Chapter 98 – With an Old Colleague.

“Why does this happen like this?”

Tiaran muttered as she looked at the girls full of fighting spirit. Even so, since the Anises have a relationship with him.

‘What did I have with him?’

Actually, I had no inspiration about Benia, so it was a bit surprising. A party centered around him, who was merely a replacement for the Hero, could not be said to have good teamwork.

Benia was on his side in the faction within the party that was split in half, but that didn’t mean there was anything special about it. He is a team member that I get along well with.

“I don’t know either.”

Even when Tia Ran looked back on her experiences with her, she could not get her inspiration. Still, she had no intention of stopping them.

‘There is no experience more valuable than sparring with an opponent who is better than you.’

Even if it’s sudden, an opportunity that cannot be easily obtained has come, so shouldn’t it be spoon-fed to newbies?

“It’s okay to spar, but just set some rules.”

“What if it’s a rule?”

First, it was decided to mediate between Benia and Anis, who were about to clash swords at any moment. Benia also showed interest after hearing what he said, wondering if he had completely lost his senses.

“1:1 is not possible. At least 1:3.”

“… Does that mean the difference between us and that person is that big?”

“Accurate.”

Krusha immediately realized why he set such a rule. Tiaran worked with and trained with all of them and knew each one’s skills well.

‘If it’s Benia’s skills.’

Benia was one of the most skilled swordsmen he knew. I don’t know if he had neglected his training during this time, but even at a rough estimate, I could feel his prayers being sharp.

‘It looks like our newbies are smart.’

However, there is a difference between a veteran who has gone through all the hardships and a newcomer who has shown some skill. Even Benia was not lacking in talent if she overflowed.

“Of course, taking someone’s life is prohibited, and you must exercise self-restraint within the limits of suppression.”

“”Yes.””

Benia and Anis respond to Tiaran’s words as representatives. Even if I didn’t have to say it, I would have refrained, but it was better to make it clear because emergencies are bound to happen.

“”…””

As Tiaran retreats, Anis and Venia look at each other again.

-Chae Jae-Aeng!

Although no one gave a signal, they swung their swords at the same time and clashed. No, at the same time they face each other, they slide on each other’s blades.

“Ouch!”

However, it was Benia who took the upper hand. Anise’s holy sword is in the form of Zweihender, so no matter how strong she is, she cannot keep up with the speed of an opponent holding a rapier.

“Did I tell you? Your sword is too dull.”

Even more so if the opponent is more skilled than me.

“Master, you’re right. But I wasn’t just playing around either.”

However, Anis showed unexpected behavior toward Benia, who snuggled into her arms. Instead of swinging the sword, he raises his sword upward as if he were raising it.

Zweihender is larger and heavier than a rapier. However, that means the reach is longer than that of a rapier, and the same goes for the sword’s handle and the pommel underneath.

Because of this, Benia, who was slipping her rapier onto her Zweichender and digging into Anise’s arms, ended up hitting her chin on the pommel of her sword hilt.

“This is…?!”

Benia, as if surprised by her unexpected counterattack, opened her ruby-colored eyes wide, stopped the girl who had been digging into her arms, and raised her head, narrowly avoiding the pommel that grazed her chin.

But Anise’s counterattack did not end there.

“You can’t run away.”

Anise steps up and pushes her foot between her receding legs, stroking her up and pulling her pommel down again.

‘It’s just as Tiaran said.’

The technique of using the entire sword was taught to her by Tiaran.

‘Your holy sword is Zweihender, so unless you are quite skilled, it will be difficult to gain the upper hand in a match against someone else.’

Originally, the large size and weight of the great sword called Zweihender may be advantageous to opponents who are weaker than the sword itself, but it is said that it actually acts as a shackle for opponents who are equal in number or larger.

In particular, if the opponent uses a type of weapon such as a long sword, rapier, or arming sword, he will become even easier prey.

‘But you have variables.’

‘Variable?’

‘It is your strength.’

The power of anise is strong. Since he is exceptionally strong from a very young age, if he does not control his strength, even adults, let alone children of his age, will be reluctant to play. If not controlled delicately, it can become a big problem.

‘Your strength is such that even if you swing that big sword at random, you can at least make the movement of a long sword.’

