Chapter 217 The Retribution Visit
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Although his swordplay was unrefined due to using only one hand, Arman’s fierce assault was like the crumbling of a mountainside.
Every slash he unleashed carried the weight of a giant boulder.
If this place were not covered by an Isolation Barrier¹, this roar—too intense to be called mere swordplay—would have surely reached the main street.
However, even though impacts that shook the earth echoed out, there was no sign of anyone rushing over.
Had the girl not come, I would have certainly ended up as a corpse without even being able to wound him.
The girl was slowly closing the distance while blocking that storm of striking slashes with arms clad in mist.
”Why?! Why can you block them all?! Why can you keep such a calm face?!” Arman shouted.
”I wonder. Did you think I would go out of my way to reveal my secrets?” the girl replied.
Initially, Arman had been unleashing a variety of attacks, including thrusts and horizontal sweeps.
However, those were all evaded with body movements that seemed to wrap him in smoke.
Now, only his downward swings were managing to keep the girl at bay with slight forward progress.
The girl likely evaded the other attacks because the mist could not offset the force required to blow them back.
Even so, she should have been able to avoid the downward swings just as easily, yet she dared to continue taking the attacks-challenging him to a contest of endurance that stifled her own best qualities.
It seemed Arman himself sensed that this was due to some aim of the girl’s.
Suspicious of the girl who stubbornly invited the downward swings, he mixed in other attacks several times, knowing they would be evaded.
However, each time he did, he was slashed by a Short Blade² drawing a black trajectory, and he was forced to limit his attacks to the counterless downward swings.
”You-! Against me! Do you intend to challenge me, of all people, to a contest of pure strength?!” Arman bellowed.
”Indeed. If you wish for the rest of your limbs to be taken soon, then at least show some spirit,” the girl said.
Even though he was caught off guard, Arman’s dominant arm was already unable to rise.
(If a body strengthened by Rigid Body³ was cut so easily, she could sever my tendons just as easily depending on her mood…)
Therefore, even if he had to taste the humiliation of being challenged on a battlefield where the opponent excelled, following the opponent’s lead was the best means to reduce his injuries.
Even if the thought of defeat-and having his pride crushed by that choice-flickered in his mind, the opponent was honestly taking his hits.
He had to strike her as much as possible here to accumulate fatigue.
”Grrr… Ohhhhh! No matter how much you act composed, the ground is shattering! Even if that suspicious mist doesn’t let the blade through, the impact will surely drain your physical strength! If I keep repeating this, eventually you won’t be able to make those cheeky movements anymore!” Arman screamed.
As if shaking off the anxiety attacking him, Arman shouted his path to victory loudly, regardless of running out of breath.
’But because he could not rest his hands for even a moment, he failed to notice it.’
Whether the means of defense was a skill or a divine protection, would there really be anyone in the Royal Capital who could continue to take the slashes of this disgraced knight to this extent?
At first, I thought this black girl was a hidden gem of some noble house.
However, she found and entered the Isolation Barrier, which had a tremendous output, and just when it seemed she was toying with Arman using unknown skills and techniques, she was also winning in a contest of strength-likely not even her area of expertise.
If such a talented person existed, they should have at least been able to prevent more of the Marquis’s secret maneuvers.
In short, this girl must not be someone sent by anyone in the Princess’s Faction.
Since such a person came specifically to help a Baroness who would have been disposed of in secret, I couldn’t help but hold onto a wishful hope, even without certainty.
However, optimism is a vice that can lead to ruin on the battlefield.
While tightening my cheeks to keep my expression firm, I watched the pursuit-which was like a tortoise’s crawl-with bated breath.
”What is the matter? You seem to be running out of breath sooner than I am. I observe that your sword strokes are becoming duller,” the girl said.
”Damn it… Damn it all!!” Arman roared.
Then, as he continued to retreat bit by bit, Arman’s sword finally made contact with the boundary separating them from the outside.
There sat an invisible wall.
The mass of iron swung up with great force was easily repelled, and at that moment, the fierce assault of downward swings finally came to a halt.
”Kh…!” Arman gasped.
For a moment, Arman’s expression was painted with fear.
