Chapter 203

The History of the Royal Family (3)
"Well, who cares about the Pope anyway?"

"Of course we do!"

For now, I steered the conversation back to the point. Why did Lycoris behead the Pope? That part hasn't been passed down. In Arland's history, there were also ages of foolish kings, and some traditions have been lost.

There was a solid reason why Lycoris founded a country north of the Multi-Race Federation.

Countries have lifespans too. Some flourish, others perish. Entrusting everything to a single nation is dangerous—that's why Arland was founded.

In fact, the Multi-Race Federation eventually collapsed due to corruption, just as Lycoris predicted.

And then Father opened a very sturdy-looking door.

"Here lies the tomb of Lady Lycoris, our founder."

It was a small room-like space. It seemed to be cleverly designed within the audience chamber, and natural light filtered in.

Next to a single small gravestone, a sword was thrust into the ground, and a full suit of armor stood nearby. Probably Lycoris’s armor. I can sense tremendous mana from it. But my eyes were drawn to the sword.

Sheathed and thrust into the ground, it bore the name of “Holy”—the pinnacle of sacred weapons. It exuded an overwhelming presence. Gladius has quite the intimidating aura, but this one clearly surpasses it.

"The Soul Sword chooses its wielder even more selectively than other holy swords. Of the royal line, only Lady Lycoris could wield it. Protecting this from the Central Alliance is also the duty of our royal house."

"But if they can't use it, what’s the point of protecting it from the Central Alliance? … Oh, it’s that symbol, huh."

Father nodded at my brother's words. The meaning lies in simply possessing it.

"And the Soul Sword will, without fail, choose its wielder when the world faces crisis. However, there’s no guarantee it won’t turn against us. No, it almost certainly will.

A sword that gives off this kind of pressure isn’t ordinary."

"May I try holding it?"

So Big brother prefers that over the sword I made for him… Hmmph.

"It’s just curiosity!"

No need to read his mind.

Big brother grabbed the Soul Sword's hilt. In that instant, he’s repelled.

"Looks like I’m not chosen."

Holding his hand in pain, he stepped back. So, I’m the one who’ll be the Hero then. Hero and Great Mage Alicetia. Don’t you think that fits me perfectly? Another title candidate to add to the list.

I gripped the hilt as well. At that moment, the Soul Sword emitted a violent wave of rejection and repelled me.

The wind spirit caught me with a wind cushion, so I was unharmed. However, my right hand that touched the hilt got shredded.

"Extra Heal."

I used an advanced healing spell just in case. My arm healed immediately. Still, I hate using high-level magic—it's tiring.

I hate this holy sword. Actually, I hate all holy swords. Acting all high and mighty just because it's a sword, choosing who can use it—so arrogant. I’ll analyze it and mass-produce it!

I pointed a gun at the cocky Soul Sword and fired. It hit, but didn't even scratch the sheath.

"H-Hey! That’s a national treasure!"

"This arrogant sword needs some discipline. Don’t worry, I’ll turn it into an obedient weapon anyone can use, and then I’ll mass-produce it."

Even the holy swords in the Treasury have started to quiet down. Well, they don’t even look like swords anymore. That one’ll need repairs after I finish breaking it. I will turn it into a Moai statue.

Then, the full-body armor displayed behind the Soul Sword began to move. It gripped the sword and drew it from its sheath. The sword’s overwhelming presence blew us back.

Big brother and Father moved to shield Mother, who had remained silent, and slowly retreated.

It’s not my fault, you know. That armor activated when I got repelled earlier. That’s a living armor—a magical suit enchanted to operate autonomously. Not the monster kind of living armor.

The full-body armor raised the sword. In that instant, I recoiled. My gun had been slashed. Too fast.

I checked to make sure I didn’t wet myself. All good. My pride is intact. But my pistol was destroyed.

"Father, that armor…"

"I’ve never heard of it moving! Why is it attacking Alicetia!?"

