The Swordsman

Night had already fallen and the citizens of Grimgar had all decided that they would continue rebuilding the city the next morning. Everyone thanked the Captain, Kin and Yumi for their precious help. The three went back to where Minori was. They were waiting for his recovery to return to the capital.

“Captain, isn't this situation quite worrying?” asked Yumi.

“What situation, Yumi?” asked the Captain.

“The people who were here, they were very powerful. They destroyed a large part of the city, managed to face Nobu and even left Minori in this state. If Kin and I had found one of them first we would probably be dead.”

Kin just listened to the conversation.

“Yumi, that wouldn't happen, as I would be there to protect you.” said the Captain.

“But that's the point Captain. If you're not there to protect us, we're going to end up dead. We aren't strong enough to face people of this level.”

“Yumi...” said Kin.

“I promise to help you guys get stronger, but first we have to let things settle.” said the Captain.

“We will never be as good as you and Nobu, Captain. Also, even Nobu got a little bad about this situation.” said Kin.

“Nobu went his way alone because he had other plans in mind.” said the Captain.

“Perhaps we had better do the same.” said Yumi suddenly.

“What?” asked the Captain and Kin.

“I'm tired of this life of pain and suffering. I wasn't made to be a knight.”

“Yumi, what nonsense.” said the Captain.

“I... I think...” said Yumi until she was interrupted by Minori waking up.

“Minori!!!” everyone shouted.

…

Apparently I was back to normal. I started looking at my body and noticed that I had some bandages on. Everyone was present at that place, except Nobu. I was afraid that something had happened to him and I immediately asked them where he was.

“Calm down, Minori. Nobu went on his way alone. He is fine.” said the Captain.

I asked the Captain how this was possible if the last time I had seen Nobu he had been defeated by our enemies.

“So he wasn't defeated, he used the instant healing enchantment without the enemy noticing and went back to the battle. You're fine thanks to him.” said the Captain.

I didn't remember practically anything and asked the Captain to explain everything to me, including Nobu's sudden departure from the group.

The Captain explained to me all the details of what happened after I lost consciousness that Nobu had told him. He also told me that they were all waiting for me to wake up because it was necessary to return as soon as possible to the capital to report the situation.

I explained to them what had happened to me before I lost consciousness completely.

“Hmmm... Everything indicates that you really have another soul with you, but do you hear more than one voice? Do you have more than one soul with you?” asked the Captain.

I told the Captain that I didn't have an answer for what had happened to me, but of one thing I was sure, the girl's soul was the cause for me to lose control.

“Do they really want the girl's soul?” asked Kin.

I wondered if that was the case. I also asked the Captain if he thought that the people of the first time and this one had any connection.

“I think not. The first men called you “receptacle” and this man and this woman called you by your name, didn't they?” asked the Captain.

I replied “yes”. However, I said thought both pairs seemed to have the same goal, my capture. The Captain agreed with me.

“But if Kin is right, what ends up with these people wanting the girl's soul?” asked Yumi.

“Nobu told us that the man named Tadashi said they needed Minori to accomplish their organization's goal, meaning if they really want the girl’s soul, it's for some purpose we don't know about.” said the Captain.

I asked the Captain who would help me with the training to get stronger, as Nobu was gone. The Captain told me that he would take responsibility for my training himself. He further said that perhaps a person he knew could help me with the matter of souls. He just wasn't sure if that person would be in the capital right now.

We decided to end the conversation there so that we could rest enough, so that the next day we could return to the capital.

Before I fell asleep I wondered why Nobu had left without even saying anything to me. If he didn't lose to Tadashi and the other woman, why did he leave?

…

In a village in the Redon Kingdom, everything was quiet as usual, until...

“It's here, isn't it?” asked a boy.

“Yes. Let's get this over quickly.” said another boy.

“Very well. Meteor!”

The boy, having said the name of the enchantment and having extended his arm upwards with the magic circle in his hand, ended summon up a meteor. Coming from the sky it began to fall very slowly, slowly passing the clouds. The few people who were still on the streets of the village noticed that the night was getting darker, but in fact the meteor was blocking the moonlight.

People began to panic and flee. Some even shouted to warn other citizens who were already resting in their homes. A huge panic quickly set in the village.

*Guffaws*

“Look at them, Kyler.” said the boy who cast the spell while laughing nonstop.

“Don't forget this is just the first step, Parsifal.” said Kyler.

“I know, rest easy.” said Parsifal.

Someone hiding in an alley watched the situation without showing any panic.

“Kyler...” said Parsifal seriously.

“Yes. Let's deal with him now.” said Kyler.

The two boys got off the roof they were on and went straight to the alley where the person was hiding.

“Raging Sea.” said the enchantment Kyler.

Through Kyler's magic circle an enormous amount of water surged toward the alley. Everything indicated that the person who was hiding there had not managed to escape in time.

“Apparently he was just a citizen.” said Kyler.

“But the aura looked really strong, didn't it?” asked Parsifal.

“Yes. Well, let's go back to where we were.”

The two turned back, but...

*sound of a cut*

Someone with a japanese sword cut off one of Kyler's arms.

“Kyler!!!” shouted Parsifal.

Kyler grabbed the cut area with his hand and said:

“I'm fine, back off.”

They both backed away a bit, but the person with the sword seemed to have good use of it and was fast. He even managed to land a small blow on Kyler's chest.

“Parsifal, be careful. The aura we were feeling was really his, but somehow he managed to hide it.” said Kyler.

“Don't you think we'd better back off, you're in bad shape.” said Parsifal.

“We have to finish our mission. All to fulfill the Fallen Day goal.”

“Hmmm... I knew you're from the Fallen Day criminal organization.” said the person with good use of sword.

“You seem to know a lot about us, who are you?” asked Kyler.

“My name is Ryota Morioka, I'm a Knight of Redon in Class 1. You're Parsifal Eichel and Kyler Maier, both Class 1 like me, am I correct?” said Ryota as he put away his sword.

“You really do know a few things about us, but how are you going to stop this village from being destroyed?” asked Parsifal with a tone of enjoyment.

“I can cut anything, you just need to know that.” said Ryota.

*Guffaws*

Both boys started laughing. They asked how he would be able to cut a meteor.

“It seems to me that they misunderstood. I just want to cut the enchantment user.” said Ryota.

“Come then!” said Parsifal in revolt.

“First I will finish your friend.” said Ryota.

“You were lucky with...” said Kyler without being able to finish what he was saying.

Kyler couldn't finish what he was saying because Ryota picked up his sword again and quickly walked towards him. He only had time to say the “Water Shield” enchantment, but...

With his sword Ryota managed to cut Kyler's shield, but Parsifal appeared behind him and cast an enchantment:

“Burning Arrow.”

Ryota already expected an attack like this. The “Burning Arrow” enchantment is a very fast enchantment, but he managed to escape it with only a small cut on his face.

“I'll show you how a good swordsman does things.” said Ryota very seriously as he closed his eyes and assumed a strange posture.

“Now, Kyler!” said Parsifal.

“No, wait Parsifal!” said Kyler.

Ryota opened his eyes when he was about to be hit by Parsifal and said an enchantment:

“Thousand Swords of Kusunoki!!!”

What enchantment would this be?