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“A sword? Did you make a sword?”
Sia stared at Raon with wide eyes.
“Come to think of it, I don’t see Raon’s sword.”
She gestured with her hand in front of him, asking where he had put the Heavenly Drive.
“I left it because they said they could make it into a better sword.”
Raon pointed at the letter and said that he had given the sword to the master craftsmen.
“Huh? But why does it say a demon appeared instead of a sword?”
Sia tilted her head, seemingly unable to understand Borgos’ letter.
“I’m not sure about that either…”
Raon folded the letter with an awkward smile. He couldn’t tell Sia that the master craftsmen were competing to make the sword.
-These old men have only grown in age, they are more childish than children.
Wrath shook his head in exasperation.
“I want a shiny sword too!”
Sia raised the wooden sword above her head as if in protest.
“Mmm…”
Raon looked at Sia with narrowed eyes.
-It wouldn’t be bad, would it?
As he had learned to control his strength, it seemed right to let her hold a real sword without a sharp edge.
‘I should give one to mom, dad, and aunt too.’
While making Sia’s sword, he wanted to make swords for Sylvia, Edgar, and Alice, who were said to have gone up North Grave Mountain.
“Alright.”
Raon nodded and led Sia to the garden table where Sylvia and Edgar were sitting.
“How about you two also make swords for this occasion?”
“Swords? The ones made from dragon bones?”
-Don’t tell me you plan to make some for us too?
Sylvia and Edgar blinked, as if the thought hadn’t even crossed their minds.
“Yes. Besides ordering a sword for my sister, I’d like to have swords made for my mother and father too.”
Raon nodded towards Sylvia and Edgar, asking what they thought.
“Well, the sword I’m using now isn’t bad, but if my son is making one, I must accept it!”
Sylvia smiled and said that she would, of course, use a sword that her son had obtained.
“T-Then, could you make me a sword with a dragon horn?”
Edgar pounded the table with his fist excitedly.
“A horn?”
“Yes. Swords made from dragon bones are sturdy, those made from teeth are sharp, and those made from horns absorb aura better.”
He nodded, explaining that different parts of a dragon have different characteristics.
“Were there such characteristics?”
Sylvia looked at Edgar with rolling eyes, as if she had no idea.
“Of course! Even swords made by the same master can be very different depending on what materials are used and in what quantities.”
Edgar nodded gravely, saying that the world of craftsmen was profound.
“I didn’t know either.”
Raon let out a sigh. He had no idea there were so many differences in materials, as he had trusted Vulcan, Kuberad, and Borgos.
-This king didn’t know either. I only know that the rump is tender, the belly firm, and the sirloin melts in your mouth…
Wrath clicked his lips and said that he only knew which parts of dragon meat were delicious instead of the bones, teeth, and horns. What an extraordinary Demon King.
“Really? Then you should explain a bit! Not just the bones and horns, but dragon scales also have different uses. The scales around the neck are sturdy yet flexible, good for making armor, while the scales around the body are simply tough, good for shields or weapons. Also, different types of dragons have different attributes…”
Edgar poured out answers to unasked questions like a flood, not wanting to miss the opportunity to speak.
“Red dragons naturally have strength and affinity for fire. Blue ones have water attributes, gold ones…”
—Ah, father! Since there are three dragons, it should be possible to make the whole sword with horns!
Raon shouted that he would make a horn sword to cut off Edgar’s endless chatter.
“R-Really?”
Edgar let out an exclamation as if he had just chugged a beer after stopping his explanation.
“To think that I will use a sword made from dragon horn in my life! Having a good son really is the best!”
He gave a thumbs-up and said that a child’s success was better than his own.
“Then I want a sword made from teeth. That way, I can finish off all those who covet this place.”
Sylvia nodded with a smile, contrary to her fierce words.
“Ah, yes…”
Raon felt Sylvia’s firm determination to protect the annex building. It seemed like she still harbored the invasion of the White Blood Religion in her heart.
“I would like an elegant sword with dragon horn as the main material. I need flexibility to use my swordsmanship effectively. Ah, of course, I don’t want it too flexible like a flexible sword, it must be light but sturdy. The length should be a bit shorter than a longsword…”
Edgar was talkative even when making requests. It seemed like he was trying to release all the chatter he had been suppressing because of Sylvia.
