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I was running faster than I ever had before.
Dudley Claise.
From what I heard, he had some affection for his servant, Mary.
It escalated to the point where he frequently resorted to violence in the Macba household… but I never expected it to come to this.
Damn it.
Dudley, I will never forgive you…!
I glanced behind me to see Ray sprinting in the distance.
If I ran at full speed, I would inevitably get ahead of her. But there were no monsters around, and Ray had told me, “Go ahead first.” I felt bad, but right now, speed was my priority.
Hurry, hurry—
I could feel my heartbeat pounding faster without realizing it.
Make it in time, make it in time, make it in time—!!
How far had I run?
Rastal Village came into view.
A crowd had gathered.
At the center stood Dudley and… a few swordsmen. It seemed he had brought his cronies with him.
Kaya Luthis, an A-rank adventurer, was trying to mediate, but things didn’t look good for her. She was blocked by Dudley’s followers, unable to make any progress.
And in front of Dudley, curled up on the ground—
The ever-loyal maid who had served me for so long—Mary Lobart.
Had she been struck?
She clutched her stomach, kneeling on the ground.
“Heh, so here you are, Mary.”
Even from afar, I could hear Dudley’s sneering voice.
“You’re such a fool. I’ve told you before, haven’t I? Compared to the useless reject with the 《Failed Skill》 who couldn’t inherit the title of Silver Sword Saint—I’m a far better choice.”
“…No. That’s not true.”
Even after being struck by the Silver Sword Saint, Mary remained unfazed.
“He is an honorable man. That day… when I could do nothing, he comforted me. With the same gentle voice as always.”
“Hah…?”
“A reject? A failure? That means nothing to me.”
Then, Mary stood up and faced Dudley head-on.
“No matter how strong you are… my master has always been, and will always be, Arios-sama!”
“You little—”
Dudley cracked his knuckles with a scowl.
“Fine. If you’re that stubborn, I’ll make you understand with force. I’ll show you just how great I am…!”
I won’t let that happen.
I will never let that happen—!
“UOOOOHHHHH!”
Before I knew it, I was shouting.
Engen Style. First Form.
《Swift First Slash》.
“What…?”
“There’s something coming…?”
Dudley’s lackeys noticed my approach, but it was too late.
I unsheathed my sword and intercepted Dudley’s descending fist.
“Wh-what…?!”
Dudley’s eyes widened in shock.
“It’s been a while, Sword Saint candidate. What are you doing in a place like this?”
“Kuhhh!”
Even so, he tried to overpower me with brute force.
So, I activated my skill.
The ability I chose, of course, was 《Cheat Code Manipulation》.
I rewrote Dudley’s attack power to 1/4 of its original value.
“W-what…? My strength… isn’t coming out…?”
BOOM!
Before he could process what had happened, I delivered a powerful blow with my free hand.
Naturally, I had stacked 《Attack Power Up (Small)》 on myself beforehand.
“GUAAAH!”
The so-called Sword Saint candidate let out a pathetic scream as he was sent flying.
“Wha—!?”
“Dudley-sama!?”
His followers rushed to help him up.
“Owww… ow ow ow ow…!”
Dudley groaned in pain as his lackeys propped him up.
“Damn you… Who do you think you are—Arios Macba?!?!? You actually came here yourself?”
Ignoring his delusions, I knelt down and gently touched the maid’s cheek.
“Are you alright, Mary?”
“Y-yes… Thank you. You saved me again…”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Just move to a safer place.”
“Yes. I love you, Arios-sama.”
Mary gave a small bow and quickly disappeared into the crowd, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Tch.”
That must have pissed him off.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!”
Dudley suddenly screamed.
“Annoying, annoying, annoying!! You’re just a 《Failed Skill》 holder! I’m way stronger than you!! Do you get it!?”
“Dudley, you…”
“Even Leon-sama said it! That I have a much better swordsmanship style than Arios! That ditching Arios was the right decision!”
“……”
Those words… weighed heavily on me.
The father I had admired so much.
The man I respected not just as a Sword Saint, but as my father.
And behind my back… he said that?
Seeing my reaction, Dudley smirked triumphantly, puffing out his chest.
“Leon-sama said it himself. That I’m the far superior swordsman. Isn’t that right?”
“—You brainless, third-rate swordsman. You should stop talking now. My ears are rotting just listening to you.”
A voice interrupted him.
It was Ray, who had arrived late.
No—she must have deliberately taken her time.
She removed the hat she had been wearing low over her face, making sure she was clearly visible.
“W-wha—!?”
Dudley’s eyes widened in shock.
“R-R-R-R-Raymira-sama!?”
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Mnotia[Translator]
Just a guy translating stuff.