'.................. Reader ...... What are you going to do today, sir?'

'Hmm? Right now, I'm ............ regaining my wits.'

'? You were nourishing yourself yesterday, too!

'Well, well, .......'

I avoided the sullen glare with my usual method. The Imperial City is peaceful today.

Lucia is very sincere. She used to smile a little more when she was a child, but her personality itself has not changed since then.

She's good at organizing things and is always on time for meetings. Unlike Luke and the others, he doesn't like to break the rules, and he studies hard every day. And one day off a week is enough for him.
Perhaps I'm the one who has changed. The reason why she is always in a frown is partly because she is in a rebellious phase, but it may also be because I am too unworthy of her. In fact, I'm glad Lucia hasn't abandoned me yet. If I were in Lucia's position, I'm not sure I wouldn't abandon my brother who does nothing for me.

'I'm sure that all my earnestness and talents have been sucked away by Lucia.

'? We're not blood related!

The temperature of Lucia's gaze drops as she bites down on her words from her position in the Clan Master's office.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can't get enough of this. It's a good balance.
And if you have a great mage in your family, you should not have a discerning eye for mages. Lucia is partly to blame for the fact that I often get angry with mages like Crus and Abyssal Fire.

I'll check the newspaper you brought me. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

I see. ...... Apparently, pressure from the aristocracy is more effective than the connections that Eva has spent years struggling to build.

After a quick check to make sure there were no other articles of interest, I put the newspaper down. Okay, it's peaceful today.

'But isn't it unusual to have Lucia as an escort two days in a row?

'............ The rest of the team couldn't make it. We're busy. We'll change tomorrow.''

Lucia says with a sullen expression.

Well, I'm all for it. With Lucia around, I can use the treasure as much as I want, and since we haven't had a chance to do so lately, it's good that we're making time to be siblings.
Just before I became a hunter, my parents told me to protect Lucia at all costs if she was in danger.

Hmm, I'm not proud of it, but I'm no stranger to being the first to get hit. Anthem has reflexes and agility that are unbelievable for his huge body, but it is (in a sense) me who trained him.

I don't know what's going on, but Lucia's mood is not good even though we're having a brother-sister get-together. Then I thought of a good idea and clapped my hands.

'Well then, since Lucia is here today, I think I'll make a new grimoire for the first time in a while. ......'

'Yes, and since we don't know what the attackers will do, I'm the best choice! My mother also told me to keep a close eye on my brother.

'Let's see, where were my pen and notebook: ............'

'Yes, that's right! The teacher wanted me to bring your brother here once! Can you come with me soon? He seems to be in a very bad mood because he cancelled his exam last minute at the last Martial Emperor Festival--''

'...... I've got an idea! ...... magic to turn the teacher into a frog?'

'? Stop it! Come on!'

Lucia turns red and leans forward, trying to grab the pen. I move my arm lightly to avoid her.

As a mage, Lucia is not as physical as Liz or Luke, but her physical abilities are far superior to mine. Her talent, training, and absorption of mana and materials are too different.
However, unlike Liz and Sitri, Lucia at her age tries to avoid touching me, so it's not difficult for me to avoid her. She can't move faster than the blink of an eye like Liz.

'I'm going to frog you. ...... I'm going to frog you. I'll make you a frog. You want to see me, you're really short sighted.

'Don't say things you don't understand!

Lucia's teacher is mild-mannered, unlike Luke's and Liz's masters, but that's why he's scary when he's angry. It's not fear of his face or fear of violence, but fear of being crushed by pressure alone, a rare type among the people I know.
The only way I can think of to avoid this is to get comfortable.

But that's a last resort. Lucia has been a great help to me, and I'd like to keep things as quiet as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. ............ Lucia also contributed greatly to stopping the damage. --I'm sorry.

You're right! That's right!

'Hey, don't avoid me! What the hell? What did you think of that? Hey! Brother! Come on!

I'm not sure what to do. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that.

I'm sure Franz-san's favorability rating won't drop any lower, and I'm--I'm brilliant today.

When Lucia comes around, I quickly turn my back and move my pen away.
It's not important to take the pen away from her, and if you really want to take it away, you can use magic, but I'm not going to pursue that too deeply. We used to play like this in the past, didn't we?

