Chapter 7

“Yeah.”

Why would I lie about something like that? I nodded eagerly and explained to Dad what had happened today.

“So, I was out at the market and ran into some drunk guys.”

“Mhm, and then?”

“Then they suddenly told me to hand over my sword. So I ran away. But then, all of a sudden, the sword started glowing—”

“And then?”

“The sword flew into my hand and called me an idiot.”

“…?”

Dad stared at me like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

I get it. Who would believe that the first words spoken by a legendary ego sword would be ‘idiot’? Of course Dad wouldn’t.

But it’s true! It literally said, ‘Hold on tight, you idiot!’ to me!

I thumped my chest with my fists in frustration. Dad tried to calm me down, patting me while saying, “Alright, alright. Dad believes you.”

“But Dad, can’t you hear it talk?”

“Nope, I can’t hear it. And sweetie, ego swords can only communicate with their owners.”

“Really? But it looked like that guy—uh, I mean, His Highness the Prince—could hear it too. Does that mean I’m not its owner?!”

“Did the sword say you weren’t its owner?”

“No, it said I was its owner.”

“Then you’re its owner, Eve. Wow, my daughter’s a swordsmanship genius! Awakening an ego sword already. Mwah mwah mwah.”

Dad leaned in with his scratchy, stubbly face and kissed my cheek.

I let him, but when he went a bit overboard, I pushed his face away with both hands.

“Ugh, old man. Back off.”

Wiping my now-wet cheek with my sleeve, I asked,

“But Dad, did you know it was an ego sword when you gave it to me?”

“Hmm… well…”

“What kind of answer is that, Dad?!”

Dad laughed and lightly pinched my cheek.

“I made your sword by melting down a sword your mother brought back.”

I blinked at his words.

“What? Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Of course it is. I never told you. Anyway, I’ve got to get to work now—gotta fix the village chief’s tools.”

“Ugh, don’t gooo! Tell me more!”

“Alright, alright. Be good, sweetie. Have fun.”

Dad whistled as he slipped out, leaving without telling me anything more about the sword.

I stared blankly at his retreating back, then dashed over to pick up Excalibur.

If Dad won’t tell me, I’ll just ask it!

The sword itself should know better than anyone.

‘…But what should I call it?’

I stared at Excalibur, thinking about how to address it so it would answer me.

But just then—

[Give me a name!]

“Wah! You scared me!”

[What are you surprised for? You were struggling just to say something like an idiot. Whatever. Give me a name. That way, you won’t need to stress about what to call me.]

Vmmm—

The sword vibrated in my hand as it spoke. I stared at the glowing, humming weapon and asked,

“A name? You want one?”

[Yes! A sword’s name should be given by its master!]

“I call you Excalibur, though.”

[Excalibur? Hmm… I like it.]

“But it’s too long, so I’ll just call you ‘Ex’ from now on.”

[What?! You can’t just shorten it like that!]

“Well, I just did. Anyway, I have something to ask you, Ex.”

[…What is it? Ask away.]

“You’re… an ego sword, right? You can talk and have a mind of your own?”

[Can’t believe you have to ask that. Humans really are dumb.]

“Then… am I really your owner?”

[…I don’t want to admit it, but yes.]

“Why?”

I placed the vibrating sword next to me and looked down at it curiously.

Why me, though?

An ego sword chooses its master and resonates with them. If it didn’t like me, it could’ve stayed dormant until someone else came along.

I recalled the stories Dad once told me about ego swords as I studied it.

[I don’t know either.]

“If you don’t know, who does?”

[You brat! Show some respect! Do you know how old I am?!]

“Okay, Grandpa. So if you don’t know, who does?”

[Y-You disrespectful little—]

“Aww, whatever! You’re not even answering! If you won’t tell me, I’m going out to play.”

I jumped to my feet, and the sword started vibrating wildly—clearly panicked that I might leave it behind.

[W-Wait! Sit down. Sit down, kid. Or take me with you. I’m light!]

“I’m not a kid. My name’s Eve.”

[Alright, Eve. Just sit down, will you?]

I sighed and sat back on the sofa, picking up the sword again.

“Then answer this. Dad said he made you by melting down another sword. Is that true?”

[YES!! I was once a great holy sword with a massive blade that only grown men could barely lift! And now I’m stuck in this kiddie-size version for a brat like you… What a disgrace…]

“I said my name is Eve.”

[…To think I’ve become Eve’s sword…]

I looked closely at Ex’s blade.

It was definitely smaller than a typical adult’s sword, but it wasn’t exactly tiny either. It reached up to my chest when I hugged it.

Still, the only reason I could swing a sword nearly my size was because Ex adjusted its weight to match my strength—

[WRONG, YOU IDIOT!!]

“It’s not?”

[No! You can lift me because you’re my master. My weight hasn’t changed by even 1 gram! And yet you went around saying I couldn’t even slice a potato…]

The sword vibrated with righteous indignation. I gently patted the blade to soothe it.

“Okay, okay. Sorry. I had my reasons.”

[No reason is good enough!]

“And what if I don’t forgive you? I am your master, you know.”

[…]

“Let’s not fight, Ex. Okay? We have to get along. We’ll be together a long time.”

The sword went quiet, then flashed once, as if agreeing with me.

*

Naming the sword “Ex” and landing the golden connection to the imperial prince had put me in a good mood… but that didn’t last long.

“Is this Mr. Neil Roise’s house?”

“…Well, I don’t go by that name anymore, but yeah. Come in. Please, come in. Haha.”

Ugh. Why are there so many guests today?

I looked suspiciously at the visitor and mumbled under my breath.

Wearing a useless cloak and a flashy sword at his side—yep, definitely another “hero.”

‘Great. Are rumors spreading among the heroes or something?’

About how amazing my dad’s swords are!

Dad sat the visitor at the table. Our house was small, old, and cramped, so there wasn’t much space for guests. If you wanted to have a proper conversation, the dining table was the only option.