Reinforcements

"If this weren't a battlefield recruitment, perhaps we could have gotten along much better."

At that, the Sarkaz warrior fell silent, giving the two of them time to think.

At that moment, both W and Ines wore thoughtful expressions, as though they were genuinely considering the Sarkaz's proposal.

"...I'm honored."

"Unfortunately, I'm not good at fighting. I most likely can't beat this disgusting woman."

"Suddenly being honest, are we?"

As she listened to Ines, W still wore a smile, though it had grown even broader than before.

Seeing this, a trace of satisfaction appeared beneath the Sarkaz warrior's mask. At the very least, events were proceeding in the direction he had anticipated.

Both W and Ines were talents he valued. As for the other members of the Sarkaz Mercenary Corps...

Other than that fellow named Hedley, the rest were not even worthy of entering his sight. He had no intention of letting those people leave this land alive.

Naturally, he could not say such things here. He still needed to observe these two and see what choice they made.

"Yes. So the remaining option is for the two of us to join forces and kill Hedley."

"That's right. Hedley."

The instant those words fell, the two drew their weapons. The next moment, three weapons collided.

At that moment, the Sarkaz warrior naturally understood their choice.

"Then I would like to hear why you mercenaries insist on throwing your lives away."

"I don't want to be the one getting toyed with. I think it's more fun to toy with others."

Looking at the Sarkaz warrior, W continued.

"Besides, I don't really want to be at your mercy. How should I put it? Giving us such a low-level problem is just too boring."

"..."

"Oh, and as for this little lamb whose eyes are nearly blind and who's about to burst with rage... well, she isn't Sarkaz, after all. You stepped on one of her landmines."

With that, W and Ines once again swung their blades at the Sarkaz warrior. That malicious smile remained on W's face as she kept her gaze fixed on him.

Without the slightest hesitation, the two launched their surprise attack. Yet the Sarkaz warrior still blocked their assault with ease.

Ines was not suited for this sort of direct combat, while W's skill with blades was far from exceptional. Even without the aid of the other Sarkaz warriors, they could do nothing to him.

"You know how this will end. You have already lost this battle."

"How it'll end?"

W took two small steps back, her face blank with confusion. Then she swung her weapon again, attacking alongside Ines.

"Don't know."

At that moment, W barely evaded the Sarkaz warrior's attack. Pain was steadily gnawing away at her will. If this continued, she would eventually pass out. By then, neither she nor Ines would be able to escape this place—though escape was already nearly impossible.

The Sarkaz warrior's blade drew closer and closer, but she was already on the verge of collapse. It was becoming difficult for her to avoid this strike.

She futilely raised her blade into a blocking stance. At that moment, W closed her eyes and waited for it to come.

Clang!

The pain she had expected did not arrive. When W opened her eyes, she saw a crimson blade—a blade she was not very familiar with, yet not unfamiliar either.

She remembered it. That man had called this sword "Lemuenia." Though it was a name brimming with feminine flair, W knew very well how powerful the blade was. The pain coursing through her body also told her that what she was seeing was no illusion.

"Your suffering will echo through the nations of the dead! I'll carve you into pieces!"

The sudden voice made everyone freeze for a moment. W, Ines, and the Sarkaz warriors all turned their eyes toward the floating blade.

They had never seen such a weapon. They had never seen a weapon that could fight on its own—and speak!

Still, they understood that this was probably not a good thing.

The instant the greatsword was severed, Lemuenia darted through the group of Sarkaz warriors. In just a few seconds, blood had flooded the ground. At that very moment, another voice came from the edge of the battlefield.

"Lemuenia, can't you be a little more civilized?"

When W and Ines turned around, they saw someone familiar: Roy.

However, his clothing had changed. They also saw an identification card on him, bearing an emblem like a towering spire. Beside it were the words "B197" and Roy's name.

The two naturally recognized that emblem. Roy's identity was now clear: he was a direct subordinate of their employer, as well as their reinforcements—their only reinforcements.

"So there really are reinforcements... It's that guy..."

At that moment, W, who had been standing, collapsed as though all strength had left her. Fortunately, Ines noticed in time and caught W before she could fall completely.

"Hey, don't you dare pass out and scare me!"

"Sorry. Staying conscious... is difficult."

"You actually know how to apologize?"

"Last time, I watched you pass out... This time, it's your turn to help me. Don't be so stingy. I'll just... rest for a little while."

At that moment, W lost consciousness. It was also then that Roy arrived.

"Hey, Ines."

"Looks like you're doing pretty well?"

Upon reaching them, Roy spoke with a smile. However, when he saw W, he froze slightly.

According to his impression, Ines should have been the one collapsed right now. After all, with how cunning W was, she would not necessarily go down before everyone else did.

"Is it just you, Roy?"

"I'm enough. Take W and head west. Once I deal with these people, I'll catch up with you."

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Ines lifted W and quickly headed west. At that same moment, Roy leaped high into the air and plunged into the sea of blood, his hand closing around Lemuenia's hilt.

He could feel the blade cheering in his hand. He could feel the exhilaration in its heart. At that moment, the sword was satisfied as never before.

"I don't like scenes like this, but..."

"Now, I have no choice but to go through them."

At that moment, silver crescent-shaped sword energy surged forth...