Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Utility of the Magic Sword - 1
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Once the Sword Emperor's cremation was complete, the entire palace began to rumble.
The dungeon's collapse had begun the moment they cleared it.
The atmosphere made it feel like they needed to hurry out, but it wasn't a serious issue.
The survivors would all be ejected to the entrance the instant the dungeon was cleared.
"Looks like we're the only ones who made it out alive."
"Were you hoping otherwise?"
"It would've been nice if a couple managed to survive and escape."
Lena pulled back her bowstring and released it repeatedly, a hint of regret in her movements.
She'd probably hole up in the forest back home for a while, just hunting to her heart's content.
With no urgent matters at hand, letting her enjoy some leisure time didn't sound bad.
I was mulling over taking a break myself when Maribel tugged at my sleeve.
"Heinz, over there..."
"Oh, right—the cultists did infiltrate inside."
Unfortunately, the polite young gatekeeper lay there as a cold corpse.
Considering the Nidhogg Cult had come specifically for me, I bore some responsibility for his death.
We moved the gatekeeper's body and handed it over to his bereaved family.
Money couldn't soothe the pain of losing a loved one, but in the name of House Altesia, I promised to ensure they wouldn't worry about their livelihood.
To follow through, I sought out Baron Delmanriju separately and asked him to look after the family.
I also requested that he keep our conquest of the ancient dungeon a secret.
I offered an elixir and a pouch of gold coins as compensation, but the baron firmly refused.
He insisted he'd already received plenty and that the tragedy befalling his territory's people was his responsibility to bear.
"When he first admitted to taking bribes from you, I thought he was just another corrupt noble. Color me surprised."
"Taking profit when it's available, but never letting greed lead to betrayal. That's a solid stance."
"He must've really impressed you. Planning to bring Baron Delmanriju under your wing?"
"Too early for that. Anyone can make promises. We'll see if he keeps his word—then I'll consider it."
A baron's power wasn't immense, but with factions in play, more noble allies were always welcome.
Still, an incompetent friend was far more dangerous than a capable enemy.
Recruitment demanded caution.
"Oh! Mind if I head somewhere for a bit?"
"To Arachne's Forest?"
"Gotta go brag to those guys who always teased me for being an elf who couldn't shoot an arrow!"
The elves' migration was proceeding smoothly.
Over half had already moved from their old forest to Altesia territory, and they planned to plant a World Tree sapling soon.
Arachne's Forest had become much safer under the elves' protection.
The imperial family had publicly classified arachne as a demihuman race rather than monsters, putting an end to reckless subjugation efforts.
Even so, with arachne silk enjoying massive popularity, they couldn't let their guard down.
"Take your time and rest up. Nothing else for you to do right now."
"A vacation? I won't say no to that!"
Lena flung open the doors and leaped from the speeding carriage.
She always embodied that free spirit, no matter when you saw her.
Maribel quietly closed the door Lena had left wide open.
With Lena gone, it was just Maribel and me.
This seemed like a good chance to offer her a break too, so I asked what she thought.
"Don't you want some time off, Maribel? You've never taken a single day off."
"I'm fine. After lying in bed for so long, staying active feels better anyway."
"Still, don't push yourself. If your body breaks down, you won't be at full strength when it counts."
"I'll etch that worry deep in my heart, so you never have to fret over me."
She said as much, but Maribel showed no signs of wanting to rest.
Her body and mind both looked perfectly healthy—no need to worry there.
You couldn't force rest on someone in peak condition.
As I pondered a new topic, Maribel spoke up.
"...If I had to rest, I'd want to spend a leisurely day with you, like last time."
"You mean wandering the streets and eating apple pie?"
"Yes... Would that be okay...?"
"Of course. We'll set aside a day for an outing later. We'll have to disguise ourselves, though."
Last time, we'd hidden our faces because the townsfolk feared us. Now, it was because we were too popular.
Maribel had become a celebrity too, rarely leaving my side and blessed with striking beauty—it was inevitable.
"What if we go outside the territory? No need to hide then, right?"
"Got a place in mind?"
"If possible, I'd love to see the sea. Father proposed to Mother there."
Maribel crossed her fingers over her lips.
Her cheeks flushed as she gazed up at me, eyes sparkling.
Was she hoping I'd propose to her?
Maybe she just wanted to visit the sea for the first time—better not jump to conclusions.
"Sounds good. We'll go when we have time."
"R-Really?"
"After we crush Viscount Belda's house, though."
"That's exactly what I want. For Mother's revenge, and for everything Father endured, I'll make them pay."
Maribel bit her lip hard.
Her resolute gaze burned with determination to repay past humiliations.
Confidence overflowed from her. The Sentinel Training Method had worked wonders, it seemed.
"I'll prepare a stage just for you and Kizen, so hone those new skills."
"Yes!"
Maribel clenched her fist, steeling her resolve.
Not just her strength, but her courage too—it lifted my spirits.
Worth coming to the ancient dungeon after all.
"So Father will join us when we topple Viscount Belda's house?"
"You against that?"
"Not at all! Showing him how much I've grown will be thrilling. He'll be shocked."
"Naturally. In just a few months, you've mastered most weapons and even special magic."
Forget basic techniques—what would Kizen think of blood magic?
I looked forward to his reaction, but then an impure thought flickered through my mind.
'So Maribel gets stronger every time she has her period from now on?'
[You're insane.]
Tyrfing's admiring quip rang out.
Should've ignored the sword and melted it down right then.
I regretted hesitating even for a moment at its proposal.
'Hey, didn't I say I was your master?'
[...Yes.]
I figured it'd backpedal now that the crisis was over.
Its honest admission was refreshing.
'You said there's a way to use you even without talent. Care to explain?'
[First, tell me—are you prepared to become Tyrfing's true master?]
'If it means sinking into slaughter, count me out. Don't wanna go mad.'
[You already seem plenty mad...]
'What'd you say?'
I'd saved Maribel, Rosmel, and House Grimjack.
I'd given the elves and arachne a land to live in.
Fighting the Nidhogg Cult bent on toppling the Empire—how could I be the mad one?
'No one's as good-hearted as me in this world—how dare you slander me!'
[Your shamelessness is world-class.]
'Cut it. Pitch yourself properly, or I'll toss you into the deep sea.'
[Those who wield Tyrfing can defy causality, awakening and using the power of their future selves. They momentarily reshape the present into the future.]
'So I can transform into my future self for a bit.'
But with zero talent, even my future self would be useless.
I might glimpse how it grows, but twisted mad by the Primordial Evil, conversation would be impossible.
Utterly meaningless for me.
[The transformation isn't limited to humans. If you wish, you can convert specific objects to their future forms too.]
'Not a bad power in theory, but it's iffy. The Primordial Evil's erosion worries me...'
[If it were the Primordial Evil, you'd have submitted long ago. It couldn't harm someone as filled with pure malice as you.]
'Me, that bad? There are worse out there.'
[Turning a steadfast family man into a masochistic pig, scheming frauds nonstop, and pounding arachne till their hips give out? You're one of a kind.]
Couldn't argue with that.
'Side effects aside, I can't think of a practical way to use your power right now.'
[How about transforming one of your followers into their future self? The wolf girl overflowing with talent would show some real changes!]
'That's messed up...'
[...Insane.]