"Mm, then I shall give it a try."
Taking the katana from Rita, Guan Xing was also curious about the armor's defensive capabilities. This sword was not some ☆-rank piece of equipment; it was simply a weapon forged by a blacksmith shop in the Imperial Capital. It was fairly well-made, more than enough for testing the armor's defense.
Holding the katana one-handed, Guan Xing did not primarily use katanas, but she was far from unfamiliar with swords.
With a wave of her hand, the blade flashed.
Clang!
The katana struck Aria's body, producing a piercing crash. Immediately afterward, Guan Xing felt a powerful recoil travel through the sword in her hand, nearly making her lose her grip.
"Hmm? Not bad!"
After that slash, the armor on Aria's body was completely unharmed. Instead, the blade of Guan Xing's sword had been chipped.
"This is already good enough!"
Tossing aside the katana, Guan Xing took out her feather fan and waved it toward Aria, retrieving her.
Under the setting sun, dust rose into the air, casting a soft and hazy glow. Outside a dessert shop in the Imperial Capital's commercial district, Kurotama stood quietly waiting.
"Kurotama, what are you doing here?"
An energetic mature older sister type voice suddenly sounded behind Kurotama.
"Buying snacks."
Kurotama calmly turned around and looked at the energetic girl behind her... no, she could now be called an energetic mature older sister type. After all, she was nearly twenty.
Meanwhile, Kurotama was only around sixteen...
"Huh? Everyone's gone to look for Zank the Executioner. Aren't you going? This is Lord Durandal's order, and besides... Lord Durandal said that whoever finds him first will receive a reward: a chance to try Teacher Rita's newly developed products, the kind where you can eat your fill. Don't you want