Life is truly ironic.
I always sought a peaceful life.
Even when I came to this fantasy world, I just wanted to defeat the Demon King and quietly return to the modern world.
“Sigh…”
A sigh turned into a white breath and disappeared into the distance. I lifted my head and looked up at the sky. The heavy snowstorm blocked my view.
I thought that the only thing chasing me on this snow-capped mountain was the cold. I believed I had escaped from the madness of my party members.
The black reverse cross on the back of my left hand ached. Then, the white cross on the back of my right hand stung.
“Now I even have to comfort the sulking swords…”
I sighed and raised my right hand. I needed to have a conversation.
“Daybreak.”
Whooo-
I was rejected with a faint vibration. No matter how much I called, the holy sword did not appear.
‘Oh no… is it really sulking?’
I searched through my bag and took out the holy water. It was the highest quality holy water obtained from the order. Originally, it was for a blessing ritual…
“Daybreak?”
[Hmph.]
I called as kindly as I could, and finally, it appeared. However, the sword’s light still felt cold.
“Look, here. This is the special holy water I got from the saint.”
[Are you trying to soothe me with just holy water?]
“This is the last one…”
The holy sword, which had been faintly glowing, trembled for a moment.
[…Really?]
“Yeah. I’m using the last one for you.”
Of course, I had plenty in my inventory, but there was no need to mention that.
I carefully wiped the blade with a cloth dipped in the holy water. The divine energy spread, and Daybreak’s light gradually warmed.
“Do you remember the day we first met? I cleaned you like this back then, too.”
[Heh… I didn’t think you’d remember.]
“Of course, I remember. You’re my first sword.”
Swish-
Every time the cloth dipped in holy water brushed the sword, the holy sword emitted a pleasant vibration.
[Ah… a little more there…]
“Here?”
[Yes… Ah, it feels good…]
The sword twisted its body, emitting a sweet vibration.
After spending so much time together, I knew exactly where and how it liked to be touched.
No, saying it like that sounds strange. I’m talking about sword maintenance, of course.
“And do you remember? The first time we defeated a Demon King’s minion.”
[Yes… when your swordsmanship was still clumsy.]
“Hey, but we won, didn’t we? Together.”
[You were so cool back then…]
“Since then, how many enemies have we defeated? We captured the legion commander… and the Four Heavenly Kings…”
[Yeah. With just the two of us, we could win anything…]
The voice sounded slightly gloomy. I guess the topic of the cursed sword came up.
I took out a golden decorative string from my pocket. It was the finest accessory obtained from a dungeon.
[Oh my, what’s that…]
“I’ve been saving it for you. I thought it would suit you.”
I carefully wrapped the decorative string around the sword’s handle. The holy energy swirled, and Daybreak’s light became even brighter.
[Are you sure I can have this?]
“Of course. You’re my first sword.”
[Oh… you’re saying that again…]
The holy sword’s light turned warm.
“We’ll always be together.”
“Really, really? Even with that cursed sword…”
“With you, you’ll be yourself, and with it, it’ll be itself.”
[Well… I understand your feelings. But should you keep your distance from that cursed sword?]
“Okay, okay.”
I recalled Daybreak into its sheath and then raised my left hand. Time to soothe another problem child.
According to the ancient legends of the East, tools that are loved for a long time are said to have souls.
A brush used for a hundred years, a sword passed down for a thousand years—these stories speak of how affection and time accumulate, giving rise to a soul.
“Sigh… Where did I go wrong in my life?”
I looked at the black pattern on the back of my left hand. Why is this cursed sword acting like this when I’ve only had it for a week?
“Twilight.”
[Oh, now you come to find me?]
A sweet yet provocative voice. The cursed sword emitted a violet glow.
“Look at this.”
I pulled out a high-quality potion. Its red hue was a distinctive feature.
[Treating me the same as the holy sword… I’d rather have something more special.]
“Something special? Do you like blood? Don’t worry, this potion is mixed with dragon’s blood.”
[Really…?]
“Yeah, it’s a special potion made by a golden dragon.”
Aris had been pestering me to drink it. So, I pretended to drink it and stored it in my inventory.
[Aah… this power… it feels so good…]
“How about this?”
I took out an S-class monster’s magic stone.
[Oh my… such a high-class item…]
“It’s a snack. Our cursed sword deserves something like this.”
As the cursed sword absorbed the magic of the stone, its power explosively increased. A violet mist swirled and rose around it.
