No matter how often I watch it, his fluent movements are fascinating, Origa sighed passionately. It wasn’t just her body that was throbbing.
She was vigilantly watching for an opportunity to attack Hifumi, but she didn’t release any bloodthirst. There was no way that she wanted to kill Hifumi. Her look was filled with love. It was the look she, who prided herself to have seen all of Hifumi and yet not having been able to fully grasp him, always turned at her beloved husband.
Hifumi should also be aware that he was being watched, but something like that didn’t matter to Origa at all. What was important was to discover that one moment.
Severing the left hand that invalidated any magic; she would move after finding the instant allowing for that.
“You’re a nuisance.” (Origa)
She kicked a demon soldier, who had jumped at her as if to wedge himself between the two, flying and sent wind blades at the place where he had fallen, cutting off his head. That movement was so smooth that it was not inferior to Hifumi’s. Or rather, it somewhat resembled Hifumi’s movements.
Her detailed footwork, the places where she looked, and the defensive body movements when in front of an opponent; if someone slightly experienced in combat watched it, they would likely regard the movements of Hifumi and Origa to be alike as two peas in a pond. That’s how much Origa had observed Hifumi and chased after his back. Closer than anyone else, faster than anyone else.
“Get out of the way!” (Origa)
She struck the thigh of an enemy soldier with the folded iron-ribbed fan, and then delivered a second blow against the man’s head who had fainted in agony.
“…Guh!”
Origa forcibly twisted her body, slipping past the flank of a demon soldier, who swung his sword down as if flopping onto her, and unleashed wind magic at the soldier’s back without even looking back at him.
Before Origa’s very eyes, who had started to run while neglecting the soldier that collapsed while spreading a fountain of blood, Hifumi had returned his katana into its scabbard, turned himself towards the barrier’s remains, and was about to swing his left hand while looking as if it was bothersome.
In an instant she judged that to be a good opportunity.
Origa kicked the ground powerfully but as quietly as possible, going around towards the left side from behind Hifumi.
Knowing the property of his katana, going around to the right side would be dangerous. Especially if it came to Hifumi’s level, the act of drawing his katana and attacking in one stroke possessed the power of an instant-kill technique if one’s stance were to be slightly bad.
If it was his left side, he would only be able to swing the katana anew after drawing it. Even if he could absorb mana with his left hand, he had only the choices of punching or grabbing living beings with it. Even if she were to receive a counterattack, it would be plenty possible to defend as long as it was the fan in Origa’s hand.
She opened the fan, and drew it back below her hand.
Her aim was the wrist, a place she had seen and touched many times, and the spot where the black part began.
She would cut at that place with her fan.
She approached as if pushing her face into Hifumi’s left back. When the scent of his sweat reached her nose, she suddenly broke into a smile.
“Hifumi-sama…” (Origa)
The name of her lovable husband escaped from her mouth.
Origa had no hesitation or reluctance to attack him. She didn’t think that Hifumi would become overly weak from just losing one hand, and it was impossible for Origa to love Hifumi less because of something like him missing a hand.
The question here would be about the love coming from Hifumi.
Even now Origa believed that she had received much more of his love than she deserved. Above all that, Origa strangely couldn’t believe that his feelings of love towards her would cease from it turning into a battle against him.
She immediately knew that she hadn’t been wrong about that.
“Uh-oh. Ooh?” Hifumi wildly raising his voice reached Origa’s ears.
There was feedback, but it was lacking.
“…You wanna have a go?” (Hifumi)
“I might be wrong, but…that might also be one of your wishes, Hifumi-sama.” (Origa)
Blood was flowing from Hifumi’s left wrist. It looked as if an artery had been cut, and the back of his hand had been deeply torn apart.
“No, not at all. I knew that you were scheming something with Imeraria. Even what it was, to some extent. I see, what Imeraria had requested in the end was your skill, huh?” (Hifumi)
Hifumi glanced in the direction of the balcony while laughing.