When she swings the Zweihender with all her might, her weight allows her to move the large sword quickly.

After hearing Tiaran’s words, Anis was doubtful whether she could really swing a sword with all her might against a person, but Benia was clearly a stronger person than her.

‘You can’t do it in moderation!’

Therefore, she was currently wielding the power she had controlled so far against Benia with all her might.

“… It’s changed.”

Perhaps because of this, Benia was also moving defensively, avoiding Anis’ sword and tapping the tip of the Zweihender with her rapier as if to gauge her strength.

‘Okay, now is your chance.’

When Lucia confirmed that they were focused on each other, she glanced at Krusha who was next to her, and she nodded and took a seat next to her.

‘You can’t win in a head-to-head match.’

Originally, she had no intention of doing so as the opponent was her opponent, but when Tiaran acknowledged it, Lucia became more confident.

‘When Anis is holding up from the front, do your best with my marker…!’

Although Anise seems to be pushing forward now, Benia’s face shows clear composure.

“What are you thinking?”

“What?!”

Hiss! For a moment, Lucia was startled by the peaceful voice in her ear, and when she turned around, she saw a rapier coming towards her.

-Chaeng!

“Wow! That was close!”

The moment her sword almost touches her, Crusha’s mace steps in and blocks her rapier.

‘Good job! Crusha!’

Lucia, while praising her inwardly, created lightning with her fingertips and swung it.

“[Laudo Tellum]!”

The lightning shot from her fingertips was aimed straight at her opponent, but it soon cut through the air and disappeared, making Lucia belatedly realize that her attack had missed.

“The kid was a guard.”

“Ugh!?”

“Krusha!?”

Surprised by Crusha’s scream coming from behind her, she turned around and saw her flying away, as if she had been kicked in the stomach, and Benia with her foot outstretched. The one who attacked Lucia was Benia, who just moments ago thought she was fighting Anise.

“Master!”

Suwoong! Anis, who had been defeated by her, immediately followed her and aimed at her Benia.

“I was too hasty.”

“Kaheuk?!”

“Anise!”

Venia dived into her arms swinging her sword and punched Anise in the abdomen with her fist while simultaneously kicking her right shin with her leg, knocking her off balance.

“[Raudo…] Kahak!?”

“No.”

Lucia took advantage of the opportunity and tried to use her marker, but this time Benia hit her neck and chest with her palm! She struck out, breaking the spell and knocking her down.

“Wow, this is merciless.”

In the end, Benia made a pouting expression when Tiaran spoke with admiration while watching the Anises who fainted and were completely destroyed in an instant.

“… It’s because of Garion.”

“You were the one who used marker, so why did you draw on me?”

Yes, because he was watching their sparring from beginning to end, he knew right away that Benia used her own Maka to escape Anis. Then she puffed out her cheeks as if she was upset.

‘I guess it doesn’t matter who the priest is.’

Now that I see it, even the pouty expression looks exactly like Anise’s.

“It’s the same with Anis, and that’s what Tiaran taught those kids.”

“I recognize you well.”

Since Tiarán had also used the holy sword, it was inevitable that Anis would be seen as someone who had taught him.

“Of course. Anise’s swordsmanship. It’s definitely the swordsmanship Garion used.”

The swordsmanship he taught Anise was the result of Tiaran’s consideration and research on how to use that large sword as efficiently as possible.

Since Benia worked with Tiaran, it would have been even easier to recognize her.

“So what is your evaluation?”

“Excellent. It would have been difficult if I hadn’t used the marker.”

If she were to make this assessment, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Anises’ union was more than that of a decent group of knights or mercenaries.

“It’s growing fast.”

It’s hard to realize it, but their growth rate was quite extraordinary.

“That’s right. Now, if you leave it alone, it will grow on its own.”

“Have you not given up yet?”

When Benia immediately saw through her reason for saying such a thing and spoke to her, she hesitated and avoided her gaze, then glanced at him.

“Are you really not planning on becoming a hero again?”

“I said I had no thoughts.”

“… I see.”

It took a moment for her to think she was convinced.

-Whoosh!

If only Benia hadn’t pointed the tip of her sword at herself.

“Then I will take you by force…!”

“Hai go.”

I thought about her even when she was a party member, but she was a truly troublesome woman.