Chapter 10

"Nice to meet you. I am Lily Flamberg, an adventurer affiliated with 'The Shield of the Star Emperor.' I heard that Rain Garland is here, so I came to visit."

The beautiful young knight bowed to us.

I already knew who she was, even before she introduced herself.

Lily, the Holy Knight, was certified as an S-rank adventurer at the youngest age in history. Her prowess was renowned across the continent.

At the age of seven, she slew five low-level dragons. At twelve, she defeated a mid-level dragon and tamed it as her mount. Now, at seventeen, she has the strength to defeat high-level dragons alone.

She is the ace of 'The Shield of the Star Emperor,' one of the strongest guilds on the continent, a young genius knight.

"Rain is me... but..."

"Are you Rain-sama? Actually, I wanted to ask you to enhance my sword..."

"Enhance?"

"I know it's presumptuous to suddenly show up and make such a request, but I want to become stronger. I've hit a bit of a wall recently, and I want to find a way to break through it."

Lily looked desperate.

"Sure, no problem."

There was no reason to refuse.

"I'll do anything I can. Please, consider it—what?"

"You don't need to beg so desperately. I'll enhance it. It's not that difficult a technique."

I smiled.

The 'Enhancement Points' will decrease, so I'll need to replenish them by slaying more monsters. A dragon-level opponent should do the trick quickly.

"Thank you...! But I can't let you do it for free."

Lily said.

"Please let me do something to thank you, Rain-sama. Consider the enhancement as payment for that."

"It's fine, really."

"Great work deserves compensation."

Lily insisted.

"I once went on a quest with an adventurer from the guild you used to belong to, 'The Fang of the King Beast.' The enchantment on her weapon was top-notch. I still remember how an ordinary sword, enhanced with sharpness, could slice through a dragon's scales."

"Oh, 'The Fang of the King Beast'..."

"I visited there about half a day ago, but you weren't there. So I followed your trail to get here."

Lily explained.

"At 'The Fang of the King Beast,' they said you were on leave, but after investigating further, I found out that you seemed to have transferred here..."

"Ah, yeah, I was actually expelled from the previous guild."

I explained with a wry smile.

"Expelled!? Rain-sama!?"

"Expelling someone with your level of skill in enchantment... "

"Well, there were... some misunderstandings, I guess."

I hedged.

In reality, I was mercilessly discarded once they were done with me. It's not something I want to explain to someone I just met, and even if it's true, it would make me sound like I'm badmouthing them unilaterally...

"I didn't mean to pry. I apologize."

"No, no, it's okay. Don't apologize."

I quickly reassured her, seeing how dejected she had become. She probably felt guilty for hearing something she shouldn't have.

She looks strong-willed, but she seems to have a kind heart.

──snap.

Suddenly, a high-pitched sound came from the sword at my waist.

"Huh, what...?"

I drew the copper sword from its sheath.

The blade was split in two.

A sword enhanced to +10000 breaking like this...

"...This sword has reached its lifespan. It seems to be a cheap copper sword."

Lily observed the sword.

"Right. Even with enhanced attack power, the durability doesn't increase that much."

I had unleashed two strikes powerful enough to tear through space. It's no wonder the blade couldn't hold up.

"Actually, it's impressive that it managed to handle two strikes... It's amazing it didn't break on the first one."

I was oddly impressed.

By the way, the Enhancement Points don't disappear when the sword breaks. However, I can't keep them as they are, so I'll need to transfer them to something else.

"Hmm... What should I do?"