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nRinho, who was fighting the prime disciple, had been driven to a wall.

nSome of her long, beautiful hair had been cut, and her clothes were stained with blood.

nThe prime disciple, who saw this, appeared bored.

n“Is this the One-Flash that’s said to be invincible? Weak, too weak. It turns out it wasn’t you guys that were strong, but the techniques of One-Flash that were incredible.”

nRinho silently intercepted a One-Flash that the prime disciple had unleashed.

nAnd thus, the prime disciple came to a decision.

n“I alone am enough to spread the fame of this strongest school of swordsmanship. After killing you and Liam, I’ll proceed to eliminate everyone who’s learned the One-Flash and make it my own!”

nThis declaration was akin to saying that he would even kill the governor to make this invincible sword technique his and his alone.

nHe was thinking of putting his plan into action starting with Rinho, and took a big step forward to unleash a One-Flash.

nBut at that very moment, Rinho also moved forward and went past where the prime disciple stood.

nSurprised that his One-Flash missed her, the prime disciple looked back in a hurry.

nRinho let out a small sigh.

n“I’ve been observing your movement, and to be honest, it’s a letdown. What’s more, the fact that you wish to hammer down the nails that stick out just shows that you’re a petty man.”

n“Someone who’s struggling to deal with my One-Flash has no right to say that!”

nHearing this, Rinho unleashed a One-Flash of her own, and a light scratch appeared on the prime disciple’s cheek.

nThe prime disciple touched it with his hand, and realized that he’s been grazed.

nWith that, he came to a horrible realization, and started to shake in terror.

nDisappointed by the prime disciple, Rinho carried on.

n“I wanted to observe and learn how the Original One-Flash had developed, but there’s nothing noteworthy aside from your One-Flash. You’re lacking in every other aspect, so you can’t even bring out the true potential of One-Flash.”

nRinho came to the conclusion that the Original One-Flash was a school that cast everything aside, and focused solely on learning the One-Flash.

nTurning to face the prime disciple, Rinho readied her iai.

nThe prime disciple hurriedly readied his sword as well, but before he knew it, his body had fallen to the grown, bisected vertically in half.

nAs blood splashed on the floor, Rinho stared down at him with cold eyes.

n“A One-Flash that has fallen is better off gone.”

nRinho started walking as she muttered.

n◇

nFighting against seven people in the courtyard, Fuuka’s clothes were tattered, and she herself was riddled with wounds.

nDespite being surrounded by seven people simultaneously unleashing their One-Flash, she laughed as she fought.

nThe senior disciple at the scene was taken aback.

n“Why can’t we hit her?! Why isn’t she falling?!”

nIt was inconceivable to him how Fuuka could remain standing even with their numerical advantage.

nHowever, Fuuka had noticed something during their fight.

nRinho was the type of person who calmly analyzed her fights, whereas Fuuka was the type that learned with her instincts.

n“Yer nothing without the One-Flash.”

nFuuka belittled them out of nowhere, which enraged the disciples.

nThey put more force behind their attacks, making their One-Flash more destructive than ever before, but Fuuka simply avoided them all.

n“It’s no use. All yer doing is putting more strength. This— is One-Flash.”

nWith that, she swung her twin swords, killing three of the regular disciples.

nWhile everyone was stunned, Fuuka put her swords on her shoulder.

n“Yer One-Flash is fake.”

nFuuka said this with such confidence, while the senior disciple pulled out his sword in denial.

n“It’s not fake. It’s the real One-Flash! The strongest swordsmanship in the Empire!”

n“No, it’s fake. You’ve left out everything that’s important, so even your One-Flash seems dull. Looking at you, I can finally appreciate how scary Master and Senior Brother are.”

nAlthough she felt disappointed by the Original One-Flash, she was grateful to be reminded once more about how terrifying Yasushi and Liam were.

nAnd that was all there was to them.

nThey were tough opponents, and they taught her what she was lacking in.

