Chapter 115
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I’ve been telling myself over and over that this must be some kind of mistake.
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The battle between the second floor boss and the Holy Knight.
And then the battle between the third floor boss and the companions he brought with him.
Both were on a whole different level.
But she—Eris Gladius—thinks to herself.
Certainly, those two possessed extraordinary combat abilities.
In fact, the sword speed they used to deliver the final blow was barely traceable to her eyes.
But if it were her master, if it were him, he would surely accomplish such feats without breaking a sweat. If it were my master, the Hero—just as she thinks this far, the Holy Sword at her waist glows.
Then, her thoughts are interrupted, and a sharp pain shoots through her head. The Holy Sword glowing during her thoughts and the resulting headache that follows are both routine occurrences.
Strangely enough, this light seems to be perceptible only to her. No matter how many times she asks Mika, Angelica, or the Hero, 「Did you see that?」, they all shake their heads.
Each time, Mika and Angelica would admonish and comfort her, saying things like 「That must have been tough,」 「You’re just tired,」 「Pull yourself together,」 「You need to forget about what happened before.」
On the other hand, the Hero would distance himself, saying, 「Claiming to see things that aren’t there—how old are you exactly? Well, I hear there are illnesses like that, so if what you’re saying is true, maybe that’s what it is. Oh, but they say mental illnesses can be contagious, so please don’t let it spread to me.」
After such exchanges, she realizes it’s futile to try to make them understand, and from then on, she never mentions to anyone that the Holy Sword is emitting light.
Even though she doesn’t speak of it, the Holy Sword continues to glow, and the headache—she’s lost count of how many times it’s happened—assaults her once again. Yet, she still can’t get used to the pain.
Back when her master was conquering the Blade Dungeon, he entrusted the Holy Sword to her, his disciple.
From that floor onward, the Holy Sword has been her partner.
Every time she draws the sword and wields it, the blade increases in brilliance, and the Holy Sword adapts surprisingly well to her body, befitting of a sword saint. It feels almost like an extension of her limbs. She admits to herself that it might seem cold-hearted, but the Holy Sword inherited from her master gives her a strange sensation—as if it’s family that she’s spent more time with than the sword her father gave her and she’d used for many years. It feels like an indispensable part of herself.
And even when faced with powerful enemies that keep appearing one after another, the sword responds to her feelings.
If only her master were by her side.
And as long as he acknowledges her.
She feels like she could perform any technique.
She feels like she could cut through anything.
Somehow, she understands that this isn’t just a feeling, but a realizable image.
There was a monster with a body made of Orichalcum—one of the Mithril stones that exist in small quantities in the kingdom. This ultra-rare metal is said to be the hardest and most dangerous.
Her enemy was the guardian of the innermost door of the Blade Dungeon, known as the hardest and most dangerous monster.
Its name was the final number of the Checkmates—the Orichalcum Queen.
But at that time, for her—for Eris—whether it was a formidable enemy, Orichalcum, a loofah, or a gourd, they were all equally insignificant to her.
She followed the image that naturally popped into her head and, with a light swing of her sword upon their encounter, literally reduced that monster to dust.
Her heart trembled at having obtained the Holy Sword she had longed for almost her entire life, even in her dreams.
But more than that, she was happy to be acknowledged by her master.
Master, look at me.
I’ve become this strong.
With these thoughts in her heart, every cell in her body rejoiced at the chance to demonstrate her full power in front of her master.
She felt immense pride in being able to fight beside him—and back-to-back with him.
That’s right.
That’s how it should have been.
That’s how it should have been…?
Then, is it different now?
I don’t know.
I don’t know.
I don’t understand anything.
There’s so much I don’t understand.
Crossing swords with him was the ultimate joy.
He was the only one who could clear away my anguish.
He was the one who healed my never-ending loneliness.
Then why am I plagued by such an overwhelming sense of desolation?
This emotion, far greater than anything she had felt before, has now grown so large that she can no longer ignore it. It sits firmly and heavily at the center of her heart.
Usually quiet, this emotion suddenly rears its head and goes on a rampage at the slightest trigger. The triggers are varied: seeing close siblings, watching a party fighting together, or witnessing any two people who have formed a good, trusting relationship.
It always comes, whether she likes it or not, in fleeting moments of everyday life.
And once it arrives, her head and heart are thrown into chaos with uncontrollable emotions: 「It hurts,」 「Why,」 「Why,」 「I’m lonely,」 「Master,」 「Please don’t be cold to me,」 「Again,」 「Again,」 「Cross swords,」 「With me,」 「Why,」 「Why,」 「Just,」 「Why,」 「Did it,」 「Come to this,」 「Master,」 「Master,」 「Master,」 「Help me,」 「Help me,」 「Help me.」
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I satisfied my hunger with the meal provided by the Holy Knight’s party. I couldn’t get the portable food down my throat no matter what, but somehow the plate I received from them ended up empty before I realized it.
Seeing Saint Mika staring off into the distance and Angelica, for some reason, hunched over and sobbing, Eris hugs her shivering body, perhaps from the cold, and as usual, indulges in contemplation.
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