Chapter 53
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Chapter 53
After speaking those words, Yurien de Harden Kirie observed Echinacea's reaction. Catching the shift in his gaze, she suddenly understood: if she revealed any knowledge of the Elgiosa incident here, Yurien would deduce that she was someone who remembered her erased past—the owner of Bardegiosa.
He was testing her. By speaking in this manner, he was hinting that he possessed memories, probing whether she retained hers as well. A chill raced down her spine. Echinacea manufactured an expression blending mild surprise and bewilderment, as though the notion were absurd.
"Elgiosa? Wasn't that person missing? And the owner of Elgiosa, no less..."
"...Once we reach our destination, we'll need to remain in hiding for some time. Though I cannot pinpoint the exact moment, the owner of Elgiosa will surface at that location around this period."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I cannot reveal my sources."
Yurien offered a bitter smile—an expression tinged with inexplicable sorrow. Echinacea, too anxious about being discovered to possess memories, failed to notice the weight behind his demeanor.
'So the Saint was murdered at that location during this time. Afterward, Elgiosa was discovered among the Saint's remains, and through the investigation conducted by the Changtian Knights after receiving the report, they learned that the Saint who had owned Elgiosa was killed. That's why he's going ahead—to save that child.'
Though I didn't know the exact age of the murdered Saint, I understood she had been merely a child. Perhaps twelve years old at most. Yurien was willing to absent himself for an extended period during this critical juncture, facing momentous choices, all to save that child. It was so like him.
I couldn't afford to reveal that I knew anything about this incident. Echinacea nodded, her expression one of intense curiosity.
"Understood, Lord."
"We'll need to sleep outdoors while we wait. Will that trouble you?"
"No, of course not."
"Your body is weaker than you believe it to be. Do not overexert yourself under any circumstances."
His words carried profound meaning, as though he understood the disparity between Echinacea Loaz's skill and her physical condition. Yet before she could question him further, Yurien broached another subject.
"By the way, regarding your sword."
"My sword?"
Yurien's gaze fell upon the cheap longsword she'd placed on the sofa. The leather scabbard, half-drained of its moisture, hung stiffly; the hilt was crude beyond measure. Without even drawing it, one could discern that the blade's condition was poor. He hesitated, choosing his words with care before asking gently.
"Is there some particular reason you use that sword?"
"Ah, well..."
Echinacea drew the sword closer, as though shielding it. Should she tell him the truth? She had no desire to lie to Yurien if she could help it. She answered honestly.
"I dislike maintaining it. I deliberately chose something inexpensive so I could use it carelessly and replace it with something new."
"Your reluctance to maintain a sword stems merely from laziness?"
When Baraha Islaf had asked why she carried such an ugly, cheap blade if she preferred beautiful things, she'd given him the same answer about maintenance being tedious. Half of that had been sincere. But there was another half—a deeper truth. The eyes observing her now, Yurien's eyes, held a piercing blue light that seemed to penetrate her very soul. Meeting that gaze, Echinacea released the other half of her truth.
"Holding a sword often makes me feel...poorly. I wanted to minimize the time I spent holding one."
It had improved considerably since before entering the Military Academy. Meeting Alice Winterbell and sparring with her had taught me that crossing blades could be enjoyable. The matches with Fatima at Wisdom Club gatherings had been pleasant too. Even the conversations about swords afterward had been quite engaging.
Yet when alone, I still despised holding or even touching a sword. Maintenance was unthinkable. To maintain a blade, one must continuously study the edge, and that very process triggered terrible memories within me.
Memories of slaughter and destruction. The people who had fallen to my blade. The countless blood stains upon its edge.
The memory of staining this pale man breathing before my eyes now with blood was particularly a painful scar. As it surfaced anew, my chest grew cold. To have committed such atrocities and then claim to love him—I felt utterly vile.
Emotions flooded through me suddenly, and my expression betrayed me. Yurien's eyes, watching me, wavered. I hastily composed myself, offering a light laugh and casual words.
"Though the primary reason is that sword maintenance is tedious."
"Then you truly...dislike swords?"
"..."
His voice asking this was heavy, his eyelids trembling faintly. I should have answered that I didn't dislike them, but my lips wouldn't obey. The silence that followed my delayed response grew awkward. I barely managed to form an answer.
"There are times when I enjoy it."
"When?"
"During sparring...when it feels like I'm having a conversation through my blade. In those moments, it brings me joy."
Yurien's face brightened faintly. He lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and whispered.
"I would be grateful if someday I could have such a conversation with you through our blades."
Another request for a duel. I flinched without thinking, my body going rigid. Noticing this, he hastily added a clarification.
"I'm not trying to rush you. My apologies."
"No, that's not it."
"In any case, then...."
Yurien de Harden Kirie began to say something, then fell silent. There was an awkward hesitation in his manner. Even after I had completely calmed down from my initial panic at the mention of a duel, he continued to waver. I studied him curiously and noticed that his ears, visible between his silver hair, had taken on a faint reddish hue. What was that about?
