The clearly unusual "White Horse" seemed somewhat inexperienced.
Perhaps he was used to ending battles in a single strike? Against an opponent like Kuina—who, despite a gap in swordsmanship, wasn't so easily overwhelmed—the frustration on his face was apparent. His strikes became increasingly erratic.
"This guy clearly hasn't had formal training… Could it be that his swordsmanship is purely instinctive? How does someone like that even exist?!"
Kuina, however, was quite satisfied with the current situation. The intense pressure he exerted was pushing her toward a breakthrough.
Still, it was evident that he had no intention of continuing the fight.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!—
A series of rapid strikes forced Kuina into a defensive stance before the mysterious "White Horse" conjured a whirlwind and vanished beside the clock tower.
"..."
Kuina gritted her teeth. This guy was too fast—if he wanted to escape, she had no way of stopping him!
"Lieutenant Kuina! Are you alright?"
A Marine stepped forward. The swordfight they had just witnessed was far beyond their ability to interfere in. Now that the opponent had fled, they weren't sure what to make of the situation.
"I'm fine. The cause of the strange winds has been confirmed—it was indeed a swordsman. But there's something strange about him!"
"There shouldn't be any more mysterious winds tonight. Keep a squad on alert and report immediately if anything happens. The rest of you, spread out and investigate based on the following description!"
Kuina paused for a moment before listing the key traits: "Around twenty years old, long golden hair reaching the shoulders, approximately two meters tall, well-proportioned build, wields a gem-encrusted dual-edged longsword…"
Recalling his noticeably high-quality nightwear, Kuina added, "Suspected noble or someone from a wealthy family. Cross-reference this information with recent arrivals in the area around the time the strange winds began appearing."
"Yes, Lieutenant Kuina!"
...
The next day, reports from the investigating Marines steadily arrived at Kuina's desk.
"Quite a few people have arrived in the area within the relevant timeframe…"
Flipping through the documents, Kuina muttered, "But none of the solitary travelers match all the characteristics. If I had to pick the closest match…"
She pulled out a particular file. "A man who arrived in Rommel a few days ago with seventy-four subordinates and a horse—'Prince Cavendish'?"
Looking at the portrait of the strikingly handsome man holding a rose, Kuina felt no particular reaction.
"After seeing my senior brother's battle spectacles, this is nothing. And even in terms of sheer presence, his overwhelming aura is far more captivating than some pretty-boy performer!"
Tapping on the image of Cavendish, Kuina thought to herself, This guy is the prime suspect! But… he doesn't have that crazed expression. His hair color matches, but the hairstyle is different… Could he have changed it?
"His background is somewhat mysterious. After arriving in Rommel, he quickly gained a massive following… even to the point where numerous young women declared they would marry no one but him?!"
Kuina narrowed her eyes. "Foolish, shallow women… What's so special about this little pretty boy?"
"He also carries a longsword. He hasn't been seen using it, but that alone makes him highly suspicious!"
"Marines!"
"Lieutenant Kuina!"
A Marine promptly approached, standing at attention.
Kuina gave her orders. "Station men near Cavendish's lodging for surveillance. I will personally oversee the operation tonight. Keep two squads at the clock tower."
"Yes, Lieutenant !"
As the Marine hurried off, Kuina sifted through the remaining reports before shaking her head. We'll know for sure tonight.
...
That night, at Cavendish's hotel.
Inside the dimly lit room, Cavendish, deep in slumber, suddenly twitched.
His eyes snapped open, devoid of any emotion.
Golden curls flaring wildly, he sprang to his feet, seized the longsword at his bedside, and leapt out the window—
Before he even landed, he was already vanishing into the night wind!
"The Kamaitachi of Rommel is on the move!"
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang through the night as a crisp voice echoed from the street below:
"One-Sword Style: Mountain Cleaver!"
A devastating slash surged toward the airborne figure. "White Horse" reacted instantly, drawing his blade!
Clang!
A powerful shockwave erupted from the clash of sword and blade, sending the Marines' capes billowing violently.
"So it is you, Cavendish!"
Kuina's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The Rommel Kingdom had been unable to determine the true identity of "White Horse" because there was no swordsman strong enough to properly engage him and record his traits.
His speed was overwhelming, but Kuina had managed to delay him long enough for an investigation to be conducted. Any longer, and the trail would have gone cold.
"Relay my command! Full mobilization! Arrest all of Cavendish's subordinates—and that horse!"
"I'll handle this one myself. Move the clock tower units here!"
"Yes, Lieutenant Kuina!"
The once-quiet night erupted into chaos. Lights flickered on in nearby houses as residents peeked outside, though Marines quickly ushered them back inside.
Hearing that the Marines were arresting the "Kamaitachi of Rommel," the citizens were intrigued but wisely chose to keep their distance.
After all, the battle unfolding before them was no joke!
Moreover… they were surprised to see such a formidable female swordsman among the Marines!
Most people, upon hearing Kuina's declaration, would show some reaction. But Cavendish? He remained utterly unfazed!
It was as if his subordinates being captured was of no concern to him.
His attacks remained just as relentless, his movements bizarre, his face twisted in madness!
"Hmph! Not talking? Then I'll just beat the answers out of you!"
As Kuina's clash with "White Horse" continued, the Marines swiftly completed their mission—Cavendish's seventy-four subordinates and his horse, Farul, were all arrested in their sleep, dragged out onto the main street.
"M-My Lord…!"
The subordinates, now wide awake, stared at Cavendish, who was engaged in a fierce battle with Kuina, clad in her Marine coat of justice. How could they not understand what was happening?
They all knew about their lord's "condition." He had never admitted it outright, but they were well aware.
"We're doomed! Our lord has gone up against the Marines—this is a disaster!"
With his subordinates detained, the sight of Farul seemed to trigger something within "White Horse."
His sword strikes grew faster! Wilder! More frenzied!
"White Horse" seemed utterly enraged, his every strike lethal, his longsword crashing down like towering waves meant to drown everything before him!
"Bring it on!"
Kuina smirked, gripping her sword tightly, meeting him head-on!
As the pressure mounted, an unfamiliar realization surfaced in Kuina's mind.
"The 'breath' of the wind…"
"The 'breath' of the earth…"
"Even… the raging waves of his swordsmanship… have a 'breath' of their own!"
"A single slash can cut steel—but a thousand blades cannot sever a falling leaf!"
"One-Sword Style: Wave Cleaver!"
A single, radiant slash cut through the night.
Shhhhk!
Kuina turned, the tip of Wado Ichimonji dripping with crimson.
The self-proclaimed "White Horse"—Cavendish—collapsed, his pristine nightwear now stained red.
"My Lord!"
His subordinates were aghast.
"He's not dead. Bind him. Get a doctor!"
As Kuina suppressed her excitement at her newfound insight, she approached Cavendish cautiously.
"It hurts… So much…"
His dazed voice, however, carried unexpected confusion.
"Where… is my bed?"
"...???"
Kuina was stunned. Did I just wake him up from sleep?
-------
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