Simultaneously, the black girl, who had been entirely on the defensive, finally held up her Short Blade and shifted into an attacking stance.
(Since I played along with your specialty, it is your fault for not being able to crush me by then.)
That was the sentiment I felt from her as she prepared to pounce.
As a final struggle, Arman swung down a blow with all his might.
The girl had already released her defensive stance.
Even so, she showed no sign of using her specialized evasion, as if to say that even her previous defense was a farce.
As if to demonstrate this, she let the black mist, which she had only wrapped around her arms, smolder from her black hair, covering her head like a makeshift helmet.
Did Arman, who saw this, raise the corners of his mouth slightly because he thought he had a chance to win?
It had been confirmed that even if the blade was blocked, the impact could not be negated.
Therefore, if he could swing directly down onto her skull, he could aim for a concussion.
Since all the skills the girl used were things she switched on and off at will, as long as he could make her faint, it would be easy to finish her off regardless of how strong her divine protection was.
Would the girl’s confidence lead to conceit?
Amidst a fleeting sense of unease, the greatsword finally made contact with the black mist.
”Ah… What?!” Arman cried out.
The first thing that paralyzed him with fear was that it did not look like the mist blocked the slash at all.
(Could she have been cut in two? No, let it be an afterimage or something!)
The moment that thought occurred, the greatsword reached the ground.
’A terrifying roar echoed in the surroundings, and “it” came flying vigorously toward me. While instinctively twisting my body to parry it with my sword, I frowned at my numbing hand. A close look at the object that slammed into the gatepost revealed that the tip of the blade was as smooth as if it had been hollowed out.’
”What… Gwaaaah!!” Arman screamed.
Arman, too, must not have understood what on earth had happened.
However, his stunned shout was replaced by a scream in the next moment.
When I looked back, the girl had jumped back just as Arman’s massive body was about to collapse like a doll with its strings cut.
”That is… That is impossible! Princess Marina’s—!” Arman choked out.
By what method, exactly, did the black girl cut through the Rigid Body?
The answer was hidden in the remains of the sword that fell from Arman’s hand.
That greatsword, which would likely never be gripped by its master again, had lost half its blade.
The remaining part, even when adding the tip that had flown over, clearly did not reach its original length.
’Arman, who must have seen the moment of the severance up close, seemed more stunned by the impossible singularity of the black girl than by the fact that he could no longer fight.’
”The match is over. Now, let us have you surrender quietly,” the girl said.
”Wa-Wait! It’s not just from the blade?! You can do it freely from anywhere on your body?! Who the hell are you working for?!” Arman demanded.
While my eyes were turned away, it seemed all the tendons in Arman’s limbs had been severed.
No matter how muscular he was, or how blessed he was with skills and divine protection, he was no longer a threat if his limbs themselves could not be moved.
Despite that, as if he still took pride in being a formidable enemy, he tried to analyze the ace in the hole the girl had kept hidden until the end.
In contrast, the girl used the ability that presumably created the daggers to change the mist into restraints like belts and bracelets, silently fitting them onto the immobile Arman.
”Answer me! Don’t be silent! Look at me!!” Arman yelled.
The girl no longer even met Arman’s eyes; she only directed her gaze at her work.
Against the girl who remained determined to ignore him, Arman also seemed to finally realize that he was no longer even an entity to be paid attention to.
Faced with his own powerlessness—where he could only be processed indifferently no matter what he shouted—he was forced to stare directly at the dark future that awaited him.
(The only reason he was able to cross such dangerous bridges until now was because of his rare military might.)
When his crimes are questioned, will he be able to repel them as he has done before?
Will the people in power continue to protect him, now that he has been defeated?
Or, will he even be allowed to receive treatment for his mangled limbs?
Facing the bleakness of those prospects, the expression on Arman—who had been acting so tough—gradually twisted in terror.
But I had no words to offer such a former friend.
The man who had once been a youth so overflowing with vitality and confidence had drowned in his own power.
Now, with even that strength crushed, he had fallen into a state where he had no choice but to leave his fate in the hands of others.
The words I had repeated to him countless times leading up to this went unheeded.
If I were to open my mouth now, what would likely emerge are only words of longing for the dazzling friend he used to be.
