Two Swing

While Oberon and Orstrid are in the dungeon, Finn and Loki have a small meeting about the event that is occurring right now at Rivira, which makes Gareth, one of Loki Familia's executive members, stay behind.

The other problem that is bothering him is that the floor boss, Goliath, is not yet defeated, according to the guild report, which makes the resupply of Rivira take much longer.

Finn knew he could not send Loki Familia members because of the current condition, where their human power was spread thin. They cannot depend on small Familia when they are ordered to protect their gods, at least until the end of Denatus. When Loki said that she sent Oberon and Orstrid to lend a hand to Gareth, Finn could not help but feel a bit of relief; it was like a small burden on his shoulder had just been lifted, but still something was bothering his thoughts.

The information they got from the captured Evilus group was valuable. We now know where Evilus set up their hideout on the 17th floor.

"Loki-sama, what should we do with the 17th floor and the problem Gareth faces?"

"Hm, Freya did tell me she would send Allen to wipe out the Evilus group hideout, for problems at Rivira Oberon and Orstrid's ability could solve in a matter of days. if I was right about Oberon's ability to see all evil in mortals."

Knowing that, Finn's mind streamed with an idea of how to use the advantage that Oberon had, but he realized that if the enemy knew about Oberon's ability, he would become the main target of the Evilus group because, with that ability, Oberon could reveal the Evilus rat walk among the civilians and adventurers.

"I still do not believe that Riveria let him venture to the middle floor. Hm, I just noticed that I have not seen Riveria since yesterday."

"Ah, she's probably in her room. From what I know, Oberon gave Riveria a book, and after that, she locked herself in her room. I should see what she is doing."

Then she put down one of the documents before Loki left the room.

"Don't forget to sign the document I told you, Loki-sama."

She just walked and left the room, pretending not to hear what Finn said. Seen as a mountain of unchecked documents, Finn can't help but feel a headache.

"I have to finish this quickly."

----

It has been a day since Oberon went to the dungeon. Since Oberon left the Twilight Manor, Riveria has shut herself in her room alone, reading the book that Oberon gave her. When she opened the wrap covering the book, the cover read 'True Magic' There are hundreds of pages in this book, but there are parts of the pages that are sealed and cannot be opened for some reason.

Oberon did give a note that the reason the pages were sealed was dangerous because of the nature of the magic that needed heavy supervision.

The book itself was handwritten, so nice that it was pleasant to read without even noticing Riveria had already spent an entire day reading it. Oberon's perspective on magic is far different from the elven understanding of magic.

For example, Oberon puts the rank of every magic from the lowest beginner rank to Emperor rank magic, and there is healing magic, but it is divided by its uses, from normal healing magic to closing and fixing a wound to detoxification magic's way to cure poison and sickness.

Oberon explained mana and magic and how to cast the spell with great illustrations. His explanation is well-based; he compared our people's understanding of magic to his own and did not shun or discredit our people's knowledge of magic. She just cannot stop feeling amazed at how brilliant his way of thinking is. The book that Oberon gave makes Riveria question if she fully understands what magic is.

"There are five elements in magic: fire, water, wind, earth, and Aet... Aether? Aether is a hidden fifth element; the proof of its existence is the presence of summons, teleportation, and gravity magic. Note that experiments with such magic can be dangerous to the user and the ar… hm?"

While she was reading a book, Riveria heard a knock on her door.

"Riveria, it is me, Loki. Can I come in?"

'Loki?'

Then she put a mark on the page to continue reading it later.

"You can come in."

Then she went inside, and Riveria could see Loki, not in her usual playful manner.

"It is already morning, Riveria. Why are you not leaving your room? Finn needs help, you know."

"I apologize, goddess Loki. The book Oberon gave me yesterday is fascinating and important for me to learn. For example, the healing magic in this book is far more potent than normal healing magic."

"Hm, is that so? I don't see Ais-chan; where did she go?"

"Ais went shopping. I believe she went with Alicia and Bara. She is really upset when she learns that Oberon left for the dungeon, so both tried to comfort her."

Then Loki laid her eyes on the book that Riveria had been reading since yesterday. Loki could see that Riveria had little rest from the socket below her eye.

"Can that healing magic be learned by my other mages?"

"According to this book, as long as you could cast magic, yes, but Oberon warned me not to teach other people that I can't trust because it will be dangerous for people with ill intent to obtain any knowledge in this book."

