◆ Avangarde Castle – Grand Hall ◆
It took us about an hour to get from the gates of Avangarde Castle to here. We are part of a long line, waiting our turn. People surround us, adults, children, and Adventurers alike.
The sword once wielded by a hero is currently on display in the castle. They say it’s a sword that chooses its wielder, and that an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to lift it. It sounds unbelievable, but such things seem to exist; there are weapons that only men can wield and armor that only women can wear. The exact principle behind this phenomenon remains a mystery, and it continues to be a topic of research among some scholars, as Seigel explained in detail. This is also one of the Seven Mysteries of Adventurers.
By the way, Seigel once tried to wear armor that only women could don, and it became so heavy that he nearly collapsed. I don’t think that means it can’t be worn at all, but what I’m more curious about is what kind of armor it was. When Roel asked him why he wanted to try it on, he insisted it was purely out of curiosity.
“Look, that person is coming over here looking disappointed.”
“And the person behind them too. I wonder if they’re that shocked. I wouldn’t be, honestly.”
The people walking towards us are all those who have just tried to wield the sword. They pass by the line, sighing or grumbling in dissatisfaction.
If the sword was truly used by a hero, then it should only be able to be wielded by that hero. I have no idea where that hero is now, and I can’t fathom why such a weapon would be in the castle. If someone could wield it, it would be worth ten million gold. Even having just 150,000 gold makes us overly cautious about how to spend it, so ten million is an unfathomable amount.
“Hey! Please keep your place in line! No cutting in!”
Ritta sharply pointed this out. It hasn’t been long since we last parted, but she looks remarkably strong now. She seemed unreliable at first, but now she’s serving proudly as a soldier. She firmly reprimanded the person who tried to cut in line, correcting their behavior.
“Oh! Rua and Roel! You’re back already!”
“Keep your chatter to a minimum!”
“Sorry! Tom-san!”
Ritta waved cheerfully when she noticed us, but quickly shrank back when scolded by what seemed to be a senior officer. I can’t help but think it must be tough for her. If Ritta is here, then Kirkton must be somewhere around too. But I can’t see him anywhere.
Still, I can’t understand why the line isn’t moving faster just to test if someone can wield a sword. I’m not good at waiting like this, and my irritation is starting to boil over.
“Roel, this is so boring…”
“I could tolerate waiting in line for delicious food, but this is just…”
“Hey there! How’s it going?”
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the hall. But there’s no way that voice could belong to anyone here. I looked around, but all I saw were people, and the exaggerated reaction from the voice was drawing strange looks from those nearby.
“Surprised, are you? Ah, this voice can only be heard by you two, so don’t react out loud. You’ll be treated as if you’re not normal.”
It’s Lord Hast. So this is what the contracted magic was about. I had heard about it, but being spoken to so suddenly is enough to catch anyone off guard. Roel, for some reason, is gripping her Fire Rod tightly, ready for battle. I want to calm her down before we talk.
“You can also speak to me from your side. Just whisper in your heart, and it will reach me.”
“That was surprising…”
“Yes, that’s good. Well, this is more like a test of Word Soul magic.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all. Am I interrupting?”
“N-no. Actually, I’m getting so bored I’m starting to feel sleepy. It seems like they’re looking for someone who can wield the sword used by the hero at Avangarde Castle. We wanted to try our luck, but there are just too many people…”
“The sword that chooses its wielder? Hmm… The only sword that fits that description in my knowledge is the one used by the Hero thirty years ago. Is that the one in Avangarde Castle?”
The Hero’s Sword— I hadn’t even considered that. It’s currently on display at Avangarde Castle. So, they must be searching for a hero. I wonder where the boy who defeated the Demon Lord thirty years ago is now. I hadn’t thought about it at all.
If the Demon Lord Army is attacking, it makes sense to search for a hero to confront that threat. But will this really work? I don’t know where that hero is or what kind of person they are, but if the Demon Lord Army appears again, surely they will stand against it. Is it really necessary to go through such grand measures?
“Hmm, I see. I have some things I want to investigate, so I’ll proceed with my research here. Until next time.”
“Uh, Lord Hast?!”
When Roel shouted, there was no response from Lord Hast, only strange looks from those around us. What a one-sided magic this is. I can see how it could be used for harassment; even I feel a bit of regret about it.
◆ Avangarde Castle – Grand Hall – Center ◆
“Ugh! Hnnngh!”
A muscular man, looking like he’s in a costume, is turning red in the face as he tries to lift the sword. But no matter how hard he tries, the sword doesn’t budge at all. Until now, we were half in disbelief about the weapon that chooses its wielder. It looks as if the sword itself has a will, rejecting the large man who is trying to swing it. The hilt may rise, but the blade seems too heavy, refusing to leave the ground.
“That’s enough! Next!”
