My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 286

I stepped onto the window sill and jumped out.

I used my hands and feet to push against the wall, minimizing the strain on my legs as I landed by utilizing the friction of the wall.

“Lord Praus!”

Just as I was about to land on the ground, the Heroes poked their heads out from the window.

“Stay inside!”

The Heroes were still quite new to their awakenings. I couldn’t lead them in taking down the Legion Commander just yet.

“Phew… Ariel.”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

Ariel, clad in a green fairy dress, appeared in mid-air. She was one of the four Spirit Kings of this world and an authority on wind magic.

“Help me.”

“Ugh. Look at you. If you die, I won’t be able to talk to Pasma, so I guess I’ll have to help, but I can’t directly assist in killing that Demon Tribe.”

“It’s fine. Just support my movements.”

Even just Ariel’s support would alleviate the physical strain.

“Pasma.”

“Got it.”

Following Pasma’s will, Aura enveloped the sword. A blue-hued energy spread across the entire blade of my Revenge Sword.

Seeing the Aura-imbued Revenge Sword, Habito floated up.

“I never expected a human to have reached the level of Sword Master.”

Blood began to gather in his hands. He was starting to unleash his true power.

Even if Grand Anti-Demon Magic was in effect, it wouldn’t last long without some time passing. Especially against a Legion Commander, I’d need to hold my ground for at least several minutes for it to be effective.

But I had no choice.

If I falter here, everyone will die.

When Glair arrived in the Pretéum Empire, I had to move a bit recklessly so that he could pinpoint my location immediately.

As long as I could provide an excuse that it was to prevent the Legion Commander from invading, damage to property could be overlooked.

I took a deep breath to shake off the tension and opened my eyes wide.

[Skill “Killing Intent” activated.]

“…!”

The red blood pooling in Habito’s grip began to ripple.

“Ugh! What is that Killing Intent…? That overwhelming mana…!”

While he hesitated, I activated “High-Speed Movement” and closed the distance quickly. As I was about to jump, Ariel supported my feet with wind.

““Blood Wall.””

The concentrated blood erupted and surrounded Habito. However, I didn’t stop and swung my sword.

““Phantom Wave Slash.””

The Aura infused with Revenge sliced through the wave of blood perfectly.

Whoosh!

As I cut through the wave, Habito’s form became visible. The blade grazed his skin on his chest, blood splattering everywhere.

“…You split through my barrier?”

He hurriedly pressed his hand to his chest to stanch the blood.

“Who are you…?! Could it be that you are a Hero!”

Habito scowled as he asked. By the time he pulled his hand away from his chest, the wound had already healed. It seemed the effect of Grand Anti-Demon Magic hadn’t kicked in yet.

“The Demon King said a Hero was born…! I never expected a Hero to be with Stella Forna. This is unexpected.”

“Why? Does Stella Forna have something of importance?”

“I have no reason to tell you that!!”

He swung his arm wildly, spraying blood. The spurt of blood quickly transformed into spikes, rushing toward my vital points. I retreated my body and safely landed with Ariel’s help.

The pouring blood swiftly turned into rain, beginning to pour down like a storm.

Blood Rain.

One of Habito’s skills.

“Swing with all your might. Pasma!”

“I know!”

The Aura enveloping the sword expanded. The energy imbued with the Revenge Sword extended for several meters as I swung with all my strength.

“Phantom Wave Slash.”

The massive sword energy cut through all the falling raindrops of blood. The weakened blood fell limply to the ground.

“Is it already this powerful for a Hero to have such skill?! I will eliminate any threats to the Demon King here and now!”

He reached out his hand.

““Blood Weapon!””

With Habito’s shout, the blood began to morph, transforming into various weapons.

“Die!!”

As weapons rained down on me, I steadied my breath. It was impossible to deflect attacks coming from different trajectories all at once.

“Pasma. Phantom Dance.”

I straightened my sword and spoke.

“Are you sure about this? Your body won’t hold up.”

“I have no choice.”

“…I see.”

He began to mimic the Phantom Dance I had shown him, swinging his sword.

He spun, drawing circles with his feet while swinging the sword. Each time his foot moved, he unleashed three or more sword strikes, all hitting Habito’s created weapons.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Every time his Revenge cut through Habito’s weapons, they lost their form and turned back into blood.

“Haah. Haah.”

Only after cutting through the last weapon did I manage to catch my breath.

No matter how much I borrowed Pasma’s strength as a Sword Master, it was still my body doing the work. There were limits to muscle strength and stamina.

“Not only is your mana great, but your martial arts seem outstanding as well. You truly are not just any Sword Master.”

I couldn’t afford to reply as I was catching my breath.

My mouth tasted like iron. My joints creaked from the strained movements.

“But we’re running out of time. I will kill you, who will soon become a threat, and then take Stella!”

“Go ahead. Try.”

I swallowed hard and readied my sword.