Hearing that, Loki felt relieved that his Familia could have more capable healers. It will benefit Loki Familia greatly if Oberon teaches his healing magic to other members.

"Riveria, can I ask something?"

"Is it about Oberon?"

"Yes, you may realize something happened to Oberon yesterday. From what I read about his character, Oberon is a calm and collected person, as I could see from our first encounter, but there is something that makes him change... It is like he is in a rush, and there is fear in his eyes when she faces me yesterday."

Riveria did realize that something changed about Oberon yesterday, and it did make her a bit worried.

"I remember when we were finished with our study session, Oberon said that he wanted to meet the goddess Hephaestus. When I asked him the reason, he said that he needed the goddess Hephaestus for his small project."

"Did he say anything about what kind of project it is?"

"He said nothing."

Loki then tried to think of the reason why his encounter with Hephaestus made him behave like that, but she still did not find a reasonable answer—none that could give a satisfactory answer. It only left Loki with one option.

Then Loki left the sofa and went to the exit door.

"I think we should meet Hephaestus and ask her ourselves. Can you accompany me, Riveria?"

----

(Oberon POV)

"YOU!!"

Allen shouted with tremendous blood lust, aiming in my direction in reflex. I grabbed my blade handle, and then Orstrid put herself in front of me while holding her Clymore with both hands.

"Take a single step closer to master; I will not hesitate to cut you down."

Allen just shrugged off Orstrid's warning and started to point his spear in my direction. Anya knows what her brother Gona tried to stop by tightly gripping his weapon.

"What did you think you did, Nii-san? Pointing a weapon at a person, save you!"

"SHUT UP! That guy is the reason our goddess shuns her eyes on us!"

'What is he talking about?'

I tried to find a reason why Allen had this kind of hatred. Oberon never recalls doing anything or involving himself with Freya for more than four years. Oberon could feel that Allen and Anya got stronger, but compared to Ottar, they were less strong than him.

Seeing the commotion, the Una Familia was dumbfounded. Seeing Allen's behaviour, Valda grabs her magic staff and is ready to protect Oberon. Still confused, Kara laid her eyes toward Oberon with a confusing reaction on both of their faces.

"I know that Loki and Freya Familia always had something to dispute, but... you just arrived days ago, yet why so much hate in his gaze toward you, Oberon?"

"I don't know Kara. Just don't try to get involved with this. It can bring your Familia to a triable position."

Oberon understands that if Una Familia gets involved in two top Familia disputes, they can get into trouble. Then I laid my eyes on Allen. Before Allen started to speak, Anya tried to calm the situation by answering my question instead of giving her brother a chance to talk.

"There is nothing to be concerned about, Oberon; he is just tired from fighting. Put that aside, Oberon, what are you doing on the middle floor?"

Anya tries to change the subject to calm the atmosphere, but her brother is still in a bad mood. In Anya's mind, all she can do is change the subject before everything is out of control.

"We tried to go to Rivira. If you like, we can go together and maybe try to defeat the Goliath together."

While we had a chat, Anya lost her grip on Allen's spear. In a matter of seconds, he tried to strike me down, but before he got the chance, Orstrid blocked his attack with her sword and kicked him away, but Allen's spear managed to scratch Orstrid's cheek.

Seeing that, Oberon could help but feel anger and stare at Allen coldly.

"You know what the meaning of this is, Allen? You want to start a fight?"

I used a cold tone as a warning to him, but it looked like he wouldn't budge, so I pulled both of my blades.

"SHUT UP!"

'Damn, he is so loud.'

"Is that so? Then we will leave you be."

Before we took a step forward, Allen walked and stood, blocking our way.

"If you win a duel with me, I will give a second thought to helping you fight against the Goliath."

Hearing what his brother said, Anya could not help but feel angry and shout at her brother.

"Brother, don't tell me that you disobeyed Freya-sama's order to all of our Familia's members! and Oberon just arrived a few days ago. Can you brag to others that you just defeated a level-one adventurer?"

Allen does not even budge when Anya tells him that he just disobeyed his goddess' order. Allen Stubbornness makes Oberon can help but release a heavy sigh. Oberon knows there are only two options: either follow Una Familia and walk through the long path to reach Rivira or force himself through Allen, who stands in his way.