Father punched the full-body armor. It crashed into the wall at high speed, but stood up like nothing happened. As expected of the former Hero’s armor.

The full-body armor ignored Father and charged at me.

I pulled Gladius from the Treasury and cast Dress Up to equip armor. Using the power assist functions of the dress armor, I blocked the Soul Sword.

"S-So heavy."

The force of the blow was overwhelming. The armor followed up with a kick—I narrowly evaded it. No way I can dodge a second one!

As I dodged, the chest plate of my armor transformed—spikes extend like needles to pierce the armor, but they’re slashed apart by the Soul Sword.

"It cut Alicium steel clean through…"

"Gyahaha! Gyahahaha!"

Gladius cackled with excitement. I instinctively understood: Gladius was trying to take over and dominate me.

Gladius has judged that I’m unfit. Normally, that would be impossible—the Spirit King's power prevents Gladius from taking control. But for some reason, it’s not working this time.

My consciousness began to fade.

Alicetia, now wielding Gladius, stood ready. Opposite her was the Hero’s Armor and the Soul Sword.

"Father, that stance…"

"It’s the same as hers…"

The Hero’s Armor is completely mimicking Lycoris’s movements.

Alicetia and the Hero’s Armor took the same stance. Since Arthur was the most skilled swordsman to wield Gladius, it’s only natural that the stance would align.

And then the swordfight began. Alicetia, overwhelmingly outclassed in raw power, parried the attacks.

It’s at this moment that Draconia and the others finally realize: it’s Gladius that’s fighting.

Gladius was seething with rage. It will never forgive that woman.

The Hero’s Armor, wielding the Soul Sword, swung it to destroy the Demon King.

Once, Gladius was a holy sword. It was the second most powerful sacred blade, surpassed only by the Soul Sword. Its divine power made Arthur the strongest knight.

Its power was immense, and because of that, it was a sacred sword that birthed many conflicts. But the sword now known as Gladius—now a cursed sword—loved Arthur too much. Of all the ages it had existed through, it was happiest when hanging at Arthur’s waist. That’s why it lent its power to Arthur more than to anyone else.

But Arthur fell to darkness and became the Demon King. And Gladius fell with him. Even if it meant abandoning its very reason for existence, it still wished to be his sword.

Lycoris knew this, which is why she blamed Gladius during her deadly battle with the Demon King.

"Why didn’t you stop my father? If you had… If only you had done your part!"

To Gladius, those words were nonsense. It couldn't understand why humans fought each other. And it couldn't comprehend why humans would bring sorrow to Arthur.

The Hero sent to put an end to a broken Arthur. Gladius resisted. It believed there was still a chance to save him. Even though it was a sword, it thought there had to be a way. Even though that wasn’t true.

Then came defeat. Gladius was struck by Lycoris’s attack and sent flying to some mountain. What happened after, it didn’t know.

It passed through the hands of many, until it returned to Alicetia.

In Alicetia, Gladius sensed Arthur’s presence. This was a reunion. And it was exhilarating. It had waited for an eternity for Arthur’s return. Many weak souls had grasped it and perished. Though it was now a tainted demon sword, it had been reunited.

The new wielder had no talent with the sword. None at all. But Gladius had once been a holy sword. It didn’t matter. After falling to a cursed blade, its powers of mental interference had only grown stronger.

But then it encountered the eyesore that was the Soul Sword—and Lycoris’s armor. That armor was unacceptable. It was made to destroy the Demon King. It was reacting to the Demon King that dwelled within Alicetia.

Now that it had activated, there was no choice but to destroy the armor.

Gladius swung its blade. It was deflected by the wretched Soul Sword. Having fallen to a cursed sword, Gladius had lost much of its stature. A direct clash was a bad idea. And yet, Alicetia’s body was already crying out in pain. Too fragile.

(I don’t really get it, but I’ll help you out.)

Alicetia offered to support Gladius. Gladius accepted, and Alicetia sharpened her awareness.

