CH 99

(Ichiko POV for the whole chapter)

Houki-san aims the bamboo broom at me while accumulating enormous power at the tip of the bamboo broom.

In response, I break into a run once the power is amassed, activating ≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫ when I get within 25 meters of Houki-san. Sneaking up to Houki-san’s bosom, I use the long sword I have created in my right hand to slice off the tip of the bamboo broom.

Clank!

Dong!

“What!?”

However, the bamboo broom which Houki-san is holding seems to look like nothing on the exterior, but the inner part is utterly different and cannot be cut by my sword, but merely bounces up and down.

The force amassed at the bamboo broom’s tip converges at a single point in front of my astonished eyes, and an extraordinarily broad beam of light is shot into the sky, emitting a deafening roar and dispersing shockwaves throughout the vicinity.

“What incredible power…”

The shockwave propels me into the air, and I adjust my crumpled posture in mid-flight to land on the earth’s surface with a grinding sound while being dreaded for the future if that strike had been a direct hit.

“…”

Houki-san wields the bamboo broom in a naginata-like stance. A cloud of white smoke is billowing from between the place where she sweeps and the place where she holds the bamboo broom. If this means that the artillery can’t be employed for a while, I welcome it, but I can’t afford to be inattentive.

“At any rate, the only way to prevent that bombardment is to engage in close combat.”

I recreate the long sword in my right hand and cast ≪Keen Edge≫ on it, and in my left hand, I create a short sword called Sword Breaker and apply ≪Durable Edge≫ on it.

Then I approach at one stretch, interspersing the transition.

In the proximity of Houki-san and me, a cacophony of metallic noises and sparks erupt.

How many dozens of rounds have been exchanged already? While neither of us has struck a decisive blow yet, the damage is definitely stacking up.

Furthermore, I have noticed that the intensity of the bamboo broom carried by Houki-san is evidently erratic. Because the sword in my right hand is now in its third generation, and even though I tried to cut the bamboo broom down by directly launching strikes by teleporting the sword in various places, it ended up with the sword that I had teleported breaking instead.

The attack of Houki-san’s can be summed up in one word: Severe.

“Ugh…”

“….”

To the right and to the left, Houki-san is mowing down within the reach of her bamboo broom, and to the top and to the bottom, she swings down with the weight of the bamboo broom. This attack should not be regarded as a mere bamboo broom strike. After all, the abnormal intensity of the bamboo broom that easily repels my sword is also contained in each of the thin bristles that constitute the sweeping portion of the bamboo broom.

In other words, this weapon should not be regarded as just a sturdy bamboo broom with artillery capabilities, but as a powerful artillery naginata with innumerable thin blades attached to it.

“…”

“Tsk! Not good!”

Taking advantage of the momentary opening, Houki-san draws away, and while assembling her power at the tip of the bamboo broom, she adopts a mowing down stance.

However, rather than its capability as a direct-attack weapon, it is the artillery capability it exhibited at the beginning that should be paid attention to. Because this artillery strike is…

“Just in time!”

“…”

When I spot it, I approach with full speed and deviate upward as far as possible using the middle of my sword as Houki-san’s bamboo broom sweeps off to the side as it unleashes a volley of artillery shots.

Whoosh!

A thunderous explosion and shockwave erupt around me once more, sending me flying wide open.

Yes, the most foreboding aspect of that artillery strike is that it is possible to cleave a wide area with its rays of light by shooting while swinging the bamboo broom like this.

But even so, it would be devastating if a long-range, high-power attack is discharged in such a manner.

“Phew… hah…”

I readjust my weapon and examine Houki-san’s condition while trying to regulate my breathing.

Houki-san’s cloth is torn in many parts, with some wounds that are not shallow. Despite the wounds and blood loss, there is no irregularity in her breathing, and her eyes simply cast a very distressed look at me.

“…”

And then, Houki-san’s figure and presence gradually fade away.

“This again…”

Without being surprised by the sight, I calmly search for any presence in my surroundings.

Before assuming this form, Houki-san used to be primarily proficient in covert skills. Even in her present state, the skills she has acquired can be utilized effortlessly, and the effect of ≪Covert Proficiency Ⅰ≫ has made her appearance and her presence as inconspicuous as possible.

Her presence, however, cannot be completely erased…

“There you are!”

“…!”

Her presence is just slightly exposed right before she launches an assault, allowing me to counterattack!

With my counterattack, the number of wounds that Houki-san sustains will be increased by one.

Even if I defend with my left-hand gauntlet and dagger, I will be wounded by Houki-san’s assault since I do not know when the attack will occur until shortly before the strike.

It has already been about a quarter of an hour since the battle commenced. My strength is gradually diminishing. How is Houki-san doing? I cannot ascertain from her outward look. But given the demons’ nature, as long as there is even a sliver of life remaining, they will exhaust it and strike without regard to what follows.

“I have to admit, it’s tough. But it’s fine, I’ll do as much as I can.”

I spur my aching body into raising the weapon, and Houki-san readies hers accordingly.

Speaking of which, Houki-san seems to possess some offensive skills as well…

“≪Cut Off≫!”

“Ugh!”

Damn. Speak of the devil!

Houki-san sweeps the bamboo broom briskly from left to right, and a sickening pounding sound reverberates from my arm, which I manage to guard in the nick of time and am hurled aside.

“Damn…”

My right arm is hanging limply as I land. This one is unquestionably broken.

“…”

And Houki-san lunges in to finish me off.

Although I attempt to defend myself with my remaining left arm, just as the bamboo broom hits me, Houki-san is suddenly blown wide to the side and tumbles to the ground without being able to catch herself.

“Eh…?”

“Looks like I made it just in time, Ichiko-san.”

When I catch sight of the person who blew away Houki-san, I involuntarily look at the place where that figure should have been.

Surrounded by a cage of light are Mugi and the other members of the “Mercenary of the Fog” along with a robe-clad figure possessing a pewter staff over two meters long on his back, and Izumi brandishing an axe at that figure.

The person who is supposed to be there is not there.

The person who blew away Houki-san. That is…

“I don’t know what Shigan did to Houki. But I can’t let Houki suffer any further. We will fight together.”

That is Lady Ryo.

T/N:

Fun fact: Houki’s name means broom, so I guess the author makes her currently wielded weapon as a reference