Munchkin Warhammer Misericordia

[Nevarh]

I have the German version of Munchkin Warhammer. I kindly ask for a clarification about the card Misericordia. The German version says "if you play this in a combat in which {specified type of monster} is killed, you gain additional [reward].

I think it is supposed to mean "when you have it in play during a fight against" because as far as I know, any item can't be played while oneself is in combat if not a one-shot or other special rule allows it.

Or is the sword supposed to be discarded for the extra gain and that is left out in the translated version?