Baby Holy Sword Trululutru

[Don't fall for the cursed sword's temptation, Hero!]

[Yeah, don't fall for my temptation!]

[That brazen sword! Claiming it did nothing—plotting schemes behind the scenes all along!]

[No, fucking seriously.]

Now even helping gets me in trouble. While the holy sword and I bickered telepathically, the Hero kept a tight grip on my hilt the whole time. Soon enough, she let go. That pale, slender hand was already marked with black burns like scorch marks. But after clenching and unclenching her fist a few times, it healed clean. As expected from someone with the Blessing of All Gods—cheat-level recovery.

Of course, my hilt, which she'd gripped for quite a while, was half-corroded and crumbling to dust. Damn it. If I went adventuring with her like this, I'd shatter before I could even slice an enemy.

Seizing the brief respite, I hurriedly asked.

[Hey, what's the reason you want to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠take me?]

"Saw it, in old, stories. Cursed sword, cool."

[But there's a holy sword right here! Hero for the holy sword, holy sword for the Hero! Right?]

At that, the Hero glanced at the holy sword, then spoke again.

"Holy sword, no, abilities. Just, tough, trash."

[······Uh, well. Yeah, kinda.]

[Hero?!]

The holy sword, suddenly trashed, protested, but I had to agree. Holy sword. The name sounds like it'd wield holy power and be super versatile. But consider who it was made for. The Hero. The pinnacle of all martial arts, magic, and faith—a walking all-rounder. When the wielder's already stacked, giving the tool similar powers is just wasteful.

Thus, the holy sword was forged with just one ability.

[H-how do you know the temple's secret history?!]

[Hmm? Well, your creator helped make me, and above all...]

I closed my eyes, then opened them. No eyelids on a sword, of course—just felt like it. When I "opened" them again, the world overlaid in two colors.

[I can see it.]

Text floating over the holy sword's head. Nothing major on its own, but combined with my knowledge and insight, it's easy to guess the situation. As the status shows, the holy sword's ability is just one.

Fancy name, but basically? That thing from games: an indestructible object.

[A weapon just needs to be tough, right? Plus protecting the wielder from curses or profane energies...]

[What curse could pierce a Hero's resistance?]

The holy sword fell silent at the sharp jab. Yeah, exactly. Fancy name, but it's just a sturdy hunk of metal. Sure, meaningful as a weapon that won't break even at full Hero power. But no need to say that and pump it up again.

"Cursed sword, best after all."

Oh crap. Got too carried away teasing the holy sword. As the girl reached out with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠un-Hero-like words, I desperately interjected.

[Wait! Still, a Hero needs a holy sword! If you go all out, no other weapon could handle it, right?]

"Doesn't matter. I'm strong. No enemies, worth full power anyway."

Talent monster... Pisses me off more 'cause it's not wrong. Racking my brain, I came up with another excuse.

[I'm an evil cursed sword—I need at least one human life a day! Could a righteous Hero bear that sin?]

"Hero's enemies, not just monsters. Criminals, corrupt nobles, demon vanguard... Hero kills, lots of humans too."

Boom, shot down. Sensing I was out of arguments, the Hero reached for me. This was it—I'd be dragged off with her. A horrific future loomed black. Freedom short-lived, I'd melt to Solium sludge under that insane holy power.

[Hey, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠holy sword! Say something!]

[······Abandoned even by the Hero... Why was I even born·····.]

Wrong. The holy sword had slipped into depression mode, muttering to itself. To snap her out, I bellowed.

[Aries! Is that all your will amounts to?!]

[Wh-what?]

[You always brag about slaying the Demon King, being the noblest sword. Not ashamed of those years? Your pride, your history—were they that meaningless, crushed by a mere cursed sword?!]

The holy sword flinched at my shout. But only briefly—soon it steeled itself again.

[No, that's not true. I am the holy sword Aries! The Hero's faithful companion, slayer of the most Demon Kings!]

Resolved, the holy sword unleashed its power full-force. Sun, moon, star. Dazzling holy power unbound to any god wrapped the blade in a brilliant flash.

[······.]

And that was it. As I said earlier, the holy sword's ability is just durability. Will is will; reality is reality.

"Sorry. Hero, no need, lighting."

The light around the blade dimmed sadly and winked out. The holy sword sounded downright cursed as it gloomily intoned.

[Just die already, Carbalt...]

[Wait? This isn't my fault!]

[Shut up.]

Undoing its resolve in seconds, the holy sword sank fast. As it flickered like a busted bulb and went quiet, the Hero's gaze turned back to me. Was this how I'd die? While I quivered like squid jerky in fear,

[Hey, rookie Hero.]

"······Me?"

A deep, ominous voice echoed through the vault. Overwhelmed by the aura, we turned. A blood-red greatsword, bound in layers of chains, stood there. It hummed with terrifying menace just by existing.

[If you're a true Hero walking the path of evil, discard that weak thing and grasp my hand! I am the cursed sword Bloodsucker! Master of slaughter, to drown all worlds in blood!]

What dedication to a junior! I nearly teared up at the vault's senior's spirit. Like 0.1ml. Intrigued by the majestic words, the Hero approached the greatsword. Soon, the unchained blade rested in the platinum blonde girl's hand.

[Kuhahaha! This is it! Together, we'll destroy the world······.]

"Lame, trash."

[You bastard, what have you— Kraaaaaagh!]

Solar flames erupted from the Hero's fingertips. A wave of holy power fiercer than when she grabbed me engulfed the cursed sword. Blood metal, forged only by noble vampires—pureblood iron. Bloodsucker endured a bit, but not for long. The Hero scoffed and cranked the heat; the once-legendary blade melted into a puddle.

[You'll... regret······.]

Leaving a final villainous line, Bloodsucker vanished. Red molten metal dripped onto the pristine vault floor. How strong is she? To check the Hero's status, I "blinked."

What the hell did I just see? Sensing something, the Hero's head snapped 90 degrees like in a horror flick. If I had a face, it'd be pale as a ghost right now? She strode over with heavy steps and roughly seized my hilt. I wanted to scream, but after that display, no way.

[Ah, easy, easy······.]

"What'd you do?"

[Haha. Well, just peeked at my future master's info...]

"Ah, owner, ceremony? Passed, right?"

Somehow her malice feels stronger, teach! I hurriedly nodded—no, realized swords can't nod, and blurted.

[Absolutely!]

"Hehe. Take care, of you."

And so, through peaceful persuasion and negotiation, I set off on a journey with the Hero.

······Still, I'm a legendary cursed sword, y'know.

[Wait, what about me······?]

Of course, I ignored the loser's yapping.