n“Seeing you guys have taught me a lot. Unleashing the One-Flash isn’t enough. It’s no wonder Senior Brother attaches such great importance to the basics.”

nGrowing impatient, the senior disciple rushed in to attack while Fuuka was muttering to herself.

nHis instincts were screaming in terror.

nFuuka narrowed her eyes without moving, chopping the senior disciple into fine pieces.

nThe other disciples, who were watching, tried to escape with their backs exposed to her.

nFuuka opened her mouth wide and grinned.

n“Now, now, that ain’t the answer, is it? For members of One-Flash to flee in battle— aren’t ya’ll just better off dead?”

nFuuka closed the distance between her and the scattered disciples, then she unleashed her One-Flash.

nShe only used the bare minimum amount of force to finish them off in a single blow by targeting their vitals, and by the time Fuuka landed on the ground, all the disciples had collapsed.

nReturning her swords to their scabbard, Fuuka took a deep breath before taking a look at herself.

n“—Welp, it’s better than when we fought with Senior Brother.”

nFuuka, who had won against members of the same school, moved once more in search of her next enemy.

n◇

n“Reality is cruel.”

nThe kimono that I’m wearing is in tatters, and the training suit that I’m wearing underneath has been forcefully shut down.

nI take off what I’m wearing above the waist, leaving myself half naked with only a hakama.

nBlood is flowing down from my wounds, but none of them are fatal, so I leave them be.

nI sheathe my sword that’s in my right hand, and hold it in my left before looking up at the ceiling.

nThe light is dazzling.

nI’m embarrassed by all the misunderstandings I’ve had until now.

n“From the beginning, Master never unsheathed his sword…”

nNot appreciating the profound realization that I’ve just had; the disciples of the Original One-Flash unleash their One-Flashes at me.

nI slightly raise the guard of my sword with my thumb and give it a light snap.

nAnd what do you know?

nThe bodies of seventeen disciples including the senior members collapse into pieces, blood flowing out of them after hitting the ground.

nNot a single drop of blood has been splashed.

n—And what’s more, I haven’t unsheathed my sword.

nAll I did was make a sound.

nJust by doing that, 17 people were cut down and several sword marks were left in the room.

nAfter all that rigorous training, I’ve come to know the secrets.

nOne-Flash exists beyond the realm of simple strength, killing, or even magic.

nAll this time, I’ve only been imitating the One-Flash.

n“No wonder Master doesn’t carry a sword with him. —He doesn’t need one in the first place.”

nI think back to the time when we met at the territory of Viscount Razel, who’s now a Baron.

nMaster wasn’t carrying a sword back then.

nIt’s not that he didn’t have one—it’s that he didn’t have to have one with him.

nThat’s probably beyond me for the time being.

nWithout carrying a sword with me, I’ll probably fail in unleashing the One-Flash, and even if I could, it’ll surely miss.

n“So, this is the true One-Flash.”

nI say this under my breath as I turn my gaze toward the sole surviving member.

nHe’s the only one who survived, but it doesn’t look like he understands what’s happened.

nI approach him slowly.

nWith a look of terror on his face, he shoots a One-Flash at me.

nHe’s not even aiming, so there’s no need for me to even dodge the attack.

n“D-don’t come towards me! Don’t come!!!”

nLooking at his pitiful figure, it makes me sad that we’re both members of One-Flash.

nWhen I arrive before him, he falls on his butt, and the smell of ammonia soon follows.

nWithout minding the smell, I start asking him questions.

n“Where’s your Master?”

n“Eh?”

n“I’m talking about the instructor of the Original One-Flash. What’s his name? Where is he? Is our Master safe?”

nIt’s frustrating to know that one person managed to survive from the One-Flash, the true One-Flash, because of my immaturity.

nHowever, it’s precisely because he managed to survive that I can interrogate him.

n“Answer me. Where’s your Master? Where’s our Master?”

