The auxiliary combat mode was exactly what it sounded like: Great Sage would assist Rimuru by taking over the fight!
"Activate." Rimuru sighed helplessly. After straining to pull the blade free once more, he saw it begin to tremble, as if its owner had summoned it back. That only irritated him more!
You stabbed me and now you think you can leave?!!
I could let it slide if you hadn't let go of your weapon! But since you did, this weapon—
It's mine now, okay?
"Eat it first, Great Sage!"
Rimuru seized the weapon. Layer upon layer of black mist burst from his body, immediately swirling around the Magic Blade.
"Analyze it directly. Get as much as you can."
"Understood."
Ten seconds later, the Black Knight reached out, frowning slightly as he felt his connection to the Magic Blade grow weaker—
"Finish this quickly, Your Highness," the effeminate White Knight said softly. "I sense plenty of trash arriving. They won't be a problem for us, but we still have things to do."
"Hmm..." Altrouge nodded slightly. "Very well. Let's finish him quickly, Sturt."
"Don't damage the body. I happen to be short a plaything."
At her words, the crimson glow in the Black Knight's four eyes deepened. In an instant, a flash of black light appeared, and the sword returned, wreathed in demonic flames. For some reason, though, he felt that the aura coming from it had weakened—
The next moment, black mist surged upward, coalescing once more into Rimuru's form. His clothes were tattered, but he now held a two-handed greatsword.
That was—
Altrouge, the Black Knight, and the others all stiffened.
Sturt's... Magic Sword?!!!
Chapter 28: Be Buried in the Sea, Ghost Ship!
"Well then, let's begin round two."
Rimuru raised the blade with his right hand and gripped the hilt with his left. At the same time, his golden eyes abruptly turned crimson!
Great Sage had taken full control of Rimuru's body!
Great Sage didn't have any particularly refined sword techniques or moves for wielding a two-handed greatsword. All Creation could only read information that wasn't obscured by Mystery, and in this world, ordinary swordsmanship couldn't unleash supernatural power.
But Rimuru still trusted Great Sage. Even without technique, it had flawless reflexes and anticipation, and perfect control over his body!
It could ensure that not a drop of magic power was wasted and that every muscle was used to its full potential!
For a Level 6 being with no techniques or equipment to challenge an opponent with better development and a higher level, there was only one thing to rely on: the ability to perform at the limit in the heat of the moment. In other words—showing off!
Rimuru didn't have the skill, but he had Great Sage, his cheat code!
He bent his legs and pushed off. His foot struck the ground, and in an instant—Reinforcement Magecraft: Lightness and Speed!
Whoosh!
His petite figure became a streak of shadow. The sight made the others' gazes shift—
He's taking the initiative. Has he realized he can't defend against my attacks, and decided to seize control instead?
Sturt turned swiftly. Demonic flames roiled around him, and he had no time to wonder what was going on with the Magic Sword in his opponent's hands. His killing intent locked tightly onto Rimuru's presence, and all four eyes fixed on his figure!
Unfortunately for you, today you'll learn that the gulf in strength can't be overcome!
The shadow and the Black Knight collided. Rimuru was fast, and his reflexes were sharp, but the Black Knight was no slower. Without unleashing his Magic Sword, he relied solely on his swordsmanship and strength. Whenever their blades met, a forceful blow disrupted Rimuru's rhythm, giving Sturt time to adjust his stance and defend himself again.
Rimuru couldn't match his speed, but his defense had no openings!
"Come to think of it, I'm a bit of a counter to you," the Black Knight said gravely. He wasn't exaggerating; Rimuru had felt it, too. A greatsword had no sharp point, and two-handed swordsmanship was naturally suited to parrying and defense. You could catch a single wave amid an onslaught like the sea—and then unleash a deadly counterattack!
Against an assault like Rimuru's, the other man's advantage in skill was especially clear. Rimuru could attack a dozen times without breaking through even once, but his opponent only needed a single opening!
Then he could deliver a thunderous blow, even smashing through Rimuru's skill with sheer force—
"Then... I'll try a different approach—" Rimuru's voice came and went with the wind. Suddenly—
A shadow flashed past. In the blink of an eye, Sturt had only just begun to turn when Rimuru's figure appeared at his side—Magecraft Reinforcement: Strength Boost; Second Reinforcement: Mighty Blow!