[Heh… as expected, the master knows my taste~]
“Alright, is that enough?”
[Hmph… well, for now.]
“So, speaking of which…”
[Hmm?]
“How about the holy sword…”
[Hmph. Don’t even mention that outdated sword.]
“Well, it’s just that…”
[I only need you, master… I don’t care for any other swords…]
“Then, I guess that’s it for today.”
[Already? We haven’t even finished soothing each other yet…]
“Next time.”
I quickly recalled the cursed sword. I felt like it was about to say something strange again if I left it out.
“Sigh…”
I sighed and looked up at the sky. The sky was clear with not a single cloud in sight.
‘What in the world is going on?’
I quickened my pace. The blizzard on the snow-capped mountain was intensifying.
The road to the Northern Duke’s domain was still far from smooth.
Especially because of the voices of the two swords ringing in my hands.
[Master, don’t you think it’s time to get rid of that vulgar sword?]
[Oh my, I’m so embarrassed to be with such an outdated holy sword.]
A sigh escaped me. The bickering that started in the morning continued all the way through lunch and into the evening.
[But I’m your first sword! I’ve been with you for 5 years…]
[First sword? Heh… You couldn’t even say anything in all that time?]
The holy sword’s light flared up fiercely. The cursed sword’s darkness deepened.
[Well… I was being cautious! A deep connection takes time…]
[A deep connection? We’ve had that kind of deep bond already, haven’t we? Right, master?]
“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.”
[Master’s first sword is me! I’m your main weapon!]
[First sword… Heh, but with that weak attack power, what are you going to do?]
The holy sword’s blade shook with anger. The air around us froze.
[Weak? Do you know how many enemies I’ve defeated…]
[Yeah, yeah, but the age of the holy sword is over. Don’t you remember? My final strike can tear through automatons like paper? Unlike someone… heh.]
The cursed sword whispered provocatively. The violet energy around it thickened.
[Hmph, that destructive power isn’t everything. My divine blessing is far more valuable…]
[These days, offense is the best defense, right?]
Both swords vibrated at the same time, emitting a powerful aura. The surrounding snowstorm intensified.
[Master! One sword is enough for you. Just like these past 5 years…]
[Your SSS-level durability is for me, right? Our thrilling combination…]
“Ugh, seriously!”
My suppressed frustration erupted. I struck both swords at the same time.
“Don’t you think you swords are going too far?”
[Huh?]
[What?]
“At least change into a human form or something!”
The moment I said that, the snow-capped mountain became silent. It felt like the snowstorm had stopped.
[…A human form? Do you really think that’s possible?]
[Master… what exactly do you expect from a sword?]
“No, I mean… both of you, constantly jealous and arguing…”
[Wait… Do you want us to transform into beautiful girls…?]
[Oh my, you have such a unique taste.]
“Ugh…”
[But I’m a holy sword! Such a request is difficult… not that I mind, though…]
[Heh, this is going to get interesting.]
“Wait, don’t misunderstand.”
[As expected, master… you’ve been caressing the swords all along…]
[So that’s why you’ve been maintaining us so carefully?]
“I mean… it’s strange for swords to confess and get jealous like this.”
[That… that’s different!]
[Yeah! No matter what, my feelings are genuine!]
Even the cursed sword chimed in, getting defensive.
“No, you’re both swords! How could a sword have feelings?”
Suddenly, the air on the snow-capped mountain froze. Both swords started to tremble.
Normally, they’d be growling at each other.
“Wait… just a moment ago, you were about to kill each other…”
[No matter what, we truly care for you, master!]
[That’s right! You’re being so mean!]
No, wait. This is getting weird.
[You’re ignoring us just because we’re swords… Men are all the same!]
[Exactly! What does it matter what form we take?]
Both swords vibrated at once, crying out. The situation had suddenly turned into one where they had united.
“Wait a second…”
Things were getting more strange. The two swords, who had been fighting, suddenly joined forces.
[Now that I think about it, master, you’re really the problem here.]
[Yeah~ a bad master like you deserves to be punished…]
“No, what is this now…”
This is really bad. Now the two of them have started ganging up on me.
The light of the holy sword and the darkness of the cursed sword intertwined, wrapping around the surroundings. The opposing energies clashed and sparked.
“I should’ve preferred when they were just fighting each other…”
At least then, one of them was on my side.
[You still don’t seem to be reflecting, do you?]
[How could you toy with my pure heart…]
“Toy with? What are you talking about?”
