The Heavenly Demon Is Just Stuck In My Head

Shushruta’s eyes went wide as lanterns.

Her lips opened and closed like a goldfish before she suddenly shrieked,

“It’s you! It was you all along! The blood-eyed swordsman who wields cursed black magic! The merciless demon without pity or tears!”

“…Demon? And it’s not black magic.”

“I knew it! When you came charging in, I heard that ghostly wail—like the cries of the dead!”

“That was the wind.”

“Then that uncanny movement of yours—it must be black magic!”

“I told you, it’s not.”

I watched her panic, then suddenly thought—it might be more entertaining not to explain myself.

So I just grinned.

“For someone running the Thieves’ Guild, your information’s rather slow.”

Her body stiffened. I heard her swallow hard.

As I smiled at her, her pale face grew even paler.

“Shall I describe in detail how I dealt with Baron Barankia and his men?”

She shook her head violently.

“N-no. That won’t be necessary.”

“Come now. How often do you get to hear it straight from the man himself? Don’t waste the opportunity.”

“I said I don’t need to hear it!”

I ignored her protests and went on.

“First, let me tell you how I killed the baron. It was in the Temple of Ketel, wasn’t it? He had just received the blessing of the goddess when he faced me. I threw my sword and—thwack!—straight through his neck!”

“Aaaaah! I don’t hear anything! Not a word! Aaaaah!”

She shouted frantically, as if the very knowledge would doom her to death.

I wanted to tease her more, but she was being unbearably loud.

“Gods, you’re noisy. Quiet down.”

Thunk!

“….”

Shushruta bit back a scream, tears brimming in her eyes. She had finally realized she was dealing with a lunatic who had killed a baron without hesitation. She clamped her mouth shut, holding back any sound.

Did I push it too far?

Her silence left me a little embarrassed.

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you.”

“…Truly?”

“Of course. Why would I throw away my precious fifty silvers?”

“….”

I hoisted her higher on my shoulder and continued walking.

We had already left the shadowed forest, the domain where the Phantom Thief had once lurked.

Birdsong filled the air, and the mellow afternoon sun filtered down through the leaves.

Out of nowhere, Shushruta asked,

“Tell me. What were you thinking, killing the baron?”

“Who knows.”

“Just possessing the Dagger of Ophosis is like stepping naked into the eye of a storm. But to slay a noble on top of that? The small chance you had of survival was halved again. Was it some kind of novel suicide? What on earth were you planning?”

I dug a finger in my ear and said flatly,

“Whatever the reason, it’s none of your business.”

“…Fair enough.”

She fell silent again.

We walked along a peaceful woodland path.

Then I remembered—this thief had boasted of knowing almost every scrap of information in the world.

A thought struck me.

“Speaking of the Dagger of Ophosis…”

She glanced at me from where she dangled on my shoulder.

“What exactly are Ophosis’ legacies? I’ve heard of vast riches and treasures. But why does everyone only ever fuss over the dagger?”

There had always been rumors of hidden wealth and relics tied to Ophosis. Yet people obsessed over the dagger as if it were something far greater.

A strange instinct whispered to me.

That Ophosis’ legacy contained something more valuable than gold or jewels.

Shushruta studied me, then asked,

“You’re seriously asking?”

“I’m always serious.”

“….”

I watched her face carefully.

“You know, don’t you?”

“Fewer are those who don’t know.”

“Then tell me.”

She snorted.

“And why should I?”

“Tell me, and I’ll let you go.”

“…Truly?”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicious.

“I’m Ashuban. A man of my word.”

“You already broke it once.”

“Then don’t. I can always ask someone else.”

“I-I’ll tell you.”

“You’d better hurry. The longer you stall, the closer we get to the guild. I could always let you go there instead.”

“I’ll tell you! Just keep your word.”

I nodded with a reassuring smile.

“I’m Ashuban. A man who never utters lies.”

“….”

“What’s with that look?”

She sighed softly, then began to explain, enunciating each word.

“Do you know who Ophosis was?”

“A famous blacksmith. The one who forged the Nine Legendary Swords.”

“Correct. Each one is a matchless masterpiece, each imbued with its own terrifying power.”

“Hm.”

A sword with terrifying power?

Unless it spat magic every time you swung it…

The doubt flickered across my mind, but I let her continue.

“Over the years, the swords have passed through countless hands. Their current masters are beings who survived endless cycles of killing and bloodshed to claim them. Now there are eight wielders in total. The world calls them the Sword Masters—the Eight Sword Masters.”

The Eight Sword Masters.

I’d heard of them before.

Now and then, in taverns, talk of them would drift by. I never paid much attention.

Nor did the Sherwood Mercenary Corps. We never bothered discussing such things.

“Wait. Eight Sword Masters? Weren’t there supposed to be nine swords?”

“Exactly.”

Shushruta nodded.

Dangling upside down from my shoulder, her nodding looked like the wriggling of a caterpillar clinging to a leaf.

“Everyone knows Ophosis forged nine swords. But only eight circulate in the world. So then… where is the ninth?”

“You don’t mean…”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

“The last, ninth sword is hidden in Ophosis’ tomb?”

…So that was it.

Baron Barankia had likely been after the gold and jewels. But Kail—he wasn’t a man swayed by money.

That hungry gleam in his eyes when he looked at the dagger… it had been greed for Ophosis’ final, ninth sword.

