Ch 131
Elysia widened her eyes.
A sword, but anyway.
-The Trial of the Sacred Sword will be conducted in a simplified manner…?
It was a statement that even treated the Sacred Sword’s pride in a simplified manner.
-Zallak, what on earth are you saying?
-I’m saying that I will coordinate things so that there will be no problems with tomorrow’s Award Ceremony! It seems like the ceremony is a major event for that friend!
“No, Zallak…! To be this thoughtful!!!”
-How, is your heart moved!?
“Moved and how! Since you’re showing me such consideration, I must participate with a willing heart!”
-Khahaha! A flexible friend! The more I see him, the more I like him!
-…?
“…?”
“…?”
Is the flow of this conversation really correct?
Hero. Sacred Sword. Elf.
They looked at each other.
Soon, their gaze turned to Belota, who was far away.
“…”
Belota avoided their gaze.
“???”
Why are you avoiding eye contact?
It shouldn’t be a difficult question?
Our child isn’t like that?
It was at that moment that their confusion was increasing every second.
“Then, when will it begin?”
-When would be good!
“Perhaps, it would be good to start right now? Since we’re all gathered here.”
-Good idea!
-…What!? W-wait! Zallak!!!
Could it be that he’s talking about the Trial of the Sacred Sword?
It can’t be, right?
But you never know.
Elysia quickly made her judgment and hastily cut in, but it was too late.
-I, Zallak of the Sword of Advancement, ask! Are you ready to prove your qualifications! If you are ready, state your opinion along with your True Name!
Zallak announced the start of the trial with the prescribed words.
Kyaaaaaaaaaak!!!
Elysia screamed.
“J-Jane…!”
“Yes━”
Jane, leaving Elysia behind, steeled her heart.
From now on. No matter what happens, I intend to pass Zallak’s trial.
“Jane! I will prove my qualifications!
“Lisir. I’m ready.”
“Good! If you’re ready, grab me!”
Jane grabbed the Sword of Advancement faster than Lisir.
“Jane, I ask you! What is a sword to you!”
“…”
The moment that question was asked, a huge ripple arose within Jane’s mind.
What is a sword?
As expected of the Trial of the Sacred Sword, the first question was extremely difficult.
Jane fell into deep thought.
She closed her eyes and delved deep within herself, asking herself the question.
What is a sword to me?
What am I wielding a sword for, and what am I trying to gain at the end of it?
It took a long time for Jane to open her eyes again.
Her eyes were trembling slightly.
Because she couldn’t be sure if the answer she had obtained through repeated self-questioning was correct.
Nevertheless, he steeled his determination and opened his mouth.
“Justice and Ideals. A struggle to not lose oneself.”
Jane tightened her grip on the sword.
Her eyes were still trembling, but her gaze was straight ahead.
The Hero was weak because she knew how unskilled she was, and she was upright because she knew her weakness.
Jane tightened her grip on the sword.
The mental image contained in her swordsmanship unfolds through the Sword of Advancement.
-Uuum!!!
Zallak groaned deeply.
-I definitely feel it! The mental image you’re putting into the sword! Such contemplation at such a young age! I understand why the aloof Elysia chose you!
Toua and Magnus, who were watching all this from nearby.
They too were looking at Jane with curious eyes.
The attitude of the young Swordsman towards the sword.
The sincerity contained within it reached them.
It was certainly uncertain.
But it was exceedingly upright.
They could be certain.
In the near future.
Jane will be able to cast aside all the deceptions that make up uncertainty and face her own complete sword.
At that time, where will his sword be pointing?
It is something no one can know.
The fate of a Swordsman could easily change with a single drop of blood and tears.
Therefore, those who know swords do not easily expect or believe.
Nevertheless.
There was something about that young Swordsman that made them hopeful.
That was why the Ideal Sword chose him as a Hero.
That was why his comrades followed him.
The young Swordsman’s presence clearly permeated the place.
He was not lacking in being called a Hero, and he was not lacking in being the Sword’s Owner.
“…”
At that time.
Jane looked at the Sword of Advancement she held in her hand.
She felt as if the sword was holding her, not the other way around.
It was a familiar sensation as the Sword’s Owner.
Zallak, the Sword of Advancement.
He was gauging her.
As if a Swordsman were trying out a sword he liked.
‘Good.’
The process of reaching the trial is still confusing.
But it’s okay.
The Ideal Hero showed a confident smile.
He was confident that he could achieve the best results in any situation.
With a relaxed smile on his face, he handed the Sword of Advancement to Lisir.
-Lisir! What is a sword to you!
The question was immediately asked.
And, the answer was immediately given.
Lisir tightened his grip on the sword.
The mental image contained in his swordsmanship unfolds through the Sword of Advancement.
“Techniques to Harm People.”
That answer, so devoid of hesitation that it seemed perfunctory, was in stark contrast to Jane’s answer, which had been carefully crafted and refined to the very end.
Camila and Elysia were momentarily stunned.
What kind of Hero Candidate would give such an answer in a discussion about swords?
Their faith grew stronger.
