The absence of my main weapon, the Ore Tree, is clearly hindering my work.
While I can fight without my main weapon through hand-to-hand combat and I know magic, I’m not entirely incapable as a frontline fighter or a mage back home.
However, I just don’t feel right without my primary weapon. And if I’m going to clear dungeons effectively, I simply have to have my main weapon.
But what happens if my main weapon isn’t going to be back for maybe a month, or two at the latest?
I’m faced with the agonizing decision of whether to buy a new one, and if so, how.
“Hmmm.”
“Is this one no good either?”
“Yeah, it just doesn’t feel right.”
To cut to the chase, I don’t want to compromise on my tools, not even for a short time.
So, I came to my usual shop to look for a weapon.
However, my partner, the Ore Tree, had become incredibly powerful without me realizing it, so weapons within my budget just didn’t feel right.
“That one is also a pretty good item, you know?”
“Yeah, I don’t doubt your word, Hands. I believe it’s a good sword. The problem is me.”
I figured that ordinary weapons wouldn’t cut it in the dungeon I’m currently tackling, so I came to Hands’ shop with a budget of ten million, a budget that would make people ask if I was buying a luxury car.
It seems I’ve become quite accustomed to luxury.
I held the hilt and felt its grip, looking at the blade, which was so meticulously crafted it mirrored my face, and with a sense of regret, I gently returned the sword that Hands had placed in my hand.
“If it’s adjusted, I think it’ll be better.”
“Probably, but…”
After work, I visited Suella, and after telling Himik I’d be late, I came to Hands’ shop alone.
My purpose was to purchase work equipment.
When I told Hands I was here to buy a sword, he was surprised, saying it was unusual. After I explained the situation, he slapped me on the back, saying I did well.
Thanks to that, I was able to enter the shop during closing and look at weapons at my leisure.
However, finding a replacement weapon is proving to be more difficult than I expected.
If I could compromise, that would be fine, but a persistent intuition tells me this isn’t the weapon for me, so I continue to search for another.
“I understand what you’re saying, but if it’s not this, then the only thing left is magic swords.”
Hands, with his brows furrowed in a worried expression, rubbed his chin as he explained the situation with the weapons in the store.
Excluding weapons I don’t use, like spears and staffs, I tried swords, daggers, greatswords, and even katana ranging from wakizashi to nodachi, but I couldn’t find anything that felt right.
The sword I held earlier was the last item.
At some point, I had given up on the budget and was searching without regard to price.
In fact, the sword I just held was three times my budget. It was one of Hands’ proud creations.
“Magic swords, huh? You said it was impossible before.”
What remained were the series known as magic swords.
Commonly known as the Giant race’s playthings. They were high-performance and disregarded usability, which could be called romantic. However, they came with drawbacks that made the word “peaky” sound too gentle.
But then I remembered Evia. She could wield those magic swords.
“Hands, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Yeah?”
“What does it take to wield a magic sword?”
She said the drawbacks were practically nonexistent. Doesn’t that mean there’s a way to suppress those drawbacks?
My prediction seemed to be correct, as Hands nodded with satisfaction, saying there was.
“Grit.”
“Huh?”
When I asked him what that meant, Hands replied with a single word. So, I met his explanation with a cold stare, thinking, “What is this guy talking about?”
“No, it’s true! Most of the drawbacks of magic swords are mental. So, while there are various ways to deal with them, like strengthening your mind or by giving them magic power, the most important thing is to be mentally unwavering, to have grit.”
Hands, flustered that his explanation wasn’t enough, rushed to elaborate. I nodded in understanding.
Thinking about it, it seemed very game-like. And Himik’s weapon was supposed to require a lot of magic power. Was that an exception?
“In fact, that’s how we Giants make magic swords. Being able to make a magic sword means you’re a full-fledged blacksmith. That’s the common sense among us.”
“I see.”
Now that he mentioned it, it made sense. If just holding it had an effect, how would they even make them? Having magic swords available in the shop meant they could make them. In other words, people like Hands, who could make magic swords, endured their drawbacks with sheer grit.
“Hmm, is it difficult?”
“Well, it’s not easy. We train by holding our master’s magic sword, but if your spirit is weak, you’ll never be able to hold it, and many quit blacksmithing. It’s definitely more than one in ten. To be among that handful, we swing our hammers every day.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
Making weapons requires concentration. You have to hit the desired spot accurately with the hammer and control the force. By repeating this, you can train your spirit. I was genuinely impressed that their work was also their training. Usually, seeing someone puff out their chest with pride would be irritating, but this was a veteran craftsman. His pride was for his work, so I didn’t feel any irritation and was simply impressed.
“Would you like to try it?”
“Well, if it’s more usable than a subpar weapon, then perhaps.”
“I see, well, you should be fine.”
And then, perhaps sensing the right moment, he began to lead me to the back of the shop.
“You say I’ll be fine, but do you have any basis for that?”
