Volume 1 Chapter 10 He's Talking, But...
I had bought what I wanted and was about to leave the store when I turned on my heel, but then the old man called out to me saying he was waiting for me.
"Why don't you buy your own weapon?"
"While I'm in Royal Capital, even if I have weapons, I won't have a chance to use them. Besides, all the weapons in this shop are a bit expensive for me."
Daily living expenses are provided by the Church. If I don't indulge in luxury, I can save some money. There is no problem at all as long as I enjoy living there.
"The problem is that it's expensive, huh..."
The old man said after stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Then how about this spear?"
As I passed by, the old man held an old spear in his hand── the same spear I was looking at earlier.
"I bought it from an old dealer. As you can see, it's an old item, but the item itself is sturdy. Since they are products, they have been maintained so that they can be sold at any time, so I guarantee their sharpness. That's why it's cheaper than a new one."
The displayed price was definitely affordable for me right now, no problem.
"Here, try holding it."
I leaned the sword I bought against the wall and received the spear from the old man's hand.
"Oh, it feels pretty good."
It may have a worn-out impression, but it feels solid when I grip it. I give it a small swing so as not to damage the store, and it feels just right, even more than I expected.
Come to think of it, the spear I used in the village was quite worn-out and had a poor cutting edge. It would be good to replace it with this opportunity.
So, I decided to purchase this spear.
Even if it's a used item, as long as the quality is good, I don't have any particular concerns. Rather, I should consider that I got a good item at a low price.
As I was thinking about such things...
'Jeez, who is it? Just when I was sleeping peacefully, you swing it around without any consideration.'
................
"Hey, old man, did you say something just now?"
"Nah, I didn't say anything."
The old man answered without any trace of fooling around.
'I'd be thrilled if a fresh and lovely girl held me, but I won't ask for luxuries at a time like this.'
Looking around nervously, all that could be seen was the old shop owner. There was no sign of anyone else inside the shop.
But even so──.
'Oh, right now, I haven't opened the telepathy (channel) for anyone else but you. That bearded guy over there won't hear my voice at all.'
I could clearly hear it. A man's voice.
'Hey, what are you looking at, buddy? Are you looking for me? Come on, you're holding onto me now, aren't you?'
Upon hearing the word 'holding,' I reflexively glanced at the 'thing' I was holding.
An old, worn-out spear.
However, there was a slight change from before I looked away.
Right around the base of the tip. In a spot where there was nothing just a moment ago, there was now a deep crimson stone embedded, deeper in color than red.
'Yeah, yeah, that's it. Calling myself 'it' is a weird thing, but well, that's the deal.'
"...What do you mean?"
'Basically, it means that I'm the thick, long, and strong spear you're holding right now, buddy.'
"That's kind of a vaguely obscene expression... Wait a sec."
I stared closely at the deep red gem embedded in the spear.
For some reason, I could feel a gaze coming from inside the gem.
'My name is "Gram". It's kind of weird to say it myself, but I'm a rare weapon that can talk. Nice to meet you, new partner!"
──It seems that the spear from the royal capital can talk.
In a room of an inn I randomly borrowed in the royal capital, I faced the spear, Gram, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
'This room is pretty cheap. You should have rented something better.'
"The comfort of living in a spear isn't relevant to me."
'It's a matter of mood, you know? When my partner seems poor, I start feeling poor too.'
We were able to have a relatively normal conversation, but to be honest, I had a strong desire to return this talking spear to the original weapon shop as soon as possible. After all, it wasn't a normal spear, and I felt like it should be back where it belonged.
But, I couldn't let it go.
'Please stop it. I was so happy to think someone would use me. Are you really going to abandon me, a lonely guy like me? It's understandable, though. There are so many beautiful weapons around. As a man, a pure and untouched weapon is better, right? Sigh...'
──It kept murmuring as if it was about to cry. I couldn't bear to let it go because I was afraid it would be cursed if I did.
The old man at the weapon shop was surprised by the strange shape of the spear, but he generously sold it to me at the original price he had listed. I might have been willing to let it go if he had raised the price, but I had to give up on that idea.
"So, what's the deal with you, huh?"
"I already introduced myself. My name is Gram. Nothing more, nothing less, just a weapon."
"Weapons don't usually talk, you know."
"Well, I guess I fall into a rare category compared to just any weapon."
I sighed and crossed my arms at Gram's response, which seemed like an answer but wasn't really.
"Anyway, you seem pretty calm, partner. Most people who used me would be shocked when I talk."
"Well, trust me, I'm more than shocked enough."
I learned for the first time in my life that humans can become calm when they are too surprised.
"By the way, where does your voice even come from?"
"Who knows? I've never really thought about it."
No matter how much I investigated, it didn't seem like I would find out where the voice came from. It's probably best to give up.
"...By the way, I noticed that your voice sounds slightly different from when we were talking at the store. Is it just my imagination?"
"No, it's not your imagination. When I talked to you at that rundown store, it was through the 'telepathy channel'."
So, back then, it said something similar.
'Telepathy, it's a method of speaking directly into someone's head, not through their ears. So, my voice won't reach anyone other than the chosen target. It's perfect for having secret conversations, right?'
Wow, that's surprising. Just as Gram said, it feels like the voice resonates in my head, not through my ears.
"But, for you partner., it's more comforting to hear it normally. That's why I'm speaking out loud like this."
Having a voice echoing directly into my head sounds clear, but it feels somewhat unsettling. It's probably Gram's consideration.
"...When speaking in a crowd, use the telepathy (channel)."
"Got it, partner. I wouldn't want to you suddenly talking in the middle of the street, either."
It's good that our opinions align.
However, the way Gram calls me "partner" feels a bit uncomfortable.
Anyway, from the way he talks, it doesn't seem like Gram is a bad guy(?), huh?
I guess I'll think of him as a conversation partner while I'm in the royal capital. It's a positive way to look at it. The sight of just talking to a spear is definitely surreal, but it's without a doubt very funny.
"Let me make it clear. I don't plan on using you actively for now. I came to the royal capital just to accompany an acquaintance, and I'm not particularly in need of money. Is that okay with you?"
"I don't mind. A weapon just follows its owner. But, please spare me from being left to gather dust in a warehouse."
"If I do that, I might get cursed."
"I don't have that kind of power."
──And thus, a very rare talking spear became my companion.
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