The Priest of Complete Dispel ~ Every Time I Save a Cursed Beautiful Girl with My Status Abnormal Cure Skill, For Some Reason Her Dependence on Me Maxes Out ~ - Chapter 28.2: VS Glen (2)

Chapter 28.2: VS Glen (2)

When I praised her honestly, Medina gave a childlike smile.

But that skill was no joke—it was valuable. Just having it made her special.

Medina lowered her gaze slightly, then looked up at me with a serious expression.

“Shu-sama… I don’t have parents. I have no family… So, I want to repay you, even a little, with this power. …I’m sure I can be useful!”

Her voice carried resolve.

Fourteen years old—three years younger than me. Still a young girl.

Yet, her will shone through, stronger than any weakness or fear.

“Please…! Shu-sama…!”

She had no intention of backing down.

I glanced at Iris and Glen again, then turned back to Medina.

“—Medina. I might not be able to protect you.”

“That’s fine.”

“There might be more harsh things waiting.”

“That’s fine.”

Her unwavering gaze pierced me, leaving me at a loss for words.

Then, I nodded slowly.

“…Alright. If you’re that determined, I won’t say no. —Medina, welcome aboard.”

“Yes!!”

Medina’s face lit up like a blooming flower, and she leapt into my arms.

As I patted her small head, she somehow felt like a little sister.

“Medina, take this.”

Glen tossed something to her.

“I took it from some bandits on the way here. It’s short, but you can handle it, right?”

“Yes…! Thank you!”

In Medina’s hands was a small knife with a leather sheath.

It looked as if holding it was her true self, fitting her perfectly.

Thus, with Medina as our new companion, our group became seven.

Amid the villagers’ cheers, we bid farewell to Poan and set off in our carriages toward the adventure city of Hares.

◇◇◇

On the road to Hares.

About three hours into our journey, during a break, it happened.

“Hey, Shu. How about a duel with me?”

Out of nowhere, Glen made the suggestion.

His gaze was utterly serious, carrying a pressure that made refusing seem rude.

“Ugh… here we go again.”

“Glen gets fired up when he sees a strong opponent. It’s a bad habit.”

“How many times has this happened?”

Risia shrugged with an exasperated look, Garo laughed heartily, and Erina smiled.

It seemed this was a familiar scene for the three of them.

With no monster attacks, my body was itching for action.

Having been trained by that old man every morning, I actually welcomed the chance to move.

“…Fine. But I only have a real sword, you know?”

“No problem. Let’s agree not to aim for the head or heart. With three healers here, minor injuries shouldn’t be an issue.”

Glen’s fierce grin made my lips curl upward naturally.

And so, we drew our swords.

At that moment, my eyes were drawn to the sword in Glen’s hand.

“…That sword, it’s not ordinary.”

“It’s a treasure sword passed down in my family. It doesn’t have special powers like a magic sword, but its sharpness is unmatched.”

“A treasure sword, huh…”

If a treasure sword was a family heirloom, a magic sword must have skills or magic imbued in it. New knowledge stirred my excitement.

Something piqued my interest, but now was time for the duel.

I readied my longsword, keeping my distance to gauge the range.

“…Not coming?”

Glen closed the distance steadily, his movements light as a beast, the air seeming to ripple with his breathing.

“—<Kagerou>”

“What—!?”

Glen’s outline shimmered like a heat haze and vanished from sight.

The next moment, a slashing flash came from the left.

“Kh!”

I reflexively met it with my sword, sparks flying.

“…Impressive. Hardly anyone blocks Glen’s <Kagerou> on their first encounter.”

“Glen-sama’s technique… what is it?”

“It’s a magic technique that converts magical power into physical or sword skills. Disappearing like an illusion with just footwork—that’s <Kagerou>.”

“I see… But Shu-sama still has plenty of strength left.”

“Yes, the real fight starts now.”

Risia and Iris’s commentary reached my ears.

But Glen and I were already searching for the next move.

From our locked blades, I poured strength and swung my sword upward.

Glen’s body was sent flying backward.

“…As expected. Even in a brief exchange, your strength comes through. And—your sword is heavy…”

Sweating and smiling, Glen said nothing more.

—That old man didn’t teach me anything again.

I didn’t even know about magic techniques. Could he have used them?

“Now, it’s my turn.”

“Bring it on.”

I activated <Air Boost>, cloaking myself in wind and accelerating instantly.

I closed the distance in a flash—but Glen was gone.

“Again…!”

<Kagerou>. His deceptive footwork made my slash cut through empty air.

As expected, a B-rank adventurer wasn’t just for show.

But—

“<Air Slash>!”

I slammed a blade of wind into the ground, kicking up sand.

The particles didn’t settle in one spot. That’s where Glen was.

“Hah!”

I slashed upward without hesitation, and Glen’s sword barely blocked it.

But in a contest of strength, I had the upper hand. My blade inched closer to his torso.

“Surrender?”

“If I backed down now, I’d be a disgrace to B-rank!”

With all his might, Glen pushed back, knocking my sword away.

For a moment, I was defenseless, and the tip of his treasure sword pointed at my throat—

“…It’s over.”

Glen grinned triumphantly.

But—

“You sure about that?”

A sharp *clank* rang out.

The next moment, Glen’s treasure sword was knocked from his hand, spinning through the air before stabbing into the ground.

“What…!”

“Who said I only had one weapon?”

From inside my robe, I drew a glowing blue-white sword—the ‘Holy Sword.’

Its blade had knocked Glen’s weapon away.

“Checkmate.”

“…Haha. I surrender.”

With the sword at his throat, Glen raised both hands cleanly.

At that moment, small applause erupted from our companions.

When I released the ‘Holy Sword,’ it returned to its cross-shaped hilt.

“You’re no ordinary guy. And… you weren’t even serious in this fight, were you?”

“Well, yeah. I showed this sword to prove that brute force isn’t the only way to fight.”

Glen’s swordplay was direct and sharp. But because it was so straightforward, it lacked resilience against trickery.

So I revealed my second blade.

—I recalled the old man’s dirty tactics.

Kicking up sand to blind the enemy, spitting during a blade lock. I didn’t want to believe that was the former Sword Saint’s style…

“…I don’t know how it works, but a hilt without a blade becoming a weapon? I never imagined it.”

“Well, this is a special custom-made one for me.”

This sword might be a kind of magic sword.

Glen laughed, then extended his hand with a serious look.

“Thanks, Shu. Will you duel me again?”

“If I feel like it. …And, could you tell me more about magic techniques and magic swords later?”

“Of course!”

His grip was a bit intense, but it made my heart burn with excitement.