n“H-he’s with Lord Governor—”

nI don’t sense anyone powerful next to the governor, but this should be enough.

nI decapitate the disciple before sheathing my sword and making a clicking sound.

nThe thick door blocking the room shatters into pieces and collapses.

nIt seems I’ve been wrong from the very beginning.

nThe secret to One-Flash is to slash without pulling out the sword.

n“Now, time to call Ellen back.”

nI’ve managed to overcome a wall.

nAll that’s left is to rescue Master Yasushi.

n◇

n“Cutting down enemies without pulling out the sword?!”

nThe Guide, who was watching Liam, couldn’t process what was happening before his eyes.

nThe secret to the sword technique was to keep the sword sheathed.

nHe couldn’t believe what Liam was suggesting, and neither could Gudwar.

n“Sure, there are schools out there that say it’s best to defeat one’s enemies without needing to pull out their sword, but this—this is different! Those are two different things! He’s actually not pulling out his sword!”

nA slash produced by neither swordsmanship, nor magic.

nThe Guide and Gudwar were flabbergasted by the answer Liam arrived at.

nThey had mass produced people who could use the One-Flash to defeat Liam, but their attempts only made him stronger.

nIt was the Guide’s worst nightmare.

n“Gudwar, since things have come to this—hiii?!”

nThe Guide was about to share their next course of action, but Gudwar’s face was bright red, and steam was coming out of it.

nIt appeared Liam really wasn’t to his liking.

n“I was hoping for an exciting battle filled with bloodshed! This is unforgivable! I’ll crush him. I’ll make sure to crush him here and now!”

nGudwar, who no longer deemed Liam’s One-Flash a form of swordsmanship, grabbed the Guide with one of his octopi legs.

n“N-no, stop. That hurts!”

nSeeing the Guide whom he grabbed suffering, Gudwar tightened his grasp to release his pent-up anger.

n“This is all because of the unnecessary things that you’ve done!”

n“You’re being unreasonable!”

nAlthough he said this, it was true that Liam had grown to this extent thanks to the Guide’s interference, so Gudwar’s anger was not uncalled for.

n“Since things have come to this, I’ll make sure that Liam dies by hook or by crook! He’s bad news, I tell you. If we leave him alone—he’ll eventually become our enemy, and when the time comes, he’ll direct his blades at us!”

nA black steam rose from Gudwar and spread out in all directions, penetrating into space and calling forth Liam’s enemies.

nThe Guide watched as this happened while he remained restrained.

n(W-with this, it’s game over for Liam.)

nAlthough he was suffering under Gudwar, the Guide was willing to put up with it if it meant defeating Liam.

n◇

nTwo malicious beings were trying to take Liam’s life.

nThe black steam which was being dispersed throughout the universe was invisible to the human eyes, but at the bow of a black battleship, a light in the shape of a dog was watching as it spread.

nIn outer space where there was no air for sound to travel, the dog howled, and its howl traveled through space until it reached its intended target.

n◇

n“Huh? Was that a dog’s howl I just heard? Whatever, that’s not what’s important right now.”

nChester was inside a room waiting for someone to enter, and beside him was Yasushi, who had been locked up inside a cage like a product being displayed.

n“They all lost? All thirty of them?”

nChester was quite flustered when he heard the report from his subordinate.

nSeeing him so unsettled, Yasushi laughed through his nose.

n(Oh? Have hostile forces entered the mansion? Good, now defeat them all and help me out of here. It seems my prayers have worked.)

nAfter being captured, he had prayed to God every day for ‘someone to come and help’.

nHe wasn’t capable enough to do anything by himself, so whenever he was troubled, he went straight to praying.

nKnowing that his prayers had been answered, Yasushi felt pleased and was optimistic about his situation.

nSince an enemy of Chester’s was rushing over; they might help him after seeing him being held captive.

nWhile holding onto this faint hope, Yasushi suddenly felt a strange chill course through his body.

