#467 A Frenzied Holy Sword’s Murmur

I am Einrot, the Furious-Holy Sword.

...

Sigh.

Sorry if I’m already sighing from the get-go.

I’m a sword, so I’m not even supposed to have a mouth, but I can’t help but sigh.

It has been more than a thousand years since I was created, but I am in the most decadent state this world has ever seen.

To start with, we, the seven holy swords, had a mission to destroy each other.

By absorbing the other swords’ powers, the last one standing would become the true holy sword.

For the first few centuries or so of my life, it was a battle to fulfill that mission.

I beat four of my peers, absorbed their power, and became stronger.

Only two swords remained.

If I defeat them, I can become the true holy sword I longed for, but they don't seem to be revealing themselves.

After spending several hundred years in vain, I finally came across one of them.

I was so stoked to defeat him, but his master was next-level.

He had forged and restored the Annihilating-Holy Sword, which I had supposedly destroyed in the past!

What’s that supposed to mean, huh?!

I know not how broken swords are revived from their state, but I was even more shocked by something else—Sechsweiss transformed into a true holy sword.

She was overwhelmingly powerful that I, even after having gained the power of four swords, was no match for her.

The same was true of the Malicious-Holy Sword Fünfviolett, and I lost face.

What was the point of all the hard work I had put in over hundreds of years?

To top it off, the restored Sechsweiss and Fünfviolett broke through the Sacred Barrier the celestial god had put up, paving the way for the demons to defeat the human race.

This was the role that the True Sacred Sword should have played.

Now that we’ve fulfilled our role, I don't know what our purpose is anymore.

Since then, I have become a mere decoration around my owner’s waist.

I mean, with the war gone and the Demon King concentrating on domestic affairs, what significance would I have other than that?

Sometimes I exterminate lesser dragons, but that’s it.

The meaning of my existence has disappeared.

Will I be needed in this time of peace? If not, I’d rather be smashed and erased from the world before I forget how lethal I used to be as a weapon.

Following my master’s ways and growing ‘fat’ is not for me.

But man, has he gained weight!

Isn't it about time we stopped ignoring this issue?!

He was the most powerful king during the war, but peace has made this warrior so dull!

“No need to be so uptight.”

Who speaks to me with thoughts that can only be communicated between holy swords?

It’s Evil-Holy Sword Dreischwartz, the nemesis I should have felled!

“Things are not the way they used to be anymore. You have to accept that the world is now peaceful, so you just sit back, relax, and... wait, swords can’t sit.”

Hmph, you’re not one to talk, you gutless, lazy-assed sword.

...Hold up.

What’s with you?!

You smell so sweet!

“...Well, this is how I'm being of service to my lord now.”

I don't know, but something about Dreischwarzt's enlightened air scares me.

I guess he has it rough, too.

By the way, Dreischwartz and I can converse like this because my master paid a visit to his master.

It seems he came to consult with Dreischwartz's master about his recent obesity problem.

Pathetic.

He should be back to his muscular self if he keeps slashing at enemies for four to five months.

This is why peace isn’t good.

The demon race must spend all its life fighting.

I wonder if we will encounter a fierce situation that will awaken our fighting instincts?

“People call that a ‘flag,’ you know.”

What do you mean, Dreischwartz?

Before I could ask, a battle was upon me.

A dragon?!

I know what I asked for, but isn't this a little over the top?

A dragon is attacking us!  And not even a lesser dragon, but a regular dragon!

Even I, a holy sword, can't defeat such an opponent!

What’s more, there’s a winged human!

What race is she from? She’s so strong, unlike any race I’ve come across!

“Horkosfon is an angel, the most powerful life form created by the celestial gods. She’s as strong as the dragon, so be careful!”

Excuse meeeeeeee?!

With Dreischwartz's nonsensical cheering, my lord wielded me and fought against the two evil creatures.

To be honest, it couldn’t be called a battle.

He was frantically dodging the enemies’ attacks while his belly was jiggling all over the place.

He has grown dull, but I still acknowledge him as the strongest lord.

I would be very happy if I could continue fighting alongside him until I perish.

Unfortunately, good times don’t last forever.

My fat lord soon ran out of breath and had to take a break.

Bo-ring.

As I expected, no one can ever obtain genuine excitement from a mock battle.

Amidst my disappointment, my lord reenergizes himself with a meal.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh?!

What is this? A power so strong that it flows into my blade!

Is this my lord's power?

I’m amazed at how this is even affecting me!

“The dragon ramen worked its wonders again.”

Wonderful! Tres magnifique!

Is this dragon power?

The dragon power welling up from within my lord's body also flows in me!

I feel like I’m evolving into something more than a true holy sword!

With this power, I can fight the dragon and angel on equal ground!

This is the ideal form I’ve been looking for!

“Do you want to fight that badly?”

Huh?

Did you say something, Dreischwartz?

Oh, it wasn’t him.

Who was it?

“If so, I will give you more power. Destroy and kill everything in your path."

Is this the dragon power transmitted through my blade?

Its raw, destructive impulse is trying to take over me.

“Come. I will give you as much power as you desire. Unleash your wrath and engulf everything!”

“No, you must not.”

What is it this time?!

“You must not destroy. What your master wants is eternal peace. To protect people's precious happiness. Isn't that the noblest thing you can do?”

Who are you to speak so?

“I am the holy natto spirit ingested into your master’s body along with the dragon extract.”

Holy natto spirit?!

Right. My lord did eat gooey, sticky beans after ramen!

So, is natto supposed to represent the good side?

Good and evil.

Light and dark.

Natto and dragon extract?!

I... I...!

***

“Hey, Einrot! You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden! Answer me! Hey!”

Dreischwartz?

You kept calling out to me. Thanks.

“Huh? What's with the sudden change in attitude?”

I've been reborn. Light and darkness have been opposing each other in me, and finally, the light has prevailed.

“Whaaa...?”

Natto taught me that in this warless time, my blade should aid the Demon King in his quest for peace as a holy instrument, not a lethal weapon.

“Natto? Why?”

Natto regulates the overflowing power of the dragon extract.

This combination allowed me to obtain righteousness, surpassing a True Holy Sword.

I am now known as the Natto Holy Sword, serving to protect world peace with the Demon King.

“Haa... I’m not sure I follow, but I guess this means your master eating dragon ramen and natto was for the best, huh?”