His speed abruptly dropped, and he came crashing down with the unstoppable force of a mountain, his blade sweeping along with him. Sturt barely shifted his body aside and pulled his Magic Sword back with a counterstroke, easily blocking Rimuru's attack despite all its layers of reinforcement. Their eyes met—Sturt's four gazes against Rimuru's red ones.
Still not enough? This strength... Rimuru thought. Meanwhile, Great Sage unhesitatingly ignored the blood vessels already bursting from the strain of Reinforcement Magecraft. Countless streams of magic power surged into the Magic Sword!
Mana Burst!
Boom!
The moment Mana Burst activated, it formed armor that ate away at Rimuru's body. But more of its force bore down on Sturt, while the rest poured into the Magic Sword. The sword rang, and black flames gathered into a gigantic vortex—compressed, compressed, compressed to the limit, and then—
Gather—
A black flash that seemed to cleave the sky streaked past. The entire upper and lower levels of the shopping mall were split in two. Then, boom—the severed sections erupted in black flames—
Only Sturt remained standing in front of Princess of the Black and her subordinates, his Magic Sword raised as he blocked the attack. Dozens of slash marks were clearly etched into his shoulder armor, telling the story of what had just happened.
Rimuru lowered the Magic Sword slightly and tilted his head.
He'd managed to force his opponent back, making him endure more than a dozen rapid follow-up attacks. But... he'd also won by exploiting the circumstances.
Sturt hadn't retreated because he couldn't withstand Rimuru's strength or the force of his blows. He'd simply been protecting Princess of the Black and the others.
Princess of the Black didn't need protection, but clearly, the Black Knight considered it his duty.
"You can unleash the Magic Sword—that means it's no crude fake," Altrouge said, her red eyes gleaming as if she'd discovered treasure. "Is your ability perfect replication?"
"Impressive powers of observation," Rimuru said softly. "So what?"
Rimuru raised the Magic Sword again, and the red in his eyes shone brighter. His strength had already proven impossible to overcome. From here on, he would have to abandon direct exchanges and contests of strength, relying solely on skill!
And this time, he'd use his opponent's own skill to defeat him! He'd take the way his opponent wielded a greatsword and make it his own!
Sturt watched the other man's opening stance and found it strangely familiar. Altrouge had clearly noticed, too.
She suddenly pressed a hand against the Black Knight's blade, then reached out once again, wearing a sweet smile. "You can even copy martial arts and techniques. Your ability is strong—truly strong. I'm even more interested in you now."
"So I, Altrouge Brunestud, King of the Dead Apostles and Ruler of Blood and Contracts—"
With a faint smile, she stepped forward one step at a time. As she recited her name, a trace of blood began to seep into the world. To Rimuru's astonishment, his magic power suddenly became sluggish and difficult to control.
At the same time, her hair began to float gently as she grew taller—she was unleashing her power!
Rimuru was taken aback. A cold sweat broke out, and he wanted to slap himself. Damn it, I'd really overdone the showing off.
"I extend my invitation to you once more—"
As she spoke, a pair of sharp, adorable canines showed beneath her smile. She continued softly, "Would you be willing to become—"
"Rutherford?" A voice suddenly interrupted Altrouge. She looked up in displeasure, and Rimuru was overjoyed!
Reinforcements! They were here!
Perhaps Rimuru's unleashing the Magic Sword had made the Executors hurry, because they'd arrived a few minutes earlier than he'd expected. But the timing couldn't have been better!
"I'm so glad you're safe, Rutherford. We heard you'd returned to our Lord's em—Bl... Black Princess..."
Several figures rushed in front of Rimuru. One after another, magical defensive barriers took shape, rapidly separating the surroundings from the battlefield. Rimuru even spotted a nun among them—
Was this the Burial Agency's tribunal?! Rimuru's eyes lit up, and he took a few steps back. Rutherford... Was that the name of the person he was currently mimicking?
But it didn't matter. Rimuru nodded apologetically. Better a dead friend than a dead self. Sorry...
If you survive, let's fight together again next time!
For now... I'm outta here!!!!
The moment the Executor at the head of the group called out to Princess of the Black, Rimuru sensed Altrouge's killing intent surge. Without a second thought, he turned and ran!
Magecraft Reinforcement: Speed! Second Reinforcement! Fourth Reinforcement!!!!
