Chapter 25

"Hey... what the hell is this?"

The air froze.

The girl, whose sword skills were so refined and profound they seemed divine, now held her blade at the nose of General Melo—the man no one present had ever doubted was the strongest. Drenched in blood, she loomed over him like a demonic warrior.

The surrounding soldiers stood paralyzed by the sheer abnormality of the scene. Under normal circumstances, they should have rushed to his aid, but the shock of witnessing such an outcome left them frozen.

General Melo had been defeated. And by a young girl, no less.

"Heh, or would you like a rematch? Maybe you just slipped just now, and in reality, you were the better fighter. If that’s what you want to claim, I don’t mind starting over."

"...Of course!! The ground was just muddy, that’s all! This wasn’t my defeat! So why the hell are you looking so damn smug?!"

"The moment you couldn’t control your own speed, I already knew how this would end. That was your full power, wasn’t it? Then no matter how many times we fight, the result will be the same."

The self-proclaimed strongest man thrashed about, refusing to accept his ugly defeat. He snatched up his sword again and swung at the girl.

This time, he went all out from the very beginning.

"...You’re like a child."

"The hell does that mean?!"

"Fighting you feels like fighting a child. A big, obnoxious one with zero charm."

Yet, his blade still couldn’t touch her. Like a leaf dancing in the wind, she swayed effortlessly, evading every slash.

At this point, she wasn’t even breaking a sweat.

"What you’re doing isn’t swordsmanship. It’s just a brat throwing a tantrum with a stick."

"Don’t mock me! I—"

"Sure, your speed is impressive. But your moves are way too obvious. It’s like you’re announcing where you’re gonna strike before you even swing."

"No, that’s not—"

"Your precious speed is wasted. If you keep telegraphing your attacks like that, of course they won’t land."

The girl smiled cheerfully before suddenly thrusting her sword into empty air—right where Melo stopped dead in his tracks.

The tip of her blade pressed against his throat.

"I’ve already figured you out. Why don’t you just admit defeat already?"

"...!!"

Yes. The outcome had been decided long ago.

......

This is... really, really bad. That was my honest thought.

"No way... My swordsmanship, my magic—I’m supposed to be the strongest!"

"Cut the crap. Any halfway decent swordsman could wipe the floor with you. Get over yourself."

Just give up already, Melo. Seriously, this is hopeless.

────My stamina was already spent. My body creaked with every movement, and my sword trembled faintly in my grip. Right now, I was only standing through sheer willpower. One wrong move, and I’d collapse.

Ugh, maybe I’m just an idiot. Why did I let myself get baited by such obvious taunts? I always regret this afterward.

"He’s probably nothing special—just another noble brat who thinks he’s hot stuff." That’s what I thought when I picked this fight. But no, turns out he’s stupidly strong.

What’s with this speed? How the hell is he faster than Rex?

"I won’t accept it... I won’t accept it! I haven’t lost!!"

"You’re still going...?"

Wait, he’s coming again? I’m barely holding it together as it is—every breath is agony.

But he really looks like he’s about to attack. Damn it, move, body!

Unlike usual, I raised my stupidly heavy rapier into a middle stance, forcing a cool smirk. See? I’m totally fine. You’ll never beat me, no matter how many times you try.

Come on, just admit defeat. I’ll keep swinging my sword until you do. Otherwise, everything I’ve endured so far will be for nothing────

......

"That’s enough. This fight ends here—I’ll take it from now on."

"Wha—who the hell are you?!"

Just as I barely managed to raise my sword, a familiar, irritating voice cut in. A man planted a massive greatsword between me and Melo, stepping into the fray.

"I’m Rex, a guild-certified adventurer. Heard there were some troublemakers causing a ruckus in town, but I never expected it’d be my own party member and the Imperial Army."

Oh. So he showed up too. Part of me is relieved, but now I owe him again—how annoying.

"Hey, General Melo. Long time no see."

"Rex...! What’s the meaning of this?!"

