Published: July 8, 2025
“What was that just now...?”
Zack was left speechless in shock.
Number Four moved between Zoltan and Zack, taking up a protective stance as always, with Murakumo Revision held in a proper position.
“Just before attacking, you sheathed your sword, right...? From there, a sword flash? How can you do that? I’ve seen quick draws before, but... not that fast. Yet, Number Four’s sword flash was invisible even to me.”
Zack muttered.
Though it was a murmur, it likely reached Number Four.
Of course, Number Four didn't respond.
Because it couldn't speak.
The opponent was a vampire.
Moreover, a grand duke.
Naturally, the decapitated head regenerated.
However, the regenerated head bore an expression of surprise.
“Hey, what was that...?”
Strangely, the words spoken were the same as Zack's.
It seemed that there was no difference in surprise between humans and vampires.
“Hey, Zack! What was that?”
“How should I know?”
Zoltan yelled, while Zack, still weak due to blood loss, responded weakly.
“Did you sheathe your sword once before unleashing that technique? Why did you do that? No, how did it attain such speed...?”
Just as Zoltan murmured that, old memories resurfaced.
“Ah... I once experienced the same technique...”
The memory came with a sense of humiliation.
“It was Hal's... sword.”
A vampire he fought once had unleashed it.
“Back then, I too had my head severed. Hmm? Upon closer inspection, this golem’s sword is also curved, much like Hal's. It’s precisely because it’s curved that the technique gains speed.”
Zoltan muttered as he observed Number Four's sword, which was held in a proper stance to protect Zack.
“Interesting in many ways. Why would a small golem unleash a technique identical to Hal’s? The creator... is there a connection to the water attribute mage?”
Once again, Zoltan decided to resolve his doubts.
“Zack, just to confirm, is the creator of this small golem the same person as the water attribute mage you mentioned earlier?”
“This small golem... first, his name is swordsmanship instructor number four.”
“Kenjutsu Shinan? What?”
“We all call him Number Four.”
“I-I see.”
Zoltan noticed Number Four give a small nod at Zack's words.
It seemed he could understand words.
“Indeed, the creator is, without a doubt, the water attribute mage we just talked about.”
“Zack, you said he wields his sword better than a knight and is an incredibly powerful mage. On top of that, he’s also an alchemist capable of creating such a golem.”
“Yeah, that's correct.”
“What kind of person is he? An abomination?”
“I don’t want to hear that from you, a vampire grand duke.”
Zack shrugged as he said this.
Of course, from Zack's perspective, that mage... Ryo was not normal.
“Did you see this golem behead me?”
“Yeah, I did. It was beautifully done.”
“I’ll admit, it was a magnificent sword flash.”
Zoltan nodded appreciatively.
Even if the opponent was an enemy, he would highly value excellent skills.
Zoltan believed that this was a mark of pride as a vampire noble.
“That technique... a fast draw from a sheathed position, what is it?”
“I don’t know what to tell you; I don’t know either.”
“Hey, Zack... don’t hide it now.”
“No, I really don’t know. I was surprised too. At least up until now, Number Four has never used it in our mock battles or during practice.”
“Indeed, that golem has... learned various things while mixing with you.”
“Ah...”
Zack realized he had revealed too much information and recognized it as a mistake due to Zoltan's comment.
“It’s pointless now, Zack. I understood it was likely.”
“Damn...”
“In other words, that high-speed draw from earlier is not a technique of your knight order, but unique to this golem. Why does it resemble Hal’s technique?”
“Hal?”
Zack muttered.
There was no one by that name in Zack's memories.
(No one in the Royal Knight Order can use the technique that Number Four displayed. I haven't encountered anyone like that among adventurers either. Not even Lord Nils or Lord Amon from Room 10 could do it, despite both being B-class swordsmen with Holy Swords... Well, maybe Lord Amon could, but...)