As expected, the person worthy of being the owner of the Sword of Advancement was already decided.
That is –
-Ooooo!!! Marvelous! Lisir!!! Excellent!!!
“…”
-Zallak! Enough!!!
Leaving Camila, who had once again become dumbfounded, behind, Elysia shouted.
-Excellent!? Such shallow conviction without any contemplation!?
-No! It’s not shallow!
-No! It couldn’t be more shallow! That’s the kind of thought an Outlaw would have!
-That’s exactly it!
-What?
-The sword Lisir wields is a Murderous Sword that only a Murderer would wield! A sword that exists only to crave blood! Lisir knows exactly the nature of the sword he wields!
-…Murderous Sword? Did you just say Murderous Sword? Are you going to make a Swordsman who wields a Murderous Sword the owner of the Holy Sword?
-As you said, this friend ‘wields’ a Murderous Sword. He is neither dominated nor swayed.
-What kind of…
-The more I see him, the more interesting he is! To walk the Right Path while wielding a Murderous Sword! The exact opposite of a youngster who walks the Right Path without knowing anything about his sword!
-…Zallak! Your taste is much closer to the latter! How can you━ a Mutant who walks the Right Path while wielding a Murderous Sword-
“Elysia.”
At that moment, Jane stopped her.
“Thank you, but it’s okay. I don’t want to be chosen that way.”
-Jane…
Even in this situation, Jane was smiling.
A very courageous smile.
“Zallak, surely this isn’t the end!?”
-Of course! How can it be a trial without proof!
The Sword of Advancement left Lisir’s hand.
It floated in the air, emitting a golden flash.
When the flash subsided, a semi-transparent golden Mana Barrier stood before Lisir and Jane.
-What is a limit!
-It is a wall and a stepping stone of advancement!
Jane looked intently at the golden barrier in front of her.
“This is…”
-This barrier is made based on your limits.
Elysia began to explain instead, to relieve her frustration.
“What do you mean?”
-It means that it’s a structure that you can absolutely not destroy with only the power you possess. Then what should you do?
“Power of Advancement.”
Jane, who had heard from Elysia beforehand about the Sword of Advancement, muttered.
-That’s right. This trial will be a test of how well you handle the Power of Advancement.
-As Elysia said! You will absolutely not be able to destroy this barrier with only the power you possess! So, if you want to prove your value, advance! Break through your limits and shatter the wall!
Jane reached out and touched the barrier. It was a kind of Power. An unshakeable firmness that those who had not transcended their limits could never break.
-That’s ridiculous.
As if to speak for Elysia, who interpreted Jane’s actions, she complained.
-Originally, this trial should have been conducted over a long period of time. That way, you would have had enough time to understand the Power of Advancement.
“…”
Jane listened silently to Elysia’s story.
Then Elysia’s tone became even more agitated.
-Zallak, what exactly do you want to do? What is the meaning of this trial? What can you overcome, what can you prove, and what can you gain in this ridiculously short time?
“Elysia.”
-No! This time I have to say what I have to say. I can’t take it anymore. What kind of whim is this? Conducting the Trial of the Sacred Sword in this way is not only insulting to you, but also to me.
“It’s okay.”
-No! It’s not okay at all! I’m telling you, compromising here isn’t kind, nor is it generous. It’s just foolish!
“I know. I don’t intend to compromise either.”
-What?
Elysia belatedly checked Jane’s expression in the Mental World.
Her eyes, which were staring straight ahead, were becoming sharper and sharper.
“I can do it. I will do it.”
It was not the face of a young man who easily bowed his head and compromised.
Ideal Hero.
He muttered as if driving himself.
There was not a trace of doubt.
-…Right, you can do it.
Jane approached the Sword of Advancement without hesitation.
Then Zallak, who had been waiting for their conversation to end, was about to utter the prepared lines.
This trial cannot be conducted without the Sword of Advancement, so the attempts are given one ‘Strike’ at a time.
If you are ready, grab me.
It was the moment when the trial was about to begin in earnest.
“Huu.”
It was a clean breath.
With it, Lisir’s foot stepped forward.
Then, the sound of a sword leaving its scabbard, and the sound of a blade cutting through the air, followed one after another.
Jane. Elysia.
Their gaze, which had been focused on Zallak, turned to the source of the noise.
Lisir. His sword had already been swung.
The semi-transparent golden Mana Barrier, split in two, slowly lost its shape.
Lisir quietly watched this and nodded.
“Power of Advancement… that’s what it’s called.”
No.
He was making assumptions.
“…?”
Jane and Elysia’s gazes sharpened.
They unconsciously checked the sword in Lisir’s hand.
It wasn’t the Sword of Advancement.
Naturally.
Because it’s right in front of them now.
Look here.
They turned their gaze back to the Sword of Advancement, which was still in its place.
Then what on earth is it?
‘What did you understand?’
Jane and Elysia became serious.
At that moment.
They recalled Zallak’s strange behavior.
Could it be that Zallak knew all along-
“Huh?”
Zallak made a dumbfounded sound.
“?”
“?”
Jane and Elysia also looked dumbfounded.
✦✦✦
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