The Hero Meets Jena's Father
"[Fuck... put it in me...]"
"Where the hell do you want me to stick this damn sword?"
I snapped at the voice echoing in my head, channeling energy into the sword's hilt. A signature technique of the vibrating sword. As my power surged through the blade, the lewd impulses that would ensnare anyone in a haze of arousal vanished in an instant.
The sword let out a low zzzzing—starting to vibrate on its own, as if voicing its displeasure, even without me pressing any buttons. I stared at the thing buzzing away like a maniac, utterly dumbfounded.
I had no idea what trick Katrin had pulled, but it looked like she'd somehow forged an ego sword after all the talk.
'This is just a Demon Sword.'
I wasn't unhappy about acquiring an ego sword—I've always had a thing for weapons. But the ego dwelling within it seemed to possess some seriously twisted instincts.
Recalling everything that had happened to the sword so far, I quickly realized it was all my fault. It had been used as Marian's masturbation toy, then as a tool to arouse Lilite—not exactly innocent history. Blaming anyone else for the sword developing such a perverse ego would be hypocritical.
It would've been nice if its awakening had leaned toward something useful, like high anti-magic resistance. But what was done was done. As the blade kept pumping out waves that relentlessly teased my libido, I scratched my head furiously.
I was a hero with far too much experience to be swayed by the whims of a newborn sword spirit. Still, that lascivious aura radiating from the weapon itself could prove dangerous to others.
'Even if it begs to be "stuck" somewhere, what the hell does it want me to shove it into?'
I tore a strip from the bedsheet and roughly wrapped the hilt. No clue if it'd work, but it had to be better than direct contact. Swordmasters don't hand their blades over lightly, of course, but preparing for the worst never hurt.
"Everyone ready to head out?"
I called out to the group assembled in front of Caliban Territory's castle. Thankfully, Karen and Jena had behaved themselves the night before, letting me catch some long-overdue sleep. Marian kept shooting uneasy glances at my sword but seemed too guilty to bring it up—fidgeting awkwardly, like she didn't know what to do with herself.
"Karen, ride behind me. Marian, behind Jena."
The air was thick with the potential for another round of female infighting, so I nipped it in the bud. Karen perked up happily and headed to my horse, while the guilt-ridden Marian hung her head and slunk along. Jena looked like she regretted ever mentioning she could ride, but without her, we'd be stuck. A carriage would've worked, sure, but that sounded like a hassle.
"Oh, right—Jena. Isn't your family home near the Great Forest?"
"Ah..."
At Karen's words, Jena's mouth fell open as realization dawned. Her uncomfortable expression naturally brought Capella von Darius to mind. As Karen said, the Darius Duchy bordered the elves' Great Forest, and securing his support would be a boon in more ways than one.
"Jena. We'll stop by the duchy."
"Pardon?"
"Problem?"
"N-no, not a problem, but..."
I smirked at Jena rolling her eyes in unease. I knew she was intimidated by her father, but truth be told, Duke Capella was the world's biggest doting fool of a dad—at least from what I remembered. He'd even picked a fight with me outright in my previous life, all because Jena had vented a few gripes about me in her letters.
I wasn't exactly thrilled about dealing with the old man either, but with no intel on the Demon King's forces, his backing was an offer too good to refuse.
"It's settled, then. To the Darius Duchy."
"Jena!"
"F-Father."
After days of hard riding, we arrived at the Darius Duchy—a thriving land rivaling the imperial capital. At the territory's entrance, we were greeted by Duke Capella himself, who'd come out in person.
The duke stared at Jena with burning intensity, ignoring me and the others like we were invisible. Jena, clearly burdened by his gaze, couldn't hide her awkwardness.
"Ahem... I heard. You're heading to the elves' Great Forest?"
"Y-yes."
"I see."
An awkward silence stretched between father and daughter. Watching them, I realized their strained dynamic was entirely Capella's fault. Jena looked thrilled deep down, but his stern face made him seem like he was facing a mortal enemy.
"Yeah, I get why Jena's so tense now."
Karen whispered in my ear, eyeing the duke. I didn't think his expression was that odd, but apparently women picked up on something I missed. Even Marian, riding behind Jena, was visibly on edge.
"Ahem. So, you're the hero?"
Unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, Capella finally addressed me. The topic shift was obvious, but I had no choice but to play along. Flashing my best salesman smile, I bowed slightly.
"An honor to meet you, Your Grace. I've long heard tales of your valor."
"Hm? What're you...?"
"Haha. To stand before Capella von Darius, the empire's mightiest swordsman—truly a privilege."
"Eh?"
Jena looked the most shocked as I laid on the flattery for Capella. The duke seemed a bit nonplussed—maybe not the type to eat it up—but Jena gawked at me and her father in disbelief.
It was calculated ass-kissing to secure support, but Capella was one of the empire's top warriors. Naturally, his sharp eyes caught Jena's reaction, and I smirked inwardly as the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
'Hook, line, and sinker.'
No parent hates hearing praise in front of their kid. Capella fought back a grin, but it was clear he was pleased.
"Ahem. I've heard plenty about you too."
"Pardon?"
"My foal of a daughter wrote every detail about you in her letters."
I flinched at his words, and so did Jena. "Foal" flashed me back to our escapades:
—Neighhh, Jena's galloping!
—Y-you'll give me a carrot, right?
—Just ride Jena once...
Chilling. A dagger to the heart. Jena wouldn't have written that in a letter to her dad... right? But recalling her past correspondence, I couldn't be sure.
"Hm? Something wrong? You look pale."
"N-no, just curious what Jena might've said about me..."
I forced a smile, but my mind raced. Conclusion: Capella didn't know the details. If he did, hero or not, my head would've been rolling already.
"Haha, nothing much. Just how skilled, amazing, and brave you are."
"Father!"
Jena tried to intervene desperately, but Capella stared me down. Jealousy burned in his eyes—I felt it plainly.
"What an honor to meet the great hero myself. Shall we shake on it?"
Capella extended a hand with a sly grin. I knew gripping it would hurt like hell, but refusing wasn't an option. Like a lamb to slaughter, I took it.
'Ugh, this crazy old bastard...?'
And right on cue. Capella crushed my hand with bone-shattering force, all while beaming.