Alicetia’s POV

Apparently, Gladius also has some complicated history. And the Hero’s armor was seriously trying to kill me.

I definitely don’t want to die. So, I decided to resist. I ran mana through my entire body. The mark in my eyes activated, and the surrounding mana began to flow into me.

Then I started analyzing the Hero’s armor.

“I can’t just leave this alone. Even if it’s the armor of the Founding Hero, I won’t go easy if it hurts my daughter.”

“Of course, Father.”

Looks like Father and Big brother are joining the fight. Mother has Eibon with her, so she should be safe. I shot a glare at him that said I’d obliterate him if he tried anything pervy, and he nodded vigorously. At least he can read the room.

Just then, my analysis finished. It was a magic armor made around a thousand years after the era of the Magic Dynasty. Most likely, it was developed as a weapon against the Demon King, then modified into a living armor.

“Father, looks like if we tear it apart, it’ll stop moving.”

“That gives us some hope, at least.”

Father deflected a slash that could’ve cleaved even him in two with a barehanded blow to the blade’s flat. He didn’t bring his trusty warhammer.

Brother was fighting it head-on with his sword. Seems like it won’t break, but the armor’s movements were throwing him off.

“If you can stop its movements, I can use Crack to mess with the formula!”

“Got it—leave it to me!”

Father knocked away the Soul Sword and tackled the Hero’s armor. In that moment, I jumped onto it. If I hadn’t had Gladius’s support, I wouldn’t have made it in time.

“Crack!”

Just as I tried to interfere with the armor’s formula, my arm was repelled. Looks like it even has anti-interference magic built in. Father was struck and sent flying. The armor tried to stab me with the Soul Sword. But I pressed forward.

I could fix the formula later. If I tore this armor apart, it would definitely stop moving.

If I stuck close enough, it won’t be able to swing its sword. It instantly let go of the Soul Sword and tried to punch me with its right hand, but I lifted its visor, pulled out a grenade with Quick Draw, shoved it inside the armor, and jumped back. Right now, I’m a wild mutt. Woof.

The moment I retreated, the armor exploded.

I had used a grenade designed to deal damage with a blast wave. The internal pressure blew the armor apart.

“Phew, that was exhausting.”

“That armor is ridiculous. Want me to bind it so it never moves again?”

“No need. It can’t resist anymore, so destroying the living armor’s formula will be enough.”

Unless all the pieces are connected, the mana doesn’t flow properly and it can’t function, so it’s already shut down. Now’s my chance to destroy the formula.

Looks like the anti-interference magic is also offline, so I was able to destroy it easily. At the very least, it won’t start moving on its own now. And thank goodness the magician who turned it into a living armor was second-rate. If this had been from the ancient Demon King dynasty, it probably would’ve kept moving even while torn apart.

“Still, no one said anything about the armor moving, Sylvia.”

“This is news to me too.”

Mother had used Eibon as a shield, so she was unharmed. Eibon looked fine too.

“But man, that armor is tough. Even torn apart, it’s not damaged.”

Well, it does look like something from a wartime era.

Alright then, let’s analyze this absurdly durable Hero’s armor in more detail. When it comes to unknown things, analysis comes first.

I put on my analysis glasses, enchanted with special magic, and examined every corner.

“Found a formula that gathers surrounding mana. That’s a hit. What else... Hmm, its magical defense formula is better than mine. I’ll have to reference this one too.”

Ancient artifacts make great textbooks. They’re built on different principles from mine, which makes them great for reference. The living armor formula came from a different era, too. It was from a later time.

"The material is dark matter alloy, huh? I thought it no longer existed."

"Dark matter, you say?! That's the legendary alloy!"

"May I have just a little of it? Just the right-hand part is fine—"

"“Of course not!”"

Eibon seemed very interested in the dark matter alloy too, but moving it was obviously out of the question.

"It's okay, Eibon. I've already analyzed the metal, so we can make it now."

