A giant octopus suddenly appeared and told us, "You must not exist.

More importantly—what the hell is this thing?

When I looked at my companions, I saw my junior female disciples trembling.

They were instinctively on guard, but their drawn blades were shaking.

Ellen had even collapsed to the ground, having lost all will to fight.

I can't exactly say, "How pathetic of my disciple!"

Kukuri emerged from my shadow.

"Lord Liam, please flee."

Kukuri's judgment in trying to get me to escape was correct.

But I couldn't possibly run away here.

"You all, fall back."

Kukuri, who was usually so composed, was panicking.

"But!"

"I said, fall back!"

As Kukuri obeyed my command and retreated, my attention was drawn to my master, who was watching the giant octopus.

"Master?"

When I looked at my master, he was staring at the giant octopus imposingly, without a hint of trembling.

There was neither fear nor anger in his expression.

And then, he asked me.

"Lord Liam, do you think you can defeat that thing?"

Isn't Master going to fight it?

That's what I thought, but he probably wants to test my abilities.

The octopus charged at us, but Avid, waiting behind me, deployed a field that enveloped and protected us.

The giant octopus had a sinister appearance, and the magistrate's mansion it touched began to corrode.

The black vapor it spewed from its mouth looked incredibly poisonous.

"—It'd be a close call, I think."

The giant octopus was a much tougher opponent than the original One-Flash School.

I had a feeling that even my One-Flash might not be enough to defeat it; it felt like I was just a little short.

Master said.

"Then, I'm counting on you. I... can no longer fight."

"Huh?"

Master can't fight?

◇

Yasushi had a look of resignation, but he still held a faint hope for his disciples.

(This monster appeared out of nowhere, but these guys are inhuman. Maybe they can beat it?)

He glanced over at Rinho and Fuuka.

But the two of them seemed terrified.

And weren't they looking at Yasushi as if pleading for help?

(You idiots! I'm weaker than you! How could I possibly win against an opponent that even you are afraid of?!)

Looking at Liam, he had a puzzled expression.

Liam's calm demeanor was infuriating.

Avid, who had just displayed overwhelming power, seemed to be at its limit just deploying a field to keep the giant octopus at bay.

The field was gradually being pushed back, and the giant octopus swelled up, growing even larger.

"One-Flash School!! You, of all people, will die here!"

For some reason, its killing intent towards them was intense.

(What in the world did I do?! Sure, I haven't lived a life I can be proud of, but I haven't done anything to be hated this much!)

Yasushi, who had just told Liam "I can no longer fight," had lied on the spot to escape the immediate threat to his life.

Being thought to be hiding his true strength and forced to fight this monster was a bad joke.

So, he just had to say he couldn't fight anymore.

"I would like you to show me your true power, Lord Liam."

For now, he wanted to rely on Liam and escape this situation.

Liam's eyes widened in astonishment, but he gave a small nod and stepped forward.

Yasushi prayed in his heart.

(Oh, God!! Please, just this once, help Liam! If I can just get through this, I'll escape on my own afterward!)

Even if he survived, Yasushi would continue to think only of escape.

◇

As Gudwar revealed his true form, the Guide watched from above.

"Go, Gudwaaaaar!! You're the best!"

He had appeared before Liam and the others, charging recklessly.

His massive body seemed to be blocked by Avid's field, but in reality, he was struggling to get close due to Liam's power.

The feelings of his people.

And the feelings of the people from the planets he had saved.

The sacred tree of the Banfield house, and the wishes of many other people, were protecting Liam.

These were amplified through Avid, a mass of rare metals, imbuing the field with a sacred power.

From the Guide's perspective, Gudwar was like a moth flying into a flame.

He would never imitate it, nor would he want to.

Even if he defeated Liam, Gudwar's wounds would take many years to heal. In the worst case, he would suffer for the rest of his life.

Nevertheless, there was a reason why Gudwar was trying to kill Liam.

"Phew, still, I never thought he'd step into our domain by mistake. Even if it's just a little, we can't allow someone to become a being that can reach us!"

Truly, just a little.

Liam had stepped into the Guides' domain, just enough for his fingertips to barely touch it.

This was the result of piling up misunderstandings and aiming for greater heights.

"To think you've grown this much from simple magic tricks. But this is as far as you go! Now, Gudwar, I'll lend you my aid, so you must win!"

Black smoke overflowed from the Guide, supporting Gudwar.

It was then, as Gudwar grew even larger and tried to forcefully swallow Liam and the others.

"—Wha-!?"

