Chapter 42: A Test of Strength

The current situation might not be as dire as it appears. My primary concern is to understand Angela’s perception of the recent magic outburst and her view of Bella, who was by my side.

If I can somehow gloss over these two points, everything else should be manageable.

“Could you explain this?”

Repeating her question, Angela handed the torch to Vinya. With graceful precision, she drew the slender sword from her waist, clicked her heels together, and stood rigidly upright.

Her blade pointed diagonally downward, already poised in a combat-ready stance.

It seemed she had connected me to that surge of magic, judging me a potential threat.

This was hardly surprising. After all, my attitude had been rather aloof when we were traveling together, naturally arousing suspicion in anyone.

The fact that those three were willing to accept me into their party only spoke to their trusting nature.

Angela, however, was clearly driven by the confidence that ‘I possess the absolute ability to subdue you,’ which led her to value my combat prowess and invite me to eliminate the humanoid wolf-kin.

Regardless, I needed to conjure an excuse, any excuse.

“To save… eh?”

Just as I thought to say “to save someone” and tightened my grip on the hand I was holding Bella’s with, I grasped nothing. Turning my head, I found the space beside me empty. Bella had vanished at some unknown point.

“What are you looking at?”

“…”

Well, that was quite something. She must have fled the moment she heard someone approaching. I had been so focused on the front, I hadn’t paid attention to my surroundings.

She caused all this trouble, yet she completely dumped it on me to handle. What kind of Demon King was she, anyway?

Still, it was fortunate she ran off so quickly. Judging by Angela’s question, she hadn’t noticed Bella’s presence, which made things considerably easier for me to manage.

“You sensed it, didn’t you?” I countered.

“Sensed what?”

“The magic.”

“…Yes.”

She hesitated for a few seconds before answering. What exactly was Angela pondering?

“I’ll take a look and clear out the humanoid wolf-kin while I’m at it.”

“Just you alone?”

“Yes.”

“How will you prove it?”

“There’s no need.”

I walked past Angela, intending to simply leave.

“Wait.” Angela waved her hand, extending her sword to block my path. “That magic, what was its origin?”

“I don’t know.”

“What’s the situation inside?”

“Just humanoid wolf-kin. They’ve all been dealt with.”

“No source of magic?”

“None.”

“Or rather, are you the source of the magic?”

“…”

I remained silent, turning my gaze to glare at Angela. After a few seconds, I spoke:

“After a few years away from the battlefield, has your sword rusted?”

“You… are mocking me?”

“I have no need for something as unorthodox as magic.” I turned fully, puffed out my chest, and stood before Angela, looking down at her.

“You are not the only one skilled in martial arts and combat techniques. Do not equate me with a mere sorcerer, you rusty sword.”

“Watch your words!”

Vinya, hearing my mockery of Angela, instantly shed her usual composure and friendliness. She stepped forward, her hand already on her sword hilt, but Angela extended an arm to stop her.

“This is my concern. Let me handle it personally.”

“…Yes.”

At Angela’s irrefutable command, the displeasure on Vinya’s face vanished. She removed her hand from the hilt and retreated to the rock wall.

It seemed Angela was prepared to fight me, which suited my intentions perfectly.

I had already made it clear that I disliked relying on magical power. If she believed I was the source of that magic, then I merely needed to prove I possessed sufficient strength to defeat the humanoid wolf-kin without magical dependence.

While combat techniques do rely on magic to some extent, they primarily depend on one’s physical fitness and martial arts.

Magic mostly serves to enhance and assist, with energy releases like the Crescent Moon Sword Aura being more direct attacks.

Therefore, even with weak magic, one can unleash extremely powerful combat techniques—a fact Angela should be well aware of.

I had already used the slight magic inherent in my `Prism` to conceal my own lack of magical power, ensuring Angela wouldn’t discover my true identity.

Then, by utilizing the abilities granted by the `Prism` to make it appear as though I commanded formidable combat techniques, I could pass this test safely.

“It seems you are quite confident in your abilities,” Angela stated.

This statement was essentially a declaration of war, as Angela had already brought her hand to her chest, raised her sword vertically, and fixed her gaze upon me.

“…”

I offered no reply, turning to leave while subtly inputting a command with my left hand.

[240]

Clang!

Clack!

In the very next instant, a heavy footstep and a crisp one rang out. I spun around in a single stride as Angela stepped forward, our eyes meeting precisely.

“—!”

At that exact moment, Angela launched her attack. I couldn’t discern the blur of her hand, not because of the darkness, but due to her astonishing speed.

As her sword-wielding arm vanished, I perceived countless blades piercing towards me, as if a hundred thrusts were unleashed simultaneously, forming a dense flurry of light and shadow. If struck, my body would instantly become a sieve.

Finally, I witnessed it: Angela’s self-created combat technique, `Hundred Blades Severing Sword`, a legend on the battlefield.

