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Chapter 117: Side Story: The Sharpening of Fangs

"..."

Eris Greyrat was swinging her sword. She stood in a place with no one else around.

She did so single-mindedly, completely single-mindedly.

Practice swings where you had unnecessary thoughts were useless practice swings.

Practice swings where you simply imitated someone else had no meaning at all.

As long as you continued to swing your sword single-mindedly, without a single other thought, with each swing you could sharpen yourself.

The amount you could improve by was a tiny amount, like a tiny layer of skin, completely transparent; even so, you could sharpen yourself.

Though it was just like a tiny leaf of skin; you would strengthen yourself.

But for how long would you have to pile these layers up?

How long would you need to continue this to reach Orsted's level of strength?

Eris didn't know.

No one knew.

―――― It could have been that no matter how many of these layers you piled up, you would still never reach Orsted.

But it was exactly this idea that was an 'unnecessary thought'.

"...Tsk."

Eris clicked her tongue, shook her head, and sat down. Then she began to think.

It was something troublesome. She wanted to defeat Orsted. The more she thought this, the further away Orsted became.

In the past, Eris's Shisho, Ghyslaine, had said this;

[Think]

she had said.

However, Eris was bad at thinking. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't come to an answer after all.

In light of this, her second Shisho, Ruijerd, was a godsend. 『Understand?』 he would ask. Beating Eris down, and then asking only [Understand?]. Until Eris understood, they'd repeat it, and repeat it, again, and again. Even when her head no longer worked, she'd stand up on the spot and repeat it.

Eris respected Ghyslaine. She respected Ruijerd as well. Because the Sword God's lessons were irritating, she came to understand the good parts of the two that she respected.

She continued to swing single-mindedly. She'd swing her sword until she was tired, and then she'd sit down and rest whilst thinking. Then when she was tired of thinking, she'd stand up and continue to swing her sword.

This was what the Sword God had ordered of Eris. Eris swung her sword as she was told. She'd swing, she'd sit, she'd swing, she'd sit. When she grew hungry, she would eat something. She'd then swing again, sit again, and continue to repeat this. At first she did so in the dojo. However, someone or other would always interrupt.

The ones who interrupted were mostly other women in the dojo.

[Hey, you join in on our morning sword rallies as well.] for example.

[Hey, the food is done so come eat.] for example.

[Hey, come practice with me for a little.] for example.

[Hey, you smell so go have a bath.] for example.

Because it got irritating, Eris left the dojo. After leaving the dojo, she walked straight forward. She found a peninsula with no one else around, and there she did her practice swings. For food she would eat what she brought from the dojo's kitchen, or she would kill and eat monsters that attacked her. Because it was winter she brought firewood from the dojo which she'd light with magic. When she became tired she'd return to the dojo and slept as much as she wanted.

Eris had already continued such a lifestyle for half a year.

She'd swing, she'd think, she'd swing, she'd think. There was one thing that Eris had come to realize as well: swinging a sword was difficult.

When she was small she had thought that it was a lot easier than studying, and that she was a lot more suited for it. That thought hadn't changed even now. She was more suited for swinging a sword than studying.

However, at the very least, it wasn't easy. Thinking about it, since it was just learning things that others taught you, studying might be easier.

Just raising her sword, and swinging downwards. Though it was just that much, she couldn't become good at it no matter what. That she should be raising her sword faster. That she should be swinging down faster. Thinking these two thoughts, she'd swing her sword.

She had become a lot faster than she was half a year ago. However, Ghyslaine was even faster. Ruijerd was even faster. The Sword God was even faster. And Orsted was much, much faster.

Eris sat down. She began to think. She began to think about how to swing her sword. She recalled the Sword God, Ruijerd, and Orsted's figures.

How was it that the Sword God moved? How did Ruijerd, and Orsted?

She would try to imitate them, imitate their every cell from their fingertips to their shoulders. Then, whilst aiming for even greater heights, she'd imitate them. She wanted to transcend them.

However, she didn't know how to do so. She didn't know. There was no way she could know. Eris was bad at thinking.

