Defiled Hero Chapter 033
Defiled Hero
Emperor-Rank Sorcerer
Watching the old man walk for a while, we arrived at a house.
A part of the rocky mountain was in the shape of a house.
「Even though you're a great wizard, that's a shabby looking house. Wasn't there a better way to retire?」 (Izayoi)
「So kid, you know who I am?」 (Old Guy)
「Well, somewhat.」 (Izayoi)
「Knowing and yet acting like that... How frightening.」 (Old Guy)
「What's that! Speak so Uri and the rest can understand!」 (Uri)
「Can't you see I'm just an old person? I'm actually the strongest sorcerer in the world.」 (Old Guy)
「Grandpa is amazing!」 (Uri)
「Right, that's right. I'm an amazing grandpa. Praise me more.」 (Old Guy)
「Grandpa is amazing? But Fiere is more amazing!」 (Uri)
Fiere came down from playing on Rigolo's back.
The old man stared long and hard at Fiere.
「Oh, this is amazing. It's my defeat...」 (Old Guy)
「*Hawawa* Fiere won! Fiere won oniichan! Praise me, praise me!」 (Fiere)
「Is that so. You're amazing Fiere.」 (Izayoi)
「*Hawawa hawawawa...*」 (Fiere)
Fiere was happy as I lightly patted her head.
「...Reri is amazing too. Especially her chest.」 (Reri)
「Ah, that's amazing.」 (Izayoi)
「...Why? Touch Reri too. Touch her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. No fair.」 (Reri)
Ignoring Reri, I entered the old man's house and sat down.
「Hey, that's my seat!」 (Old Guy)
「I'm a visitor from far away, and I saved your life. At least let me sit.」 (Izayoi)
「What did you say!? How dare you try to take my life! Now I'm angry! Let's duel! Fight me!」 (Old Guy)
「Fight? Why would we do that? Do I get something for winning?」 (Izayoi)
「You think you can beat me? And you're saying that even though you know I'm an Emperor-rank sorcerer? Some nerve you have.」 (Old Guy)
「Living with cowardice is for the weak. I think it's better to be bold.」 (Izayoi)
「How confident. Very well. I'll get serious too. If you beat me, you can have my prized possession.」 (Old Guy)
「Alright. Then I'll be taking your life.」 (Izayoi)
「You're still saying that? Don't go back on your word now.」 (Old Guy)
「Yeah, let's get this started.」 (Izayoi)
「Wait.」 (Old Guy)
「What?」 (Izayoi)
「My, my stomach is...」 (Old Guy)
The old man fell to the floor.
「...If I kill you now, it's my win.」 (Izayoi)
「Wa, wait you coward! You would kick an old, weak man while he's down? Fight fair and square!」 (Old Guy)
「...It can't be helped.」 (Izayoi)
Since it couldn't be helped, I decided to have lunch at his house.
「Don't start eating now. We're going to fight fair and square now.」 (Old Guy)
「Don't make some stupid excuse like not being able to fight well rights after eating.」 (Izayoi)
「Of course!」 (Old Guy)
As I went outside and drew my sword, the edge of my shirt was pulled.
「...Ichayoi, don't bully, old man.」 (Tear)
「Don't worry. I'll leave it at him being half dead.」 (Izayoi)
「...Halfway is, bad too.」 (Tear)
「Then how much?」 (Izayoi)
At my question, Tear's ears shook.
「...One hit.」 (Tear)
「Got it. Just one hit then.」 (Izayoi)
「...Don't, punch.」 (Tear)
「Then, a forehead flick.」 (Izayoi)
「...Will die.」 (Tear)
「How would he not die then?」 (Izayoi)
「...Don't, attack.」 (Tear)
「Alright. I won't attack. I won't injure him either.」 (Izayoi)
「...Good. Ichayoi, good.」 (Tear)
Tear trotted back over to Rigolo.
Some limitations were made, but I can still bind him without hurting him. I've had to hold back while fighting the monsters that we befriended.
The problem is, S-rank monsters are dangerous no matter how many times you fight them.
「Are you prepared?」 (Old Guy)
「Aah, whenever you're ready.」 (Izayoi)
His name is Gather. There are only a few people in the world at Emperor-rank. He's well-versed in fire magic, and every spell has high firepower. In terms of sorcerers, there is n.o.body stronger.
「I'll have you receive it all!」 (Old Guy → Gather)
Raising enormous magical power, the s.p.a.ce began to distort. A ma.s.sive fireball suddenly appeared, and flew like a rotating bullet.
Grabbing the handle of the sword on my back, I let the fireball come as close as possible.
I drew the sword in an instant. The ball of fire was sliced in half.
It exploded, the heated air blowing back past me.
「Hoho~ You're not all talk. I was going to wait and see, but you overcame my magic with the force from your sword. I'll get serious now!」 (Gather)
If it's straightforward firepower, it's not very threatening. Compared to an S-rank monster, it's just a little bit stronger.
If he uses magic seriously, it'll be hard to match the power evenly.
However, there's a clear difference between an S-rank monster and someone of Emperor rank. That would be the use of strategy.
s.p.a.ce distorted. Another fireball appeared. I was completely surrounded.
「Did I suddenly become too serious?」 (Gather)
「You're a swordsman! It's over if you get near me. I'll have to end it quickly.」 (Gather)
「That's—」 (Izayoi)
Fireb.a.l.l.s approached me as one.
(Astrea. Imbue the sword with magic power.) (Izayoi)
『I know, I know. Apologize to Allele-chan.』 (Astrea)
The sword lit up with blue magic power.
Allele is the water fairy. Water magic should quench the flame.
I thrust forth to test it.
Immediately prior to impact, I slashed in a circle around me. The water magic sliced through the fire, causing a large explosion.
「—Allow me to end it just as quickly.」 (Izayoi)
I ran through the explosion without stopping. Though I can't see them, many attacks are coming.
Dodging and slashing, I made my way through.
The attacks continued to come one after another.
Magic was placed as if reading my movement.
Even so, I pushed forward. And,
「It's the end.」 (Izayoi)
「What did you say! —As I feared.」 (Gather)
Inside the dancing sparks, the fire gathered into a single point in preparation.
「It's the opposite.」 (Izayoi)
「What!? When did you!?」 (Gather)
Coming from the opposite direction, I stopped my sword in front of him.
「I can move faster than you can react.」 (Izayoi)
「...It, it's my loss.」 (Gather)
「What happened! The fire exploded! And it exploded again! By the time I realized it, master won!」 (Uri)
「*Hawawa,* Fiere wants to explode too!」 (Fiere)
「...Well done. It must have been hot inside of all that fire. Cool your face by plunging into Reri's b.r.e.a.s.t.s.」 (Reri)
「...Ichayoi.」 (Tear)
Tear expressionlessly raised her thumb.
Is that the sign for a job well done?