“Hey, wait! I was almost there!”
“No way! It’s people like you who keep this line from moving!”
I see, so that’s why the line isn’t progressing. The large man was pushed out of the way, and the next in line was an ordinary man, followed by an elderly gentleman and a family. Everyone received the same result as the large man.
Some seem to be here as part of a sightseeing tour, excited even if they can’t lift the sword. Compared to the serious determination of the previous large man, their carefree attitude almost makes me want to laugh.
Next up is a green-haired Adventurer with a spear on his back. I’m pretty sure I know him. Yes, it’s him.
“Honestly, none of these fools understand why they’re not chosen. I, the one said to be guaranteed B-rank, will show you how it’s done. Listen up! This sword isn’t just looking for a power-hungry fool. It seeks those with a heart, a heart that loves justice!”
Ord is still in Avangarde, huh? I hope he can wield it with that love for justice. If he truly has such a heart, that is.
“Here I go… Haaah…”
“Just hurry up already.”
Ord took a deep breath while gripping the hilt, which seemed to irritate the soldier watching over the line. I don’t think he’s doing anything that warrants such a reprimand, but I can understand the soldier’s frustration.
“Haahh…” Ord started to say, and the soldier warned him again. It didn’t take long for jeers to fly, urging him to hurry.
“…! Tchaa! Seeya!”
“Alright, got it. Next!”
“W-wait! I just lifted it a little, didn’t I?!”
“You didn’t lift it! Next!”
Ord, stubbornly insisting, was finally restrained by two soldiers and dragged away. He was still shouting something, but I couldn’t hear it anymore.
“Next, it’s finally our turn.”
“Yeah, Rua-chan, you can go first.”
“Rua-san! Do your best!”
“Keep your chatter to a minimum!”
“Yes!”
Alright, it’s my turn. The previously cheerful crowd suddenly falls silent. Everyone is focused on me, perhaps because I’m the champion of the Combat Tournament. Only Ritta is looking at me with hopeful eyes, while the others have various expressions. I wonder if anyone thinks I might be the hero.
I don’t think that’s possible, nor do I want to be. This sword has its rightful owner, and it should be returned properly. I’m not nervous about this, but I can’t help but wonder what everyone is expecting from me.
“Alright…”
I grasp the hilt, and finally—
“…!”
In that split second, just as I was about to grip it or not, a jolt of pain surged from my fingertips to my palm, from my arm to my entire body.
For a moment, everything in front of me turned white, followed by a blinding flash of light.
A delayed scream echoed around me.
I wonder when was the last time I was flung away like that. My body slammed hard against the floor of the grand hall. I couldn’t tell how long I had been airborne. The people who were supposed to be lined up scattered and turned to look at me. It took Roel a few seconds to realize what was happening and rush over, so I must have been thrown quite a distance.
If I had been just a little off, I would have crashed straight into that pillar. I was lucky that I was the only one affected.
“Lua-chan, are you okay!? Hey, are you hurt?”
“Thank you, but I don’t think I need Heal, so don’t worry.”
“But you were thrown all the way from there to here…”
The soldiers who arrived later were also concerned, but I had no injuries. Still, I couldn’t help but think about the last time I had been thrown this far—it had been ages since my encounter in the Abyss Cave. It was the first time experiencing something like this in the outside world, so I had completely let my guard down.
No, it didn’t feel like it was just a matter of raw power. I couldn’t make sense of it, but I had one clear impression.
“That felt like the sword was rejecting me with all its might…”
It was Ritta’s casual remark that struck me. Even if that were the case, it didn’t make sense. That big man, the family, and Ord—they all touched it without issue. Why was I the only one who couldn’t even get close?
“Damn it… ugh…”
“Lua-chan, don’t cry… how about we just go home?”
Supported by Roel, I stood up without looking anyone in the eye. I didn’t want them to see me in such a pathetic state. Yet, I could feel everyone’s gaze on me. Somehow, I just knew.
“Tom-san!”
“W-What is it all of a sudden…?”
“That sword is dangerous! It should be prohibited from public display immediately!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s true that this is an unprecedented situation, but we can’t decide that on our own.”
“If that’s the case, then it should be up to Captain Kirkton, Lord Belmund, or even His Majesty! It’ll be too late once something like this affects ordinary people without power!”
“W-Well, but…”
I could sense Ritta’s concern for me from behind. I wondered if she would have been able to say something like that before. I wasn’t in a position to act all high and mighty, but I thought Ritta had grown so much in such a short time.
Perhaps it was triggered by that incident with the Black Spear. In contrast, I felt utterly helpless. I had no idea why that sword rejected me, so what could I possibly do?
Afterward, I wasn’t sure if the sword’s public display was truly canceled. We could only walk slowly back to the town. “Let’s take a break today,” Roel suggested.