"Oberon-sama I suggest not accepting his duel. From what I know, Allen reached level five not so long ago, and he is well-known as the fastest adventurer in Orario. I apologize for saying this, but I am not sure Oberon-sama can defeat him."

Oberon can't fully grasp how powerful a level five adventurer is compared to a level one.

'I wonder how fast Allen's could be compared to my current speed.'

"I see, then I will show him the speed that his small brain can't comprehend."

("Orstrid prepared a Saint-Healing Magic Scroll. I will use the 'Long sword of light technique'; there is a chance I will rapture my muscle in the process.")

("I understand, master; just in case, master, I will prepare divine healing magic.")

If saint-rank healing magic is capable of healing most bodily injuries and restoring lost limbs, the divine rank could bring the dead to life, but the person is not dead for a lengthy period. I did experience it when I was killed by the dragon god Orsted and then resurrected by him.

("I will let you decide, Orstrid.")

Orstrid did know what happened the last time I tried to coat my body with Touki. It happened when I was twelve years old, when I started to feel a weird sensation every time, I swung the sword. It felt like the weight of my swing got lighter and lighter without me noticing. My body started to bleed, and my consciousness started to deplete and pass out in an instant.

When I woke up, I was already in my bedroom when I asked Orstrid what had happened. She told me that I had unconsciously coated my body with Touki's uncontrollable consequences; my blood vessels and my muscles started to rupture. I thought it impossible for me to use Touki at first, but my connection with Laplace, or maybe goddess Ereshkigal, was doing something to my soul.

"You just need to pass through me that all you need to do is do whatever magic you want. I doubt any of that will be useful."

Without saying anything, I just created an earth magic sword and stood in front of him; our distance was only a meter. In Oberon's mind, Allen is just a kid with a bad temper; all he needs is a heavy punch to his pride to calm him down, like what he did to Eris.

'*sigh* What troublesome."

I could reach King-rank Touki control, but my body still could not manage it for an extended period. Using Touki feels like you are coating your whole body with mana to increase your strength. To make it stronger, you need to compress it until you feel like wearing invisible armour that becomes one with your body, but it needs sufficient training and heavy lifting. I do learn the hard way what happens when I compress my mana into a weak body of mine. It feels like meat is being put into the compressor machine.

'Inhale… Exhale…'

(-Flashback-)

Three years ago, at Wishe Forest, Oberon started his daily training in swinging a sword. At the same time, he did swings, he always tried to think of a way to make the swing faster and stronger. I always had in mind Ghislaine's advice about being logical and abandoning rational thinking or overthinking too much.

(Swoosh)

(Swoosh)

"Phiew… My hand already feels numb."

Then I pause and take a rest, lying on the green grass and watching the blue sky. The air is so clean and the forest leaf moving Gracely creates a calming wind sound. I could feel so peaceful making me think more clearly.

"Is being rational the base of people who have logical thinking? ... sigh, I don't get it."

Then I tried to remember every sword god user character to find any clue as to what the meaning of being a 'Logical' is from their perspective. I remember that Eris tended to be a forward girl who always hit first, asking questions later. Because of that, she had an extraordinary talent for the sword god technique, according to Ghislaine.

"But I never saw Ghislaine behave as Eris does... Gah, so confusing!"

Then Oberon realized maybe being 'logical' according to Ghislaine is not thinking too much about the outcome or the step he needs to take; it is about being straightforward without any thinking about what if. Just think, I want that, and just do it without thinking; only use your senses or fighting instincts to guide your sword.

Then I drank a potion that Mother prepared for me to regain my stamina and tried to mimic Ghislaine and Eris's stance and aim my gaze toward an earth-made doll as target practice. I tried to concentrate and felt my mana circulate on my body extend it to my weapon and strengthen my senses of surroundings.

'Inhale, exhale, hump!'

When Orstrid and my mother came to see me, they saw a cut clean in a half-human-size earth doll. When they were looking for my present, I was already covered in blood.

"OBERON!"

With painful expressions and couldn't move at all. I saw that my mother and Orstrid were in shock and panic and started treating my wound. When I told her I just practiced a new sword skill, for the first time, I saw my mother so furious at me, and she forbade me to ever use or practice that technique.

(-Back to present-)

'I will apologize for breaking my promise to Mother later.'

