Extra in a Romance Fantasy

46 – The Return (3)

As if witnessing the aftermath of a massive explosion, Ethan silently gazed at the desolate scene before him.

And as time passed.

When the dust that had obscured his view finally settled.

In the land where everything had been blown away, only one man stood.

A man whose hair, clothes, and entire body were in disarray.

Facing forward, the man remained in the posture of swinging his sword.

“……”

“……”

Ethan and Wade locked eyes.

Without a word, without a sound.

And the silence that settled between them.

Shattered at the slightest noise.

Squelch─

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Crack!

As Wade’s sword turned golden and the sound of shattering filled the air.

“…Are you planning to kill me?”

In a drained yet discontent-filled voice, Wade asked.

To that question, Ethan responded with a hearty laugh.

“I’m not dead, you know.”

“…Ha.”

As if incredulous, Wade snorted.

Then he slumped into his seat.

“I… I lost.”

With a muttered word.

“You admit defeat quickly.”

“My sword is broken. How else do you suggest we continue to fight? Well, even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t fight anymore.”

With a weary expression, Wade poured out his words like complaints.

“Weren’t you supposed to be more careful? Facing a junior like me. If I had made a mistake, I could have really died.”

“But you didn’t die, so it’s fine, isn’t it?”

“…You really need to watch your words.”

Exasperated, Wade shook his head.

Watching Wade like that, Ethan grinned.

Though he said it like that, Ethan had some kind of conviction.

A certainty that Wade wouldn’t die from that strike.

The basis was intuition, but the intuition of a superhuman is not just a simple hunch.

Sometimes, it eerily approaches foresight.

In reality, Wade survived as his intuition suggested.

No. It might be more appropriate to say that he conquered…

Ethan clearly saw the movement Wade made just before he was about to be engulfed by his strike.

Wade swung his sword towards the storm he created with all his might.

It seemed reckless at first glance.

It was a strike filled with Ethan’s overwhelming power compared to Wade, whether it be physical or magical.

Instead of dodging, he tried to collide with it. It appeared to be a foolish action on the surface.

However…

Wade’s sword produced a result.

He actually sliced through the storm.

Although he couldn’t completely cut through it, Wade’s sword definitely sliced through the storm.

Thanks to that, he was able to face the storm head-on and still remain unharmed.

In exchange, the sword was broken, but it was undoubtedly an extraordinary feat.

“Even with an incomplete technique… That’s what I’m talking about.”

The sword that appeared at the end.

Ethan saw through the fact that the technique was still incomplete.

In other words, an incomplete technique managed to cut through his power.

Secretly chuckling at that fact, Ethan also settled down in his place, just like Wade.

Then he opened his mouth.

“Use a good sword. When dealing with scoundrels, it might be fine, but when fighting against skilled individuals, they’ll hold you back by your ankles.”

Injecting magic into a weapon can increase its intensity and destructive power.

The higher the skill of the wielder, the stronger the effect becomes.

And a warrior who has reached the level of determination can transform even a mediocre sword into a sword comparable to a famous one through their determination.

The saying that a talented warrior doesn’t discriminate against weapons isn’t groundless.

However, that saying doesn’t always apply.

It’s true when facing weaker opponents, but when facing equal or superior opponents, the situation changes.

The limits of magic and determination assisting a weapon also exist, and in a fight without room for flexibility, they can’t be maintained until the end.

In such a situation, the quality of the weapon determines the outcome.

Even now, it could be said that we were in a similar situation.

Wade may have admitted defeat even if his sword hadn’t broken, but Ethan knew that the reality was different.

Even though Wade looked battered, there was still some strength left in him.

He hadn’t initially entered the fight with the intention to kill, so he probably wouldn’t have taken it all the way to the end, but if the sword hadn’t broken, the fight might have continued.

And Ethan wasn’t entirely confident that the outcome would unquestionably be his victory.

Of course, he thought the odds were in his favor.

“I can’t afford that. Do you know how expensive that sword is? Guys like me can’t even dream of having a sword like that.”

It was his way of giving advice, but Wade, who accepted it, only complained.

“Why? What about those girls behind you? They looked like they have some money. And just a word from you, it seems like they would buy a few swords right away.”

Ethan recalled the group of young women he had encountered by the lakeside.

Each of them had an unusual appearance.

Moreover, one of them was accompanied by an unmistakable escort.

And the fact that these extraordinary women looked at Wade with an unusual glint in their eyes made Ethan immediately notice.

If that’s the case, they might not hesitate to buy a sword or two.

“…I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it’s not like that.”

