NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72
I’ve been inside the Treasure House of the Imperial Palace before.
Though it was 400 years ago, my companions and I went in and out countless times.
There’s no surprise about that, as we were the front line of humanity, consuming weapons at a twice-the-normal rate.
So, to find even slightly sturdier and sharper weapons, we had no choice but to rummage through the Treasure House.
In truth, while it was called a treasure house, it was practically just a warehouse. Usable weapons had already been broken, damaged, or requisitioned, leaving behind nothing but a pile of junk that hadn’t been chosen.
So, I figured it wouldn’t be any different now.
“Wow…”
The difference is astonishing enough to make my breath catch in admiration.
I can even see the familiar weapons right away.
They’re not right next to us, but a step… no, rather two or three steps back, where the weapons of the heroes who once fought can also be seen.
I thought surely that after the war was over, everything would have been lost, but it seems I was mistaken.
Yet, to have reclaimed such weapons? Even the weapons of those heroes who were confirmed dead have returned here.
Did they negotiate with the demon race or something?
At the forefront of Gebihenum, ordinary humans—those below 6th Rank—can’t even set foot.
The deep magic that fills the air makes it hard to breathe, along with curses and spells that continuously torment the minds of humans.
And yet, they managed to recover such excellent weapons.
It truly seems there’s no other explanation than that they’ve teamed up with the demon race.
Realizing my doubts, or perhaps just wanting to chat, a man who seems to be the Emperor’s closest aide spoke up.
“The weapons in the Treasure House were collected directly by the Flame Sovereign, one of the Empire’s six pillars. Unlike the other pillars, she has taken residence in Gebihenum and is finding these artifacts and traces of the previous hero party to hand over to the Empire.”
Flame Sovereign. I knew from reading books that she lived in Gebihenum.
But this was the first time I learned she was collecting such weapons or digging up the history from 400 years ago.
Well… I had also heard in class before.
The previous hero party, it was said that it was the Flame Sovereign who found the traces of our battles.
But I hadn’t paid much attention to it.
Whether they were one of the Empire’s six pillars or a great mage, there was no reason to care about someone who didn’t properly understand our level.
But now…
“Whoa… What an incredible person.”
How generous of her to do such great work.
If I hadn’t entered the Treasure House, I wouldn’t have cared less, but now I feel thankful towards her.
Someday, there might come a time when we can use all of those weapons. Of course, it would be Yurasia using them, not me.
“Haha. Indeed. Not only the Flame Sovereign, but the other six pillars are also remarkable individuals.”
I nodded vaguely and turned my gaze to Father. He wore a very pleased expression, nodding in agreement.
“The observer from Eustetia is the Nameless Captain.”
He then introduced the Imperial observer.
The Emperor also nodded and presented the observer from the royal family.
“This is Balamir Blacos, the observer from the royal family.”
He was the man who had just explained things to us.
“He is the leader of the Royal Guard.”
This was an unexpected identity.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at Balamir, the leader of the Royal Guard.
He looked very… kind and round-faced.
Wearing glasses that looked like they belonged in an office somewhere, and with long hair tied back in a ponytail.
Balamir bowed slightly in greeting.
“Hello. I’m Balamir Blacos, designated as an observer this time. It will be a short time, but I look forward to working with you.”
I thought he was purely office work material, but it seems I was wrong.
He even shows courtesy to us, who are considerably younger.
“Yeah. Hello.”
“Ah, greetings.”
With Yurasia, who looked white as a sheet from nervousness, we greeted him. I then shifted my gaze.
The Nameless Captain, our observer.
She stepped forward towards Balamir and just nodded without saying a word.
“It’s been a while.”
But Balamir seemed accustomed to such bold greetings, bending slightly in reply.
…Is it okay for her to act like that?
After all, it’s in front of the Emperor.
As I blinked in surprise, the Nameless Captain gently patted my back.
When I looked up, she tilted her head towards the inside of the Treasure House.
“…Are we going in?”
Nod.
A cynical nod. That was the last of it, as the Nameless Captain turned, leaving the rest of us behind, and moved forward first.
I glanced at Father in bewilderment, but he merely smiled bitterly. Kerian beside him did the same.
Leona, this person, and… Ariis too.
It seems the martial artists all have their own pace.
Well, why would beings below the level of beasts, who reject the fruits of civilization, have manners?
With the atmosphere growing uncomfortable, the Emperor opened his mouth nonchalantly.
“Entering the Treasure House are Eliaernes Eustetia and Yurasia Espirot. As observers, we have Balamir Blacos and the Nameless Captain. No one else may enter.”
He recited the explanation given by the royal family member earlier.
