Chapter 97

『Darkness』 and 『Shadow』 -- the gazes of Doderel and I, both enveloped in 『Black』, clashed.

"---Let's go, Doderel!"

"Aha, come on... Allen!"

I gripped the pseudo-black sword enveloped in darkness and closed the distance in a single step.

"Eight blades---Yatagarasu!"

Eight precise slashes aimed at vital points.

But,

"Too sweet! Tsubaki style---Kirurain!"

Reacting to my movements, he unleashed a counter-phase slash.

Yatagarasu and Kirurain canceled each other out and vanished.

(What...!? That was a slash enveloped in darkness!?)

Strength, sword speed, reaction time---all were far superior.

"Hey, hey... What are you surprised about!?"

Doderel, seeing my confusion, delivered a powerful side kick with efficient movements.

I instinctively held my sword vertically and firmly blocked the blow.

However,

"---"

Despite the perfect defense, a shock like being hit by a blunt object ran through my palms.

(This guy... In terms of sheer strength, he's even stronger than Shido...)

I was kicked back but kept my face up, keeping Doderel in my sight.

"Here, it's not over yet...!"

"Damn, come on...!"

After that, Doderel attacked and I defended, leading to a difficult situation.

"---Here, here, hereeeeee!"

Storm-like slashes were unleashed one after another.

"..."

I opened my eyes wide and concentrated all my nerves to parry them.

(Damn... I've managed to avoid fatal wounds, but this is a losing battle...)

With each exchange of sword strikes, more wounds appeared on my body.

(Damn...)

Just as I gritted my teeth,

"---Gah!"

Doderel suddenly spat blood and jumped back, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"Aha... It seems... I'm reaching my limit..."

His muscles were torn, and dark red blood seeped out.

The 『Shadow』 moved autonomously, trying to stitch the bleeding areas together, but...

It seemed Doderel's body had already exceeded its limits. The rate of his body's collapse was outpacing the recovery.

This technique, which binds the body with shadows to enable superhuman movements, seems to impose a tremendous burden on the body.

(...It's over.)

I still have plenty of 『Darkness』 left. If we continue fighting, Doderel will self-destruct.

(...First, I need to move Rea and Rose to a safe place, then go to the president's aid.)

As I was thinking this,

"---Well, it's a bit regrettable, but let's go for the finale!"

Doderel raised both hands and shouted.

Then, in the next instant, a massive 『Shadow Mass』 floated behind him.

It looked like a black mass of water or a cocoon, with an irregular surface.

(...What is that?)

While maintaining a proper stance, I focused on the suddenly appearing mysterious mass.

"---Aha, don't look away!"

Doderel was right in front of me.

"Damn...!"

Just as I managed to block a powerful strike from above,

"---Dark Shadow!"

A piercing killing intent was released from behind me.

(This is bad...)

I knew without turning around that the 『Shadow Mass』 was right behind me.

"---Ha!"

I instinctively deployed a 『Wall of Darkness』 behind me.

The ten tentacles released from the 『Shadow Mass』 stopped just a few millimeters away. It seemed they didn't have the power to break through this darkness.

(But... it was a close call.)

If my judgment had been a moment slower, I would have been riddled with holes.

I jumped to the side, putting distance between Doderel and the 『Shadow Mass』.

"Aha, aha, aha! To block that, you're truly Allen! Those weak female swordsmen were taken out in an instant...!"

Saying this, Doderel mocked Rea and Rose.

(...I see, they were taken down by this technique.)

Indeed, the ambush just now was a perfect "first-time killer." Even I would have been in danger without this darkness.

(But, it's a troublesome ability...)

It seems this mass---the Dark Shadow---can be launched to another location like a remote slash.

"Aha... Your pale face is so adorable... I want to tear you apart and make you a mess...!"

He shouted incomprehensible nonsense,

"---Come, let's dance... Allen!"

And charged at me.

The subsequent battle forced me into a defensive position.

"---Here, here, hereeeeee! Just running around won't win you this...!"

"Damn..."

Doderel launched close combat attacks while skillfully manipulating ten tentacles, dealing damage with certainty.

(Damn, what a guy...)

For every one of my swords, he wielded the sword in his hand and ten tentacles---eleven blades. Numerically, I was at a huge disadvantage.

(...Should I do it?)

If I envelop myself in all the darkness I have, I can neutralize Doderel's 『Dark Shadow』. Then, the numerical disadvantage would be eliminated, and we could fight on equal terms.

After that, Doderel's body would collapse on its own.

(But, what then...?)

