Theo continued to fly toward the center of the dust cloud. The closer he got, the denser the dust got. However, that discomfort only lasted for a short while before a path opened up. Aiolos, the divinity of the god of wind, unconsciously obeyed Theo’s will.
Theo realized it and used the power consciously. “Fly away!”
I know, replied the wind. This was different from magic which artificially controlled the flow. It was like the world itself followed Theo’s words as the wind brushed the dust away.
The crushed remains of humans were staining the ground. There were some soldiers who survived, but the majority were so injured they were on the verge of death. However, Theo couldn’t pay attention to them.
… There.
He was standing calmly in the epicenter of the chaos, but he was emitting a frightening presence. Theo was still quite a distance away, but it was overwhelming. The swordmaster’s greatsword was just as big as he was, a blade to match the mountain of a man. A weak person’s heart might stop from just looking at him. Pan Helliones, the 4th Sword of the Andras Empire, was a man like that.
Chill. ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.
Theo’s intuition was quietly warning him that this was an adversary who was on a different level. If he went ahead, he would be placing his life on the line. Goosebumps ran down Theo’s neck and spine, making him shudder. Was this the difference between them despite them both being masters? Pan Helliones felt at least three times as dangerous as Marquis Fergana.
This was Meltor’s true enemy, the power of the Empire’s Seven Swords. Theo shook off his instincts and stopped a few dozen meters from him. It would be difficult to respond to an attack if he got any closer. So, he chose a distance where he could respond to any situation.
“You’re late,” Pan Helliones greeted Theo with a rumble. “If you didn’t come soon, I was going to swing my sword again.”
Theo could tell that he hadn’t been bluffing. His tone was completely blasé despite having caused this disaster. Pan Helliones was strong enough to be a natural disaster. Theo could see six or seven hills that had just vanished, and he estimated that between two and three thousand soldiers had died from one blow. This destructive power was comparable to 7th Circle magic.
“… It’s a big deal for you to wait when we had no agreement to meet,” Theo responded calmly. Yet he was feeling overwhelmed by the ridiculous destructive power. He could only guess that Pan Helliones couldn’t use this blow as often as he wanted.
However, Pan Helliones’ reaction was completely unexpected. “No promise… Is that so?” He had a ridiculing smile on his face. Theo had an uneasy feeling when he saw Pan Helliones’ expression and tried to calm down.
“Weren’t you the ones who invited me into this battle?”
Theo’s expression froze. Pan Helliones was already aware of the existence of an accomplice.
“Crawl out here, Sir Clovis. You should’ve come out sooner if you were planning on the element of surprise. It is too late now.”
“… Tch, you noticed quickly.” Randolph scowled as he emerged from hiding behind Helliones. As always, he was wearing armor and held two swords. It would’ve been better if they had a chance to choose a location which was more advantageous to them, but they couldn’t pass up this opportunity to kill him.
Pan Helliones was calm despite being in a deadly situation. “You had this thought out from the beginning, Sir Clovis.”
“Well, that’s right. I don’t know about the 2nd Sword, but it is different if the opponent is you.”
“Certainly, your Aura Ability is bad for me. I don’t know about a duel, but a fight against many opponents is hard for me,” Helliones coolly admitted his weakness and pulled something out.
It was a silver key that dimly shone with magic power. The key was around the size of two or three adult fingers? It wasn’t small, but it looked small in Pan Helliones’ hand.
“So, I prepared something in case this situation happened. Here, Sir Clovis.”
“What? … Ah.” Randolph caught the key that Pan Helliones threw at him. Theo used Appraisal on it, but it could only open certain bindings. Theo intuitively understood what card Pan Helliones had prepared for them.
It can’t be?!
As if to confirm Theo’s thoughts, Pan Helliones let out an eerie chuckle. “Surely you didn’t think Rebecca’s shackles were simple manacles? It will happen in one hour. No, perhaps there’s only forty five minutes left. If you don’t release her from the restraints, there won’t be a single piece of her flesh left.”
“What?”
Unlike the astonished Theo, Randolph’s anger was quiet.
“… You dared do something like this, you damn bastard.” Randolph’s teeth were audibly grinding. “Setting aside this situation, she was your disciple. No, she is still your disciple. Yet you dare to do this to her?”
“It’s better than being regarded as a traitor, right?” Pan Helliones’ relaxed stance didn’t even tremble, despite the obvious rage of his opponent. He shrugged, “Now, what will you do? Time is ticking.”
Randolph gripped his swords as tightly as possible. He knew what the other person wanted, but if he left, Theo would have to confront this monster one-on-one. It was a brutal choice.
As he’d said, Pan Helliones wasn’t the 2nd Sword. If he and Theo fought together, Randolph was certain they would emerge victorious against Pan Helliones. If they scattered, the likelihood of defeat was much higher. His family or ally… Randolph’s mind was frozen because he couldn’t make a choice.
