episode_0026

Side Story – [Teddy and Shaperious]

Teddy of the Eider Family.

The boy is twelve years old.

Currently, the boy was in a state of ecstasy.

The reason he was currently immersed in ecstasy was one.

A book titled ‘The Chronicles of Marcus’ was in Teddy’s hands.

A common fairy tale with a hero’s story.

In this fairy tale called ‘The Chronicles of Marcus’, the hero Marcus’s sword was Shaperious.

“Ah…, Shaperious!”

Most kids would idolize Marcus after reading this book.

But Teddy was different.

The hero in the fairy tale, Marcus.

He did not idolize him.

Teddy’s idol was Shaperious, Marcus’s weapon.

“The moment Marcus’s name started to spread was when he got Shaperious!”

The point when Marcus’s fame began to spread across the continent.

That point was when he got Shaperious, according to Teddy.

And it was true.

Until then, Marcus was a potential hero.

His fame was only that of a local gang leader.

But after using Shaperious, his fame skyrocketed.

“Heroes indeed need a good sword. Just like Shaperious!”

Teddy nodded his head, satisfied with the conclusion he had drawn.

Indeed, heroes each had a renowned sword.

Even knights had their holy swords.

Even gods wielded legendary weapons.

“You don’t become a hero because you have a sword. You have a sword because you’re a hero.”

Without a good sword, there would be no hero.

Teddy held such extreme thoughts.

That’s why Teddy defined Shaperious as a sword that nurtures or creates heroes.

A sword that raises heroes.

Teddy’s heart resonated with the definition of Shaperious he had set.

“I’ll grow up and get a great sword like Shaperious.”

Though only twelve years old, Teddy knew his future.

Born into a noble family, but second-born.

There was no chance of inheriting a title or territory.

Of course, there was no need to assume that he would win in the succession fight and inherit.

Because his title was only a viscount.

Even if he won the succession fight, all he would get is the title of a viscount.

That’s why Teddy had long given up on the succession fight.

So, if he was born as the second son of a viscount, what paths could he take?

Mainly, a knight or a scholar.

He had to consider these two options.

But there was no need to consider.

Teddy’s choice was a knight.

To become a knight and become a hero like in the fairy tales.

To be precise, to get a great sword like Shaperious.

Anyway, that was young Teddy’s dream.

***

Teddy, now a knight, became a member of the Sun Knights Order.

It was truly an honorable thing.

To become a member of the knightly order of the Messiah Viscount, a noble family of swordsmanship.

“Should I say I’m disappointed?”

But honestly, Teddy felt a little disappointed.

“The pay is low…”

As the years went by, the pay would increase.

But before the years went by, Teddy’s pay was too low.

“No. They say every little bit helps.”

Even a small salary, when saved, would become a fortune.

Teddy tightened his belt.

He saved money, scrimped and saved.

Even earning the dishonorable nickname of ‘Thrifty Teddy’ within the Sun Knights Order.

And finally.

“Th-then, please take this.”

He was able to save the money he aimed for.

Money to buy a sword.

He decided to buy the sword he had always admired.

Of course, it was not a sword with the performance worthy of appearing in a fairy tale.

“It’s not Marcus’s Shaperious, but…”

It was a luxury sword, but it fell short of being called a hero’s sword.

It even fell a bit short among luxury swords.

“But this is good.”

The shape of the sword he was trying to purchase closely resembled the Shapirius he had seen before.

Of course, there was a possibility that Teddy’s memory had faded and distorted.

Despite worrying about that, the shape of the sword was exactly like the Shapirius Teddy had been drawing.

The price was reasonable as well.

“This is now Teddy’s Shapirius.”

Teddy named the sword Shapirius.

And with an excited heart, he drew the sword.

Swish.

A clear sound as the sword was unsheathed.

The grip felt snug in his hand.

It was an ideal sword.

“So this is why people prefer expensive swords.”

Teddy realized the advantages of investing in a good sword.

However, once he bought the sword, a problem arose.

Sword maintenance.

That was the issue.

Teddy decided to take good care of Shapirius.

Naturally, he also decided to maintain it thoroughly.

So, he made sure to handle it with care from the moment he started using it.

“If monster blood gets on the sword, it corrodes quickly, right?”

Wasn’t monster blood said to be highly acidic?

That’s why he didn’t use the sword when hunting monsters.

“It’s natural for swords to get damaged when they clash with each other.”

He didn’t use it even during sword duels.

Of course, if the blade got damaged, it could be repaired.

But-.

“Even if you repair it, if you leave it for maintenance multiple times, eventually it becomes unusable.”

