Volume 2 Chapter 12 There Was A Contract, But...
Having set a new goal, I went to the Mercenary Guild, and I told Karan that I intend to take the test. He agreed, and the test is scheduled to take place in a week.
The test involves completing a request with five other 5th rank mercenaries. I've also been briefed on the details of the request, so this week will be all about preparing for it.
So, I've decided to review my equipment using the reward from defeating the Kobold King. What I'm wearing now is just temporary gear for earning as a 5th rank. If I'm really going to work as a mercenary, I need to think about defense too.
Being a mercenary is a risky job, even if you take precautions. Even more so now that I have a lover. If I were to die early, that would be a real shame.
Also, there are some things that I have put aside until now, but there are things I need to face up to sooner or later.
"──That's what it is."
"...I can't close my open mouth."
After listening to my story, the old blacksmith stroked his long beard and grumbled. His eyes were directed towards Gram, who was leaning against the wall.
"That's why I'm Gram, a talking weapon that's rare in the world. Nice to meet you! However, this isn't the first time I've met you!"
Gram delivered his lines with great precision. The reason he's not telepathic but actually talking is because I asked Gram to do that.
"I've been involved with weapons for a long time, but I never imagined I would encounter a weapon with a mind of its own. And to think it was right in front of me – nobody would have expected that."
I nodded in agreement at the old man's words.
I had gone to that glamorous teahouse to get some refreshments. It seems that the mysterious old man had finished all his work and had some time off. And, as always, the place is shabby and lacks a lot of pretense.
However, it was a good thing that it wasn't popular in the store.
Anyway, I told the old man that Gram, the spear, can talk and has a mind of its own, and made him actually make a sound.
The old man was naturally shocked, but he quickly calmed down. It seemed like he sensed something unusual about the spear, which looked quite different from when it was in the store before.
"So... why did you come all the way to told me? I'm happy about that."
"Well, I was also curious about that. I don't mind if my partner tells someone about me, but why did you come to the old man's shop? ...Are you trying to sell me?"
"There's no reason."
Just as Gram calls me a 'partner', I also think of Gram as a 'partner'. I definitely don't say it because I'm sure he'll get carried away.
However, you should know as much as possible.
"I haven't mentioned it for a long time, but I dare you to ask.
Gram──What are you?"
"That's a pretty rough question."
"Roughly or briefly, I don't mind. I'll have you say it to me today."
"The spear doesn't have a mouth."
I didn't expect the old man to make such a tsukkomi.
"...By the way, what if I refuse?"
"I'll ask the old man to throw you into the furnace."
"I will answer sincerely!!"
Gram's screams echoed through the silent shop.
That was the purpose of coming to the old man's shop.
If Gram had been reluctant to answer it, I would have given it my all, but I'm glad it didn't turn out to be a pushover.
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with being thrown into a blast furnace, but for a human, it's like stepping into boiling water. I won't melt, but it's too painful."
Gram let out a sigh. Well, he didn't actually exhale, he just made a sound like, "Sighhh." But it was clear how annoyed he was.
"So, let me ask you again. What exactly are you?"
"Well... I figured it was about time. Alright, I'll tell you what I can at this point."
Gram frowned at the suggestive tone, but he continued anyway.
"I am the 'Magic Blade Gram.' I am the blade wielded by a Hero."
A Hero── huh? Mikage also mentioned something like that.
"In this day and age, it seems like 'Brave' is more fitting than 'Hero'..."
"Hero and Brave are similar yet different."
Gram threw teasing words at the old man's muttering.
"They may both achieve great feats, but they have different foundations.
Brave refers to those who fight for someone else's wish.
On the other hand, a Hero is a foolish bastard who would risk their life for their own wish."
"Hey, are you indirectly calling me a foolish bastard?"
"If someone completely ignores others' advice and recklessly jumps in front of the Kobold King, what else would they be but a foolish bastard?"
Oh, I'm at a loss for words here.
"But hey, I love a guy who says stuff like that! Risking your life for a girl is just too awesome! I love you, partner!"
I got confessed to with a spear. But I'm not happy about it at all.
"So, I'm basically a weapon made for such idiots. By the way, there's nothing special about being able to talk. If I had to say, I guess I'm like a counselor for the owner's troubles."
Despite being called a counselor, I'm starting to feel like I'm the one causing all the trouble. Well, I do appreciate the advice and all.
"...So, even though this guys supposed to be a 'Hero's weapon,' why was he treated like a secondhand item in your rundown shop, old man? Shouldn't he be in a more fancy store or a treasure room in a castle or something like that?"
"Hey, don't call it rundown... but yeah, I agree. He was bought from an old weapon seller I knew, but he never told me anything special about him."
Gram, sensing the confusion from me and the old man, shrugged his shoulders── or so it felt like.
"Well, 'Unless a 'contract' is made, I'm just a plain old sturdy weapon. Even you, partner, at the beginning, thought so, right?"
To call it just 'plain' is a bit too lively.
"Is this what you mean by 'contract'?"
I point to the 'mark' engraved on the back of my left hand.
"That is the 'Stigma' that you, the one recognized as having the qualifications of a Hero, have. Don't worry, there are no side effects. In fact, there are various benefits. I'll tell you later, so look forward to it."
Let's hope that the contract is not a 'deal with the demon' or something like that.
"...I feel like I was forced into a contract in a pushy manner, but what exactly do I need to do?"
"I don't know."
"No, I mean, come on..."
I thought there would be some kind of mission or duty to fulfill since I was called a 'Hero' or something, but the answer I got was unexpectedly 'I don't know'. I feel completely let down here.
"Didn't I tell you? A hero is someone who's willing to risk their life for their own wish. So, let me ask you this, what's your wish right now, partner?"
"Well... It's to be able to live comfortably with Kyunei, and to earn enough to support us."
"In that case, what you need to do is 'that', partner."
I blinked at Gram's unexpected response.
"My role isn't to guide the owner like some stuffy, serious person. What's the point of a weapon becoming the one who gives purpose? Weapons are meant to be wielded for a purpose."
Looking back, Gram had always listened to my concerns, but never tried to make me do anything.
"No one asked you, you weren't begged, it wasn't your duty. You risked yourself for an arrogant and selfish 'choice' without even considering the will of the woman you tried to help. That's why I made a contract with a man named Yukina."
──I was naturally exerting strength in my left hand.
I wasn't burdened with anything special.
I wasn't given some kind of fateful task.
"Being a hero, it's not about being chosen. It's about choosing yourself and seizing it."
Gram said. Even so, Gram's words resonated deep in my heart.
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