The ambush - Part 2

Naige had a slender body, and the small weapon strapped to her slim waist seemed more like a complement to her beauty than an object of combat. She had received this weapon from her brother, after persistently insisting on becoming a swordsman. Since then, they had never parted ways. However, it was just a common saber, not very suitable for wielding in real battles. It had been specially forged for the training of novices, which she stubbornly insisted on using.

Perhaps out of love, or because of the absence she felt for her brother, or maybe because she was even more stubborn than he thought, the princess didn't give up on the idea of becoming a swordsman. After her brother's death, she even carried this desire to Carmelia, where she sought to attend fencing classes instead of pursuing a more suitable option for a duke's daughter.

However, she was far from ready to face a real battle. Knowing this, Jiro stood before her, blocking her path. He said impassively, "I'm sorry, miss... but I can't let you do something so dangerous. Return to the carriage and wait there with the others."

His words began to sound harsh. At certain times, as someone under the duke's orders, Jiro had more authority over the princess than she did herself. This was one of those occasions. However, he was interrupted by the unenthusiastic voice of the man dressed in black, "I'm getting impatient here, you know?" His black eyes were apathetic as he stared at Jiro. "I was looking forward to our encounter, so let's not waste time with a lovers' quarrel, 'Best Swordsman's' apprentice."

At that moment, Jiro turned his eyes toward the man in black. The way he spoke made it seem like they were already familiar. Moreover, he also referred to him as the apprentice of the "Best Swordsman"... few people knew this information.

"I'm sorry, but I can't seem to remember you. Have we met before?" Although he remained outwardly calm, Jiro was intrigued and unsettled by the man in black.

"Oh, have I not introduced myself yet? Look at my lack of manners," said the man mockingly. "Well, no matter what I say, you'll know who I am once we start."

He had a sparse beard covering his chin and a lit cigarette in his mouth. He released a puff of smoke as he approached Jiro and the princess, showing no concern. His hair was black and disheveled, while his eyes always held a sluggish look.

Jiro tried to remember the person but couldn't. He probably had never seen him before, although this man seemed to know him. However, they didn't look like ordinary bandits.

"You initiated an attack on our vehicle. Your actions here are considered a crime under the laws of this kingdom..."

"I know what I'm doing here!" interrupted the man in black.

He then took the cigarette from his mouth and extinguished it on the fabric of his pants. He stowed it in his shirt pocket and drew a sword from his back. It was a long and heavy weapon, with a finely crafted black blade adorned with tribal symbols.

Jiro focused his eyes on that sword. He felt immense power emanating from it, the same could be said of its user. The dark color of the blade had a clear meaning; it was made of a rare metal capable of absorbing mana and resisting magic and spells. The symbols, on the other hand, might signify a hidden, dormant power, though he wasn't sure about that. His only conviction was that he was facing no ordinary swordsman.

"Miss Naige, I request once again that you step back, please," Jiro said, with a calm yet serious tone.

Jiro hoped that the princess would understand that the enemies before her were not someone she should challenge. However, Naige did not move.

"Princess..." Although he was speaking to the princess, Jiro did not take his eyes off his opponents. He noticed when the man in black advanced toward him with great speed. He remained calm, took a step forward, and positioned himself between the enemy and the princess. "Why are you attacking us?" he inquired.

Neither of the two men answered his question. This did not surprise Jiro, as he knew that people like them generally did not engage in conversations. After all, their focus was on battles.

To the astonishment of Jiro and the princess, the man in black strangely retreated after his initial attack. With a satisfied smile on his lips, he said, "I always wanted to finish my fight against your master. Well, too bad he had that pathetic ending before I had my chance..."

"What did you say about my brother?" The princess protested as soon as the man in black finished speaking. After all, she could not accept such disrespectful words against her brother's honor.

Naige paid attention to him because he had called Jiro the apprentice of the "Best Swordsman," referring to her brother. Therefore, she was curious about the man in black. On the other hand, he only glanced briefly at her, with an ordinary look, gave a cynical laugh, and ignored her afterward. Then, he returned his attention to Jiro. This attitude irritated her.

"Are you another one of those who lost to my master and now think defeating me will change something?" Jiro asked.

"Something like that," replied the man. Then, he raised his long sword, challenging Jiro. "I hope you're a worthy challenge."

It was clear that the first attack had been just a demonstration; the real battle had not yet begun. Jiro remained intrigued and uneasy. Although it was not uncommon to encounter someone in that kingdom who had fought his former master and lost, he felt that there was something more hidden behind the actions of that swordsman in black.

"Don't disappoint me, apprentice," the man added, smiling.

"Don't call me apprentice," Jiro retorted. And he whispered as if he were thinking aloud, "I don't intend to stay in the shadow of someone who's already dead..."

Jiro revealed a smile, losing some of the initial tension. He prepared for the upcoming battle. Knowing that his opponent had faced someone like his former master made him more eager to face him than he would have liked. He wanted to wield his sword against his opponent's and discover how much he still lacked compared to the one known as the "Best Swordsman."

Both took positions in the middle of the road and launched themselves at each other simultaneously. Their swords clashed with even greater intensity than before, creating a vibrant sound in the air that put anyone nearby on alert.

After the first attack, neither of them stopped. They continued with the exchange of rapid strikes. The swordsman in black was not only strong but also agile and fast. Sometimes he moved in a strange way, as if he could shift to any space around him with his massive sword. Thus, the battle began with a lot of movement, forcing Jiro to keep up with his opponent's pace.