Chapter 84: Choose Me

Ascal stared at the sword embedded in the rock, sweating profusely.

Lightbane.

It was the sword the protagonist found and pulled out when being chased by the Imperial army, much like a master meeting their fateful encounter after falling off a cliff.

There was clearly a description that only the chosen hero could draw this sword.

“Why is this coming out?”

He hurriedly pushed it back into place, but the once awakened sword continued to hum as if it were heated, asking to be drawn again.

Ascal bit his lip harshly.

Unfortunately, he already had many pets at home. A jewel frog, a pegasus, a cloud dragon, a white dragon. Sorry, but he couldn’t take another one home.

He hoped it would find a better master.

“What’s going on?”

“Lia, try pulling this out once.”

For example, someone like the Imperial Princess.

Ascal smiled wickedly.

“…It’s firmly lodged. It won’t come out.”

Lia continued to exert force on the sword, but it didn’t budge, as if the ease with which it had come out earlier was a lie.

Determined, Lia slowly untied her headband.

Gathering her magic, she began to draw the sword with all her might.

‘Hang in there, become a hero, Lia!’

However.

The sword still did not come out.

Ascal pretended to wipe the sweat off Lia’s forehead with a handkerchief, tying her headband again.

“It feels like it’s sealed by some powerful force. We should consult the Magic Department.”

Even Lia, the most competent person he knew, couldn’t draw the sword.

Was there a mistake when he pulled it out earlier?

Ascal drew the sword again. Without any effort, it slid out smoothly.

Whoosh――

“…”

Lia fell silent.

「Finally, the resolve has been made. Master, accept your mission, and let’s purify the evil empire together!」

The sword was speaking.

Judging by Lia’s reaction, it seemed she couldn’t hear the voice.

“I am not your master.”

Lia blushed.

“…It’s awkward to request such play out of the blue in the mountains.”

Ascal decided to ignore her.

「What are you talking about! You can’t draw me unless you’re worthy! Since you drew me, you are indeed my master!」

“And what are the qualifications?”

「Let’s see, I’ll check the manual. Hmm… no evil desires, benefitted many people… resolved to fight strong enemies, no genetic diseases, and a physically healthy adult.」

“With those conditions, even the town doctor could draw you.”

「And you need to have great luck.」

“…”

Ascal pushed the sword back into the rock, then lifted the rock with the sword embedded in it. It was quite heavy, but he managed. The military training he had undergone had helped build his stamina.

Lia’s eyes widened.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m going to find a hero.”

He couldn’t just become a madman (hero) carrying a talking sword around.

Resolutely, Ascal carried the rock down the mountain.

​

​****

​

<The one who draws this sword is exempt from military training and will receive a reward. Guaranteed by the honor of Princess Yulia Barba.>

Ascal struggled to move the rock.

In the center of the training ground, where many people were, the rock was placed. Beside it was a sign.

Naturally, it attracted a lot of attention.

“So, all I have to do is pull this out? They used to call me the Ogre of Hudson Village. This will be a piece of cake.”

The Ogre of Hudson Village left the scene dejectedly, only managing to make the veins on his forehead bulge.

Many other strong men who were confident in their strength also attempted, but not a single person could draw the sword.

Ascal added another line to the sign.

<If a knight draws the sword, they will immediately become the Royal Guard Captain. Guaranteed by the honor of Princess Yulia Barba.>

Knights began to show interest.

Naturally, among them was Randeon.

“Hmph. This should be easy.”

Randeon first attempted to draw the sword with his bare hands but failed, as expected.

“Impressive.”

This time, he used his magic to strengthen his body, showing he was serious.

“Haaaaargh!”

The sword didn’t budge.

“Step aside, Randeon.”

Seeing that Randeon couldn’t draw it, the knights gathered. It became a source of amusement amidst their dull combat training.

“Graaaaah!”

“Swoooosh!”

“Brrrrump!”

“Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!”

They all failed miserably. The only takeaway was that everyone had different groans when exerting their full strength.

‘It seems those in military training aren’t enough.’

Ascal, who had been subtly watching the sword’s side while training, contemplated.

‘I need to spread the word as much as possible. I should also call Sirius.’

****

<The one who draws this sword will receive immense rewards and honor. Here are the additional benefits offered:

Lifetime free meals at The Hanson.

Three jewel frogs every month.

Bonus points for interviews with the Evaluation Department.

A warm handshake with Bernstein, the Minister of Development and Innovation.

A tasting of crystal tea, which is only available at the Royal Palace.

A heartfelt compliment from Princess Yulia Barba.

Lifetime free entry to the Imperial Capital Nature Park.

Featured on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper.

All guaranteed by the honor of Princess Yulia Barba.>

****

“To what extent do you plan to use my name, Ascal?”

“It’s all for the greater good.”

“Even between lovers, deals should be clear. I expect a reward for lending my name.”

Lia extended the back of her hand.

It was soft and white.

“Now, kiss it.”

This was actually a gain.

