Chapter 132: The Holy Sword’s Trial (3)

“…”

Jane alternated glances between Risir’s barrier and his own with a grave expression.

To be precise, he looked back and forth between where Risir’s barrier had been and where his own still stood.

Risir’s strike had made his barrier vanish.

Only his own remained.

Which meant, it was now his turn.

But then he realized…

Jane looked between Risir and the Sword of Enhancement with a serious expression.

Huh? The Sword of Enhancement is right here?

Wait a second, wasn’t I the one who approached the Sword of Enhancement first and took the initiative?

?????

A trail of question marks looped endlessly.

Jane barely managed to shake off the increasingly chaotic thoughts that only grew more tangled, not clearer.

And then—

“…”

He reached out and grasped the Sword of Enhancement.

Then swung it once.

Literally, he just grabbed it and gave it a swing.

Swish, swish.

Even a walking corpse would’ve swung it with more energy.

It was a sword swing that seemed to evoke that sort of impression.

Afterward, Jane returned the Sword of Enhancement to its place without hesitation.

Then he began fidgeting, adjusting his clothes pointlessly, brushing off dust that wasn’t even there.

Rustle, rustle.

The small noises he made only made the silence in the room more awkward.

—What the hell?

The one who broke the silence was Elysia’s dumbfounded voice.

—What just happened!?

Her voice then spiked into a sharp, irritable tone.

From a distance, Verlotta nodded.

Ah. I get it. That feeling.

When confusion goes beyond a certain level, you start getting pissed.

So even the Holy Sword can feel like that too, huh?

Verlotta felt a warm sense of kinship seeing her comrades(?) finally catching up to her.

Now feeling the mental distance between them narrow, she walked over to her companions with light steps.

—Zarak!!!

At last, Elysia’s raging confusion zeroed in on him.

After much internal struggle, she’d reached a very plausible conclusion.

—Are you out of your mind or what!?

—Huh?

—Even if you like that man, this is going too far! How can you take his side like this!?

—Take his side?

—Yes!

—Who?

—You!

—Me?

—You!!!

—Take whose side?

—That guy!!!

—How?

—HEY!!!

—Huh?

Conversing with Zarak made Elysia feel like her intelligence was dropping.

But Zarak was genuinely distressed.

If anyone was the most flustered in the room right now, it was certainly him.

—Y-You’re saying I took Risir’s side…? Ah! Could it be!? Did I subconsciously share the power of Enhancement with him just now!?

The Sword of Enhancement.

As the name suggests, the power of Enhancement was the most symbolic ability Zarak possessed.

At every pivotal moment faced by the Hero of Enhancement, Zarak and his power were always there.

He had always provided decisive aid with that power.

Just like back then.

The First Hero.

And the Demon King.

The battle of the century.

That critical moment.

When the Hero delivered the final blow to the Demon King, he used every last resource available, and among them, the power of Enhancement played a key role.

In other words, it was a power even heroes required.

A power even heroes couldn’t mimic.

Zarak took immense pride in that fact.

And held tremendous confidence.

The power of Enhancement.

Who would ever refuse that power?

Who would ever turn down that exaltation?

Zarak had intended to completely enthrall him using the power of Enhancement.

Risir.

That would-be Hero of Enhancement(?).

Holy Swords choose their master.

And in Zarak’s mind, he had already selected Risir as that master.

The Holy Sword trial meant for those not yet fully chosen, was, to him, an unnecessary process.

Even so, Zarak proceeded with the trial to demonstrate Risir’s qualifications in front of others.

Of course, Zarak was aware.

Awakening the power of Enhancement in a single day was nearly impossible.

No matter how gifted someone was, it normally required a long period of resonance with the Sword of Enhancement.

But—

If it were Risir, things might be different.

He might be able to gain something from the Sword of Enhancement even in a limited time, and perhaps wield even a part of that power.

And in the process—

Zarak thought he would become captivated by the power of Enhancement.

It was a flawless plan.

And yet…

What is this?

Risir, without even touching the Sword of Enhancement, had ended the trial.

Two things had been proven in the process:

1. Risir could wield a power similar in nature to that of Enhancement.

2. Because of that, he might not even desire the Sword of Enhancement.

   This was an unprecedented scenario where both Zarak’s pride and expectations were invalidated.

   So Zarak readily escaped into denial.

   —Risir, that surprised you, didn’t it!!! That’s right! That was the power of Enhancement! My unique ability as the Sword of Enhancement! If you wish to make that power your own—…

   “Unique ability?”

   Risir wasn’t cooperating.

   “…Ah, I thought the term ‘power of Enhancement’ referred to all strengthening-type powers with similar characteristics?”

   —…

   “Oh no, did I misunderstand the nature of the trial? Then… how exactly do you use this ‘power of Enhancement?’”

