I Returned with the Cheat Holy Sword

Vissels thought that Carlyle Belfast was the most baffling human being alive.
To begin with, the man had done something unthinkable to a prince like her—something no sane person would dare. ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) And yet if she so much as turned her eyes away for a moment, he was always off causing trouble somewhere else. That was his daily routine.
"Yes, Tower Master. Yes. No, even if you ask when we can meet again, you’re a busy person—"

"…"
Watching Carlyle answer with an awkward tone over the communicator, the former prince clung desperately to her fraying sense of reality.
So, if she pieced together what she’d just overheard…

"…You got the Tower Master addicted to some kind of degenerate act…?"
Apparently, he’d gone off doing all sorts of perverted things with the Master of the Magic Tower.
And did it so well that the other party was begging for when they could meet again.

…One of the leading figures of the Magic Kingdom across the continent.
Someone famous enough to sometimes grace the cover of magazines.
"…Setting aside the accuracy of what you just said—when you’re with me, you can drop the formalities."
There wasn’t a Hero here to smash his jaw in for disliking the way he spoke.

"…I-I can do that…?"
"…"
Sweat trickled down as she looked around nervously. The PTSD from that person was deeply etched in her.

"Just answer me honestly."
Carlyle sighed and asked his question.
"This military parade—what kind of event is it that I’ve been summoned to?"

From what he’d confirmed earlier, both the First Prince and the Second Princess were so busy they barely had time to breathe.
But the invitation gave nearly a whole week for the event.
The coercion that could drag even those closest to the throne away from their duties was considerable.

But what really made Carlyle uneasy was something else.
"…It specifically says to bring only Princess Illia, without any companions."
That was the key.

Bring Illia, and no one else.
Leave behind all allies and come alone.
…Honestly, it felt ominous.

Even without the Hero, Carlyle was confident he could overcome most crises with his own power.
But knowing what he knew of the imperial family, this was practically the same as telling him to disarm and walk in naked.
So of course, before stepping into the tiger’s den, he needed information.
"…Well, the basic premise is simple. It’s a parade. The Imperial Army and key figures show up, pat each other on the back, say ‘we’re all doing well.’ That’s all—on paper."

"And in reality?"
"It’s the kingdom of beasts. The weak get devoured."
"…"

Gathering the empire’s major figures meant the balance of power would inevitably be tested.
Schemes hatched in dark rooms. Treachery and politics traded in whispers.
"It’s where the powerful have to meet face-to-face and physically prove how strong they are. That’s the core."

Vissels spoke with a voice steeped in bitterness.
"The weak get eaten there. Outwardly, they call it a pledge of loyalty, but in truth it’s slavery. And if you refuse even that…"
She cut herself off.

Even as a prince, there were memories she couldn’t bear to recall.
"…Well, you can guess the rest."
"I see."

"And you’ll be forced to make a choice too. You’ve climbed the ranks, haven’t you?"
Suppressing a demon in the capital.
Taming a disaster-class monster.

Making waves in the Death March.
Things accomplished without the Hero’s help, feats that already put him on the radar of the scheming elites attending this parade.
"And yet, for someone being dragged into that pit, you look pretty calm."

"…Hard to feel threatened when I already have someone who throws me onto the frontlines every single day."
"…"
Right.

He was that Hero’s companion.
The realization hit Vissels, but she shook her head.
"Even so, don’t let your guard down. The place you’re headed is—"

"—the greatest and vilest den of demons on the continent. I know."
He had heard it countless times, and lived through it often enough.
Complacency meant death.

One moment of weakness, and he’d be eaten alive.
"…"
Carlyle clenched and unclenched his fist, sinking into thought.

"So essentially, being invited as a ‘special guest’ means I’m being put on auction before people who want to put their brand on my neck?"
"That’s right."

"You don’t need to worry about that. I already know who I’m meant to serve."

"…What do you mean?"
"It means you’ve given me all the answers I needed. In that kind of place, the path forward is obvious."
"…"

He was definitely plotting something strange again.
That expression made her certain…
"You’re not planning some insane stunt, are you?"

"No."
Carlyle answered plainly.
"Not unless someone starts trouble first."

"…"
Like how she had, before ending up like this.
Still, just as he’d asked her a question, there was something she wanted to know.

"So… when will you give me my body back?"
"Hmm—"
Carlyle rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Then smiled amiably.
"Depends how you do this time."
"…"

"There’s still plenty left for the prince to do."
"…"
"Wasn’t the whole reason you were handed to me because Cardinal Gray told me to use you as much as I wanted?"

…What a devil.
***
Entering the Imperial Palace was predictably complicated.

Days of paperwork verging on torture, followed by exhausting security checks—only then did he finally make it into the innermost heart of the capital.
And this wasn’t even the main palace where the parade would take place, just the residential district on the outskirts.
…Honestly, harder than that was placating all the others sulking about being left behind again.