Once she got tired of thinking, she'd stand up and continue swinging her sword. Without thinking a thought, she'd swing her sword.

-Raise it up, swing it down.-

[It has to be faster.]

-Raise it up, swing it down.-

[It has to be faster.]

Tens of times, hundreds of times, thousands of times, she'd repeat this. When she did, worldly thoughts would interrupted her. This happened when she was tired.

"...Tsk."

Clicking her tongue, Eris sat down. Her hand hurt. Her mind wasn't working properly. She produced a cloth from her chest and carelessly wrapped it.

Eris didn't think that this was tough. She would always recall that incident three years ago, at the Lower Mouth of the Red Dragon. When she compared it to that, she felt like she could endure anything else. That's why this wasn't tough. Whether it was the pain, the harshness, or the frustration, it wasn't tough. Even if it was the fact that she was now alone, or that he wasn't by her side, it wasn't tough.

"Rudeus..." she muttered.

However, she didn't think about anything further. Eris was bad at thinking after all. It wasn't as though she was someone who could only think optimistic thoughts; she understood that if she thought about it more deeply, she would break.

"Phew..."

3 years.

Though she thought that she had gotten stronger, there was still a long way to go.

Eris stood up again and started swinging her sword again.

Part 2

Fighting off the urge to sleep, Eris returned to the dojo. When she did, she found an unfamiliar man standing at the entrance of the dojo.

He was an eccentric man. He was wearing a rainbow-coloured coat, shorts that barely reached his knees, and four swords at his hip. He had a peacock tattoo on his cheek and his hair was styled in the shape of a dish antenna.

When he spotted Eris, he lowered his head a little and gave his greetings.

"I am the North-"

"Move it."

Eris spoke only one line to the man who was stopping her from entering the dojo. She didn't have the energy to speak further.

Because of the practice swings, Eris had been sharpened to her limit. The glint in her eyes was like that of a beast. Killing intent welled out from her whole body, like a glow. There stood a wild beast that would allow no one near her.

"...!"

The man immediately drew his sword.

"You're in the way; move it."

Eris spoke as she took a step forward. Eris could recognize the man before her as nothing but a hindrance; a rock that stood in the way of the shortest place to her sleeping place.

"Wh, what's with this woman...?"

At the time, the man hadn't realized that Eris was speaking. A starving beast was before his eyes. While the hungry beast was out searching for prey, he had unfortunately come across it. That was the conclusion he had reached based on his experiences.

He hadn't thought that a beast would speak. However, after a few seconds Eris prepared her sword, and only then did he finally realize her true nature. It seemed that she was human, and a swordswoman.

"I am 『Peacock Sword』 Auber. 'I am here to meet the disciple of the Sword God Style.' Could you please convey this to Sword God-sam..."

"I told you to move."

While irritated, Eris advanced another step. "Move" she said. However, that line didn't reach the man named Auber. All that reached him was her bloodlust.

Speaking to her was useless. This idea floated through this man's mind. It was likely that after her next step, he would be in her range. Realizing this, Auber's right hand grasped his sword tightly, whilst his left hand moved to the shortsword at his waist. However, the swords he held were pointed the wrong way; the side that faced Eris was the back of the blade.

He was now in her range. In that instant, Eris decided to remove the rock in front of her.

"Shh!" [Sfx: He's exhaling through the teeth]

Eris's blade flew. It was the 『Longsword of Light』 that had been sharpened to the limit because of her practice swings. It was a technique that the average person could do nothing against: the Sword God Style's certain kill technique.

"Fhh!"

But that was only for the average person. Auber swung the swords in his hands and parried it. Sensing this, Eris moved for a return swing.

"...!"

Eris's sword was checked by the sword in Auber's left hand. Auber was dual-wielding, whereas Eris was using a two-handed grip. The power of their strikes couldn't be compared. Eris simply swung. However, she was parried. Her sword stopped near the man's dish-antenna hairdo. Eris was parried and because of that she stumbled forward.

In that instant, Auber's right sword moved. It was aimed at Eris's neck and moving at a terrifying speed.