   —…

   What’s something you absolutely shouldn’t do in a trial?

   Probably: misunderstanding the content of the test… and still getting a perfect score.

   In any case, his answer confirmed it.

   He hadn’t used the Sword of Enhancement’s power for some unknown reason.

   He had, with his own power alone, drawn out strength beyond his limits.

   —…How?

   Zarak voiced a perfectly fair question.

   Cursed Swords. Demon Swords. Black Magic. Blood Magic.

   There were certainly powers out there capable of drawing strength beyond one’s natural limits.

   But those powers all came at a steep price.

   The classic example of this would be black magic, which demanded offering one’s existence to a demon.

   Or the Cursed Sword, which caused the wielder to lose their sense of self.

   —…?

   Wait a sec.

   Doesn’t he also have a cursed sword…?

   —He?

   “Yes?”

   —Heeee?

   “Pardon?”

   Watching this increasingly brain-melting exchange from the sidelines, Elysia came to a realization.

   The ability Risir had just displayed had nothing to do with Zarak.

   This trial had not been rigged in any way.

   —Huh?

   Then what was that?

   “Yes?”

   —Huh?

   —Huh?

   While Risir and the two Holy Swords were trapped in the spiral of dumbfounding confusion—

   The Hero of Ideals moved into action.

   —Hm?

   Zarak was forcibly freed from the spiral.

   Jane had grabbed him once more from where he floated in the air.

   Confusion.

   Questions.

   Doubt.

   The shadow that had briefly clouded his face had already lifted.

   Eyes steady again, Jane stepped forward.

   And stood before the golden barrier.

   He adjusted his stance, Sword of Enhancement in hand.

   —Jane, wait a moment…!

   Elysia, now also freed from the confusion spiral, cried out in alarm.

   She still had absolute faith in Jane.

   He was worthy of the title Hero of Ideals.

   She firmly believed his innate talent was second to none.

   That was exactly why she tried to stop him.

   This trial clearly favored Risir.

   In fact, it had already been decided.

   A man who unleashed the power of Enhancement without even holding the Sword of Enhancement.

   Who could possibly be more suited to it?

   Though Holy Swords are said to choose their master, sometimes exceptions occur.

   Risir could now, if he wished, declare himself the sword’s master, and no one would be able to object.

   To challenge such a trial now and risk failure and defeat—

   Would only tarnish the name of the Hero of Ideals.

   —The trial has already lost meaning! You don’t need to go through with it!

   “No. I have to.”

   —Why…

   “If we let it end vaguely like this, I’ll never truly understand.”

   The Hero of Ideals focused all his senses on the Sword of Enhancement in his hand.

   “Risir… Just how great a feat he’s accomplished.”

   —What are you…

   “And who knows?”

   An idealistic smile spread across his face.

   “Maybe I’ll end up doing something even greater than I imagined.”

   There wasn’t a shred of doubt in him.

   In that moment—

   The Sword of Enhancement began to tremble.

   Golden light flared and spread across its blade.

   The Hero of Ideals, his steady blue eyes slowly became tinted with the golden glow emanating from the sword.

   Moments later—

   When his eyes held the same light as the Sword of Enhancement—

   He swung the sword toward the golden barrier.

   A flawless stance.

   A flawless strike.

   “…Hoo.”

   And a flawless finish to his breathing.

   He withdrew his sword and checked the barrier.

   “…Ha!”

   The Hero of Ideals let out a small laugh.

   Not even a scratch had formed on the barrier.

   He looked at it and chuckled hollowly.

   “How did you even do it?”

   The moment the master of the Sword of Enhancement was decided.

   ***

   “Well, no surprises there.”

   As the atmosphere settled, Fienne approached Risir and spoke.

   “Congratulations? Risir. Or should I call you Sir Hero now?

   “Sir Hero.

   “Sir Hero…

   Fienne repeated the title, then let out a snort.

   “It doesn’t really suit you. Feels off, somehow.”

   “Then what title suits me?”

   “A title that suits you…”

   Fienne recalled the contents of the earlier trial and chuckled again.

   “Does such a thing even exist?”

   “What?”

   “Just go with ‘Risir.’ Nothing suits you better than that.”

   “Since when is someone’s name a proper noun…”

   “Anyway, you did well. Thanks to you, I saw something rare.”

   With that, Fienne turned away.

   “Looks like it’s all over. I’ll be heading off now.”

   “So soon? You got something to do?”

   “Yup~ Lots to do. Thanks to a certain someone”

   “Yet you stayed with me. Seriously, what would I do without you, Fienne?”

   “Beats me Anyway, I’ll send someone early tomorrow morning, so make sure to sleep early~”

   “Are you my mom now or what.”

   With her back turned, Fienne raised her hand.