“I want it all!”
Sia nodded and said she wanted everything to be done.
“Those scales? Bones? Use them all!”
She raised her bright eyes, asking that all the materials be combined.
“Alright.”
As Raon was about to leave for Mirtan Village after collecting the requests of the three people, Sia grabbed his sleeve.
“I want to go too!”
Sia smiled and said she wanted to come along.
“But won’t it be boring?”
Raon shook his head as he looked at Sia.
“It will be boring because all you’ll see is hammering.”
“I’m going! I’m going!”
This time, Sia grabbed her own arm tightly as if she didn’t want to let go. Her strength was so great that even the sleeve of her sturdy training clothes tore.
“Why don’t you take her with you?”
“Yes. Nothing much will happen there anyway.”
Edgar and Sylvia smiled, suggesting that it might be a good opportunity.
“Mmm…”
Raon let out a low groan as he saw the moisture in the corners of Sia’s eyes.
“I guess I have no choice.”
Unlike Sylvia and Edgar, this was her first sword, so it didn’t seem wrong to go talk to the blacksmith directly.
-Alright. Let’s go together.
Raon sighed as if he had no other choice and nodded.
“Hooray!”
Sia wiped her eyes as if she had never been on the verge of tears and smiled.
“What mom said worked!”
She said that tears had done the trick as she hugged Sylvia.
—I told you. Your younger brother may seem cold, but he has a kind heart.
Sylvia patted Sia’s head and told her she had done well.
“Ah…”
Raon took a deep breath as he watched Sia brag to Edgar and Sylvia.
‘Was that an act?’
-She’s already acting, isn’t she?
Wrath let out a hollow laugh, as if he was dumbfounded.
-She’s definitely your sister! There was another god of acting here!
‘…’
* * *
Clang! Clang! Sia turned her head from side to side, seemingly fascinated by the sound of hammers echoing throughout Mirtan Village.
“Hammer! There’s a hammer there too!”
She pointed at a hammer larger than a person’s forearm and smiled. New things seemed to fascinate her.
-Aren’t you hot, sister?
Raon looked at the radiant Sia.
“I’m fine!”
Sia shook her head and said she was perfect.
‘Is it because her physical abilities are still at the Grand Master level?’
Although she had lost all memories of swordsmanship and martial arts, her physical abilities remained intact, so she seemed to feel neither heat nor cold.
—But why do they hit sparks with the hammer?
Sia pointed at a craftsman who was hammering hot iron.
“That’s not fire, it’s iron heated by fire. When you heat iron, you can change its shape.”
As he explained how swords were made while walking towards Mirtan Village, a familiar face appeared halfway.
“Chief Administrator?”
It was Gambling Monster. He was strolling leisurely through Mirtan Village with a bottle of alcohol dangling from his finger.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to get myself a sword too.”
Gambling Monster waved his hand, saying that he was also part of the annex, so it should be fine to place an order first.
“Of course.”
Raon smiled and said it was his natural right.
“Ah, and I have a gift for you.”
He opened his subspace bag and took out the good liquor he had bought for Gambling Monster.
“Ahem! This is quite nice!”
Contrary to his words, Gambling Monster immediately reached out and grabbed the bottle.
“You came because you heard that the sword was finished…”
“Grandpa!”
When Gambling Monster was about to ask about the sword, Sia stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
“Why haven’t you come to our house lately?”
Sia narrowed her eyes, as if she was disappointed that Gambling Monster, who used to visit her from time to time, no longer came.
“S-Sia. W-well, lately I’ve been taking care of the kids…”
Gambling Monster stammered, seemingly nervous about Sia’s clear eyes.
“The first grandpa doesn’t come, the second grandpa doesn’t come, and the weird grandpa doesn’t come either. I’m bored!”
Sia pouted and said she couldn’t see Glenn, Rector, or Gambling Monster.
“I-Is that so?! Then I should at least visit you!”
Gambling Monster nodded, his chin trembling. He smiled broadly, as if Sia seemed adorable to him.