Shushruta glanced at me and asked,

“The Maia Kingdom. Closest yet farthest from the Blake Kingdom. And yet you didn’t know this? A bit dull, aren’t you?”

“Guess I’ve been too busy swinging my sword. Should’ve paid more attention.”

I thought for a while, then voiced the question that had risen in my mind—

“Then why release eight of the swords into the world… but hide away the ninth?”

“According to rumor, even Ophosis himself didn’t know how he forged the ninth. They say it was an aberration, too dangerous, so he sealed it away from the world.”

I tilted my head.

“Is it really that extraordinary?”

“The last sword isn’t called a legendary sword. It’s called a demon blade. A cursed and ominous sword. Ophosis feared the chaos it would bring, so he buried it in his tomb.”

“A demon blade, huh.”

“They say even a common peasant, someone who’s never held a blade in his life, would overpower an Aura user simply by grasping it. If the weak take hold of it, they lose their reason and become bloodthirsty fiends. The sword steals their very will.”

“…That much?”

A mere commoner, able to overwhelm an Aura user?

Could such a thing be possible?

“But if a true master, strong enough to control it, were to wield the demon blade—?”

“…It would be unstoppable.”

I wasn’t sure if such a thing truly existed. A lump of steel, with power enough to be called Heaven’s mistake.

“So that’s what it was about…”

I rubbed my chin.

Shushruta glared at me.

“I told you. Now let me go.”

I nodded.

“No.”

“…What? No?”

“That’s right. No. A man’s heart is like reeds in the wind—it sways. You should’ve spoken before I changed my mind.”

She shot me a burning glare.

“You… you liar! The greatest liar alive! A demon of deceit!”

I answered solemnly,

“I didn’t lie. I simply failed to keep a promise.”

“You devil! I’ll kill you myself!”

I grinned.

“Dream of it in prison.”

“Let me go! I said let me go! This is your last chance—your last chance, do you hear!”

“Hmhmhm~”

Humming a tune, I strolled toward the village.

Shoving Shushruta through the dog hole in the city wall was quite a struggle. She coughed and shouted so much that Fabio heard and came running.

Thanks to his help, we got her through without much trouble.

Fabio stared at her, blinking.

“What are you staring at, you snot-nosed brat? Do you know who I am?”

Fabio turned to me.

“Who is she?”

“The Phantom Thief.”

He blinked again, staring at Shushruta in disbelief.

“…Her?”

“Yeah.”

I hefted her onto my shoulder again and headed straight for the Mercenary Guild.

With a kick, I flung open the doors. Every head turned at once.

I strode through their stares with full confidence, carrying Shushruta to the reception desk.

Murmurs rippled through the mercenaries.

“No way… Did he really catch the Phantom Thief?”

“She’s too small.”

“Looks like a woman.”

“The Phantom Thief’s a woman?”

“Impossible. That voice that shook the forest was a man’s.”

I dropped Shushruta onto the counter with a heavy thud.

“Ugh! Couldn’t you be a bit gentler?!”

Collin, sitting at the desk, blinked at her complaints, then slowly raised his eyes to meet mine.

I held out my hand.

“Fifty silvers. Pay up.”

“…That’s really the Phantom Thief? But his voice was a man’s.”

I pulled out the necklace I’d kept aside and fastened it back around Shushruta’s neck.

At once, that deep, booming voice thundered through the guild hall.

“I will never forget this humiliation, Scarlet-Eyed Demon! This is not the end! I will surely—”

The mercenaries erupted.

“It’s the Phantom Thief’s voice!”

“That’s the very voice that echoed through the forest!”

“Holy hell! He actually caught the Phantom Thief!”

I unfastened the necklace and tossed it to Collin.

“She was wearing this. Evidence, for the record.”

“…”

Collin caught it reflexively, eyes wide as he looked between me and Shushruta.

“It really is true…”

“Told you. Do I look like the kind to lie?”

Shushruta shrieked at me,

“I’ve never met such a shameless liar in my life! Scarlet-Eyed Demon, you’ll pay for every lie you’ve spoken! I’ll make sure of it—!”

“Quiet.”

Thunk!

“Yiaaah!”

She fell silent.

Collin looked at me, then at the tear-brimmed thief, and let out a helpless laugh.

“Well, damn. Never thought I’d see the day. And in less than a day at that. How did you catch her?”

“How else? I chased her till she dropped. Now give me my fifty silvers.”

“Here you go. Gods above, I never thought I’d live to see the Phantom Thief brought in.”

He handed over a heavy purse.

I opened it on the spot and began counting.

Then I beckoned Fabio, who was watching eagerly.

“Kid. You good at counting money?”

“Yes! Want me to help?”

“Stack them in fives.”

“Okay!”

With his help, we quickly built ten neat towers of coins.

“Mm. Fifty silvers, all here.”

Collin muttered as he watched.

“Doesn’t look like you’ll be tricked easily.”

“Of course not.”

I pocketed the coins and told him,

“See you in the morning. Have my mercenary tag ready.”

“Understood.”

I waved farewell to Shushruta.

“Take care. May prison bring you peace.”

She glared back.

“This is not the end. We will meet again soon, Scarlet-Eyed Demon.”

“Do as you like.”

I pushed through the parting crowd of mercenaries and left the guild.

The sun was sinking.

The western sky burned red as I looked up… and asked the boy trailing at my side,

“Your inn serve beef dishes?”

(End of Chapter)