“Shouldn’t we have everyone fall back? Repeating the same attack won’t reach the Divine Beast.” (Eugene)

I made the suggestion to President Robert.

“That’s true. Our current approach isn’t effective. So, what do you propose next?” (Robert)

“Before answering that, there’s something I need to confirm first.” (Eugene)

The swordsmanship club members continued their assault even as we spoke.

“What is it?” (Robert)

“President Robert, can you fight Kirin alone? Would you be willing to stop the group battle and take it on solo?” (Eugene)

“…What?” (Robert)

President Robert’s expression turned skeptical at my words.

“Eugene-kun, at the Lykeion Magic Academy, the standard exploration guidance for a Trial of the Gods is to take it on as a team. Even in my homeland, the Holy Nation of Caldia, we value working together rather than relying on a single Hero. The teachings of the Destiny Goddess at the Goddess Church are the same. You know this, don’t you?” (Robert)

“Of course, I do. It’s the same in the Empire. However, after speaking with the Dungeon Master of the Zenith Tower recently, I’ve started to wonder about something.” (Eugene)

“Go on.” (Robert)

He seemed interested.

“I suspect that the Last Dungeon’s Trial of the Gods is designed to test the power of an individual.” (Eugene)

“Did the Dungeon Master tell you that?” (Robert)

“Not directly. The Dungeon Master doesn’t give direct hints about how to clear the challenges. However, when she said she had expectations for me, she addressed me as an individual, not as part of a group. Furthermore, she seemed to evaluate my solo battle against the Watchdog of Hades favorably.” (Eugene)

“That’s hardly enough to base a theory on.” (Robert)

Robert’s tone was skeptical.

I continued.

“The top-ranked explorer in the floor records, Cristo, is a solo explorer.” (Eugene)

“That’s well-known…but he’s an exception.” (Robert)

“The tenth-ranked explorer, Media from the animal club, is also solo.” (Eugene)

“She’s the academy’s first-ever dragon tamer. She’s different from an ordinary solo explorer.” (Robert)

A loud thunderclap echoed, followed by a scream.

One of the swordsmanship club members had fallen, and President Ada was retrieving them.

Rebecca-senpai and Sara were using magic to divert Kirin’s attention.

The number of swordsmanship club members was dwindling.

Airi, my childhood friend, who had been positioned in the rear, had now joined in as support.

Sumire was casting fire magic from afar at the airborne Kirin, but she wasn’t landing any hits on the fast-moving Divine Beast.

President Robert watched the situation with a grim expression.

“President Robert, you usually hold back when clearing the Zenith Tower, don’t you?” (Eugene)

I reviewed footage of the swordsmanship club’s exploration using the Satellite System before this challenge.

President Robert’s swordsmanship was clearly less sharp compared to the martial arts tournament at the school festival.

“That’s right. I’m the commander of the unit. I can’t recklessly charge in alone or exhaust myself completely.” (Robert)

“For normal floor clearances, that’s the right call. The academy’s exploration guidance isn’t wrong. However, for the Trial of the Gods, the number of challengers is limited from the start. The opponents are randomly assigned, meaning there’s no way to prepare countermeasures in advance. There’s no accumulated knowledge or strategies. We need to try different approaches.” (Eugene)

I persisted.

President Robert seemed to be considering retreating from this trial, but it was too soon to decide without utilizing their strongest force.

Besides, even if President Robert were to fight, there was no point in having him mix in with the other swordsmanship club members.

Watching from up close, it was clear—President Robert’s swordsmanship was around 5 levels higher compared to the rest of the club.

Most likely…his allies would just get in the way no matter who he fights alongside.

I didn’t say that out loud.

But I was sure he understood.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

It didn’t take him long to decide.

“Everyone, fall back from the Divine Beast! I will take the front!” (Robert)

President Robert’s voice rang out.

The club members hesitated for a moment, but there was no hesitation in their actions.

They quickly moved away from the Divine Beast.

Meanwhile, Rebecca-senpai, Sara, and Airi seemed uncertain about what to do.

In the end, they followed President Robert’s command and distanced themselves from the Divine Beast.

Now, we will see the academy’s strongest swordsman fight seriously.

I also intended to step back to not get in the way.

But…

“Eugene-kun, follow me.” (Robert)

“Huh?” (Eugene)

President Robert was already charging forward by the time he said it.

I hurriedly followed after him.