As I was thinking about this, I suddenly caught sight of a dove chain flying just outside the window (though dove chains don't have eyes).

It was a letter from Mr. Marchese. Looks like I'm done playing with Lucia for now.

'Here, hold this for me.

'! Ah ...... yes'.

I put the pen in Lucia's outstretched hand and open the window. I just got a letter yesterday saying that I can't do on-site appraisals, but what the hell is this?

You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.





'............ Okay, Lucia, get ready to go out. Let's go to the Sword Saint. Right now!

''Huh? Heh? I thought you weren't going outside! What's with that letter!



'............ I was going to do that too, but things have changed. It probably won't be a problem, but I'll be ready.'

'............ Okay, leader.'


The letter from Mr. Marchis was a warning.
To sum it up in a nutshell--it seems that the sword I gave him was a dangerous treasure, and a large number of people were injured in the Sword Saint's group.
Originally, I had asked Mr. Murchis to appraise the sword. He must have received a request from the Sage of Swords to appraise the treasure for the purpose of investigating the incident, and the fact that it was a sword treasure must have struck a chord with him, so he sent me a letter.

If it hadn't been for the letter, I wouldn't have noticed it. The Sage of Swords is not only a master of swords, but also a man who respects manners. If he'd been hurt by my gift, he needed to apologize as soon as possible. A friend is a friend.

There was no article in the newspaper about it, so it didn't seem to be a big deal, but this is not the time to say that you don't want to go out. I'm going to be cut down. Thorn Lowell, the Sword Sage, is a relatively good person, but there are many people under his tutelage who are rough and will attack anyone. Abyssal Fire and Destroyer is a one-hit wonder, but there are probably more than a thousand Sword Saints under his command. If you make him angry, he won't be able to survive in the Imperial City.


'It's dangerous and we're in a hurry, so let's take to the skies. I'll use the Flying Carpet or Lucia's broom.


The Flying Carpet is not yet fully operational. However, Lucia's broom is not a treasure, so I'll have to ask her to carry me on her back, but she's shy and won't let me.
After a moment's hesitation, Lucia said in a quiet voice.


'Okay, okay. I'll put her in the back. You can't use that rug. Just this once.'

'Thank you. Now get ready. I'll go change, and Lucia, get your broom ready--'


It's Luke's master, I'm sure he'll be fine, but you never know what can happen. I'll prepare the treasure and - yes, I'll call Franz and ask him to intercede.
It's been a long time since I've been in a fight. I felt nauseous. But the Sword Sage likes warriors, so I should be able to handle it if I take a firm stand.

After taking a deep breath, he ran down the stairs to his private quarters with the sympathetic stone connected to Mr. Franz in his hand.

















It was a beautiful sword with a soul-absorbing glow that even Nadri and the others, who had seen many famous weapons under the tutelage of the Sword Saint, known as the strongest swordsman in the Empire, had never seen before.


In Zebrudia, only hunters, not swordsmen, are capable of wielding such powerful swords.
Zebrudia, the holy land of treasure hunters, is home to many treasures, but there are only a handful of sword-shaped treasures, and only a handful of those with powerful abilities. And since swords are one of the most popular weapons among treasure hunters, most of the time the treasure found will be used by the hunter who found it.
The prices of the rare treasures that do appear on the market are sky-high, and there are many rivals, including large merchants, nobles, and high-level hunters. Even if you are a student of the "Sage of Swords", it is unlikely that you will be able to obtain these treasures unless a miracle occurs.

Of course, there are plenty of karma swords created by modern blacksmiths as well. They are weapons that are more than enough to fight against illusions and demons. Those swords that can be obtained even in the present day are reasonably priced, and Nadri and the others had them, but even so, the sword of treasure was a weapon that the swordsmen of the Empire longed for. Because they had the opportunity to see these weapons while training under the Sword Saint, their admiration for them was stronger than that of other swordsmen.


The apprentice who brought the sword to me was the most troubled and unconventional of the Thorn clan.

Luke Sykor of the Thousand Swords. The man who loved swords the most in the Imperial City. He came to the Sage of Swords out of the blue and applied to be his apprentice, and quickly became one of the most skilled swordsmen in the clan. He has a funny anecdote about how he was taken away from the Serious Sword because he was so indiscriminate in killing people, but he was also a member of one of the top treasure hunter parties in the Imperial City.