With its hardened edge, it could deliver one hundred thrusts to a target within a single second.

Even the swiftest individuals, those who mastered acceleration combat techniques beyond their body’s limits, would struggle to block every attack.

Of course, one could use a sufficiently wide shield to deflect all the attacks, but from what I had heard, this technique could effortlessly pierce even solid rock. A shield that wasn’t hard enough would prove useless.

However, I, at least, had no need to worry.

*Clang, clang, clang—*

Utilizing instantaneous acceleration, I unleashed a flurry of punches against the incoming blades, producing a dense metallic clashing sound.

The noise, echoing off the rock walls, became even more piercing. If I hadn’t miscounted, exactly one hundred impacts nearly overlapped, precisely one hundred parries, all blocked by my armored fists.

Instantaneous acceleration was not merely a combat technique for speed; it was a velocity beyond ordinary comprehension.

Blocking those hundred swords was effortless. Furthermore, my four-grid-consuming body and armor were not for show; I had absolute confidence in their hardness.

Although the shock absorption wasn’t perfect, my hands were already numb.

It had to be said, Her Majesty Angela was indeed worthy of her title, the `Rose of Holy War`. Not only her speed, but her strength and toughness were also top-tier.

No wonder the entire world claimed her retirement from the front lines was the greatest loss in the army’s history. Despite my reclusive life in the countryside, I remained informed about the outside world.

However, these were all digressions. My defense was complete; it was time to counterattack.

“Hmph!”

I lunged forward, delivering a punch towards Angela’s face. Naturally, I didn’t actually strike her. The flat of my fist halted precisely one centimeter from the tip of her nose.

While she had never treated me kindly, and I didn’t particularly care for her, I had no intention of using this opportunity to vent past grievances.

Back then, we simply held different positions; I lacked sufficient capability, and it was only natural that I didn’t receive her attention.

We already had enough conflicts between us; I didn’t wish to add unnecessary trouble. Moreover, if I were to truly harm Angela, I’m sure Mother and Vinya would be heartbroken.

But now, I had proven my strength. That was enough.

[4]…[3]…[2]…[1]…[0]…

Maintaining this posture until the countdown ended, it might have been a mere five seconds for Angela and Vinya, but for me, it felt like an eternity.

“…”

Both Vinya and Angela remained utterly still. Vinya was completely frozen, her eyes wide as she stared at me.

I retracted my fist, observing Angela’s expression. It was much like Vinya’s, her eyes slightly widened, and her alluring lips slightly parted. For once, she displayed a look of genuine surprise.

Perhaps, after so many years of campaigning, I was the first person to directly block her technique. It was only natural for her to be so stunned.

To think I would one day manage to awe the Military God herself. Should I be pleased? No, I felt more relief. At least this should dispel any suspicion.

…Wait, hold on a second. If I hadn’t blocked it, and my armor wasn’t hard enough, wouldn’t I have truly become a beehive after taking that move?! Was she actually trying to kill me?!

“…What exactly… did you do?”

After several seconds of stunned silence, Angela’s usual sharp expression returned. She sheathed her sword and questioned me.

“…”

I didn’t answer, simply turning and walking away.

“…Wait!”

“?”

She called out to me again. I turned to face her, but she remained silent for a long time, as if in an internal struggle. Finally, she took a deep breath and said to me:

“…Thank you for your assistance.”

“…”

“Are you interested in joining the army?”

“…?”

As if to retain me, Angela directly extended an invitation.

Join the army? The Military God inviting *me* to join the army, inviting a strange, armored man whose face she hadn’t even seen? Surely… I wasn’t hallucinating, was I?

It seemed that in that brief second of confrontation, she had already acknowledged my strength. It also showed just how confident she was in her combat technique.

Of course, that exchange wasn’t a true duel, at most it was a test. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have just used one move; she would have anticipated the next few steps and wouldn’t have stared blankly at my fist.

She wasn’t the type of commander to be arrogant; when serious, she would undoubtedly prepare thoroughly. Of that, I was certain.

By the faint torchlight beside her, I could see the anticipation in her eyes, truly like a determined warrior, conveying a thirst for talent.

However, Vinya, beside her, was different.

She glanced at Angela in surprise, then pursed her lips and lowered her head, biting her lower lip. She looked utterly unwilling to accept it.

Was she… jealous? Her mentor had brought her out for training, only to turn around and invite someone seemingly more powerful, as if her own weakness had been put on display.

That feeling must be incredibly difficult to bear, for I had once experienced the same.

“…”

Naturally, I would not accept. With her invitation, my suspicion should now be cleared, meaning my business here was concluded. I remained silent, turned, and left the cave.

Next, I needed to find the Sacred Dew Leaf, and then… escort those three out of this forest.

…Ah, I almost forgot. What about Bella? What should I do about her?