Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 157: Maneuvering Behind the Scenes pt2
「So your demon sword has the power to manipulate the wind element huh. Hah, now I know the reason for your sudden acceleration. 」
Lucci had an ominous smile as he said so while their swords locked together.
Actually the person who caused such a phenomenon was not a sword, it was Rio himself but, it seems Lucci misunderstood himself. Rio smiled little seeing the situation develop as he expected.
「You will regret this」
Lucci said so with a deep grudge with his tone as he firmly swung his sword at Rio.
He jumped trying to rush Rio, he closed the distance and swung his sword at Rio in an attempt to somehow stop him on the spot.
But, Rio easily dodged it with graceful movements while retreating. Immediately after making a gap, he tried to follow Lucci's attack with a counterattack. But then, Arein rushed in from behind to land the attack at the blind spot in a pincer attack with Lucci.
But, Rio suddenly disappeared from their eyes, leaving behind a gust of wind.
「AREIN, FLIP! 」
Lucci shouted as he suspected that Rio would spin behind Arein. Arein immediately turned around but she received Rio's dropkick from her side and was blown away.
「GUH ...........」.
Although his body was blown about ten meters back, he was able to take a defensive position to minimize the damage.
He avoided the fate of being crippled because he had used the artifact to strengthen his flesh. Although he somehow managed to remain standing on his feet, he was barely able to continue doing so and had a tired expression on his face.
On the other hand, Rio adjusted his balance when he landed and adjusted his position with his sword without caring for Lucci.
「CEH」
Lucci frowned as he clicked his tongue. There was no longer any chance of winning against Rio alone.
「Her resistance is gone. Surrender like a good boy, I will forgive you if you obediently tell me everything you know about Lucius. Now, what are you gonna do? 」
Rio said that while looking around him.
「HAH, you really want that information but, our principle is not to sell information about our betters」
It seems like they are both trying to buy time. Seeing that only he was left, he accepted the fact that he would not be able to win against Rio. But, Lucci was just bluffing and acting strong.
「Then, I will ask your partner. 」」
"CONGRATUS . WON'T SAY ANYTHING. HE'LL DIE MORE THAN SAY YOUR INFORMATION. 」」
"I saw . He suddenly became a popular person huh? 」」
Rio said it with a slight displeased tone.
「Just fear you know. What, you got a grudge with our leader? 」
"……………… . 」
「Hah, people like you show up occasionally. You won't see it. In fact, many people are looking for our leaders to take their revenge. But, they all died while regretting their lack of strength. Let me tell you, just live your life in peace. You will also die with regret. 」
Lucci said that to Rio as if sneering at him.
「I won't. 」
Rio shook his head, and then closed the distance with Lucci.
「Sial …………. . 」
Even if he tried to bluff his way out, he was actually in a desperate situation. He had no chance of winning even if he continued to fight alone. So he thought. That was at the time.
From the end of his gaze, Lucci saw the shadow of someone who was rapidly approaching Rio. And then, a high-pitched sound of metal clashing against each other was heard.
Before anyone noticed, a man came to attack Rio. Rio's sword is locked with a bully sword. Rio swung his sword with all his strength and sent the bully away.
「VEN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS PLACE! ? 」
After a bully named Ven landed safely on the ground, Lucci asked him with a surprised face.
「I received an order from Reis-sama. And come as your reinforcements. It took me a long time to find you. However, aren't you in a sorry state there? 」
"………… . That's the guy! 」
When Ven and Lucci exchanged information as they arranged their weapons, Rio had already started running at a very high speed towards Arein.
Although Lucci and Ven also chased after him reflexively, they were no match for Rio.
「GA ~ HAH ~」
Lucci and Ven stop a few meters from Rio.
「Ven, he's looking for information about our leader but, he's too strong. Arein is done. Let's keep his mouth shut and run away from this place. 」
Lucci said so with a sullen face.
But then, Ven firmly shook his head.
「No, let's try to buy as much time as possible until Reis-sama arrives. 」」
"Are you joking…………… . . 」
Reis's orders were absolute but, Lucci showed a desperate expression after experiencing Rio's first-hand strength.
「For you to show such a desperate expression, it seems that man is very dangerous huh. 」」
Ven smiled wryly as he glared towards Rio.
"Well that's how it is . 」
Lucci nodded with an unhappy face. Then–,
「I won't hold back anymore if you're going to attack me, you know? I just need one person. 」」
Rio said that to them in an indifferent voice.
Because they might kill Arein who fainted if Rio was careless, so he said those words as a threat.
「Unfortunately, we will not do what you say. I hate to do this because my body will hurt later but ………. . 《Physical Capabilities Hyper》. 」
Lucci's facial expression turned into an annoyed expression and then he chanted aria for physical reinforcement magic. Almost at the same time, a magic formation enveloped Lucci's entire body.
The Lucci―― trump card Double layered physical reinforcement with magic and magic tools.
Ven by his side also read out the aria for the same magic, and then the two of them ran towards Rio.
◇ ◇ ◇
Meanwhile, Christina-tachi was rushing towards the national border. They were some distance away from the highway and fortunately there was no one around them, Vanessa had taken command and they continued forward.
But–,
（What this anxiety ……………. . ）
Vanessa feels abnormally anxious.
A little more until they cross the national border. Their journey from the territory of earl Claire to the point this happened without being discovered by the royal army.
As long as they crossed national borders, the national forces of Bertram kingdom would not be able to breach national borders.
That was why there was no problem and it was not strange for them to cross national borders at any time. But then, he heard a high-pitched cry that did not belong to a bird that came far from above him. That was then followed by the sound of wings flapping violently, six griffons immediately descended from the sky in the formation surrounding Christina-tachi.
"Stop there . Take off your hood and show us your face. 」
The man who was on top of one of the griffons ordered in a low tone. Christina-tachi accidentally stopped at their place. But–,
「What …………. . 」
His face stiffened looking at the face of the man riding on the griffon.
「Hahaha, it really matches the information of Reis-dono. What was? Remove your hood, now! . What are you doing on the road far from the road? N? 」
And then, a different man interjected in a displeased tone.
Hearing the man's voice, Celia's body trembled.
「Charles, although we have not confirmed their identity, the other party is ――
「Shut your mouth Alfred. I already know that. That's why we have to confirm their identities immediately. Oi, take off your hood now! 」
After being warned by the man named Alfred, the face of the man named Charles frowned in displeasure.
She kept smiling broadly as she ordered Christina-tachi to remove their hoods.
「No way .............. Why are you here? 」
Vanessa muttered in a confused voice. The one in front of him was his older brother, Alfred Aimar.
Celia's face under her hood also turned pale. Because Charles Arbeau who came with Alfred was his former fiancee.