The Sword of Destiny and the King of Knights
Had the Cheonma read my SOS signal?
She grabbed the arm of Hwaryeon, who had been busy shaking me by the collar.
Yes! Go! Hurry! Save me from Hwaryeon!
"Hwaryeon. This is my sword. How dare you covet it?"
"... Why do you think that sword belongs to you, Cheonma?"
"Because I pulled it with my coins!"
"... Coins... Ah..."
At the mention of coins, Hwaryeon seemed to realize it was Cheonma’s property. Her grip on my collar loosened, her strength seemingly sapped by the logic.
No, wait... she wasn't doing it for me... she was doing it for the Azure Dragon Sword?
So... you want to start a property dispute now?
Fine... then I’ll have to mediate.
"Yeah, Cheonma... you’re right, but... I think you’re mistaken about something. The owner of the Azure Dragon Sword hasn't been decided yet. Cheonma, you’ve got it wrong."
"W-what!? It’s my Azure Dragon Sword! What are you talking about!?"
"Eodum... is that really true!?"
"Hey! Hwaryeon, why are you suddenly looking so bright? It’s my sword. Don't even think about laying a finger on it!"
"Hehehe! I don't want to, Cheonma."
"Hey!"
The contrast between the panicked, shocked Cheonma and the expectant Hwaryeon after I declared the sword ownerless was incredibly entertaining.
"According to the information, Cheonma, Hwaryeon, Arthur, and Lancelot are all qualified to challenge for the ownership of this Azure Dragon Sword."
Arthur and Lancelot, who had been merely surprised until then, suddenly showed intense interest at my words. They approached us, curiosity radiating from them.
"... Huh? If I heard you correctly... you said we’re qualified to challenge for it?"
"Hey, Arthur! You should just focus on that Achilles' heel or X-strap or whatever your sword is, and stay out of this!"
"It’s Excalibur, you idiot!"
"... Azure... so cute..."
"... Right? The little dragon on the sword is... wait a second... Lancelot, you’re not interested too, are you?"
Seriously... Cheonma was so busy keeping everyone in check.
But... why isn't the sword's rank showing up?
What is this...
Sigh... I guess I should just decide the owner first.
"Alright. I’ll mediate."
"What? Hey. I told you, it’s my Azure Dragon Sword!"
I ignored Cheonma’s claims and continued.
"First, Cheonma, since you’re making the most noise, you try grabbing the hilt. If you’re the owner the dragon wants, some kind of phenomenon will happen. Then we’ll go in order: Hwaryeon, Arthur, and Lancelot."
"... Hmph... it’s obvious. It’s mine, isn't it?"
You’re... way too confident, aren't you, Cheonma?
Watching the heroes fight over the sword, I was suddenly reminded of a certain D-word animation I’d watched countless times as a kid.
They all think they’re the protagonist... thinking it’s their glass slipper...
Should I add some dramatic flair to this?
But I don't know how they treat princesses in this world...
Since it’s a gender-reversed world... is it the 'alpha female' style?
Then... I’ll go with the princess style from my world.
I cradled the sword carefully as if holding a baby, approached Cheonma, and held it out on my palms. I bowed my head slightly, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and declared:
"I am searching for the owner of the Azure Dragon Sword. First challenger, Princess Cheonma... will you accept the challenge?"
"W-what? P-princess!? Suddenly... why... what is this... situation..."
"I was just trying to show you how the princesses in my world do it... is it too hard to play along...?"
Ugh... read the room, Cheonma!!!!!!!!!!
I gave her a subtle wink, and only then did Cheonma catch on, clearing her throat to respond.
"A-ah! No! Ahem! Yes! Behold! It is I! The true owner of this Azure Dragon Sword!"
The moment Cheonma’s confident hand reached for the hilt, the little dragon that had been watching silently hissed like a cornered cat.
Kyah-ooooooo!
"W-what is this...? It’s me... it’s Cheonma! I’m the one who pulled you!"
Huh? Wait a minute... I was the one who pulled it... it was just your coin...
Anyway... you’re not the owner of this sword, Cheonma. ^^
"It has been confirmed that you are not the owner of the Azure Dragon Sword... Alright, next!"
"N-no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Nope~ not you.
I turned away coldly, leaving the shocked, screaming Cheonma behind.
Tap, tap.
When I approached Hwaryeon, she was waiting with a gentle expression, smiling brightly. As if she were absolutely certain she was the owner of the sword...
Usually, when people get that overconfident...
"... Second challenger, Princess Hwaryeon... will you accept the challenge?"
I repeated the same gesture and asked for her challenge.
"... Of course. Watch closely, for I am the true owner of this sword."
As I tilted my head up to look at her...
Kyah-ooooooo!
Just like with Cheonma, the little dragon hissed like a cornered cat.