Ascal kissed the back of Lia’s hand.

It smelled pleasantly of her skin.

“Here next.”

Lia tapped the back of her neck with her finger.

It seemed like a peculiar spot, but Ascal complied obediently.

As he kissed her neck, Lia flinched slightly.

“And lastly, here.”

The final spot was her lips.

“I feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick.”

“Hmph, do you dislike it, Ascal?”

“No.”

Ascal approached Lia. Her lips smelled of mint—

“Is this the place where the sword can be drawn?!”

They were interrupted.

Despite choosing a secluded spot, a massive crowd began to gather.

The rumors about the <Sword Drawing> had gained immense popularity.

[Imperial Newspaper]

—Who will become the master of the sword! The Empire is in a sword-drawing frenzy!

—People are gathering from foreign lands to try and draw the sword!? Even the dwarves from the north are showing interest!

—Imperial nobles are vying to sponsor the sword, offering immense honor to whoever draws it!

Reading the unauthorized newspaper, Ascal frowned.

“This situation has gotten much bigger than I expected.”

“With so many people gathered, what if the sword gets drawn too easily?”

It was the middle of the day. Ascal began stretching his ankles and cracking his neck.

“I wish it were that easy…”

His uneasy premonition wasn’t wrong.

****

“Captain of the Rose Knights, Count Tellio, will challenge the sword drawing!”

“Oh! Count Tellio is the young captain of the Rose Knights with numerous achievements. Many predict he could be the Empire’s next Sword Master! Will the master of the ‘Unyielding Sword’ finally appear?”

While doing partner stretches (where they pulled each other’s arms while pressed back-to-back) with Lia, Ascal watched the sword drawing out of the corner of his eye.

At some point, the sword drawing had developed implicit rules:

First, introduce yourself to the audience before attempting.

Second, don’t take your frustration out on the rock.

Third, don’t take more than a minute to try and draw the sword.

There was even an unofficial commentator.

The commentator was none other than the notorious gossip, Count Devar.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.’

Regardless, the sword drawing had unintentionally become a famous festival in the Empire.

The cheers of the excited crowd, the shouts of the officials training nearby, and the merchants drawn by the smell of money created a raucous scene.

“Fresh corn! Sweet, fresh corn for sale!”

“Fried snacks! Delicious fried snacks for just two coins!”

“Popular honey fruit! Selling out fast!”

Q. Did the Empire try to stop this chaos?

A. The Crown Prince, having caught wind of Ascal’s antics, found it amusing and supported it instead.

Lia bought some honey fruit and fed it to the training Ascal.

With a meaningful smile, she said,

“We can’t have this mess. Let’s clean up, shall we?”

Lia offered her honey-covered fingers. Ascal licked them. They were sweet. It was summer.

“By the way, Count Tellio is a renowned swordsman in the Empire. Do you think he can draw the sword?”

“We’ll see.”

Having watched the sword drawing attempts for a long time, Ascal had a rough idea. This was not a test of strength alone.

If the conditions are not met, even an ogre cannot draw the sword, but if the conditions are met, even a goblin can draw it.

Ascal hoped that among the many people gathered, someone would randomly satisfy the conditions.

“Those betting on Count Tellio drawing the sword, gather here! The odds are 2:1!”

For the record, Ascal had been consistently betting that no one would draw the sword, making a tidy profit.

‘Seriously, how hard is it to bet on a sure thing and make money?’

Count Tellio approached Lightbane with the utmost seriousness. Magic swirled around his arms.

And then.

“Shryaaaaaaap!”

Will it come out?

No.

Lightbane barely budged, just a slight tremor, but nothing more.

“That was the closest yet.”

Ascal watched Count Tellio leave with a hint of regret. Still, he could walk away proudly for achieving the “Sword Slightly Trembles” milestone.

“It’s about time…”

Ascal’s eyes gleamed as he looked towards one direction.

He had finally arrived.

A young boy with gray hair, still with a hint of boyish charm. The future hero, Yulia’s rival, the leader of the Anti-Empire Forces, Sirius!

Sirius looked around.

“Here it is!”

“You’ve come in an unusual outfit this time, Uncle Carl.”

“Strangely enough, you always recognize me right away.”

“Wouldn’t it be odd if people didn’t recognize you?”

Sirius laughed.

“I heard you needed a favor.”

Ascal spoke.

“Become a hero for me, Sirius.”

‘For my sake.’

****

“This is unbelievable!!!!!! The sword is half-drawn!!! This is the greatest achievement of all the challenges so far!!! Sirius, from Haven Academy, you’re amazing!”

Ascal’s expression turned serious.

‘Hey, your master is here. Lightbane. What are you thinking…’

Then something unbelievable happened.

“What am I seeing! The rock, the rock with the sword in it is flying into the sky!”

Boom.

The rock flew up and landed in front of Ascal.

And the sword vibrated wildly.

‘Damn it. This isn’t it.’

A rare curse slipped out.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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