"Ugh, exhausting."
Carlyle rubbed at his eyes.
There was still some time left before they had to step inside the inner palace.

Princess Illia is being escorted separately by the Dean…
Carlyle would meet her in the palace the day before the parade.
So before that, there was something else to do.

—System Log
▶ Trait [Hero’s Companion] activates.
▶ Part of the ‘Rehabilitation List’ is updated!
[ ★ Arrogance 80% → 70% ]

▶ Reward granted!
▶ Check the Traits tab to confirm!
"…Uuugh…"
Carlyle scratched his head, staring at the message window.

It was a reward he’d gotten after clearing the quest for taming Blackie, but he hadn’t found a use for it yet.
…Could I actually use this for something?
[…You’ve got luxury problems, overflowing with strength.]

Well, I am strong enough now to handle most crises on my own.
There were still plenty of abilities he could draw from the Hero, but honestly, most of them would kill him if he tried to use them in his own body.
“Sky Invasion,” “Drop the Sun”—just reading the names was dizzying. Best not to even look at them.

So when it came to skills he could actually use, the list was surprisingly short.
[…There is one that would be suitable.]
Really?

[…Heading into a nest of scheming vipers like this, it would help.]
Carlyle slowly read the recommended ability.
—Skill Info

◆ Hyper-Sense
The perception of one who has reached the pinnacle among superhumans is wholly unique.
By channeling mana into the nervous system, all signs in the surrounding environment are perceived with heightened sensitivity.
…Oh.

As expected of the Hero’s power. Even the description radiated something extraordinary.
[Normally I can detect things for you, but as long as I’m stuck as a sword, there are blind spots.]
The Holy Sword clicked her tongue.

[If you held this yourself, you’d feel much more.]
That would certainly be useful.
Sharper senses were valuable in every situation.

"Then, let’s try it out."

He drew out his mana.
"Ugh, I think I’m going to puke."

And immediately regretted it.
…The torrent of information that crashed into his brain was like his skull being set on fire.
As if thousands of cameras were shoved into his mind, alongside enough text to fill dozens of books, all searing through his neurons at once.

The Hero lived with this constantly? Truly a monster.
Well, at least Carlyle could pick out the data that required immediate attention.
"You can come in, Your Highness. The door isn’t locked."

"…"
A startled presence wavered on the other side.
"I didn’t make a sound. How did you know it was me?"

"I recognized the rhythm of your footsteps."
"…You can tell people apart by footstep rhythm?"
Carlyle couldn’t.

But the Hero could.
In any case, Vissels opened the door with a wary look.
"This is how I’m supposed to dress, right?"

"…"
She was wearing a maid uniform.
Stylish, neat, and practiced—not her first time putting one on.

Noticing Carlyle staring, her brow furrowed.
"…What."
"Nothing, just thought you’re not embarrassed anymore like you used to be."

"After practicing putting on underwear alone, what do you expect?"
"…"
"I’ve had plenty of experience being stripped, but never putting it on myself. You can’t imagine the shame of—"

"I don’t really want the details, thanks."
Why did he need to hear about a grown man wearing women’s underwear?
"…"

"…"
They both fell silent.
So this was what they meant when they said humans adapt to anything.

Anyway—
"Well, it looks perfect for disguise."
This was who Carlyle had chosen as his “attendant.”

She was ideal for undercover work in the palace.
A former prince, intimately familiar with political power structures. Skilled enough in social maneuvering to be a messenger for both prince and princess. And now in such a pitiful state, nobody would suspect her.
Above all, Carlyle held the kill switch to restore her body, so she obeyed.

"…Damn, I left my cigarettes."
…Though the way she pawed through her clothes with a gaunt face showed the toll it took.
"Do you smoke?" Carlyle asked.

"I always have. Don’t you?"
"I quit."
"Quit? You don’t look like a smoker."

"I only ever do it when I’m unbearably depressed. But if you don’t have any, should I go find some for you?"
"…? How could you, at this hour? The shops are closed."
Unless cigarettes dropped from the sky, there was no way.

But she needn’t worry.
"It’s fine. I’m good at finding things."
Carlyle now possessed perception sharp enough to count the insects buzzing nearby.

Tracking down cigarettes would be easy.
[…You’re really using my power for that?]
Think of it as practice. Better to get used to it now.

It was a skill best maintained as long as possible, after all.
He chuckled faintly, circulating mana again—
"…"

And froze, expression stiff.
"What is it? Why’d you stop?"
"…Nothing."

Carlyle scratched his chin.
"Just found something worse for your body than cigarettes."
His gaze turned toward where the trail of resonance curled upward.

It hadn’t been there before.
But the scent was familiar.
Impossible to forget.

Hero.
[…There’s no mistake.]
It was death energy.

The aura of hell.
…Which meant there was a demon nearby.