But even if you could handle that sword of yours...?
What do you mean?

　I ask, and Averill spins around and turns his back to me.

'Follow me. Where I live, you will find the sword you seek.

　And he started walking towards the hut he had just left.

　Hmm.........you want me to follow you?
　It seems that the items obtained in the lowest level of the "Treasure Labyrinth" are there, judging from the way Averill talks.


''What kind of item is the lowest level of the [Treasure Labyrinth]?
I'm looking forward to it.
But I'm curious about what Averill said.


　Lara and the three of us were curious too.

　We followed Avril's back to the front of the hut.

'Go in,'

　Averill invited me to step into the hut.

'It's quite spacious inside, isn't it?

　Inside is the bare minimum of household items such as a table and bed, but a large bookcase filled with books stands out.
　Glancing at the spines of the books, it seems that most of them are books on magic.

　It's a good place.
　It seems to be a good place to study and train mainly in magic.

''So... what's that sword thing?''
Here.

　Avril stood in front of the bookcase and held up her hand.
　Then a blue-white light emanated from it.

'Whoa, the bookshelf has moved!

　Lara gave a startled yelp.

　Just as she had said, the bookshelf gurgled and began to move, splitting off to either side by itself.
　And behind the bookcase was a gaping dark hole.

''The items in the lowest level of the Treasure Labyrinth are stored behind this. Follow me.

　And Avril went into the hole and started down the stairs that seemed to lead to the basement.


　We followed Averill and eventually reached a dimly lit basement.


'It's this sword.


　Avril pointed to it.
　In one corner of that room was a single disastrous sword placed in the corner.

''Ho........that's quite something.
Do you know anything about it?
Yeah.

　I move my head vertically.

　The sword seemed to be wrapped in chains and fixed to the wall as if it were sealed.

'I know it's a sword that makes you feel uneasy just looking at it... but does Kurt feel anything else?
I'm sensing a spell of evil.

　And in response to Marise's question.

'Disasters?'
It's what is called a 'magic sword'. Averill, is that right?

　Turning to Avril, she nodded with a divine look on her face.

''You guessed it. There was an extraordinary sword in the 《Treasure Labyrinth》. I didn't expect you to have such a magical sword ready...''

　Demon Sword.
　In general, demonic swords are said to have immense power because they contain an enormous amount of evil magic power.

　However, on the other hand, they often contain a kind of "curse" that makes it impossible for ordinary swordsmiths to handle them.

　A thousand years ago, there were swords that could make the user lose his or her mind just by holding them.
　That's why they were called 'demon' swords, with an implied sense of awe.

''Is it difficult for Averill to handle this demon sword?
Mm. You're not worth it, though.

　Avril gritted her teeth in frustration.

''After I returned from the Treasure Labyrinth, I brought back this magic sword. And I've been waiting for someone to handle this magic sword for a long time. However, for the past thirty years.......not even one person has been able to reach me.

　I get the story.
　Of course, it's hard to believe that Avril set up residence in such an inconvenient place for that reason alone.
　But I suppose that's part of the reason.

''Why is it so difficult to handle?''

　When Marise asked, Avril began to speak in a low tone of voice.

''This magic sword sucks up the wielder's strength and magic power just by holding it.
The sword...?
'That's what a magic sword is. I also managed to handle the magic sword. But........this demonic sword is a terrifying thing. I was confident in my magic amount, but I couldn't even hold it for just five seconds.

　Avril shrugs.
　Even she is it.
　The way I see it, if it's Lara and the others, just by holding the demon sword, they could suck up all of their magic power and cause their spirit to collapse.

''Now.......this magic sword. Can you be able to handle it, Lord?

　Averill gives me a testing look.

　I see.
　This is the final test, so to speak.

　But there's no need to worry about it.
　I walked up to the magic sword.


'Handle?　That's not true. I'm going to place this sword at the ready.


　And taking the magic sword in his hand, he pulled it to tear off the chain.

''Nah........!

　Avril's eyes widen.

　The moment he grasps the magic sword, a mysterious voice flows into his brain.

''Let me eat, let me eat, let me eat, let me eat.''

　It was probably a voice from the magic sword.
　It was a voice that could stir your brain into a mess, but

Shut up. Don't chirp.

　I kicked out my voice and poured my magic power into it, and it gradually became smaller and smaller, and then it disappeared.

''Hey, are you okay?''

　Averill asks in a trembling voice.

'It's okay. It's a pretty good magic sword, though. It's a lot more than the magic that's being pulled, and when I sent it to him, he immediately got it right away. This is the only way to make your life easier.
"The demon sword recognizes you...?　I don't mean...!　How much magic was that!
Well... enough magic to lightly unleash a spell that would blow up three royal capitals.
"Three parts of the King's Landing?

　Even with this, the amount of magic power is not much compared to the heyday.
　However, the amount of magic power required by the magic sword is such that, compared to me, it's something that can be fully recovered after a night's sleep.
　However, even though it's only a small amount, there was some resistance to consuming the magic power...
　Rather than that, he thought that there were more advantages to being able to handle this magic sword.

''I'd like to try and slay it.

　I'll swing the magic sword once.

　Yeah, it's light.
　Although it was a selfish sword at first, once you get them to admit it, it's easy to handle.


Well, does this mean that the demon sword recognizes Kurt as the master?
''What even Averill-san couldn't do.......is your magic level bottomless?
Kurt, that's amazing.


　Lara and Marise and Cynthia also praised me.

'So Avril. I have one favor to ask of you...'
I know what you're going to say.

　Avril continued in a trembling voice, probably due to excitement.

''This magic sword belongs to you. I'm sure you'll be able to trust your sword with the right heart as well as strength. The demon sword I'm counting on you to take care of it.

　Thank goodness.

　In this era, I've finally been able to get a decent sword.

　However, for me, this magic sword is not yet complete.
　There is still room for it to grow with improvements.
　When I thought about this, I was looking forward to it.