“How many years do you think I’ve been a blacksmith? If I can’t gauge a customer’s ability, I’d be considered half-baked in my profession.”
Following him, his steps resonating with his considerable weight, I followed him, a man in a suit. We passed through a door next to the counter, and there was a space that could be called another shop.
“This is the first time I’ve opened this place since opening the shop.”
“Where is this?”
“You know, don’t you? All the weapons here are magic swords.”
The difference from the front shop is that they are all kept in secure cases, seemingly to prevent them from being touched carelessly, and they are lined up neatly. Even through the cases, their presence was undeniable. The atmosphere in this space alone felt different. It was a room that exuded a sense of malevolence from each and every item, truly a magic sword vault.
“I predicted you wouldn’t be able to enter here for another ten years.”
Taking out a bunch of metal keys, Hands approached the case closest to the entrance.
“Hey, Jiro, do you remember the first time you came to my shop?”
“Yeah. It was after the induction ceremony, when this place was first opened to Testers.”
He then selected a key from the key ring. The words he said at that moment brought back memories of my encounter with Hands.
“Back then, I half-jokingly recommended a magic sword, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you said it had incredible performance but terrifying drawbacks.”
Even then, he had recommended a magic sword. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking, and sensing danger, I immediately refused.
“That was our way of warning you.”
Fumbling with the case, he pulled out a dagger that was likely on display. It had a faint blue blade, beautiful yet menacing.
“For a warning, you seemed to be enthusiastically trying to sell it.”
“If I give a serious warning, confident people will think they’re fine and buy it. The truth is, magic swords are fine at first. But with each use, you’re eroded by the magic sword, and by the time you realize it, it’s too late.”
I gently looked at the magic sword he offered.
“A fitting end for a magic sword, wouldn’t you say?”
“Indeed. That’s why we talk about the performance of magic swords in a lighthearted way. Even lighthearted warnings are still warnings. And if I say it half-jokingly, then even if you seriously want it, I can tell you to hone your skills and come back later.”
“I see, so it’s a rational decision that serves as both advertising and a warning. So, Hands, if you’re seriously recommending a magic sword now…”
“Yeah, try holding it.”
I felt a sense of malevolence and danger. But.
“Hmm, I’ve held a magic sword for the first time, and it’s surprisingly normal.”
I took the offered dagger and felt its texture. As expected of something called a magic sword, its quality was superior to the items on display. The hilt felt like it clung to my hand, and its gleaming blade seemed capable of cutting through anything.
“Any discomfort?”
“Yes.”
And then, I answered honestly to Hands’ question about its normalcy.
“I see, it’s definitely a magic sword.”
My gaze was drawn to the gleam of the blade, its beauty, and a slight…
“Desire to kill, or rather, an increase in fighting spirit?”
“It’s not that sophisticated. Its sharpness is unquestionable. It’s one of the top five magic swords I’ve ever made. However, it’s the impulse to constantly keep the blade drawn, meaning in a combat state.”
“So, you’re on the fast track to becoming a battle maniac?”
“If you can’t control it.”
A simmering desire to fight welled up. I lightly swung the magic sword with its single-edged cutlass-like shape, and from my fingertips, I felt a sensation as if I were cutting through the very air. And that desire…
“Can you control it?”
“As far as I can see, yes. When someone is losing to a magic sword, I can tell from the moment they hold it. Your eyes aren’t captivated by the magic sword. You should be fine.”
“That’s good to hear. But, well, it has a rather strong quirk to use.”
“That’s how magic swords are.”
I can handle it perfectly. As a magic sword, it feels like a sports car with a heavy brake pedal and a light accelerator. A sports car that doesn’t allow deceleration and keeps accelerating. Its unlimited acceleration will eventually destroy the driver. The key is how to apply the brakes without difficulty.
“Yeah, it’s good.”
“Are you buying it?”
I had experienced its dangers firsthand. However, on my lips was not a frown or fear, but a faint smile.
“No, show me some others. Preferably something closer to my Ore Tree.”
“All right, then over here.”
Rather than pushing forward aggressively, I decided I could naturally control it, so I followed Hands, trying one magic sword after another that he selected.
“The weight…”
“Then the next one.”
A magic sword in the form of a long sword.
“Self-harm? That damage is too much!”
“Its power is unquestionable, though?”
“Rejected, you idiot.”
A one-handed magic sword.
“It’s light, but it’s too big!”
“Named Dragon Slayer!!”
“Well, it could probably cut off a dragon’s head, but its handling is poor. Rejected.”
A greatsword-like magic sword, even taller than Hands.
“That’s not a sword, it’s a blunt weapon!”
“It is sword-shaped, isn’t it?”
“It is, but it doesn’t cut, and it’s not the weight of a one-handed sword. Rejected.”
