Chapter 8

So, with this, I set out on my journey, having severed ties with my family. However, as I slung my bag over my shoulder, I felt a sense of unease. No, I had actually noticed it before I picked up the bag, but I had pretended not to notice... There was something clearly unfamiliar sticking out of my belongings.

It was the divine sword from our family’s armory.

"Could this be... Tylfing...?"

It looked exactly like the divine sword Tylfing, but I hoped it was a mistake. When I pulled it out, I saw the familiar white blade. Under the sunlight, the light reflecting off it was dazzlingly beautiful.

"Hey, why is the Estark family’s heirloom here..."

As I thought this, I remembered my sister’s smile from earlier.

"...It’s her, isn’t it?"

When we were saying goodbye, I had a feeling she was up to something, and it turns out she had left this as a parting gift.

"By now, Estark Castle must be in an uproar."

I couldn’t help but sigh.

I could picture the head guard shouting, "Intruder alert!" But someone told me that my imagination was off.

"Don’t worry, Rihito. Your sister isn’t that stupid. She switched the real divine sword with a fake one."

That’s a relief. I wanted to say, but I immediately braced myself. The idea that someone could be talking nearby without me sensing their presence was unusual.

I instinctively reached for the longsword at my waist, but the voice insisted, "Relax."

"Strange... Where is this voice coming from..."

I searched for any signs of presence, but there wasn’t a single cat around. I strained my ears.

The source of the voice was my bag. Focusing harder, it seemed the divine sword itself was making the sound.

"Could this divine sword... talk?"

"Ring! Correct!"

It was a cheerful girl’s voice.

"...You have a rather light-hearted personality, don’t you?"

"That’s rude. I am the divine sword Tylfing, the heirloom of the Estark family."

"Who was the first person to wield you?"

"The first head of the Estark family, Brams von Estark."

"What was his mother’s name?"

"Samantha."

"...Correct."

"By the way, Brams and I were childhood friends. We’ve been fighting together since he was a kid who hadn’t even touched a girl’s breasts. He’s known as a hero who contributed to the founding of this country, but in reality, he was a big coward. His friends used to call him Pee-Pee Brams."

"Thanks for the valuable information about my ancestors."

"You’re welcome. Just because he’s the founder doesn’t mean he was a great person."

"From the realistic information you’ve given, it seems you are indeed Tylfing, but I have a question. I’ve seen you since I was a child, but you’ve never spoken before. Why is that?"

"Well, the truth is, I’ve been sleeping for three years. I was in a deep sleep. Then, that girl, the one with the beautiful black hair..."

"Ellen."

"Yes, Ellen took me out. After being in the sun for the first time in a long time, serotonin flooded my system, and I woke up."

I wanted to point out how ridiculous the reason was and ask how long you’ve been sleeping, but I felt like I’d lose if I did, so I grabbed Tylfing.

"Wow, you’re bold. And wild. I like that. I’m excited."

The sword, which was teasing me, suddenly shouted loudly when she (it?) realized I was heading back the way I came.

"Wait, Rihito. You’re not trying to return me to Estark Castle, are you?"

"That’s exactly what I’m doing. I may be a bastard, but I’m not a criminal. I don’t steal."

"Wait, wait! This isn’t stealing."

"Have you heard the phrase 'thief of the brave'?"

"Hey, I’m an inanimate object. How would I know that? But I do know that you are my owner. Sure, I was enshrined in the Estark family’s armory, but I was covered in dust, right? For centuries, no one could wield me. Then, you calmly drew me. In other words, you are the one who can wield me, which means you are my owner."

"But it’s still theft."

"Since the sword itself says it’s okay, it’s fine! Seriously, Rihito, don’t you know the saying 'A man who refuses a meal is a disgrace'?"

"For an inanimate object, you know some pretty useless phrases."

"Sure do. Besides, if you return the sword now, it will cause a big problem. You had a falling out with your family and set out on a journey, right? This time, you’ll either be thrown in jail or a hunt will be launched against you."

"---That’s a good point."

I thought of my cruel stepmother and her sons, who strongly resembled her.

"…It’s probably best to handle this calmly. I’ll return it to Ellen when we meet again."

"Nice, just as I expected, my master."

I attached the sword to my waist and decided to continue down the road.

"Hey, do you have a destination?"

"Yes. There’s a large city to the north. I heard there’s an adventurer’s guild there, and I want to register."

"Wow, you’re becoming an adventurer. That’s impressive."

"It might not pay well, but I need to have a skill to fall back on."

"You’re so practical. I bet you’ll have a line of women wanting to marry you."

"I’m not interested in women."

I stated this and headed north.

After walking for a few kilometers, I could see a town.

"Is that the city?"

Tylfing asked, but there was no way we could have arrived so quickly.

"That’s just a town along the way."

"I can smell something delicious. Aren’t you going to stay?"

Indeed, the air was filled with the fragrant smell of grilled meat. It seemed there were food stalls on the main street.

I considered bypassing the town but decided against it.

I bought a skewer from a stall and decided to gather information. The sword at my waist didn’t ask for a skewer, which seemed appropriate for an inanimate object.

However, it seemed pleased that its suggestion was taken.

"Nice! I’m Rihito’s strategist!"

It was noisy, but with it around, I wouldn’t be bored.

In the adventure tales I read as a child, a jester like Tylfing accompanied the heroes, encouraging and entertaining them. I couldn’t remember the jester’s name, but this sword might not only be the strongest weapon but also serve this role.

—Maybe I’m overestimating it, but I decided to think so.

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"If you’re curious about the next part"

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