When Hogini started casting his magic, I didn't try to stop him. …or more correctly, I was unable to stop him, as just as Hogini started his chant, Hedin had already unleashed a flurry of lightning attacks.
His aim was accurate, and the lightning bolt was heading straight towards me. I unleashed my fire and wind magic. Spears of light and wind fire collided against each other, resulting in a small blast. The sparks flew towards the people but were blocked by the wind shield I erected.
Then the attack stopped, and Hogini rushed out from the fire, cursed sword in his hand. I blocked the swing of his sword with my own, spark flying as metal scraped against metal, and we stood facing each other.
All the timidness from earlier was gone from Hogini's expressions. Now his eyes were as sharp as his blade. The strength behind the swing of the sword was overwhelming, and I matched each of his attacks with my own.
With just this short exchange, I was able to deduce that Hogini's sword skills were good, way better than both Ryuu and Ais. Though I am not sure who would win in a life and death battle.
My thoughts were cut short as Hogni's blade pressed against mine, the edge biting just enough to test my strength. A faint smile tugged at his lips, his voice low, almost amused.
"…I have been curious about your strength." He said.
Our swords slid apart, only to clash again in the next instant.
"The strange star that fell into Orario… one that does not belong to this sky."
His eyes narrowed slightly, studying me as if I were something worth dissecting. "A man who walks with a body untouched by the ages… yet carries a weight that does not fit this world."
Another strike—faster this time.
Damm! Hearing these chunni lines really is a different experience…but why does it sound so cool? …Maybe I should match the vibe here…?
"…You've got quite the imagination," I said, letting out a quiet breath.
Our swords slid, locked, then broke apart again.
"If I'm a star, then I guess I just landed in the right place." I stepped in, matching his pace, steel ringing once more. "But don't overthink it. I'm just a guy swinging a sword like you."
…Why did that sound cooler in my head?
Seriously.
"Strange star"? "Wrong place"?
What am I even saying?
I felt my ears heat up slightly even as I moved, forcing myself to keep a straight face. Contrary to my internal embarrassment, my words seem to have ignited a fire in Hogini; his sword swung even faster now, eyes shining as if he had found a lost comrade.
He let out a sharp, exhilarated laugh. "…So it's true." His grip tightened around the hilt, blade flashing faster. "I was not mistaken—you are one who walks beneath the same shadow."
Steel rang again as he stepped in, closing the distance without hesitation. "Then show me—" His eyes gleamed, sharp and demanding. "—whether your blade is worthy of standing beside that crown… or if you are merely a fleeting illusion unfit to remain in her light."
Just as hogini finished, I saw lighting bolt heading both our way. Both of us made a split-second decision and backed off; dozens of lightning bolts created a crater where we had stood moments ago.
"You boofans seem to have forgotten about me," Hedin commented quietly, a finger placed at his glasses.
"Hedin, I was standing there too!" Hogini complained, but got shot down by Hedin.
"Silence, Fool! If something of this level can hurt you, then retreat!" Another volley of lighting bolt matrialize with a single command from Hedin.
Finn, who was fighting with the Gulliver Brothers, spoke, "Arin, you need help?" I looked back towards him to see the brothers attacking him from every direction. His right cheek was slightly swollen, likely the result of the Gulliver Brothers' coordinated attack. Finn was, in all honesty, not in any position to help me.
"... It's fine, you'd better focus on what's in front of you." I will do the same. I let the last part remain unsaid and focused back on Hogini and Hedin.
Another bolt of lightning came towards me, and I rushed forward, the lightning bolt landing behind me. I closed in on Hedin and slashed diagonally; he lifted his staff, blocking the attack. I followed up with another swing of my sword, but was blocked by Hogini.
I redirected my focus on him and gave a roundhouse kick to his stomach. Hogini backed off, dodging the attack, and another volley of lightning rained down at me. I lifted my hand, and winds spiraled outward, forming a rotating shield as the lightning struck against it, dispersing into crackling sparks that scattered harmlessly.