That’s right. Standing before my barely-conscious self was the real strongest—grinning with absolute confidence. Our leader, Rex.

"Move...! You’re just as insufferable, but right now, I’ve got business with that bratty little bitch over there! I don’t have time for you!"

"Sorry, can’t do that. She’s part of my party, so if she caused trouble, it’s my job to step in."

"Get lost, coward! You ran from a fight with me before, and now you’re butting in?!"

Melo’s composure was long gone as he roared at me. Ugh, just admit defeat already. I’ve basically won, haven’t I?

"Nah, first off, I should apologize. My comrade here messed up your pretty face—my bad."

"You think an apology cuts it?! That bitch needs to suffer a living hell before I’ll be satisfied!"

"Yeah, yeah. You’ve been desperately calling yourself ‘the strongest’ to keep up the Imperial Army’s reputation, huh?"

Rex laughed breezily before suddenly grabbing the back of my head.

"Huh? Rex, what’re you—?"

"Y’see, the king asked me a favor—‘Don’t fight Melo.’ If some random adventurer beat the crap out of the Imperial Army’s ‘strongest,’ it’d hurt morale, y’know?"

"Oh, really?"

"And yet... WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, YOU IDIOT?!"

────And with that, Rex slammed my face straight into the ground.

"OWW, DAMMIT!!"

"Anyway, let’s call it even, yeah? Sorry for exposing in public that you’re not actually the strongest, Melo."

"...Are you mocking me, Rex?"

"Nah, not at all. I genuinely feel bad about it."

It hurt. I let my guard down—what the hell was that for?! Ugh, my head’s throbbing. What if I get brain damage from this?

"Sorry my swordswoman here went and beat you and all."

"......!!"

Melo's futile slashes didn't hurt half as much as Rex's sudden strike. My head was still spinning.

"I haven't lost yet!"

"Look around you. Not a single person here thinks this fight is still up in the air. You got knocked on your ass, had a sword at your throat—twice. In a real battle, you’d be dead two times over."

"That was luck! A fluke!"

"Didn’t look like it to me. You lost. Here, try swinging at me right now if you don’t believe it. I’ll prove it to you."

"REEEEEX!!"

Still seeing stars, I shot Rex a glare full of resentment. The bastard just smirked and casually pinched the back of my neck.

"Mei, catch. Get her dressed quick—this is bad for the eyes."

"Wha—?!"

And then—he threw me. Straight over the heads of the surrounding soldiers!

I barely managed to twist midair and land in a roll, where May stood waiting with a strained smile.

At least warn me before yeeting me several meters, you brute!

"U-Um, good work, Flatche. I brought Rex, just like you asked..."

"Huh? So you’re the one who called him?"

"A-And here, take my robe. You're practically naked right now..."

"Oh, right. But if I wear this, it’ll just get covered in blood. I can cover myself with my hands—it's fine."

"No, I’ll wash it later, so please just... put it on. Or rather, cover yourself up immediately."

Despite having just fought a battle, I got tossed aside like a ragdoll. Poor me. Mei, ever the sweetheart, draped her robe over me with concern. What an angel.

Meanwhile, what the hell was Rex’s problem? Smashing my head into the ground like that. Maybe I should kill him right now—make it a doubleheader.

"C’mon, attack me whenever you're ready."

"...Move! Get out of my way, Rex!!"

Burning with rage, I hopped up and down outside the circle of soldiers, trying to get a glimpse of Rex.

"There ya go."

"GUH—?!"

"Like she said—charging straight in with no feints? What’s the point of all that speed?"

Within seconds, Rex had Melo by the face, lifting him off the ground like a misbehaving kitten. Already over.

I could’ve done that too if I had my old strength. Yeah, in my previous body, I’d have crushed him even harder. This weak, untrained female frame was the only reason I struggled. If I’d still been a man, I wouldn’t even be winded.

...Damn it. I fought so hard, and Rex ended it in seconds?

"Speed’s useless if you’re that predictable. ...We might actually need your strength soon, so get your shit together, seriously."

"Let go! How dare a lowly adventurer—!"

