5
The two soul weapons clashed with a resounding noise.
The scattered sparks shone fiercely even in the daylight, illuminating the faces of the two swordsmen. The former master and disciple, facing each other at close range, crossed swords head-on, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
“Haaaaa!!”
“Ooooh!!”
The roars of Sora and Goz echoed through the mansion, and the continuous sound of clashing swords painfully struck their eardrums.
Right, left, front, right, left feint then right, front, front.
At times striking with brute force, at times weaving in technique to exploit openings. The two soul weapons collided in mid-air as if grappling or playing, continuously scattering sparks.
Sora was primarily on the offensive.
Soul Eater’s power was sealed by Goz’s soul weapon, Juzumaru. Magic and techniques were also nullified. However, the blade’s sharpness as a weapon hadn’t been lost, nor had the internal flow of energy disappeared from Sora’s body.
Juzumaru only nullified externally released power. Sora channeled overflowing energy throughout his body and fiercely slashed away.
In response, Goz adopts a defensive stance and observes his opponent’s movements. This is one of the fundamental techniques of the Illusory One-Sword Style – the Observing Eye.
From Goz’s perspective, Sora’s movements seem wasteful, and his use of energy and sword techniques appear immature.
On the other hand, as mentioned before, the weight and sharpness of Sora’s strikes are astonishing. An ordinary soldier or adventurer would not be able to handle Sora’s current state.
Even Goz cannot let his guard down. The current Sora is a dangerous opponent where the slightest opening or hesitation could lead directly to death. Although Goz has managed to fend off all attacks so far, there have been moments that made him tense.
Yet, for some reason, a smile unconsciously forms on his lips.
Goz questions himself.
The answer comes immediately.
It’s enjoyable. Competing with swords against the grown Sora. What he once dreamed of but couldn’t achieve has become a reality. Thinking about this, he couldn’t suppress his joy.
Moreover, even as they cross swords, he can see Sora visibly improving. This fact also delighted Goz.
Sora, who couldn’t pass the trial ceremony, was unable to formally learn the Illusory One-Sword Style. Of course, he had undergone basic training, but there are limits to what can be conveyed through training alone.
Since his energy techniques and sword skills are self-taught, it’s natural that there are many openings and flaws.
For Sora, Goz’s existence is both a formidable wall and an invaluable example. It’s not just Goz who is using the Observing Eye to probe his opponent. Even in the midst of a life-and-death battle, there was much for Sora to learn.
Body movements, footwork, the flow of energy. The more they cross blades, the more Sora’s techniques are honed.
With Sora attacking one-sidedly and Goz maintaining a defensive stance, to an onlooker, it might have appeared as if the two were practicing.
Of course, Sora himself had no such intention.
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“…Tch.”
Unable to break through Goz’s unwavering defense like an imposing castle wall, Sora clicks his tongue and retreats.
At this moment, Goz could have pursued if he wanted to. The reason he didn’t was that he felt reluctant to end the battle just yet.
Facing Sora at a distance, Goz inwardly mutters that it would be too regrettable to render this young man unable to wield a sword ever again.
He had such thoughts before, but he had to admit that they stemmed from personal feelings.
But now, the emotion of valuing Sora comes from his position as a public figure – as the strategist of the Mitsurugi family.
After actually crossing swords, he became certain. The lid that once hindered Sora’s growth has been completely removed. While immaturity still remains, Goz can compensate for that as much as needed. Considering his age of eighteen, he will likely continue to grow even further.
Moreover, there’s Sora’s ability. Although it’s currently sealed by Juzumaru, the power that subdued the siblings would surely be effective against the demons. It might even aid in slaying the demon gods.
Losing this talent would be a loss for the Mitsurugi family. A significant loss at that. He must bring him back to Onigashima by any means necessary.
However, no matter how many words Goz might use, Sora would not listen. That has already been proven.
Therefore, though he decided to speak through swords, would Sora really listen to their side even if they win like this?
No, Goz thinks.
Sora gained power but lost his pride. That power is the soul power -the Od. Even if they win while sealing the soul power, Sora won’t acknowledge defeat.
As long as he thinks he could have won with the soul power, Sora’s delusion won’t be broken.
To enlighten Sora, they need to crush him along with his soul power.
Only by defeating Sora head-on while he’s using his soul power, proving that there are those above him, can they dispel the arrogance nesting in his heart. That was the conclusion Goz reached.
“To be aware of, control, and materialize the homogeneous existence – this is what we call soul power. I told you this before, Lord Sora.”
“What?”
Sora looks puzzled at Goz’s sudden words.
Ignoring his reaction, Goz continued:
“When you eventually mastered the soul power, I intended to continue like this: The soul power is merely the entrance, the gateway. Please do not be satisfied there.”
“The soul power is just an entrance?”
“Indeed. When you mastered the soul power, you must have synchronized with the homogeneous existence. The nature of the homogeneous existence one harbors varies from person to person, but its power is generally immense. It far surpasses the realm attainable by human bodies.”
Facing Sora, who had pressed his lips together, Goz spoke at length:
“The soul power is what makes this immense power manageable by human hands. However, there is inevitably a strain in making a power unattainable by human bodies manageable by human hands. That’s why I said the soul power is just an entrance. The moment a flag bearer reaches the soul power, they are burdened with a new responsibility. The responsibility to overcome the inherent strain in the soul power and draw out the power of the homogeneous existence to its limit.”
Goz says.
The soul power is like a wooden sword given to a child who cannot yet handle a real sword. Those who use the soul power must elevate themselves with this wooden sword and learn the art of drawing out the power of the homogeneous existence.
When one becomes able to draw out all of the homogeneous existence’s power, that person transcends human limits and gains the power to slay even Illusory species. To control a power unattainable by human bodies means exactly that.
Goz weaves his words as if reciting a poem:
“How subtle, how subtle, reaching the formless. How heartfelt, how heartfelt, reaching the infinite. Without form, therefore limitless. The realm beyond humanity that slays illusions, in the Illusory One-Sword Style, we call this ‘Emptiness’.”
“Emptiness…”
TN: Sora = 空 = Kara = Empty
Responding to Sora’s whisper, as if he had realized something, Goz nodded deeply and replied.
“Lord Sora. Your name carries Lady Shizuya’s wish. That is certain. However, this Goz surmises that it also carries Lord Mitsurugi’s wish. That his child born into this world would one day stand in the same place as his father. Lord Mitsurugi must have named you ‘Sora’ with such a wish.”
“……………….”
“It would be futile to ask you to believe this now. As I said before, I shall now use all my strength to dispel your arrogance. What you are about to witness is the realm of emptiness, the essence of the Illusory One-Sword Style. Now, prepare yourself.”
Goz raises the Juzumaru he was holding high towards the sky.
And then, he said:
“Emptiness soul equipment Activation──Unleash, Juzumaru”
The moment his voice echoed, the string of beads wrapped around Juzumaru’s guard snapped with a sound, and countless beads scattered into the air.
At the same time, Sora felt as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart. The pressure distorting the surrounding space was enough to cause such an Illusory.
Juzumaru begins to change before Sora’s eyes. The sword, which had an unremarkable shape, begins to change form like a liquid, repeating eerie contractions. With each writhing of the liquid in mid-air, the energy pressure increases exponentially.
Something that had been sealed by the beads is about to be unleashed.
Sora is forced to realize. At this moment, a Illusory slayer is about to descend upon the city of Ishka.
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