Chapter 204
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「MASTEEER!」
Upon hearing my words, Eris runs to me and embraces me tightly. Like a snapped string finally giving way, she breaks down crying like a child, letting out an 「Uwaah!」
I had come to this remote region after leaving Ryūgūin’s party behind.
In other words, I had run away from them.
And now, I am once again choosing to run away, about to head down the wrong path.
The country has issued a summons regarding the Sealed Domain incident. If I follow orders and go up to the royal capital, I will certainly meet Ryūgūin again.
If I meet him, the wounds from those days that I had finally managed to forget through my life with Sena will reopen.
Just imagining it makes my heart ache with a dull pain.
Anon and Sensei told me to leave everything to them.
Maybe I should take advantage of their kindness and take it easy.
I must have worked hard enough by now.
Maybe it would be fine to throw everything onto those two and settle down here, forgetting everything.
Their offer was far too sweet for me.
The pathetic part of my heart tried countless times to convince me, 「Just rely on those two.」
How much easier would that be?
But I understand something.
This is the final turning point.
Whether I continue running away, or face things head-on.
That day, when Angelica apologized, she prostrated herself and cried.
Mika said she couldn’t forgive herself and would leave secular life behind.
And now, Eris was about to choose death.
It will take a little more time for all the ill feelings to disappear.
Even so, this isn’t the reality I had wished for.
That’s why I must face things once more.
To wipe away all tears, and for my own sake as well, I must stand before Ryūgūin again on my own two feet and deny everything about him.
That’s what I decided in my heart.
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「Eris, son-in-law, do you have a moment?」
Sensei asks this of me and Eris, who is still hiccupping with sobs. We nod.
「Where should I begin? Well, let me tell you what I know about the Holy Sword. Though I must say, there are things even I don’t understand, so this includes quite a bit of speculation.」
Sensei continues with,
「For now, Eris, show me the Holy Sword.」
「Y-yes,」 Eris answers, wiping her tears with the handkerchief Orphe had given her, and stands up.
Sensei intently studies the Holy Sword presented before her, as if trying to discern something.
「What you call the Holy Sword is a masterwork created by a former Hero with the wish to protect people.
Based on that wish, its true name was given as ‘Guardian Sword Refaia.’」
Sensei seems to be lost in thought about something.
「Guardian Sword Refaia evaluates those who call its true name, determining whether they are worthy to be its master, and acknowledges them accordingly.」
「Evaluates and acknowledges…?」
「Yes. It recognizes those whose skills and hearts it deems worthy, accepting them as its wielder, as its master, and lending them its maximum power.
To begin with, Guardian Sword Refaia, as its name suggests being derived from ‘amplifier,’ has the ability to multiply its wielder’s capabilities several times over. Son-in-law, doesn’t this remind you of something?」
Sensei solemnly asks me.
Something does come to mind…
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☆《Trust and Credibility》☆
The unique skill of Holy Knight Yamada, a young man from another country.
This skill takes effect on party members or those of equivalent status who have established mutual trust and credibility with the skill holder. Its effects promote their growth and significantly enhance any buffs applied by the skill holder, regardless of whether they are magic or skills.
☆《Skill Defender》☆
The unique skill of Holy Knight Yamada, a young man from another country.
Protects himself and his companions from malicious skills.
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「That expression suggests you recall something.」
「During the Sealed Dungeon exploration, Refaia helped us many times. Maybe it was thanks to Refaia that Eris and the others returned to their senses… but shouldn’t Eris be Refaia’s current master?」
「Son-in-law, looking closely at Refaia now, I’ve noticed something.」
Sensei gently strokes Refaia.
「This one (Guardian Sword Refaia) has two bonds extending from it. One with Eris, and another with you, Ichiro.」
Sensei occasionally uses the word ‘bond,’ but to be honest, I’m not entirely clear on what it means. Sensei seems to notice this from my expression and explains:
「A bond is exactly what the word implies—a connection that links and binds people or objects together. Regarding Refaia, it still recognizes not only its current wielder Eris but also you, son-in-law, as its previous wielder and current master. That’s the bond I see.」
So Refaia still recognizes me as its master, and that’s why it followed my wishes and helped them…?
「There’s more to discuss. Though I can’t say this with certainty, the dream of Puru that you saw before and the nightmare that Eris saw are fundamentally the same thing.」
「The same thing? What do you mean?」
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☆《Light Magic: Master++》☆
Yamada’s evolved and grown Light Magic Skill.
Additionally, since no appraisal has been conducted since these results appeared, there is a possibility it has grown even further.
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「I suspect the dreams you all saw were due to son-in-law’s ability. After all, son-in-law is an exceptionally talented wielder of Light Magic.」
My cheeks break into a grin at the phrase 「exceptionally talented wielder of Light Magic.」
Hehehe, it’s not that impressive…
「But although I can use Light Magic, I don’t have any ability to see dreams.」
Besides, I don’t think I had any skills related to prophetic dreams.
「I once knew someone who was talented with Light Magic. They also said they would occasionally see prophetic dreams.
According to them, their prophetic dreams were ‘manifestations of Light Magic used subconsciously, showing highly probable but uncertain realities in dream form.’」
Sensei laughs heartily and adds, 「Well, I don’t quite understand all those complicated details myself.」
「Furthermore, they said that ‘by becoming an observer, one could change an uncertain future.’」
Sensei looks alternately at me and Eris.
「Son-in-law, you’ve experienced this firsthand. Most likely, without you, Puru would have met an untimely end. You definitely saved Puru’s life.」
Sensei asks us if we understand what this means.
「The dreams are warnings. They show highly probable futures that might occur soon, warning us to prepare for crisis.」
「War…nings?」
Eris mutters, as if processing this within herself.
「Yes, warnings.
In son-in-law’s case, it was a warning through Light Magic used subconsciously, and in Eris’s case, it’s believed to be a warning from Refaia using son-in-law’s ability through their bond.」
The idea that Refaia used my ability through our bond to show Eris a prophetic dream seems quite extraordinary.
「Perhaps it’s too romantic to suggest that Refaia has been protecting them all this time, following son-in-law’s concern for them.」
Wait, does this thing have consciousness?
From after the Light Dungeon conquest until before the Blade Dungeon conquest, Guardian Sword Refaia was my partner. Though I didn’t even know its true name and just swung it around recklessly…
「If you had continued to the royal capital, you would have undoubtedly failed and fallen into the Hero’s hands, just as in the dream.
As they say, ‘A wise man keeps away from danger.’
So now, I want to praise your judgment.
The decision of you two to return to son-in-law was correct. That was surely the first step toward dispelling despair. 」
Eris, who had finally stopped crying, breaks into tears again with another 「Uwaah! 」
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