Chapter 192

「There’s, something I’d like to say now.」

After Akira came, Noa-san stopped training by using us as human punching bags.

Perhaps what Akira said had resonated with her, or perhaps she had been playing with us since the beginning.

At any rate, I wasn’t good at deciphering people’s emotions.

If the people of the world had honest thoughts, things would be simple.

The day after Akira arrived, taking the opportunity now that there was no one around, I, who was cleaning the windows on this nice and warm day that induced sleepiness, said this with an earnest look on my face to Noa-san who appeared in front of me.

I recalled what had happened up until yesterday and unconsciously put up my guard, but come to think of it, she never attacked when we were not ready.

Now that I think about it, she may have tried to train us in her own way.

The way she did it was truly nonsensical though.

「…I wonder what it is that you want to say.」

I threw the wrung dust cloth I used to wipe the windows into the bucket, stood up, and looked down at her who was much shorter than I was.

As she absentmindedly looked at the area around my waist, she pushed me towards the place where there wasn’t anyone nearby.

The area near my waist, more precisely, she was looking at the sword that was hanging around my waist.

「Is there something wrong with this sword?」

It’s the holy sword, but what was given to me was just a sturdy sword, most likely a counterfeit.

On the journey up until now, we had been saved by this sword countless number of times, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the sword had become a part of me.

And because of this, it was regrettable that this sword was not the holy sword.

Just how happy I would be to be able to use『Holy Sword』that I could not learn no matter how much I practiced, the skill that I was only able to use that one time.

I was so worried that I dreamt about it.

「That sword, it has yet to become a holy sword, huh.」

“Yet”, did she say that.

Unconsciously, I touched the hilt.

Staying calm even though I could draw my sword at any time, she said this as she traced her lips with a finger.

「The hero’s sword is not so simply inherited from generation to generation. It is said by some people that the ‘Holy Sword’ is the sword of the hero, but that is not true. The hero’s sword is by no means something that is inherited. The weapon in the hands of the only person who has the ‘hero’ occupation, the weapon itself will only lend its strength to the hero who treasures itself. That is the ‘holy sword’. Maa, there are also ones that do not take the form of a sword though.」

If that weren’t the case, then those with a larger build and those with a smaller build would have the same weapon, right?, hearing Noa-san say that as if it was obvious, my eyes widened.

Unconsciously, I had imagined the “hero’s sword” to be like the Legend of King Arthur, where it was the kind of sword that could only be pulled out by one person.

Come to think of it, the sword that I had been using up until now broke in the dungeon, and when I was given this sword, I somehow felt as if it was made just for me.

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In addition to that, I only remembered that I felt that “this sword was not the holy sword”, so there was, conversely, a sense of discomfort.

My hand traced along the familiar hilt of the sword as I looked at Noa-san who was in front of me.

「…are you, certain of that?」

Certainly, even if that were true, I couldn’t help but doubt it.

This person was the newest member of our group and at the same time, had unreservedly completely beat up everyone except for Akira’s group and the noncombatants, so I did not believe her.

Now, she was telling me something, but I didn’t know what she was truly thinking.

In Mari, I had seen a seemingly timid person change into a completely different person.

「…that’s right, doubting me is the best thing for you to do. I too do not know if that is true. At any rate, a hero is someone whom you would be lucky to catch sight of once in your life. Even for me, I have lived for a long time, but I have only met two of them.」

Not bothered by the fact that she was being doubted, Noa-san gave a happy smile, and leisurely headed towards the building.

「Even so, I should probably convey the wisdom of your predecessor. ‘To awaken the sword of the hero, what is needed is the amount of experience of the hero and heart’. These are the words of the previous hero. It’s fine if you don’t believe it, but keep it in the recess of your heart.」

Noa-san said this and then she disappeared into the shadow of the building.

Could it be, just now, were those words of advice.

The time when I was fighting Noa-san as well, I was thinking of how to use『Holy Sword』that I was only able to use that one time.

It was the『Holy Sword』that I had once given up on due to the discrepancy of the sword, but if it was not because of the sword, then it was because of my heart.

It was a harsh journey getting here, but this partner of mine did not break no matter how recklessly I attacked.

「…could it be, perhaps you already acknowledge me.」

I drew the sword out from the scabbard, and held it out to the sun that impartiality illuminated everyone despite this being another world.

It was only for an instant, but I felt like the sword shined as if in response to my words.