◆ Avangarde Castle Town, Central Street ◆
“Yeehaaa! This is amazing!”
“Isn’t he just some old man with no combat experience? Why is he so fast?!”
The one I’m currently fighting isn’t a monster or a seasoned warrior; he’s just an old carpenter. How did I figure that out? Well, he’s wielding an absurdly black kanna in his right hand. Honestly, I only realized that it was a weapon after he attacked me. When he charged at me and slid his right hand, my skin was torn away in an instant.
“Is that even a legitimate weapon…?”
“Don’t dodge, you damn Adventurer! Don’t underestimate our artisan spirit!”
“This makes no sense at all… Can someone explain?”
“We are the Phantom! With this weapon bestowed upon us by the Death Weapon Merchant, the revenge of the specters begins now!”
Can a craftsman really call his tools weapons? That bearded guy would probably kick someone who said that out of the guild. But honestly, I couldn’t care less; these Phantoms were rampaging everywhere. Even skilled Adventurers were struggling against their physical prowess. Their movements were chaotic, to put it bluntly, but their speed made up for it. In fact, it’s become more efficient for Adventurers below B-rank to evacuate the townsfolk rather than engage in combat.
Many soldiers were mobilized as well, but they were also having a tough time. More than that, starting with that carpenter, these guys were supposed to be good citizens. They were ordered to kill from above, but soldiers are human too. It’s only natural they’d be confused.
“Minimizing damage to the residents is our top priority! Don’t hesitate, kill them!”
“But Captain Kirkton! Is that really the right thing to do?”
“Does that softness help the good people? Lieutenant Ritta!”
“Those people were good citizens once! You know that too, Captain! You know what that black weapon can cause! And who gave it to them!”
Oh, it seems Lieutenant Ritta has arrived too. I want to casually greet her, but I probably wouldn’t be acknowledged right now. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be. This situation takes precedence over any unrequited feelings. From the way she spoke, Ritta and Captain Kirkton must know who the mastermind is.
I don’t even consider what I can do. I couldn’t do anything against the monsters that attacked the Royal Capital, I was beaten by Habaku, and I tasted humiliation to the fullest. It’s not about what I can do; it’s about doing something. I will become an Adventurer who can hold my head high in front of Lua and the others.
“If I destroy that black weapon like Rua did…”
“Alright! Leave it to me!”
“Wait, Ord…?”
“That’s not going to work!”
The voice that came from behind belonged to Yuyu, the Five Elites. Her robe, reminiscent of a lab coat, accentuated her figure in a rather alluring way. The fact that her age is indeterminate adds to her charm. In any case, if Yuyu is here, I can at least feel a bit relieved.
“Yuyu, what do you mean?”
“It’s unclear if it’s some kind of curse, but that weapon is linked to the mind of the person wielding it.”
“What?! So if we break the weapon…”
“It will collapse along with the person wielding it.”
“Hohoho! I don’t know how you figured that out, but as expected of the Merciful Angel Yuyu! Are you well-versed in dark arts as well?”
Perched atop a house, a shadowy figure with multiple overlapping silhouettes spoke. Each one swayed side to side, barely maintaining a human shape. I didn’t need an explanation to confirm it; that was the mastermind Ritta had mentioned. But I never imagined it wouldn’t be human. If it were a human, there might be a chance of victory, but facing an unknown monster leaves me feeling uncertain.
“I don’t know what your goal is. However, originally, they were humans without the power to fight. There are countless ways to restrain them.”
“Do you know what is essential for a person to live?”
“…Huh? What are you asking about?”
“Food, lovers, health. All of these are indeed essential. But think about it. Why do we desire them? Food is necessary for life, but if that were all, we could just nibble on tasteless bread. Yet, people seek out tastier things. However, one cannot continuously eat delicious food. The more one eats, the more they crave something even better. Hoho.”
Those are clichéd words, but they feel eerie. Indeed, that figure is speaking there. Yet, it feels like it’s not really him; I can’t quite grasp what it means, but it’s both him and not him. It’s an incomprehensible existence that threatens to drive me mad.