"It has been confirmed that you are not the owner of the Azure Dragon Sword... Alright, next!"
"... I’m... not...? Why... why!!!!!! I was supposed to be the owner, it’s only right!"
Hwaryeon threw a tantrum, unable to accept the reality that she wasn't the protagonist of the Azure Dragon Sword.
But what could I do...
The sword itself says you aren't the owner...
Just as I turned away from Hwaryeon to move to Arthur, she grabbed my shirt.
"Just once... give me one more chance to challenge... please?"
Shocked just like Cheonma, Hwaryeon gripped my shirt, pulling it until it stretched.
*Sigh*
?
What’s with her.
*Slap*
I coldly brushed off her hand and spoke one last word before turning away.
"... You shall become the owner of another weapon. In other words, this Azure Dragon Sword is not your destiny, Your Highness."
Hwaryeon, who had been slumped over, suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. I heard her muttering behind my back in a voice filled with anticipation.
"... The owner of a weapon that is my destiny... Ha! T-then... excluding the Azure Dragon... the White Tiger... Vermilion Bird... Black Tortoise... which one of these is my weapon!? Which one would suit me best!?"
That’s right...
As expected... her mental fortitude is pretty good, huh?
Keep aiming for the next opportunity... Hwaryeon!
When it comes to Gacha, my intuition is pretty sharp...?
For some reason... Hwaryeon... I have a feeling you’ll be the owner of the White Tiger Sword.
Leaving Hwaryeon behind as she spun her happy-brain-circuits, I approached Arthur.
"..."
"... Third challenger, Princess Arthur... will you accept the challenge?"
Arthur looked at me with a tense expression.
And without a word, she reached out to the little dragon.
Purr... purr... purr...
Surprisingly... the little dragon did not reject Arthur’s touch.
Instead, it purred and welcomed her hand.
"... It seems we have found the owner of the Azure Dragon Sword."
"What!? Why!? Why!? Why Arthur of all people!?"
Cheonma rushed at me in a state of extreme agitation, unable to believe the reality.
"What can I do... it’s the will of the Azure Dragon Sword..."
"... This is my weapon, pulled with my coins, so why does Arthur get to take it!? She even took 1,000 of my coins!"
...
Yeah...
You have a point there...
But no matter how I think about it... the two swords pulled with your coins today... I don't think you’re the owner of either of them... what should I do...
Should I tell her?
Just then,
"*Sigh*... cute Azure Dragon..."
Lancelot, who hadn't even gotten a turn, looked at the sword with regretful eyes, clearly disappointed that it was over.
Arthur grabbed the hilt of the Azure Dragon Sword and lifted it toward the sky.
I handed the sword to Arthur, but fearing that if I dragged this out, Cheonma might actually go insane over the Gacha, I decided to draw a clear line and called out to her.
"Hey. Cheonma."
"... What."
"... I’m telling you this because it’s me."
"... What?"
"I may not know much, but when it comes to this Gacha... I’m an expert(?), right?"
"... And?"
"In my experience... the Azure Dragon Sword pulled today is already settled, and... I don't think you’re the owner of the White Tiger Sword that hasn't been checked yet either."
"............ Are you... no... is this Gacha mocking me right now? Huh!? Is that it!?"
"Wait. Don't get excited. I’m not finished yet."
"... *Sigh*... really? I hope you solve this before I lose my mind. Speak."
Cheonma crossed her arms and glared at me.
I looked into her eyes and continued.
"I’ve been calculating this by applying your tendencies and the characteristics of the Azure Dragon Sword. I think I can predict it now, thanks to Arthur earlier. Well... it’s hard to say it’s 100% accurate, though."
"... Hmph."
As Cheonma turned her head away as if she found me ridiculous, her crossed arms pushed up her chest, making it sway. Seeing that, my heart felt... grand.
With that newfound 'grand' determination, I gave her a precise prediction of who would get which sword to ensure she trusted me.
"First, among the Four Divine Beasts, Hwaryeon will likely take the White Tiger Sword..."
"What!? None of the things we just pulled are mine— *mph!*"
As soon as I started, Cheonma flared up, so I raised my hand and hurriedly covered her mouth.
"I’m not done yet. Listen to everything, and then I’ll hear what you have to say. If you understand, nod once."
Nod.
Seeing her nod, I took my hand off her mouth.
"..."
"Good. Among the Four Divine Beasts, Hwaryeon will take the White Tiger Sword. And... the one with a tendency similar to yours... the Vermilion Bird... I don't know if it’s a sword or what, but... I suspect it’s a sword... you, Cheonma, will take the Vermilion Bird. And... Lancelot will likely take the Black Tortoise. This is just my subjective opinion, so you don't have to believe it’s 100% certain... but still... I think it’s pretty accurate."
"*Sob*... my coins... my time... my effort..."
I understood how the teary-eyed Cheonma felt.
