The Water Magician

The two kin of demon Garwin were watching from a distance as the situation unfolded.

They could hear bits of conversation…

"Over there, it's the hero and the demon king..."

"If it's Lord Garwin, then there shouldn't be any problems even against the hero and the demon king."

Orenju said enviously, while Izolda expressed her complete trust in Garwin's combat abilities.

"What’s this, kin? You’ve been defeated by a human king, and now you’re talking about heroes and demon kings... Shouldn't you know your place?"

"Oh? An elf whose only talent is archery shouldn’t be speaking so arrogantly."

"Sera... why are you provoking them?"

Sera teased, Orenju got angry, and Abel shook his head slightly.

Abel murmured in a very quiet voice.

"Isn't it starting to look like that first duke from somewhere?"

Clang.

Sera easily caught Orenju's swift strike with her sword.

"...For an elf, you can handle a sword somewhat."

"Is this all you've got? Abel, if you're struggling against this level of kin, maybe being a king has made you soft?"

"Don't involve me in this..."

Orenju, Sera, and the reluctantly involved Abel each shared their thoughts.

"I can't stand it. Killing an elf without a bow holds no value, but I’ll tear that arrogant mouth of yours apart."

"For a kin of a demon to say something so serious... you must be quite serious in your usual behavior."

"...You all know you're being ridiculous, right?"

The sword fight between Orenju and Sera began.

However, as the clash started, Orenju quickly realized.

(No way… this elf’s swordsmanship is unbelievable!)

Sera's astonishing extraordinary skill... It was likely something that the average person wouldn’t even notice, but Orenju was different. Just a few exchanges were enough for her to understand.

After making a large swing and creating some distance, she shouted to Izolda.

"Izolda, hand back the 'speed' I lent you!"

Sera, who was considering a follow-up attack, became intrigued by Orenju's words.

"You can lend 'speed'? Abel, the sword world has changed remarkably lately."

"Yeah, I think it’s a world of swords I’m not familiar with."

Abel retorted to Sera's remark.

"Is it really that impressive? Well, fine. Return it quickly, and settle this."

The moment Izolda spoke, a faint golden light emerged from her body and entered Orenju.

"Oh, finally."

Orenju said, swinging her sword once, then twice.

"I see. The sword flashes are definitely sharper than before."

"Do you understand? This is my true speed."

Sera said, impressed, and Orenju smirked in response.

However, Orenju quickly turned to Abel with an apologetic expression and continued speaking.

"I’m sorry, your majesty. It wasn’t that I was holding back; I was definitely using my full strength back then."

Despite her brash demeanor, Orenju was sincere when it came to swords.

That’s why she apologized to Abel for the lack of ‘speed’ she had when they fought seriously just moments ago.

"To think that was lacking 'speed'... Honestly, I didn’t want to know that..."

Abel was finally able to stand with his beloved sword to support him and murmured.

"Loxley, take care of that female kin over there. She’s probably immortal, so don’t engage in a mutual strike."

"Understood."

Sera instructed Loxley, who was standing guard beside Abel, thinking that they could manage as long as the kin’s ‘speed’ had dropped.

The need to borrow ‘speed’ from other kin implied a certain situation...

Excluding Sera, Loxley, who could overwhelmingly use a sword in the Forest of the West, seemed capable of handling it.

"I can’t predict when she might suddenly jump in to try to kill Abel."

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t worry about it. If Abel dies, Ryo will be sad, right?"

"...It’s not for me or the kingdom, but for Ryo... Ah, I somehow understood."

Abel’s last words were so small that no one else could hear them.

And so began the sword fight once again between the demon Orenju and Sera.

Orenju's movements with her sword and body were on a completely different level compared to before.

It was to the extent that Abel, who had fought her seriously moments ago, lost his words.