“Why do we fall in love with the opposite sex? Ultimately, it boils down to the desire to share a bed! Food, lovers—these desires require us to be healthy for a long time! The will to live! Desire! Yes, humans need desire! It is something we cannot resist! To satisfy such desires, one needs power! Power! That is to say, weapons! The power to fulfill desires is the weapon!”
“I can’t deal with this.”
“I want to satisfy my desires! With this weapon, I can do that! That’s what weapons make you think! It’s absurd to talk about worthless ores and techniques! Hohoho!”
“Hey, where are Kou and Bun? They’re just kids, around ten years old.”
The shadowy figure, who had been speaking so cheerfully, momentarily failed to notice my presence. It slowly looked down at me, as if to say, “What are you doing here?”
“They’re right there.”
By the time I checked my surroundings, it was too late. A small shadow darted past, grazing my side and drawing blood. I want to believe that my combat experience allowed me to dodge just in time.
And there they were, the harsh reality. Kou, wearing black knuckles, and Bun, wielding black knives in both hands. Most importantly, they had attacked me. Like children who had just acquired new toys, they innocently caressed their knives and knuckles with their fingers.
“You guys too…?”
“Big bro, we’ve gotten stronger! Do you finally understand that we don’t have to hide behind you anymore?”
“No, you still don’t get it. You’ve always treated us like kids. You thought we were just foolish children trying to stretch ourselves. So now, I’ll make you understand thoroughly!”
As soon as he finished speaking, they unleashed a barrage of attacks with their knives and knuckles. They didn’t seem like inexperienced children at all. Dodging was all I could manage. Can mere weapons make someone this strong? When a person who desires power obtains it, can they change this much? Just like that carpenter, is the human heart this weak?
Feeling a light disappointment, I realize I can’t judge them. After all, I too sought power when I reached for the Hero’s Sword. I had hoped to gain strength, just like that. There’s no way kids like Kou and Bun wouldn’t be consumed by such desires.
“As expected of big bro! You’re amazing!”
“We can’t compete with the power given to us by the Death Weapon Merchant!”
“Don’t put ‘sir’ after that thing! Listen up, you two! Just because someone gives you something doesn’t mean they’re a good person! Don’t be fooled! There are plenty of people out there who lure good-hearted folks with sweet words and material goods!”
“So what are you going to do for us, big bro?”
I found myself at a loss for words. There was something I should have said the moment I found them. Yet, as they looked at me with those hollow eyes, especially coming from children, I was forced to question what I could do for them.
“It’s impossible, isn’t it? After all, we’ve always been a burden.”
“That’s why we have to get stronger! What do you know, big bro?!”
“What do I know, huh…”
I realized that they understood nothing about me, and I understood nothing about them. Where had I been looking? At just ten years old, they were already immersed in the world of Adventurers, comparing themselves to others and tasting powerlessness. I’m not some grown man; I’m just a kid. I thought I was standing on the same level, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. What I saw was merely the perspective of an adult looking down. “Hang in there, I’m here for you.” That must have sounded superficial to them. How foolish I am.
“It’s my fault for not understanding…”
“That’s right! How could you possibly understand my feelings, big bro?!”
“We had no choice but to get stronger! Otherwise, we couldn’t survive! In this country, no one will save kids like us! So it can’t be helped!”
Tears welled up in my eyes, a dual meaning of wanting to be saved reflected in the two of them. I have no idea what kind of curse is placed on that black weapon. I have no clue what to do.
At first, I was weak and frustrated, but now I’ve grown strong. I don’t want to utter some cheap line about that. We’re not the same; I am me, and they are them. There’s no way we share the same feelings.
“I… I…”
“What are you doing?!”
Ritta leaped forward, deftly parrying the two blades that threatened me. With her long spear, just like mine, she maneuvered gracefully, her red hair swirling in the air.
“Ritta…”
“If those children are important to you, then save them! Can’t you see? They’re suffering!”
