“Though you probably won’t need any help… Sebas-sama, I will lend a hand as well.”
Brain stood next to Climb. Sebas would not need any assistance… no, there would not even be any meaning in them being here. However, in order to try and imitate Climb who was fighting for the sake of someone else, Brain chose an answer that his past self would not. Even if the boy’s heart was strong, his skill with the sword was lacking. He would protect him.
Brain glanced at the weapons the men were holding and frowned.
“Poison… It seems that they’re experienced seeing how they’re using a weapon that could kill them… Are they assassins?”
There were lines engraved on the blades of their daggers, also called mail breakers. The fluid on the blade gave off a sinister glint. And the way their nimble movements focused on mobility, different from those of swordsmen, all but confirmed Brain’s words.
“Climb-kun, be wary. Although it would be different if you had a magic item that blocked poisons, consider yourself dead if you were to get hit even once.”
Even though Brain’s great physical ability rendered the average poison ineffective, it would be difficult for Climb to resist them.
“Seeing how you did not attack immediately after revealing yourselves head on, is it fine to assume that you planned a pincer attack and have two more lying in wait? Since we have already passed that point, first, shall we break through?”
Sebas purposefully spoke loud enough so that his opponents could hear him, causing the men to momentarily freeze. They were shaken because their plan to attack while surrounding them had been seen through.
“It seems that it is the safest option. It would be better to crush the front and then attack those in the rear.”
Brain agreed with Sebas. However, that idea was rejected by the one who made the suggestion.
“Ah, but then there is the possibility that they will get away. I will take care of the three in the front. How about you two turn to the opposite side and face the two who will be coming?”
Brain replied that he understood and Climb nodded his head in agreement. This was Sebas’ battle and they were the ones who were forcefully lending him their strength. As long as Sebas did not make a critical mistake, they would have to follow his instructions.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Brain spoke to Climb and turned his back on the men. Although he showed his defenseless side to the people who were overflowing with hostility, thanks to Sebas, he was not worried. As he left his back to him, he felt a rising sense of security, as if a thick castle wall had been built around him.
“Now, though it is unfortunate… I will be your opponent. –Oh no, I cannot have you be unfaithful with these two.”
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.