章 236: Flash of Lightning
As a descendant of the Borley family, renowned as the family of Sword Saints and considered to have talent surpassing that of his ancestors, Albert's weapon was naturally extraordinary.
What he wielded was a Western-style two-handed knight sword from Riezel's past life, featuring a golden hilt and a pure white blade with a tip that glinted with a sharp, cold light.
Additionally, the top of the hilt was adorned with a jewel, making it look extremely lavish and exquisite—a clear sign that it was a meticulously crafted weapon.
Of course, sharpness was secondary since the true significance of this sword lay in its remarkable origin.
It was, after all, not an ordinary famous sword but a genuine magic weapon.
In fact, the jewel embedded at the top of the hilt was not just any gem, but a magic crystal. Furthermore, the sword was forged from an extremely precious magic metal, making it incredibly expensive.
It was said that the sword was one of the prized treasures in the Borley family's collection, having been used by one of their Sword Saints in the past to slay a long-troublesome monster.
As the blood of the slain monster stained the blade, it caused the magic metal of the sword to absorb the monster's power, making the blade exceptionally sharp.
Moreover, it was capable of cutting through rivers, slicing through armor made of the hardest metal, and even breaking through Tactical-Class Defensive Barrier Magic—its power was clearly among the top in the entire kingdom.
If this sword were placed in the world of Danmachi, it would undoubtedly be considered First-Class Special Equipment, and one that focused heavily on power, unlike Riezel's Fool and Hermit, which, due to their focus on the Durandal attribute, had somewhat reduced their power.
Albert was awarded this sword only after defeating 500 Sword Masters, symbolizing his family's high expectations of him.
Now, as Albert drew the sword, the magic crystal on the hilt immediately emitted a faint glow, and the blade was surrounded by a thin layer of magical energy, showcasing its extraordinary nature.
In contrast, Riezel surprisingly did not draw out the two weapons lying in his storage space.
He used neither the thin, high-speed Fool nor Hermit, which could melt steel and cut through anything. Instead, in front of everyone, he casually used the Structure System Magic to create a sword.
Yes.
Riezel used a magic-forged, single-edged curved sword with a scabbard covering it. He didn't draw the sword but simply held it at his side while standing casually.
Although the spectators did not know the quality of the still-sheathed sword, they could tell from Riezel's casual use of magic to create it that it probably wasn't a very powerful weapon.
"What's going on?"
"Is he planning to surrender?"
"Using that kind of weapon against Captain Albert? Isn't that an insult?"
Everyone in the spectator seats began murmuring among themselves.
"Riezel…"
Yuri was also puzzled by Riezel's actions.
After all, she knew he had two weapons, and they were quite impressive.
During the War Festival, when Riezel fought Jill, she saw him wield a sword as thin as a cicada's wing and quite agile—without a doubt, a powerful weapon.
Yet now, Riezel was using an ordinary weapon casually created by magic.
Why?
Yuri couldn't figure it out.
"Let's keep watching."
Saying this, Hendrick's eyes flickered for a moment before he regained his composure.
Under these circumstances, Albert, who had not exchanged a word with Riezel from beginning to end, subtly furrowed his brow.
"Where is your weapon?" Albert asked.
In his view, although Riezel was not a noble, his background was still impressive, so he couldn't possibly lack a good weapon.
Riezel did have good weapons, but—
"I will use this one..." Riezel replied calmly. "It's not a life-or-death battle anyway so this weapon will be more than enough."
"I see..." Albert was silent for a moment, then nodded. "If that's the case, then so be it."
In the next moment, he actually put away his famous weapon, sheathing it and slamming it heavily onto the ground. With a loud 'thud', the sword in its scabbard pierced into the ground, standing beside him.
He then extended his hand toward the sky and called out.
"Bring me a sword!"
As soon as his words left his mouth, a knight from the spectator seats tossed a sword toward him.
It was a common longsword, clearly used for training, quite ordinary.
Albert caught the sword, raised it, and pointed it at Riezel.
"Are you sure about this?" Riezel asked with raised eyebrows, somewhat surprised by Albert's decision. "A good weapon is part of a swordsman's strength, so there's really no need for you to make such a concession."
"You're right..." Albert nodded in agreement, then immediately smiled. "If this were a formal and serious battle, I definitely wouldn't do this. But like you said, this isn't a life-or-death battle, so it doesn't matter."
"Well, do as you like then." Riezel shrugged casually. "Just don't regret not using a proper weapon if you lose."
