‘…What??’
[So, that woman named Lucy wants to have your child…]
‘That’s a big deal. It seems the demonic energy hasn’t fully left the sword yet.’
[No…]
When I casually responded, the Heavenly Demon Sword muttered dejectedly.
What a ridiculous guy. I thought he was about to say something serious, given the sudden change in atmosphere.
But it was just some lewd joke.
I already knew that Lucy wanted to spend the night with me today.
She was dressed provocatively when we left the mansion, so how could I not notice?
Well, still.
There was something the Heavenly Demon Sword said that caught my attention.
‘Lucy wants to have my child…’
It was a statement that carried a certain weight.
If it were true, I wouldn’t mind.
But isn’t it a bit too soon?
Of course, I’ve thought about having a child with Lucy in the future.
But first, we need to create a stable environment.
To ensure the happiness of my women in the future, establishing and stabilizing the Demon Kingdom should come first.
‘But how did the Heavenly Demon Sword figure out Lucy’s feelings?’
It’s not like this guy would just spout nonsense.
As Lucy and I made our way out of the dimly lit basement and up the stairs, I sent a telepathic message to the Heavenly Demon Sword.
‘Hey. Assuming you’re right, how exactly did you figure that out?’
[Well, you see. I can transmit voices directly into your mind, right? So, I can sense the unconscious desires of people around me.]
‘Oh? That’s interesting. How is that possible?’
[How should I put it? People who strongly desire something tend to show it. So, their unconscious thoughts manifest and I can detect them.]
‘I see. That’s quite a convenient ability.’
[Hmph…! Treating me like some tool with a mere function. I like it even more.]
‘…..’
Let’s just ignore him. Ignore.
I brushed off the Heavenly Demon Sword’s nonsense and continued climbing the stairs.
After a while.
As we stepped outside through the exit, the reddish glow of the sunset greeted us.
‘It’s already this late.’
It’ll probably be night by the time we return to the mansion.
Liliana will be worried, so we should hurry back.
As I quickened my pace, Duncan and Hilda came running out from inside the weapon shop.
“Your Grace! Are you alright? Huh? That’s!”
“It’s the Heavenly Demon Sword. I’ve completely subdued the demonic energy, so you can rest easy.”
“Ah… You really did it…”
Duncan trembled as he looked at the Heavenly Demon Sword in my hand.
He soon began to shed thick tears, his face filled with complex emotions.
“Grandfather…”
His granddaughter, Hilda, quietly patted his shoulder and also began to tear up.
Just by watching them, I could imagine the hardships and sorrows they must have endured.
The sword they poured all their effort into creating became infamous.
The pride they had as blacksmiths was trampled upon. How must this old blacksmith have felt?
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon Sword spoke softly in my mind.
[It’s quite touching… I feel sorry too.]
‘Sorry?’
[Well, it’s because of me that they suffered all this time. If I hadn’t been tainted by demonic energy, he would have been praised as a legendary blacksmith.]
‘Hmm.’
So, it feels gratitude and remorse towards its creator.
The more I see, the more I realize this isn’t just an ordinary ego sword.
I pondered for a moment before responding.
‘If that’s how you feel, then do well from now on. If your reputation surpasses your infamy, Duncan’s honor will be restored.’
[Hehe. Got it. You’re really a kind master.]
‘Whatever.’
I replied indifferently.
Duncan and Hilda were important allies in the original story, so it’s only right to show them some consideration.
Anyway, we waited for the grandfather and granddaughter to compose themselves.
After a while.
In the backyard of the weapon shop, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, Duncan wiped away his tears and spoke.
“…I apologize. I saw such a disgraceful sight in front of Your Grace.”
“Not at all. I understand how much you must have suffered.”
“Hoho. Not only did you resolve this old man’s resentment, but you also comforted me. I don’t know how to repay you.”
Duncan smiled awkwardly.
Compared to when we first met, his face looked much more at ease as he and Hilda bowed their heads.
“Thank you so much, Your Grace. This old man owes you a great debt.”
“Thank you for helping my grandfather.”
“Both of you, raise your heads. I only did this to obtain the Heavenly Demon Sword, so there’s no need for excessive gratitude.”
“No. I truly wish to repay this favor. Would it be alright if I gifted you another sword?”
“Another sword?”
I raised an eyebrow at Duncan’s words.
Gifting another sword at this timing.
Could it be… that one?
“I never thought I’d be able to show this to anyone else. But there’s a sword I poured all my skill as a blacksmith into. Please wait a moment.”
As I recalled the original story.
Duncan disappeared somewhere, muttering something.
The sound of his hurried footsteps faded away.
After a short while.
He returned with a longsword, which looked quite unique at first glance.
“The scabbard and hilt are completely white. It’s a rare design.”
“I see. Moreover, the sword emits a very pure energy.”
“Would you like to see it? I was tormented by the thought of having created a cursed sword, so I devoted myself to crafting a sword with the purest and brightest energy. As a result, I was able to complete this sword recently.”
Duncan explained as he slowly drew the sword.
Srrrk-
A smooth friction sound, like that of a string instrument.
The blade that emerged from the pure white scabbard shone brilliantly.
I looked at the sword Duncan brought and smiled inwardly.
‘To obtain this after the Heavenly Demon Sword. What a jackpot.’
