Chapter 133: The Holy Sword’s Trial (?)

“…”

The young knight’s eyes gleamed as he looked around.

They were dazzling, as if he stood among shining stars.

He knew the names of all those stars.

How could he not?

Each one was a noble swordsman and a great hero, idols revered by many.

Their legendary feats weren’t mere rumors but were etched into history.

They were the ones who defeated great evils, dispelled the shadows from the world, and protected the dignity of countless people.

And those very people had gathered here.

To prove they were truly great and virtuous heroes.

By being chosen by the Holy Sword, the legacy of the hero.

When they first arrived here, their faces brimmed with absolute confidence.

They were convinced they would become the Holy Sword’s master.

But as time passed, that confidence gave way to other feelings—

Willing humility and respect.

Their achievements. Their prestige.

Among such seasoned heroes, it would’ve made sense for any of them to become the sword’s master.

And yet—

Now that the Holy Sword had chosen its master, an uneasy silence lingered in the air.

They had believed it wouldn’t be strange no matter who was chosen.

They thought they could graciously accept it, even if the sword didn’t choose them.

But there was one thing they hadn’t expected.

“Who is that guy?”

One of the squires of a seasoned knight muttered.

The man chosen by the sword—

He was far too young to stand among these veteran heroes.

He had no notable achievements, no reputation, no prestige.

Those who couldn’t understand the sword’s choice watched the succession ceremony with quiet discontent.

“I’m ready.”

And so, the moment the man was reborn as the master of the Holy Sword arrived.

The Holy Sword radiated light.

A light bright enough to dispel the distrust and discontent on the faces of those around him.

It was a virtuous light.

Their expressions slowly softened under its influence, and one by one, they knelt on one knee before it.

Though the light faded quickly, it had been more than enough.

They had already knelt and paid their respects.

A new hero had been born.

—Wait, Zarak! Just how long—…!

Unable to hold it in, Elysia shouted.

No matter how long they waited, the light engulfing the room showed no signs of fading.

At this point, it wasn’t just amazing, it was absurd.

Naturally, questions followed.

Zarak… wasn’t he just going overboard to impress Risir?

—Damn it, Risir! What the hell did you do!!! My body…!!!

But then Zarak’s panicked voice rang out, dispelling all suspicion.

Judging by the sound alone, Zarak was clearly the most flustered person (?) in the room.

“Huh!? Wait, is this my fault!? Oh no, I’m sorry! How do I turn this off!?”

Risir’s reaction only made things more bewildering.

“Turn it off?”

As if the Holy Sword was some kind of magic lantern?

“Maybe I should try letting go of the sword!?”

—No. In that state, even if you tried, you wouldn’t be able to let go.

“Huh?”

—Right now, Zarak’s energy is resonating with yours. Until you fully adapt to his energy, you can’t separate from him.

Elysia answered immediately.

“Huh? Ah! Is it that thing where we’re still connected even if we’re physically apart—so even if I take my hand off, nothing changes?”

—No, I mean literally, you cannot separate from Zarak right now. Not mentally, not physically.

“Physically too?”

—You’ve heard people say the Holy Sword chooses its master, right? That’s not just a saying. Most people can’t withstand the sword’s power. It tends to dominate their body and mind. Right now, your resistance to Zarak’s energy is too low, it’s at its peak influence.

“Oh… Ah! So it’s like one of those cursed swords that control their wielder?”

That metaphor.

Elysia was momentarily stunned by what might be the most outrageous comparison a Holy Sword could hear.

—…If I had to compare it, it’s like shaking hands with someone stronger than you. You’re not the one holding them, they’re holding you.

“Oh, that’s a good analogy.”

—It’s normal not to be able to move your fingers. No need to panic. You’ll need to get used to that feeling. Until you fully adapt, you’ll be practically dragged around by Zarak’s power.

Jane chuckled softly beside them.

“Speaking from experience—as someone who’s been partnered with Elysia for over two years—even after all this time, I still get dragged around. Especially in battle, I can’t even tell whether I’m wielding Elysia or she’s wielding me.”

—It can’t be helped. Jane’s still very inexperienced.

