CCM 050 – Yo, There’s That Scream Again

---

★

The day of the duel has finally arrived.

And now we’re here in the royal capital.

.

Inside the enormous building called battle arena, thousands of people have gathered to witness and feast upon the battle.

.

[This… It’s kinda amazing how it turned out.]

.

Thirty… Rather, aren’t there at least forty thousand people here?

Well, considering how Leon Makuba wants to use this event for his “redemption”, I guess I should have expected for the crowd to grow out of proportions. He wants to show how powerful Dudley is to as many eyes as possible after all.

.

So obviously, most of the crowd is cheering for the side of the sword saint’s successor.

.

[Best of luck, Dudley-sama!!]

[Please don’t lose against that failskill sh*t!]

[Kyaaa!! Dudley-sama!!~~~]

[F*ck that Ariossss!!!]

.

…Hm, no use thinking about it.

With the people of Rastal village as an exception, most people still look at me like I’m some kind of a despicable being.

.

It is absurd of me to expect for anyone in this place to root for me. I just have to bring out my skills to the best of my abilities.

.

[Don’t lose~, Arios-san!]

[Do your best, Arios!]

.

Cheers like that come out once in a while and it’s probably either Kaya or Rei. Their voices however are eventually being drowned by the crowd right immediately.

.

I dash out from the waiting room while basking on it all with a bitter smile on my face before I set my foot towards the floor of the arena.

Then, seeing the lights that illuminate the stadium, I can’t help but think of it as mysteriously dazzling.

.

[Yo, Arios. It’s been a week.]

.

The one who called out to me is no other else but the person who possess the skill <Silver Sword Saint>, who is also my opponent, Dudley Claise.

.

Seems like he’s been doing nothing but training since the last time we met.

Sparkles of silver surrounds his body giving him that sword saint impression. At least he somehow looks the part.

.

I still think he’s still rotten deep inside though.

I mean, he’s laughing so slyly while pointing his finger onto my face.

.

[Kekeke. I gotta give you some credit. Afterall, you still chose to show up even though all you’ll ever get in here is just a beating.]

[Kyaaa! Dudley-sama!]

[Burn that trash down!!!]

.

Just what part of that speech would make that girl scream like what this guy just said is so charming? I personally think it’s irritating at the very least.

.

I took a glance at the audience seat and found the Crown Prince Leifa in the seat of honors. There’s also the sword saint Leon right next to him. 

.

There’s no sign of Rei being there.

She’s probably with the residents of Rastal village mixing herself with them to support me just as any plain ordinary resident.

.

[Oi, you dare to ignore me? Say something, trash.]

[…….]

.

Dudley is still nagging after all this time so let’s talk to him albeit halfheartedly.

.

[Enough with the useless chatter. You should discard your thoughts and focus on wielding your sword – Leon should have taught you that at the very least.]

[Ha… This guy knows how to talk.]

.

Dudley just snorted at my words and took his stance fully disinterested.

.

He’s still the Silver Sword Saint even though he’s just like that.

Perhaps thinking he looks quite cool with such a pose, the crowd once again cheers so wildly.

.

….Well, I guess I have to make my move too.

.

As I put all of my consciousness to my senses and put a hand to my sword, Dudley’s laughter came to my attention full of scorn.

.

[What the hell’s up with that stance? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten everything about the strongest – Makuba swordsmanship, huh.]

[I said this already but… Enough with the useless chatter.]

[Tsk, and this small fry even dares to fight me.]

.

With me and Dudley’s stance at standby, the referee to supervise this match has finally raises its hand.

.

[We are now to start the duel between Dudley Claise and Arios Makuba. Are you both ready to start?]

.

Hearing the referee’s question, both me and Dudley nod in unison.

.

A moment of lull lingers.

And then-

.

[Faaaaaiggghhhtt!!]

.

Before the last of the voice of the referee faded, both me and Dudley started to move our feet.

.

[Makuba Swordstyle, First Form, Godspeed Flash!]

.

So he decided to open things with that move, huh.

Let’s answer it with the same move and take his attack head on then!

.

[Sword of Origin, first form, Real Godspeed Flash!]

[Naaa – the hell!]

.

Dudley’s eyes widened in surprise.

Perhaps realizing that’s what’s to come might be more than enough for him to bear.

.

0.5 seconds.

That’s the time it took for Dudley’s sword to finish it’s move  – a horizontal slash from the side.

.

He is certainly fast.

However, as someone who has learned the way of that very same swordsmanship, I can’t be anymore familiar with that slash.

.

Then, at 0.7 seconds.

Towards the sword that boasts to be the strongest in this kingdom, I swing my sword to my fullest. It’s a slash from the bottom to the heavens. (TL Note: If you are confused, It only took him 0.2 seconds. Dudley used 0.5 seconds + Arios 0.2 seconds = 0.7 Seconds)

.

[Wha — waii–! Ugaaaaaahhh!!!]

.

Dudley, with that all too familiar pathetic scream, has made his way up into the air.

.

[…e?]

[…he?]

[…geh?] 

.

All the people that have been raging and roaring to support Dudley earlier perhaps have suddenly gone tranquil.

.

[I-impossible…!]

.

Except for one person who suddenly rose up from his chair.

.

[Ho-how could that be…? That move…. Don’t tell me… This can’t be happening…!!!]

.

And it’s no other than the sword saint Leon Makuba full of despair.

---

Translator’s Notes:

1. This should be our 3/5 release!
2. Don’t be Leon. Don’t give up immediately on yourself or to other people. 🙂

---

Previous | Table of Contents | Next