"Tsk!"

Eris let go of her sword and fell to the ground in a squat. Auber's sword cut through the space where Eris' neck had been.

Like a cat, Eris rolled her body. She was aiming for her sword. Auber immediately kicked it away. It was buried in the snow.

It would've been his victory. Normally, that is.

However, Eris didn't stop. Seeing that she couldn't attack with a sword, she leapt at Auber barehanded.

Auber immediately slapped Eris away with the flat of his blade. It was a strong enough impact to break the bones in one's neck.

However.

However, Eris wouldn't stop.

"Gahhhhh!"

Eris swung her fist at the chip of Auber's chin. Still grasping his swords, Auber moved his left arm to stop it.

"Mu!"

Auber's right hand was caught by Eris. Her fingers arrived at the sword's pommel. She was trying to take his sword.

A chill ran down Auber's spine. He realized that this beast couldn't be stopped unless he killed her. He kicked away the woman who was holding him and righted the swords that he had been holding backwards until now.

By luck, Eris had been kicked to where her sword was. Her breathing wild, she picked up her sword. There was no choice but to kill her. The moment Auber readied his sword and seriously meant to kill,

"That's enough."

suddenly, a voice rang out. The bloodlust stilled. Eris as well received that killing intent and stopped her movements.

At some point, the Sword God had been standing at the entrance of the dojo. Auber sheathed his sword, and Eris collapsed onto her back with a flop. Breathing wildly, she looked up at the sky. Her face was warped into an expression of frustration.

Auber placed his right hand to his chest and bowed.

"It has been a while, Sword God-sama."

"You've come, 『North Emperor』."

"I saw your letter and... And then that girl..."

"Yeah, amazin' right?"

"It's my first time meeting such a serious swordsman. She was like a beast... Ahh, is this the Mad Dog that you mentioned?"

Whilst Auber chatted with the Sword God, Eris stood up, swaying like a ghost. Seeing that figure, Auber readied his sword.

"..."

Eris glared at Auber and entered the dojo.

"..."

Without even sparing a backwards glance to the dumbfounded Auber, Eris entered the building. Whilst wiping the gash on her cheek, without even shaking off the snow, she walked down the corridor and entered her room. She then tossed her sword near her pillow and collapsed onto her hard bed. Like that, she slept like a log.

She was bitter about her loss. However, right now that was a trivial matter to Eris.

Part 3

That evening, Ghyslaine arrived at the [Space of the Present] audience room.

There sat the Sword God Gul Farion and a guest, 『North Emperor Auber』.

He had an eccentric hairstyle and odd clothing. Ghyslaine was frowning a little. However, she didn't pay it any heed and rudely entered. She then immediately got to the point.

"Shisho, why aren't you teaching Eris?"

Hearing that, the Sword God gave a short laugh.

"I am teaching her, aren't I?"

"How to do practice swings?"

"No, how to forge herself."

The Sword God answered as if natural. His voice had none of the usual wildness. It was a calm reply. Ghyslaine couldn't stomach such an attitude. That's why she racked her dull mind and chose her words.

"This is something that Shisho always says. [Do everything rationally], you say."

"I did say that."

"Eris spends everyday doing sword swings like an idiot; just what part of that is rational?"

"Hah...?"

The Sword God looked at Ghyslaine like she was a nuisance.

"When did you start to talk about annoying things like this?"

"Before I returned here!"

"...Will you no longer listen to what your Shisho says?"

"However... Uh!"

Before Ghyslaine had noticed, a sword was pointed at her. To an ordinary person it would've looked like the sword had suddenly appeared. Ghyslaine had seen the movement of the sword. However, she hadn't been able to respond. Even if she was a Sword King, in the face of the man who was this generation's fastest, she wasn't skilled enough to react properly.

"Ghyslaine. You know, I kinda regret teaching you a little."

"..."

"That old Ghyslaine who was like a hungry tiger lost her fangs and turned into a little kitten. Even though had you stayed as you were, you'd be a Sword Emperor by now."

Ghyslaine gulped at the Sword God's words. Lately, Ghyslaine herself had sensed that she had become weaker.