Meanwhile he tried to use his left hand, but even though he could move his fingers a bit, he couldn’t put any strength into them. It was fine to think that he wouldn’t be able to use his left hand anymore.
“That hand will become a hindrance towards sealing you, Hifumi-sama. The surprise attack succeeded partially, but…for the sake of us staying married for eternity, I shall fight against you.” (Origa)
“I wonder whether you could call this a matrimonial quarrel? Well, whatever. On that day when you chose me, I decided to accept everything you do. If that’s your decision, I will accept it without any protest.” (Hifumi)
“Hifumi-sama…thank you very much!” Origa answered with a smile plastered across her whole face.
Her cheeks, chest and other parts of her entire body overflew with passion. A deathmatch with her beloved. The exchange of body and mind understood by only this married couple began with Origa’s surprise attack and now continued with Hifumi drawing his katana.
“You want to seal me, right? Then try showing me the best of this world!” (Hifumi)
“Sure! Allow me to show all of it to you!” (Origa)
Origa’s magic literally cut through the wind. Not just one or two, but five small wind blades drew a big arc and rushed upon Hifumi,
Matching their timing, Origa advanced as well while tightly grasping her fan.
Hifumi laughed.
His chest was filled with the hope that he might be shown the currently best while being prepared for it to be somewhat insufficient.
☺☻☺
“The madam!? Why!?” (Viine)
Even while being restrained by Sabnak, Viine apparently saw the confrontation between Hifumi and Origa. Sabnak reluctantly arrested Viine, who was struggling even more fervently, by binding her arms behind her back. He felt the springy sensation of her flesh at her legs and arms as could only be felt from a beastman who survived the wastelands while being regarded as fragile.
He decided to not think about his hunch of having seen his wife at the door to the balcony.
“Viine-san, Origa-san wishes to be sealed together with Hifumi-sama. The surprise attack failed, but in order to stop Hifumi-sama’s feet…although it’s not just that…she chose to fight against him.” (Imeraria)
And Imeraria explained that Puuse was trying to lock up both of them in the barrier.
“Please stop it then all the more!” Viine was already screaming with a tearful voice, probably because of the fear of being left behind.
Approaching Viine who was struggling as if to throw off Sabnak, Imeraria gently placed her hand on Viine’s, and then wielded it with all her strength.
The sound of flesh being hit reverberated.
“…Eh?”
Imeraria hadn’t slapped but instead punched Viine’s face.
Not just Viine, but even Sabnak was dumbfounded.
“Stop bawling like a baby. It’s unsightly.” (Imeraria)
Once Sabnak loosened his hold after being told to let go of Viine, Viine sat down, obviously having lost the strength in her legs.
Looking down on her, who was holding her cheek, Imeraria continued, “Even if you kick up a fuss here, I won’t stop. Hifumi-sama and Origa-san won’t stop either. Neither will Puuse-san.” She made a short break, breathing in deeply, “What you c
an do right now is to choose between two options. Either look on enviously how the things will pan out while doing nothing, or go over there.”
Imeraria was pointing at the plaza where Hifumi and Origa were fighting right now. There were still many demon soldiers around them. On this side the knights and on the opposite side Fokalore’s soldiers were fighting.
There were some among the demons close to the plaza’s center who died after getting dragged into the matrimonial quarrel.
“Either you go over there with the conviction to be sealed, spending an eternity with Hifumi-sama, or you stay here, betting on Hifumi-sama cutting his way through.” (Imeraria)
“But then again, it’s also possible that you will get dragged into the battle and be killed in no time, if you were to go over there,” Imeraria added.
Once Imeraria finished speaking, Viine blinked her eyes repeatedly for a short time. No sooner than putting strength into her knees and standing up, she wiped away her tears.
“I will go. …Puuse-san, thank you for all you’ve done for me so far. Your Majesty, please excuse my rudeness. And, thank you very much.” (Viine)
“It’s fine.” (Imeraria)
Imeraria felt that it was the first time in a very long time for her to smile.
