There was a combat field in the Sordric house’s courtyard. When we were being led to the combat field, I was amazed with eyes wide. No, because this, it’s a Japanese fencing dojo no matter how you look at it.
There were several wooden swords hang on the wall on a polished wooden floor. Wait a second, there’s even a household shrine?
[This dojo that my father built was designed by chief Hyouei. It was built with Ishen’s method.]
[It is nicely similar to the dojo in my home de gozaru. Iyaa, It’s been so long]
I also miss it. With this, the urge that I must travel to Ishen has increased.
[Pick whatever bokuto you like. They’re lined up in the order of the grips thickness]
The Viscount who changed to a dougi, picked up a bokuto while fixing his obi. Yae who is going to face him, picked up whatever bokuto she can, and tried testing the grip while swinging them a few times, eventually they stood facing each other in the middle of the dojo possessing a focused mind.
(TLN: dougi: sparing uniform; bokuto: wooden practice sword)
[Is there anyone who can use recovery magic among you?]
[…Me and her can use it, but]
I raised my hand to the Viscount’s words and faced Lindsey’s direction.
[Well then, do not be reserved. Come with your full strength]
As the Viscount declared so, we sit at the edge of the dojo so we don’t get in their way.
On this occasion, I suddenly had a great idea, I took out the smartphone from my pocket. Umm, if I remember correctly….
[…What are you doing desu, ka?]
Lindsey asked with a curious face.
[It’s slight reference for the distant future]
While answering so, Elsie who volunteered as the referee stood between the two of them.
Confirming that preparations have been completed for both parties, she raised her voice.
[Well then ───Begin ! ]
With Elsie’s voice, Yae moved to slash at the Viscount with bullet like speed. Yae lunged her sword continuously and the Viscount took the attacks head on, everything was parried with his bokuto.
She slowly steadied her breathing when Yae jumped back to the rear momentarily. In contrast to her, the Viscount doesn’t attack personally. He only follows her movements with his eyes.
They shifted around each other slowly as if trying to draw a circle. Little by little the distance is shortened, they passed through the line and the bokuto once again crossed each other. Thus, an intense exchange unfolded.
However, it was only Yae who kept attacking continuously, the Viscount doesn’t attack and only parries, dodges or blocks her attacks.
[I see. I understand]
The Viscount moved his bokuto in a low position. Yae was breathing heavily as she prepared her stance with resolute eyes. It’s clear that she has exhausted her stamina.
[Your sword is the right way of the sword. You could say it’s exemplary, there’s no wasted movement. It is the same swordplay that I learnt from chief Hyouei]
[……Is it bad ?]
[It is not bad. However for you, there is nothing above it from there]
[Naa……! ?]
The Viscount prepared his sword above, only now that his fighting spirit started pouring out. Spirit that was like an electric shock was being transmitted to our direction.
[Let’s go]
The Viscount took a large step straight away and jumped the distance to Yae in the blink of an eye. The brandished sword struck Yae from the front. To block this blow, Yae held her bokuto overhead.
It was supposed to be.
In the next moment, Yae made a sound and fell in the dojo. She was holding her flank while groaning.
[S, Stop right there !]
Elsie announced the end of the match. If it was a match with genuine swords, Yae’s torso would’ve been split in two.
[Uguu…..]
[You should not move. Some ribs are probably broken. If you move carelessly some might stick in your lungs. You over there, come heal her]
[Ah, yes]
I held Yae’s hand on the side of the flank was warped in pain. I apply recovery magic. Was it from the pain being removed, Yae’s expression started to calm down.
[……I’m already alright de gozaru]
Yae stood up as she gave thanks then bowed her head deeply in front of the viscount.
[I am grateful for you instruction]
[Your sword is without a shadow. To weave together truth and falsehood, to draw back as if advancing, to loosen then becoming relentless. The just way of the sword isn’t the only limit of the dojo swordsmanship. I am not saying that it is bad. Because power is different depending on oneself]
The viscount’s piercing eyes sees through Yae.
[What do you seek from the sword?]
Yae doesn’t answer. Just staring at the bokuto in silence.
[It starts from there. A path might come to you if you do that. If you see it, then come back here again]
The viscount left the dojo leaving those words.