Chapter 18: 18

on Monday, October 16, 2017ein zwei

16-18 . To the Country of Sun (3)

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Ornaments glittering with magical lights are swaying, those lights are reflected on the oiled dark brown skins, emphasizing captivating body lines .

Moreover, matching the dancing moves, the short thin fabric flutter about, instinctively drawing line of sights to it .

--T'was a sight for sore eyes .

"Are ye enjoying yourself Earl Pendragon . "

"I am, King of Sania . "

Evening of the audience day with king of Sania, we're being welcomed with a banquet held by the king .

Zabuton-sized cushions are laid out on top of the soft fluffy carpet where we're sitting .

Authorities of Sania Kingdom are sitting on the carpet in such a way to create a circle, and dancer-sans are performing a wonderful dance in the center space of the circle .

The exposure rate of people in this country is scarce for both men and women, but these girls are practically half-naked, looking sensual .

"It's truly a magnificent dance . "

"Umu, 'tis a traditional art older than our country itself . "

--Hohou . What a wonderful culture .

"The temple folks scorn it, vulgar they say, but it is nothing to be ashamed about . "

Sania king left a weak impression on me, but he looked a bit cool at this moment .

As expected of the bearer of the hidden titles, [Cultural Guardian] and [Mentor of Traditional Art] .

--Hm?

Cheers erupted at the opposite side of the circle where the [Clan of Sword] gathered .

It doesn't look good, like they're drunk .

"Get out of the way! This great me will show you the real thing . "

A huge man carrying a largish scimitar went to the center of the stage, and drove the dancers away .

--What savagery!

My indignation seemed to have leaked through the impenetrable defense of Poker Face-sensei skill, several of the [Clan of Sword] people sitting on the opposite side got hit by the [Coercion] skill and got knocked out .

Would have been nice if the the savage drunk idiot-kun also got hit, but he got off it since it was just right when I turned my gaze aside .

Idiot-kun threw away his coat, drew his sword and began to dance .

It looks to be a sword dance .

"M-Master swordsman Dorito's dance is famous these days . I-I'm sure, Earl Pendragon too--"

King Sania covered for Idiot-kun .

Looks like he got hit by Coercion skill a bit, he tapered halfway through .

Still, that's a master swordsman huh--

According to AR reading, he's a level 45 swordsman and the little brother of the [Clan of Sword]'s head, the clan's number 2 .

I'm intrigued by the [Special Move: Golden Sword] and [Secret Move: Sun Slash Sword] . I'd like to see them at least once .

Putting that aside-- .

This master swordsman has been glancing here with a triumphant look on his face since a while ago, it's annoying .

The master swordsman's dance aside, the musical performance is exotic and worth listening to .

This tune must be originally for raising fighting spirit though .

Seeing me not reacting, the master swordsman stopped during the music interlude and walked toward me while smiling ferociously .

Forgetting the drawn sword aside, please stop staring at me with sweat all over your muscled body while breathing roughly .

"I hear that Demon Slayer-dono is also an expert swordsman . Shall we dedicate a dance to Gods together?"

Is he talking about sword dance thing?

I'd gladly become a dancing partner if the other party is a beautiful female swordsman, but not really when it's a muscled daruma .

"Or maybe you're scared to expose yourself before my sword even in a performance?"

The master swordsman provoked me while looking down on me .

Does he want to show off that he's better a better swordsman than me?

Liza, who's sitting beside me, has been leaking out killing intent since a while ago .

Looks like she doesn't like this master swordsman's attitudes .

"Master, allow me . "

"I am Master's shield so I announce . "

Liza and Nana expressed their wish to dance .

"Is the one known as Demon Lord Slayer gonna hide inside a woman's skirt?"

The master swordsman provoked further, Liza and Nana were about to stand up .

I stopped them with a hand .

They would blatantly go at this to beat him if I let these two take care of this .

"I can't exactly refuse your enthusiastic invitation now, can I . "

Since I was unarmed, I borrowed a sword from Sania King's escort and walked toward the center space .

A loud cheers erupted from the Clan of Sword for the master swordsman, really magnifies the feeling of being on the away side .

"--Music!"

Since the music starts, I faultlessly dance while recalling the master swordsman's sword dance earlier .

The master swordsman's sword almost hit me dangerously several times .

The [Clan of Sword] people cheered every time it happened, but the maids and the dancers screamed .

Liza and Nana were releasing their bloodlust toward the master swordsman, so I told them that I'm fine through [Telephone] .