Senses the atmosphere surrounding Oberon changing when takes his stance Allen's instinct starts to tingle, screaming to Allen of danger. Allen and others are dumbfounded that Oberon could emit such blood lust that it makes Anya feel hesitant to let this duel go on, but Anya knows that Oberon will not kill his brother because of the weapon he uses.

"Are you mocking me Using that dull weapon against me?"

"Sigh… if you die in this duel what did you think your little sister will feel? At least take diligent care of your last FAMILY!"

I can't help shouting at him because of the anger I feel. Oberon hates to admit it, but Allen had the shadow of Oberon's former self making his grip on the sword strengthen.

((Thud))

When Oberon took his first step forward, he felt like he was flying, and everything moved in slow motion, followed by tremendous pain in his body, especially in the thigh part, but Oberon tried not to pay attention to the pain. Allen started to move his spear, but in Oberon's vision, he was still too slow to stop whatever Oberon was about to do, maybe because he still had not yet reached half the speed of light.

The Long Sword of Light is the ultimate technique of the Sword God Style if you want to call yourself a sword god Saint you must be able to do this technique.

In this technique, the sword is held steady with both hands and one step forward for each swing that the user makes, followed by a fast sword swing. Oberon carefully controls the strength of the swing and aims toward his leg to seal his movement, and his neck is strong enough to knock him out.

.

..

…

((Boom))

The spectators who watch just see Oberon take a stance and point a dull sword in the direction where Allen stands. In the blink of an eye, Oberon disappeared, followed by an explosion-like sound. When they laid their eyes on Allen, he was already knocked down with a broken leg and a brush on his neck, while Oberon stood behind him bleeding on his hand and tight.

While everyone froze in shock at what just happened, Orstrid went to the side of her master's knees and dropped to the ground because of the tremendous pain Oberon felt. Then Orstrid pulled one of the healing scrolls to heal all of Oberon's wounds.

"Master your ears."

When Orstrid said that I realized I lost my left long ears, she picked one of my left long ears that got cut then she reattached it with the healing magic.

'That bastard he still able to react with that speed.'

"Haa… Thank you Orstrid…. Give Allen treatment too. I think I broke a couple of his bones."

Anya was not so upset when she saw her brother drop unconscious; she knew Oberon would not try to end her brother's life, but still, she couldn't help but feel amazed that Oberon managed to defeat her brother's level-five adventurer in less than a second.

Seeing a blood stain covering Oberon Valda and Kara can't help but feel worried, so Oberon explains that the technique he used would cause his body harm, but he has no choice. Hearing that Arnya starts to apologize and assures him that Freya-sama will punish him hard for this.

Oberon did think to order Anya to hide his confrontation with Allen, but he knew no mortal could lie in front of the gods. When all was patched up, Oberon tried to inspect Allen's condition before facing the floor boss.

"I believe he will wake up in half an hour. I hope. Now I will face the floor boss. If you like Kara, you can wait until I defeat the floor boss."

"Thank you, Oberon, for not taking my brother's life."

"I know Allen is the only family member, and you care for him dearly, but still, I don't know why he had such a hateful gaze toward me."

"My brother... he was obsessed with receiving the attention of goddess Freya, and because of that, he became obsessed with becoming the strongest. Yet Freya-sama's eyes were always looking toward you, Oberon; that's why he had some grudge against you, Oberon."

'So that's why.'

"It's not only your brother, isn't it?"

Anya just nodded in confirmation. I can't help but get headaches in my head because he has not only dealt with the Evilus group but with Freya Familia too.

"When I have time, I will try to resolve the problem... Then Kara Valda and others, thank you for guiding me through the middle floor; one day I will repay your kindness."

"Are you sure not need our help, Oberon?"

"It's okay Rina, you see yourself right what I could do and please remember the magic I thought. Then see you on the other side."

While Anya tends to her brother, others stand and watch Oberon's departure.

"Kara, can you see Oberon-sama movement?"

Kara just shakes her head and answers.

"No, I can't track his movement at all. How about you, Anya?"

Anya sometimes spends the time to help the orphan child that their parent killed in the dungeon. That was when she met Una Familia who actively helped the orphan children.

"Nothinya~, if my brother can't stop him, it is impossible for us to see Oberon's movement... it only took him three years to become that strong I wonder how stronger he is in the future."

Anya now knows why her goddess is so obsessed with Oberon and feels sorry for her brother who trained so hard to be acknowledged by the goddess, yet there is some barrier dividing her brother's potential from Oberon, the same with Ottar. Probably in the future, Oberon will be hated by most of the Freya Familia members who want to possess the love of the goddess Freya for themselves.