“That is…”
“They’re just unaware of how precious what they have nearby truly is! That weapon is keeping them from realizing it! Being weak and needing saving is not something to be ashamed of! If you listen, even Rua was saved when she was young! Those who have been saved go on to save others! Yes, I was saved!”
Originally, I should have been the one to take the brunt of Kou and Bun’s attacks. Their unnatural speed was becoming harder to keep up with, and I was accumulating scratches. Yet Ritta—no, Ritta would not back down. She was drawing something out of me, something that was rising from within. She was trying to teach me what I should do.
“Because I’m fighting desperately against my dark desires! That’s why I can pause like this sometimes!”
Kou and Bun’s relentless assault would occasionally halt for just a fleeting moment. Just before they struck, there was a brief window of stillness. I hadn’t noticed it until she pointed it out. Why hadn’t I realized it myself? I was done with this.
“So you want me to save those children?”
“I understand now. I’m awake. So Ritta, stay back.”
Without saying a word, Ritta stepped aside, and I took her place. Even as I gasped for breath, I readied my knife, refusing to lower my guard against the two. Sweat dripped from me like raindrops, occasionally cascading down. It wasn’t just exhaustion; I sensed that their power came at some kind of cost.
“Listen, both of you.”
I took a step closer, deliberately lowering my spear. If they truly intended to kill me, I wouldn’t stand a chance. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t scared. But did I need a weapon to talk to them? No, I just needed them to listen.
“Indeed, I’ve treated you like children until now. I kept telling you to do your best while secretly thinking you were still just kids. That means I hadn’t truly faced you. So I’ll say it now.”
Despite the sweat pouring down, the two of them remained silent, not retreating. I crouched slightly to speak at their level.
“I was weak too. No, I still am weak. I may have said some grand things, but it was all a lie. I was just a coward with no accomplishments. I was just putting on a show in front of you.”
My heart raced, anticipating when they might strike. Disappointment, anger—what emotions swirled within them? Only the Black Weapon ominously asserted its presence.
“A weakling like me managed to rise to B-Rank thanks to Gantetsu. At first, I was annoyed, thinking he was just preaching at me. But no one had ever looked me in the eye and scolded me seriously like he did. How many people in this world are willing to face themselves like that? Let alone risk their lives to save someone else?”
The knives and knuckles trembled. Something was battling within them. They were desperately trying to suppress their dark emotions. I didn’t feel elated that my words had resonated; I could only think how strong they were.
“Truly admirable people are those who correct their mistakes, even if it means shouting at you. That’s the kind of person I admire. That’s who I want to become. But I’m weak, in every sense.”
“S-So… what does that mean?”
“Let’s grow stronger together. As comrades.”
That was my utmost effort. I discarded my weapon and extended my hand, looking earnestly into their eyes. It was something Gantetsu had once done for me.
“A-Aniki…”
The two lowered their arms, their gazes dropping slightly. What flowed down was not sweat, but tears that stained the cobblestones of the well-kept town.
“We… what have we done?”
The grip of their hands loosened, and the black knife and knuckles fell away. Their knees buckled, and I caught the two of them as they collapsed.
“I’m sorry.”
“We’re the ones who should be sorry…”
“What have we done…?”
You’re not at fault; I am. Such exchanges felt meaningless. I didn’t want to tarnish this moment where we had truly understood each other. The moment I gained real comrades. The expressions of these two, exhausted and asleep, were now irreplaceable to me.
“What is this? This juvenile drama?”
In that moment, there was someone I absolutely had to crush for the sake of this moment and the future. The shadowy figure swaying atop the roof—the Death Weapon Merchant.
“Did you think you could completely sever my art, my desires? Ha! Impossible!”
“Come down, you filthy monster. I’ll take you on.”
“No, no, you’re just children… Your minds are still incomplete, easily swayed by a few sweet words… That man is nothing but a worthless fool, and that spear of yours is hardly worth anything… You’ve merely survived until today by sheer luck… And yet you think you can defeat me?”
Though I spoke boldly, I had no real confidence. There was no way I could defeat this unknown creature, whether it was a monster or not. The old me would have run away. And afterward, I would have boasted that I did it.