It’s like preparing a feast, only for a stranger to walk in and pick out all the best dishes... who wouldn't be upset? Especially when they aren't a saint...
So...
"Wait... Master, do I have nothing...?"
"Wait a minute... Hey. They’re the only ones having a good time? Then what about us?"
"..."
Ah... thinking about it, if the four divine artifacts are all swords, it’s true that it’s hard for Judang and Merlin to fit into the Four Divine Beasts category.
As I was at a loss for how to answer the two heroes, the rest of the heroes spoke in unison:
""Then! Just pull what you need with Gacha!""
You guys!!!!
Seeing you connect everything to Gacha... I don't know who you learned that from, but!
You’ve learned it so well!
As expected...
The power of education is great.
Who really taught you...
...
...
Teacher Gacha...
Do you see this?
The power of culture that you emphasized so much...
I am spreading it to this other world.
Alright then... currently...
Cheonma (Vermilion Bird candidate), Hwaryeon (White Tiger candidate), and Lancelot (Black Tortoise candidate) who haven't gotten anything and only gave away their coins vs. Arthur who got both the coins and the Azure Dragon Sword vs. Merlin and Judang who have nothing.
Is this a three-way battle...?
Ha...
Sergeant Kim, the neutral party, is entering the fray...!
Clap, clap, clap.
"Alright, alright! Attention!"
I clapped to get the heroes' attention and opened my mouth.
"First... let’s finish the appraisal of the White Tiger Sword today. And... we’ll take turns pulling and equipping gear... the heroes who already got their swords from the coins collected through quests will help the heroes who haven't yet."
""Why should we do that?""
"Why should we do that, Master?"
""Why should we do that?""
Most of the heroes protested my suggestion to pool our resources.
Ha... I guess I need to drill into their heads what it means to draw the 'big picture' myself.
I looked at each hero in the eyes and spoke.
"You guys... when are you going to collect coins like that? Can you collect them quickly? 1,000? 3,000? 5,000? Remember. We are comrades. Comrades. Don't you feel sorry for Cheonma? She was more desperate for Gacha than anyone... but what was the result? She gave everything away to others."
""...""
"Yeah... it’s a waste, I know. I understand why you’d be resistant to my suggestion of pooling resources for whoever gets lucky first. But look, you don't know what’s coming in the next Gacha. Honestly... you don't know who’s next... you can all think it’s going to be you. I’m not saying we should just give more to those who already have it. I’m saying we should pool resources so those who don't have gear can get it. Anyone have a better idea?"
""...""
"If not, I’ll assume you agree and start drawing the big picture."
Naturally, no hero would disagree with the idea of sequentially and randomly equipping gear, excluding those who already had theirs.
Let’s see... have we spent 1,500 coins so far...
I remember it being around 2,500...
So about 1,000 coins left... that’s exactly one more try.
The White Tiger Sword appraisal has to be a success...
"We have about 1,000 left, so we can try one more time..."
"1,000... the coins... Eodum... gave..."
Just as Lancelot said... the 1,000 coins left over after Lancelot’s contribution were enough for exactly one item appraisal attempt.
Just as I was about to summon the White Tiger Sword from the inventory...
Arthur, who had been holding the Azure Dragon Sword in one hand, raised her free hand above her head.
As if she had something to say...
What is it...
What could Arthur possibly have to say at this timing...
Could it be...?
Is she going to keep the promise she made earlier...? Really?
"Arthur? You have something to say?"
"Yes. Now, everyone listen carefully. I fully agree with Eodum’s opinion."
"Of course you would. You’re the one who took my Azure Dragon Sword!"
Hearing Cheonma’s sarcastic, disgruntled voice, Arthur smiled brightly and continued.
"Hehehe... yes... I’m sorry about that. But what can I do... the little dragon... the Azure Dragon Sword chose me?"
"You little!"
Arthur’s remark, which touched the Achilles' heel of Cheonma—who hadn't been chosen by the sword—made Cheonma lose her reason and prepare to lunge.
"S-stop!"
I threw my body between them, standing in the middle to block Cheonma’s movement.
"There are too many stray cats here!!!! It was mine, it was mine!!!!!!!!!!"
"I get it. I’m really sorry about that. That’s why I’m going to start first. I’m the one who enjoyed the benefit first, right? So... I will gladly offer my 1,000 coins for everyone. Take my coins."
""....!""
As she had said earlier, Arthur announced that she would gladly donate the 1,000 coins she had worked so hard(?) to acquire for the sake of everyone.
...
As expected...
Arthur-ssu!
You’ve shown the generosity worthy of the King of Knights!
Truly... a person of great character...!
Thank you... Arthur...
Now...
2,000 coins... we can challenge the White Tiger Sword appraisal a total of 3 times...
Will it...
What will happen...
Will it... succeed?