‘They have become very close.’
Gambling Monster, being a responsible person, occasionally visited the annex to act as a true chief administrator, and it seemed like they had become close during that time.
“Please come tomorrow. I’ll have everything prepared.”
-Raon!
As he told Gambling Monster to come tomorrow, someone called his name.
“I told you to come quickly! Why are you lazing about there?”
It was Vulcan. He stomped in front of his workshop, as if telling them to hurry up.
“You’re hurting my ears, lower your voice.”
Kuberad waved his hand and told them to leave them alone, as they had come on their own.
“Fine. The match has been decided. We just have to wait patiently.”
Borgos nodded calmly, as if he had already won.
“Chief Administrator. Please watch over my sister for a moment.”
Raon entrusted Sia to Gambling Monster and went up to Vulcan’s workshop.
“Sorry for being late.”
He bowed to Vulcan, Kuberad, and Borgos. The three of them looked disheveled, with their clothes and hair in disarray and dark circles under their eyes, as if they had spent the night forging swords.
“Hmm, you brought that child too.”
Vulcan acknowledged Sia and nodded gravely.
“The child who makes the Gambling Monster nervous…”
“Who is she?”
Kuberad and Borgos tilted their heads, not knowing anything about Sia.
“She’s my older sister.”
“Older sister? You had an older sister?”
Kuberad’s eyes widened, as if he was hearing this for the first time.
-Yes. She appeared suddenly.
“Well, humans are strange. You can’t suddenly appear as a younger brother, but an older sister.”
Borgos shook his head, as if he couldn’t understand.
“To put it simply…”
Thinking that he would have to explain anyway to request a sword for Sia, Raon briefly explained the circumstances.
“So that’s what happened…”
Kuberad swallowed hard, as if he felt sorry.
—Those filthy Eden bastards! I tell you, there’s no one normal among those who cover their faces!
Borgos gritted his teeth audibly, revealing his deep resentment against the Five Demons.
“Let’s leave the heavy conversations and get to the point.”
Vulcan waved his hand as if trying to clear the heavy atmosphere.
“Alright. Today is about presenting new swords.”
Kuberad nodded with a slight smile.
“I hope you finish off all those ghost bastards with the sword I made!”
Vulcan said he was counting on it as he removed the tablecloth from the table. Uuuuh! Three newly refined swords appeared beneath the white tablecloth.
“Mmm…”
Perhaps because they were sheathed, Raon couldn’t feel any particular change in the swords. They had the same presence as when he had them before.
“You won’t know just by looking at them. Examine them yourself.”
Vulcan stepped back and told Raon to draw the swords.
“It only makes sense if you see it and judge for yourself.”
Kuberad nodded calmly.
“A demon is born…”
Borgos moistened his lips with darkened eyes, like someone who had gone a little crazy.
“Understood.”
Raon took a deep breath and grabbed the Heavenly Drive made by Vulcan. They probably hadn’t modified the hilt, but it felt like it fit his hand more firmly than before.
As he unsheathed the Heavenly Drive, a sword mantra clearer than before sounded and a pure white sword appeared. Although its shape hadn’t changed much, the will of the sword seemed to be transmitted.
‘An unshakeable firmness that doesn’t bend before anyone.’
The willpower that he had maintained since he first held the sword until he reached transcendence was silently imbued in the Heavenly Drive. He was sure that it would never break, no matter who the opponent was or what swordsmanship he clashed with.
“It’s amazing. I can feel the power of this sword even without wielding it.”
He gently swung the Heavenly Drive, his reddened eyes trembling.
“Ahem!”
Vulcan smiled broadly, seemingly pleased with Raon’s reaction.
“Then, next…”
He sheathed the Heavenly Drive and grabbed the Blade of Requiem. Zzzt! As soon as he held the hilt of the Blade of Requiem, a chilling coldness ran through his fingers. It felt like he was exposed to necromancy, but without malice. Zzzt! As he unsheathed the Blade of Requiem, an even redder blade, as if splashed with blood, was revealed.
The demonic energy emanating from the red sword had intensified, but strangely, the malice of the vengeful spirits had diminished greatly.
