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Chapter 237: Second (1)

Once the sun rose, Theo had breakfast with Heinrich and said goodbye. Heinrich couldn’t hide his confusion as he asked if there was a problem, but Theo just shook his head with a smile. Setting aside their age difference, it was easy for Theo to talk to Heinrich.

If it wasn’t for Heathcliff’s prophecy, Theo would’ve stayed for three or four more days. Heinrich seemed to see his resolve and sighed in disappointment. He would’ve enjoyed a conversation with Theo while reading books all day long, but an old man couldn’t keep the young here.

“Huh, you’re only staying one night... If I had known, I would’ve stayed awake talking last night.”

Theo chuckled “The spirit was willing, but not the body. I’m afraid I’ll have to take a rain check.”

Heinrich laughed playfully. “Do you want new books?”

Theo understood that Heinrich was half joking and half serious. “Huh? Ha, hahaha! Sir Heinrich hit the nail on the head. That passion would’ve made you a great magician.”

Heinrich smiled widely. “This old man’s lungs won’t survive if I receive such a compliment from the hero of Meltor. Hahaha!”

The talk over breakfast continued in that cheery fashion. When they rose, the servants cleaned up the table, while Heinrich and Theo walked along the hallway toward the main entrance. Heinrich reflected on his encounter with the young hero who might leave his name in history books... Heinrich was grateful to have met a hero who was interested in knowledge.

They left the mansion and headed outside. Theo looked at the carriage in front of the main gate before pausing and turning to Heinrich.

“Then Sir Heinrich, take this.”

“Hrmm?”

It was a high quality iron badge engraved with two horses. Obviously, it wasn’t an ordinary iron badge. Heinrich had lived more than twenty years in Kargas, so he recognized the iron badge.

“A badge of the Polonell Company.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why are you giving it to me?”

Theo smiled gently. “I know this is something that can’t be traded. But it proves my identity. If Viscount Brahms from yesterday or someone else makes a fuss, please go to Bear in the Polonell Company and tell him my name. Then he will help you.”

“... You are too mature for your age. Despite my reluctance, I will accept your consideration.” The emotions in Heinrich’s eyes deepened as he put away the Polonell badge. It was easy to overpower or defeat others with force. However, it was rare to pay attention to the consequences that happened afterward. In this turbulent age, Theo was truly a hero.

Heinrich bowed again and thanked Theo for his goodwill.

Theo got in his carriage. “Let’s go.”

The knight sitting in the driver’s seat snapped the reins firmly. It wasn’t done with any sophisticated technique, but it was enough to move the horses.

Hiiiing!

The two horses jumped forward, and the carriage soon left Heinrich’s residence. The border city had well-maintained roads, so the carriage moved quickly through the city. Theo sat in the occasionally shaky carriage as he lamented leaving so early. But he quickly started to worry.

The unknown enemy… How will he appear?

Theo had learned the importance of the first strike from his various battles. So, he couldn’t help worrying. If he lost control in a situation where he was already lacking, that would be the end.

He wouldn’t be able to make a preemptive strike against an enemy who might appear anywhere, so he had to prepare countermeasures. If the person had great destructive power like Pan Helliones, Theo could use ranged attacks. If they were exceptional in surprise attacks like Hyde, then Theo could use his sensitivity.

He had to think of all the possibilities. As Theo remained silent, the carriage continued moving northwards, beyond the boundaries of Sipoto, and started to make its way through the wilderness. The chill running down Theo’s neck told him that the threat was getting closer. It was a feeling he had felt several times before, but this time it was terrible.

... Indeed, death is absolutely certain.

It felt like the time he had faced Pride with Ellenoa behind him. This was a death sentence that couldn’t be overturned even if he went beyond his limits. If victory or defeat could be determined with resolve, then even a mouse could kill a lion. However, that didn’t work in reality. Resolve was worthless before overwhelming strength. The weak would just be trampled on.

Therefore, Theo’s condition for victory was to just survive. He needed to leap over the opponent’s overwhelming power. As such, he had already made preparations last night.

“Bring it on.”

His blue eyes shone as he prepared to leap over adversity.

***

Despite Theo’s preparations, his assailant didn’t bother with an ambush.

Kkiiiiik....

Theo jumped out of the carriage the moment the driver pulled back on the reins and stopped the carriage. Theo had already sensed his enemy. By the time he landed on the ground, his Circles were already prepared to fight.

“... What.” Nevertheless, Theo was one beat late.

“Hi,” a drowsy voice rang out, “Theodore Miller?”

The assailant had dark brown hair and half-closed eyes. His patchy beard gave him a shabby appearance. He would’ve looked like a homeless person if it wasn’t for the sword at his waist. His clothes were decent, but that didn’t mean much.

