After Tsukiko disappeared from sight, I embarrassingly slumped right where I stood. Various thoughts raced through my head, threatening to overwhelm my emotions.
'...Are you okay, kid?'
"...I might not be okay."
Honestly, right now, I wanted to sink into the ground. If I were still a child, I might have even punched myself. But doing something like that would only result in pointless self-satisfaction. I figured it might be better to keep talking to this guy for now.
'Well, well. Relationships between men and women are never that simple. Don't let it get you down too much.'
"Right."
I never thought the day would come when a youkai sword would lecture me on relationships between men and women.
I sat down, drawing the youkai sword from its sheath and placing it on my knee. The blue glow had already faded, and the blade reflected the declining sun. Upon closer inspection, there were several places along the blade where it was chipped.
Did it lose these parts to Tsukiko's magic at the end? Well, it was impressive that it didn't break completely.
"...Are you leaving now?"
In response to my straightforward question, the youkai sword replied in a calm tone,
'Yes. My purpose has been fulfilled. I no longer have a reason or the power to stay in this world.'
"I see."
I already understood that there was no longer any power left in this youkai sword. Even though it still retained the form of a sword, its insides were empty. Even this conversation was an effort on its part.
'Kid, what's your name?'
"Huh? I'm Yuusuke. Yamamoto Yuusuke."
'I see. Allow me to express my gratitude once again, Lord Yuusuke.'
"'Lord'?..."
I wished he'd stop because it was embarrassing.
'No, let me say it. My long-cherished wish was granted thanks to none other than your power. Normally, I should spend my life repaying such a debt, along with my brother. But, as you know, I'm empty shells. All I can do is express my gratitude in words.'
With each word, cracks began to appear on the sword.
'Thank you. This is Segara Takaomi, swearing that I will never forget this debt even in death.'
"...Thank you, Takaomi."
Takaomi seemed relieved, letting out a sigh. His blue magic power gradually dissipated from the blade.
'It's almost as if you were a Hero, like the ones they talk about in legends.'
"When you say 'Hero,' do you mean Asteris?"
Upon hearing a familiar term, I couldn't help but ask, and the youkai sword responded quietly.
'Yes, that's right. Eliminating evil and saving the weak. My mother used to say that someday, our family would also be able to extend a helping hand.'
"I see..."
That wish never came true in the end. I don't blame the Hero of that day for that. After all, they're just one person, and there are limits to how far their reach can extend.
As I listened, thinking of it as the stuff of dying dreams, a shocking revelation seized my consciousness.
'A Hero wrapped in silver armor——maybe there is a man like you under it.'
Huh?
I hurriedly grabbed the disintegrating sword.
"Wait, you mean a Hero, as in someone wearing silver armor?"
'Well, it's an obscure tale from hundreds of years ago, so it's a bit vague, but I'm sure my mother mentioned it.'
"Do you remember a name? Did your mother say anything about it?"
My heart was pounding strangely. My rational mind was screaming that this couldn't be possible.
Takaomi pondered for a moment and then said with effort:
'Yes, I do.
They definitely called him... Shirogane.'
It was an incredibly puzzling tale.
Each Hero is given a unique name from the country of their birth upon becoming a Hero. It's the highest honor bestowed by their homeland, and these names often reflect the Hero's characteristics.
The name "Shirogane" was something Eris had come up with using Japanese. As a unique Hero summoned by the goddess in a landless place, I had received this name from the Centraris Kingdom.
I couldn't forget it.
"Shirogane" is my name as a Hero.
To be honest, when Lisha chose this name as my alias on Earth, it felt almost fateful. I said it half-jokingly, never expecting anyone to take it seriously.
Still, what's going on? How does Takaomi know my name?
It's impossible for my name to overlap with the names of past Heroes. I use Japanese, so that should be a given.
"Takaomi, the era you lived in..."
I was about to ask further, but I stopped myself.
The sword had mostly crumbled away by now, its existence more fleeting than the twilight.
I'll think about this later. Right now, there's something I need to say.
"Thank you."
'You're the one I should be thanking.'
Takaomi will probably go back to them as well. My battle has come to an end.
How many times has it been like this? Meeting and parting ways. Everyone likes to say that "life is a series of meetings and farewells," but they don't teach you how to ease the sadness and frustration that come with it.
However, this time, the parting doesn't feel bad at all.
I gripped the hilt and shared a story in my mind. A story about a human transcending centuries, or perhaps about a young boy who fought for the fate of the world. A dreamlike tale.
Takaomi listened quietly to that story, and in the end, he smiled faintly, his blue light flickering.
'Haha, that's quite... an outlandish story.'
With those words, the youkai sword in my hand turned into dust and disappeared.
It ended, leaving behind various questions and regrets.
I placed my hand on my knee and stood up. I wondered how far Tsukiko had gone to search for me or if she was discussing my fate with the other anti-demon official by now. Either way, she didn't seem to be nearby.
That's a relief; it works in my favor.
I picked up a metal needle that had fallen on the ground. It was probably something Tsukiko had used, and I could faintly sense traces of magic power. This should work just fine.
And with that,
"Do you think you can just peek and leave?"
I spun my magic power rapidly, making my upper body crack like a whip, exceeding human speed.
I threw the needle.
With all my might, I sent it flying, and it created a shockwave, breaking branches as it went through the trees.
Thud! The sound echoed as leaves scattered and rustled in the forest beyond.
I guess it hit something. I aimed for the moment when the other person's guard was down, so I don't think they saw me do it, but even if they did, I couldn't care less now.
In any case, I want to go back and see Lisha and the others. Thanks to all of them, I was able to do what needed to be done, and I wanted to convey that.
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