Chapter 131: The Holy Sword’s Trial (2)

Elysia’s eyes widened.

Even though she was a sword.

—You’re saying the Holy Sword trial will be conducted in abbreviated form…?

It was a statement that essentially diminished the pride of the Holy Sword itself.

—Zarak, what are you even talking about?

—I said I’ll make adjustments so that tomorrow’s award ceremony won’t be affected! That ceremony seems very important to that fellow!

“No, Zarak…! How can you be so considerate!!!”

—So, your heart is moved!?

“Of course it is! If you’re willing to be that accommodating, then I should gladly take part!”

—Kuhaha! You’re a flexible one! The more I see, the more I like you!

—…?

“…?”

“…?”

Is this flow of conversation actually correct?

The Hero, The Holy Sword and the Elf.

They all looked at one another.

Eventually, their gazes turned to Verlotta, who was standing at a distance.

“…”

Verlotta avoided seeing their gazes.

“???”

Why is she looking away?

It’s not like it was a difficult question?

Our scholar isn’t usually like this?

Just as everyone’s confusion was rapidly deepening—

“So, when do we start?”

—When would be good for you!?

“I think starting right now would be best. Since we’re all gathered already.”

—A fine idea!

—…Huh!? W-Wait! Zarak!!!

He couldn’t possibly mean the trial of the Holy Sword, right?

Surely not?

Still, you never know.

Elysia quickly assessed the situation and jumped in—

But even that was too late.

—I, Zarak the Sword of Enhancement, ask you! Are you ready to prove your worth? If so, declare your true name and intent!

Zarak formally announced the start of the trial using the set invocation.

—GAHHHHH!!!

Elysia let out a scream.

“J-Jane…!”

“Alright—”

Jane, leaving the panicked Elysia behind, steeled himself.

Now that it had come to this, he was determined to pass Zarak’s trial no matter what.

“My name is Jane! I will prove my worth!”

“Risir. I’m ready.”

—Good! If you’re ready, then grasp me!

Jane grabbed the Sword of Enhancement before Risir could.

“Jane, I ask you! What is a sword to you!?”

“…”

The moment the question was posed, a great ripple stirred within Jane’s heart.

What is a sword?

As expected from a Holy Sword trial, the very first question was far from easy.

Jane fell into deep contemplation.

Closing his eyes, he sank deep into himself and asked—

What is a sword to me?

Why do I wield a sword, and what do I hope to gain from its end?

A long time passed before Jane opened his eyes again.

His pupils trembled faintly.

He couldn’t be certain whether the answer he had arrived at was truly correct.

Even so, he gathered his resolve and opened his mouth.

“Justice and ideals. A struggle not to lose myself.”

Jane gripped the sword tighter.

Though his gaze still trembled, it was firmly directed forward.

A hero who knows his own immaturity is weak, but one who knows his own weakness is strong.

Jane’s grip on the sword tightened again.

The intent contained within his sword technique unfolded through the Sword of Enhancement.

—Hmmmm!!!

Zarak let out a deep, satisfied hum.

—I feel it clearly! The intent your sword conveys! For one so young, such profound contemplation! Now I see why the aloof Elysia chose you!

Nearby, Tua and Magnus had been watching it all.

They too looked at Jane with eyes full of quiet awe.

The way the young swordsman treated his blade.

The sincerity in his attitude—it reached them.

It was certainly uncertain.

But it was also unwavering.

They were sure of it.

Before long, Jane would dispel all doubt within himself, confront the core of his sword, and truly master it.

And then—

Where will that sword be pointed?

No one can say.

A swordsman’s fate can be swayed by a single drop of blood or tear.

That’s why those who know swords neither expect nor believe lightly.

Even so—

This young swordsman inspired expectation.

That was why the Sword of Ideals had chosen him as her hero.

That was why his comrades followed him.

His presence settled into the space with clarity.

A worthy man of being called a hero.

A worthy master of the Holy Sword.

“…”

Then—

Jane looked at the Sword of Enhancement in his hand.

It felt less like he was holding the sword, and more like the sword was holding him.

A familiar sensation for the master of a Holy Sword.

Zarak, the Sword of Enhancement.

He was evaluating Jane.

Like a swordsman testing a blade he liked.

Good.

The circumstances leading to this trial were still baffling.

But that’s okay.

The Hero of Ideals smiled with confidence.

He believed he could bring out the best result in any situation.

With a relaxed smile, he handed the Sword of Enhancement to Risir.

—Risir! What is a sword to you!?

The question came immediately.

So did the answer.

Risir tightened his grip on the sword.

The intent of his sword technique unfolded through the Sword of Enhancement.

“A technique for harming people.”

The completely unhesitating and seemingly indifferent answer stood in stark contrast to Jane’s deeply contemplated response.

Camilla and Elysia were momentarily stunned.