Judging from the fact that no one tries to stop it even though it's dangerous like this, sword dances must be in fashion in this country .

Then I've got to match them .

Right, left, up, down .

The sword dance gradually accelerates .

I thought it would be boring, but it's unexpectedly fun .

The speed is similar to playing cards .

The gallery peanut is frolic to watch the high speed sword dance .

The musical accompaniment also matches the sword dance's speed, gradually raising the tempo, helping heating the place up .

In contrast, the master swordsman is wiping his profuse sweat with a frantic look on his face .

I have no obligation to hold back here, so I'm gonna increase my speed again right when the tempo increases .

--Ah .

The master swordsman disappeared in front of me .

No, he slipped on his own sweat .

Cheers and laughter erupted from people other than the Clan of Sword, the loud yells of the Clan of Swords bunch faded out .

"Gununu . . . "

"Did you slip on your sweat?"

The master swordsman was looking at the floor with a dark red face that seemed like he had an apoplexy, so I extended my hand with a smile .

"--No need . "

The master swordsman was going to flick my hand, so I lightly evaded it .

The master swordsman whose face got even more redder left the place while perking his shoulders .

His career would have been over if this were in Shiga Kingdom, but it seems to be no problem in this country as no one is criticizing him . Even the Sania King .

No, Sania King is flapping his mouth open and close with a pale face, so it might have been rude by this country's standard too .

"Cheers for Earl Pendragon-sama's wonderful sword dance!"

When a close aide of the Sania King shouted that, the remaining officials and singers gave their applauses .

Immediately after, a bright tune got played and the dancers who were chased away earlier resumed their lovely dance .

This Sania Kingdom has a lot of problem but it appears that there are some tactful people left here .

"Earl-sama, that was a terrific sword dance . "

"I'd love to hear about your demon lord slaying saga . "

By the close aide's instructions, beautiful women and girls in dancer outfits approached me and poured drink while being glued close to me .

It's a cheap way to entertain someone, but these girls have no sin, so I let myself to be entertained .

After enjoying a soft and fluffy moment and drinking a lot, the pale faced Sania King left his seat, thus I also left the banquet .

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<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka . com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel . >

"This is a splendid garden . "

"Yes, this was relocated from the capital at the end of Furu Empire . "

I stare at the southern paradise-like garden filled with blooming flowers as we walk in the passageway adorned with relief .

I wanted to enjoy the exquisite courtyard a bit more, but it seems that you can find uncouth people everywhere .

I look at two shadows hiding behind a bush .

"Master--"

I gave a consent to Liza's whisper .

Nana casually moved to where she could protect me .

Looks like the two noticed the shadows too .

I won't hesitate to expel them if they are assassins, but since their bloodlust is way too obvious, they're probably people from the earlier master swordsman's clan seeking revenge .

"Who's there!"

Maid-san called out at the man and woman who didn't even attempt to hide their figures .

Maid-san held her breath when she saw the two under the moonlight .

"Zanza-sama? Myufa-sama? What business do 『Clan of Sword』 have with us?"

Looks like the maid is familiar with them .

"This got nothing to do with a mere servant . "

The handsome swordsman Zanza ignored the maid after saying that and walked toward me with the beautiful swordswoman Myufa .

Zanza boy is carrying a single-edged scimitar made from monster parts on his back .

While Myufa's is two single-edged swords made from the same material .

"Show us the demon lord slayer's swordsmanship which took down our uncle . "

Is he talking about the sword dance?

"We want to fight the strongest swordsman there is . "

"Of course, in a serious match . "

Myufa supplemented Zanza's line .

They're quite a hot-headed bunch despite their intellectual-looking faces .

"Master, allow me to take care of this . "

"I will be their opponent instead Master so I inform . "

Liza and Nana got between me and the two .

"I will accept your challenge if you two can win against these two . "

"Are you telling me, the next master swordsman, to fight women?"

"This discussion is over if you don't want to . "

I told the dissatisfied two that there was no room for negotiation .

I'd like to sleep early today . I got too fired up in the talk with the dancers since the impregnable fortress pair wasn't present so I felt slightly tired .

"I got it, let's end this quick and get you on the stage . "

Zanza boy pointed at the courtyard arrogantly .

Is he going to fight in this beautiful garden?

"Zanza-sama! This garden is Sania Kingdom's--"

"Shut up . "

Zanza interrupted the maid who was going to scold him with words filled with bloodlust .

