your star pupil Shaula, wahhh!"
She suddenly felt this tower had become terrifying. Her future self didn't have to worry too much because Master had arrived, but her current self was still all alone.
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「Julius and Crusch were placed in the Green Room to be treated.」
「After Shaula regained consciousness, Hachiman spent quite some time soothing her, gradually managing to gather information about Reid from her perspective.」
「In Shaula's words, Reid was the most despicable person in the world, often taking pleasure in bullying her. He was utterly detestable, but even more than detestable, he was terrifying.」
「What Hachiman wanted most to find out was if Reid had any weaknesses. To this, Shaula gave a categorical and unfortunate answer:」
「"None!"」
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