(To speak would be to confess that I can no longer look at the current him directly…)
No matter what, I cannot weave words that sympathize with this man’s heart.
”Uwa, aah… Aaaaaahhhhh!!” Arman screamed.
He stared at me as if clinging to a lifeline, but I could do nothing and turned my gaze away.
Arman squeezed a scream of despair from the depths of his throat.
He was a hateful enemy, a fool who misjudged his own worth.
Yet, when I look back at the younger days that shaped who I am now, this man was undoubtedly one of the foundations of that time.
For the sake of bringing closure to my memories, I could not plug my ears to this pitiful wailing.
”Ugh… cough… choked gagging!” Arman groaned.
”-! P-Poison! He took poison!” I cried out.
As I hung my head, trying to settle my emotions even slightly, Arman began to let out a pained, vomiting groan.
Noticing this, I looked at his massive frame rolled on the ground.
His mouth was stained red, and greasy sweat stood out against his pale face.
-Watching this, a part of me felt a sense of relief.
Even if he were to live longer, this man’s honor would never be recovered.
If that is the case, perhaps it would be a mercy for him to find peace here.
Furthermore, it was slightly surprising that this man-arrogant enough to believe his victory was unshakable-had hidden suicide poison on his person.
It made me feel as if I had glimpsed a final fragment of the high-mindedness that had struck my heart when we were young.
”-, My apologies, Roeni-dono,” the black-clad girl said.
”No. Just for saving my life- wait, what?” I replied.
As I stared down at Arman, whose reactions were fading while I maintained a solemn expression, the girl bowed her head apologetically.
At first, I thought she was apologizing for failing to capture him alive as promised.
However, when the girl held out her hand, color returned to Arman’s face.
Just as I thought he had spat out an especially large clot of blood, his breathing suddenly stabilized.
”Actually, I also possess the (Antidote¹) skill…” the girl explained.
”Ugu, I see, so that’s what ‘I’m sorry’ meant. It’s fine. I’m the one who misunderstood and created that atmosphere on my own,” I said.
Most likely, this girl had fully anticipated the possibility that the opponent she defeated would resort to poison.
The reason she refrained from using (Antidote) immediately was likely to let him exhaust his remaining physical strength.
By doing so, she ensured he couldn’t attempt further self-harm once the poison was removed.
(Because I mistook that observation period for a final farewell, I’ve embarrassed myself…)
Despite being the one she saved, I felt a slight urge to be defiant.
”…He’s a former friend, but thank you for saving him. Still… with power like yours, couldn’t you have neutralized him more easily without going through such tedious trouble?” I asked.
”Ha. Tormenting others is not normally my hobby, but this gentleman subjected someone I respect to a similar ordeal,” the girl replied.
Once she said that, my suspicion turned into near-certainty.
The girl’s mist has at least two distinct effects.
Both are of a rarity I’ve never seen, capable of versatile transformation or instantaneous erasure of an opponent.
Furthermore, she has at least two more skills: the one used to detect the Isolation Barrier² and (Antidote).
She also possesses a Divine Protection⁴ strong enough to overpower Arman’s physical strength, even when reinforced by (Physical Enhancement³).
If that is the case, there is no way such a person would be unknown in the Royal Capital.
In all likelihood, this black-clad girl is one of those who secretly conquered the Labyrinth.
When I pointed out her restraint, the girl seemed to grasp my intent accurately.
(I can only think of one person recently who was toyed with by Arman, using his sturdiness and sword skill as a shield…)
(If it is who I think it is, then her intervention as a connection to the person who accompanied them makes sense.)
While it’s unlikely anyone is eavesdropping via magic now, I must keep our exchange regarding her identity to a minimum.
I cannot openly leak information related to the Labyrinth Master.
”So. Retribution, then. In that case, would you mind helping me transport Arman to the manor? Afterward, I must send word to Count Alegria and discuss how to corner the Marquis before the Prince’s Faction moves. Unfortunately, my house lacks sufficient military strength, so I would be grateful if you could assist until I hand this man over to the Count,” I requested.
”Understood. My master has already ordered me to cooperate with Roeni-dono from the start. We can discuss the details then,” the girl answered.