However, Theo didn’t hesitate. “Randolph, go and rescue your sister.”
“What?! But…!”
“You’re wasting time. I’ll figure it out somehow.” As he urged Randolph to go quickly, Theo stepped forward. Now that he knew about a time limit, Randolph couldn’t exert his true abilities anymore.
Randolph also knew it, so he closed his eyes and turned his back on Theo.
“Kuk, I’m sorry! I’ll be back as soon as possible!” Randolph apologized before quickly disappearing, but Theo didn’t expect his return to be timely. Pan Helliones wasn’t stupid enough to restrain Rebecca nearby. It would take at least thirty minutes, which was more than enough time for Pan Helliones to battle Theo without worry.
Theo calmly assessed the situation and examined his opponent. The man was over two meters tall, and he was holding a greatsword as big as that. Helliones was obviously a knight who could destroy a rock with one blow.
No, it was obvious just by looking. There was a sense of weight to Pan Helliones’ presence.
By the way, that greatsword… Can he even swing it properly?
It was a plain, two meter long greatsword. There were no decorations on it, and its repulsive force was reinforced by the hilt. The average greatsword weighed around 2.5 kilograms, but this size was completely ridiculous. Was it around 20 kilograms, no, 25 kilograms?
“It is exactly 34.2 kilograms,” Pan Helliones said. Aware of Theo’s gaze, he explained coldly, “It is made by mixing meteorite and adamantium, and it’s twenty times heavier than a typical longsword. It’s impossible to swing, even if a group of men is holding it.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “So? Why are you kind enough to explain this?”
The 4th Sword shrugged. “It isn’t a big deal. I don’t get many chances to duel someone anymore, so I just wanted to brag about my sword.”
Theo looked at Pan Helliones with a dumbfounded expression, but he was actually measuring his opponent’s power. From the helmet to the armor, to the boots and sword, Theo didn’t miss anything. Theo examined the greatsword as Pan Helliones held it in both hands.
That crude big sword is why he is called the Super Heavy Sword?
Almost simultaneously…
“Then let’s begin,” Pan Helliones declared, lifting his greatsword.
Shiver.
At that moment, a tremendous trembling overwhelmed Theo’s body. He already knew that this greatsword weighed 34.2 kilograms. The weapon which was closer to a siege weapon than a sword was seemingly light as a feather in Pan Helliones’ hands. It almost seemed unnatural, the way it escaped the confines of gravity.
Should I offset it now? No, it is a few beats late!
Theo didn’t dare to even endure it. He sprang backward as his senses screamed at him and reflexively activated Battle Song and Wind Blast to accelerate. His vision turned red for a moment, but he could withstand the backlash.
Nevertheless, he didn’t feel relieved.
“Good senses.” Pan Helliones nodded in admiration as a crimson, blood-like aura blazed around his greatsword. The force of the power bent the space around it, causing spider web-like cracks to form on the ground.
He swung.
Kukukung.?
The Super Heavy Sword, Pan Helliones…
First Technique, Earth Break.
It was like a meteor falling.
***
The aftermath looked like hell.
Kurururung.
The ground below Theo’s feet had crumbled away as the air evaporated from the tremendous heat, turning the environment into a burning hell for a hundred meters in every direction. The soldiers could barely see anything through the dust.
What… a crazy… !
Twelve of the thirteen shields Theo had deployed hurriedly had shattered, while the last was riddled with cracks. Theo threw away his torn robes and cursed loudly. If he had been a moment too late, or deployed one less shield, it would’ve been his body, not his robes, that would’ve been ripped apart.
But he’d figured out how Pan Helliones could bring out such destructive power from one sword. Watching from close range had been worth it for that single insight.
… Indeed, this is the ability to control weight!
The secret to Pan Helliones’ terrible power was ridiculously simple.
Helliones had reduced the weight of the greatsword to near zero until the sword had reached maximum speed, and amplified its weight many times over at the moment of impact. That was the source of his nonsensical destructive power.
It was a blow which was several times faster than the speed of sound due to the extraordinary weight of the sword. Regardless of whether it was a hundred tons or a thousand tons, even an adult dragon would die instantly if they were hit by that terrible impact.
Above all, Pan Hellions had a power that Theo had never seen from another swordmaster.
There was the owner of the ability to find the path, Lloyd Pollan…
The assassin who had the ability of concealment, Hyde…
The one who had awakened the ability of penetration, Baek Jongmyung…
And the one who had the ability of speed, Randolph.
Pan Helliones’ ability was tremendously strong compared to those excellent powers. This was the first sword master Theo had met who specialized in sheer destructive power.
How do I deal with this kind of monster?
Theo couldn’t help gulping in front of such brute force.
That guy was still waiting in the middle of the dust. If he wasn’t careful, Pan Helliones could kill him in a single blow.