kscans

Chapter 267 - The Legendary Sword and the Open-Air Bath

Hayato, Ash, and Ren were waiting for Simon in the main hall of the shrine.

About ten minutes passed, and just as they were wondering what to do, Simon returned.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"That's fine, but what was all that about?"

"There was a problem with the item you got when you destroyed the cursed sword. As I said before, it's best not to tell anyone you have that item. Especially not the Princess or the Ten Swords."

"That's fine, but could you tell us the reason?"

Simon crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and furrowed his brow, but after a moment, he nodded.

"Very well. But what I am about to say must not be repeated to anyone."

At Simon's serious gaze, Hayato and the others nodded seriously in return.

"In the Eastern Country, there is a legend of a certain sword. A sword said to be stronger than any other weapon."

Hayato recalled the story he had heard from the Maid Chief before.

There were multiple organizations targeting him, and the Ten Holy Demonic Swords was one of them. According to the Maid Guild's investigation, the story was that they might kidnap Hayato to have him make that sword.

However, when Simon of the Ten Holy Demonic Swords actually visited their headquarters, the reason was to destroy a cursed sword. The very task they had just dealt with. He hadn't been asked to make a sword, not even once.

"A little while ago, a discussion arose in the Eastern Country about making this sword. The talk was of having several skilled blacksmiths make it, and your name, Hayato, was also brought up as a candidate."

"I think I've heard something like that. I was told I was being targeted by the Ten Holy Demonic Swords or something."

"...Is that true? Only a handful of people in the Eastern Country know about this...?"

Hayato was, in turn, surprised at where the Maid Guild was getting its information from and thought to himself that the maids were undoubtedly kunoichi.

"Um, I just heard it through various information networks."

"As expected. Not only skilled in blacksmithing, but you leave no stone unturned in that regard either."

Hayato himself had nothing to do with it, but he just smiled, neither confirming nor denying. Just in case, he let it be.

"Um, so what's the connection with this item? I don't think it's come up in the conversation at all."

"Aye. In short, one of the materials to make that legendary sword is the Fragments of a Famous Sword. Because that was missing, the plan to kidnap you was called off."

"You were planning to kidnap me?"

"I can only apologize for that. However, the talk shifted to forming a connection with you, Hayato, for when that item was eventually obtained, which is why we decided to ask you to destroy the cursed sword."

He couldn't exactly accept it, but he understood the circumstances.

Hayato wondered what to do, but Ash spoke up.

"I have a lot I want to say, but I'll set that aside for now. What I'm curious about is, from the name 'Fragments of a Famous Sword,' I think it's easy to guess how to get it. What about that? There have been cursed swords that could be destroyed before, right? Why was Hayato the only one who could get this item?"

What Ash said was reasonable. It was easy to guess the acquisition method from the item's name.

Just as anyone would know that a Phoenix Feather comes from a Phoenix, anyone would know that this item comes from a cursed sword.

"Until now, that item has never been obtained from destroying a cursed sword. I do not believe the artisans would lie about that. It is likely that Hayato's skills, or perhaps the type of cursed sword, had an influence. It is just a guess, though."

(If it's my skills, the one that seems likely to have an effect is the Dismantling Knowledge skill. But there's no mechanic where the items you get from recycling increase or change. It only increases the drop rate and rarity of monster drops, and gives a success rate bonus for fish-based dishes. In that case, does it mean it won't drop unless it's a cursed sword of a certain quality or strength? Let's test it.)

"Let's verify it. There are still other cursed swords, right?"

"That is a great help, but, um, is that alright?"

"What is?"

"Though it was in the past, I did say that we intended to kidnap you, Hayato, so I did not think you would cooperate after hearing that."

"That's fine. Oh, does this mean you have all the materials now with these fragments? So the talk of kidnapping me is back on?"

Simon nodded with an apologetic look. "My apologies."

"That's right. If it becomes known that you have that item, the other Ten Swords will target you, Hayato. You won the Princess's favor at yesterday's banquet, so there's a high chance she'll tell them not to, but the opposite is also possible. The Princess might take the lead in keeping you all in this country."