"Don't worry." Albert replied with a relaxed expression. "If I do lose, it'll be because of my own lack of skill, not because of the weapon."
Although he said this, his easygoing demeanor made it clear he didn't actually think he would lose.
Needless to say, this wasn't arrogance or conceit but natural confidence.
He had been practicing swordsmanship since childhood and, after becoming a Sword Master, immediately began challenging stronger opponents. He had now defeated 982 Sword Masters in a row, including some highly experienced and famous Sword Masters, which had given him plenty of confidence.
He trusted his own skill, trusted the sword in his hand, and believed he would win just as he had in the past.
Compared to the formidable opponents he had faced before, Riezel, though recognized as a powerful Sword Master, was still very young. Albert didn't think he was any more challenging than the true experts he had faced before.
For this reason, Albert didn't believe he would lose, and even less did he think he would regret it afterward.
For a moment, he even considered whether he should go easy on his opponent.
After all, his opponent was young, while he was a full ten years older. If someone could become a Sword Master at such a young age, they must possess great talent and potential and might become a Sword Saint in the future.
If he inflicted too much damage and caused his opponent to lose confidence, it would be a serious matter.
However, in the next second, Albert quickly dismissed this idea.
'A battle between swordsmen is sacred. Even if this isn't a life-and-death battle, a swordsman should give their opponent the respect they deserve.'
'Believe in the sword in your hand, and vow to live up to it.'
'Even without a sword in hand, you must live up to the sword in your heart.'
Albert recalled the education and family upbringing he had received since childhood and immediately corrected his mindset.
Since it was a battle between swordsmen, he should give it his all.
If his opponent was defeated by him and couldn't get past this hurdle, they would surely never become a Sword Saint in the future.
'If he falls and can't move forward, it just proves he isn't suited for the path of a swordsman. It's as simple as that.'
With this thought in mind, Albert put away his relaxed demeanor and became serious and resolute.
"Interesting... You're better than I expected."
Riezel complimented as he observed Albert's behavior and expression.
"Thank you for the compliment... Let's begin." Albert responded modestly.
"Sure." Riezel replied with a slight smile.
In the next moment, Riezel calmly stepped one foot forward, pushed the other foot back, bent his body down, and placed one hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
If the members of the Demon Slayer Corps were here, they would instantly recognize that what he did at this moment was an Iai stance.
Albert's eyes narrowed as if he sensed an unusual atmosphere emanating from Riezel.
"Huhh... Hahh..."
Riezel closed his eyes and changed his breathing rhythm.
Albert's grip on his sword tightened slightly, unconsciously falling into a state of intense focus.
One was closing his eyes and adjusting his breath, while the other was fully focused.
For a moment, they fell into an eerie calm.
"Begin!"
As soon as the high voice shouted from the spectator seats, in that instant—
*BOOM!*
A violent lightning burst from Riezel's body.
What followed was a scene that everyone present would remember for a lifetime.
When the wild lightning erupted from Riezel's body, the crowd saw a flash of lightning.
A lightning bolt that seemed to cut through the entire arena.
Even though the lightning bolt flashed only once, the thunderous roar and the sound of the explosion stirred up a storm that swept across the entire arena.
When the lightning bolt faded and the thunder disappeared, everyone could finally see Riezel.
With lightning flickering around his body, Riezel now stood behind Albert, his back facing him.
On the other hand, while Riezel's sword, wrapped in electricity, had unknowingly unsheathed itself, its scabbard shattered completely, breaking into scattered pieces.
Albert stood in place, completely unmoved, with a dazed expression and trembling eyes.
"Thunder Breathing - First Form..."
Riezel's voice slowly reached everyone's ears.
"Thunderclap and Flash..."
As his words fell, Riezel calmly turned and walked away, leaving the arena without a word.
Only Albert remained, standing there in a daze, unable to react for a long while.
*Crack!*
Before long, Albert's sword shattered.
Surprisingly, the sword's blade broke as if it had been cut in half, with a portion falling to the ground, making a crisp sound.
*Pu-chi!*
At the same time, Albert's clothes suddenly ripped at the neck and chest area.
"..."
At this moment, everyone present was left speechless, either with wide eyes or wide mouths.
Including Hendrick.
Including Yuri.
Even though Riezel had already left, they were still stunned, frozen in place.
In their minds, only that flash of lightning remained, refusing to fade.
クリエイターの想い 
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