"... Seriously?"

I've learned how to make the ideal alloy—far lighter and tougher than the Alicium steel I created, with even greater magic resistance than orichalcum. Once the war is over, the Arland knights’ armor will all be standardized with this. The only downside is that the black can’t be dyed, so the Arland knights might end up looking like the Demon Lord’s army. Not that this world’s Demon Lord is some manga-style demon king, just the leader of the demonkin.

"Anyway, assuming we restore the armor… how do we put the Soul Sword back on its pedestal?"

It doesn’t look like we can sheathe it either.

"Yeah, we can’t just leave it on the floor like this."

No helping it. Like with the other holy swords, I’ll try to talk to it. According to Gladius, it has a will of its own.

"The Soul Sword has a will too, so I’ll try convincing it."

"You sure about that?"

"It can’t move on its own or anything.

So, if you don’t want to end up like this, then quietly get back in your sheath and onto your pedestal."

I placed a metal Moai statue in front of the Soul Sword. At that moment, it clearly flinched. Its aura trembled.

"Alice… what is that thing radiating such aura?"

"A holy sword… maybe?"

"Why does it look like your evil god statue?"

"It’s not an evil god!

I got it from Helios, but it was being selfish, saying it didn’t want to be used by me or analyzed structurally. So I convinced it… and it turned into this."

When I said “So cheeky, right?”, everyone, including Eibon, sighed.

"You… you know it was a holy sword, right? And you wrecked it?"

"It’s mine now. Besides, the holy sword’s power is still intact. It just changed form into a sacred Moai statue. Its power as a holy sword remains the same."

This Sacred Moai Statue, when equipped, makes your body harder than diamond. And unlike diamond, it doesn’t shatter easily or burn away. It’s a defense-specialized sacred Moai statue.

"... Well, I guess that’s fine. No one would know Alicetia’s got it anyway.

In any case, the royal family wanted to make it known that we’ve been guarding the Soul Sword. Some of us might not make it back from the imperial battle. But those who survive—make sure to pass this on. Never let the Central Alliance get its hands on the Soul Sword.

The rest of the lore is in the hidden room in my quarters. The location of the key is—"

It seemed like he was trying to forcefully wrap things up. Father looked absolutely exhausted.

Incidentally, the Soul Sword seemed to be having a conversation with the Sacred Moai Statue and had calmed down. When I held the Sacred Moai Statue, it conveyed to me that it would tolerate being sheathed and returned to its pedestal—though it still wouldn’t allow itself to be used.

So cheeky.

"I’ll put up with it for now since you’re busy… but you should be ready to end up like this too someday."

"Cut it out!"

As I pointed sharply after returning the Soul Sword to its place, Father smacked me on the back of the head.

"I’ve never even been hit by Father before…"

"You said something completely out of line! And I *am* your father!"

Oh come on. So what if I turned a cheeky holy sword into a Moai statue? Nobody can use it anyway, so whether it’s a sword or a Moai, there’s no difference. Actually, turning it into a Moai lessens the damage if it ever gets stolen—since it loses its value as a sword.

Weapons bearing the name "Holy" are ridiculously tough. Even a smelter or a hydraulic press can’t destroy them. I doubt anyone but me could repair them.

Also, now that I think about it—Gladius… you were a holy sword? I had thought it was absurdly powerful for a sword sold in a shop, even as a magic sword. I mean, how did it even end up on sale at that shop?

Gladius looked at me as if to say, “You can worship me, you know?”

But honestly, I didn’t feel any reverence for the current Gladius. At best, he only recognized a part of Arthur’s soul within me. And I’m not Arthur. I didn’t even inherit his memories—just a fragment of his soul.

That said, it did feel weirdly natural to wield him. That’s why he’s my beloved sword, even if he’s noisy.

"Nice to meet you, Gladius… no, Caliburn."

Holy Sword Caliburn—that was Gladius’s original name.

What do you think about this chapter?