"Honestly, your attitude’s the worst. Such a waste of talent."

With a sigh, Rex tossed Melo to the ground like a discarded toy.

"I’ll take full responsibility for today—Flatche’s part included. ‘Hawk-Eye’ Rex doesn’t run or hide. Got a problem? Come at me."

"You realize what you’re saying, don’t you?!"

"Yeah, I do."

Grinning, Rex sheathed his greatsword and turned his back on Melo, walking away.

"A big fight’s coming. The kingdom can’t afford to piss me off now. ...Nothing you do matters."

"Wait—! Where do you think you’re going, you filthy adventurer?! I haven’t admitted defeat—!"

"You’ll never admit it, dumbass. I’ll be heading to the capital soon—we can spar in a proper training ground there. If I went all out in a place like this, who knows how much collateral damage there’d be."

Rex glanced around pointedly.

The street was a wreck—houses shattered by Melo’s magic, craters in the ground, signs split by sword pressure, merchandise scattered everywhere.

Yikes, was that from our fight? My bad... Well, I dodged most of it—this is all Melo’s fault.

"...Fine. I must’ve been off my game today. I’ll kill you another time."

"Sure, sure. So we’re done here? ...Move it, you lot. We’re leaving."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

The soldiers, despite being elite imperial troops, parted like the Red Sea under Rex’s glare. Even they knew better than to mess with the man who just humiliated their "strongest" in seconds.

"Let’s go. Mei, Flatche, Natal."

"R-Right!"

"Got it."

"Yeah."

And so, trailing behind our overwhelmingly intimidating leader, we made our way back to the hideout.

Phew... I’m honestly relieved. A little bitter, but I’ll give Rex my thanks for today.

---

"YOU IDIOT!!"

"Oww!?"

Thunk.

The moment we returned to the hideout, Rex's fist came flying at me. A pretty solid one, too.

"You bastard! What the hell was that!?"

"Pick your damn fights better, moron! Didn’t I tell you?! The other two generals besides Penny are absolute nightmares!!"

"But—"

"No buts, no excuses!! I don’t care what they said to rile you up, but you can’t keep falling for the same damn provocation every time!"

"...Sorry."

The punch had me seeing red for a second, but Rex’s scolding was dead right. Yeah, no matter how much they taunted me, I kept taking the bait too easily. Over and over, making the same damn mistakes.

And today, I ended up causing Rex a ton of trouble. …Ugh, of course he’s pissed.

"Wait, Rex. She didn’t lose her temper just because she was provoked. That general—Melo—insulted my brother."

"Your brother? Natal, what do you mean? Melo insulted him?"

Natal stepped in, shielding me as I sulked.

It wasn’t just that I was provoked… Well, no, Natal, I was provoked. Just—

"What’d Melo say?"

"...He called my brother a worthless, all-talk loser. A failure. That’s what set Flatche off."

Ah, yeah. That was the gist of it.

Hearing it again now, it wasn’t even that bad. Just something about his tone and expression that pissed me off.

I really need to work on myself. Falling for something so obvious—

"────Where’s Melo staying again? I’m gonna cut his head off."

"WHOAH, HOLD UP!!"

The light in Rex’s eyes vanished in an instant. Hey, you’re the one falling for it now!

"R-Rex-sama, calm down!"

"The hell? You should’ve led with that. My bad for hitting you, Flatche. You were right. I’ll go take his head off right now—responsibly."

"STOP IT!! If you go on a rampage, there’s no one who can stop you! I’m exhausted today, I can’t handle you!"

"Rex, STAY!! Calm down! We still have to fight the Demon King’s army, what good is killing our own allies!?"

This guy gets way too heated when it comes to me. What, you in love with me or something? Freakin’ homo.

"Please calm down, Rex-sama. You know better than anyone how bad it’d be to pick a fight with the national army, right?"

"Nah, but that’s crossing a line. You don’t say that kinda shit."

"We made a rematch promise when we go to the royal capital, right? That’s good enough for now. If you go all out here, what’ll happen to this town?"