"No need to go out to the garden . Just fight in this corridor . "

"Hmph, fine then . It'd end with a slash from my golden sword anyway . "

Zanza boy agreed with my suggestion and stood before Nana in the passageway .

Nana readied her round shield and one-handed sword she took out of the magic bag .

"Here goes, Special Move--<<Golden Sword>>"

Zanza boy's single-edged sword is clad in golden light .

Zanza boy who's clad in golden light steps forward at a speed that equals Flickering Movement .

I saw Nana lightly pulling back her shield .

Right after, roaring sounds and screams filled the passageway .

Nana is standing with her shield thrust out at the place where Zanza boy was, Zanza boy himself had fainted on a broken pillar at the end of the passageway in an upside down position .

Zanza boy who received Nana's Shield Bash is in critical condition .

His limbs are broken in weird directions and he's coughing dangerous colored blood .

"Nii-sama!"

The witness of that disastrous scene, Myufa, screamed sorrowfully .

It'd be bad to leave him alone, so I took out a mid level potion from my bosom and sprinkled it on Zanza .

I healed him after correcting his broken limbs with [Magic Hands] so there should be no problem .

"Trivial, so I inform . "

Myufa is glaring .

"Do you want to fight? So I inquire . "

Myufa nodded with a pale face at Nana's question .

"Nii-sama's enemy . "

Myufa started the fight after shouting like she was the victim here .

Nana fires her Shield Bash at Myufa who's taking the defensive posture .

As if saying that she wouldn't repeat Zanza boy's mistake, she evaded that attack by jumping and did a splendid somersault above Nana .

She went for Nana's head when she was about to leap over her, but Nana who was clad in Magic Edge easily destroyed her magic swords .

"My swords!"

The shocked Myufa was hit by the second Shield Bash before she could land .

Receiving an attack from Nana who doesn't discriminate against sexes, Myufa ended up in the same state as Zanza boy .

"Defenselessly jumping there was a bad move so I inform . "

Nana announced her victory while taking her signature pose .

True, not being able to at least do a double jump makes for a good target .

I healed Myufa like I did Zanza boy, and left them alone while they were still unconscious as we went to our room .

I saw their attendants on the Radar, they'd probably collect them anyway .

Naked dancers-san are lying in wait, like it's some honey trap, in the room allocated for me .

"Guilty so I announce . "

Nana who went in the room after me drove the dancers-san away after saying that while looking oddly cheerful .

She probably wanted to say [Guilty] like Arisa and Mia did .

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"Master Nagasaki! Forgive us for our rudeness last night . Please make me your disciple!"

"I'd like to be your disciple too please! I was keenly made aware of my immaturity from Master's technique . "

The next morning, Zanza boy and Myufa intruded on us and asked to be Nana's apprentices .

"Becoming pupils is impossible for anyone but young organisms, so I inform . "

"Y-Young organisms?"

"Please don't say that!"

This sibling is quite persistent .

They were quiet during breakfast, but they kept pestering her even after she refused them many times .

To the point that Nana who was usually expressionless emanates her fed up .

The sibling rode on camel and chased after us who rode on a camel carriage, but they had a complex expression on their faces when we stopped in front of Heraruon Temple .

The little sister, Myufa said "I hate temples" and turned the camel's head around, and Zanza boy went after his sister afterward, leaving the temple .

Please don't do those kind of implicative acts .

Well, I guess it's better than having them around, getting in the way .

"Master, the temple's symbol is that of sun so I inform . "

"Still, this temple is humongous . "

"Yeah, it really is . "

It's a very huge temple for being located at a mid-sized country .

According to AR info, the sun symbol isn't only made of colored glass and gems, it also has Light Stones and Light Crystals embedded inside, emitting mystical lights .

This building would have looked even more impressive if we visited by at night .

After going up long stairs at the entrance, a Heraruon Temple priest wearing luxurious vestment was waiting for us .

"We have been waiting for you--"

The priest said that courteously .

It felt a bit hostile for some reason .

"--One who challenges Trials of Gods . "

The priest is glaring at me with prickly gazes .

I don't remember having done anything to make the priests here glaring at me though .

Before I could say anything, the priest turned around as if saying, "Follow me", and went into the temple without even looking back .

Since I can't exactly go back here, I shrug my shoulders and follow after the priest with Liza and Nana .

Now then, wonder what's the trial here about?

※ Next update is planned for 10/22

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