Chapter 222
As the sun was setting in the early evening, I finished my daily routine and headed to the place written on the note.
The Forbidden Forest, connected to the labyrinth, was a place shrouded in fog where sunlight didn't reach, but torches weren't necessary. This was because the soil and grass, imbued with underground magic, reacted to my steps and emitted an emerald light.
There was only one place that came to mind when they said "grave”.
I had seen a woman with elf ears at that gravestone before.
In front of the gravestone I visited again, there stood the old man from yesterday.
He was quietly looking down at the gravestone, then sensing my presence, he spoke, "I gave you a better one, don't you like it?"
He said this because I had brought the wooden sword.
"This one fits my hand better."
He hadn't specified which sword to bring. If he needed the magic sword, he would have written that.
"Have you talked with Priscilla?"
"Who's that?"
"Your new magic sword. That woman's name is Priscilla."
"I haven't talked to it yet. Is a woman's soul trapped in that sword?"
Callios closed his mouth for a moment, lost in thought.
"No, the self-awareness of a magic sword is different from a human soul. It chose to open its eyes on its own."
What does that mean? It opened its eyes on its own, but how does it have a female personality?
It was somewhat difficult for me to understand.
Callios didn't bother to explain further and cut off the conversation.
"Just believe it that way. Have you tried to communicate?"
"...No."
"A magic sword that can't communicate can be a bomb that kills even its allies. As I said, you should treat a magic sword like a lover. Constantly talk to it, cherish it, always be with it when eating, when sleeping."
"..."
He reached out his hand towards me.
"Throw me your wooden sword."
I tossed the wooden sword to him, and he caught it in one go, swinging it with a whooshing sound.
Then, closely examining the blade, he said, "It's a sword no one would want."
"..."
A cold and cruel evaluation. I vaguely recognized this too, but hearing it from someone else's mouth didn't feel good. Maybe I felt this way even more because it was a sword I had cherished and used often.
"The power it manifests is too little compared to its consumption. Is there a reason you favor this inefficient sword?"
"Because I can handle it. And I like this sword."
This wooden sword completely subdued the magic sword Priscilla this morning. It was certainly not an ordinary sword.
"Yes, if you make an effort, you might grow together."
Then he tossed the wooden sword back to me.
I caught it and put it in its sheath. Then the old man requested something else.
"Let me see your other sword."
"This is all I have."
"You have one more, don't you?"
"I can't show it to just anyone."
"Do you think I'll take your sword away?"
"..."
He stared at me intently and said, "Ah, let me briefly introduce myself. I'm Callios. I used to hold the position of direct advisor to the imperial family."
"Then, the Empire will know about my sword."
"No, it's the opposite. I'm the only person who can block your information from leaking to the imperial family. And, I also judged your Masters Class examination."
"..."
If that was the case, there was no reason to be wary.
As I called for the magic sword, light gathered in my hand. I threw the summoned magic sword and stuck it in the ground.
Callios's eyes filled with curiosity.
He reached out his hand to the sword's handle. But his fingers passed right through without touching the sword.
Then, with a face deep in thought, he waved his hand back and forth. He still couldn't touch my magic sword.
"How strange."
"What do you think?"
"I've seen countless magic swords in my lifetime, but... I don't know. I don't understand why something like this exists."
"..."
"Where did you say you were from?"
"Wiesel."
"I'm not asking about your fake background."
"...I'm from Haman. I did metalwork."
"Did you learn swordsmanship there for survival?"
"No. I hadn't learned swordsmanship before meeting Teacher."
"Hmm."
"...?"
"Well then, can you tell me how you obtained the sword?"
I shook my head. If I talked about that part, questions would keep coming, and it would eventually lead to Lisa.
He seemed to read my thoughts and didn't press further.
"Alright, I understand. Haman, Haman."
He looked up at the sky and sighed, muttering my hometown.
"...?"
"You can put away all the swords now."
As soon as he finished speaking, my magic sword vanished.
"Why did you call me here?"
"To guide you."
"Are you teaching swordsmanship?"
"I'll teach you how to become a knight."
"I'm ready."
"No, go back today."
"...Pardon?"
"Go back and take care of Priscilla. Keep it on your body at all times, when eating, when bathing, when sleeping, become one with it. Then come here tomorrow and report."
Callios gave me homework and disappeared into the fog without saying goodbye.
Is he saying that getting familiar with the magic sword is a priority over learning other skills?
***
As Callios said, I carried the new magic sword, Priscilla, even while bathing and sleeping, not separating it from my body.
And the next day, I faced an unexpected problem.
Early in the morning, Trisha came down the stairs rubbing her eyes, and said, watching me, "What are you doing?"