Before I had the chance to breathe, another flurry of sword attacks came from Hogini, along with his barely understandable chunni lines. Though me being able to understand them is quite something…
"…Resist… struggle… let the false sky you carry shatter!"
Yeah. I get it. Somehow.
Which was honestly more concerning. I exhaled slowly, tightening my grip as I matched his speed. "…Man, I really need to stop understanding what you're saying." Just then, I heard a crackling sound above me. I looked up to see that the whole sky was filled with lightning bolts, Hedin had prepared.
Hey, hey. Is he trying to turn this city block into a pile of rubble?…It's going to be very difficult to control the damage.
Even if I intercept his magic with my own, the resulting blast would damage the surroundings heavily.
Should I expand the barrier? …No, that still won't guarantee anything…
"Stop, stop! What are you all doing?!"
Just when I was making different plans while discarding others, on how to handle the situation, someone called out. The lighting crackling above stopped their advance. Hedin clicked his tongue softly, lowering his hand slightly as he glanced toward the source of the interruption.
A fat elf rushed into the middle of the battle, beads of sweat rolling down his face, his stomach shaking as he took deep breaths.
It was the Guild Head, Royman Mardeel.
Royman stood there, panting, sweat dripping down his face, robes slightly disheveled.
"…You have terrible timing," Hedin said flatly, adjusting his glasses. His voice carried clear irritation. "We were in the middle of something important."
Royman flinched slightly under that gaze but forced himself to stand firm. "Important?! You call this important?! You're about to level half the street!"
Hedin's eyes shifted briefly toward the sky—toward the storm he had prepared.
"…Collateral estimates were within acceptable limits."
"…THEY WERE NOT!" Royman snapped, voice cracking slightly.
Honestly… yeah, I agree with Royman here.
But there was another person who had arrived along with Royman. "Arin, what's happening here?" Shakti asked, stepping beside me, her sharp gaze sweeping across the battlefield—the broken ground, the scorched marks, the scattered debris.
Her eyes paused on me.
Then Hogni.
Then Hedin.
Then Finn.
Then the Gulliver brothers.
Pausing slightly longer on the latter two parties. "…Don't tell me you all just decided to start a war in the middle of the city. Again."
"…That wasn't the plan," I replied.
At least, not my plan.
Shakti pinched the bridge of her nose. I felt a little guilty about increasing her workload when she was already so busy.
"…Sorry," I said, unable to meet her eyes.
She let out a long sigh. "I am starting to rethink my decision to work with you."
…That hurts. But I couldn't argue.
Behind us, Finn finally created some distance between himself and the Gulliver brothers, stepping back lightly. He exhaled, brushing off his sleeve as if nothing had happened. "…Looks like we'll have to stop here," he said calmly.
One of the Gulliver brothers clicked his tongue. "Tch. You got lucky."
Finn smiled faintly at that.
Hedin scoffed, "…Alas." He turned his blade slightly, resting it against his shoulder.
"It seems the stage has been defiled." A faint, almost regretful smile appeared. "Our blades had only just begun to speak… and yet we are forced to silence them. …How unfortunate."
Then his voice grew quieter, "…Next time, I will carve deeper into your truth."
Hedin lowered his staff completely this time, the lightning in the sky dispersing slowly, like a storm losing interest. His cold, sharp eyes turned towards Royman.
"…Royman." The stillness in his voice made Royman stiffen immediately.
"Y-Yes?"
"…If you intend to interrupt matters of this level, then ensure you have the authority to bear the consequences."
Royman gulped. "I—I do! I mean, this involves multiple high-level adventurers fighting in the middle of Orario! That's absolutely within the Guild's authority!"
"…Good."
Hedin adjusted his glasses.
"Then you will also take responsibility for resolving it."
Royman's face went pale.
"…Eh?"