nA shiver went down his spine.

n(Have I caught a cold?)

n‘I should sleep tight tonight,’ he thought with his escapist mindset.

nThe door to the room was cut down just as he was having these thoughts.

n(Here comes my hel—eh?)

nYasushi was excited to see who his saviors were, but after the door was cut down, he saw two people behind it—and one of them was Liam.

nLiam, who’d experienced so much growth, looked much more powerful and mature than Yasushi remembered him to be.

nLiam also saw Yasushi, and corrected his posture.

n“Master, I’m sorry for being late.”

nLiam made his appearance, his body still full of wounds.

nYasushi also corrected his posture, and sat upright.

nHe tried his best to act calm and composed, but alarms were ringing inside of him.

n(Dear God, you got the wrong person!!! Literally anyone but him!!! Take him back!!!)

nThe person who arrived was the last person he wanted to see.

nA red-haired girl stood behind Liam, and she was addressing Liam as her master.

n“Master, I don’t see the instructor of the Original One-Flash anywhere.”

n“We just have to ask Chester then. —So, are you the one who kidnapped Master? You’re ready to face the consequences, right?”

nLiam threatened Chester with a terribly cold voice, wrapping the room in a heavy atmosphere.

nIt was almost suffocating, and cold sweat constantly ran down Yasushi’s back.

nHowever, things didn’t end there.

n“Arara? Senior Brother got here first?”

nRinho, who was also in tatters, showed up.

nWhen she entered the room and found Yasushi in it, a big smile blossomed on her face.

n“It’s Master! Masteeer!!!”

nRinho waved her hand at him, and from behind her, Fuuka made her appearance by jumping into the room.

nShe was also covered in wounds, but she was so happy to see Yasushi that there were tears in her eyes.

n“Finally. We’ve finally reunited! Master, I’ve come to help!”

nYasushi desperately tried to maintain his smile as he nodded at the four who came to save him.

n(I didn’t want to see you guys ever again! Also, I sent you two to kill Liam. Why are you moving together with him?!)

nYasushi was at his wits’ end trying to figure out what was going on.

nAs such, he couldn’t bother listening to what Chester said next.

nThere was a switch in Chester’s hand.

n“Don’t come any closer! If you do, your Master would be blown to smithereens— Wha—?!”

nChester showed the switch to them, but the moment he did, it shattered to pieces.

nNot only that, various figures appeared from the walls and floor near Yasushi.

nThey were wearing masks, and appeared to be Liam’s subordinates.

n“Lord Liam, we’ve dealt with all the explosives. All the traps have been removed as well.”

n“That so,” Liam muttered.

nThen, he turned his attention to Chester, who was shaking in fear.

nChester, who couldn’t stand the pressure from Liam any longer, pulled out his sword.

n“Y-you monsters!”

nThough still immature, he unleashed a One-Flash, which was blocked by Liam.

nSparks scattered between the two as Chester continued to fire his One-Flash, only to be intercepted by Liam.

nLiam then put his hand on his chin before looking over at Ellen.

n“It’s just about right. Ellen, you’ll be his opponent.”

n“—Understood.”

nEllen stepped forward to confront Chester.

n———————————————————————————————————–

nBrian (´；ω；｀): “…What does it even mean to slash without pulling out one’s sword?”

nWakagi-chan (；゜Д゜): “Eh? Hmm, I don’t understand either.”

nBrian (´；ω；｀): “….”

nWakagi-chan (；゜Д゜): “….”

nBrian (｀・ω・´): “Anyway, today’s the day that Volume 2 of ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire’ goes on sale! Did anyone manage to read about Lord Liam’s glorious feats already?”

nWakagi-chan ( ゜∀゜): “Please also look forward to the collaborative SS with ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs’! Volume 7 will be released on January 30th, so don’t forget to check it out! I’ll be playing an active role. Maybe!”

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