Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 209

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 209 – Battle of Heim’s Capital Part 8

Dill nodded vigorously at Ain.

However, Ain suddenly felt that Logas’ eyes met his. However, Logas’ eyes were different from before, and he no longer had any feelings for Ain.

When Ain saw those eyes, he muttered to himself, “He’s changed so much…” and then spoke to Dill.

“Speaking of which, I was wondering…”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Do you think Marco-san is alive?”

“…Huh.”

What did he say all of a sudden?

Dill looked at Ain’s face with that expression.

Then, Ain also felt that the way he spoke was wrong and changed his expression.

“Ah, you know. Do you think he’s alive in my heart, like Dullahan and Elder Lich?”

“O-oh, I see. Is that what you meant? In that case, that’s… hmm…”

Unfortunately, Dill lacked the knowledge when it came to magic stones to understand what was being said.

In fact, even Katima, a famous researcher, was yet to understand what was happening to Ain’s body.

However, Dill remembered Marco’s behavior and last moments in the Demon King’s castle.

“I’m afraid I don’t have that kind of expertise. So I can’t give you a definite answer, but…”

“But?”

“Yes. But as someone who is also treading the path of loyalty, I have a thought.”

“…What is it?”

As a fellow retainer, Dill put forward a theory.

“If it’s a knight like Marco-dono, he might be… waiting to be called, you know?”

“…Hahaha, I see. That’s how it is.”

Ain heard Dill’s words and put his hand on his chest while thinking about that person.

As he did so, he felt as if he was being given courage.

Then he muttered to himself, “If I’m in trouble, I’ll call him,” and spoke to Dill with a refreshed expression.

“Okay. Thanks, I’m fine now.”

Ain continued riding his horse, holding Marco’s sword in his hand.

“Dill, wait nearby.”

“Yes, I will wait for you as long as it takes.”

＊＊＊

Ain rode his horse through the empty space that had opened up on the battlefield.

He steeled himself for the fateful, predestined battle to come.

“But you know, even though he was my father…”

He took care of him when he was little.

But it didn’t seem like he was too attached to Ain.

“If you put it that way, Cain-san was more like a father to me…”

Although it was only for a short time, Cain’s training in the spiritual world left a deeper impression on his mind than Loga’s training.

When he thought about it, he even hesitated to think of Logas as his father.

Rather, the warmth he felt from Cain remained in his heart.

“But calling Cain-san my father is also… yeah, it seems like the merciless training will continue. I’ll just try not to think about it.”

“What are you mumbling to yourself?”

“It’s nothing… really.”

This was the second time that Ain and Logas met today.

The difference this time was that they have no intention of backing down.

“…You did it, Ishtalika.”

Logas, referring to the devastation that has spread across the battlefield, looked at Ain with hatred in his eyes.

“It is only natural. We will never forgive Heim, that beast.”

Then Ain drew his sword.

Logas also drew his great sword and swung it in a wide arc with his proud strength.

“It seems you have no ability to learn. Will you continue to mock the beliefs of other countries?”

“No. It is precisely because we have the ability to learn that we have come to Heim like this.”

“Huh… Ain, I will defeat you and we will win.”

When he mentioned Ain’s name, Logas gathered strength in his body.

His thick veins rose to the surface, accentuating his muscular physique.

As the great general of the Kingdom of Heim, he stepped forward to kill Ain.

“I have no intention of losing.”

“That’s what all fighters think. I’ll say it again: I will defeat you, and we will win―and we will spread the glory of His Majesty Ralph across the continent, and eventually we will take the Continent of Ishtar into our hands.”

Logas spoke with great enthusiasm, then bowed toward the castle in the capital of Heim.

Ain followed Logas’ example and looked at the castle, wondering what he was doing.

“It’s a really depressing, dark view.”

The thought that the dark area contained the August Mansion, a place full of memories, made him feel even worse.

Deciding to end this fate as soon as possible, he dismounted and started walking.

“I see. You’re getting off your horse.”

“I’m better at this. I want to end this fight quickly.”

“That’s about right. I don’t like fighting on horseback either.”

Then Logas dismounted and followed Ain.

The two of them slowly advanced at the same time, gradually closing the distance between them.

“…Well, let’s see if this is just flattery from your men, or if it’s the truth.”

Then suddenly, Logas started to run.

He ran with powerful strides, heading straight for Ain.

He raised his voice with an unyielding attitude.

It was Logas who struck first.

Sensing that he was in range, he swung his greatsword down with his fully warmed body.