Could I protect Rea and Rose, who had lost consciousness, after consuming a significant amount of spiritual energy? Could I help the president and others who are still fighting on the front lines?

As I was thinking this,

"Hey, Allen... Are you misunderstanding something...?"

"...Misunderstanding?"

"Yeah... A sword duel is a serious matter---you only need to think about stopping the opponent's heart...!"

Saying this, he launched another torrent of attacks.

"Damn..."

One of the tentacles touched my shoulder, and fresh blood flew. At the same time, fresh blood also dripped from Doderel's skin, torn by his own shadow.

"Hey, hey... Focus more on me...!"

He swung his sword repeatedly, with a face that looked like he was about to cry.

(Indeed, I was thinking about the future...)

In the middle of a serious duel with Doderel, I was thinking about what would come next.

That's disrespectful to a swordsman who is facing a serious duel.

(This guy is literally risking his life on this stage...)

If so, I should also, as a swordsman, put everything on the line in this battle.

"Sorry, Doderel. A sword duel is a serious matter---you're right."

I apologized briefly,

"I won't think about anything else. For this moment... I'll give everything...!"

I unleashed all the darkness I had. The darkness dyed the area black, creating a pitch-black stage.

It was deeper and more profound than when I fought Idra, evoking the depths of the abyss.

"Amazing, amazing, Allen... Aha... You always exceed my expectations...! Even back then... I love you so much...!"

He looked ecstatic and shouted in satisfaction.

Then,

"---Haaaaaaa!"

"---Wooooo!"

We both ran at each other as if we had agreed.

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu Secret Technique---Kagami Sakura!"

"Tsubaki style Secret Technique---Kirurain!"

The slashes clashed, sparking and vanishing.

At the same time, we released downward slashes, and the sound of swords colliding echoed.

We glared at each other in a lock.

"Still, you're strong... Doderel...!"

"Of course... A failing swordsman shouldn't get cocky...!"

The lock, using all our weight and strength, ended with

"---Ha!"

"Damn..."

I, enveloped in darkness, overpowered him and blew him back.

Then, I launched a follow-up attack.

"Second blade---Mukazuki!"

"What...!?"

A slash I had set up in the space during the battle deeply cut his thigh.

"Damn..."

I delivered another blow to the crouching Doderel.

"Eight blades---Yatagarasu!"

"Don't underestimate me! ---Dark Shadow!"

A perfectly timed counterattack was launched.

However,

"---Ha!"

I released pitch-black darkness from my entire body, swallowing the Dark Shadow.

"Damn...!?"

Eight slashes rained down on Doderel's body, which showed signs of shock.

"Ugh...!"

Doderel, heavily damaged, jumped back and used shadows to stitch his wounds.

Our fierce battle continued, seemingly forever.

And now,

"Ha, ha... Ha, ha..."

"A, aha, aha... You're still strong... Allen...!"

Our spiritual energy was almost depleted.

(I have the upper hand in direct combat...)

But---he doesn't fall.

No matter how many times I cut him, Doderel never falls.

His spirit must be surpassing his physical limits.

"Ha, ha... Let's end this...!"

"A, ha... It's regrettable, but we have to...!"

The darkness enveloping my body was weakening, and the shadows running through Doderel's body were thinning.

We were both at our limits.

The next strike would likely be the last.

I made up my mind and sheathed my sword.

"---Let's go, Doderel!"

"Aha, come on... Allen!"

After exchanging these brief words, I ran forward without my sword.

(With the current weak darkness, I can't block his Dark Shadow...)

I can't win with numbers.

Then---I'll unleash the fastest and most powerful strike, where numbers don't matter!

"Dieeeeee! Tsubaki style Secret Technique---Kirurain! Dark Shadow!"

A sharp thrust filled with killing intent and twenty tentacles were launched at incredible speed.

I accurately gauged the attack and unleashed the fastest and most powerful strike.

"Seven blades---Shunsen!"

The god-speed iaido strike, faster than sound,

"Kah...!"

Tore through Doderel, along with the Dark Shadow.

Turning back, I saw him slowly collapsing to the ground.

I won this battle.

"Phew... That was close..."

Just as I caught my breath,

"What...!?"

A deafening shattering sound echoed throughout the Thousand Blades Academy.

"What was that sound...!?"

The direction was the schoolyard---where the president and others were fighting.

(I have a bad feeling...)

But first, I need to move Rea and Rose to a safe place.

Having won the fierce battle with Doderel, I carried the unconscious two in my arms and headed to the staff room.