"So that's why you said not to tell anyone I have it. Does that mean the only person on our side in the Eastern Country is you, Simon-san?"

"I am truly sorry. My wits are not enough, but please forgive me."

Simon was on the verge of prostrating himself, so Hayato stopped him. In the first place, as long as he didn't say he had this item, it would be fine. Fortunately, the only ones who knew were the members here and the sword maidens. If no one said anything, there would be no problem.

Hayato thought so, but then Ren shot her right hand up.

"On the contrary, why don't you just make that sword for them right away? You can make it a condition that they don't try to keep you here, Hayato-san."

"That is one idea, but what do you think? They might try to make Hayato mass-produce it. And the method of making the sword is a closely guarded secret. If Hayato learns the manufacturing method, it could lead to them never letting him leave the country."

"So it's no good..."

"Well, as long as it doesn't get out that I have this item, it should be fine. For now, let's just not say anything to anyone."

Everyone except Hayato nodded.

(This has gotten complicated, but it'll work out somehow. If it comes to it, Ash and the others will help me, and I have Diite-chan on my side. If something happens, she should be able to forcibly help me out. But Mist-san's knowledge gathering... I can't let them find out until that's finished, at least.)

With that thought, Hayato decided to destroy another cursed sword first.

After destroying the cursed swords, Hayato and the others returned to the mansion.

It had been an eventful day, but in the end, Hayato had broken down all the cursed swords into materials, and one of their reasons for coming to the Eastern Country was now complete.

As for the Fragments of a Famous Sword, they were able to verify a few things.

They discovered that recycling a cursed sword of a certain quality and strength would yield "Fragments of a Famous Sword."

This gave them a small sense of relief.

It meant that there was a chance for someone other than Hayato to obtain the fragments. If they provided this information, it would mean that at least the destruction of cursed swords wouldn't have to be done by Hayato.

However, since they didn't know what would happen, they decided to keep quiet for a while. They all agreed that it was better not to say anything until their business in the Eastern Country was finished.

Simon headed to the castle to report only that the cursed swords had been destroyed, so only the three of them returned to the mansion.

They decided to head back to Hayato's room for the time being, but they ran into Esha right in front of the room. It seemed Esha had just returned from somewhere as well.

"Master, you are back quite early. Is the destruction of the cursed sword already finished?"

"Yeah. Simon is at the castle now, so we should get permission to go to Takamagahara and Ryugu soon. Anyway, the fact that you've taken damage, Esha, does that mean you did it again?"

"The cats here are the best. This time, I ate a chocolate parfait and endured for quite a long time."

"Well, I guess that's fine. By the way, where are Ney and the others?"

"Ney-sama and her group are exploring the mansion. They said something about looking for a Yokai Zashiki-warashi. Oh, they did say they found an open-air bath. They seemed disappointed that they couldn't get in because it wasn't filled with hot water."

It was Ren who latched onto Esha's words. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed both of Esha's arms and started shaking her.

"An open-air bath! Let's go in! Naked communication is important!"

"Ren-san's naked form is a dragon, isn't it? Besides, as I just said, there is no hot water. There seems to be a problem with the source."

"Then we just have to solve that problem, right!? Let's do something about it while we're here! Esha-san, let's go gather information!"

"I think you could just take a bath in the real world, but very well. Then I will be off for a bit."

"Take care."

Ren took Esha's hand and went back down the hallway they had just come from.

There was no such thing as naked communication in a virtual reality, but they could still enjoy the atmosphere. Hayato also thought he'd like to soak in a bath and relax once all his tasks in the Eastern Country were finished.

"Hayato, what about us? There's still time before the cafe opens."

"It is a bit early to log out. Let's go report to Mist-san then. It's probably best to tell her we'll be able to start exploring soon."

"You're right. Let's go to Mist's room then."

Hayato and Ash headed to the room where Mist and the others were staying.