For a moment, Rimuru felt an endless sea of blood erupt behind him, transforming into a monstrous wave that seemed ready to swallow everything. He was so terrified that he didn't even dare look back. He'd completely forgotten about the dignity expected of a transmigrator. He didn't mind becoming a so-called villain or Dead Apostle, but being targeted by Altrouge wasn't as simple as becoming a Dead Apostle.
The Ruler of Contracts was best known for playing with contracts!
At least Rimuru didn't think there was anything shameful about a strategic retreat. After all, when it came to being human—
The most important thing was to follow your instincts. When in doubt, playing it safe was always the right choice!
Meanwhile, inside the shopping mall—
More than a dozen Executors lay on the ground, their lives uncertain. The Executor who'd interrupted Altrouge stood at the front of the group, desperately clutching his throat as an invisible giant hand held him suspended in midair. Then Altrouge coldly raised her small hand and gave it a slight squeeze. A strange flower of blood burst open.
With a thud, the body fell to the ground.
Seventeen Executors... wiped out in less than two seconds...
After killing the last Executor, Altrouge's blood-red eyes turned coldly toward the place where Rimuru had fled. She stared into the distance. "Ruther... ford?"
"Your Highness, I'll go," the Black Knight said, dismissing his demonic armor and returning to his tall, fair-skinned human form. "I'll bring him back."
"No." Altrouge was silent for a long time before she spoke. "Brad, you go."
"Me?"
The White Knight behind Altrouge was taken aback, then suddenly grew excited. "All right, all right! Honestly, before he transformed, he was pretty... pretty tempt—"
"I'll warn you now: if you dare lay a finger on him, I'll turn you into a real ghost." Brad's words only made Altrouge regret her decision.
She'd forgotten again. Brad didn't have any other particular quirks, but he was gay, and he especially liked handsome men with delicate features—
"Forget it. Go and come back quickly. Never mind White Winged Duke for now; my releasing my power this time may have drawn the Church's attention."
"As you command, Your Highness!"
After watching Brad turn into a bat and quickly vanish into the sky, the Black Knight turned to her in silence. "Why didn't you let me go?"
"You're not good at tracking." Altrouge shook her head, then smiled knowingly. "Your Magic Sword has weakened."
"...He's been sapping my strength. His ability isn't replication, Your Highness."
"I guessed as much." Altrouge nodded and spoke softly. "That's exactly why I sent Brad to test him. If his ability lets him steal his opponent's strength through combat, you're definitely no match for him."
The Black Knight specialized in all-out offense, and a large portion of his strength was stored in his Magic Sword. By comparison, the vampire earl Brad was known for his agility and speed, making him better suited to dealing with someone like this.
"By the way..." Altrouge suddenly grabbed the White Beast, which had somehow ended up on her head, and asked, "Do you know what kind of Phantasmal Species he is? Or which kind of Phantasmal Species has an ability like that?"
"Fou doesn't know... Honestly, Fou hates hybrids between humans and Phantasmal Species!"
"Eh? Why?"
"Because my last master was a goddamn mongrel, Fou!!!"
Rimuru was still running. As he went, he suddenly felt that something was wrong—
"Wait?! Berlin... is by the sea?"
"Even if it is, there wouldn't be a Ghost Ship, right?"
A Ghost Ship?
Rimuru looked up in dawning realization at the Ghost Ship Fleet drawing closer across the sea. Everything aboard it glowed green, and the sight made his face turn green, too!
"What the hell!!"
He recognized it. This was White Knight Brad's signature skill!
Reality Marble: Ghost Ship Fleet!!!
"Damn you to hell!!"
Rimuru turned and ran, only to discover that the way behind him had turned into a sea, too—
Was this really necessary?
He stared expressionlessly at the approaching ship, suddenly feeling utterly hopeless.
You're using an anti-army bounded field to capture one person?!!
Are you insane?!! What a lunatic!!!
White Knight Brad was an exceptionally effeminate man. Compared with the Black Knight, he was somewhat petite at only about 170 centimeters tall. Beneath his fair skin, a golden ponytail swayed behind him. If Rimuru had to describe him, he'd say Brad looked like a blond Astolfo—Afo.
He wore a similar British knight's uniform and had a similar hairstyle. His gender was similar, too (they were both cross-dressers?).
Before you continue