[Be quiet!]
[I don’t want to hear it!]
The symbols on my hands felt like they were burning. The bickering between the two swords had crossed the line.
“I can’t take this anymore.”
In an instant, I raised both of my hands.
“Daybreak.”
“Dusk.”
The moment I said that, a flash of light appeared before me. The holy sword appeared in my right hand, and the cursed sword appeared in my left.
[Oh?]
[Huh?]
The energies of light and darkness trembled within the swords, as if unsure of the situation.
“You both keep saying you dislike each other, huh? Well, I’ll make you two get along.”
[W-What are you planning… ]
[W-Wait a minute!]
I slowly crossed the two swords. The moment the blades touched, a strange sound rang out, sparks flying.
The light of the holy sword and the darkness of the cursed sword collided. Each time the blades clashed, magical flames flared. The two differing magics mixed together, sparking off.
[Ah! You can’t do this!]
The holy sword trembled, blushing as its pure white light turned red.
[M-Master, this… is a bit…]
The cursed sword’s violet energy swirled. The usual provocative attitude was nowhere to be seen.
I pressed the swords together even harder. The light and darkness of the swords mixed.
[A-This… I’ve never… felt this before…]
[Stop! This feels strange!]
“You haven’t even begun yet.”
Each time the blades rubbed against each other, magical sparks flared. The white and black energies danced through the air.
[At this rate… are we going to break?]
Both swords voiced their worries simultaneously. But it was already too late.
[No… this is… ]
[Ahh… just a little… more…]
The snowstorm around us was swept up in the energy from the swords. A whirlwind of light and darkness covered the sky.
“So, are you two starting to get along now?”
[Master… you’re going too far…]
[How could you do this to me, a cursed sword?!]
The voices of the two swords cried out breathlessly.
“Are you going to get along from now on?”
[Because of this sly sword… I’m being subjected to this shameful act…]
[Sly? Who was it that was sweetly crying just moments ago?!]
“Still noisy?”
I pulled out a golden rope from my bag.
Both swords trembled at once. The holy sword’s light flickered, and the cursed sword’s darkness swirled.
“This is your last warning.”
I tightly bound the swords with the rope. The holy sword and the cursed sword were forcibly pressed together.
[Ah… this is too tight…]
[I don’t like this…]
“If you keep being noisy, I’ll put you both in the same sheath.”
[What?!]
Both swords screamed in unison. Intense vibrations traveled through the rope.
[No! That’s not allowed!]
[W-Wait, melt us instead!]
“Melt? What do you mean melt? Should I make you two rub together until all the snow here melts?”
[No!]
[I don’t want that!]
The swords cried out in desperation. The rope wavered with the vibrations.
As time passed, their magic started to weaken, as though they were exhausted.
[Master… I’m sorry…]
The holy sword’s light flickered weakly, like a child who had been scolded.
[I won’t do it again. Please forgive me…]
The cursed sword, too, had lost its usual provocative attitude and had become a docile lamb.
“If you fight again, this is what will happen.”
I smiled with satisfaction. Finally, peace seemed to have arrived.
When I untied the rope, the two swords were immediately recalled.
“Hmm… did you really reflect on this?”
[Yes! Really!]
[We’re sincere! We swear!]
“Are you going to get along from now on?”
[Of course…]
[Definitely…]
But then, it happened.
[We won’t forget this…]
[We’ll never forgive you…]
“What did you say?”
[Nothing!]
[Absolutely nothing!]
After that, on the surface, peace seemed to have returned. At least in front of me.
But occasionally, I could feel the energy the two swords released toward each other.
At least it wasn’t as noisy as before. I guess I can be satisfied with this much.
“Well, I guess this is good enough.”
I sighed and quickened my pace.
Managing sword relations… This is something I never imagined happening in a game.
After a long journey, the clouds parted. Beyond the snowstorm, a massive castle wall appeared.
Frostguard, the heart of the North and the eternal fortress of winter.
“Finally…”
A small smile spread across my lips. The spires of the castle, seemingly carved from ice, pierced the sky. Silver flags fluttered atop the walls.
At least, that’s how it appeared. This place, known as the fortress of the snow-capped mountains, was a place no one could casually invade.
“Now I can rest a bit.”
Right now, all I wanted was a warm bed.
I will not be surprised if one of them gains human from and stabs him in the back with other sword for revenge, because holy or demonic they all unite in face of a common enemy… hahahahahaha