It felt like the noble aura of an excellent swordsman.
“The power and will of the Blade of Requiem have strengthened, but its resentment has decreased. No, instead of decreasing, it seems like the malice has turned into power.”
Raon swallowed hard as he touched the blade of the Blade of Requiem.
“After hearing that your master calmed the vengeful spirits in the Blade of Requiem, I decided to trust the souls of the sword. Just as you help the vengeful spirits, they will also help you.”
Kuberad nodded and said that if they trusted each other, they could create great power.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed to Kuberad and grabbed the last sword, the Wooden Ring.
“Mmm…”
As soon as he grabbed the sword, a red aura flashed before his eyes. A chill ran down his spine as if he was in front of a swordsman full of murderous intent. Ching! As he unsheathed the Wooden Ring, a blue sword as clear as Rimmer’s wind was revealed.
However, what he felt within that clarity was a deep and intense murderous intent. It felt like a powerful aura that wanted to cut not just people, but the whole world.
“Mmm.”
Raon brought his finger to the tip of the Wooden Ring. Cut! Although his body had become tougher after reaching transcendence, the sword cut him without any aura infused and blood dripped.
“It’s chilling.”
He thought it would only scratch him lightly, but he didn’t expect it to actually hurt him. It was an incredible level of murderous intent.
“I knew it would be like this!”
Borgos clapped repeatedly, as if he had predicted Raon’s reaction.
“Use that sword to finish off all those Five Demon bastards!”
He bowed his head heavily, making the request.
“I will do my best.”
Raon clenched his fist and said he would become a swordsman who wouldn’t lose to the Wooden Ring.
“Hmm, then, whose sword is the best?”
—Kuberad asked, tilting his head slightly. He didn’t seem interested in the competition, but it seemed like that was what interested him most.
“Why are you asking? It’s obvious!”
“That’s right. It’s mine.”
Borgos pointed at himself confidently, and Vulcan also chose himself as if it were obvious.
“They are all such excellent swords that it would be a shame for me to use them, so I can’t rank them.”
Raon shook his head as he looked at the Heavenly Drive, the Blade of Requiem, and the Wooden Ring one after another. The Heavenly Drive was imbued with unshakeable will, the Blade of Requiem had the power to turn resentment into salvation, and the Wooden Ring contained the willpower to kill anyone, no matter who the opponent was.
The level of completion of the swords was equally high, but because the will contained in each was different, it was impossible to determine a winner.
“This match is a tie.”
Raon closed his eyes tightly and said he couldn’t really decide.
“Where in the world is there a tie?!”
Borgos shook his head vigorously.
“We have to make a decision…”
Kuberad also licked his lips as if he was eager to make a decision.
“In the world of craftsmen, there is always a winner.”
Vulcan also frowned, displeased.
“Look closely again!”
-Raon!
As he told Raon to look again, Gambling Monster came up the hill carrying Sia. Although Sia was tall for a woman, Gambling Monster was so large that she didn’t look particularly strange.
“Sister?”
“Are these the grandpas who will make my sword?”
Sia smiled as she looked at Borgos, Vulcan, and Kuberad.
“Hello!”
She got off the Gambling Monster’s arms and bowed to the three masters.
“Sword?”
Vulcan tilted his head as if asking what she meant.
“My sister has been learning swordsmanship recently, so I was going to ask you to make her a real sword without an edge.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Vulcan squinted as he examined Sia’s hands and legs.
“Unlike her appearance, I can feel an enormous sword energy.”
“Should we call her a bunch of talent?”
Kuberad and Borgos also swallowed hard, seemingly sensing Sia’s talent.
[As I mentioned, her original level was first-level Grand Master.]
Raon sent an aura message that only the masters could hear.
[Even though she has lost her memories and power, if my sister properly grabs a sword…]
He nodded and watched Sia smile as she examined the Heavenly Drive.
[She will surely be able to reach transcendence.]
He concluded confidently, sure that with Sia’s talent, reaching transcendence was a certainty.
“Huh!”
“To that extent?”
Borgos and Kuberad opened their eyes wide in surprise.
“Miss.”
Vulcan approached Sia and looked into her eyes.
