The Water Magician

"Indeed, your majesty Abel, splendid!"

"Graham, you could have taken over for me, you know."

"No, no, I wanted to learn as well."

Graham replied with a smile.

Abel had noticed Graham watching him for a while now.

"I heard that if you cut off their head with a sword that has been blessed and pierce their heart, they can be obliterated. But my sword isn't blessed at all. Can a magic sword work?"

"No, while a holy sword can do that, a magic sword will not obliterate a vampire. However, Marquis Shionka has indeed been obliterated."

"...Why is that?"

Abel tilted his head and looked at his beloved sword.

It was shining red as usual.

Though he sensed that it had gained a white glow compared to before...

"Your majesty's sword was brought from the royal castle's treasure vault."

"Ah, right. So I don’t know its exact name or history. However, sometimes non-human beings mention that it might be related to a sword called 'Ex' that King Richard used."

"That’s the person referred to as the restorer of the Naitorei Kingdom, isn’t it? I only know the name, but there might be a connection."

"Who knows. The royal family's legends do not mention the sword 'Ex' as belonging to King Richard. So, it’s uncertain how true what they say is..."

Abel shook his head slightly.

He didn't know the name or history of his beloved sword.

He also wasn't aware of its hidden powers.

However, he felt he hadn't yet fully unleashed the sword's power.

"It seems I still haven't been recognized by this sword."

"Is it not so? That’s... more troublesome than your typical holy sword."

"Indeed."

Both Abel and Graham laughed.

It is said that if a holy sword is wielded by someone who isn’t recognized as its master, it can take their life.

Magic swords do not have that kind of rule.

In other words, holy swords are more temperamental compared to magic swords.

They behave as if they have a will of their own.

Thinking about it that way, Abel's sword looks like a magic sword but feels closer to a holy sword.

"When I return to the kingdom, should I have Kenneth investigate it properly?"

Viscount Kenneth Hayward is the chief researcher of the Royal Alchemy Workshop and a renowned genius alchemist.

Magic swords and holy swords are sometimes referred to as the pinnacle of alchemy tools.

No one knows how they are created...

Both magic swords and holy swords have existed since ancient times.

They still exist today to never break.

No matter how skilled a blacksmith or genius alchemist might be, they cannot create magic swords or holy swords.

That’s why those who possess them attract attention just for that reason... sometimes.

"I once handled a holy sword temporarily, but... there was a distinct difference in the light emitted between those who could only handle it temporarily and those who were properly recognized as its master."

"Ah... that's it. I remember reading a report about Nils and Amon wielding holy swords during the former pope's inauguration. Now that I think about it, they were cutting through mist at that time."

"Yes. The two of them... along with Lord Eto and Lord Ryo, helped us."

"Ryo is in a separate category, but those three have had exceptional talent for a long time. They quickly rose through the adventurer ranks, and now they’re officially inheriting that holy sword, right?"

"Yes. It's been formally transferred under the name of the Western Church."

"A remarkable feat."

Abel nodded slightly with satisfaction.

He had known the three from the time they were F-rank in the City of Run.

Those three were trying to join the ranks of top-notch adventurers.

For Abel, who cares for his juniors, there is no greater joy.

Abel looked at the remnants of the obliterated target and asked, "That was Marquis Shionka, who the church was pursuing, right?"

"Yes."

"If he has been obliterated... does that mean the French fleet will return to the kingdom?"

"Some follow-up work will be necessary, but we do intend to return in the end. However, we are currently in the central dark continent, atop a cliff that rises four thousand meters. Unless we find a way down from here..."