My derivative skill——"Impersonation" allowed me to imitate a
skill from the damage I accumulated in the past.
That was why, with the damaged I received in Elma's stead, I was
able to acquire "False Sword Saint".
Then, why did I become able to use spear art?
The answer was simple.
Yes——I imitated Arcadia's skill from the damage she received.
Most likely, the skill had been derived again… no, it probably had
evolved.
It had changed from imitating a skill from the damage accumulated in
the past to imitate a skill from the damage received in the present.
In other words, the more I fight someone, the more damage the
opponent received, the more likely I'd be able to make that person's
talent and skill mine.
And speaking of the current situation——"False God Spear".
Meaning, all of the power that Saintess Arcadia currently possessed
——I had acquired as my own spear art.
Of course, she wasn't wielding the Holy Spear now, so she wasn't at
her full power.
But.
――Clang!
"Kh, why!? Why am I falling behind in spear art!? I'm the saintess of
the "God Spear"!?"
"I know right. It's incomprehensible, isn't it? That said, you get it,
don't you?"
Bam! We repelled each other back, and immediately after, we
clashed again with a spear thrust, collapsing the ground.
Although we were both giving it our all, I was the one who was
pushing her back. "Even if we have the exact same level of skill, I'd
naturally have the upper hand with my better physical abilities and
attribute!"
――Bang!
"Guah!" Arcadia rolled on the ground.
Then, with an utterly astonished expression, she desperately tried to
get up. "This me, is defeated by a man who is not even a saint…!?"
So, I told her. "Sure, I'm not a saint. I'm just an ordinary person who
doesn't have a rare skill like you. But you see, I got this power from
being oppressed by a saint——no, a saintess. Because I kept
holding on, even though I'm just an ordinary person, I'm able to gain
power to surpass even a saintess like you."
"What, are you talking about…!?"
"What I mean to say is, even though you said I was no match for a
saintess such as yourself, ordinary people such as myself may put
up a fight or even defeat you saintesses depending on our
persistence. And I told you, didn't I? I'm a quite persistent guy."
"Kh…" Arcadia stood up, using her spear as a support.
The result of the match was already clear, but her eyes showed that
she hadn't given up yet.
Zan! Stabbing her spear into the ground, Arcadia took a deep breath
and said, "…Very well. I admit it. You're certainly strong. Which is
exactly why, I want to try attacking you with all my strength now."
She then held her hand up to the sky.
A dazzling brilliance began to converge there, before gradually
transforming into something with a long-handle. "From here on, I'm
going to act out of my own discretion. Therefore, I'll give you the
victory. But, I'll not admit defeat as a saintess!"
"That's…" I knew because I had always been with Elma.
That magnificent brilliance was the same as the one given off by the
Holy Sword.
――Holy Spear.
One of the only seven relics left by the ancient sage.
But if she were to use something like that here, the audience behind
me would end up getting caught up.
Even if I took it head-on. "H-hey, stop what you're doing right now!?
Do you want to kill the audience!?"
"Then, you try stopping it! My all-out blow, that is!"
"Kh…" This was why saintesses were…
Clenching my lips, I jumped high in the sky.
At that moment.
"Taste this! The might of the Holy Spear that pierces the stars!!!"
Arcadia——threw the Holy Spear.
――Dobaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!
Along with a tremendous shock wave, a violent flash of light ran
through the eastern sky, taking me with it.
It was so powerful to the point I wondered if it really could crush
stars.
"Gh, gah…!?" Even the regeneration from "Phoenix" skill couldn't
keep up with the damage it was inflicting on me.
But.
――Blaze!
"——!?"
Midway, I transformed into phoenix to break away from the light,
before flying back to the arena and plunging straight to Arcadia, who
was still in a throwing stance.
Then.
"You——stupid sainteeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!!"
――Zubaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!
"Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!?" My flames
burned Arcadia.
◇ ◇
Thus, although there were some accidents, the Martial God Festival
came to an end with the victory of us Rafla weapon shop.
I didn't think what Arcadia did at the end should be pardoned, but it
seemed that the excited audience thought it was a staged
performance for the closing of the festival, so she wasn't charged
with any crime in particular.
Well, the Gunfleet Firm complained about the result, but then the
suspicion that they were the ones who tried to surprise attack us
became public, making them be put under pressure and fell from
grace.
The morning of my departure, I was in the middle of saying goodbye
to Fio-chan and Leia-san in front of the weapon shop.
"Thank you, thank you so much. Fio-chan will never forget this
favor."
"Ahaha, I should be the one thanking Fio-chan. I was able to win
only because Fio-chan kept supporting me."
"N-no, y-you're exaggerating…" Fio-chan's face turned bright red.
Then, I patted her head and gave my thanks to Leia-san as well.
"Leia-san too, thanks for looking after me these past few days. So,
umm, can I really take this?"
At me who said so while looking at the sheathed Hinokaguzuchi on
my waist, Leia-san made a big nod and said, "Of course. You fulfilled
your promise. It's not as a thanks for that, though, I just wanted you
to have it."
"Leia-san… I got it. Then, I will use this Magic Blade-Sword
Hinokaguzuchi with great care."
"Ahh, it'd be great if you do that. After all, it's the masterpiece of
Leia, the wife of Rafla——the best blacksmith in this city." Leia-san
grinned, showing her teeth.
I smiled back at her and nodded. "Yes. Please keep making
weapons to protect everyone as the best blacksmith couple from
here on out."
"Ahh, naturally."
All was good up to that point.
Even the Gunfleet Firm that had been threatening them had been
put in its place, so the two could now have a peace of mind about
their future——a wonderful happy ending.
Or so it was supposed to be, but.
"Err, why are you following me…?"
"Isn't it obvious? To get your offspring."
"…I see. To get my offspring, huh…. Wait, my offspring!?"
For some reason, things were turning in a rather strange direction!?