Maruyama Kugane - The Invaders of the Large Tomb

"Hya hya hya. Looks like you are done with the questions. In that case, could this old man also ask something?"

"Please go ahead, senior."

"I’ve heard many rumors about you. Whether they’re true or not, this old man wishes to find out for himself."

"I see. Seeing something in person beats hearing a hundred tales huh? Alright. I’m fine with it. Then allow me to, no, allow us as the security guards to demonstrate our worth. In what manner would you wish to do this?"

"About that, obviously it’s to have you face off against an opponent right?"

Everyone present suddenly focused their attention towards—

"—Of course, it’ll have to be the one who proposed it. This old man himself."

"What? So senior wishes to choose himself? …I will apologize first then, but I’m not a man who is used to holding back when fighting. Although I may not have the intentions of wanting to cause injuries, I do not have enough confidence that I can control my strength properly—are you still fine with this?"

"Hya hya hya hya! As expected of the adamantite rank! This old man has already decided on taking the risk. I won’t blame you for anything that happens."

A faint laughter could be heard from underneath Momon’s helmet.

"That’s expected, senior. This is the difference in in battle strength—I’m strong. Stronger than everyone present. That’s why I’m adamantite ranked."

Overwhelming conceit, and an attitude as if looking down from above. However, not a single bit of unpleasantness was felt by the workers present. This was obviously due to the impressive pressure emitted from the man called Momon. His words were accompanied by an overwhelming pressure which gave the impression of staring at death itself, thus the words felt as if they contained the power of persuasion.

"…How amazing."

"…Aye, really amazing."

Most of the people in the audience couldn’t help but let out their voice due to the emitted pressure.

There were many women that fall for strong and powerful men. In terms of respect and admiration, many men were also fascinated by the strength of the strong. Like moths attracted to flames, the people living in this world of blood and steel couldn’t help being mesmerised by that irresistible charm, even though they were aware that they would get burned if they got too close.

"Hya hya hya! Looks like there won’t be anyone here objecting to you being adamantite ranked!

Although I’ve said it this way, since it’s a rare opportunity, I will still carry on despite knowing that I will lose. The carriages over here are in the way. Can we use the empty area over there instead, butler?"

Having received the permission from the butler, Parupatra took the lead and went over to the empty courtyard. All of the workers followed. The adventurers and the butler also came.

"Judging from what Elder had said, it seems like we won’t be able to witness much."

"—That man seems really strong."

"Uun, not just strong, more like outrageously strong. It feels as if he’s stronger than any of the other adamantite-ranked adventurer teams in the Empire."

"Seems like it. The only reason the adventurer team ‘Silver Canary’ has the adamantite rank is because all of their members are people with rare professions. Although they possess strange abilities, their actual strength isn’t quite up there yet. 'Eight Ripples' made it to where they are mainly due to relying on their numbers and spectacular teamwork."

'Silver Canary' was a team lead by a Bard who had reached the heroic tier, while its members had many strange professions. 'Eight Ripples' had been founded by nine members, but due to their numbers, they were often regarded as a team whose individual members were not at the adamantite level yet. However, if it was about teamwork, they were known to excel beyond everything other adamantite-ranked teams could achieve.

Nevertheless, all of them were considered as having achieved the impossible feat of ascending into the realm of adamantite-bearers.

Whispers of such discussions could be heard from the team members from behind.

The contents of the discussions wasn’t only limited to the previous remarks. If one listened carefully, many things could be heard. The most discussed topic was how long Parupatra could last, things like that. There wasn’t a single person who believed he could defeat Momon. The primary reason for that was that the man known as Momon had emitted an amount of pressure only those of the adamantite rank would be able to create, even if it had been only for a brief moment.

While Hekkeran was deep in thought, someone walked up to his side. Considering the metallic sounds that were produced, it was obvious who it was.

"What does Greenham think about the upcoming fight between the two?"

"Although I feel bad to say this, but I just can’t see how Elder can win. At this point, what’s left is simply to see to what extend Elder can take it to, that’s all. Does thee plan on going next after Elder?"

"No way, please give me a break. What about you?"

"I will also give up. I’ll be satisfied with just witnessing the strength of a superior warrior. However, I hope to be able to receive some guidance on the sword during this trip."

"I’m also thinking about doing that— Oh!"

Arriving at the courtyard, Momon and Parupatra began to back away from each other as they started readying their stance.

Parupatra’s gaze was definitely not something an ordinary old man would be capable of making, they were definitely the eyes of a warrior who was used to combat.

The atmosphere gradually changed to one filled with killing intent, the peacefulness surrounding the courtyard no longer exists.

As the audience was watching, the tension created a feeling of anxiety and some of them even started to sweat.

"…Oh my, not good. Elder seems to be completely serious."

Greenham, who was standing by Hekkeran’s side, unconsciously exposed his true self.

"Against an opponent of the adamantite rank, it’s understandable for him to go at it as if his life is on the line—"

While replying, Hekkeran shifted his line of sight towards the warrior in black, trying to put himself into the elder’s position, and gasped.

He couldn’t feel a single thing from Momon.

Both of his hands were lowered by his sides without showing any signs of taking any defensive actions, meeting the bloodlust head on as if it was nothing. It was completely as if he was facing against a harmless child holding a sword, that kind of feeling.

"Ahriya! Amazing! Confronted with that kind of killing intent and not showing any signs of reaction. It’s impossible for him to not notice this amount of bloodthirst being emitted, could it be that he’s reached the very peak of the warrior, the ultimate mental state of nothingness!?"

"Swordless Heart? Or has his mental state reached the Realm of Cloud and Water? To be able to stand so fearless like that when there’s that much of a difference between the weapons of the two, he must really be confident of his skills… really, how terrifying. "

The spear in Parupatra’s hands was a magic item made from the tooth of a dragon, whereas the weapon that Momon was holding was a wooden staff borrowed earlier from one of the adventurers.

No matter how you look at it, it was definitely not imbued with any kind of magic. Weapons imbued with magic could increases their sharpness, boost the user’s abilities and provide various additional effects. Looking at nothing but the weapons, Parupatra had an overwhelming advantage.

"No, I don’t think so. Although it’s true that there’s a strong difference in terms of weapons, Momon-sam’s armor should be well above Elder’s in terms of magical properties. Also, the additional magic items equipped should be better as well. The overall difference isn’t that large, but Momon-san should hold the advantage."