   And before Risir could say anything else, her pure white skirt fluttered as she left the scene.

   Then Tua and Magnus approached and patted him on the shoulder.

   “No surprises, huh.”

   Just like with Fienne, the same scene repeated.

   A calm congratulations that seemed to say they already knew everything.

   And a clean, emotionless exit.

   Risir felt a strange sensation about it all.

   Why does it feel like I just became a fascinating attraction or something?

   He realized it too late.

   Fienne, Tua, Magnus.

   They hadn’t come to support him, they came to watch a show.

   Finally, Jane’s party approached Risir.

   “Risir.”

   Jane looked at him with eyes full of goodwill and respect.

   A look that contrasted with the others who seemed mentally worn out.

   Jane held out the Sword of Enhancement to Risir and said,

   “Congratulations. Only the final step remains.”

   “The final step?”

   Risir didn’t hide the irritation in his tone.

   Jane burst into laughter at his reaction.

   “Seriously, what should I say? That’s amazing. You’re probably the only person across all generations of Heroes to act like that just before becoming the master of a Holy Sword.”

   “Hero, huh…”

   Risir repeated the word to himself.

   Just like Fienne said, it wasn’t a name that really stuck.

   “So, what’s this final step?”

   “Don’t worry. It’s a purely ceremonial process. From now on, our party will serve as witnesses to your succession.”

   “Witnesses to succession?”

   “To officially acknowledge that you’ve become the rightful master of the Holy Sword, and for me, as the master of another Holy Sword, to stand as your guarantor.”

   “Oh, thank you for the kindness.”

   Jane smiled gently and called his companions.

   “Verlotta? Camilla? And Elysia.”

   They came over to stand right beside Jane.

   Unlike Jane, who showed Risir pure respect and goodwill, Camilla and Elysia harbored quiet resentment.

   Naturally so.

   They had just watched the supreme treasure, the Holy Sword, fall into someone else’s hands.

   Rejoicing purely for someone else would have been stranger.

   This guy, becoming the master of the Holy Sword over Jane…?

   Moreover, they still believed that Jane was the most suitable person to wield the new Holy Sword.

   Because for a Holy Sword master, ability was important, but virtue even more so.

   And so, doubt arose.

   Was this Risir truly virtuous?

   Yes.

   It was undeniable.

   He had been recognized by the Sword of Enhancement.

   He also had the full trust of the Knight Order.

   There was no reason to doubt his character.

   However.

   Was he more virtuous than Jane?

   Was he truly fit for the heavy title of Hero?

   Having followed Jane’s journey up to now, they could say it without hesitation.

   No.

   Jane was the true Hero.

   That was why they couldn’t help but feel regret.

   “All right, Risir. Zarak. We’re ready.”

   “Then…”

   As Risir looked down at the Sword of Enhancement in his hand, Zarak called out.

   —Risir! I ask you! Are you prepared to become my master, the master of the Sword of Enhancement!?

   The final trial.

   The Trial of Virtue.

   Now called the Succession Ceremony, this final test used to be conducted before many spectators.

   In the Trial of Virtue, the Holy Sword would emit light proportionate to the virtue of its new master, or so the rumors said.

   Now, the sword awaits Risir’s answer—

   Elysia and Camilla couldn’t help but harbor mischievous thoughts.

   They were sure the radiance Risir would produce would pale in comparison to Jane’s.

   “Well… To be honest, I’m still kind of dazed.”

   Risir answered the Holy Sword’s question awkwardly.

   —…

   Elysia swallowed her frustration.

   There was not a shred of dignity fitting for the master of a Holy Sword.

   —…What?

   Zarak, perhaps thinking the same, asked again in surprise.

   “Maybe there’s someone more suited to be the master of this sword than me? Someone who needs it more. I mean—”

   Risir lifted his own sword, the Blue Lotus, and grinned playfully.

   “As you can see, I already have my own sword.”

   A Holy Sword is a supreme treasure that bestows immense power upon its master.

   Its value is so overwhelming that even virtuous Heroes who already wielded one could be tempted.

   So, Risir’s answer was completely unexpected.

   Wuuuuung.

   The Sword of Enhancement trembled and emitted a brilliant light.

   Jane looked at the intense glow and thought,

   As expected…!

   The others, looking at the same radiance, thought.

   Huh? That’s… surprisingly strong?

   Indeed, the light Risir produced exceeded their expectations.

   Even compared to Jane and other Heroes, it was by no means lacking.

   At that moment, just as their evaluation of Risir began to shift—

   Fwoooosh!

   The light exploded, consuming everything around it.

   “…”

   —…

   No, wait.

   Isn’t this… a bit much?

   What was shown was not a mere light, instead it was a blinding light, almost painful to the eyes.

   They all tightly shut their eyes and fell into troubled silence.