Some tens of minutes after Suimei and Lefille were reunited, the caravan set off without delay.
Their journey was off to a good start. If the rest of the trip could continue without any unwanted surprises, that would be fantastic.
What was left to them now was to make their way to Kurand while keeping an eye on the caravan. Even setting aside the issue of whether or not she was capable of wielding this massive sword, it didn’t seem like a weapon appropriate for a young woman.
In response to his words, Lefille gave the weapon on her back a loving glance.
“This is a family heirloom. Its previous owner was my father, from whom I inherited it.”
“Does that mean you used a different type of weapon at first?”
“No.”
If it was an inheritance from her father, then there had to have been some period of time before it’d come into her possession. Lefille refuted this idea, however, swinging her arms as though the sword were in her hands.
“I’ve immersed myself in swordsmanship ever since I was but a child, always dreaming of the day that I’d be able to swing a sword like this.”
“I guess that means you’re pretty confident about using it,” Suimei asked, slightly ill-naturedly.
Lefille’s response was candid.
“Hehe. Unfortunately, it’s for that very reason that I’m not proficient in anything but the sword.”
“Not at all. I think you’re pretty amazing. I know a thing or two about swordsmanship, but when it comes to using a sword like that, I haven’t the least confidence.”
Lefille’s self-mocking words were met with a tone of respect.
Swords weren’t something you wielded simply with strength. When it came to slashing, then certainly arm strength was a key factor, but actual battle skills were another thing altogether. Effectively wielding a sword in battle didn’t just require a certain amount of strength, but also the bodily control to flourish it as desired.
Anyway, when Suimei spoke of his inability to use such a weapon, the primary reason was that its weight and size were beyond his body’s ability to support.
It was likely because of Lefille’s mastery of a sword like this that she had chosen it as her primary weapon.
That was also likely the reason that she uttered the words that came next.
“—It’s nothing special. With a little practice, anyone’d be able to chop a semi-giant in two with this.”
“…”
I misheard her just now. MISHEARD. Lefille had just said something insane with a casual tone. Seriously, there’s not a chance in hell you could learn how to chop a semi-giant – a being capable of destroying a city wall with its fists – in two with just “a little practice”! Her earlier words, that she had taken down the semi-giant only with the aid of her companions, were now clearly naught but hollow modesty.
That meant that this young girl hadn’t even come close to going all out in her ranking battle. Comparing her ability with the master swordsmen of his world put her on an entirely different plane of existence.
As Suimei shook his head, Lefille took the opportunity to ask a question of her own.
“Suimei-kun, can I ask what you’re best at?”
“I didn’t hear anything. I HEARD NOTHING! —Eh?”
“Suimei-kun? Are you alright?”