That’s why he didn’t use Shapirius for hunting or dueling.

It was just an amulet.

To Teddy, Shapirius was like an amulet.

Teddy’s feelings towards Shapirius didn’t end there.

“They say the feelings towards the legendary Egosword manifest through the miracle of the gods.”

Teddy wished for his sword to become an Egosword.

So, he treated it as if it were a living being.

He hugged the sword when sleeping, both figuratively and literally.

Believing firmly that it would become an Egosword someday.

As time passed, Teddy’s bond with his beloved sword grew stronger.

“Teddy… You don’t think of the sword rationally, do you?”

“…The sword isn’t a doll, you know? Keep that in mind.”

“If you’re not going to use it, can’t you just give it to me?”

Even when his companions gave him strange looks and teased him.

***

Clang. Clang.

The sound of thin pieces of metal clashing.

Teddy’s gaze turned towards the bundle in his hand.

This bundle contained his memories.

“Shapirius….”

Fragments of the broken Shapirius.

They filled the inside of the bundle.

And Teddy, now a Messiah Viscount, headed towards the back of his residence.

“I’m sorry…”

Teddy dug a hole in the backyard.

And placed the bundle inside the hole.

The bundle containing the fragments of Shapirius.

“If only I had paid more attention….”

And covered it with soil again.

A mound of soil naturally rose.

Shapirius’ grave was made.

“If I had lived my surroundings better….”

If only the sword hadn’t been taken from him,

Such a thing wouldn’t have happened.

While reflecting on his own weaknesses…

“I will definitely seek revenge.”

Teddy didn’t forget the culprit of the incident.

“Just wait a little longer.”

Teddy knelt in front of Shapirius’ grave.

Clutching his fists tightly, he made a firm resolve.

“I will seek revenge no matter what.”

***

The day after he vowed revenge.

The Hell Training Instructor came to visit.

And there, Teddy met a kindred spirit.

“Commanders…!”

Two commanders who had experienced the same pain as him.

He was happy to have found a comrade.

But-.

“You’re talking nonsense. What’s the big deal about a sword breaking.”

That was what the Bertnia Commander said.

That sword.

The Bertnia Commander was not someone he could consider a comrade.

“From what I’ve heard, it seems like it’s just a sword that broke… You seem a bit petty.”

He was more of an enemy.

Someone who made him feel small.

“It seems like you’re petty because you haven’t had any experience with women.”

Bertnia suddenly shifted to a strange topic.

Teddy was taken aback.

“Yes?”

“If you get to know a woman, your personality will become more lenient,” said Bertnia, sending a sticky gaze towards Teddy.

Suddenly, he recalled a rumor he had heard in the past.

The rumor from when he was a rookie.

“Be careful with Director Bertnia.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“If there are good-looking rookies… he takes them to his room. You know what that means, right?”

Having heard such stories, Teddy had avoided Bertnia.

Realizing his mistake, Teddy hurriedly left the place.

“I, I’ll take my leave now.”

Watching Teddy leave, Bertnia seemed disappointed.

“He was quite a decent lad. What a shame.”

Leaving behind the regretful Bertnia, Teddy went to find another potential colleague, Director Pandert.

Teddy thought Pandert would become an ally.

Contrary to Teddy’s expectations, Pandert was firm.

“If the sword is broken, it’s because you were weak, not strong enough to withstand it.”

Firmly refusing to become a colleague, Pandert’s words.

“Instead of that, how about more training?”

But Teddy wanted to disagree with Pandert’s words.

To say it was because he was weak.

He had borrowed the sword in the first place.

It wasn’t because they clashed in strength and it broke.

Ultimately, Teddy concluded that they couldn’t understand each other.

Teddy was alone again.

Alone, Teddy thought to himself.

“…Even if I’m alone, I’ll find a way.”

Alone, Teddy.

He silently ignited his anger.

***

A garden located behind the Knights’ residence.

A small hill prepared there.

It was Shapirius’s grave.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to get your revenge.”

Teddy quietly bowed his head towards the grave.

“If you want to curse me, go ahead.”

At Teddy’s waist was not the supplied sword, but another hilted sword.

A high-quality sword made of pure mithril.

It was the 2nd Shapirius received as a reward from Arthas.

Naturally, being made of pure mithril, it was much better than the previous sword.

“I guess I’m just an unavoidable knight…”

A knight who wanted a better sword.

Teddy turned his back to the grave of the former Shapirius.

With tears in his eyes, Teddy turned away from the grave of the former Shapirius.

“I promise only this. I will cherish this child more than you.”

Teddy, now wielding a new sword.

He looked at Shapirius at his waist and smiled more gently than ever.