Chapter 46: Two Magic Swords

One week has passed. We are heading to the town of Foco again in two kitchen cars. The difference from last time is that Jean‘s father, the Knight Order Grand Master, is riding in Car 2. Well, since the Grand Master is paying, it’s natural… No, he’s definitely planning to get a sword made for himself too while he’s at it. I don’t mind that part; Balay-san and the Grand Master can decide that between themselves. When we arrived at Balay-san’s house, he was sitting on a chair at the table set up in front of the house, having a drink and feeling slightly tipsy. This guy’s already done for… in two meanings.

“Oh, Holy Sword Missy. Welcome.” “I came to pick up the Magic Sword.” “Don’t worry, it’s properly finished.”

Balay-san lined up two swords in red and blue scabbards, which had been leaning against the wall of the house, on the table. Hmm? Two swords?

“I was feeling good for the first time in a while. So I forged the kid’s share too. Well, while I was at it.”

Balay-san laughed—karakara. Oh my, he made Jean’s share too in one week. I hadn’t heard, but what kind of ‘Gift’ does Balay-san possess? [High-Speed Magic Sword Smithing] or something? Perhaps because he didn’t expect his own sword to be ready, Jean is pumping both fists in a victory pose. …Sorry to rain on your parade while you’re happy, but this Magic Sword is going to be confiscated by your father right after this, right? Maybe you shouldn’t rejoice too much. I felt bad dampening the mood, so I didn’t say it out loud, though.

“That blue scabbard one is the young lady Bianca‘s Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’. The red one is the kid’s Magic Sword ‘Fortissimo’.”

Hmm? Wait? Isn’t Bianca’s Fortissimo? Magic Sword Fortissimo is the name of the Magic Sword Jean obtains in the game. Since I tried to have Balay-san make it ahead of time, I assumed Fortissimo would be completed… No, it is completed, but…

“…Are there differences between these?” “Obviously. Originally, Magic Swords are made tailored to the user. A Magic Sword that has left the hands of its original owner can’t even put out half its power.”

I see. So a Magic Sword that is sold or let go for some reason cannot bring out its original power. Magic Swords are all supposed to be made-to-order originally. Well, apparently sometimes it passes to a compatible user just like the original owner… like the slasher knight in the game. In that slasher knight’s case, the compatibility was too good, and ultimately his body was taken over by ‘Discord’ which had accumulated magic power. Normally that wouldn’t happen with a regular Magic Sword, though. I don’t think Gloria, who isn’t the true user, will be taken over, but it doesn’t change the fact that her mind will be whittled away if she uses it for a long time. I really need to confiscate it quickly. Since Magic Swords are originally made to fit the owner, does that mean if made to fit Jean, Fortissimo will be created no matter what? Then this Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’ is an original Magic Sword tailored to Bianca that doesn’t exist in the game.

“The young lady Bianca is a type who fights with number of moves rather than brute force, right? I made one perfect for her. Of course, she’ll have to train for years to master it…” “That goes without saying. I intend to become a knight who won’t shame this Magic Sword. No, I definitely will!”

Gripping the handed Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’, Bianca declared. The Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’ Bianca smoothly drew had a blue hilt and a Mithril blade sparkling brightly. It is a sword of simple and beautiful design, not flashy. The length is about between a short sword and a long sword. It feels a little big for the child Bianca, but since Bianca has [Elasticity], I don’t think it will be much trouble. Besides, Magic Swords apparently adjust to their ideal form according to the owner’s growth. Does that mean the Magic Sword will also grow when Bianca and Jean become adults? Taking a middle stance, Bianca gave the Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’ a swing.

“Amazing…! It’s incredibly light and fits my hand…!” “Well, I made it to be like that.”

Mithril is lighter than iron or steel, yet sturdy, and conducts magic power well. Conversely, that means it can repel attacks imbued with magic power other than one’s own. With this sword, she should be able to repel Discord’s power-stealing ability too.

“Uoh… so cooool…!”

And there was one more person engrossed in a Magic Sword. Jean‘s Magic Sword ‘Fortissimo’ was a broadsword with a red hilt and a red line running from the guard to the center of the blade. The length seems to be the same as a long sword, so it’s quite big for the current Jean to hold. But that must be the size easiest for the current Jean to use. Magic Sword ‘Fortissimo’ was the same shape as the Magic Sword I saw in the game. So Jean’s Magic Sword does become Fortissimo after all.

“The kid’s Magic Sword ‘Fortissimo’ amplifies even the slightest power of flame and turns it into hellfire. That ain’t all. If you confine that flame inside, the blade generates heat, and at the extreme, it can burn and cut through anything.”

Yeah, it was like that in the game too. In the end, he cut the cornered slasher knight in two. It becomes like a red glowing photon sword (laser blade), and the trail of the swung sword looks like a red meteor. I think it’s a Magic Sword perfect for Jean, who originally possesses the [Flame Sword] ‘Gift’.

“So, what kind of effect does Bianca‘s Magic Sword have?” “‘Ensemble’ is a space-time attribute Magic Sword. Well, you’ll understand if you use it. Why don’t you try sparring with either the ‘Lion’ or the ‘Tiger’ of the Empire?” “Then allow me.”

At Balay-san’s suggestion, the ‘Tiger of the Empire’, the Knight Order Grand Master, immediately volunteered. You knew about the Grand Master too, Balay-san. Well, he is a celebrity in this country. We moved to the backyard where Bianca and Jean underwent the Magic Sword trial a week ago. Bianca readied the newly made Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’, and the Grand Master readied his own Magic Sword ‘Pesante’.