Anya only hopes that Oberon can bear all their hatred toward him with an open mind.

"Ah, I forgot to ask, Anya what are you arguing about with your brother? I could see it heated debate."

"Oh, about that…. Freya-sama ordered us to destroy the Evilus hideout on the 17th floor. We shouldn't be taking the route that heading to the boss room, but when my brother wanted to defeat the floor boss, he insisted on taking it down himself, that why I and brother had a heated argument." 

Kara wants to help Anya, but her brother refuses their offer.

"Sigh… what a troublesome brother you have Anya."

Anya only replied with a small laugh because she couldn't deny Kara's statement.

----

After crossing the bridge, Oberon and Orstrid just follow the long hall, heading to the floor boss. Thankfully, no monster attacked them along the hall, so Oberon could hatch his plan to face the Goliath.

"Master, did your wound fully heal?"

Orstrid still felt concerned about her master; she was worried that Oberon was pushing himself too much.

"Ah, I am mostly fine, but there is still some discomfort in my joints."

I did try to starch my body a bit and still felt a bit of discomfort, but it did not influence me too much.

"I believe madam will not be happy knowing about what master just did."

Oberon giggled a bit because he had just broken his promise to his mother.

"I bet she does. I will send a letter to my mother. She will understand because of the circumstances I will explain in the letter."

The sword technique was not yet fully perfect; at the second hit, I expected to break Allen's neck, but that was not what happened, and when I remember the time, I fought the sword god user that used that technique, I am still not fully mastering it with the evidence of the duel I had.

"I believe that with the help of Falna, my body can manage the use of that technique... After my status was updated by the goddess Loki, I did not get paralyzed after the use of the Long Sword of Light."

The wall on the 17th floor does not look like a normal dungeon wall; it looks like it was man-made. When I inspected it more closely, it almost had the same surface look as the limestone, and the height of the long hall was two or three stories high.

After half a minute, we finally leave the long hall with a tall ceiling and are welcomed into a large room with a tall white wall, but there is a shadow-like image on the wall. Oberon understands the Big Wall of Grief, which spawns the monster, Rex Goliath.

When I tried to inspect it, the wall already had a crack in it.

(Crack)

The wall started to crack like something was trying to break the wall from the other side. Witnessing the commotion, Oberon started to pull Laguz and Logi at his wrist while Orstrid stood beside him, ready to chant any magic to support her master. I know that the boss just woke up from his slumber. The Goliath tried to break free from the Big Wall of Grief.

After the crack opened, I could see the face of the Goliath in front of me, and it started to scream.

((Roar!))

It starts loudly screaming; the sound itself probably could be heard by Anya and others. Then he lay his red eyes toward me. It does not take long before. 

((Thud))

The goliath that I know had the same description as I remember in the book: it had a humanoid body, but with a height of seven meters, grey skin, and its upper body was much bigger than the lower body.

Facing such a big monster, Oberon still manages to keep calm and inspect the monster's body, looking for a weakness.

'Now what magic should I use to take him down? According to Riveria, the Goliath had a big crystal in its stomach as his weakness.'

What I needed was high-accuracy, strong, and effective magic. Oberon had already decided what magic he would use; he summoned a large water ball in front of him, then combined it with gravity magic until it became a small and desolate water ball.

When the Goliath tried to reach its arm and tried to crush Oberon in his big hand, but before it could reach it, Orstrid deflected the Goliath's arm upward. Using a wind blade, clean its right arm, and the Goliath starts to scream in pain.

(Graaaaaar!)

("Orstrid, stand back").

When Orstrid moves aside from the Oberon magic fire range,

{Water Jet}

Using the principle of the water gun, Oberon releases high-pressure water, holds it, and cuts clean the monster and the core with a terrifying long slash upward on the ground and the wall. The goliath starts to explode into dust, only dropping a large chunk of magic crystal.

"Hm, it's too big to carry in your bag, Orstrid... I think I will draw a magic circle to make it float and easy to carry."

"Thank you, master."

After drawing a chanting spell on the surface of the magic crystal, I was dumbfounded that I didn't need to use my mana to activate the magic circle; it probably absorbed the mana that was contained in the crystal.

"Let's go, Orstrid. I don't want to let Hephaestus wait too long."