“No! My Holy Sword! It turned into a Demon Sword in that devilish child’s hands! Ah! Ah! Aaaah!!!”
“Grandfather’s vengeful spirit… is disappearing…”
Supported by Aslan, Julia’s gaze gradually rose upwards.
The spirit of Master Craftsman Jain, emerging from Jacob’s body, was being enveloped in light and ascending to the sky.
Is he really finding peace?
Judging by his loud screams, it seems like he has a lot of regrets…
“It’s all over. Good job. As your grandfather requested, we’ll keep this holy sword. No objections, right?”
“Yes, yes! Of course, no objections. But the sword seems to have turned black, is that alright…?”
“Hmm. It’s fine.”
The seventh holy sword of Master Craftsman Jain, now in Charlotte’s hand.
Its name is…
“Super Super Strong Sword!”
“…”
Was it called that?
The once radiant holy sword turned pitch black as soon as it touched Charlotte’s hand.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just a superficial coating; the very material of the sword seemed to have changed color.
Aslan felt a headache coming on.
‘Now it really looks like a Demon Sword.’
The sword turned black just because it was in Charlotte’s hand?
It was an incomprehensible phenomenon.
Charlotte wasn’t some embodiment of evil.
Aslan kept asking himself, ‘Why on earth?’
‘Could it be because of me again?’
He quickly found the answer.
Julia’s talent for spirit magic had turned into necromancy because of his influence.
So it wouldn’t be strange if Charlotte’s talent also changed, right?
‘No, it’s strange. It’s clearly strange.’
Regardless of what’s strange, the clear fact is.
The seventh holy sword of Master Jain underwent some kind of change when it touched Charlotte’s hand.
It didn’t react at all when Jacob, Sylvia, or Aslan touched it.
This could only mean one thing.
This could only mean one thing.
‘Charlotte’s aptitude as a magic knight reacted with the holy sword.’
There was no other way to see it.
Charlotte is a magic knight.
A magic knight who turns holy swords black…
So does that make her a dark knight?
Aslan was a bit confused about whether to be pleased or not.
“The appearance of Super Super Strong Sword has changed!”
“…You’ve already decided on that name?”
“Yes! It feels like it fits perfectly in my hand! I like it more than any sword I’ve ever had!!!”
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled and she breathed heavily in excitement.
She looked like she was desperately pleading, ‘Please give it to me.’
Though she got excited holding other swords in the nearby forge, it was never to this extent.
It seemed all thoughts of those other swords had been erased from Charlotte’s mind.
Moreover, how could they not give her the one sword that reacted to her aptitude and was uniquely hers for life?
It was already basically Charlotte’s sword.
Aslan put on a stern face, trying to act strict.
“Charlotte. You saw what just happened. This is not an ordinary sword, and your abilities are not ordinary either. Do you understand?”
“I understand! Maybe? Kind of?”
“Although Sylvia must have told you this repeatedly, a sword is a tool meant to harm people. No matter how much you dress up swordsmanship as art or sport, its fundamental purpose is to injure or kill. You are walking a dangerous path.”
“…”
“Understand the dangerous power you hold and the powerful weapon you wield, and take on the responsibility that comes with it. Swear to this, and I will grant you this sword.”
Charlotte’s eyes, which had seemed indifferent, now shone with determination and enthusiasm.
Sylvia turned her head, coughing lightly.
All she taught her was to cut, stab, and break things; she never gave her such profound lessons on swordsmanship…
“I will! I swear! I’ll be responsible! I’ll handle Super Super Strong Sword carefully to make sure no one else gets hurt!”
“It’s also important that you don’t get hurt. Swear again.”
“Yes! I’ll be careful not to get hurt too!”
“Alright. It’s yours.”
“Young master, is it really okay to give a Demon Sword, or rather a Holy Sword, to a child so easily?”
“There’s no choice. That sword has belonged to Charlotte since it was forged. It’s just a matter of time. Wouldn’t it be better for her to get used to it from an early age?”
Sylvia nodded in agreement.
No matter how strong a power is, it’s useless if it can’t be controlled.
Since Charlotte’s abilities had awakened early, she needed to learn to control her power for future safety.
Ah? Wait a minute.
Who’s going to teach her how to handle that power?
Thinking about it, Sylvia realized it might be her.
She faced the possibility of increased responsibilities.
“Don’t tell me you want me to train her as a magic knight…!”