“I will not attack, so strike with serious intent. Otherwise, the Magic Sword will not respond to your call.” “Yes!”

Bianca holds the sword with both hands, and the Grand Master with one. Like a released arrow, Bianca slashed straight at the Grand Master. Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’ and Magic Sword ‘Pesante’ clashed, ringing with a high metallic sound. Bianca continued attacking right and left, but the Grand Master was parrying them with a cool face. He hasn’t moved a step from his initial position.

“Haaah!” “Mm?”

The Grand Master caught Bianca‘s sword. Huh? Is it my imagination, or did Bianca’s figure blur for a moment just now…? Thinking I mis-saw, I rubbed my eyes, and Bianca was about to slash at the Grand Master again. Bianca‘s figure blurred again. I didn’t mis-see. Bianca split into two people, right and left!?

“”Yaaaaaaah!”” “Nu!?”

Against two Magic Sword attacks from left and right, even the Grand Master retreated a step, and in the slight time earned, parried both Magic Swords. Bianca, returning to one person again, kneeled on the spot with heavy breathing. What was that just now!?

“Well, for the first time, [Duo] is probably the limit.”

Balay-san murmured while stroking his beard in satisfaction. Was that Bianca’s Magic Sword’s ability?

“A Magic Sword that shows illusions…?” “No, Lord Staccato parried both swords. In other words, both were real. Not illusions.”

Julia answered Tanya‘s question. What does that mean? Clone jutsu?

“Clone jutsu? I don’t know well, but ‘Ensemble’ can summon a clone of oneself from another timeline and fix its existence for a short time only. In other words, both of the two earlier were the real young lady Bianca.”

So that is clone jutsu, right? I retorted in my mind to Balay-san’s explanation. No, clone jutsu used by ninjas makes one appear as two due to extreme speed… that’s called afterimage, right? I think Bianca’s goes beyond that. Isn’t this an amazing Magic Sword? Becoming two people means being able to fight two against one. Even the Magic Sword she holds becomes two; isn’t that amazing?

“This isn’t, like, ‘against the spirit of chivalry’ or anything, right?” “It varies somewhat in other countries, but chivalry in our country refers to doing one’s best for the sake of what one must protect, and acting without shame to oneself. A Magic Sword is also one’s own power. To be stingy with it and consider it one’s shame is what would be against the spirit of chivalry.”

The Grand Master answered my question. The top of the Knight Order says so, so there must be no problem.

“If you learn to master ‘Ensemble’, the clones will increase. Duo, Trio, Quartet… how far you can extend it depends on you.” “Depends on me…”

Bianca is staring at the Magic Sword ‘Ensemble’ in her hands. I wonder if she can master it in three weeks? The Duo earlier? It was only for an instant, and she seemed to consume a tremendous amount of stamina.

“You have to become able to produce clones freely. And you have to extend the duration too. Once the Magic Sword and the user become one, you’ll be able to manipulate it like your own limbs. The stamina consumption should also be reduced.” “Umu. Magic Swords are like wild horses. It’s tough until you tame them, but once recognized as the master, they become obedient.”

Grandfather nodded at Balay-san’s words. In any case, it just means training only, right?

“Dad! Next, me! Let me try my Magic Sword too!” “It’s not your Magic Sword. As long as I’m paying the money, it’s still my Magic Sword.”

The Grand Master threw cold water on Jean, who was shouting excitedly holding the Magic Sword ‘Fortissimo’. Jean groaned gumumumu. Since he says ‘still’, I think he intends to hand it over eventually.

“Well fine, let’s test it. Come.” “Alright! Here I go!”

Jean‘s Magic Sword burst with flame—Bo! That’s not the Magic Sword’s ability, but Jean’s ‘Gift’ [Flame Sword], right? Jean swung the sword still clad in flames down at the Grand Master. The Grand Master, perhaps used to dealing with his son using his ‘Gift’, parried the attack while lightly brushing aside Jean‘s flame-flickering sword left and right.

“What’s wrong. Try drawing out the power of the Magic Sword.” “Yeah! Watch this!”

Jean readied the Magic Sword and concentrated. The flames clinging to the blade suddenly grew as if exploding, then vanished as if sucked into the sword. At the same time, the silver-white sword turned into a red, heated color.

“Ah… no good, this is.” “Eh?”

While I was distracted by Balay-san’s muttered words, I heard a scream ‘Hot!?’ from the front, and saw Jean throwing away the Magic Sword.

“Hot hot hot! Water, water!”

Jean ran around shaking both hands, and thrust them into the water drawn in a wooden bucket.

“What on earth happened…?” “He couldn’t control the power of the Magic Sword. If you make even the hilt heat up, not just the blade, that’s what happens.”

Hearing Balay-san’s explanation, I understood, Ah, I see. So Jean burned both hands. The burns didn’t seem too severe, but Jean had the Magic Sword confiscated by the Grand Master. Start by perfectly controlling your own ‘Gift’, [Flame Sword], he said. Jean‘s current [Flame Sword] seems to be in a constantly full-blast state. In car terms, pedal to the metal? Until now that might have been fine, but to manipulate a Magic Sword, as the Grand Master says, it’s dangerous if you can’t freely adjust the firepower between weak and strong flames. Jean was depressed having the Magic Sword confiscated, but told by the Grand Master that if he could do that by the joint match in three weeks, he could participate with the Magic Sword, he is now suddenly motivated. Calculating, seriously.