A magic sword that, while in a scabbard, felt like a blunt weapon. Hands cheerfully handed me one magic sword after another. Since I had come this far, I decided to see it through, and with a bit of enjoyment, I listened to Hands’ explanations and held the magic swords.
“Then how about this one!!”
And, perhaps getting into the spirit of it, he smilingly pulled from a case a sword sheathed in a lustrous purple scabbard.
“Hah! This is one of the finest magic swords I’ve crafted recently. Forged using the blacksmithing methods of this world, a masterpiece! Its name is Murasaki-Kurenai!”
I thought the color of the scabbard matched the sword’s name, but that wasn’t the case. Taking it from Hands and slowly drawing it from the scabbard, a sword blade shimmering in a reddish-purple hue appeared.
“What do you think! I fused the opposing attributes of fire and water magic stones, and added shadow magic! Not only is it sharp, but it’s also excellent as a magic medium for using three attributes! Furthermore, by having it absorb your blood, its sharpness even recovers. It’s a type of magic sword called a vampire sword!”
I understood what it meant to be captivated, but I thought this sword was exceptional. When I swung it lightly, there was no discomfort, the weight was just right, and the sword’s reach was similar to the Ore Tree.
“What are the drawbacks?”
However, even if it seemed like a good magic sword at this stage, I couldn’t let my guard down until I confirmed its drawbacks. Magic swords had a wide variety of drawbacks, from turning one into a battle maniac to causing their presence to disappear, or inducing a state of sexual excitement. The drawbacks generally related to self-awareness, but what kind of drawbacks would this have?
“This magic sword, or rather, if you consider it in this country, a demon sword, right? Either way, I tried something new in making it.”
“A new experiment?”
“Yeah. Until now, I tried to dramatically increase performance by creating a single drawback. But I wondered if I could increase performance while mitigating the drawbacks by imposing multiple drawbacks.”
“Oh.”
Before hearing the details, Hands held up his hand and said, “Wait a moment.” He explained, “So, instead of one large drawback, the drawbacks are dispersed, right?”
“This is what I’ve succeeded with so far. Those drawbacks are three.”
Then, confidently holding up his index, middle, and ring fingers to indicate three, Hands teased me.
“The first is increased appetite. Simply put, you’ll get hungry more easily, and your magic consumption will increase slightly. Well, subjectively, it’s between ten and twenty percent.”
“Well, that much is acceptable.”
The first drawback mentioned was a fairly orthodox type, so I could accept it.
“Second, increased sleepiness. Well, I don’t need to explain that, do I? The increase is similar.”
“I see, this would also be fine while fighting, but…”
I tilted my head in confusion at the next drawback. Following appetite and sleepiness, what would come next? I anticipated the third drawback.
“Don’t tell me, the third drawback is…”
“Yeah, exactly.”
Hands grinned, as if to say, “You guessed it,” and said, “Thirdly,”
“It’s increased libido. This demon sword’s three drawbacks accumulate the more you fight. Eat, screw, sleep. When I thought about a magic sword that wouldn’t burden humans, this is what came out!”
Hands burst into laughter, but frankly, I questioned its validity as a weapon. At first glance, it might sound not bad, with the drawbacks spread out, but I believed the essence was different. The biggest drawback of this demon sword was its reduced sustainability. By increasing the three major desires, the hunger from appetite and the lack of concentration from sleepiness and lust. It might be effective in the initial moments of combat, but perhaps unsuitable for prolonged battles. Well, compared to items made by Giants like Hands, it was a rather sensible magic sword…
“It doesn’t drive you insane, does it?”
“Well, if an immature person uses it, it’s a different story, but even then, it’s not to the extent that it can’t be covered. If Jiro uses it, it’ll probably be with almost no drawbacks.”
If you can control a magic sword, its drawbacks are nonexistent. In terms of feel, the weapon was perfect. While I hesitated slightly, swayed by Hands’ words, he grinned like a child who had come up with a prank.
“Besides, if you buy that, your wives might be happy.”
“Why would Suella and the others be happy?”
“Well, you see.”
This might just be a sales pitch.
“The Ore Tree is, in essence, a tree. And a tree is connected to Dark Elves, right?”
This might be Hands laying the groundwork to sell me other weapons.
“And that one is a vampire sword. You know what vampire means, right?”
However, hearing those words, I nodded, thinking, “Ah, I see,” and leaned towards buying it. In that case…
“You’re a good salesman.”
All I could say was that.
“Heh heh heh, anytime.”
Gently sheathing the sword and handing it to Hands, I looked at its price.
“You made me go over budget.”
“That’s what a merchant does.”
I remarked sarcastically to Hands, who was smiling and trying to get more money out of me.
Today’s word: The triggers that teach us that the past and present are different are often provided by others.
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content is a revised and expanded version of the content posted on “Shousetsuka ni Narou,” including additional unreleased interlude chapters. Please consider purchasing the new releases!
The manga adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.” We hope you enjoy that as well.
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