“... If I am, who are you?” Theo didn’t hide his vigilance as he questioned the man.

“Number 2,” an absurd reply was given, “Zest Speitem.”

Theo stiffened. If Veronica and Blundell represented Meltor’s strength, then the 1st and 2nd Swords represented Andras’ strength. Most people didn’t know their faces, and very little information existed about their combat style or techniques. It was simply due to the fact that an overwhelming majority of their opponents never survived to tell tales.

Zest, the person who had overwhelmed Randolph with one blow, was now before Theo.

Really.

Zest’s appearance didn’t matter. The chill that Theo felt proved the authenticity of his statement. Even if this man wasn’t truly the 2nd Sword, his skill was comparable.

“Hehe.” Sword Demon Zest looked at Theo with dull eyes. Then he made a strange sound as he glanced at the knight next to Theo. As Zest’s eyes blurred, the passing wind stopped like it had been cut by a blade. It was a phenomenon which couldn’t be understood with common sense, but it clearly happened.

A human stopping the wind with his will? What a monster.

Theo’s breathing grew rough with nervousness.

Zest suddenly nodded at the knight. “Hey, who is this guy? He gives off a vaguely familiar feeling.”

Theo answered boldly, “... Why should I answer?”

Zest shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Well, this might be good.”

Sururung

The sword Zest drew cried out, and he patted the sword absentmindedly. Zest’s languid expression disappeared as his voice grew sharper, “Thanks to you, I could finally take a walk. I’m a little sorry to kill you. So―”

Theo’s breathing quickened as he tensed.

Kaaang!

Suddenly, sparks flew as two swords collided with each other.

“Keok!”

Theo hurriedly leaped back as the shockwave from the collision of the two swords hit him. He coughed a few times, but he couldn’t hide his astonishment.

I didn’t see it at all? No, it isn’t in the dimension of fast or slow...

This was a blow which couldn’t be defined with the concept of speed. Perhaps this was the blow that had defeated Randolph. It was certainly an attack that surpassed common sense. Had Zest just unleashed a surprise attack from the front? Theo’s head would’ve been cut off if it wasn’t for the driver stepping in front of him.

“Eh?” Zest tilted his head with sincere confusion. “My sword was stopped? How?”

Of course, Theo naturally knew the answer. The driver, who had been called Lloyd when he lived, had the Aura Ability Pathfinder engraved on his body after being turned into a machine.

Pathfinder was the ability to find the right path. However, rather than rejoicing at the enemy’s attack being stopped, Theo was horrified.

He blocked the attack, but there was no opening to retaliate!

This was a fight, and the winner was usually the one who could read ahead to attack or defend. In such an environment, Pathfinder was a very powerful ability. If one knew what the opponent would do, that was enough to time a counterattack. In fact, Lloyd had taken down several swordmasters that way.

Yet he was barely able to block this attack!

On the other hand, Zest was intrigued. “This is a fun toy. How many times can it endure?”

Zest figured out that the opponent wasn’t human and raised his sword.

I can’t miss it this time!

As Theo concentrated, the sword disappeared again.

Kakang!

It was like the strike couldn’t be blocked. There was no warning as it cut deep into Gladio’s right wrist. The body of an automaton was different from that of humans, but its arm was essentially rendered useless with that blow.

Jeeeong!?

The second strike was a piercing blow. Theo still couldn’t see it at all. Gladio tried to defend but was pushed back by the power behind the sword, which caused serious damage to Gladio’s internal organs.

Kakakang!?

The stab turned into a slash. The sword was moving at a pace that surpassed the domain of human cognition. Even a master wouldn’t be able to tell what had happened.

Gladio blocked the sword with his left hand, but half of it was cut off. This was the end. Even an automaton couldn’t maintain its combat ability in this state. It had only taken two seconds. Given that there wasn’t that much of a difference between Lloyd’s and Gladio’s strength, Zest Speitem had essentially defeated one of the Seven Swords in just two seconds.

This wasn’t the strength of a swordmaster, but pure skill.

“Reverse summoning,” Theo called out, and Gladio disappeared into its bracelet. It would take time and a lot of resources to fully recover from that damage. Clearly, it was safe to say he couldn’t use Gladio for a while.

However, thanks to Gladio, Theo managed to gain some time.

As long as I can’t recognize his ability, this man is invincible. Close combat is suicide.

Theo’s seven Circles rotated as he gathered his strength, while Zest smiled. He seemed completely relaxed, as if he could kill Theo at any time.

“It is a decent toy, but in the end, it is just entertainment. Will the owner be more than that?”

Theo swallowed his fear as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “You’ll regret not killing me just now.”