Various people were surrounding the Sword Saint, who was in the center of the plaza. The number of people would exceed one hundred. Yogiri and others were at the outer-edge part of that crowd.
The surroundings were in a frenzy. But, no one had moved yet.
It seemed that there were both those who were watching the state of affairs, and those who were thinking that the Sword Saint's words would continue.
"Can I ask something? If I kill every one of the guys that are here, shouldn't I automatically become the Sword Saint?" (???)
Inside the atmosphere that was full of tension, a voice with confidence was emitted.
It was the entirely black man who was a little in front of Yogiri and others.
A black shirt, black trousers, and black mantle. A black scabbard was carried on his back, and up to the hilt was black.
"No comment. But, if I went as far as to say it, if we assume this is the kind of interview where you see their personality, you are disqualified." (Old Man->Sword Saint)
"Wha!?" (???->Black Man)
Whether or not his reply was beyond what he expected, the black man hardened.
"Well. Don't ask me anything. Think about it well before asking. There will be a possibility of out by just asking." (Sword Saint)
The Sword Saint appeared to be amazed. And those who heard those words became more and more cautious.
"Umm, is he unexpectedly kind?" (Tomochika)
Tomochika enquired. However, Yogiri didn't think so.
"A kind person wouldn't say things like to kill each other. Can I ask something?" (Yogiri)
Yogiri raised his hand, and called out to the Sword Saint.
The surrounding gazes concentrated on Yogiri all at once.
"What is it. Did you listen to my speech?" (Sword Saint)
It reached the point that the Sword Saint was even more amazed.
"Even if I'm disqualified, it doesn't matter though. We just happened to pass by by chance, but I don't feel like doing things like killing each other, so is it fine to leave?�� (Yogiri)
"Wh-, what!" (Dragon)
The little girl dragon to the side, in front of the Sword Saint, was surprised.
"We've met the Sword Saint with this, right? Please guide us to the exit quickly. So, how about it?" (Yogiri)
Yogiri replied to the little girl, and pressed for a reply from the Sword Saint.
"Hou? It was by chance that you came to such a place? It doesn't seem to be an atmosphere of 'having cold feet', but if I permit that, I think it'll be tiring…..well then, I'll do it like this I guess. If there is someone who escapes from this plaza, all of you guys are disqualified. Let's consider the situation to be based on that." (Sword Saint)
"Hey, it became something troublesome." (Tomochika)
It appeared that Yogiri and others had been included as a part of the trial with the proposal of now.
"Look, hooray hooray. I guess that's how much the things like Sword Saint were severed and spread. Because I don't mean that I want to see you guys doing formal marriage interviews here as well. I'll delimit the time as well? It is 10 minutes from now. If it hasn't become less than half after 10 minutes, everyone is disqualified." (Sword Saint)
Those words became a trigger and stirred the situation.
The entirely black man drew out his sword on his back.
No one was unprepared. It was just that the drawing of sword of the man was splendid. The man who was next to him was sliced diagonally from their shoulder at their wit's end.
The sword that entered in from his left shoulder quickly came out through his right flank. Maybe due to the power of the blow, he divided into two and was blown off flashily.
And, one part of the man fell down near Tomochika.
"Uh oh." (Tomochika)
Tomochika stepped back a step, and avoided the body of the man who fell over.
『You have gotten used to the scene, right?』(Mokomoko)
The spirit Mokomoko said as though she was in admiration.
"I cannot be saying kyaaa kyaaa at this degree after all this time..." (Tomochika)
Angry roars started to reverberate in the surroundings while she was saying such a thing. Everyone started to fight.
"Aah!" (Yogiri)
"What's wrong?" (Tomochika)
When Yogiri raised a voice of surprise, Tomochika asked him.
"No, I was just thinking that the sword of that man is black up to the blade." (Yogiri)
"Ah, it's true, it's black up to there...it's inconsequential!" (Tomochika)
"But, what do we do? Escaping is simple, though." (Yogiri)
In that case, something that would try to obstruct them would appear. As soon as he tried to say so, that instantly became a thing of reality.
Was it thought that they'd run away first, or that they looked easy to deal with? Some people turned their swords towards Yogiri and others.
If that's the case, let's kill.
Almost simultaneously as Yogiri decided so, a swordsman clad in silver armor came out in front of Yogiri and others, as if to protect them.
Though it was full plate armor, there wasn't much of a profound feeling: it was even similar to an ordered suit. Each part seemed to be made quite thin and stylish, and seemed to be one reason that made you think that he wasn't wearing a helmet.
"Please have peace of mind. I will protect you guys!" (Silver Swordsman)
The swordsman turned a refreshing smile towards Yogiri and others, and immediately faced forward.
"You guys are also doing stupid things. Sword Saint-sama's intentions aren't completely understood! There is no way that Sword Saint-sama will pardon things such as just killing a person indiscriminately! Whether or not we can take appropriate actions as the Sword Saint, this is that trial!" (Silver Swordsman)
"Hey, although there are also places where it seems to be versatile, he's a person that seems decent...but, I won't believe it so easily!" (Tomochika)
If she thought about the things so far, whether or not this person was decent was very doubtful. Tomochika thinking so was inevitable.
『It's done easily. Though powerful people in itself are just aiming for the "sword saint" and gathering here, this man is surpassing them by one head.』(Mokomoko)
The swordsman was easily dealing with several people who were coming at him simultaneously by freely using his sword and shield.