“See? She talks like I’m some child. You know what she considers ‘inexperienced’? If you did, you’d be just as offended as me.”

—I’ve said it many times, I’m not being difficult. You’re just too weak.

That genuinely frustrated tone—

Jane burst out laughing again at Elysia’s attitude, like a master swordsman talking down to a dull blade.

“Anyway, don’t panic. Just go with the flow. It’s not like it’s a Cursed Sword, it’s a Holy Sword. In my experience, when the sword takes the lead, good things usually happen. Never had anything bad come of it.”

“Oh… I see.”

Listening with interest, Risir tried to check on Zarak’s condition.

But thanks to the overwhelming light flooding the room, he couldn’t see anything.

So instead, he used his hands.

Wiggle, wiggle.

He moved his fingers around, trying to feel out Zarak’s form.

—Aaaaagh!!! No! Risir!!! Don’t move your hand right now!!!

Zarak cried out in shock.

—What!? You took your hand off!? How did—no, wait! That’s not the point! Risir! Stop!!!

“Huh? I didn’t take my hand off. I just—”

—That! The wiggling! Please stop!!! I don’t know what you’re doing, but it feels so weird!!!

—He’s… wiggling his fingers? Now? While still adapting to Zarak’s energy…?

“Oh, was that not allowed either?”

—No, it’s not that it’s forbidden… Actually, yes, it is. I mean, not in that way, but still—

Elysia’s calm attempt to reassure Risir just moments ago now felt utterly meaningless.

Not only that, but this was something entirely beyond her understanding.

—Risir…? Do you… not feel like you’ve lost control of your body?

She hesitantly repeated the earlier metaphor about shaking hands with someone stronger.

“Not really? I feel about the same as usual.”

—Aaaagh!!! Stop wiggling!!! Elysia!!! Quit provoking him!!!

—Ah! Ri-Risir!? Please calm down!!!

“I am calm, actually. From the way you two are reacting, you’d think I was holding a knife to someone’s throat. A sword’s, even… Heh!”

Risir chuckled at his own joke.

And really, he looked perfectly calm.

If anyone needed calming, it was Zarak and Elysia.

—Zarak, what are you doing!? You need to control Risir’s energy!!! What if he gets hurt!?

—Impossible!!!

—What!?

—I can’t control it!!!

—What do you mean…

In truth—

The two Holy Swords had already started to realize the cause of the problem.

And yet, they couldn’t bring themselves to accept it.

Because that cause shattered everything they knew and believed.

The Holy Sword’s energy was overwhelmed by a mere human!?

Some have asked—

What about Swordmasters, the greatest swordsmen of all?

Aren’t they the most suitable to wield Holy Swords?

Then why has no Swordmaster ever become a Holy Sword’s master?

The answer is simple.

To Swordmasters who have complete control over their blades, the overwhelming energy of a Holy Sword is a hindrance.

Even Swordmasters cannot perfectly control a Holy Sword’s power.

History has seen many attempts, and many failures.

Some of those involved Elysia and Zarak.

Which is why the two were now so utterly shaken.

What was happening to Risir right now—

It was a realm Swordmasters had desperately reached for, but never grasped.

No, it may even be beyond that.

Swordmasters had always tried to control the Holy Sword’s energy.

But none had dared to strip the Holy Sword of its will.

Risir.

The sword that usually swung its master—

Was now reduced to nothing more than a blade being swung by him.

What must it feel like…

To be gripped by a human and used at their will?

It was something no Holy Sword could even imagine.

And certainly didn’t want to.

—Zarak! Risir! Wait!!! I’ll find a way to break the resonance between you!!!

Zarak must be experiencing something truly awful.

Understanding this, Elysia shouted out.

—N-no!!! It’s fine!!!

—Now’s not the time to be polite!

—I’m not being polite…!

Then Elysia realized something.

There was a faint hint of… satisfaction in Zarak’s panicked voice.

—This feeling of not being able to do anything… It’s confusing, but also… kind of comforting! It’s not bad at all!!!

—What…

To feel satisfied about being completely helpless in a human’s hands?

Zarak’s reaction left Elysia speechless.

He’s always been a dramatic one, but this is… way too much!