The Guide saw a vision of light converging behind Liam.

It transformed into the shape of a person larger than Avid, with only its upper body visible.

The humanoid figure, with its well-trained body, had the aura of a god of war.

Its upper body seemed to be bare, but its mouth was hidden by the mask of an armored warrior.

In its hand, it held a katana.

The gaze of the materialized giant of light glared at the Guide.

"N-no way. It noticed me—Eek!?"

The giant of light drew its sword.

Below it, Liam was also looking up at the Guide.

"I've been found!!!"

The panicked Guide abandoned Gudwar and fled the scene.

◇

When I looked up at the sky, I saw the Guide leaving.

"—I've won."

It seems the Guide was the one supporting this whole incident—no, everything—from behind the scenes.

His after-sales service is so perfect it's almost making me feel bad.

The original One-Flash School, and the approaching enemy fleet—with the Guide's help, I can definitely win!

Convinced that everything was settled, I handed the sword I was holding to Ellen.

Ellen seemed unable to stand up.

"M-Master?"

"What are you doing?" I didn't answer Ellen, who was looking at me with such eyes, and instead looked up at Avid.

"Avid, give me my sword."

A sword flew out from Avid's cockpit, and I raised my left hand to catch it.

It's my favorite sword.

The giant octopus before me had its huge, bloodshot eyes wide open.

"That sword is!"

It seems to know about this sword, as it feels quite panicked.

I had an intuitive feeling that my sword could cut it, and it seems I wasn't wrong.

The sword I took from that Goaz was quite something.

This is also thanks to the Guide.

"This is the best sword I own. I knew that with this, I could reach you."

I placed my hand on Ellen's head.

"Ellen, I haven't been able to show you a true One-Flash until now."

"Huh?"

"I've finally become a proper master for you."

I stepped forward and brought the sword before my eyes with both hands.

When I drew about thirty centimeters of the blade from its sheath, my eyes were reflected on it.

My purple eyes seemed to be glowing.

"I can't say I don't need a sword yet, but..."

The giant octopus watching me was anxiously making its body larger.

It swelled up, trying to swallow the field deployed by Avid.

"As I thought, that sword is the God of Go—"

I don't have time to listen to the giant octopus.

"One-Flash."

Instead of drawing the sword, I returned it to its sheath, making a sound.

Then, the One-Flash slashed through the giant octopus, cleaving it in two vertically.

Black smoke poured out from the severed surface, and the giant octopus's body deflated.

"Igyaaagyaaaaahhh!!"

A scream echoed.

"If—it was—going to be—like this—I should have—quickly—you—"

The giant octopus's body dissipated into the air, and when the black smoke vanished, sparkling golden particles danced around.

—What is this phenomenon? It's kind of nice. No, I quite like it.

I sheathed the sword at my waist and turned around.

Rinho had a surprised look on her face.

"Th-that just now... Ah, Senior Brother, could it be..."

Fuuka dropped her sword and sat on the ground, her eyes welling with tears.

"So scaaary. What was that just now? I've never seen anything like it. And Senior Brother, you're just... amazing. I don't get it."

Ellen was clenching her fists, crying as she looked at me.

"M-Master. Congratulations. I couldn't see your One-Flash, but... I've certainly burned it into my memory."

The invisible slash.

Its true nature wasn't about cutting at a speed no one could see.

Nor was it about creating a blade with magic.

A supernatural phenomenon? —That's not wrong, either.

It was a technique that couldn't be achieved if even one element was missing.

The One-Flash exists in a realm one can only reach after mastering everything and breaking through a wall.

"Master—I have finally mastered the secret art of the One-Flash School."

The battle was over, and I bowed deeply to my master.

This was certainly not a secret art that could be explained with words.

If Master and the Guide hadn't led me, I would have forever been unleashing a mistaken One-Flash, just like the original One-Flash School.

At this rate, I can't laugh at the Sword Saint I made fun of before.

I was the same, having only trained in the wrong way.

Master treated me kindly despite that.

"Magnificent, Lord Liam. You have already surpassed me. I have nothing more to say."

"N-not at all. I'm still no match for you, Master."

The One-Flash I saw from my master as a child is still burned into my memory.

That was the real deal.

"No, Lord Liam is the best!"
"No, I still can't beat you, Master."

"No, no, Lord Liam is the best now!"
"In my mind, you're still the best, Master!"

"I'm telling you, Lord Liam is the best!"
"But, Master is—"

As Master and I were arguing, a small window opened and Marie reported to me.

"Lord Liam, we have a situation!"