I was holding the sapling and shaking it continuously. But there was no response.
"The wooden sword isn't listening."
To prevent any unforeseen incidents, I had isolated the wooden sword outside the door before going to bed. When I tried to put it in its sheath in the morning, it hadn't changed at all from its sapling form.
It didn't even absorb my mana. This had never happened before.
"...I knew it."
"What?"
"It's sulking."
"What are you talking about?"
"Because you only bathed, slept with, and cherished the new sword!"
"Don't say weird things."
"Damian is an expert at hurting friends' feelings," Trisha said her piece and scurried back up to her room.
"..."
The wooden sword still showed no signs of changing.
Is it really upset as Trisha said? Really?
It would be less frustrating if there had been any progress with the magic sword Priscilla. It was giving me a headache that a sword I used well was now causing trouble.
Is there no job like a magic sword interpreter? I really want to ask why it's acting like this.
***
Putting aside the wooden sword problem for my daily routine, I set out early for school.
And in front of the Guardian Tree, I met Luna again, just like yesterday.
She waved at me awkwardly, just like yesterday.
"Luna?"
"Damian...!"
And she naturally came to my side and matched her steps with mine.
"Are you going to escort me today too?"
"Yes."
Luna rummaged through her handbag. Then she shyly held out something small wrapped in paper.
"Do you want... to eat?"
"What is it?"
"I tried making it yesterday. There's a little left..."
When I untied the string and opened it, there were cookies with a butter scent inside.
Putting one in my mouth, the soft and sweet taste of butter spread intensely. It was quite a pleasant taste.
"It's delicious. Were you always good at making these?"
The corners of Luna's mouth turned up slightly.
"I learned it recently."
"I didn't know you had this kind of hobby."
"Somehow, I've become better at tasting things. Since then... I've been learning one by one."
"Are you taking some good herbs?"
Luna shook her head.
"I can hear music too. Somehow... melodies and tunes come to my ears better. Also... I can smell flowers better."
"..."
"I've found more things I want to do."
There was strength in her voice. It was a rare sight to see Luna so bright. Was this how it felt to see a daughter grow up? Although I hadn't done anything, seeing her gradually brighten up and open her heart made me feel somewhat fulfilled.
"When did you start changing?"
Luna reached out her arm to me. Unable to hold my hand, she tightly grasped my finger.
"...It's a secret."
And like yesterday, she took the lead and guided me. We were clearly heading to the same Art Club greenhouse, but the route was different from yesterday.
"This is a different path, isn't it?"
"A new... path isn't bad either."
***
As the Art Club greenhouse came into view, Luna suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"..."
And she kept staring at one spot.
The place Luna was looking at. Cecil was standing in front of the greenhouse door with her arms crossed. She noticed us and smiled, waving her hand gently.
Luna's hand holding mine tightened slightly.
"Luna, what's wrong?"
"..."
As we approached the greenhouse like that, Cecil greeted us, "Hi, Damian! And... hi, Luna."
"...Hello."
"What brings you here?"
"I was waiting to get some materials from the greenhouse for an errand. I was looking for you too, Damian, so this is perfect!"
"You were looking for me?"
Cecil said with a bright face, glancing at Luna, "Yes. I thought you were deliberately avoiding me because I hadn't seen you in a while."
Luna stared back at Cecil with a nonchalant expression as if she didn't understand anything.
Cecil said, "Luna, why did you come to a place like this? The Drama Club probably isn't welcome in the Art Club."
"It’s fine since Damian welcomes me. And I'll be leaving soon."
"Is that so? I had something to talk about with Damian alone, could you step aside?"
"...Don't mind me and talk comfortably," Luna responded to Cecil's words calmly.
"Ah, it's something to talk about just the two of us. We made plans to hang out together."
Luna's hand holding my finger tightened again.
"..."
Luna kept her mouth shut for a moment, then turned her head towards me and said, "Is the promise... real?"
"...Yes."
"I'll be leaving then. Talk," Luna said that but seemed to have trouble taking her leave, hesitating for a moment before finally leaving.
Cecil muttered, watching her back, "Something seemed strange, and indeed..."
"What?"
"No, nothing."
"..."
"Ah, and Damian, how could you not contact me even once? If you're better, say you're better, if you're sick, say you're sick, how nice would it be if you just said something like that? I was worried all day."
"It wasn't a big injury."
"Just... contact me because I'm worried. I even gave you a Stitch. It's okay to complain even if it's just a mosquito bite or a slight scratch, just let me know."
Then suddenly, she tilted her body to the side and looked towards where Luna had left, saying, "Is she still not gone and watching us? It's annoying."