Chapter 36: Murakami Sword

Though she spoke strangely, this was Anlis’s only means of counterattack.

Vylian looked annoyed, but wouldn’t fuss over it too much, at most a verbal spat.

The potential for growth she had just shown truly instilled a frightening sense of crisis.

Anlis was at her wit’s end.

Even while lying on this loli’s knee pillow, her heart had already drifted to that long sword, constantly imagining the process of practicing Sword Art in her mind.

‘This is called being prudent.’

‘Avoiding harm is human nature.’

‘Vylian spoke up to persuade me precisely because she doesn’t want me to continue practicing Sword Art.’

‘If I insist on being ungrateful at this point, that would really be ungrateful.’

‘A person must have some tact.’

‘Sigh.’

In the end, she was forced to slack off due to irresistible circumstances.

The two lay there a while longer, and today’s sword practice plan ultimately ended in such a hasty manner.

Vylian wanted to go home and cook, saying she didn’t know the way and wanted Anlis to accompany her back, putting on a pitiful little cake act.

‘How could that be!’

‘She isn’t giving me any chance to practice sword at all.’

‘What can Anlis do? She has to comply.’

‘Ever since becoming the Hero, her life has been this helpless.’

She didn’t know how to explain to her old father.

The reason her father had left in such a hurry was that there was still farm work to finish.

When he came home that evening, he would surely test her sword practice results with great expectations.

But her clothes were clean, not a drop of sweat, so slacking off couldn’t be hidden.

She could already almost see her old father’s disappointed expression.

“Hey, Anlis, come here, come here.”

As soon as they entered the village, a familiar shout reached her ears.

Turning around, she saw it was the village blacksmith uncle.

He was a very kind man, strong, with good skill. All the village’s iron tools were made by him, and people from other villages often came specially to ask for his help.

Being called out of the blue, Anlis was quite surprised.

“Uncle Fike, what’s the matter?”

“Come, come over here first.”

Anlis hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Vylian didn’t object, she approached.

The blacksmith uncle led Anlis into the house, with Vylian following closely, saying nothing.

“Greetings, Saintess.”

Vylian responded politely, a gentle smile on her face: “No need to be so formal. Just call me Vylian.”

After the simple greeting, Uncle Fike’s gaze returned to Anlis, tinged with emotion.

“I never thought that you, a child I’ve watched grow up, would awaken the Hero class. Perhaps this is the guidance of the gods.”

Anlis didn’t understand what he was saying, so she didn’t reply, just silently followed him into the yard.

What surprised her was that under an old tree in the yard, there was an inconspicuous cellar entrance.

The blacksmith uncle didn’t waste words and got straight to the point.

“There’s something I need to give you. Wait here for a moment.”

Not long after, the uncle came out of the cellar, holding a large box.

Just by looking at the box, one could tell that what was inside was no ordinary item.

“Inside is a treasured sword passed down from my ancestors. It has been gathering dust in my family for over a hundred years. I thought it shouldn’t just sit here forever. If it can accompany the Hero on the expedition to vanquish the Demon King, that would be a fitting end.”

Anlis’s eyelid twitched.

Vylian couldn’t even control her expression.

As the box was opened, inside lay a jet-black sharp sword.

The blade gleamed brightly, spotless and clean, lying there quietly, yet exuding an eerie aura invisibly.

‘A treasure sword!’

‘Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime treasure sword!’

‘No, what does this mean?!’

‘In the original story, the Hero doesn’t get divine weapons this early!’

‘Wasn’t it that he used a crappy little sword until death, used whatever was good, and then barely made it through the Holy Sword trial?’

‘But now first the Legendary Sword Art, then this unprecedented treasure sword.’

‘This village really is a hidden dragon and crouching tiger.’

‘Could it be that Wubika Kachi was right?’

‘Maybe her move truly reduced the Hero’s strength in a meaningful way?’

‘After all, looking at it now, she completely wrecked the Hero’s newbie gift package.’

‘The subsequent defeat was simply due to teammates being too bad and insufficient personal strength.’

‘If that’s the case, Wubika Kachi is a good general.’

“Uncle Fike, I can’t accept this,” Anlis hurriedly waved her hands, speaking urgently: “This is a heirloom from your family, too precious. I really can’t accept it.”

Cold sweat broke out on her back.

‘I barely managed to muddle through the matter of Sword Art, and now this suddenly pops up!’

Uncle Fike was certainly well-meaning; there was nothing wrong with giving a sword.

Under normal circumstances, it would be a great blessing, and she would accept it gratefully.

But specifics must be analyzed specifically…

‘The Demon King is right beside me. Would she just watch her archenemy obtain such a treasure?’

‘Putting myself in her shoes, if she didn’t throw me away on the spot, that would be considerate and merciful!’

‘If a single punch didn’t kill her, it would be a fluke.’

“What’s the big deal? It’s just sitting here anyway. Only in your hands can it be effective. If you really feel bad about it, just use this sword to kill more Abyss Creatures for me. Here, take it.”

“I really can’t accept it. I’ll just use another sword.”

“How can that be? How could another sword match your status as Hero? If that’s not acceptable, then consider this: I’m lending it to you. You can return it after you vanquish the Demon King.”

“I…”

He had already said so much. Anlis really couldn’t think of any way to refuse.

“Anlis, Uncle Fike means well. Why don’t you just accept it?”

Vylian’s gentle voice came from behind.

At this moment, it sounded like a death knell.

‘Why would she urge me to accept?’

Anlis couldn’t guess her intent, but she was sure it couldn’t be anything good.

‘Maybe she’s testing me, waiting to see me slip up.’

‘Could it be that I have no choice but to use that move?’

Anlis took a deep breath.

“Sigh, Uncle Fike, let me be honest with you. I look down on this sword. I am the Hero, after all. What can match me is the Holy Sword. Compared to the Holy Sword, your sword is completely unqualified.”

‘Such harsh words.’

Anlis felt her conscience being tormented.

‘I’m practically chilling Uncle Fike’s heart.’

The expression on Vylian’s face was a bit strange, clearly not expecting Anlis to refuse, and with such a reason.

Fike’s face turned extremely ugly upon hearing this, almost like he was constipated.

“Anlis, how can you say that.”

Vylian’s words carried a weak reproach, instantly taking the moral high ground to criticize.

‘Anlis least of all wants to be criticized by this person!’

‘If accepting this sword meant I wouldn’t get beaten, I would have accepted it right away.’

“So what? Is there something wrong with what I said?”

She lifted her chin slightly.

“Enough. Fine, it was too presumptuous of me. Though this sword is good, how can it compare to the Holy Sword? Hero, Saintess, please leave.”