The sword Duncan brought now was the legendary sword Luke would obtain in the original story.
The Meteor Sword (流星劍).
Since I obtained the Heavenly Demon Sword, changing the flow of the original story, I was worried about how Luke would get the Meteor Sword.
But to think I’d get it like this.
As I gazed at the blade, which shimmered like flowing starlight, the corners of my mouth naturally turned up.
“This sword is called the Meteor Sword. It’s a work I poured my heart and soul into, and I would like to give it to you, Your Grace.”
“Duncan…”
“This is the only thing I can offer to my benefactor. Please accept it.”
Duncan extended the sword respectfully, bowing slightly.
Well, well. Look at this guy.
With such a fine sword being offered, how could I refuse?
I silently accepted the Meteor Sword from Duncan.
[It’s a sword with a very pure energy. It would suit someone with a purer aura than yours, Master.]
‘Hmm. That’s an unexpected remark. Are you saying my aura isn’t pure?’
[Well, it’s not so much pure as it is very dense and concentrated-.]
‘Enough.’
This guy’s at it again.
I tapped the Heavenly Demon Sword lightly to signal it to be quiet, then spoke.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure this sword is put to good use.”
“Hoho, hearing that puts my mind at ease. I hope this sword will be of help to you, Your Grace.”
Duncan smiled warmly, his wrinkled face showing relief.
Don’t worry. It’ll be of great help.
Though I won’t be the one using it.
‘I’ll give it to Luke as a gift when I see him later.’
That Luke guy.
What kind of reaction will he have when he receives such a treasure as a gift?
He’s surprisingly sensitive, so he might even shed tears of gratitude.
I’ll have to see later.
After briefly organizing my thoughts.
As dusk began to fall over the commercial district.
After bidding farewell to Duncan, we left the Ironheart Weapon Shop with two swords in hand.
Hilda, who had come out to guide us, turned to me and said.
“Um, the rings you ordered will take about a week to make. Is that alright? Since they’re artifacts, we need to gather new materials and take some time.”
Ah, right. I did order some rings.
I replied to her.
“That’s fine. I’ll send someone to the shop in a week then.”
“Actually, I could deliver them to your mansion…”
“Wait. I’ll come to the shop myself. I’ll pay for the rings then.”
At that moment, Lucy stepped forward and spoke.
But her expression as she looked down at Hilda was oddly colder than usual.
“Uh… Then should I do that? Haha…”
“Yes. Is that alright with you, Master?”
“…Sure.”
As they say, it’s good to be perceptive.
In situations like this, it’s important to choose your words carefully.
I wasn’t the dense male lead from a romantic comedy, so I simply nodded to Lucy without further ado.
[Oh my. I thought she was a quiet girl, but she can get jealous too. You know, once a woman like this awakens to her desires, it can be explosive, right?]
‘Shut up.’
[Hmph…! Alright…]
The Heavenly Demon Sword made a strange moaning sound in my mind before responding.
I ignored the perverted masochistic sword and walked through the commercial district with the two women.
“We’ve arrived. From here, you should be able to find your way.”
“Thank you.”
“Um… There’s something else I’d like to say.”
“???”
“Thank you again for helping my grandfather.”
Hilda spoke to me with genuine sincerity.
I silently observed her expression.
The first time I met Hilda was during the day, but her face now, as the sun was setting, looked much brighter.
As time passes, Duncan will regain his life as a blacksmith, and Hilda will pursue her dream as an artifact crafter.
It reminded me that everyone in this world has their own life to live.
“I promise to visit the weapon shop again.”
“Alright. You must come back!”
Hilda smiled brightly at me.
After parting ways with her.
Under the faint glow of the street lights illuminating the commercial district.
I walked with Lucy through the streets.
Step. Step.
Maintaining a distance where our arms almost touched, the sound of our footsteps filled the gap between us.
I looked up at the gradually darkening sky and said.
“It’ll be night soon.”
“Yes.”
Lucy replied, looking at the streetlights that were starting to turn on one by one.
Even in the capital’s commercial district, there are streetlights.
But unlike Orbite, the lights here go out as the night deepens.
Thinking it was time to hurry back to the mansion, I quickened my pace.
“…?”
Something felt off, so I glanced to the side and noticed Lucy was deliberately walking a bit slower.
Why is she doing this?
Curious, I asked her.
“Lucy. Is something bothering you?”
“Well…”
At my question, Lucy hesitated.
Her face was slightly flushed, and she was fidgeting with her plump thighs.
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon Sword spoke with interest.
[Oh my. Is she gathering her courage now?]
Its tone was almost like a panelist from a dating show I’d seen before.
On the street where the foot traffic had thinned.
In the situation where Lucy and I were facing each other alone, she took a step closer to me.
“Master…”
“Hmm.”
Her hair, which emitted a faint glow even in the dark.
Her beautiful amethyst eyes beneath long lashes.
Lucy’s face drew closer.
I waited quietly to see what she would do.
Thump. Thump.
As the distance between us narrowed, the sound of a heartbeat began to echo in my ears.
Was it mine, Lucy’s, or both of ours?
When our faces were almost touching.
She brought her lips close to my ear, exhaled softly, and whispered.
“It’s getting late… How about we rest for a while before heading back?”