“I’m a kindred soul who loved the same man. I can’t proceed along the same path, but…please become happy by all means.” (Imeraria)
“Eh?”
Everyone except for Sabnak froze. He shook his head and donned an expression as if having swallowed a bitter pill.
“Ah, umm…okay. Thank you very much.” (Viine)
“Farewell, Viine-san.”
“Y-Yes, excuse me.” (Viine)
Her agility as she jumped off the balcony could be called proof of her being a beastman. The expression of Viine, who headed towards the plaza with her skirt rolled up, looked bright.
“Sabnak-san, make sure to forget what I said just now.” (Imeraria)
“O-Of course!” (Sabnak)
“Now then,” Imeraria advanced to the edge of the balcony. Very soon the barrier would be reconstructed. Imeraria tightly grasped her wand as her chest was throbbing out of nervousness, “Let’s start.”
Chapter 182 – Outro
A standoff. That word was ill-fitted and lacking for the current situation of both smiling. Hifumi recognized Origa’s strength. He didn’t harbor the slightest negative feelings towards her having wounded his left wrist just now. On the contrary, he was delighted.
“Not bad.” Glancing at his bloody wrist, Hifumi laughed.
He had blocked all the wind blades, but the bleeding from his first wound had increased.
“…Are you not going to use a magic potion?” (Origa)
“I have only two left. Besides, I can’t leisurely take care of it with you as my opponent.” (Hifumi)
“Ah…i-it’s an honor.” (Origa)
Origa believed that to be a slightly exaggerated assessment, but for Hifumi that was a relatively serious evaluation.
She restrained her opponent by manipulating invisible blades while nimbly moving with her small body. On top of that, she could even handle close combat by striking and slashing an enemy with her iron-ribbed fan.
I haven’t taught her group combat and throwing techniques almost at all, but even without her being able to use those, it doesn’t limit her. At the very least it’s much more troublesome to take on Origa alone than fighting several hundreds of demon soldiers, Hifumi assessed.
“You have forged yourself well. This seems…to be something to look forward to.” (Hifumi)
“Please savor it to your heart’s content.” (Origa)
Before Origa finished speaking, Hifumi swung his left hand towards behind him. The black hand, which swayed feebly, erased a wind spell that had flown at him after taking a big detour.
Origa, who closed the distance faster than walking but slower than running from the front at the same time, slashed her fan diagonally from the shoulder at Hifumi’s knee without showing any discomposure at the surprise attack having failed.
Avoiding the slash by nimbly pulling back his leg, Hifumi then attempted to step down on the fan with that foot.
However, Origa forced a kick, averting Hifumi’s foot. Having trampled down on the ground as a result, Hifumi slashed with the katana, which had dangled in his right hand, as if scooping up.
Origa let the blade slide off the top part of her opened fan, causing sparks to scatter.
Pushing each other’s weapons, both took some distance. Hifumi exhaled deeply through his faintly opened mouth.
Origa heaved her shoulders a bit, and took two deep breaths, calming her heart.
This time it was Hifumi who attacked. With his katana lowered, he plunged straight at Origa as she had done moment’s ago. But, there was a remarkable difference in their force.
Due to the pressure approaching her with an overwhelming strength that excelled even a gale, Origa was reflexively on the verge of escaping backwards.
However, at this point she wouldn’t be allowed to turn around and run away. If she were to hurt his fondness for her by acting pathetic here…what if she were to be denied to sleep together with him for that very reason?
Wiping that frightening image of a possible future from her mind, Origa stepped forward. Moreover, she pushed her own back with wind magic.
Both clashed silently. The katana and the fan exchanged blows once again. Chipped-off fragments of the fan were sent flying. But for some reason all of them flew towards Hifumi. One fragment cut Hifumi’s cheek open.