When I expressed the heartache of a minor noble caught in a whirlpool of conspiracy, the girl readily agreed.
After she finished binding Arman, she tossed his massive body into a crate created from that mist.
Once he was moved to the wall, I finally felt like I could breathe.
”I apologize, but please wait a moment. I have a way to break the Isolation Barrier, but there were individuals outside monitoring the raid’s progress. If I move before the Isolation Barrier is lifted, I can ensure none of them escape. I will go out first to make sure they don’t cause an uproar,” the girl stated.
”I’ll leave it to you… Just make sure you don’t tip off the Marquis,” I said.
The core mission of Confianza is to defeat monsters and better the lives of the people.
Because of that, I hesitate to harm others, but I am no longer in a position to spout such ideals.
Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to say it directly, so I ended up cautioning her by emphasizing our goal.
The black-clad girl didn’t seem to mind; she gave a brief acknowledgment and vanished beyond the invisible wall.
—
Summary:
Arman unleashes a desperate assault on the mysterious black girl within an Isolation Barrier. The girl systematically dismantles his defense while exposing his lack of stamina. The combat ends abruptly as Arman’s weapon is severed by an unknown manifestation of the girl’s mist, leading to his complete immobilization and capture.
Roeni confronts her defeated former friend Arman as he attempts suicide by poison. The mysterious black-clad girl intervenes with a healing skill, revealing she allowed him to suffer momentarily as retribution. The pair now prepares to transport the prisoner while navigating the political fallout involving the Marquis and the Prince’s Faction
—
Trivia:
- The sword shard that flies toward the Baroness is described with a ‘hollowed out’ smooth cross-section
- The girl uses her mist to create physical restraints after the fight
- Roeni’s hesitation to harm others stems from the core mission of Confianza
- The term ‘thank-you visit’ (oreimairi) is used ironically to mean reveng
—
Character Insight:
Arman shifts from arrogant superiority to paralyzed terror as he realizes his physical might is no longer a currency for his protection.
Roeni experiences a shift from pity for her friend to a cold relief at his potential death, indicating her deepening exhaustion with the political conspiracy.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Arman – Towering, scar‑scarred knight in polished steel armor and a dented helm, cloaked in tattered fabric, wields a greatsword. Once Marina’s loyal escort and the narrator’s closest friend, he was cast out three months ago and now serves Marquis Kimble as an assassin. Missing one hand, he uses Rigid Body to fortify his muscular frame, fighting a losing duel with a mysterious scout while seeking quiet redemption.
• Marina – First Princess of Restea—needs labyrinth escort.
• Roeni – Baroness of the Confianza house, wife of Silcro Confianza, and former adventurer-guild receptionist, she narrates her life as a weak noble caught in a whirlpool of conspiracy, yet wields unwavering duty to defeat monsters and uplift the people. Once a mentor to Yuuri and seasoned labyrinth-exploiter, she runs the family’s firm with military precision, her neat brown hair and no-nonsense demeanor echoing Lisa’s iconic look. Haunted by her past with Arman, she now stands as a protected target of the Princess’s Faction, her Concentration ability freezing time mid-battle as she faces an assassin—calm, sharp-eyed, and resolute, her strength forged not in nobility’s privilege, but in relentless resolve.
• Count Alegria – Count Alegria, a high‑ranking noble of the Princess’s faction, depends on Roeni for security and political leverage. He presents a strict, aristocratic exterior—short silver hair, immaculate dark three‑piece suits reminiscent of Vayne Solidor—yet harbors a kind heart and unwavering loyalty to his only daughter, Ashley.
• Alegria – Count Alegria, a high‑ranking noble of the Princess’s faction, leans on Roeni for security and political leverage. He sports short silver hair and immaculate dark three‑piece suits echoing Vayne Solidor, yet his kind heart shines through his unwavering loyalty to his only daughter Ashley. Devoted to both the King and the Princess’s faction, his house is a key ally Roeni seeks to corner the Marquis.
• Confianza – Baroness Elara, silver‑haired and cloaked in embroidered sable, entered the Princess’s court as a political novice. Once a daring adventurer, she now serves as the vital link between the Guild and the Castle, navigating high‑level councils while battling mental fatigue from relentless intrigue.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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