Chapter 66: Your Name (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Your Name (7)
“I… I didn’t want it to be like this.”
Leaving Daisy sulking in the corner with a long face, we continued sharing our research findings.
“It absorbs magic too, but not as efficiently as sword energy.”
“Hey, Mr. Boradori. How can you not know something like this?”
“No, think about it! He’s the focal point of the Demon Tribe and the final boss—unless the author loses their mind over alchemy and decides to resurrect the Evil God. Would a guy like that be fighting on the front lines? He appeared once at the beginning, and maybe two or three times after that! The rest of the time, the protagonists were just fighting the Four Heavenly Kings, the Legion Commanders, or the small-fry extras below them. The Demon King was just waiting in his castle for the RoFan male leads!”
“He’s awfully cautious for a Demon King.”
“Because he’s the King! And besides, combat scenes were skipped unless they were absolutely vital.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a RoFan! If people wanted to see combat scenes, they would’ve read a Murim novel!”
I felt like I’d heard him say that before.
Then again, people read RoFan to see romance, not to watch battles.
“Even so, isn't this weapon a bit too broken? How are you supposed to beat this?”
The Demon King’s Magic Sword was simply too powerful for that excuse to fly.
“Obviously, because the RoFan male leads are also decked out with the continent’s most broken items.”
I guess the author—whoever they were—had it all figured out.
“Is life even worth living for those of us without gear?”
“I don’t think you’re one to talk?!”
As we bickered, the results of our analysis on the Magic Sword were quite enticing.
“Since it absorbs pure mana, it seems magic isn't very effective against it.”
“But it cuts through the source mana itself, so the power of the spell decreases.”
“True. If it hadn't drained your mana beforehand, it might have been a bit dangerous.”
“That’s only because Daisy’s raw stats are lacking right now. If I were the one using it, that level of magic wouldn't be a threat at all.”
“I suppose so, but…”
The more we appraised it, the more my mouth watered.
Do you crave power?
The Magic Sword didn't actually speak, but I felt like I could hear it whispering.
Ah, if I just had that, all the hellish effort I’m putting in to beat Prince Ellen could be over in an instant!
“Can’t I use that?”
“You want it?”
“Who wouldn't?”
“As a knight of Leon, you shouldn't be using such a heretical weapon.”
“Did you forget I was popping pills like crazy when I fought Silence? Besides, our royal family doesn't really care for Dwarf-made weapons anyway.”
The swords made by humans were crafted by Leon’s master smiths, who were considered on par with Dwarves. It wasn't that they rejected magic swords with special abilities; they just prioritized the highest quality. While few people used them, they didn't exactly shun swords imbued with magic.
As long as it wasn't dark magic, there were no real restrictions.
And so...
“Can I try using this once?”
“Oh, that.”
Daisy, who was about to say something, nodded as if she’d just remembered something.
“Go ahead.”
Having received the owner’s permission, I reached for the hilt of the Magic Sword.
“If you can, that is,” Daisy added with a wicked grin.
“Ah.”
In that instant, I lost consciousness.
When I woke up about ten minutes later, Daisy was sticking her tongue out at me.
“That’s for revenge.”
She said it was payback for treating her like a lab rat.
“The Goddess told me that no one but me can handle it.”
Apparently, despite appearances, the seal on the Magic Sword hadn't actually been broken.
Rather...
“It’s more like it only gave me permission to use it? Of course, it’s not like there’s no other way, but…”
The "way" involved Daisy charging her own divine power into the Magic Sword.
“Can you charge it for me later?”
“We’ll see how you behave.”
At this rate, my "one-year relationship" might actually end up being extended.
I’d said it as a joke, but I was starting to feel a slight sense of crisis.
“A sealed Magic Sword instead of a Holy Sword…”
Arang, who had been listening to the explanation beside us, closed his eyes for a moment in thought.
“Magnificent.”
When he opened them again, they were sparkling like starlight.
“A sealed Magic Sword. Those are words that strike a chord in a man’s heart.”
He was a man who knew his tropes—a true individualist. Or rather, a true member of the Canine Tribe.
“To think she can wield such a sword freely. Is this the power of a human Saintess?”
Arang looked at Daisy with eyes full of interest and fighting spirit. It was as if he were looking at a warrior rather than an apostle chosen by a goddess.
“Still, her skills are lacking.”
“As far as I know, this is only the second time she’s ever held a sword.”
“What?”
At my words, Arang’s voice filled with disappointment, so I made sure to let him know she was a complete novice.
“I have staked everything on my two fists, but that does not mean I have not learned the way of the weapon. The Saintess’s skill is far from that of a master, but she did not feel like someone handling a sword for the first time…”
He was impressed by Daisy’s talent, but she still had a long way to go.
“Actually, she’s more used to using her fists.”
“Oh?”
His eyes began to sparkle even more.
“I heard she learned some basic self-defense when she was young.”
Just as his expression was about to turn disappointed again, I added:
“With just that, she completely annihilated the Holy Kingdom’s Knights Order when they tried to pick a fight with her.”
“…Impressive.”
It was a bit of an exaggeration, but it wasn't a lie.
“That was the first time she grabbed a sword. They say it was the power of the Goddess… a strike that split the Holy Kingdom in half…”
According to Agent Boradori, that was a massive exaggeration, but that was the rumor circulating in our kingdom.