However, it wasn't something that she had thought of as a bad thing. Indeed, her growth as a swordsman had stopped. She wouldn't become any stronger than this. However, in exchange she had gained something great: they were wisdom and knowledge. They were things that she would never gain from swordsmanship.

"I won't pull out anymore fangs."

The Sword God was dedicated to the sword. He expected Ghyslaine to understand with just that. However, Ghyslaine irritably asked,

"I don't understand. Why aren't you training her? Isn't Eris pitiful like this?"

The Sword God sighed. He sighed as though Ghyslaine was a child who wouldn't understand unless you spelled it out from A to Z for her.

"Listen up, Ghyslaine. If you just wanted to surpass me, then following rational methods to the end, you could surpass me one day. I myself ended up where I am by following rational methods, after all. Well, of course to become a Sword God you'd need effort and talent as well, but let's leave that aside. What that girl is aiming for is the Dragon God. The Dragon God Orsted. He's 『an existence beyond rationality』. HE's a monster in a completely different league. With only my teachings, you'll never defeat him."

The Sword God narrowed his eyes as if recalling something nostalgic. He himself had actually fought with Orsted once. It was before he had become a Sword God, back when he was still a stubborn Sword Saint. Though it had been a complete loss, for some reason his life wasn't taken; on the contrary, he didn't even know why he was left without even a limb missing. His stubbornness had been completely broken, and after that he continued to train with Orsted as his goal. The result of that was his ascension to Sword God. It was exactly because of this that he didn't feel like being interrupted further on this topic.

"Hey, Ghyslaine. Training isn't the same as practice, yanno? Even more so if you have a goal. There's no point if you just blindly accept what someone else tells you. Right?"

"...Shisho always speaks of difficult things. I don't understand."

"Hah!"

Ghyslaine replied. The Sword God snorted.

That's right. She's an idiot who won't understand even if you carefully spell it out from A to Z.

"Well, the point is that she's not just gonna be taking lessons from me. For that purpose, I've prepared various things. To start with, this guy."

Saying this, the Sword God pointed at Auber. Auber gave a small nod and greeted her.

"I am the North Emperor, Auber Corvette. I'm known as 『Peacock Sword』."

Ghyslaine frowned. It was because an indescribable odor was coming from Auber's body. It was a strong, citrusy smell. It was probably a perfume. To a member of the Beast Race like Ghyslaine, it was an unpleasant smell.

"What business does the North God Style have here?"

"I've been called here by Sword God-sama. He wanted me to train one of his students, he said."

Ghyslaine made an even more doubtful expression. She then questioned the Sword God.

"Why the North God Style? Eris isn't suitable for their kind of makeshift style."

"Because the Dragon God uses it."

The doubt on Ghyslaine's face deepened. She had never heard that the Dragon God used the North God Style. If he were a North God Style, then the Second Place was likely the North God.

"Just what kind of person is the Dragon God?"

"Like I'd know... But that guy, whether it's the Sword God Style, or the North God style, what he uses incorporates all of that. Of course if you can use it, then you can deal with it, and that guy uses it. In that case if we don't learn to use it too, we won't be able to fight evenly against him."

The grimness on Ghyslaine's face disappeared. After all, learning to use the techniques that the enemy used was an extremely rational approach.

"I see, so in the future you'll call for the Water God Style as well?"

"Yeah, I'll send a letter."

"I see."

Ghyslaine's tail started swaying in a good mood. Seeing that, the Sword God chuckled bitterly. As long as it was a reply she could easily understand, she would consent. In this respect, she hadn't changed at all since the past.

"Well then, North Emperor-dono, please stay at your leisure."

Because her doubts had cleared, Ghyslaine had stood up and greeted the North Emperor. She got down on one knee and performed the particular etiquette passed down in the Sword God Style.

"Mmn, Sword King-dono. I'll be in your care."

Auber once again placed a hand to his chest and returned the greeting. And so like that, Eris would begin her training from the beginning again.

——

Eris would eventually become a 『North Saint』 a year from that point.