“I have no reason to deny it. Actions speak louder than words.”

“So it’s not like that.”

“….”

In response to Wade’s somewhat evasive answer, Ethan squinted his eyes and looked at Wade.

At first, he thought Wade was denying it out of embarrassment.

It’s the age for such things.

But…

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t the look of someone embarrassed.

Surely not…

“This guy… does he really not know?”

No. That couldn’t be it.

If there’s something called intuition, there’s no way he couldn’t sense that obvious gaze.

It’s impossible for a human being…

“If by any chance, don’t say that in front of them. It’ll make the atmosphere awkward.”

“….”

…It might be possible.

Seeing that absurd individual with his own eyes now, Ethan couldn’t rule out the possibility.

Edan looked at Wade with a bored expression.

How can such a destructive person exist?

He immediately noticed himself, whom he hadn’t even looked at for long.

Could it be that he lost his intuition as a price for obtaining a talent that the heaven envied?

If that’s true, the world might be a place that operates on its own fair principles, Edan thought to himself.

“…Anyway, no matter what you do, make sure to acquire a genuine black one. Because that difference might someday cost you your life or your loss.”

Gaining an unexpected realization, Edan continued the conversation.

“Yeah, until when are you going to hide your skills?”

“…I have no intention of revealing them unless necessary.”

Wade’s expression, which had been dismissive for a while, sank.

“…Well, that’s only when the ghosts hide them.”

Then he added.

“Meh. Don’t worry. I have no intention of saying anything anywhere.”

In response to those words, Edan chuckled as if it was an unnecessary worry.

He never had any intention of doing that from the beginning.

He was just curious about Wade’s skills, and now that matter was over.

So there was no need to do something that the other party would dislike.

“Hmm.”

As Edan tried to end the topic, he got caught in a short contemplation.

And that contemplation ended not long after it started.

Even though he was young, his way of speaking was tick-tocking, and there was no cute side, but if you insisted, he was a junior.

Moreover, his personality wasn’t bad.

Thinking about the junior’s future, he thought it wouldn’t be bad to give some advice.

Yeah. Let’s do that.

It’s not difficult to say a few words.

Edan organized his thoughts and opened his mouth.

***

“Kid, the world is vast.”

“……”

…Suddenly, what’s with that sound?

I found myself staring intently at Edan, who was uttering remarks that wouldn’t be out of place from a neighborhood elder.

“It might sound like nonsense, but listen.”

“…Yes.”

He noticed even though I hadn’t said a word.

Perception is disgustingly quick.

Edan, who had been looking at me as if disapproving of my very existence, spoke.

“The world is vast, and there are many strong ones. Probably more than you think.”

Well, that’s true.

“Talking about the Ten Swords, it’s not like they actually chose the ten strongest individuals on the continent. After all, the name itself is the Ten Swords. There are even those who rejected the position of the Ten Swords just because they didn’t like the name.”

…Come to think of it, that’s true.

While the sword is the most popular and versatile weapon, not everyone in this world uses a sword. There are spears… well, maces, hammers, and even people who use their fists.

From the perspective of such individuals, the title of the Ten Swords might not feel very pleasant.

“You probably noticed, but the Ten Swords are those who have reached the realm of complete dedication. And reaching the realm of dedication is not an easy task. However, there are those who have reached the realm of dedication aside from the Ten Swords.”

I had roughly anticipated that.

Among those who couldn’t become part of the Ten Swords, there would likely be those who reached the realm of dedication.

I am a bit… no, quite a special case, but still, there’s a clear example of that here, so there’s no law saying it can’t be said about others.

“Some of those people are weaker than me, but on the flip side, there are those stronger than me. Maybe… more than you think.”

So, he added straight away.

“If you want to hide, hide thoroughly. If something seems off, don’t even step forward. There’s no guarantee those people will view you favorably. You are too alien. Some might even run to kill you if they catch wind of your talents.”

“…”

Certainly.

No one will approach me with goodwill.

As Edan said, there will undoubtedly be those who intend to harm me.

Among them, there may be those I can’t handle with my power alone.

“Or, having a background they can’t easily meddle with is also a good strategy. Getting under the protection of someone like an emperor. After they see your abilities, they’ll probably welcome you with open arms out of fear.”

“…”

As he said, I know that if I show my abilities and join, I can go anywhere.

However, I wasn’t particularly inclined to do so.

The desire to be entangled in something, honestly, isn’t there.

“…Hm. Looking at your face, it seems you don’t like that. Well, that’s the easier path, but… Well, it’s not that I don’t understand that feeling.”

