Chapter 95
"So thou art Yuuka, Albert's vassal... Hmm, this presence - verily, one who dwells betwixt worlds. Ah, pardon me - this one is called Iris. Well met."
These were the first words Iris spoke when we faced each other. Her speech was oddly archaic, almost elderly. I mean—it's fine! It's not like I can criticize how people talk, nor would I want to, but...
It just didn’t match her appearance at all. Pink twin tails. A cute face. A high-pitched, girlish voice. A petite, delicate frame. And a frilly, sparkly outfit straight out of a Pretty Cure episode. Yet she spoke like an old man. Was this that "noja loli" trend I'd heard about? My brain short-circuited, leaving me gaping in silence.
"Uh, ah—nice to meet you! I’m Yuuka... An Archdemon under Albert-sama, one of his familiars, and a serving maid. Pleased to make your acquaintance...?"
"Mmm, courteous, art thou? Then, prepare thyself."
"Ha-eh?"
"Thou art a spear-wielder, aye? Thy body’s movements betray thee. As fellow reincarnated, let us clash without restraint."
Reincarnated. She’d definitely said it.
"Iris-san, are you perhaps—?"
"That, we shall discuss mid-battle. We exist as our master’s hounds, to slaughter prey—nought more."
No further answers would come. Though curious, I focused on the fight. A deep breath, and my mind sharpened. Summoning my obsidian halberd, Black Dragon’s Halberd, I gripped its base with my right hand and its midpoint with my left, settling into a forward stance.
"Hooh! Fine eyes thou hast—straightforward, unclouded. Then, let us begin."
Iris materialized a spear from nowhere and lunged. I deflected the tip with my shaft, twisting my body to slash with the axe-blade—but she floated back effortlessly, then darted in again. A hair’s breadth from the rain of thrusts, I tangled our spearheads and yanked, aiming to destabilize her. A lesser foe would’ve stumbled, but she slipped free easily. Undeterred, I counter-thrust, only for her to deflect it with the butt.
(As expected—she’s strong.)
No openings in offense or defense. A reckless move would get me killed, but hesitation meant slow defeat. If either path led to ruin, my only choice was to press forward.
"Hah!"
"Hooh! Thy movements shift. An uncommon flow."
I channeled Yuri’s ever-changing swordsmanship, weaving strikes with my entire body—not just spear thrusts and slashes, but palm strikes, fists, and kicks in seamless succession. Against a master like Iris (likely one), holding back wasn’t an option. Every tool was needed.
A sliver of an opening in her barrage—no, created by me. The split-second her spear retracted, I slammed the butt against its tip and pierced forward, envisioning my whole body as the weapon. The blade grazed her skirt’s hem, drawing a thin line of blood on her thigh.
"Mmh! Skilled, art thou? Rough, yet promising. A pity... Had we not been foes, I might’ve taught thee my Nether Spear Style..."
Her expression flickered—something between delight and vexation. Then, she grinned.
"Ah, well. Time remains. Entertain me to thy fullest, hound of Albert."
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