Had Zarak ever acted like this, even in front of the First Hero?

Elysia’s confusion only deepened.

“Ha ha, this is getting fun. Risir, the more I see of you, the more unreal you seem.”

Jane, amused, burst out laughing.

“What’s even happening anymore… The Holy Sword… can’t even keep itself together…?”

The elf couldn’t keep up with the situation.

“Ugh. I just want to go lie down.”

Nor could the exhausted scholar.

All of this was happening in the middle of a blinding storm of light.

“Risir! Are you all right!?”

Just then—

A frantic knock came from outside, along with Tua’s voice.

The light had poured out the window, creating quite the spectacle.

The entire Goose residence was thrown into chaos.

Tua and Magnus rushed over, worried that something might’ve happened to Risir.

“We’re coming in!”

They burst through the door.

“Ugh!”

“Argh!”

Exposed directly to the blinding light, Tua and Magnus groaned in pain.

Magnus was a breath away from screaming, “Gahhh!!! My eyes!!!”

“That voice, is that you, Lady Tua!? Sir Magnus!? Are you all right!?”

“What about you! Are you okay!?”

“Yes! I’m fine!”

“Then explain what the hell is going on!?”

“I think the Holy Sword has lost control!!!”

“What!? The Holy Sword!? How could something so absurd happen!?”

“I don’t know! The moment it resonated with me, everything just… went like this!”

“That’s the reason!? I see!”

“?”

Wait.

I just said I don’t know why.

What do you mean you see?

Risir was left feeling completely dumbfounded by Tua’s reaction.

“What’s with all this commotion… Kyaa!”

Fienne arrived next.

“Risir! What the hell is going on here?!”

She scolded Risir without warning.

“Isn’t this the kind of situation where you should be worried first, not scolding?!”

“Worried? About you?! Forget it, just explain what happened! Everyone in the mansion is gathered outside this building right now!”

“I don’t know! The Holy Sword tried to resonate with me, and then—“

“I knew it!”

“???”

Wait a second.

She didn’t even let me finish.

Risir felt wronged.

“Jane! You guys, what are we supposed to do in this situation?!”

Tua turned to the senior hero party for advice.

“Good question!”

“What?!”

Jane replied in an incredibly cheerful tone.

“I don’t know either! It’s my first time dealing with something like this, and even Elysia says she’s never seen anything like it!”

“Even the Holy Sword’s never seen it…”

Tua. Magnus. Fienne.

The three of them were shocked.

“…Well, I suppose that’s possible.”

But it didn’t last long.

They quickly nodded in understanding.

—What the heck is wrong with these people…?

Meanwhile, the confusion of Jane’s party, including Elysia, only deepened.

“Oh!”

Finally.

The intensity of the radiance began to subside.

Their tightly shut eyes slowly started to open.

“Ugh, so bright…”

Risir muttered in an exhausted tone.

The light had dimmed, yes, but only compared to before.

The radiance emitted by Zarak was still too intense to look at directly.

“What’s the deal, Zarak? Isn’t it over now? You still have light left to spill?”

—Don’t talk about the sacred light of a Holy Sword like it’s some kind of waste!

“Sacred light? You can’t see how much trouble we’re causing people around us?”

—Urgh… I’m ashamed…

Risir turned his gaze from Zarak and looked around.

Everyone’s too stunned by this glowing mess.

Some were shielding their eyes or completely turning away.

Zarak’s glow still held an overwhelming presence.

Carrying this thing around isn’t just inconvenient… it’s downright hazardous.

Feeling awkward, Risir asked Zarak.

“Zarak. You still can’t control the light?”

—That’s right… Until my energy fully adapts to yours… I can’t do anything!

“And until then, I can’t let go of you?”

—Please, I beg you!

“Good grief…”

Suddenly, Risir had become a walking lighthouse.

Looking exasperated, he turned to Fienne.

“Fienne, just asking, would it be okay to attend the award ceremony like this tomorrow?”

—Ri-Risir…!? In this state, I think the best thing for both of us is to rest and recover…!?

“…Are you seriously worried about the ceremony right now?”

Fienne stared at him with disbelief.

“Of course. You worked so hard for it, after all.”

“Oh.”

