Black Summoner – Chapter 423

I am currently running through the Grand Canyon using Heavenly Walk. The reason I can move safely amidst the dense miasma is because Touya cast magic on me. This shining Holy Aura that envelops me protects me from this harsh environment, which would normally cause one to be infected by poison just by touching it.

“But, why am I doing something like this…”

“It’s training, you see. I’ve been asked by Kelvin-kun to train Setsuna-chan.”

A voice echoed from another sheath next to Nirvana-Jyaku, which was strapped to my waist. That’s right, the sword sheathed in this scabbard is the true identity of the old man I was fighting just now, the survivor, Nito-san. I had indeed cut the sword in half, but it seemed he didn’t die from that much damage. Moreover, as long as he’s sheathed, his blade will regenerate eventually. What a ridiculous story.

It turns out that Nito-san’s Unique Skill, Kishikaisei, wasn’t the ability to regenerate himself, but the ability to create temporary clones that control Nito-san himself, who had reincarnated as a sword. He can only create that one form, with uniform skill, and there’s a limit to how many he can create at once; if he tries to create more than his limit, the previous clones disappear completely. The only thing he can adjust is memory; he manipulated the clone’s memories and falsified information from Sera-san’s forced confession. As cunning as he appears, Nito-san was quite capable. However, it seems Kelvin-san had already seen through that.

“Well, I thought it would be safe inside this ridiculously sturdy scabbard given to me by the Creator. Even when unsheathed, I thought only an assassin could keep up with my Iaijutsu. Uh, it was the right to cut anything, wasn’t it? I think that’s unfair.”

“Please be quiet for a moment. Even if it’s a recommendation from Kelvin-san, I’m not so kind-hearted as to immediately trust someone I was just fighting.”

Why was I running around with Nito-san, who was a sword, strapped to my waist? It all started with a message from Kelvin-san. After defeating Nito-san and relaying his true identity through Miyabi, he told me to chase after him alone with Nito-san. When I asked why, he said it was because I was the only one among us who could keep up with the battle in the Sanctuary. No, no, no, why me? Just as I was about to deny it, Touya—

“You did it, Setsuna! To be recognized by Master, as your childhood friend, I’m happy for you! Ah, but I’m also jealous. Damn it! But don’t worry. I think the three of us can manage to defend this place, having broken through one of the Apostles. Go chase after Master with peace of mind!”

Touya, have you finally lost your mind!? I thought to myself, shouting internally. Nana couldn’t oppose Touya’s opinion, and Miyabi, who disliked Kelvin-san, surprisingly sent me off with an amused expression. She sent me off. Ah, that’s right. Miyabi was a girl whose true nature was still hard to understand.

…But, why did Kelvin-san choose me? In terms of power, I don’t think I’m that different from Touya and the others, and I certainly can’t fight an enemy on Nito-san’s level one-on-one. Well, perhaps the battles Setsuna gets into might be a little fun. Ah, I’m not saying that by coincidence with my name! It’s not a joke, it’s just a coincidence!

“Setsuna-chan, why are you making such faces?”

“I’m telling you, it’s not a joke!”

“You don’t have to hate me that much… *sniffle*”

Huh? Did Nito-san just say something?

“But you know, my mental fortitude won’t break from something like that. Getting irritated is just frustration!”

Huh? Am I being sexually harassed right now? Is this a case for dissection?

“So, I’ll make a proposal. Let’s practice the ultimate secret technique of the Korō-ryū Swordsmanship right here.”

“Why would it turn out that way…”

“If you work up a good sweat by moving your body, your mood will naturally lighten. Let’s see, you seem to know how to send slashes, so let’s aim to master something like the Swallow technique first. Come on, with your Iron Cutting Fist and my Korō-ryū Swordsmanship, we’ll be invincible! It’s a win-win, creating my legitimate successor!”

“I said, don’t just get ahead of yourself—”

“Whoa there, a Monster is approaching from ahead! Come on, focus on your Iaijutsu.”

“Ah, honestly!”

In the end, it turned into a training session on Iaijutsu against the approaching vicious Monsters. Why is that? I feel like someone is completely getting their way.

“Nice! A non-evadable slash that travels at the same speed as your Iaijutsu…! You’re a prodigy who will surpass me in the future.”

“Hah, hah… I thought I was going to die…! That was definitely an S-Rank Monster…!”

I swung my sword with all my might. I cut down Monsters with all my might. Even so, they kept coming from somewhere. What is this place, a monster’s nest? Before I knew it, I was putting Nito-san’s teachings into practice and confronting the Monsters. Thanks to that, I feel like my slashes have become a little faster. No, they are getting faster. Humans really grow when they face death…

“F-First of all, Nito-san, what’s the point of making me stronger? I’m not going to become your successor in Korō-ryū!”

“Ah, as someone who pursues swordsmanship, there’s a child I desperately want to see win. I can’t win alone, so I might as well take an apprentice.”

“I’m not your apprentice!”

“That’s the spirit. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a Hero for a Hero!”

Honestly, I have no idea what he’s talking about. He’s not some passionate coach—!

“Whoa, looks like something else is coming. And it’s stronger.”

Don’t say it so casually. But indeed, a stronger presence is rapidly approaching. There are two of them. Huh? But this presence is…

“Ah, Setsuna-san!”

“Hmm, Setsuna.”

As expected. It’s Emma-san and Silvia-san. They might have heard the sounds of our fierce battle earlier and come to investigate.

“You two, why are you here? —More importantly, the miasma! It doesn’t look like there’s a barrier up, are you alright!?”

I knew they were using Heavenly Walk just like me, but they showed no signs of taking any precautions against the miasma surrounding the Heart of the Evil God. This is like plunging bare hands into a poisonous swamp.

“We’re fine. Emma’s power is keeping our condition fixed.”

“Fixed…?”

“Silvia, don’t say things you shouldn’t.”

While Silvia-san maintained a poker face, Emma-san rebuked her with an exasperated look. Is it some kind of Unique Skill of Emma-san’s that’s protecting them from this miasma?

“Um, are you two alone?”

“Yes. Leaving aside Kokudori, I judged that Nagua and Ariel couldn’t cross here, so I left them behind—and assigned them to deal with the Monsters crawling up from the Great Cavern. They’re currently switching places with Gerard-san, who was guarding the north.”

“Hmm, we’re heading for the Sanctuary. Gerard-san relayed that Kelvin opened the entrance.”

“I-Is that so…”

In that case, our objectives are the same. I’m lucky. I know their strength well, having traveled the Underworld with them. They are truly reliable allies.

“Actually, I was also heading for the Sanctuary. May I accompany you?”

“Setsuna-san too? Yes, increasing our fighting strength is welcome. Let’s do our best together.”

“Let’s do our best, Setsuna.”

“I’ll do my best too, Setsuna-chan.”

“Eh?”

I poked the hilt of the sword. I was startled by his sudden intrusion into the conversation…

“W-Well then, shall we go? Haha…”

For now, I need to explain about Nito-san as we go. Hmm, how should I explain it?

“Three beautiful girls around me…! After enduring hardships and misfortunes, I’ve finally found happiness at this age!”

I’ll just discard that idea.

It seems there will be a reprint for the first volume of “The Black Summoner”, my dear readers.
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