The Road Back to Hamel
On the way back, inside the carriage heading to Hamel.
-Rattle, rattle.-
Having given priority to the injured for the teleportation device, I spent my time chewing on jerky inside the carriage.
-Chew... chew...-
"I wonder when we'll arrive."
One thing was certain: we wouldn't make it today. The distance from the north to Hamel was considerable. At best, we'd arrive tomorrow. At worst, it might take three days.
"Haaaaam..."
I couldn't sleep. I'd thought about taking a nap to pass the time, but since sleep wouldn't come, I opened my eyes and decided to sort through everything that had happened on this journey.
"Hmm..."
After all, there wasn't much else to do.
'How much money do I have left...?'
I opened my wallet and let out a hollow laugh at the empty interior. I'd spent more on this trip than I'd expected.
The money I'd brought was two hundred gold. What remained was fifty. Three years ago, that would have been three months' worth of living expenses spent all at once... Wow.
"I really spent a lot."
Between meals, buying souvenirs for the young lady, and staying at high-end lodgings, the expenses had added up more than I'd thought. It was still nothing compared to what I'd saved, but lately my spending had definitely increased.
"...Money really is the best."
Next time I come with the young lady, I should splurge a little. After all, money is meant to be spent.
"...Haaaaam."
After tucking my wallet back into my pocket, I looked out the window and changed the subject in my mind. Far more important things than money had happened on this trip.
'The cultists...'
Three Apostles had been deployed this time: the Apostle of Benevolence who filled Olaf's vacancy, Elysia the Apostle of Gentleness, and the Apostle of Temperance who had died by Mikhail's hand in the novel.
Without the Apostle of Benevolence, it would have been an easy journey, but the cultists weren't so easily dealt with, and there had been plenty of variables.
"...Hmm."
The cult's greatest strength lay in its Apostles. We'd succeeded in killing one of the seven during this battle—the Apostle of Temperance, who had been particularly troublesome to face.
Of course, the four knights guarding the Pope were the cult's true core and greatest power, but those four rarely moved, so there was no need to worry about them. They were so reclusive that some Apostles had never even seen their faces.
When the Empire eventually waged an all-out war, the Sword Demon Knights would make a grand appearance, but that was a story for the distant future. No point dwelling on it now.
What mattered was that Temperance was out of the picture. Strictly speaking, he wasn't dead, but the treatment he was receiving was probably worse than death.
Elysia, the Apostle of Gentleness, had become our ally. As for the Apostle of Benevolence, the elf who had newly joined in place of the dead Olaf—
-Lord Rowen.
-...
-Are you hurt?
-...Ha.
-Wow... The Empire's sword is injured? Does that mean our country is doomed?
-Are you mocking me?
-Yes.
-...
She'd wounded Rowen's arm and escaped. Rowen claimed he hadn't let his guard down, but...
"Ah... This just got complicated."
I had no idea where such a monster had come from. Feeling unsettled by the appearance of someone who hadn't existed in the novel, I clicked my tongue with an awkward smile.
'I don't like variables much.'
If we'd managed to retire the elf on the spot as well, we could have dealt the cult an even heavier blow.
'Whatever. I'll just focus on resting for now.'
Since there was nothing I could do about it, I decided not to dwell on it and instead focus on what we'd gained. We'd obtained the Holy Sword, and even a magic sword I hadn't expected. The gains far outweighed the losses on this journey.
'That aside... an elf...'
-...It's an elf.
-...Who are you?
-Uh... um.
-...
-I'll untie you for now.
I felt like I'd met one a very long time ago, but it was so long ago that my memory was hazy. It must have been when I was twelve and raided a slave trader...
'Hmm...'
While I was racking my brain trying to recall something that wouldn't come, the magic sword at my waist broke its long silence and spoke cautiously.
-Master...
Its voice was timid. The magic sword sounded strangely pitiful. I wondered if this thing was really a magic sword at all.
-Um... Master.
I looked at the magic sword and answered.
"Yes, Magic Sword-nim."
-Uh... Are you using honorifics?
-Pardon?
-Why are you speaking so formally...?
-Hmm... Because you're my elder?
-Ugh...
At the magic sword's wounded reaction, I shook my head and tried to take back what I'd said. You can't put spilled water back, but words can be somewhat salvaged if you wrap them nicely.
"It was a joke. Your bearing is so elegant that I assumed you must have been a high-ranking noble in the past, so I used honorifics. Does it make you uncomfortable?"