Wasn’t he supposed to fight alone?

“Eugene-kun, I need you to act as a decoy one more time. I will finish this in a single strike.” (Robert)

His voice was steady, without tension or hesitation.

This was no longer the troubled commander from before.

This was the voice of a swordsman who had made up his mind.

“Understood.” (Eugene)

I gladly accepted the decoy role.

I had the perfect front-row seat to witness the academy’s strongest swordplay.

President Robert slowly took up a stance to draw his sword.

Kirin looked down at him.

It stopped its predictable attacks and was now clearly focused on President Robert.

(Can I really act as a decoy here…?)

I started to feel a little uneasy.

“Robert Crown of the Hokushin Ittoryu, stepping forth.” (Robert)

His introduction sounded just like my father’s. The way swordsmen from the East Continent introduced themselves.

Could he be from the same continent as me?

Let’s ask him later.

“Eugene Santafield of the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style, stepping forth.” (Eugene)

I slashed toward Kirin as I spoke.

■Comments Response:

>Congratulations on your 5th volume! I want to see the character design of Lily-chan!

-Thank you very much. 

I also want to see it soon.

>Kirin is originally a creature that overflows with compassion and doesn’t hurt all living beings though.

-Right…

There’s no depictions on how Kirin-san attacks, so it was troubling.

• ZAP – Chapter 153: Robert Crown

◇Robert Crown’s POV◇

Boom!!

A bolt of lightning scorched the ground.

Eugene-kun easily dodged it.

Just a moment ago, he seemed quite unsteady, but has he already gotten used to it?

His adaptability is terrifying.

“Wind Form: [Swallow in Flight]!” (Eugene)

A flying slash closed in on the Divine Beast, Kirin.

—Kyuoooooooon!!

With a cry, a gust of wind erupted around the Divine Beast, forming a barrier that dissipated the slash.

Eugene-kun moved behind the Divine Beast in that brief moment.

*Tap!* The Divine Beast escaped into the air.

“[Sky Walk]!” (Eugene)

Eugene-kun followed suit, soaring after it.

(Can he really reach a Divine Beast at that height…?) (Robert)

There are members in the swordsmanship club who can use flight magic, but none of them can match Eugene-kun’s speed.

That must be another technique of the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style.

“Whoa!” 

The Divine Beast targeted Eugene-kun with a lightning strike mid-air, but he nimbly evaded it.

I was impressed he could dodge that so skillfully.

Eugene-kun landed smoothly from his aerial maneuver.

The Divine Beast circled around in the air above him.

(Good, its attention is on Eugene-kun…) (Robert)

I took a stance in the Hokushin Ittoryu style.

Hokushin Ittoryu is a traditional swordsmanship style said to have originated from the East Continent.

Long ago, the Holy Union took in refugees fleeing from war, and among them was apparently a descendant of the Sword Saint.

It is a school derived from the many sword styles of the East Continent’s Sword Saint.

Hokushin Ittoryu techniques involve a few feints.

Most strikes are meant to end the fight in a single slash.

This makes it most effective when striking immediately after battle begins.

However, in a Trial of the Gods, where Divine Beasts are summoned at random, one cannot gather information on the opponent beforehand.

Because of this, I have been focusing on commanding from the rear…

(Our members and temporary allies have observed the Divine Beast’s movements in battle. And Eugene-kun has taken on the role of decoy. I cannot afford to miss this strike…) (Robert)

I concentrated my spirit.

All sound faded from my surroundings.

My vision blurred, leaving only the Divine Beast clearly in focus.

It was not paying attention to me.

Waiting for the moment it descended to attack Eugene-kun…

I closed the distance from its blind spot in an instant.

—Secret Technique: [Starflow Sword].

The fastest strike in Hokushin Ittoryu.

A technique that cuts down the enemy with the speed of a falling star.

My blade turned into a flash and sliced through the air.

Kirin’s scales were cut apart by the dazzling slash that resembled a star and…

—Slash!!

A spray of red blood burst forth.

The Divine Beast’s body wavered.

I heard the cheers of my club members.

(Did my sword really reach it…?) (Robert)

I barely had time to feel relief.

*Whoosh!!*

Pillars of fire erupted.

Seven towering flames surrounded the Divine Beast as if protecting it.

*Crackle!* Kirin’s horns crackled with white light.

This was clearly different from before.