“Ord, you did it!”
“Yeah, thanks to Ritta.”
“I-I didn’t do much. More importantly, you should fall back. We’ll handle the rest.”
“We need to cooperate with the Avangarde Brigade, especially against that monster.”
“Captain Ritta! We’ll provide support!”
“My analysis indicates that it is not a monster. But don’t worry. We’re almost there.”
Only Ritta’s two female squad members and Kirkton’s unit of several dozen were here now. If only Rua were here instead of me, this battle would have ended without any trouble. I thought that every time I faced hardship, not just now.
I didn’t understand what Shuri meant by “almost,” but we were the only ones here. There was no time for prayers to the Divine Being.
“These lowly soldiers think they can do something to me? What will you do? Ha!”
“This is how!”
【Ord unleashed Triple Pierce!】
Utilizing the spear’s range, I attacked from a distance where I wouldn’t receive a counterattack, executing a rapid three-pronged thrust. I had anticipated they would either dodge or defend, but it was neither.
“That’s why it’s impossible!”
【You cannot deal damage to the Death Weapon Merchant!】
It was not a miss; it was an empty thrust. My spear passed through the shadow, which rippled as if mocking me.
“Even if you manage to do something to me here, the Phantom won’t stop!”
“Then let’s deal with you first… Yuyu!”
“Yes, preparations are complete!”
Suddenly, white pillars of lightning burst into the sky, raining down in a radial pattern. It was as if we were trapped in a massive white prison, but it posed no harm to us. The one who feared that gentle, enveloping light the most was the shadowy figure before us.
“W-What?! When did this happen?! Where have you been hiding?!”
“You’re quite perceptive. Did you think I’d just sit idly by after putting a bounty on your head? Until today, I’ve been revising my plans repeatedly, anticipating your appearance. Right, Yuyu?”
“Yes, we activated the high-level divine magic ‘Holy Road,’ led by an A-Rank Exorcist and supported by lower-ranked Exorcists. It’s a bit too high-quality for a place where evil spirits are meant to go.”
“Evil spirits?”
Yuyu smiled, twirling her staff in one hand, exuding confidence.
“Yes, Ord. That Death Weapon Merchant is not a monster. In a sense, he’s a far worse evil spirit. Once a blacksmith, he held his own beliefs while forging weapons. However, as you know, due to the excessively poor taste in colors and shapes, he found no demand. Meanwhile, successful blacksmiths thrived, and he must have felt quite frustrated.”
Even in this situation, I thought calmly about how she spoke normally when discussing serious matters. With a sultry lick of her lips, Yuyu continued with another smile.
“Yet he refused to bend his beliefs. As he stated earlier, he blamed the masses for not understanding his beliefs instead of trying to understand their needs. Eventually, he took his own life. Gathering all his resentment, he became the Death Weapon Merchant, wandering this world.”
“What a selfish ghost…”
To be understood, I first need to change myself. Thanks to Kou and Bun, I’ve become more aware of that. The only thing I can truly commend myself for is sticking to my beliefs until the very end. It’s unavoidable. I can’t really criticize others either.
“I never expected a weak little country to come this far… I underestimated you a bit,” the ghostly figure chuckled. “Ohoho!”
“This time, Yuyu took the lead in this matter. The nation and the Adventurers must unite… This is the Kingdom of Avangarde.”
“That’s right, and I’m here too.”
Gripping my spear tightly, I approached the ghost.
“Kirkton, Ritta… everyone. Let me help too.”
“That’s more than welcome. Thank you.”
“Hey, ghost. I can’t think of any clever lines to throw at you, but I’ll say this.”
I fixed my gaze firmly on the flickering specter.
“Don’t underestimate us.”
“It’s pointless, utterly pointless! Even if Exorcists and Adventurers band together, I won’t be stopped! Ohohoho!”
【The Death Weapon Merchant has appeared! HP 0】
Honestly, I have no plan to win. The only thing I know for sure is that this time, there’s no escape for this guy.