〈Excalibur〉
This was the legendary weapon mentioned by the Sylph Lord, Sakuya, back when Rozen first entered ALO, during the era of Old ALO, in his duel against Eugene.
At the time, Eugene's Demon Sword 〈Gram〉 left a tremendous impression on everyone present, prompting Sakuya to say:
"In terms of sword-type weapons, the only one capable of surpassing that Demon Sword is the equally legendary Sacred Sword—〈Excalibur〉."
Sakuya had explained it thus:
"However, up until now, that Sacred Sword has never been found, nor has any quest related to it been triggered. The only clues to its existence are scattered phrases from NPCs, and no one even knows where it's located."
In other words, this legendary weapon was the strongest sword in the ALO of that time and remains so even now.
And now, this sword was in Rozen's possession.
"You actually unsheathed the 〈Excalibur〉?"
"A legendary weapon, huh…"
"Isn't this a bit overkill?"
Lis, Leafa, and Silica couldn't help but comment.
The fact that Rozen possessed the 〈Excalibur〉 was something they already knew.
Not long ago, the sword had been discovered in Alfheim's underworld, known as Jötunheimr, causing a huge stir online.
However, the sword had been embedded within a hyper-difficult dungeon located beneath the roots of the World Tree, making it inaccessible to any player.
Thus, one day, Rozen, along with Asuna, Kirito, Leafa, Liz, Silica, Sachi, Klein, and Agil, ventured into that dungeon. They triggered a large-scale quest, endured numerous twists and turns, and finally claimed the Sacred Sword, bringing it into Rozen's hands.
Normally, Rozen refrains from using this sword, relying instead on his secondary weapon. He only wields the Sacred Sword when battling Floor Bosses.
But now, against a player, Rozen had directly drawn the Sacred Sword, aiming it at Yuuki.
"I see…"
Yuuki stared intently at the solemn Sacred Sword before her. Although her tone remained relaxed, a slight shift had occurred in her expression.
It was common knowledge that legendary weapons typically possess exceptional attributes as well as astonishing magical effects.
For instance, Eugene's Demon Sword 〈Gram〉 had the ability known as Ethereal Shift, which made it impossible to block.
Similarly, Rozen's 〈Excalibur〉 also possessed an ability that demanded utmost caution.
〈Steel-Severing〉.
The Sacred Sword's power allowed it to rapidly drain the durability of an opponent's weapon or item, ultimately destroying it.
When ordinary weapons clashed with the Sacred Sword, even a single touch would render them broken.
Even legendary weapons, if subjected to repeated clashes, would eventually meet the same fate.
The sword Yuuki held was a slender one-handed blade, optimized for agility and dexterity, but it consequently had relatively low durability.
If it clashed with Rozen's Sacred Sword, it would likely break within twenty strikes.
Rozen raised the Sacred Sword, its tip aimed at Yuuki, smiling leisurely.
"You do have backup weapons, don't you?"
It was as though he was asking Yuuki whether her weapon reserves were sufficient.
"Haha…"
Yuuki did not respond verbally, only offering a faint smile, her face full of unwavering resolve.
No—facing both the strongest player and the strongest sword as per rumors, Yuuki's fighting spirit had only been ignited to its fullest.
Yuuki made her decision.
"This time, I'll give it my all."
The implication was clear.
In her previous matches against other players, Yuuki had held back.
For example, during her fight with Leafa, Leafa mentioned that they had been evenly matched when both had 60% of their HP remaining. Only then had Yuuki launched an overwhelming offensive, quickly defeating her.
Even against the player just now—who was only in the top 24 of the tournament—it was unlikely for Yuuki to have truly struggled.
Even when she faced Kirito, Yuuki had refrained from using her eleven-hit Original Sword Skill.
But this time, Yuuki had declared that she would fight with all her strength.
"Hmm."
Rozen responded with nothing more than a faint smile, lowering the Sacred Sword naturally.
Rozen didn't even assume an offensive stance, leaving Yuuki with the distinct impression of being underestimated.
(Just wait and see.)
Yuuki wasn't frustrated. Instead, she made a silent vow in her heart.
The entire arena grew silent as the countdown began between the two.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
"——〈DUEL〉——"
As the duel declaration window appeared between Rozen and Yuuki, the silence was shattered.
"Haahhhhh!"
Yuuki's wings unfurled, and with a powerful beat, she launched herself forward like a violent storm, creating shockwaves as she closed the distance to Rozen.
Her speed was so incredible that she seemed like a blur of shadow.
"——!"
Rozen's eyes narrowed slightly. With a sudden beat of his wings, he retreated in a whirlwind, stirring up clouds of dust.
But Yuuki's forward charge outpaced Rozen's retreat.
In the next moment, the two clashed.
"Swish swish swish swish…!"
In an instant, countless black flashes struck toward Rozen.
These were Yuuki's sword strikes, her blade moving so fast that it left afterimages, launching a storm of thrusts at Rozen.
"So fast…"
Asuna gasped in shock.
As a skilled rapier user, Asuna was known for her incredible speed, her rapier thrusts likened to the flash of a falling star. Even Rozen had marveled at her speed before.
Yet, even Asuna almost failed to follow Yuuki's sword movements.
This was a level of speed that not even Kirito had achieved, leaving Asuna stunned.
The implications were clear.
"She's surpassed me in reflexes."
Kirito's expression turned grim.
Indeed, Yuuki's reflexes exceeded even Kirito's.
Back in SAO, Kirito had been granted the 〈Dual Blades〉 skill due to his exceptional reflexes. Yet now, Yuuki had surpassed him in this regard.
If Yuuki had been a player in SAO, the 〈Dual Blades〉 skill might have been hers instead.
At this moment, Rozen was facing an opponent even more formidable than Kirito.
"Interesting."
Rozen smiled fearlessly, his lips curling upward.
Yuuki's rapid thrusts, however, were perfectly visible to Rozen, thanks to his ability 〈Mind's Eye〉.
Thus…
"Clang clang clang clang…!"
Amidst a rapid series of clashes, the Sacred Sword in Rozen's hand gleamed with golden light, deflecting Yuuki's thrusts in several exchanges.
"..."
Yuuki's expression shifted slightly, but she did not falter. Instead, she closed the distance further, her blade recovering instantly through her extraordinary reflexes, rising high, and slashing toward Rozen's head with tremendous force.
"Clang——!"
A deafening impact echoed, reverberating for a long time.