“Would you like to wield a sword once?”
He gave Sia a plain, ordinary sword and told her to wield it.
“Hmm? How much?”
Sia tilted her head and looked at Raon.
“This time, don’t hold back. Throw the weapon towards that mountain.”
Raon pointed at a distant mountain and told her to strike with all her might.
“Okay!”
Sia nodded and lowered the sword. They thought she would make a horizontal cut, but the path of her sword contained the flow of the Madness Fang technique, which they had taught her recently. Boom! The sword strike, which extended fiercely like a beast’s fangs, crumbled one side of the mountain.
“I hit it!”
Sia jumped up and down, delighted to have hit the rock.
“Oh…”
“W-What is this…?”
“Huh!”
Not only Kuberad and Borgos, but even Vulcan opened their eyes in shock.
“It’s as I said. Who would like to make the first sword for my sister, who will reach transcendence in the future?”
Raon moved his finger towards the three men like a skilled auctioneer.
“Me! I’ll do it!”
—No, a sword for a lady like that should be handled by someone delicate like me!
“This time, we will surely determine the winner!”
The three masters began to argue again, each shouting that they would make Sia’s sword.
“They’re all good!”
Sia smiled broadly, as if she was happy to have many options.
-Childish old men…
Wrath shook his head, saying how pathetic they were.
-It’s like they’re aging in reverse.
‘…Are you the one who should be talking?’
* * *
After taking Sia back to the annex building, Raon headed to the Fifth Training Ground.
The training ground floor was perfectly ordered, as if the Light Wind Division swordsmen had finished their training and left.
-Yawning…
Wrath yawned widely and shook his head.
-After eating a hot meal, why don’t you go to sleep instead of going out again…?
He rubbed his eyes and waved his hand, suggesting they go to sleep.
‘Now that I have the swords, I need to check how much they’ve changed.’
The characteristics of the Heavenly Drive, Blade of Requiem, and Wooden Ring had improved significantly, so he felt he needed to wield them himself to get used to them.
-That’s true, but can’t you do it after you sleep?
Wrath shook his head and asked why he had to make such a fuss at night.
«It’s nice and quiet, right?»
Raon smiled and drew the Heavenly Drive. Simply holding the sword made him feel like his body and mind were becoming stronger. He felt he wouldn’t lose to anything. Zzzt! As always, he started with basic swordsmanship. He swung the Heavenly Drive, projecting the flow and subtleties of basic swordsmanship that he had taught Sia onto himself. Zzzt!
The blade of the Heavenly Drive, which contained his beliefs, cut through the cold air of dawn. An unshakeable and unbreakable sword. Vulcan had created exactly the sword he had promised.
-It’s a sword that seems to have been forged from the word ‘firm’ itself. It has become even stronger than before.
Wrath nodded, saying that it was an excellent sword that could perfectly embody the will of a swordsman. Ching! He sheathed the Heavenly Drive and grabbed the Wooden Ring. Along with a deep murderous intent, the blue blade scattered a murderous aura that erased the darkness. Ching! Raon moved towards the center of the training ground with a gentle footwork and employed the Madness Fang technique.
The chilling sharpness contained in the Wooden Ring became the fangs of a crazed beast, extending in all directions. Even without his intention, a net-like murderous intent blossomed from the end of the sword path, shredding the atmosphere.
‘This is dangerous.’
A murderous intent that extended not only to enemies, but also to allies. If not perfectly controlled, it seemed like the sword could end up in a comrade’s back.
-So that’s why that dwarf said he created a demon.
Wrath let out a sigh, saying they had created a crazy sword.
‘Then lastly…’
As Raon was about to draw the Blade of Requiem from behind his waist, the door to the training ground opened and Glenn entered.
“Testing swords? Can you do it by yourself?”
Glenn waved his hand with a calm expression.
“H-Head of House?”
Not expecting Glenn to come here, Raon immediately approached and bowed his head.
“Now that you have received new swords, how about we fulfill our postponed promise?”
“If you mean the promise…”
“A training match.”
He grabbed the Heavenly Tremor with a smile on his lips.
“Let’s see how far you’ve come.”
-
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