However, he was also one of the best treasure hunters in the capital. Luck, skill, and trustworthy companions are essential to success. Therefore, Nadri and the others cannot go in search of the sword.

The man who nearly killed several of his brothers and disciples during our encounter was flawed as a human being and a swordsman, but he was definitely a top-notch treasure hunter.
And for those hunters who had stepped into many treasure halls that ordinary hunters could not conquer, the sword-shaped treasure tool, though rare, was probably not something to be obsessed with.

Nadri and the others knew from their daily conversations that Luke's party leader, a level 8 hunter, was a treasure collector and had a number of sword-shaped treasures.
So it was no surprise that Luke Psychol suddenly brought in a sword-type treasure.

The Sword Saint, Thorn Lowell, is not a treasure hunter, but his skill with a sword is better than even high level hunters.
There are many high level hunters who were once under Thorn's tutelage, and there have been times in the past when sword treasures have been brought in to return the favor.


'My kurai told me to take it to my master because it's just right.


Master had just vacated the dojo. Normally, it would be impossible for him to look at a gift for his master first. But Luke didn't hesitate to take the black cloth wrapping the sword's body...


Time froze for sure. The moment the sword came into view, all the students except Luke gasped.

Most sword-shaped treasures have their origins in the magical weapons civilization. And the weapons of that era are not only powerful, but also beautiful like works of art.

I've seen some jet-black swords, but I've never seen a blade that could absorb everything. My master's sword was also a beautiful treasure, but it didn't have the strong luring power that made me unable to take my eyes off it like the sword in front of me.

It is truly a demonic sword. If it were put up for auction, nobles, merchants, and hunters would all be eager to get their hands on it.
And a high level hunter is truly a fearsome man, to acquire such a sword and then just give it away.

My heart jumped. My hands trembled and my mouth went dry. I did my best to tear my gaze away from the sword and look at Luke, who had brought it to me.


'Luke, you're so fond of swords, how did you manage to bring such a sword ......'.


Luke is by nature a man who doesn't take common sense too seriously.
If Nadri were in Luke's position, he would never have given this sword to anyone else. I've heard that Luke and Transfiguration are close friends, and I'm sure they could negotiate for this sword to be theirs.

At Nadri's words, Luke blinked for a moment, and then simply said.


'Well, Kry insisted that I give it to my master. Besides, think about it. If I hold it, I won't be able to kill the user of this sword, right?

'I see. ......'

I don't understand. Although he didn't understand a word of what was being said, Nadri found himself talking to him.

Good. No need to worry about Luke for now. The question is what to do with the sword.


It's a gift for my master. Master is the pride of Nadri and all his students. We respect him. You can't just snatch the sword out of his hand.

But the spirit of the swordsman whispered.


No sound. But Nadri was sure he heard it.




'Can you fulfill your life as a swordsman without wielding this sword?









'............ All right, I'll deliver it to the master. But this is a treasure sword. You can't be sure that this isn't some kind of cursed magical sword that will harm the wielder. I can't hand over a dangerous object to my master without checking it.




My eyes blurred. His voice was filled with a power that surprised even me.

That's impossible. It is known that there are sword-shaped treasures that bring disadvantages to the bearer, but such treasures are extremely rare, and this is a sword brought by the Thousand Transformations, there is no way it could be dangerous.
I'm sure Luke hasn't said anything yet, but I'm sure he's already found out about the power the sword possesses. There is no way that anyone would want to give an unidentified treasure to the best swordsman in the world.


However, Luke did not show any particular anger at his own too excusable words.


'Hmm ............? ........................ Well, that's true, isn't it?


At these words, an inexplicable feeling of pleasure ran through Nadri's body.

I've got something to say. No, this was Luke showing him mercy, wasn't it? Nadri would never have the chance to wield this sword again.


I don't care. I'm not gonna take it from you. I'm just going to hold it and wield it once.


The brothers and sisters surrounding the sword looked down at it with bloodshot eyes, probably thinking the same thing.




Before anyone could say anything else, Nadri intimidated the people around him, as he always did when training his apprentices, and declared.



'Then let me try out the sword once before I deliver it to my master. Let's prove that this sword is not really a cursed demon sword.