The armored man drew the longsword at his waist and swung it down at Ais with full force.
Boom!
The moment the longsword clashed with the rapier, the impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the stone steps. A violent shockwave erupted in all directions, sending the nearby canine girl flying.
"So strong!"
Ais was inwardly shocked.
The sheer weight behind the overhead slash forced her slender frame to buckle slightly.
From the very first exchange, a trace of bitterness appeared on Ais's face as she struggled to withstand the armored man's monstrous strength, her entire body tensed like a drawn bow.
The enemy's physical power surpassed hers!
Ais instantly realized this and swiftly disengaged, twisting her body to deliver a spinning kick powered by her full momentum.
Thud!
Another explosive impact rang out as the armored man blocked with his arm, but the force still sent him flying back two or three meters.
"...You're the one who killed Mr. Hashana, aren't you?"
Ais flexed her slightly numb arms, raising her beloved sword defensively as she watched the armored figure warily.
"Huh? But wasn't the culprit a woman?"
The canine girl, still sprawled on the ground, stared fearfully at the battle between Level 5 adventurers.
"This town doesn't just have Level 5 adventurers appearing out of nowhere, let alone one who attacks me on sight… Your goal must be that jewel fetus, right?"
Ais analyzed coldly, her gaze flickering toward the green jewel in his grasp.
This person had deliberately taken her spinning kick just to seize the jewel from the ground—and he had succeeded.
Her eyes carried clear wariness, undoubtedly due to the unsettling nature of the fetal jewel.
"So what if I am?"
A woman's voice emerged from beneath the armor, shocking the canine girl.
"Wearing this for so long has been nothing but a nuisance."
With visible irritation, the woman removed her hood, helmet, and armor, revealing a man's ashen-gray face—before she reached up and tore it off like a mask.
"Hashana's face… So that's what happened to his crushed skull?"
The canine girl gaped in horror at the woman's ruthless methods.
Bright red hair.
Once the armor was discarded, the enemy's true appearance was revealed. She had short, vivid red hair, roughly cut as if it had once been long, and emerald-green eyes.
Her face could undeniably be called beautiful, with snow-white skin that exuded an alluring charm. Yet her slender, delicate eyes held no trace of emotion, and her entire being radiated an aura of cold detachment.
"My objective is complete. There's no point in dragging this out. Have fun playing with those flowers."
Having retrieved the jewel, the woman clearly lost interest in fighting.
Without waiting for Ais's response, she turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Ais immediately gave chase.
There were still too many unanswered questions, and the murderer needed to be brought to justice to ensure the safety of Rivira's adventurers.
The two of them—one fleeing, the other pursuing—raced past the crystal-lined path and dashed toward the town along the mountain road.
Before long.
Another figure appeared ahead of the fleeing woman.
A cloaked adventurer, his features obscured, though the swaying robe hinted at the rare beauty of a young man beneath.
"Eiji, stop her!"**
"How the hell am I supposed to do that?"
Ais's urgent shout came from behind.
But the red-haired woman only scoffed.
She had noticed this boy tailing her since the crystal plaza. His presence was far weaker than theirs—likely not even Level 4. How could he possibly stop her?
Sure enough, the cloaked youth sidestepped to make way.
The red-haired woman didn't even spare him a second thought, as if this outcome were only natural.
But then—
Just as she was about to pass him, a gleaming blade suddenly shot out from his elbow.
The timing was flawless.
She had no chance to dodge with a leap or slide, instinctively slamming her feet down and raising her longsword in a diagonal block—only to collide with the blade head-on.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the boy's sword was violently deflected.
But the red-haired woman's momentum was also disrupted, her speed dropping for a crucial second.
And in that single second of delay—
Ais caught up.
"—Tempest!"
A low chant escaped Ais's lips.
In the next instant, a miniature gale wrapped around her body, lifting her slightly off the ground as she surged forward like the wind itself, launching a fierce assault.
"Incredible!"
Eiji shook out his numb arm, unable to hide his envy.
[Ariel: Tempest].
It was the only magic Ais could use.
Unlike conventional offensive spells, this was an enhancement-type magic—wrapping wind around her body to bolster attacks, defense, speed, and even allowing short bursts of flight. An all-purpose ability.
What's more, it required only an ultra-short chant, making it far more practical than most spells.
Eiji was green with envy.
"This wind…?"
Forced to halt, the red-haired woman turned to meet Ais's onslaught.
With the wind's augmentation, Ais's swordplay became even faster, the blade tearing through the air with barely audible sonic booms masked by the howling gale.
Not only that—the wind-enveloped strikes also gained a terrifying boost in destructive power.
The red-haired woman had no choice but to swing her longsword with all her might, pushing her arm strength and reflexes to the limit just to parry the flurry of attacks.
Yet even as she fought, her eyes widened in stunned realization.
"I see… So you're Aria, aren't you?"
Thud!
The words struck Ais's heart like a hammer.
Her golden eyes widened, her chest pounding violently as shock rendered her speechless. Her slender throat trembled uncontrollably.
"Why…?"
That was the only thought left in her mind.
For just an instant, her assault faltered.
"Hmph."
The red-haired woman let out a dismissive snort.
Then, with a sudden burst of overwhelming strength, she knocked Ais's rapier aside and closed the distance in a flash—driving her sword's hilt straight toward Ais's abdomen.
A direct hit would incapacitate her long enough to knock her out and carry her away—
Swish!
But at the same moment.
A sharp whistling sound reached her ears, triggering an overwhelming sense of danger. Without hesitation, she abandoned her attack on Ais and leaped back.
Ting!
A silver blade fragment sliced through the air, grazing past her with a faint sonic crack.
The red-haired woman touched her cheek.
A streak of crimson stained her fingertips—a shallow cut on her right face, stinging faintly.
"Who do you think you're looking down on?"
From beneath the hood, the boy's voice dripped with cold arrogance.
***
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