Chapter 1032 - Voice of the Green
"It was some time after the first Four Pillar War ended."
"Yes."
"As you know, back then, I felt I was ill-suited for wielding a blade for the purpose of battle... It was around the time I first set foot into the entrance of my multi-year seclusion."
"Yes."
"Haru-kun, you call me a shut-in and the like, but I did not truly spend every single day in this place, you know? There were times when I went out."
"Yes."
"... Are you actually listening?"
"Yes. Of course. Please continue."
"..."
"Go on (Please), do ahead (continue)."
"... As I was saying. Some time had passed since the first Four Pillar War when I began training with the sole purpose of simply wielding the blade."
"Yef (Yes)."
"This was before I even opened the dojo's gates. My only named sword was Hisui. It was to weave and discover the Yomorogi style of swordsmanship, which was still too flimsy to be called a school back then. I went on a journey, seeking what one might call inspiration."
"Yes."
"The virtual world had only been active for a little over four months... People were just conquering the starting zones, carving out the ancient forests in new lands, building towns... It was an era where reaching distant lands was still a pipe dream."
"Sounds like a fun era... Yes."
"I left the group and went out alone, ahead of everyone else... I had no idea where I was going or what direction I was headed. I simply kept moving forward as my whims dictated."
"Yes."
"And then, a massive green body appeared before my eyes."
"Oh."
"I do not know if I was the first person to discover Green Connect back then. There were many travelers already, and it is more likely that others had encountered it without the information being shared... But regardless, I was shocked."
"I bet you were."
"It was the second time I felt such an immense shock, second only to the time I accidentally received the honor of being the first discoverer of the White Throne. I stood frozen on the spot for several minutes."
"I'm sure you did. ... ... Wait?"
"And after I recovered from the shock."
"Wait? No, what? ... Hmm??"
"Fufu... Looking back, I was truly fearless. Perhaps the grand title of Sword Saint had gone to my head, for the very first thing that came to mind was..."
"H-huh... Yes. What did you think?"
"'Now then, I wonder what I must do to cut this...' I was being quite serious."
"... ... Ah, yes. I can picture it."
"... And so, I spent about three days and nights there. Facing an otherworldly existence that wouldn't let my blade pass, let alone leave a scratch, I became stubborn and broke countless katanas. I would break them, forge them, break them, and forge them again... For three days and nights. I refused to give up."
"I can really picture it (I can picture it)."
"The result of that struggle was the Second Strike... Uchigane."
"Oh (Wow), how historic (A history in every technique)!"
"Unfortunately, I still couldn't leave even a scratch the size of a fingernail... But I felt I had gained something, so I decided to sheath my blade and head home."
"Did you actually remember the way back?"
"Haru-kun?"
"Forwy (Sorry)."
And so it went.
After indulging in some banter and listening to her deeply interesting past to the end...
"Honestly, you tease me too much. Is this your idea of revenge? ... Khem. Anyway, just as I bowed and turned on my heel to leave..."
The master continued her story.
"There was a sound like something large and heavy falling to the ground... and when I looked back, this was there."
She brushed her fingers against the gift she had received in the past.
"I do not know where it fell from... or even what it is in the first place. That hasn't changed from the past to the present. I can only say it is something derived from Green Connect..."
"Wait, you don't know? Like, the item name or the detail text?"
I couldn't help but mimic the master as she tilted her head. I voiced my natural doubt, and Ui-san gestured toward the object with her palm, as if to say, "See for yourself."
So, if you'll excuse me...
"... ... Hmm? Oh? Really? I see... ?"
I poked it with my finger, but there was no response. The logic of the virtual world, where everything, even a random pebble, would reveal its item name if tapped, was dead here.
"Its origin... seems certain, at least..."
"It would seem so."
It shared a similar singularity with the Colored, who possessed the trait of not displaying a Status bar.
I couldn't find out what it was, but that very inability made me realize something. It was probably like a scale or something along those lines. Even if that wasn't exactly right, there was no doubt it was an extremely special object.
"... Three days and nights. Was it like... a reward for your hard work?"
"Fufu... For my part, I felt as though a voice had come from that towering giant saying, 'Here is a souvenir. Please, never come back again.'"
Seeing her laughing, it seemed like a fond memory. The fact that it increased her named swords to two probably helped...
It was a bit unexpected. Every time I heard an episode about the Sword Saint, who seemed to be enjoying Arcadia in a fairly normal way, it warmed my heart. As a representative of all humanity, I thought she was a truly lovely person...
But putting all that aside.
"... 'Honestly' is my line. I figured it wasn't a normal metal based on the color and specs, but... Wow."
To think it was derived from Green Connect. After Stella and then Alicia White, I had been walking alongside Green without even knowing it. This was no joke.
There had been plenty of time for doubts or interest to surface, and plenty of time to ask... I wonder why I didn't. Perhaps it was because the fact that I had received it in the first place was so significant that I was satisfied.
The category of a precious thing bestowed by my master was just too immense. The initial values of trust and emotion were so large that the questions that would normally have surfaced were buried.
... And so, now that I knew its true value.
"... Are you sure I can have the whole thing, rather than just half?"
I had to ask, even if I already knew the answer.
The master simply replied...
"... If you feel it is too much, shall I forge something else instead?"
She said such terrifying things with a gentle smile. I could only let out a wry laugh, chewing over a mix of various emotions.
"I was joking. Just a joke. If you actually took it away, I would cry like a baby."
"I would almost like to see that... Just kidding, fufu."
As we exchanged words, I naturally took a few steps back, careful not to disturb the sacred atmosphere. I met the gaze of her grey eyes head-on.
"... ... I'm counting on you. Shisou."
I dropped the banter and gave a respectful bow.
There was no verbal response. A few seconds later, as I slowly raised my head, I saw...
... To put it in one word, a celestial maiden.
Her long hair, which had turned from grey to a glowing pure white, fluttered as if by an invisible wind.
Above the emerald blade resting on the split green object, she placed the fingers of one hand affectionately. In her other hand...
She held a small wooden mallet in her right hand. It was simple in shape with little decoration. Yet, it was a glowing Anima that radiated an indescribable, immense presence and will.
She lifted it. She swung it up. Slowly...
Our eyes met...
"... ..."
The Sword Saint gave a single smile.
"... Adorn yourself, O blade."
She sang the words.
"... Accept your form, O sword."
The name she called was...
"... Become a Katana... Ameno Mahitotsu no Kami!"
She swung down, the strike landed...
And the Green cried out.
[Ameno Mahitotsu no Kami] 7th Rank: Smithing Hammer
Apparently, it reached the 7th rank only recently.