Volume 3 Chapter 26 The Awakening Of The Magic Blade, And The Tale Unfolding
In that fleeting moment when the demon was sent flying, everyone present bore witness. Even those engaged in battle with other monsters couldn't help but catch a glimpse, utterly captivated by the scene.
Only a few among those present knew the young man wielding that black spear. And even among them, only a handful truly understood the extent of his power.
In this land, the 'spear' carried a stigma as the weapon of cowards. It was the 'sword,' like that of the Brave, that was revered—grasped firmly in hand, facing death head-on to overcome the enemy was considered the pinnacle of valor.
Yet, no one thought the youth wielding the black spear as 'cowardly.' In the face of overwhelming demons, wounded and repeatedly brought to his knees, yet rising again and again to fight—no one could help but be enthralled by his unwavering courage.
And the one who felt it the most was none other than Aina.
"Amazing..."
Seeing Yukina's bold thrust, Aina could only murmur in awe.
"Aina-sama."
"Mikage-san, he..."
"That person there, Yukina-sama, is my lord to whom I pledge my loyalty. He will eventually become a hero (Eiyuu)."
The doubts that Aina had harbored for some time began to melt within her.
What kind of person must someone be for someone as respected as Mikage to pledge loyalty to him? Anyone would understand, given such a display.
"You're enviable, Princess."
The person who said that was a bewitching beauty.
In just a short moment, she healed her injuries and then astonished everyone, including her father and the soldiers carried in, by healing them at an astonishing speed. Her skill was unmatched even among the court magicians.
Aina raised an eyebrow at Kyunei's words. "Huh?"
"Yukina-kun is fighting for the princess right now. He's fighting for you."
Her heart raced.
"To be so strongly desired by him, I can't help but feel a little jealous."
"Kyunei-san..."
"But my feelings for Yukina-kun are just as strong."
"Well, um..."
Though it sounded almost like a declaration of war, Kyunei's expression remained gentle. It was like a smile shared between comrades in competition, cheering each other on. Unable to grasp the intention behind her words, Aina found herself at a loss.
Even in the midst of such uncertain circumstances, the atmosphere began to resemble a girls' chat.
──But the battle was far from over.
"...Looks like I underestimated you."
The demon muttered, staggering to their feet near the magic circles. They weren't as strong as when they first showed up, but their eyes were still blazing with a fierce light.
* * *
"Tch, you're still getting up?"
I grumbled. I thought my killer move had done the job, but guess it wasn't enough. Sure, I scratched their face, but they weren't really hurt. I was hoping to finish this now.
'But partner, the demon look way more beat up than they look. Their broken sword is proof of that.'
"What do you mean?"
'That thing was a weapon made from their own magic. The strength of a magic weapon depends on the will of the demon.'
"So... what are you saying?"
'It means your fighting spirit crushed theirs when their sword shattered, partner.'
In terms of physical damage, I'm ahead. But when it comes to mental damage, they've got me beat by a "landslide".
'But don't let your guard down. That look on their face, it's like they've still got an ace up their sleeve.'
"I wish this would just end already."
Even as I grumbled under my breath, I could feel the unshakable pressure on my skin. It was getting even denser than before.
"I see. You might not be the Brave, but I'll admit it. You, as a person, could be a threat on par with the Brave."
"So what are you gonna do about it?"
"It's obvious, isn't it?"
At the demon's feet── a massive magic circle blazed with intense light. I couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the torrent of power that seemed to carry an impact.
"It was supposed to be my trump card for when I faced the Brave. But now that you've shown up as a new threat, I won't hold back anymore! I'll crush you right here with all my might!"
The magic circles lit up like fireworks, blasting away all the monsters and soldiers nearby.
And when the light settled, BAM! There it was, right in the middle of those circles: a colossal figure.
I'd seen something like it in picture books when I was little, but this guy was way scarier and meaner than anything in my memory.
"This is it! My ultimate creation! The wicked dragon, Fafnir!"
With a booming declaration from the demon, this huge creature with massive limbs, wings, and jaws roared out loud.
"Uh... ain't this seriously messed up?"
I winced as the evil dragon's roar nearly knocked me off my feet. Dealing with the demon alone was already pushing it, and now they got a reinforcement── and a freakin' dragon at that, totally not in the plans.
'Gyahahaha! No way! Dragons popping up is insane! Gyahahaha!!'
"Why are you getting all hyped up, huh?"
In the intense and desperate situation, Gram couldn't help but laugh crazily.
It was clear that we were entering a hopeless moment.
'But you don't feel like losing, do you?'
"...Yes, it's strange."
Maybe Gram wasn't the only one going crazy.