"...Grrr. Ugh. Fine. Right, we’ll settle it in the rematch. I’ll tear him to pieces then."

Tear him to pieces? I already beat him, and I’m not even mad anymore, so just let it go.

"Speaking of which… Flatche-san, you were way stronger than I thought. Honestly, I underestimated you."

Mei-chan, flustered, suddenly started showering me with praise—probably trying to change the subject. Feels good, so praise me more… but—

...Honestly, beating Melo isn’t anything to brag about.

"Huh, me? Nah, Melo’s just weak. I’m still nowhere near strong enough."

"But General Melo was supposed to be the strongest in the national army, just like he claimed..."

Strongest in the national army, huh? Well, I guess that’s not entirely wrong. But Melo’s swordsmanship is barely above amateur level—beating him isn’t anything impressive.

"One-on-one strength and battlefield strength are different, Mei. In a duel, I’d win. But if you told us to ‘take down 1,000 demons,’ Melo would handle it way more reliably. …I don’t have much experience in large-scale battles."

"Really?"

"Flatche is right. That guy’s whole thing is being ‘an unstoppable artillery piece that’s also insanely strong in close combat.’ Send 1,000 grunts at him, and he’ll wipe them out. But put him against a real warrior in a duel, and he’ll lose instantly. The idiot’s too full of himself to realize it, though."

Exactly. His magic felt deliberately toned down for close-range use. It was probably meant to mow down hordes of enemies spread out in front of him.

In a fight against waves of weak opponents, Melo’s way more useful—strong against fodder, fast enough to retreat easily, a mobile artillery piece that can deploy to the frontlines at will. Just thinking about dealing with him is exhausting.

"...Still. Honestly, I thought he was a cut above you, Flatche. Surprised you won."

"Hah? The hell are you talking about? Of course I’m stronger."

"My bad, I misjudged you. …But seriously, have you gotten stronger? Your movements are way sharper now compared to when we first fought."

"Have they?"

...Now that he mentions it, I have been feeling smoother lately.

"Well, part of it’s the muscle I’ve built from training, but… I guess I’ve been getting used to this body little by little. Feels like I’ve finally fixed the awkwardness in my movements."

"Huh. Yeah, maybe you have gotten stronger."

"Right?"

But that wasn’t all. The biggest reason for my improvement was… my sparring sessions with Rex. For years after we parted ways, my training had been nothing but fighting imaginary opponents. Naturally, that meant I never had to face anyone who could push me beyond my own expectations.

But now? I had daily one-on-one training with the strongest swordsman in the country. Of course I’d get stronger.

…If I’d just swallowed my pride and stuck with Rex all this time, would I have been even stronger by now?

"Well, either way, crisis averted. Can’t believe you guys managed to stir up this much trouble while I was gone."

"Seriously, it was wild. Natal-san was the one being taunted, but somehow Flatche-san was the one who snapped."

"...Yeah."

Rex seemed to have finally swallowed his anger. Now all that was left was to pray he wouldn’t actually kill Melo in their upcoming mock battle.

Ugh, I was exhausted. Karin had already healed my injuries, but fatigue was another matter. Maybe I should just wash up and turn in early for the night—

"Wait, hold on. Why did Flatche lose it like that?"

Just as I was about to stand, Rex tilted his head and threw the question at me.

"Oh, right! I was wondering that too. Flatche-san, it wasn’t even your fight, was it?"

"Were you… friends with Rex’s childhood buddy or something?"

…Ah. So that’s what they were stuck on. Guess it was inevitable.

Yeah, of course they’d be curious. My outburst was way too intense for a complete stranger.

"Actually… the way you moved your sword today reminded me of someone. That refined blade work… there’s only one guy I know who—"

……

Yeah. Of course. As far as Rex knew, I was the only one who could keep up with his ridiculous speed.

"...No way. Don’t tell me you’re—"

Rex’s gaze pierced straight through me, his eyes swirling with suspicion.

Oh shit. Am I busted?