-N-no, it's fine.
"I'm glad."
An awkward silence followed. The magic sword's shyness only made the atmosphere feel even more awkward.
"..."
-...
"..."
I broke the silence and asked the magic sword a question, my tone implying that it should speak if it had called me.
"Why did you call me?"
-Ah, well...
"Yes?"
-There's something I'm curious about. May I ask? I'll answer any questions you have as well.
"Ahaha... You can ask anything. No need to be so cautious."
-Then I'll ask.
"Go ahead."
-Hoo...
The magic sword took a deep breath, then asked something I never expected.
-Master, are you perhaps not human?
"Pardon?"
Not human? What kind of question was that? I let out a hollow laugh at the most absurd question I'd ever heard and shrugged.
"I don't really understand what you mean by that."
-...Well.
"I am human, but... hmm."
-...Ugh.
"If you think about it in a complicated way, maybe."
-...!
"But why do you think that?"
The magic sword hesitated for a moment before giving a timid answer. It said it seemed to have seen something strange during the trial.
-I don't really know either... When I looked at your memories, I saw far more than I could handle.
"What exactly did you see?"
-I don't remember. I couldn't see everything.
"Ah..."
-I can only see the most difficult memories. To be precise, the saddest memories of your life.
"That's strange. Those events aren't in my memories."
-That's why I was surprised too. I wondered if it was even possible...
Anyway.
-Yes.
-There were also a lot of terrifying women.
"Women?"
-Yes... I don't remember them well, but they were incredibly scary. There were about seven of them, I think.
"..."
After nodding vaguely at the magic sword's incomprehensible words, I offered it one piece of reassurance. Even a magic sword that had slept for hundreds of years would feel anxious adapting to a new environment.
"Please take good care of me from now on."
-Yes...
"I'll try to avoid anything too dangerous."
-That doesn't really matter. I'm not good enough to lecture you about that sort of thing...
"That's nice to hear."
Whether Mikhail was doing the same right now, I wondered. She was probably talking with the Holy Sword by now. That sword had a clear purpose—to protect the world—so it probably wasn't very fun.
In contrast, this magic sword was...
-...Please don't treat me too roughly...
It was so timid that I found it hard to say anything. I gently touched Caliburn's scabbard, which had returned to its timid mode, and spoke softly.
"Caliburn."
-Y-yes...?!
"Is that your name?"
Caliburn vibrated slightly as it answered.
-That's right... But why my name...?
"I thought calling you 'Caliburn' would be better than 'Magic Sword-nim.'"
-Yes... I like that better.
"Then I'll call you that from now on. Caliburn-ssi."
"Ah... aah... Yes."
What a funny magic sword. It even knew how to feel embarrassed.
I began having many conversations with Caliburn. I told it what kind of person I was and what kind of people would be waiting where we were going.
-We're heading to Hamel.
-Hamel... Is that in the Empire?
-That's right.
The distance to Hamel was longer than expected, so there was plenty of time to talk with Caliburn. I was grateful that the time hadn't felt too lonely.
It wasn't bad. Talking with Caliburn was more enjoyable and less boring than I'd thought.
-So there's a bear, a noble young lady, and a mage?
"Yes."
-I'll do my best.
"Pardon?"
-Even without a body, I'll try my hardest.
Its bright personality made it even more likable. I was also able to hear a bit of Caliburn's own story. As Syuen had said, before being sealed, it had been the progenitor of the vampires named Caliburn. It had also been the king of many people and, some said, a wise ruler. But when it seemed reluctant to talk about why it had been sealed or why it had become a magic sword, I didn't press further. It probably wasn't a pleasant story.
Still, I was glad that before becoming a magic sword, it had been a 'woman.' If it had been a chatty man, that would have been annoying in its own way.
Now I could see it in the distance.
"Wuuuung..."
The young lady's sulky face as she rode on Gomtangi.
"Eek..."
Perched atop Gomtangi, the young lady turned her head as she watched the carriage pass the mansion. Wondering if that was the carriage I was in.
"Wuuueeek..."
Smiling faintly at the young lady's innocent expression, I opened the window and grinned.
"It's her."
-...Huh... Huuuh!?
"The young lady I serve."
Ignoring Caliburn's scream, I waved at the young lady with a smile. I was back.
"Young lady!"
"Eek?"
"Young lady!!!"
"Eeeeek?!"
Home.
"I bought some chocolate."
"Ricardoooo!!!!"
Finally, I had returned to the home I missed so much.