Drifted Into a Reversed World ~ The One Method for Me, a Japanese Guy, to Survive in a World Where Men and Fertility Are Scarce ~ - 12

Chapter 12: The Final Outcome

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“Amazing…”

Sota whispered those words as if in a delirium. What unfolded before his eyes was a scene that truly transcended human intellect. Even if someone had told him he was being shown a high-quality, full-CG video, he would have believed them.

The movements were far too fast for an ordinary person’s eyes to track. As if choreographed, Firis’s sword and Ronia’s axe clashed, were parried, and sent sparks flying. Their movements were so light and erratic that he wondered if they were being suspended by wires from above. Yet, Sota could sense that they weren’t moving aimlessly.

Just as it seemed her head would be lopped off, Firis’s body flipped through the air like a piece of down, kicking away the haft of the axe. Then again, Ronia’s reaction was equally tremendous. Her physical ability went even a step beyond Firis’s. Rotating her small frame like a spinning top, she launched one fierce attack after another without pause. Even when parried or off-balance, an arm would extend from nowhere, attempting to deliver a finishing blow to Firis.

At a glance, it was obvious even to Sota that Ronia had the upper hand. But what of Firis’s composure? What of her conduct as she meticulously countered every move? He couldn’t believe she was losing. Sota continued to pray, gripping the shoulder straps of his rucksack so tightly it hurt.

(Please, let Firis win…)

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(Damn it…! Her movements are different from before…!)

Ronia was beginning to feel frustrated at her inability to land a decisive hit. There was no panic. However, within this clash of steel, a flicker of emotion she had never felt before was stirring inside her. Ronia had never faced an opponent more skilled than Firis. Yet, she didn’t consider Firis a difficult foe. The word “talent” existed for Ronia, and within five years, she would surely have the title of “strongest” all to herself.

Therefore, Ronia did not know what it meant to “struggle.” Born and bred at the very front of the pack even among those categorized as strong warriors, she was usually capable of defeating any enemy soldier within five moves. However, this rematch with Firis had continued past five moves, and past ten. Her chances of winning were high. But more than that, Ronia could not hide her surprise at how Firis was hanging on and fighting so well.

On the other hand, Firis’s heart was as calm as a lakeside without a single ripple. She could clearly see the trajectory of the sliding axe; she could read the intent behind Ronia’s movements and meet them with her peak performance. Her body felt light, and her vision was sharp. She even felt a sense of comfort in the wind of death that brushed past her nostrils.

Even in the midst of this terrifying swordplay, the only thing she could hear was the beat of her own heart. Every single nerve in Firis’s body was heightened to peak clarity. The shell of the warrior she used to be was being shattered at this very moment.

(..I can see it.)

The edge of the axe passed over her right cheek, grazing her slightly and sending a spray of red. But Firis’s deep blue eyes did not close. Even in a battle where death waited at every turn, Firis gallantly maintained her composure. While receiving Sota’s essence and increasing her life force played a part, what elevated her perfection as a warrior so drastically was her resolve as a woman. She had never known how encouraging it was to fight with the man she loved at her back, and she had given up on ever knowing it.

People say those with nothing to lose are strong. But those with someone to protect are equally strong.

“HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

“OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

In terms of pure skill, the crown went to Ronia. However, the match was an even split. Every move shaved away at their spirits, and a level of fatigue beyond imagination continued to assault their bodies. The endless clash between Firis and Ronia had lasted roughly three minutes. The conclusion came in an unexpected form.

“…Gah…!!!”

Firis’s vision flashed white, and in the next instant, her consciousness slipped away. Having been knocked out, Firis was blown away like a fallen leaf caught in a crosswind. Her sword was flung aside, and her unconscious body tumbled across the dirt without even the chance to break her fall.

It was an interference.

“Firis-san!!!”

Just as Sota tried to rush out, his arm was pulled back with great force. With that overwhelming strength, Sota was immediately pulled into a full nelson by an Imperial soldier behind him. It was a crushing power that left him unable to even budge.

“You bastards!!!”

The one who flew into a rage was not Sota. It was Ronia, who had been clashing blades with Firis until a moment ago.

“How dare you use a dirty trick like a surprise interference! There was no way I was going to lose!”

“Our objective is strictly the elimination of the enemy general, Firis. We have no time to indulge your whims.”

“What did you say!?”

“Furthermore, in the unlikely event that you were defeated, we would have not only lost Firis but put our own lives at risk. We have no time to entertain your games like duels.”

“Guh…!!”

However, the woman who appeared to be the leader of the Imperial soldiers surrounding Sota remained completely unmoved. Her attitude was that she had simply done her best as a soldier. Her point was incredibly accurate. In war, taking the head of the enemy general was the top priority, and nothing surpassed that. A duel could only occur when there was a significant surplus of military power. Even though Ronia was a mercenary under the Empress’s favor, if there had been any sign of losing this “man with true black eyes,” the Empress certainly would not have sided with Ronia.

“…L-Let… go…!!!”

Sota, held in a full nelson, struggled desperately even as he felt the sensation of soft, ample breasts against his back. However, the women of this world were exceptionally strong; Sota’s meager struggling didn’t cause them the slightest bit of discomfort.

“…”

The seven women surrounding him directed gazes full of lust and heat toward him. Sota knew those looks belonged to nymphomaniacs targeting his body, but it was all so… surreal. It felt too “good” to be true, making it feel fake. More than anything, Sota was worried sick about Firis. If this was war and they were enemy soldiers, then Firis was…

“Hey, you. Cut her head off.”

As if answering Sota’s concern, the female soldier who seemed to be the leader gave Ronia an order.

“S-Stop it…!!!”

“…You’re noisy. Gag that man.”

“Y-You guys want to have your way with my body, don’t you…!? If you kill Firis-san, I’ll bite my tongue and kill myself!!”

He felt like he was going to die of embarrassment just saying it. In his original world, if he said something like this to a group of women, the best he could expect was a look of “What is wrong with this guy?” before being laughed off. Despite being the one who said it, Sota’s face turned as red as a boiled octopus from the sheer wrongness and absurdity of his own words.

…However, his statement was far too effective on the Imperial soldiers, who were left with a sexual desire so bottled up it was simmering.

“Wh…!?!?”

In fact, if Sota committed suicide here, not only would they lose their plaything, but they would end up losing the very man the Empress had repeatedly proclaimed she wanted with their own hands. To these Imperial soldiers, this was a grave situation. On the other hand, letting Firis live was out of the question.

…After a brief silence, the leader cleared her throat.

“…Fine. For the time being, General Firis will be taken as our prisoner. We won’t kill her. Is that satisfactory?”

She made that proposal, her heart pounding with internal trepidation. Of course, the hidden meaning was that they wouldn’t kill her now, but she would be executed once they returned to Imperial territory…

“…Alright.”

Sota breathed a sigh of relief and accepted the deal. Having poured all his mental resources into preventing Firis from being killed right then and there, he was unable to make a calm judgment. It was only natural, as no one in their right mind would suggest “You can rape me in exchange for her life.”

The leader smirked inwardly, thinking she had won, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Her head was already full of thoughts on how to “eat” this man who was blushing at the thought of them having their way with him. Though in reality, he was blushing for an entirely different reason. 

It seemed to be a feeling shared by all the women around Sota. Their cheeks were already flushed, and they were practically dripping with sweet-smelling female pheromones born from a boiling, sludge-like lust.

Only Ronia, carrying the unconscious Firis, wore a face that looked entirely unsatisfied.

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