The policy in this place seemed to be done poorly, and the swordsmen was showing ability to the degree of succeeding in doing that, even before going easy on them.
However, no matter how strong this man was, it was as a swordsman to the bitter end.
It was impossible to deal with those who aimed at Yogiri and others with projectile weapons and magic from long distances.
The instant Yogiri felt clear killing intent, he invoked his power.
About 10 people collapsed all at once.
"Mu? What on earth is this?" (Silver Swordsman)
Before the strange event, the silver swordsman stopped the direction of battle for a moment.
"That is it, huh, ummmmm" (Tomochika)
"Is that so, the power of Sword Saint-sama! Sword Saint-sama isn't carrying a sword, and it didn't seem like he was moving at all, but it seems that things of this degree are no trouble for Sword Saint-sama! That's the reason the rude bunch was punished!" (Silver Swordsman)
Tomochika tried to deceive him in some way or another, but it appeared that it wasn't necessary.
And, the assailant who was before the mysterious deaths and the swordsman's ability changed that force of argument quickly.
"Hmm. I think it's alright for now. That you passed by by chance, I think it is misfortunate, but Sword Saint-sama's trial is also seriously important. Could I request you to accompany me for a little while more?" (Silver Swordsman)
If somebody escaped, even one person, everyone would be disqualified, so he reminded them. It was Yogiri that didn't understand such things of the Sword Saint, but he was also hesitant to dare to wreck it.
"I understand. I'll watch the situation for a little while." (Yogiri)
"I'm saved that you understand. What, be relieved on that part as I'll do my very best for you to not befall harm." (Silver Swordsman)
For the time being they agreed to continue watching and waiting.
At present, there wasn't anything aiming at Yogiri and others, and the surroundings seemed to be calm, but a frail voice was heard there.
"...uuu...help..." (???)
Yogiri and others turned their eyes towards the source of the voice.
It was the man who had been cut in the beginning.
As he was cut apart diagonally, he was lying down on the ground with nothing but his right hand and head. That he was living was a mysterious situation.
"This is...regrettable." (Silver Swordsman)
The silver swordsman shook his head. It seemed that he concluded that he was beyond help. Yogiri was of the same opinion as well.
"No, um, don't give up easily...err, the girl there. Come this way, help!" (???)
Whether or not he mustered the last of his strength, the man was shouting desperately.
『Hmm. He can talk well in the state where his lungs aren't working well.』(Mokomoko)
"Umm. What do you think I should do?" (Tomochika)
"There's no killing intent, so I don't think he is planning something." (Yogiri)
"Ye-, yeah? Well, if it's to the extent of caring for him..." (Tomochika)
Tomochika approached the collapsed man.
"Um, are you okay?¹ I can do it if it's to the extent of grasping your hand." (Tomochika)
"...Err, they've fallen there, pick up a rainbow-colored stone..." (???)
Rainbow colored, sparkling stones were scattered in the area. They seemed to be the man's possessions, and were thrown out when he was cut.
Tomochika picked up a rainbow-colored stone.
"What is this?" (Tomochika)
"That is...an apology stone..." (???)
"Apology? What will you do with this?" (Tomochika)
"...Please let me hold it in my right hand." (???)
Tomochika did what he said.
Thereupon, the man's right hand immediately started to shine.
And, the man had revived in an instant.
Despite not having even a quarter of his whole body, he was in the state of in perfectly good health.
If you tried to look at his whole body like thus, he was a man with a tall and thin body figure.
"Heh?" (Tomochika)
"Wellll, I was saveddd! I thought that it was no good already!" (???)
The man's body had returned to the state of before it was cut. Even as far as his clothes were completely as before, there was not a single scar.
Yogiri looked around, but the side of his body left over couldn't be found. It seemed that it was also included in how he was originally.
"This is it. It is an item called a 'star crystal', which does an apology. It's a convenient thing which can be used for various things like turning a gacha, or healing large injuries." (???->Stone Man)
"It's a social game!? Who is, what, what do you apologize for!?" (Tomochika)
"Stop!" (Sword Saint)
When Tomochika was confused, the Sword Saint cried out in a thundering voice.
Those who were in the plaza stopped moving all at once.
"It's been reduced by a majority. Then, I'll change the place. Follow me." (Sword Saint)
Saying so, the Sword Saint briskly walked to the outside of the plaza.
In the back, a mountain of tragic corpses were left behind. It was about 30% that survived.
"...he was saying such things as how to act appropriately as the Sword Saint, but it seems that he just wanted to decrease the people as I thought..." (Tomochika)
"No, the reason for this might be the profound thinking of Sword Saint-sama. He may have thoughts that are unfathomable for us ordinary people." (Silver Swordsman)
The silver swordsman didn't shake, even at Tomochika's doubt.
"The first trial? We don't need to follow you because it looks like it has ended? Guide us to the exit." (Yogiri)
"No, um, to return you guys in this situation is a little..." (Dragon)
The little girl dragon's manner of enunciation was bad. It seemed that she judged that it would be a problem to send the candidate back of her own accord.
"I understand. I'll talk to the Sword Saint for the time being, we should leave peacefully, right?" (Yogiri)
It was Yogiri who was becoming a little bothered, but escaping this canyon without her guidance was difficult.
Yogiri accepted his fate that he would go with them until the place they could go with her.