Ryu could teleport home in an instant, but he preferred to walk whenever possible, wanting to feel the city's atmosphere and observe its environment. This allowed the knights to follow him.

The three knights trailing Ryu were named Aiga, Galteo, and Mashu. However, they didn't immediately attack. They were searching for a more secluded spot.

Eliminating Ryu was Prince Harris' order. It was a matter of "disrespect" towards royalty, so even if someone saw them capture and kill Ryu, it wouldn't be a major problem. However, the knights still wanted to avoid a scandal. Seeing a noble or a royal "punish" a commoner for disrespect wouldn't look good, especially among the common folk.

Prince Harris often ordered the execution of commoners for disrespect, which was clearly unjust and based on his whims. Even in less obvious cases, there was a gray area where they didn't necessarily have to kill.

Ideally, unless someone clearly intended to harm a noble or royalty, executing them for disrespect wasn't the right course of action.

The prince's knights were aware that what they were doing wasn't commendable.

However, they couldn't defy the prince's orders. If they refused, they would be the ones executed for treason. They had to carry out their orders, feeling sorry for the commoners they had to kill, but ultimately closing their hearts to the act.

Ryu was aware of being followed. If they attacked, he was ready to return the favor.

But since they weren't attacking, he decided to approach them. He wanted to go home and have dinner and sleep.

Even though there were still some people around, the knights, who weren't skilled in stealth, simply let Ryu approach them.

Ryu: "Do you have something to say? I mean, you're supposed to kill me, right?"

Aiga: "...Why did you approach us knowing that? Why didn't you run?"

Galteo: "Did you think we wouldn't attack you in a public place?"

Mashu: "No, maybe you thought we were unbeatable and came to beg for your life?"

Ryu: "Hmm, you guys seem to be prepared, right? If you're going to kill someone, you need to be prepared to be killed yourself."

Galteo: "Haha, that's a good one. Do you think a mere commoner like you can win against us, the Three Knights of the Shooting Star?"

Mashu: "Well, it can't be helped. It's a commoner thing to not know their place."

Ryu (with a sigh): "You nobles are so full of yourselves. Don't you ever think about the possibility that you might die?"

Aiga: "You might have some confidence in your skills, but you're just a commoner. You'd be wise not to underestimate the power of us nobles."

Ryu: "I don't think I'll lose, but...

Good thing for you, I'm letting you go today. I want to go home and eat and sleep."

Galteo: "Huh? We're not letting you go!"

Aiga: "I know it's unfair, but I'm sorry, it's an order."

Mashu: "Don't worry, we'll make sure it's as painless as possible."

The knights draw their swords.

Ryu: "Can't you understand unless you get cut?"

The people in the street had all disappeared, sensing the dangerous atmosphere.

Mashu: "Leave it to me! I'll finish it in a flash!"

The knights attacked. Their footwork and sword speed were impressive. Their skills were top-notch, even compared to other swordsmen Ryu had seen.

The abilities of nobles were on a completely different level from those of commoners. They had superior magical powers, physical strength, and athleticism. And those with the best physical abilities were chosen as knights.

Their attack was a high-speed lunge and a fast strike, making it impossible for a commoner to even see the movement, resulting in instant decapitation.

However, the sword met no resistance, and Ryu's form disappeared. Mashu was suddenly flying through the air and slammed onto the ground.

Ryu teleported behind Mashu, grabbed him by the collar, and flung him.

Aiga: "Mashu! Are you alright?"

Mashu (getting up unsteadily): "Yeah, I'm fine. I got a little careless."

Aiga: "Well, it seems you have some skills. You guys, form a formation! Gale Formation!"

At Aiga's command, Galteo and Mashu gathered behind him.

The three of them lined up, Aiga leading, and charged towards Ryu with fierce energy.

Aiga, who had been charging straight at Ryu, adjusted his trajectory at the moment he reached sword range, running past Ryu's side as he swung his sword.

In the next instant, Galteo, who was behind Aiga, attacked. But Galteo, in contrast to Aiga, ran to the opposite side while swinging his sword.

Lastly, Mashu, who was at the rear, lunged forward, aiming for a thrust.

They were attacking from three directions, all while passing each other.

But Ryu blocked Aiga's attack with the magical sword Furagarahha that he had summoned in an instant, dodged Galteo's attack by ducking, and jumped over Mashu's thrust.

They were aiming for a surprise attack, but Ryu had seen the three attacks coming through his foresight ability, so dodging them was easy.

Ryu: "Flash Stream Attack!"

Ryu grinned, recalling the name of the technique from a robot anime he had watched in his previous life.

Aiga was surprised that their seemingly invincible formation attack was easily evaded.

Mashu: "What's so funny?!"

Aiga: "Let's try again!"

Once again, Aiga, Galteo, and Mashu lined up and charged towards Ryu.

But after they passed each other again...

...The ground was littered with six severed arms of the knights, cut off by Ryu.

Ryu turned his sword back and attacked the three knights. The knights had lost their arms and had no way to defend themselves. Ryu's sword swung horizontally, cutting off the legs of all three knights.

Galteo: "Wha...!? What!?"

Aiga: " ...Impossible...!?"

The knights lay on the ground, unable to understand what was happening.

The wounds inflicted by the magical sword Furagarahha couldn't be healed by healing magic or potions. If left untreated, they would eventually die from blood loss.

Ryu: "...Are all nobles this stupid?"

Ryu sighed, looking down at the knights lying on the ground.

(Scene Change)

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(Text: Sophie is surprised by Ryu's Storage Magic. Does the country want to confine Ryu? Don't miss it!)