Published: September 10, 2025
Shiga Eight Swords――.
They are the strongest swords to purge the demon race from the Shiga Kingdom.
These were the words my father taught me when I was young.
I never imagined that I would have the chance to spar against the Shiga Eight Swords myself—let alone actually win.
Even now, I still can't fully draw out my Master's true strength...
"Liza of the Demonic Spear, I will have you serve in my Count's household. Your salary will be equal to that of a human tribe knight."
"Lady Liza, I request a match. I am skilled in the Ji Gain-style Kajiro――"
"Would you consider becoming a knight in the kingdom's army? Not as a squire but welcomed as a knight commander."
One after another, invitations and challenges came to me.
Each time, it meant bothering my Master, and I felt my heart shrink with guilt.
I wonder what my Master thinks about all this?
Since my Master dislikes any fuss from others, I worry if I have fallen out of favor.
Trying to calm my restless heart, I practiced spear forms alone in the mansion's garden.
The red glow of the demon blade illuminated the dark garden.
The demon blade, which once was difficult to wield, now feels as natural as breathing.
If I told myself this a year ago, I’m sure I would have been laughed off.
Pushing such distractions away, I focused on the basic forms.
――Thrust, sweep, slash.
After completing the basic forms, I added my own style learned from battles in the Labyrinth City.
I spun around swiftly and performed a leg sweep with my tail.
Lowering my body, I used the spring in my whole body—not just my legs but even my tail—to launch a full-powered thrust.
As I finished the form and sheathed the spear, a presence appeared in a corner of the garden.
"As impressive as ever."
"Master――"
From behind the grove where no one should have been, my Master appeared.
Tama’s invisibility technique gives off a faint presence, but my Master's is so natural I never notice it.
"Did my footsteps disturb you?"
"Not at all. The others are all sleeping peacefully."
My Master spoke kindly, reassuring me when I timidly spoke up.
Then, with that same gentleness, cruel words slipped from my Master’s lips.
"If you are interested in the Shiga Eight Swords, I wouldn’t mind if you accepted the offer."
"Am I no longer needed――?"
――What a cowardly thing to say.
To utter such words, expecting the kind Master to deny them.
"Not at all. It would be lonely without you, Liza."
At those words, I quietly sighed in relief.
"But still, I want you to prioritize what you want. If you truly wish for it, I will respect your decision."
Kindness can sometimes be poison.
Because my Master understands in the truest sense that no one is truly needed.
――Even so.
Even so, I want to be with my Master.
I swear this to my red-glowing companion, the demonic spear, accepting my resolve.
Someday, I will become someone the solitary Master can rely on――.
――I will make it so.
I do not remember if I spoke those words aloud until the very end.
But surely.
My spear knows.