Chapter 5

“Ahaha, this child is my daughter. Eve, say hello!”

“Ah, hello!”

“Hello, Eve. What a pretty name.”

Among the robed men, the largest one smiled and waved at me.

I awkwardly smiled and bowed my head to greet them.

“Perfect timing.”

Just then, the smallest man among them—the one who had threatened me earlier on the forest path—approached me and looked down at me.

I stared up at him blankly.

Up close, he didn’t look that much older than me.

He looked more like a boy than a man—still not quite grown.

The boy scanned me with a calm gaze, then pointed at the Excalibur in my hand and said,

“Let’s make a trade. Give that to me.”

Then he turned and spoke to my dad.

I blinked at the boy in confusion.

‘W-What? He wants this?’

My Excalibur?

Why are so many people after my Excalibur today?! I shook my head firmly, signaling “no way,” and looked at Dad.

Dad also looked troubled and gently patted my head.

“Haha, that won’t do. If you need a sword right away, I can show you a different one.”

“No, I want that sword.”

Is this guy insane?! Why is he being so pushy?

The boy shook his head firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Then one of the men standing beside the table slowly rose and approached my dad, bowing politely.

“We’ll pay whatever price you ask.”

Forget the price—I already said no! Hugging the sword tightly, I looked up at Dad with teary eyes.

‘Dad, please do something about these crazy people.’

When they showed up on the forest path acting all shady, I thought maybe they were the hero party from the main story.

But now that they’re trying to steal a sword from an eight-year-old, they’re clearly just a bunch of lunatics.

So, let’s kick them out already, Dad! I tugged at his sleeve, urging him to deal with it.

Dad looked at me with thoughtful eyes, then bowed politely.

“I’m sorry. This sword is not for sale. Please leave.”

“Hah, not for sale?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What kind of sword can’t be sold even to a prince of the empire?”

I had been silently listening to the conversation, but the boy’s words made my jaw drop.

‘W-What?’

A prince of the empire?

Why on earth would someone like that come to such a shabby place?

I lifted my head and looked up at the boy, who was a head taller than me.

Silvery hair that signified noble blood, and beneath his sharp, slanted eyes…

‘A red gem, the symbol of the imperial family!’

So this rude jerk really is an imperial prince? I looked at Dad in disbelief.

Dad was still bowing his head respectfully to the boy.

From Dad’s attitude, the boy’s earlier comment, and the dignified bearing of the men behind him—it all added up.

He really was a prince.

Oh my god. He really is a prince.

I tried to calm my whirling thoughts and think.

‘So… the imperial prince just came here and asked for my sword? And Dad said no?’

Can you even do that—turn down a prince’s request? Would he chop off our heads for that?

I swallowed nervously, praying that this prince wasn’t some ruthless tyrant.

And I began mentally saying goodbye to my Excalibur.

‘Goodbye, Excalibur…’

Even though you saved me today, I guess I have to give you up if the prince wants you. Of course. A sword is a small price to pay compared to our lives.

But then—

[Who said you could?! I am not some object to be bought and sold!]

The sword in my hands vibrated and shouted.

I jumped in surprise and tried to cover the blade.

“Shut up, you idiot!”

[Unbelievable! What? He wants me? As if I’m some junk metal you can pick up at a market stall!!]

As the sword vibrated and shouted, everyone in the room turned to stare at me.

‘Ah. I’m doomed…’

I awkwardly laughed, wondering how I was supposed to clean up this mess.

Maybe I could just say it had nothing to do with me and hand it over…

[Don’t even think about it, you idiot! I can’t believe such a fool is my master. What a pair of blockheads—father and daughter!!]

Vrrrrmm—

As the sword continued to buzz, the large red-haired man behind the prince cautiously spoke.

“Is… is the sword vibrating?”

“Huh? Oh, uh, it’s just acting out of sorts right now—ahaha.”

I tried to make an excuse, but then realized he hadn’t asked if the sword was speaking—he had only asked if it was vibrating. My eyes widened.

“Ah, Mister!”

“Huh?”

“Can’t you hear it speaking?”

[You dolt! Only you can hear my voice! Only you!]

“Hearing it speak…?”

“Eve, you can hear the sword talking?”

Dad grabbed my cheeks and stared at me. I met his eyes and nodded.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Really?”

“I told you, I can hear it! Dad, you seriously can’t hear this? No one else can?”

I brushed off Dad’s hands and looked up at the men in the room.

Then the boy, who had been silently watching me with narrowed eyes, tilted his head slightly.

“No, I can hear it.”

“What?!”

[What?!]

The boy stepped closer and held out his hand.

Without hesitation, I placed Excalibur in his palm.

[Hey!!]

Vrrrmm—!!

The blade vibrated violently in protest, but I ignored it.

“Ugh, noisy. Quiet down.”

Here you go, Your Highness.

I handed the sword to the boy—no, the prince—and stepped back with a sheepish smile.

[You!! You spineless, irresponsible brat!! To think you’re my master!]

“That kid is your master?”

[And who is this brat now?]

This is bad.

Watching my sword (special trait: can talk) throw disrespectful insults at an imperial prince, I quietly tugged at Dad’s sleeve.

Dad… I think we’re doomed because of that thing.

But instead of getting angry, the prince actually smirked and asked again.

“I’ll ask once more. Is that kid really your master?”

[Yes! I am not something you can just buy and sell!]

No, he’s lying. Totally sellable.

I wanted to jump in and shut Excalibur’s mouth, but the prince’s overwhelming presence left me frozen.

Ugh, today is the worst.

I glanced at Dad.

Just in case… I thought maybe now was the time for him to say any last words. They could be his will, after all.

Dad was still watching the vibrating sword in the prince’s hand with deep curiosity.

Then he said,

“Ahaha… A sword that chooses its own master. So the rumors were true…”