“Wind magic, huh? That’s quite skilful.” (Hifumi)
“It’s a result of your kind teaching, Hifumi-sama.” (Origa)
“Hearing that makes me happy.” (Hifumi)
Contrary to Hifumi who had been suppressing her with his katana in one hand, Origa held him at bay with her fan in both hands while performing feints with magic.
Origa, who had the advantage in regards to the number of moves at hand, was about to distract Hifumi with magic once more, but Hifumi moved first.
“Kyaa?” (Origa)
Noticing that she had been tripped up after lowering her eyes as she had apparently lost her strength in her knees all of a sudden, Origa curled up her body swiftly, and ground her teeth while getting out of the katana’s range. Focusing on distracting her opponent, she had neglected to watch out what was happening at her feet.
At this rate I can’t bring it to a close.
She splashed water, which she had created with magic, at Hifumi, who mercilessly stepped in and thrust his katana at her, and took some distance in the meantime.
During the long training sessions with Hifumi, Origa had naturally been able to learn of his combat distance. If she confronted him while keeping a distance of more than four steps, she could use magic before any approaching attack.
Properly fixing her stance, she opened the fan. Breathing out such a hot breath that it seemed as though her innards were on fire, she fixedly stared at Hifumi.
Her husband in front of her had lowered the katana in his right hand and was shedding blood from his left, and yet he looked at his wife with a calm expression. No hesitation or fatigue was visible on his face. He was simply staring directly at his opponent. No, Origa knew after being taught by Hifumi. Hifumi sensed and saw the air flow and the happenings around him, and not just his opponent.
In that case, Origa began to manipulate the wind. She poured mana into the magic-wand substitute, her knife, which was affixed to her arm, and transformed it into a phenomenon.
“…Hmm?” (Hifumi)
Hifumi seemed to have sensitively noticed that the air around him had changed. He lowered his waist slightly, getting ready to move at any time.
Hifumi was closely observing Origa. It’s because he couldn’t read the changes from her movements. Origa wanted to enjoy the state of their looks entwining with each other much longer, but she had to hurry.
“I had the privilege to talk ab
out various things with you.” (Origa)
“That’s true. Well, if you say that it’s only natural, you’re correct, but above all, you wanted me. And I wanted you to become stronger.” (Hifumi)
“Our training, our work, and our nightlife. And I was even allowed to hear various things about the time when we were separated. While spending such an irreplaceable time, you made only one mistake, Hifumi-sama.” (Origa)
And then Origa breathed in very deeply, opened her mouth, turned it forward, and caused her throat to tremble strongly.
In an instant, Hifumi noticed the true nature of the attack. He threw away his katana and blocked his ears. But, he couldn’t put any strength into his left hand, resulting in his left ear not being plugged completely.
The voice, which had turned into a shock wave rather than a sound, was amplified by wind magic as it assailed Hifumi’s ear. Although it had a certain extent of directionality, the surrounding knights and monsters fainted, and even Origa, the source, shed blood from both ears as her eardrums had been torn.
However, that wasn’t the end of the attack.
“…Kuh!”
Origa started to fiercely run towards Hifumi who was firmly standing despite shedding blood from his left ear and looking somewhat lightheaded.
Origa could see him picking up his katana and raising it overhead. However, she didn’t stop. She readied her fan, and stepped in without dropping her speed, no, while putting even more power into it.
Within the battlefield ruled by silence, the fan in her right hand took flight.
The aim was his left hand.
Hifumi wasn’t in a perfect state. The possibility of her being cut was high, but he should be slower than usual.
While warning herself to not hesitate, she mowed her fan sideways, targeting Hifumi’s left wrist with a speed being as fast as she could muster.
Suddenly Viine appeared at the edge of Origa’s field of vision. As visible from her long ear’s bleeding, she had apparently been hit by the shockwave. And yet, with a somewhat unsteady gait, she earnestly came running while shedding tears.
“Stop!”, seemed to be what she was shouting, but Origa couldn’t hear it. Very likely Hifumi hadn’t heard it either.
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 9 Page 9