"What is it? If you're struggling, I'll—"

"N-no. A part of the enemy forces has started fighting amongst themselves."

"Infighting?"

"Yes. It seems the mercenary group they brought with them has betrayed them."

Seeing Marie's bewildered face, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

With the Guide backing me up, there's no way I can lose!

"In times like these, I believe the saying is—'Fortune is on my side,' was it? Don't be so surprised. I simply win because I'm destined to. You get back to work."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The communication cut off.

"Well, there's a lot I want to talk about, but let's evacuate first. Master, I'll escort you to my flagship."

"No, that won't be necessary. I have family on this planet—"

As Master said that, Ellen replied.

"Lord Yasushi, your family has been protected by Master."

"—Huh?"

I had his wife and Yasuyuki-kun evacuated to the flagship beforehand, just in case a battle broke out.

"Don't worry, Master!"

When I said that, for some reason, Master had a distant look in his eyes.

"I-I see."

◇

Meanwhile.

In space, Liam's private fleet, led by Marie, was in battle.

"What's the situation!"

Marie's voice echoed across the bridge, but the crew was also struggling to grasp the situation.

An operator made a report.

"We believe a portion of the enemy has rebelled, but we have no detailed information."

A group of what appeared to be three thousand mercenary ships was rampaging, attacking their own allies.

The magistrate's father's—the Count's—fleet was also in disarray, being attacked from within.

Marie broke out in a cold sweat.

('Fortune is on my side'—it's just as Lord Liam said.)

No matter how disadvantageous the situation, Liam, who always seizes victory, seems to be watched over by something beyond human comprehension.

The operator shouted.

"Avid has been recovered! We can break away at any time!"

"Break through the front! Get the flagship out first! Protect Lord Liam, even if it costs you your lives!"

Literally life-or-death.

They would charge the enemy to break away.

Many allies would likely be destroyed, but if it meant saving Liam, it was more than worth it.

"The enemy is in disarray. Charge formation!"

As Marie gave the order, Liam's image appeared on the bridge monitor.

"The flagship is at the front. I'm going out too."

Seeing the battered Liam smiling fearlessly, Marie ignored his order.

"Even if it is Lord Liam's order, I cannot obey this. I will stake my head on it, you will withdraw from this place."

"—Who do you think you're talking to?"

The bridge fell silent at Liam's low voice, but Marie, believing this to be her duty, pressed on.

"If you survive, Lord Liam, the Banfield house can rise again any number of times. Conversely, if we lose you here, we will never be able to rise again. I have no intention of changing my mind."

Liam smiled.

He seemed to like Marie's answer.

"I suppose I can acknowledge your loyalty. But don't underestimate me. Are you assuming I'm at a disadvantage? I am a man who always wins."

Interrupting the image of Liam, who had no doubt he would win, was Chengshi, the leader of the mercenary group.

"It's been a while, Lord Liam."

Marie glared at the image that appeared, showing a woman in an outfit resembling a cheongsam.

"Y-you're..."

"I've joined the battle leading a mercenary group. For now, I thought I'd just hit the side with more enemies—but on the other hand, I thought this might be a chance to fight you, Lord Liam."

Marie made a face as if she'd bitten into a bitter bug.

(Of all people, our most radical extremist is turning against us?)

Marie was an extremist herself, but the elite among them were the type like Chengshi, who felt alive in the midst of battle.

For them, for whom challenging the strong was the ultimate bliss, facing Liam would be more enjoyable.

However, Liam narrowed his eyes at Chengshi's words.

"I have no use for a mutt that doesn't know how to play. If you're coming, then come quickly. I'll crush every last one of you."

Hearing Liam's unyielding reply, Chengshi blushed.

"Isn't this the part where you're supposed to ask for my help?"

"I'll win even without you."

Faced with his unwavering confidence, Chengshi seemed to give up.

"That's what makes you so interesting. —We will place ourselves under your command."

As the three thousand ships came under Liam's command, an operator reported the situation.

"They're disguised, but they're all equipped with standard Banfield House gear!"

Hearing that, Marie immediately began to devise a plan to break the stalemate.

(The number of enemies has decreased, and our allies have increased. But this difference in numbers is—)

Just then—a new noble's fleet appeared.

The grand fleet of twenty thousand ships bore a different family crest from the Banfield's.

Seeing this, Liam's earlier composure vanished, his eyes widening in alarm.

"—W-why..."

It must have been unexpected for Liam as well.

A communication came from that fleet.

"I've come to save you, darling!"