At first glance, the enemy was not something a human could match. Just looking at it made they feel oppressed, as if it was shaving pieces off their heart. No matter how strong the armor one wore, it was like paper scraps before those claws and fangs. Just seeing them made them understand.
Yet, I felt more excited than ever before.
Inside my chest, something was smoldering, about to explode. I couldn't shake the feeling.
"...Could you keep your spirits up even after facing Fafnir's roar head on? I was sure of it now. If left alone, you would surely turn against my brethren and even my beloved Demon King. So, I decided, you must be killed here and now!"
The blood streamed down the demon's face, and in their eyes, a fierce light burned.
It was the light of unwavering determination, a promise to fulfill their mission at all costs.
"──Not enough, this won't do."
The excitement in my chest was at its peak, yet it still wasn't enough to match the light dwelling in that demon's eyes.
Just one more push, one more trigger──
"Yukina-san!!"
That's when I heard it.
A voice unexpectedly echoed across the battlefield, and I turned around.
There she was, a princess both beautiful and noble, her dress torn and bloodied, yet her dignity intact. Aina clutched the pendant I had given her, her gaze fixed on me with unwavering trust.
There was not a hint of fear in her eyes, only a strong sense of trust.
And she wasn't alone.
"Yukina-kun."
Kyunei called out.
"Yukina-sama."
Mikage echoed.
Their eyes held the same look as Aina's.
They all believed in me. My heart raced as the women I liked watched with unwavering trust.
──A shiver ran down my spine.
It's not from fear or despair.
But because a fire ignited within my chest.
"It's time."
Gram's voice echoed. At the same time, my hand gripping the black spear pulsating with anticipation. It resonated with the pounding in my chest.
Kyunei, Mikage, and Aina shouted in unison,
"""We'll win!"""
I was certain.
"Oh no──"
I muttered, turning towards the malevolent dragon.
Words poured out of me instinctively.
"I only feel like winning!"
My chest exploded with excitement.
"It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here!"
With an intense surge, black light overflowed from the black spear and the inscriptions.
Once, there was a darkness as deep as the night sky when Gram and I made our "contract".
"Yes! It's always like this! It's when a man── a Hero, is spurred into action!"
Facing formidable foes!
With the voice of a woman at his back!
The Hero rises to the challenge!!!!
Oh yes, that's right. No matter what enemy may appear, my reason to fight remains unchanged.
A man withers if he doesn't answer the call of the women he loves.
"Partner, I've been lying all along!"
In my mind, flowed a single word and image.
"The truth is, I'm not really a 'spear'!"
With the image looming in my mind, I raised the spearhead upward, poised directly ahead.
"But, there's no need to hide anymore! You have reached the point where you deserve to wield the 'real me', partner!"
The mark engraved on my left arm emitted a heat akin to a burn, symbolizing my current fervor.
"Though you're still learning, your heart is true to the Hero I've longed for!
So I shall grant you, the form worthy of the Hero's power!!
Shout out, my true name!"
With my heart commanding me, I chanted.
"Come forth—The Great Magic Blade of Dragon Slayer (Balmung)!!"
The pitch-black light that cloaked my body gathered at the tip of the spear I held, shaping into a single weapon.
This is the true form of Gram.
What I thought was the long shaft of a spear, was actually the 'handle' to support this massive blade.
──It's no longer fitting to call it a 'spear'.
It's a 'sword' with a blade too long to measure.
"──Fafnir! Make sure to end him right here!!"
The demon let out a scream that could be mistaken for a wail as it commanded the evil dragon. Obeying its summoner's order, the dragon roared and charged towards me, shaking the ground as it came.
"Go forth, partner! Follow your heart! Command your destiny! Shatter every threat and carve your name across the world!!"
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
My sword is more than twice my height. It's so heavy that my whole body screams, but I hold it with pure grit.
Facing a dragon with its massive fangs bared, I put even more spirit into swinging my sword.
──Demons or dragons, it doesn't matter!
"Anyone who dares hurt the girl I love, no matter who they are, I'll smash them to bits!!!!"
With all the strength I can muster, I bring down the Great Magic Blade (Balmung), slicing the dragon clean in two.
The shockwave didn't just split the dragon. It also shattered the magic circle and the door that was sealed with a barrier, blasting them into pieces.
The evil dragon, its body divided into two, crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar, splitting the earth beneath it.
"No way... to think you could defeat my strongest card, Fafnir, with just one blow?"
The demon muttered, as if witnessing the end of the world. The trump card prepared to face Brave was laid to rest with a single blow. It was inevitable.
"This marks the beginning of the new 'Hero Tale' spun by my partner── Yukina!"
Gram's voice, filled with jubilation, echoed loudly.
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