That’s the reason?

Fienne’s stiff expression relaxed as she nodded with satisfaction.

“Besides, I was actually looking forward to it. Being called ‘Sir Risir’ seems fun.”

“If that’s all it is, no need to worry. You’ve already been granted the title.”

“What do you mean?”

“The ceremony’s just a formality. It’s essentially a stage to show off to say, ‘Look at me, I’m amazing~’ to others. It’s mostly for the guests. Typical noble face-saving culture. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“So if I skip it, I’ll get ignored or something?”

“Normally, yes. But you don’t have to worry about that now.”

Fienne pointed to the radiant Holy Sword.

“You couldn’t attend the ceremony because you were undergoing the trial of becoming the Holy Sword’s master. Is there a better way to show off than that? That would be more effective than stacking a bunch of nobles in the audience.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Then…”

“Yes. Like Zarak said, it’s best to rest until the trial is fully complete.”

“Well, if Fienne says so.”

Everyone looked at Fienne in surprise at his complete trust.

“…”

Ugh, how annoying.

I shouldn’t be so pleased by this.

Fienne’s lips twitched slightly despite trying to keep a dignified expression.

After that—

Fienne discussed a few more things with Risir before leaving the area.

“Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you.”

Special Inspector.

That was the title that came out of Fienne’s mouth.

“It’s the position the city council granted you.”

Congratulations?

Sir Risir.

Fienne smiled playfully as she said it.

—Just in case, stay with us until the trial ends. If something unexpected happens, we might be able to help.

Risir accepted Jane’s party’s offer and headed to the residence they were staying in.

It had been entirely lent to them by one of the many people trying to gain favor with the Hero.

Upon arrival, the first thing Risir did was wrap the hand holding Zarak with a bandage.

It was to help Zarak adjust more quickly to Risir’s energy.

—Ugh, to trouble my master like this… I’m so ashamed…!!!

Thus began Risir’s cohabitation with the Holy Sword.

“Dinner? Since I can’t let go of the sword, something simple like a sandwich would be best, right?”

—Ugh… I’m sorry…!

“Bath? Well, with my hand like this, I’ll skip it today.”

—Ugh… All because of me…!

“Bedtime? Sure, it’s comfortable, but… it’s so bright, I’m not sure I’ll get any sleep…”

—Ugh… I’m so ashamed…!

That night.

As Risir spent time with the Holy Sword, he thought…

This thing’s basically a Cursed Sword, isn’t it?

Risir had obtained a Holy Sword.

But, his quality of life temporarily plummeted.

The next day.

Upon waking, Risir first checked Zarak’s condition.

“Oh.”

The light had clearly weakened.

“Your light would be perfect for livening up a dinner party.”

—Risir! The Holy Sword is not meant for such things, no. Never mind. If it can be of use to you that way…

“Zarak. Are you starting to adjust to my energy?”

—Yes… It shouldn’t be long now before I stop causing you trouble…!!!

At this rate, maybe he’d be able to sheath the sword by tomorrow.

Risir stepped out of the bedroom in high spirits.

Then he set out to share the update with the other Heroes.

Where did everyone go?

That’s when he noticed the commotion outside.

Risir stepped into the mansion garden.

There, Jane’s party was gathered.

Facing off against a man.

“Hmm? Oh, is that him? The new master of the Holy Sword?”

The man approached Risir.

Risir’s gaze moved to the man’s waist.

A sword of extraordinary design and energy.

That… could it be a Holy Sword?

The man’s eyes also went to Risir’s hand, to Zarak, glowing in his grip.

“…”

The man looked back and forth between Zarak and Risir, then smirked slightly.

“What? I heard the trial ended yesterday. But you still haven’t adjusted to the energy?”

Then the man’s sword added its own comment.

—An entire day has passed and you still haven’t adjusted to the energy… Zarak, are you seriously choosing the right master?

Even if Holy Sword energy was notoriously hard to control, this was a candidate chosen by the sword.

Yet the lackluster display invited sneers and concern.

“Come on, don’t be too harsh. He’s doing his best.”

“?”

-?

The man tilted his head slightly at Risir’s attitude—

Like he was talking about someone else entirely.