Act 5: Chapter 32: Swordcraft of Peach Dragon Village(Side: Lovis)
Mitsuru set his great sword at middle stance, closing in the distance toward Lovis.
「I see… It's the kind of swordcraft that utilises pressure to the enemy, waiting for the enemy to attack before landing a counter. It's the exact opposite of a self-taught style from before.」
Lovis licked his lips.
「Hah, your motive is quite obvious.」
Mitsuru licked his lips.
Mitsuru's swordcraft was taught by Dragon Saint Odio in the Peach Dragon Village.
It was originally the martial arts of the dragonfolk which was modified to be able to cover Mitsuru's weakness and used by a human like him.
Mitsuru refused Odio's offer to become the latter's disciple before Kanata.
Because he really thought that he didn't need a teacher.
But after he gets defeated by Kanata in 《Dragon's Trial》, and has a lower score than Raigan who he looks down on, he reconsiders his choice and decides to accept Odio's offer.「Keeping distance from the enemy, using magic or throwing weapon, and closing in at once when the enemy crumbled down, but…」
Lovis kicked the ground and leapt toward Mitsuru.
「DON'T BOTHER TO PRESSURE ME! JUST SHOW ME THE SWORDCRAFT OF DRAGONFOLK!」
「《Dragon Fortress》…」
Mitsuru changed his stance, raising his greatsword overhead with its' tip facing the ground. [TL: Ox stance.]
「A counter stance while protecting head and chest… Is it?」
Lovis murmured.
It was a stance that enabled him to easily protect his vital spots, but neglected the protection of the limbs.
Properly speaking, that fighting style was unsuitable for humans who had no scale or sharp claws.
But Mitsuru could raise his defence with 《Double》, even if he got injured, he could unleash a deadly counter immediately.
「I see… That's definitely the combat style of dragonfolk indeed. You're not as careless as before, eh?」
The reason Lovis could corner Mitsuru who had a higher level and gift skill 《Double》 that made him even more powerful was because of his fighting style that disregard logic.
It would be a different story if Mitsuru mastered a swordcraft that matched his skill.
Mitsuru raised a grin seeing Lovis slowing down right before he entered the former's range.
「《Dragon Flash Tail》!」
Mitsuru brandished his sword from overhead while closing in the distance.
The solid defence of 《Dragon Fortress》 transformed in one fluid motion into the offensive move.
It was a surprise attack that focused on a strike type of attack after the opponent was made aware of the counter stance.
「WHA–!」
Lovis spun his body in a hurry to dodge the blade.
「《Dragon Claw Dance》!」
Mitsuru's body spun without any preparation, chasing after Lovis with dance-like movement.
Lovis couldn't dodge the barrage of sword strikes.
The swordcraft that was redesigned by dragon saint Odio to be used by humans was now baring its' fangs toward Lovis.
The current Mitsuru was lacking in terms of speed and strength.
But due to this, he had to abandon the brute force approach and challenge Lovis with a frontal clash from surefire sword skill.
In Lovis' case, his choice of attack was also greatly limited since a half-hearted attack wouldn't be able to pierce the defence that got enhanced by 《Double》.
「Hehehehe, the experience of thrill having surpassed a deadline is something that I can overcome with just a bit of creativity! Thank you, Reaper! Thanks to you I become even stronger! The swordcraft of that lizard old man is really useful!」
Mitsuru brandished his sword with a smile on his face.
「L-Lovis-sama has never been this cornered before!!」
Damia raised his arm, taking an aim toward Mitsuru.
He tried to attack Mitsuru with earth magic.
But Yozakura's sword had already been pointed toward him before he invoked his magic.
「Cease your folly, Damia. Lovis-sama detests those who disturb his fight.」
「B-But, at this rate, Lovis-sama is…!」
「Lovis-sama himself has already told us that his long-cherished dream is to die in battle. And the winner of this fight is undoubtedly Lovis-sama. Don't underestimate our Lovis-sama.」
Yozakura had no shred of doubt about Lovis' victory.
「RAAAGH!」
Mitsuru unleashed another attack.
The blade grazed Lovis' chest, sending a spray of blood flying in the air.
「Too shallow eh? But you have been cornered, Reaper. Time to end this fight.」
「I see… It really is creative, and flexible swordcraft. But, it seems that you have shown up to 60% of total variations.」
「… AH?」
「Originally, I'm going to let him off. But I change my mind… I can't let this fight to be sullied by my own sense of self-protection. Mitsuru Ijyuin, I'm done with playing around, don't die on me.」
Lovis readied his scythe again in spite of being drenched in his own blood.
「Let me to give you one last piece of advice… You've yet to familiarize yourself with that dragonfolk swordcraft. That swordcraft is designed to let you make your own adjustments as you grow accustomed to it. You have a really good master. But I've learnt all the tricks in your sleeves and found the weakness in your technique. And that's also your remaining lifespan. Do your best till I kill you.」
Mitsuru's body was startled the moment he felt killing intent within Lovis' madness.
Lovis released a bizarre aura that he never felt from the opponent he fought so far.
「Tsk, BRING IT ON!」
Mitsuru spat those words.
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