By the time I finished taking the distance away from him, the pillar of light shattered and Noname walked out from the inside.
He made it seem like it was so easy to break it.
He even looked refreshing when he did it.
“Did you grasped something when I was stopped by your barrier?”
“Even if I used a barrier stronger than the earlier one and caught the prodigy of Amsberg by complete surprise, she would be able to escape it. I am not a swordsman so I can’t tell the difference in your swordsmanship but……the reaction speed, the instinct, the ability to read your opponent, and the ability to detect the dangers, yours are no match for her.”
When fighting with the same weapon, what makes the difference are your physical ability and your skill.
There is no doubt that both Elna and Noname’s physical ability is among the tops of the continent. There may be some differences but it is not significant enough to make a difference in battle.
However, in terms of how they respond to incoming attacks, Elna is superior. This is enough to make a difference.
When fighting the vampires, Elna showed that she could escape from my curse barrier. So far, she is the only one capable of escaping it.
That is both how amazing and terrifying Elna is.
Was it thanks to the blood of the Hero flowing in her veins or was it the result of her rigorous training and actual battle experience, I don’t know. Either way, it is proven that a surprise attack is almost ineffective against Elna in combat mode.
“I see. You are saying that I am still inferior to her in terms of defense is it.”
“You should ask Egor if it is about sword skills. Personally, I don’t think that there is that much difference though.”
That being said, the chance he would win against Elna with her Holy Sword is slim.
After all, there is no room for petty tricks.
There’s no doubt that their fight will be an exchange of overwhelmingly powerful blows from each other.
Noname should know that well. Even when he was told that he is still inferior to her in terms of defense, he isn’t bitter about it at all. Naturally, the defense is important but there is something that is even more important than that.
“Then please assess my offense as well.”
Saying so, Noname held the Dis Pater into an upper stance.
On my side, I also start preparing my defense and transfer magic.
There’s no doubt that this experimental site will collapse.
When I thought so, the magic power of the Dis Pater gradually increased. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel·fiɾe·net
It is not that it is gathering magic power from the surroundings, it feels more like magic power is overflowing from the Dis Pater itself.
The intense pressure it gave off does not lose to that of the Holy Sword.
There’s no doubt that its power is comparable to the four sacred treasures.
“That really is something. I can feel the culmination of your years of effort and obsession. Still, the Holy Sword is an extraordinary weapon even among the four treasures. the strongest weapon born of the stars. You can’t hope to win against it with only that level of power you know?” Ꞧ𝓪ℕÔBĘŜ
“So you said. But this still isn’t my best.”
Saying so, black shadow overflows from the Dis Pater. It swirls around Noname and gradually converges on the blade.
An attack that concentrates all of its power into one point huh.
That must be the highest output of Dis Pater right now.
It won’t be easy to block it.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t take it.
[[That is the shield of god that cover the heavens・Like the sea of clouds that protect the clear sky・It covers the sky and disappears like haze・It wraps around everything and covers everything・it represents protections・it was created for all the weak・Therefore, even the Gods can not pierce it・Therefore, this shield is undefeated and Invincible・I call upon its name——Firmament・Aegis]]
After finishing the chant, a bluish silver shield resemblance of the clouds appeared before me.
There are many defensive spells in ancient magic but the spells with the name Aegis boast a high defensive power among them. Among all the Aegis, the Firmament・Aegis boasts the highest defensive power.
It is even more powerful than the Aegis I used to receive the Sea Dragon Leviathan’s breath and is one of the three defensive spells I can use.
It is doubtful at best whether I can block a blow from the Holy Sword but if it’s Dis Pater, I think that it should be possible.
My intuition tells me that the Dis Pater is not as powerful as the Holy Sword.
Which means, Noname is not as strong as my childhood friend.
“As expected of you, Silver. I will give you my all without holding back!”
Saying so, the Dis Pater glows with a black light.
It’s clear to the eyes that the concentrated black shadow is rampaging in search of an outlet.
“Heed my voice, Dis Pater—-You are the treasure sword of the underworld・Unleash your shadow and destroy all creations・Your lord now desires your destruction!”
Noname swings down the Dis Pater.
“Dark Shadow Slash!!”
A torrent of black shadows was unleashed toward me.
I took it with the bluish silver shield.
The torrent of black shadows continuously trying to break through the shield but the bluish silver shield remains unwavering on the spot.
The clash can continue forever but the result will not change.
The torrent of black shadows can not penetrate the bluish silver shield.
Eventually, the torrent gradually loses its power.
Even so, the shield didn’t lose its brilliance. It stood in its place, immovable.
After a while, the torrent disappeared while the shield remained unscathed. This would not have been the case with the Holy Sword. It would at least leave a crack or at worst, it might get completely destroyed.
“Right now you are no match for the Hero. Even the Dis Pater won’t be able to rival the Holy Sword. That is my answer, Noname.”
The shield disappeared and in front of me was Noname who stood there silently while holding the Dis Pater.
That would be shocking for him after all huh. I can see that his atmosphere is completely different now.
I can sense his agitation.
I felt sorry for Noname but I activated the magic I prepared.
“Ah, that’s right. Like I said in the beginning, no hard feelings okay?”
Noname twists his body in a hurry.
The reason being, a light bullet was heading straight for Noname.
To stop Noname’s movement, I hit some of my light bullets around.
In addition to being agitated, his reaction probably slowed down because he just unleashed a full power blow.
I didn’t miss the chance and shot the light bullet at him.
I adjusted the trajectory so that it would nudge Noname’s mask.
As intended, the light bullet snuck past his defense and shifted his mask.
It might not be able to even leave a scratch on the mask but with my light bullet, it should be enough to shift it a little.
“Hou? That is surprising.”
The mask was shifted a little and I could catch a glimpse of Noname’s real face.
Only a part of the face is visible but I can see white skin, red eyes, and silver hair.
It was the face of a stunningly beautiful girl behind that mask.
It must be because of her race that she still looked so young even while she has been an SS-rank adventurer for more than half a century, or perhaps there is a different reason.
That piqued my interest but even if I asked her, she probably wouldn’t answer.
Noname who readjusted her mask turned her hostility toward me but unfortunately, the time is up.
“Saved by the bell huh.”
When I said that, the underground test site began to collapse.
Since it would be a problem if my promised reward got crushed by the collapse, I enclosed the door leading to the room containing the experimental magic tools with a barrier and prepared a transfer gate.
Then, I approached Noname and grabbed her arm.
“Of course, we are getting out of here right?”
While mockingly smiling at Noname who asked that stupid question, I entered the transfer gate with her.