“If you can.”

“I’ll sweep through this area in one go!”

As Habito gestured, the blood scattered across the ground rose into the air as if alive. The blood began to pool in his hand, swelling larger.

He soon formed it into a massive sphere and spoke in a low voice.

““Blood Wave.””

An overwhelming flood of blood began to surge forth from the sphere.

It felt as if I was facing a tsunami. Seeing the sea of blood crashing down toward me, I placed my hand on another sword at my side.

“…Praxus, I can’t stop this. I need to regroup and buy time—”

“I want to do that too. But I can’t.”

Behind me were the Heroes and Stella in the inn.

If I allowed his power to sweep through, even the Heroes might die. That would be counterproductive.

Was I finally left with no choice but to use it? I had tried to avoid it as much as possible to minimize damage.

“Whew—!”

I drew one of the swords from my waist.

[“Wind Sword – Aura” equipped.]

[You can now use wind-based magic of Rank 8 and below.]

[This item has no durability and is indestructible.]

“Stepping back now means we all die.”

At this point, it was a disaster situation. A second disaster wouldn’t change that.

I braced myself against the approaching wave. I tightened my grip on the hand holding the Aura. Then, with all my strength, I swung the sword.

““Phantom Storm.””

At my shout, the Aura resonated, generating a massive storm.

The storm blocked the tidal wave of blood from overwhelming me, engulfing the sea of blood and Habito.

The house and walls that had already been swept away shattered completely, causing a section of the capital’s wall to crumble.

Boom—!

If I made this much ruckus, the Royal Family would surely notice. The delivery scrolls must have been torn, and Glair would respond as well.

Just a bit longer. I just needed to hold out a little more.

“Phew…!”

I aimed the attack away from densely populated areas, but surely someone must have died due to this. However, if I hadn’t stopped it, many more would have perished.

As I gazed at the devastated front, dust and debris parted to reveal Habito emerging. He held a weapon crafted from blood in his hands.

“!”

Clang—!

Fortunately, Pasma’s response allowed me to block the incoming attack, but my center of balance wavered.

This was different from when I was cutting through his weapons. Even after touching the Aura, the blood-made sword didn’t lose form.

“Ugh…!”

“With just this level of power?!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With each swing he took, thanks to Pasma’s response, I could block his attacks, but my center was thrown off, preventing me from countering.

“Haah. Haah.”

Breathless again.

My muscles felt as if they were about to tear. Each time I received his attacks, my hands tingled and my joints rattled.

“Looks like you’re out of strength?!”

Boom—!

“Oh no…!”

Not being able to withstand the power of his strike, I lost hold of my Revenge Sword. My grip couldn’t take it anymore. I hopelessly watched as the sword slipped from my hand.

When I turned my gaze to Habito, he was already aiming his sword at my neck.

Thud!

I shut my eyes tightly, bracing for pain; however, nothing came. Slowly, I opened my eyes.

Before me stood a watery barrier protecting me from Habito’s sword.

“Unbelievable. There’s a Demon Tribe here after all.”

At the familiar voice, I turned my head. Standing there was Glair Todiah.

Finally arrived. I can feel a bit more at ease now.

“…Who are you?”

“I have no reason to answer you. Demon.”

Just as Habito was about to press Glair, Ella-armed with mana knuckles, swung her fist.

““Destroying Fist!””

Bam!

Habito was forced to take a hit in his shoulder due to his slightly delayed reaction.

Having used such a wide-area skill in the Grand Anti-Demon Magic-laden Pretéum, there was no way Habito would come out unscathed. He must be exhausted too.

“Ugh…!”

Just as he attempted to escape from the ground, his legs became encased in ice.

“What the…?!”

“What are you?”

“Why is there a Demon Tribe in the Empire?”

The white-haired siblings, Soro and Ter, also revealed themselves.

As Soro bound Habito’s legs in ice, Ter reached out his hand and said.

“Oh, no need to answer. You won’t be hearing anything from a Demon anyway. “Compression.””

As Ter’s hand closed in, Habito’s shoulders hunched down.

“Gaaah…!”

However, Ter didn’t clench his fist. With the last of his strength, Habito broke free from Ter’s grip. He immediately shattered the ice, regaining his freedom.

No matter how weakened he was, a Legion Commander was still a Legion Commander.

“I won’t let you get away!”

Soro and Glair used their respective spells, but Habito was unable to pierce through the wall he created. His eyes glinted as he peered through the gap toward me.

“One day, I will definitely come to take your head! Praus!!”

With a line fitting for a villain, Habito vanished. So, he knew my name?

“It’s over…”

Gasping for breath, I sank to the ground.

This should buy some time for a while.

There were still many issues to resolve, but for now, I just wanted to rest. I sprawled out on the ground and closed my eyes.

“Lord Praus!!”

I heard the voices of the Heroes calling from behind.