Only four people may enter the Treasure House.
There is no time limit in selecting weapons.
There are no restrictions on bringing them out either.
However, touching or swinging the weapons inside is only allowed once, and swinging them inside the Treasure House is prohibited.
“Understood.”
“Ah, understood!”
After hearing that explanation, Yurasia and I performed the proper greeting to the Emperor and stepped toward the interior of the Treasure House.
I wouldn’t even be able to use the weapons, but for some reason, my heart began to pound thump, thump.
*
Before entering the Treasure House,
Father said it would be better to choose a weapon, armor, or artifact that could last a lifetime.
He added that rather than focusing solely on the weapon’s performance, it was best to choose one that I knew how to handle well, and above all, one that my heart was drawn to.
Kerian agreed with that sentiment, and the Nameless Captain gave a cynical nod of silent approval.
I too thought so.
Having used various weapons in the Treasure House, I know the quality is good.
The weapons here are far superior to anything you could buy on the market.
There are even weapons that summon lightning, unleash storms, or ignite flames when swung.
However, it isn’t wise to choose based solely on such performance.
Of course, it would be great if I could handle the powers without being swept away, but for someone still unfinished, the chance of being swept away by a weapon is high.
And in the end, weapons are consumables.
Someday, that weapon might break, or a situation might arise where I can’t use it, forcing me to use another weapon, leading to a massive drop in power.
That’s why, as mere 5th Ranks, it’s better for us—no, for Yurasia—to choose a weapon that might be a bit ordinary, but one she can handle well.
As for what she’s drawn to… I don’t think I can just leave it to Yurasia.
“Hey, Young Lady! How about this?”
“Not interested.”
“Hmm… Young Lady, this is a pair of dual daggers; if you throw the white one, the black one will chase after it!”
“Not interested.”
“Ugh… Young Lady! Then how about this dagger? It can teleport, though it doesn’t work for long distances!”
“I don’t need such effects on a blade.”
Yurasia is lost in the temptations of the weapons and can’t find her way out.
And it’s plenty reasonable.
On the surface, they do look very sexy and well-crafted. But that’s not how it should be.
I can’t let pure Yurasia fall for those sleazy weapons.
“Ugh… then what should we be looking for?”
“Durability.”
The most important thing is definitely durability.
It’s best if they have a self-repair spell on them. And if that spell can work permanently, then it goes without saying; we have to go for that.
In the midst of battle, there will be times when there simply isn’t enough time to tend to one’s weapon. It’s natural to sometimes not sleep for days, and in the worst case, there could be times we have to remain awake for half a month.
At such times, the help of a self-repair spell will be invaluable.
Plus, it repairs any chips or rust, and nothing will dull or bend over time.
While it’s still good to have flashy effects like breathing fire, summoning lightning, or creating storms, those aren’t a necessity.
If I wanted that, I might as well wrap it in a spell instead of being a swordsman.
A swordsman is one who handles a sword.
A sword exists to cut.
So, the ultimate sword is one that cuts well and cuts plenty.
…But nothing is really catching my eye.
“Hmm…”
They say the lesser evil is better than the worst.
But that’s not true for weapons.
Weapons should be considered a spare life.
It might even be safe to call them lifelines.
In selecting such a weapon, there should be no notion of “the lesser evil of the worst.”
So, I’m thoroughly inspecting every nook and cranny.
Even after checking half of them, nothing really appeals to me.
The weapons here are certainly much better than the trash I saw at Arant Junk Shop, but they’re inadequate for use by Yurasia.
While there are some swords with self-repair, their condition is abysmal. There’s an awkward weight distribution, odd length, and mismatched balance everywhere.
But thankfully, even after quite some time has passed, Yurasia’s eyes are still sparkling with excitement.
Paulo, Luna, Kaloso, and Arisa.
Those guys acted all kinds of crazy while I was picking, yet Yurasia remains completely composed.
Of course, it’s just Yurasia being composed.
Our observers, Balamir and the Nameless Captain, look like they’ve long grown tired.
But what can we do?
There’s no weapon that catches my interest.
If anyone makes the decision to become an observer, you must endure it with a firm resolve.
So while ignoring their gazes, I’ve been wandering around the museum for four hours now.
“…Huh.”
I found it.
There’s no need to hold it in my hands.
No need to look at its history or explanation.
No need to weigh it or check its center of balance.
This is a sword I know.
The one that took me and Paulo and filled our stomachs and made us sleep.
The sword that took care of us, taught us how to kill demons.
The sword that saved us in that hellish world and eventually fell to the demon’s strike,
is Aunt Diana’s sword.