The rumors near the Canine Tribe’s territory would likely be even more inflated, not less.
So, I had no qualms about spreading Daisy’s legend.
#1 Daisy - Legend of the Magic Sword.
“It hurts…”
When I open my eyes, it feels like my entire body is screaming.
Why is this happening?
I gave my brain, which had briefly stopped functioning, something to do again. And my brain quickly reminded me why my body was in this state.
“Meanies.”
Sniff.
Recalling what happened yesterday, I almost burst into tears. My most precious friend and my first boyfriend—even if it’s a fake relationship—had betrayed me.
To think those two would join forces to betray me.
“This is an affair.”
A boyfriend who cheats once and then cheats again without a moment’s hesitation. Violet told me that’s what you call a "bad boy" and that I should never date one. And yet, she was the one who betrayed me with that very bad boy.
“Just you wait.”
Until my body recovers, I’m going to cling to them and never let go. I’m going to throw a tantrum until they’re sick of me!
Steeling my resolve, I got up to find my target, Violet. I cautiously opened the door and peeked out, only to—
“…Gasp!”
A member of the Canine Tribe made eye contact with me, looked startled, and ran away.
“D-do I have something on my face?”
Startled by their reaction, I retreated back into the room. I found a mirror and checked my appearance, but I didn't look much different than usual.
“Ah, is that it?”
I heard at the Academy that other races have a sense of rejection toward humans. The price for the wrongs humans committed in the past. Even if we were invited, it’s not like every member of the Canine Tribe would welcome us.
Steeling myself again, I headed back out. I ran into the same person who had run away earlier.
However...
“……”
There are… quite a lot of them…
Several members of the Canine Tribe were watching me from a short distance away. D-do they have some business with me?
“Um…”
When I cautiously spoke up, they started whispering among themselves in surprise.
“The Saintess? That’s ‘the’ Saintess, right?”
“Captain Arang took the other guests with him.”
“But she doesn't have that legendary sword with her?”
“Doesn't that mean she’s confident enough even without it?”
“Ooh!”
W-what are they talking about?
I could catch snippets of their conversation, but the atmosphere felt strange. If I’m not mistaken, they weren't looking at me as a woman, a student, or even a Saintess.
“I challenge you to a duel, Saintess.”
It was the kind of thing people say to a warrior in a novel!
“M-me?”
The moment that thought crossed my mind, one of the Canine Tribe members looking at me stepped forward with an expectant expression.
H-honestly, my whole body is screaming! If I move any more, I feel like I’ll actually die!
But I learned that Beastkin are a race that loves battle. Some disparage them as a rough, violent, and uncivilized race, but I learned that such views come from a failure to understand their characteristics and way of life. Battle is simply the result of the Beastkin’s struggle for survival in the harsh wild.
Therefore, this challenge could be an effort to forget the ill will toward humans and face me as an individual!
“A-alright!”
And as proof...
“Whoa!”
Look at how they’re wagging their tails in excitement now that I’ve accepted the duel. The other members watching from behind are looking on with envy.
“Ah, that sword.”
“I left it at home since I was just stepping out for a bit. I’ll go grab it quickly!”
Since no one but me could touch it anyway, I’d just left it in the room. I should go get it.
Carrying the sword, I followed the challenger to a wide open space. To think there was a clearing like this inside a cave. The Canine Tribe’s village was full of wonders.
“I look forward to it!”
“Yes!”
The duel that followed ended much faster than I expected.
“Wait, what?!”
The mana gathered in their fists was easier to "eat" than the mana that had been on Mr. Adam’s sword yesterday. Before we had even exchanged a few blows, my sword was already filled with all of my opponent’s mana.
“As expected!”
Even to my eyes, it looked quite heretical, but the Canine Tribe members were glowing with satisfaction.
“If you don't mind, I would also like to…”
There was even a next participant ready to challenge me immediately! Since the duel ended so quickly, I nodded and agreed.
“As many as you like!”
“Thank you!”
And so, I defeated the second opponent. I used a bit of the mana stored in the sword, but since I absorbed even more, the sword looked 1.5 times larger than before.
“Then me too!”
After defeating the third and fourth opponents...
Before I knew it, even more members of the Canine Tribe had gathered to watch.
“Next is…”
A long line of challengers was forming in front of me.
“U-uh oh?”
T-this isn't right. Today, I just wanted to flop down on Violet’s bed and spend the whole day acting pouted until she told me everything she’d been hiding.
“N-next!”
But I couldn't let down the expectations of the Canine Tribe members who were looking at me with such hope. Just one more person. Just one more.
“……”
But the line isn't getting any shorter.
Ah, this is...
“I’m screwed.”
Yes, it’s hard to explain, but I think I’m just screwed.
Since there wasn't much to do until Daisy—who had collapsed into sleep as soon as we arrived at the village—woke up, I was touring the village with Bell and Arang.
“The human Saintess is taking on the warriors!”
“They say thirty warriors have already fallen!”
“She’s just as the rumors said!”
I didn't know what was going on, but the place was in an uproar. When we reached the source of the commotion...
“Hey, hey! Stop!”
I had no choice but to rush in and stop Daisy. Her Magic Sword had absorbed so much mana that the blade was nearly touching the ceiling.
At this rate, the entire village is going to collapse!