He was in good shape, and with a moderate sense of tension, he did not hold back.

The attack of Logas, the proud general of the Kingdom of Heim, fell upon Ain.

“…When I was young, I never thought about it.”

As Ain blocked Logas’ attack with his sword at his side, he let out a voice while looking down.

“M-mm…!”

Logas, the one who was attacked, was surprised by Ain.

Ain caught the big sword that was swung down without shaking his body.

Ain was as strong as a giant rock.

“But now… I can defeat you!”

The roar that arose as the two swords clashed: Ain’s and Logas’.

It caught the attention of Heim and the people of Ishtalika.

“I’ll tell you something, you didn’t take the first blow―I gave it to you!”

As he parried Logas’ greatsword, Logas took a step back from the impact.

He looked as if he had seen something incredible and quickly readied his greatsword again.

Then, it was Ain’s turn to attack.

“Take this. This is… the power I can muster now.”

According to Cain, this sword could only be used by the strongest.

It was a sword that emphasized attack, that emphasized the power of a single strike.

Thinking about Logas’ blow earlier, Ain decided to attack in this way.

“Are you really… Ain…?”

“Yes, that’s right! You taught me how to use a sword, and then you judged me to be inferior to your second son… I’m the former first son!”

He couldn’t help but say a few words of resentment.

When he replied to Logas’ surprise with a hint of sarcasm, Ain continued to swing his sword at Logas, who continued to defend himself.

“N-nngh… your strength seems to have grown considerably… but I have no fear of a sword without wisdom!”

If you told him that he was not acting like himself, Dill would probably nod in agreement.

That’s how passionate Ain was today.

But when Logas told him this, Ain’s expression was more passionate than his sword.

“Ah, I understand. In that case, I’ll show you…!”

After Ain replied like that, he changed the direction of the sword he was swinging vigorously.

The sword stroke that reminded him of a dock on a stormy day turned into a clear stream in a quiet mountain path.

Then Logas felt confused by the sudden change.

“What is this change?”

It was true that the sword stroke had changed to a gentle one.

However, the stream did not seem to be calm at all.

“Fuhh―Zeaaa!”

Ain, however, did not consider Logas’ feelings and just kept swinging his sword.

His only thought was to defeat Logas, and he pushed forward on the path to victory that he had imagined.

“W-what is… your sword…!”

Each stroke was much easier than before.

However, for some reason, Logas felt that he was having difficulty moving.

He found that his arms were not strong enough, and his legs were not moving properly.

“…Haaaaaahh!”

Ain’s sword strokes were like a clear stream, but suddenly, they became powerful as if a river had flooded.

If one were to describe it, it was a technique that made you think that all the sword strokes were “according to the logic of victory.”

Then, when he saw Ain’s sword, which was so beautiful that it was almost intoxicating, Dill, who was standing nearby, forgot to blink as he watched in amazement.

“Truly, Ain-sama’s sword is the continent of Ishtar itself.”

Dill muttered to himself.

Watching Ain fight, he couldn’t help but feel that way.

“The core of it is powerful, and it shows a beauty like a clear stream.”

While resisting the urge to unconsciously bow his head, Dill sent his support to Ain in his heart.

Meanwhile, Ain continued to drive Logas into a corner.

Although he didn’t want to, Ain continued to reveal his complex emotions in the face of this sudden confrontation.

If it could be put into words, it was, of course, easier than the recent confrontation with Ed.

However, the mental problems were difficult to deal with, and Ain felt slightly uncomfortable.

“G…guhoh!”

Nevertheless, the strongest person in this situation was still Ain.

Ain also had a lot of things to endure and the ability he had cultivated so far.

Ain struck Logas, who had lost his balance, with the hilt of his sword.

“This… is the end.”

“I won’t let you!”

He swung his sword at Logas, who was holding his stomach, but Logas blocked it at the last moment.

Ain’s attack did not stop, however, and he knocked Logas, who was defending himself, several meters away.

…Of course, Ain, who had already won against Ed, had no trouble dealing with Logas.

The situation grew empty as the battle became so one-sided, but in Ain’s heart, the sense of accomplishment of bringing Logas to his knees prevailed.

“Hah… hah…”

It was more of a mental strain than a physical one.

Perhaps because his heart was beating faster than it should, Ain’s breathing became irregular.

As he watched Logas, who had been blown away, get back on his feet, using his greatsword as a cane, Ain wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Then he opened his mouth to Logas, who was trying to get back on his feet.

“I’m not saying I’m better than you. But I’m not going to lose to people who judge other people’s talents.”

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