(So now it’s getting serious…) (Robert)

“President Robert!” (Eugene)

“Eugene-kun, I’m sorry! I failed to finish it off.” (Robert)

Eugene-kun ran toward me, and I apologized.

I wasted a precious opportunity.

I felt guilty toward him for acting as bait.

That last strike was not enough to be acknowledged by the Divine Beast.

Unfortunately, the Trial of the Gods should end he—

“That sword technique was amazing! I couldn’t see it at all. You should try it on me sometime!” (Eugene)

Eugene-kun’s eyes sparkled.

His usual calm demeanor was gone.

“It’s not meant to be used on people…” (Robert)

I was taught that the Sword Saint developed such techniques to fight demons and monsters.

“I see… So that’s the Holy Union’s sword style. By the way, are there more? Was that your ultimate technique?” (Eugene)

Eugene-kun seemed quite interested in Hokushin Ittoryu.

Meanwhile, the Divine Beast remained still, surrounded by flames, its horns shining like the sun as it watched us.

In other words…it was waiting.

(How considerate…) (Robert)

Or perhaps it simply had the luxury to do so.

“I do have another ultimate technique… but now that I’ve shown my skill, the Divine Beast is surely wary of me. It won’t be easy.” (Robert)

“Yeah, a sneak attack is out of the question. Then, how about a frontal assault for the finish?” (Eugene)

Eugene-kun grinned fearlessly.

He looked like he was having fun.

(Eugene-kun’s personality shifts in battle, huh.) (Robert)

Kirin watched us quietly.

Giving up now would be an insult to it.

“Eugene-kun, our next strike will be the last. If either of us lands a hit and it still doesn’t acknowledge us, we’ll end the trial.” (Robert)

“Understood. One final strike.” (Eugene)

Eugene-kun vanished in an instant. 

He must have used Sky Walk.

He charged straight towards the Divine Beast that’s being protected by flames.

I followed right after him so I didn’t fall behind.

◇ Eugene’s POV◇

The area around the Divine Beast was like the heart of a wildfire.

I was protecting myself with barrier magic, but was President Robert alright?

Worried, I glanced back.

(…Wow…) (Eugene)

He was slicing through the approaching flames with an utterly calm expression.

This man really handles everything with his sword, doesn’t he?

Well, at least he seemed fine.

(The real problem is…) (Eugene)

Unlike before, Kirin was no longer taking to the air.

Its white-glowing horns crackled ominously.

Even without using Angel Eye, I could tell an enormous amount of mana was gathering in them.

I couldn’t afford to take a direct hit from that.

Then, droplets of water hit my face.

(Rain…?) (Eugene)

Rain began to fall on the 200th Floor.

Most likely, the Kirin was controlling the weather.

Yet, despite the rain, the surrounding flames did not weaken.

But visibility worsened.

Then *rumble*

The ground began to shake.

(It can even cause earthquakes…?) (Eugene)

If this drags on, the rain will turn the ground to mud, making movement difficult.

And with random quakes on top of that…

Better to finish this quickly.

Just then…

(…Eh?) (Eugene)

My Angel Eye showed me my own future self…

Being struck by lightning from all directions.

The me from a few seconds later.

“Barrier magic!!” (Eugene)

I chose to defend without fully understanding the situation. 

—Kyuooooooon!!

Kirin let out a high-pitched cry.

Lightning spread like a spiderweb from its shining horns.

Electricity surged through the air and spread further via the rain.

(That was close…) (Eugene)

I would have been knocked out if I hadn’t used barrier magic.

“President Robert!” (Eugene)

“Captain Robert!”

Turning to look at the President, who couldn’t use barrier magic… I found him standing there with a calm expression for some reason.

“That was close.” (Robert)

“Uh… how did you block that? I don’t think you could have dodged it.” (Eugene)

“Oh, I cut the lightning.” (Robert)

“You cut it?” (Eugene)

What is this guy even saying?

“It would have been dangerous if you hadn’t used barrier magic. Thanks to that, I had time to mentally prepare for the attack.” (Robert)

“I-I see…” (Eugene)

That didn’t seem like something you could block just by being mentally prepared, though.

Is this what happens when you master swordsmanship?

“Well then, shall we go?” (Robert)

“Y-Yes.” (Eugene)

Surrounded by flames, with rain obscuring visibility and the ground shaking beneath us.

It was the worst possible conditions, but as always, I readied my sword.

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