“Shh. Quiet. There’s no way a magic knight would emerge from the Vermont family, right?”
“…!”
With a mischievous smile, Aslan covered Sylvia’s mouth.
Magic knights were state property, belonging to the imperial family regardless of their social status.
According to the Empire’s law, once someone is revealed to be a magic knight, they become the property of the imperial family.
“I was reckless…”
Give Charlotte away to the Imperial family for free?
That was impossible.
The limitless potential of a magic knight couldn’t be given up.
Besides, hadn’t the holy sword already turned black like a demon sword?
Where in the world is there a magic knight who wields a cursed sword instead of a holy sword?
It seemed unlikely that the Imperial family would discover the existence of a magic knight for a while.
Even if they did, would the Imperial family really want a magic knight wielding such a sinister-looking sword?
Especially one who was a slave from the notorious Vermont family? The Imperial family would likely be hesitant to take Charlotte.
For the first time, Aslan felt grateful for the Vermont family’s infamous reputation.
“Did Grandfather really find peace…?”
Groggily waking up from a brief fainting spell, Jacob looked around.
He could clearly feel that the spirit which had possessed his body had left.
Julia answered him.
“He found complete peace. Cleanly.”
“I see… I always thought I was alone. With Father and Grandfather gone, I thought I had no one. But Grandfather was always watching over me.”
“…”
Though he considered his grandfather a stranger, having passed away when he was a baby, the moment his spirit merged with Jacob’s body, Jacob felt an inexplicable warmth, a comforting presence.
Despite his rough demeanor and indifferent personality, Master Jain was someone who seemed far removed from love.
But in that moment, Jacob realized the true nature of his grandfather’s lingering regrets.
“Grandfather’s remaining attachment was likely me. Because I couldn’t function as a proper person, constantly drinking myself into oblivion, he couldn’t find peace. Now I understand. Thanks to all of you, especially the young lady, I’ve come to realize my heritage and abilities. I am truly grateful.”
Jacob bowed his head respectfully.
For so long, he had been lost and wandering.
But he had met benefactors, confronted his grandfather’s spirit, and learned the secrets of mana practice and mana forging.
If he couldn’t make himself useful now, he wouldn’t be worthy of being called a person.
Jacob chuckled, looking at his hands, scarred from unfamiliar hammering.
This would now become his daily life.
“I owe you an immense debt. I want to repay it in any way I can, young master.”
“Really? You want to repay it that badly. In any way. You said it yourself. You heard that, Sylvia?”
“Yes. I heard it clearly.”
“What…?”
“Here, take this. Ah, this isn’t something I give to just anyone.”
“What is this?”
“It’s an exclusive contract. From now on, you’ll work for the Vermont family for life. How does that sound? Excited? Looking forward to it?”
“…!”
An exclusive contract…?
Jacob’s hands and feet began to tremble as he looked up and met Sylvia’s gaze.
Sylvia, who had once been a promising warrior, was also bound to the Vermont family, unable to escape.
Although she handed him a pen with a faint smile, her eyes were lifeless.
“Well, no matter what, isn’t it a bit much for a bum like me to enter into an exclusive contract with the Vermont family…?”
“Hah. Saved a drunk from drowning in a liquor barrel and this is how you repay the favor? You awakened mana forging, one of the few in the Empire, and you’re going to say thanks but no thanks? Hah, is this really your answer? Are you now going to ask for the holy sword your grandfather gave you back as well?”
“N-no way! Absolutely not!”
“I understand your intentions. Now that we know how you feel about the Vermont family, it’s time for Vermont to give its answer…”
“I’ll do it! I’ll sign the exclusive contract! I’ll work my bones to the marrow for the gracious Vermont family for life!”
“Kuhuhuhu.”
That’s it. That’s how it should be from the start.
Watching Jacob frantically sign the contract, Aslan gave a satisfied smile.
A blacksmith who wields mana forging.
And a direct descendant of Master Craftsman Jain.
If such a person ran away again, the loss would be immeasurable.
‘A five-day work week with a seven-hour workday. Paid leave limited to twelve times a year. As your years accrue, vacation and allowances will increase accordingly.’
He couldn’t repeat the mistakes of the Dwarf King.
If they treated him so well that other offers wouldn’t even catch his eye, he’d bury his bones working for the Vermont family, right?
Aslan chuckled in satisfaction.
Kali, though not understanding why, joined in the laughter.