"If the reason you use that sword is something like that...."
Yurien de Harden Kirie stammered through his words before clearing his throat awkwardly. There was something bashful in his demeanor—though it felt strange to describe a man taller than myself that way, I could find no other words to capture what I was seeing.
As I waited in silence, Yurien de Harden Kirie bit his lower lip slightly, then suddenly stood. He opened his bag from the luggage rack and withdrew a long, wrapped bundle from within.
It was an object rolled in white leather, its edges embroidered with golden thread. He sat back down and placed it on the table between us. He hesitated, gazing down at the leather bundle, then took a deep breath. Finally, he pushed it toward me and spoke softly.
"It's yours."
I stared blankly, my eyes alternating between the bundle before me and him.
"This is...."
"You don't need to maintain it. There's no need for separate care. It has magic woven into it."
Magic? Maintenance? Surely not. As if entranced, I reached for the cord binding the bundle. The knot slipped loose with just a gentle tug. The golden embroidery felt rough against my fingertips. As the wrapping came completely undone, the white leather fell away naturally, revealing what lay within.
Inside rested a single sword. The blade was entirely white. The white leather scabbard bore purple embroidery of characters.
―Amethyst
It appeared to be the sword's name.
True to its name, a brilliant amethyst crystal, slightly larger than a fingernail, was set into the guard like an eye. Around it, grooves had been carved and filled with amethyst powder to create a purple magical circle. The magic woven into the blade seemed to operate through this circle as its medium.
Connected to the scabbard was a white leather strap adorned with polished amethyst beads. It resembled a belt, with delicate leather cords layered together with amethyst beads in a pattern so beautiful it wouldn't look out of place worn over a dress. It was clearly designed from the start to allow the sword to be worn over formal attire.
I gazed at it in wonder before grasping the hilt. The white handle, inscribed with the magical circle, fit perfectly in my palm. It was lighter than it appeared.
Lying it horizontally, I slowly drew the blade. A mirror-like, gleaming edge emerged from the white scabbard. The smooth metallic luster was clearly sharp to the eye. The blade's form itself was not greatly different from a standard longsword. Its distinguishing feature was the name "Amethyst" delicately inscribed inside the fuller—the groove running along the center of the blade.
It was a beautiful sword. By any measure, it was a custom-made, handcrafted piece. One that seemed to have been created specifically for me. I traced my fingertips over the letters inscribed inside the fuller.
"Amethyst is the sword's name, isn't it?"
"Yes. ...Do you like it?"
Yurien de Harden Kirie asked in a voice tinged with anxiety. I couldn't answer immediately. A cascade of emotions and countless thoughts erupted like fireworks, then faded. I barely managed to calm my rapidly accelerating heartbeat.
'It's common for a Lord to give a sword to their Squire.'
A sword was likely the most common gift a Knight gave to their Squire. So it probably wasn't an object laden with special meaning. For someone of the Changtian Knights Commander's standing, commissioning a custom enchanted blade for a Squire wasn't even particularly extravagant.
'Don't let your imagination run wild. He simply gave a sword to his Squire.'
I barely managed to steady myself. I suppressed the thrill of receiving a gift from someone I cared for. When I didn't respond, Yurien de Harden Kirie spoke with slight urgency.
"There's magic woven into it to prevent foreign substances from remaining on the blade's surface. Magic to maintain the edge's strength as well. You only need to have the mana recharged once every six months. You can ask mages to do it, or...."
Yurien de Harden Kirie trailed off. He turned his gaze away from me as he finished his thought.
"...I can recharge it for you."
I lifted my head. Yurien de Harden Kirie's eyes were fixed on a point away from me, and his ears were still faintly flushed. He looked anxious—worried that I might dislike the sword he'd given me. I laughed. Without any deliberate intention, my lips curved naturally, my smile deepening. My eyes softened.
"Thank you, Lord. It's truly beautiful. I'll use it well."
Though it was only a few words, I could see Yurien de Harden Kirie's face grow brighter with each one. He turned to face me. Joy he could no longer contain spilled forth, filling his face with radiance.
A smile lasting mere seconds, yet more powerful than a hundred words. Intense enough to make my heart skip.
"I'm glad you like it."
"...Did you have this custom-made for me?"
"I did. Does that burden you?"
Yurien de Harden Kirie flinched in surprise before asking carefully. I shook my head.
"No, it's just... it didn't feel like something mass-produced, so I was asking."
"I commissioned its creation when I appointed you as my Squire. It was only completed recently, so I was waiting for the right moment to give it to you...."
Yurien de Harden Kirie's voice had been animated, but he caught himself mid-sentence, his words trailing off awkwardly. He deliberately lowered his gaze, composing his expression into studied indifference. Yet Echinacea Loaz had already heard every word.
"You've been waiting for the right opportunity to give it to me?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org