Ethan scratched his head.

Come to think of it, he is also a loner who doesn’t belong anywhere.

With his skills, anyone, any faction, would want him.

Perhaps he, too, has a personality that dislikes being entangled somewhere, like me.

After a moment of hesitation, as if contemplating, Ethan resumed speaking not long after organizing the words he wanted to say.

“…Well, if you think it’s hopeless, just run away. Hide in a place where not a single human shadow is visible. And stay there for ten years, then come out. At that point, there probably won’t be anyone in the world who can do anything to you.”

Running away.

Perhaps it could be the wisest move.

Especially when facing an opponent you simply cannot defeat.

However, even that option didn’t appeal to him much.

Well, who knows what will happen if he’s pushed to the brink.

Anyway, it wasn’t advice that resonated with him at the moment.

“Well, the point is to be cautious around people. You need to be more vigilant. …Oh, especially be careful of that old man from Elbrent. That gentleman is a bit… twisted in many ways.”

The old man from Elbrent.

Although not directly mentioned, I immediately understood who he was referring to.

A symbol of the Elbrent Empire’s military, the strongest warrior in the empire.

Also, a figure acknowledged as one of the top in the Ten Swords, who discuss the strongest warriors on the continent.

The Sword Master Dreir Hextler.

“Is the Sword Master’s personality really that bad?”

I’ve heard rumors that he is cold and rigid, but I’ve never heard that his character is fundamentally broken.

So when such words came out of Ethan’s mouth, it was somewhat surprising.

“It’s not about having a bad personality or problems at that level. That person is twisted at a fundamental level. So don’t even think about approaching him. Don’t even enter his field of vision until you’re confident you can overwhelm that old man.”

In a rare moment, Ethan, who had been consistently smiling, spoke with a serious expression and a lowered voice.

Upon this, I realized that he was giving advice in his own way.

“…Why are you giving me this advice?”

Suddenly curious about the reason, I asked him.

“…Well.”

In response to my question, Ethan looked up at the sky.

More precisely, the moon hung in the night sky.

How long had it been like that?

“There may be various reasons, but… I guess the main reason is that I am also a lone individual.”

Once again, his head lowered.

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And in those unwavering pupils, I saw myself reflected.

“You, with a talent that seems like it might not be a mistake of the gods, I wonder how far you can go.”

“….”

A talent that seems like it might not be a mistake of the gods.

That’s quite an overestimation.

I am not such an extraordinary person.

That’s why Ethan’s sincere words felt a bit burdensome.

…However, through this series of conversations, I felt like I understood a bit about the person named Ethan Bertrand.

Although he rushes headlong into things, almost to the point of recklessness, it doesn’t mean he is inherently bad.

That’s the impression I got.

“…Picking a fight recklessly, almost getting killed halfway, and now trying to act all composed.”

Of course, I didn’t express those thoughts out loud.

“Ha. What an arrogant guy.”

In response to my words, Ethan burst into laughter again.

“To be complaining about a topic you had no intention of avoiding.”

With that, he threw sharp words at me.

This was as Ethan had said.

If I wanted, I could have avoided a fight with him.

If I had borrowed Estelle’s power, I would have had no choice but to step back.

I didn’t know if Ethan would willingly step back in front of the emperor of the empire, but I knew that his guard, under Estelle’s protection, was exceptional.

If I had put up a show, saying that I would cooperate with the guards, Ethan probably wouldn’t have backed down easily.

However, it was not out of fear but for my own reasons that I accepted the fight I could have avoided.

Namely, because I wanted to test my skills against a swordsman of the Ten Blades caliber.

To see how strong the strength of the Ten Blades is and how far I can fight against him.

I wanted to confirm that.

That’s why I didn’t avoid the fight.

Perhaps Ethan also noticed that.

…Well, I didn’t expect him to suddenly pick a fight like that, though.

Anyway.

The fight ended without significant damage, and I confirmed what I wanted to confirm.

The sword broke, but that can be replaced, so it’s not a big loss.

So, it was a day where I gained quite a lot, in my own way.

…As tired as I was from all of that.

“Sigh.”

I rise from my seat.

It’s time to go back now.

“But what will you do about my sword that got broken because of you, Lord Tu Gui?”

“What? Hey, why blame me for breaking it while fighting? Isn’t that originally your responsibility?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that. Just buy me a new one or something. You’re rich anyway.”

“…This guy is totally insane.”

There were various exchanges between me and Ethan after that, but I safely descended the mountain.

And finally, the day came to an end.