What kind of hero candidate gives such an answer when speaking about swords?

Their belief grew stronger.

Clearly, the one suited to wield the Sword of Enhancement was—

—Ooooh!!! How wondrous! Risir!!! Magnificent!!!

“…”

—Zarak! That’s enough!!!

Camilla, again stupefied, was left behind as Elysia shouted in protest.

—You call that magnificent!? That shallow belief with no contemplation!?

—It’s not shallow!

—It couldn’t be more shallow! That’s the kind of thinking only an outlaw would have!

—Exactly!

—What?

—The sword Risir wields is a Cursed Sword fit for a murderer! A sword that exists solely to seek blood! But Risir understands exactly what his sword is!

—…A C-Cursed Sword? Did you just say Cursed Sword? And you’re going to make someone who wields a Cursed Sword the master of a Holy Sword?

—Like you said, he wields the sword. He isn’t controlled or swayed by it.

—What are you even—

—The more I look, the more fascinating he is! To walk the righteous path while wielding a Cursed Sword! The exact opposite of a greenhorn who walks the right path without understanding his own blade!

—…Zarak! Your type is usually the latter! How can you—

“Elysia.”

Then Jane gently stopped her.

“Thanks, but it’s fine. I don’t want to be chosen that way.”

—Jane…

Even now, Jane was smiling.

A bold, fearless smile.

“Zarak, this isn’t the end, right!?”

—Of course not! How can it be a trial without proof!?

The Sword of Enhancement slipped from Risir’s hand.

It floated into the air and emitted a golden flash.

When the light faded, transparent golden mana barriers stood before both Jane and Risir.

—What is a limit!? It is a wall! And a stepping stone for enhancement!

Jane closely examined the golden barrier in front of him.

“This is…”

—This barrier was created based on your individual limits.

Elysia, seeking to vent her frustration, began explaining.

“What does that mean?”

—It means the barrier is constructed so that your current strength can never break it. So what do you do?

“Use the power of enhancement.”

Jane murmured, recalling what Elysia had told him earlier.

—Correct. This trial is to test how well you wield the power of enhancement.

—Just as Elysia said! This barrier can’t be destroyed with your own power alone! So if you want to prove your worth, advance! Break your limits and shatter the wall!

Jane reached out and touched the barrier.

It was a kind of force.

An indestructible wall to those who hadn’t surpassed their limits.

—This is ridiculous.

Perhaps interpreting Jane’s actions in her own way, Elysia muttered in protest.

—This trial was supposed to take place over a long time. That way, you’d have enough time to understand the power of enhancement.

“…”

Jane quietly listened to Elysia.

Which only made her more agitated.

—What is Zarak even trying to do? What’s the point of this trial? In such a ridiculously short time, what are we supposed to overcome, prove, and gain!?

“Elysia.”

—No! This time I’m saying my piece. I can’t hold it in anymore. What kind of nonsense is this? Conducting a Holy Sword trial this way insults not only you but me as well!

“It’s fine.”

—No it’s not! Let me be clear: yielding here isn’t kindness or generosity. It’s just foolishness!

“I know. I have no intention of yielding.”

—What?

Elysia finally noticed Jane’s expression.

His eyes, fixed forward, were growing ever sharper.

“I can do it. I’ll make it happen.”

That wasn’t the face of a mild youth who yields easily.

It was the face of the Hero of Ideals.

He muttered as if spurring himself on.

There was no doubt in him.

—…Yeah, you can do it.

Jane approached the Sword of Enhancement without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Zarak, having waited for their exchange to end, began reciting the prepared lines.

Since this trial couldn’t proceed without the Sword of Enhancement, each person would be given one strike in turn.

—If ready, grasp me.

Just as the trial was about to officially begin—

“Phew.”

A composed breath.

With it, Risir stepped forward.

The sound of the sword being drawn, the slicing of the air—it all came in quick succession.

Jane. Elysia.

Their eyes, which had been focused on Zarak, turned toward the source of the noise.

Risir.

His sword had already been swung.

The transparent golden mana barrier split in half and slowly lost form.

Risir calmly watched it and nodded.

“The power of enhancement… so that’s what it’s called.”

No.

He was simply guessing.

“…?”

Jane and Elysia’s eyes sharpened.

They unconsciously looked at the sword in Risir’s hand.

It wasn’t the Sword of Enhancement.

Of course not.

It was still floating in front of them.

See?

They looked back at the Sword of Enhancement, still hovering in place.

Then what the hell was that?

What did he understand…?

Jane and Elysia turned grave.

In that moment—

They recalled all the strange behavior Zarak had shown.

No way. Could Zarak have known all along—

—Huh?

Zarak let out a dumbfounded sound.

“?”

“?”

And Jane and Elysia finally wore the same dumbfounded faces.