When Brain looked over his shoulder, Sebas was holding three daggers in the fingers of his right hand. He flicked his fingers and the daggers that the men threw towards Brain and Climb’s defenseless backs all fell to the ground.

The bloodlust in the men’s eyes lessened considerably.

Obviously, seeing thrown daggers being blocked like that would make anyone lose their will to fight. So you guys finally realized just how strong Sebas-sama is, eh? But it’s already too late.

There was no way to escape from that old man. Even if the three of the them were to split off into different directions.

“Incredible.”

Climb walked up next to Brain.

“Indeed. If someone were to say that Sebas-sama is the strongest in the Kingdom, I’d have to nod my head.”

“Even stronger than the Warrior Captain?”

“You mean Stronoff. Truly, against that elder, I… I…, sorry. I’ll speak how I normally speak. Even if Stronoff and I attacked him together, there’s no way we could win. …Ah, they’re here.”

Two men appeared once they circled around a corner. As expected, they were dressed like the three from before. There was a sound of swords being drawn and Brain followed suit.

“The reason that they didn’t leave one as an ambush to throw a dagger was probably because the elder saw through them.”

An ambush was only effective if it was a surprise, failing that, they would only be splitting up their forces. Since they were found out, they probably determined that working together from the beginning would give them a higher chance of victory.

“It’s a naive way of thinking. …Climb, I’ll handle the guy on the right, you take the one on the left.”

Brain scanned the way they moved and guessing which one was the weaker of the two, gave the boy his instructions. The boy nodded and raised his sword. The lack of hesitation was unique to someone who experienced a situation with their life on the line. Brain was relieved that the boy wasn’t a virgin of real battles.

Climb should be able to beat that guy but… since he’s using poison, it’ll be a close fight.

Although Climb had real battle experience, he did not seem like someone who walked the kind of bloody path where fights against poison users were frequent. This may even be his first time fighting against poison. Brain as well, he was always overly cautious when fighting against monsters that used acid or venom, making it difficult for him to display his full strength in those situations.

Would it be better if I kill the guy on the right quickly and help him? Will that be to this guy’s benefit? Will I be stepping on his determination to help with his own power? Should I just fight in his stead? No… will Sebas-sama help him in a pinch? Do I have to step in if there’s no sign that he will help him? To think that I would worry about things like this…

Brain scratched his head with the hand that wasn’t holding the katana and glared directly at the enemy.

“Now, sorry about this but I need you to become the sacrifice to fill my idle period.”

Three strikes.

Sebas closed in and with his fist, planted a strike into each man. They could not even react, let alone defend themselves. And with that, it was over.

It was obvious. With battle strength that was considered to be top class even in Nazarick, Sebas could defeat assassins of this level with just his pinky.

He turned his eyes away from the collapsed men and watched the fight behind him.

Brain was overwhelming his opponent from the beginning to the end and Sebas could watch him without worry.

The assassin whom he was facing appeared to be looking for an opening so that he could escape. However, Brain did not allow it and fought as if he was toying with him. No, rather than calling it that, it looked as if he was using a wide variety of attacks to try and remove the rust from his body.

He did mention something about an idle period. And it seems that the reason he’s not attacking seriously is because he’s worried about Climb and wants to be ready to jump in and help at any time. He’s more considerate than I thought.

Sebas moved his eyes from Brain to Climb.

This side should be fine as well.

An exchange of blows, although the poisoned weapon caused a bit of unease, the situation wasn’t bad enough that he had to go and help immediately. It pained him that a friendly stranger was dragged into a mess that he caused. However—

Had you not told me that you wished to grow stronger, I would have gone over to help you. A battle with one’s life on the line is also good training. I will help you if it becomes dangerous.

Climb used his sword to redirect the opponent’s thrust.

Cold sweat flowed down his back. It had almost managed to stab into his armor. A look of disappointment flashed across his opponent’s face.

Climb placed his sword out in front of him and measured the space between them. His opponent on the other side shifted back and forth to stop him from measuring the distance.

Normally, Climb would block with his shield and use his sword to attack. His current predicament of fighting with only his sword shaved away at both his mind and body. Not only that, the poisoned weapon also placed a great burden on him. He knew very well that mail breakers were specialized for thrusting, and as such, that was the only part that he had to be cautious of. But even so, as expected, the thought of being unable to sustain even a scratch dulled his movements.

He could feel his mounting fatigue, not only of his body, but his mind as well. His breathing grew ragged.

It’s the same for my opponent. I’m not the only one who’s exhausted.

Like him, his opponent’s forehead was slick with sweat. He was agile, using quick movements to throw the enemy into disarray, it was a style well suited for an assassin. That was why inflicting even a single wound on the arms or legs would make the assassin lose his advantage and destroy the balance of power between them.

The battle would be decided in a single attack.

That was the reason for the restlessness that flowed between them. Of course, this was what a fight between those of similar skill was like. Regardless, it was even more pronounced in this particular battle.

“Haa!”

With a heavy breath, Climb attacked. It was a small swing with little power behind it. A wide swing would open him up to a huge blind spot if he were to miss.