IDDYD 08

Chapter 08

The carriage raced towards the main highway. The scenery outside the window changed rapidly with the carriage’s speed.

Aiden couldn’t take his eyes off the scenery beyond the window. Alice watched him for a long while before speaking.

“It’s very different from 500 years ago, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“The scenery outside. You seemed fascinated.”

Hearing her words, Aiden gave an awkward cough and said,
“No, it’s just… It’s been a while since I’ve been out, that’s all. I don’t even remember the human world from 500 years ago, so.”

Aiden answered Alice and turned his gaze back to the window.

Despite his casual reply, he seemed quite interested in the human world’s streets.

*‘I thought demons wouldn’t be very interested in the human world.’*

In the Empire, demons were synonymous with destruction. Evil beings who corrupted all things with black magic using demonic energy. That was the image demons held.

She thought even if a demon was interested in the human world, they’d only be interested in destroying it.

Not staring wide-eyed and sightseeing like that.

*‘Then again, maybe not. Deep down, he might be thinking of burning those streets to ash.’*

Alice narrowed her eyes as if trying to gauge Aiden’s true thoughts.

While she was starting to feel somewhat at ease with Aiden’s presence, she didn’t trust him. It was hard for her, raised in the Empire, to open her heart to a demon in just a few days.

“By the way, I didn’t think you’d really commission a sword for me. We won’t even see each other after the contract ends anyway.”

Aiden, who had been looking out the window, shifted his gaze to Alice and spoke.

Alice’s eyebrow twitched, as if displeased with his reaction.
“I promised, didn’t I? I don’t make promises I can’t keep. ……Although your skill was beyond my expectations.”
“Well, of course a sword for a Sword Master would have to be custom-made.”

Aiden, crossing his legs, lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile.

He looked incredibly arrogant and annoying. Moreover, that attitude suited his handsome face so well it made her even more reluctant to acknowledge it.

Alice, with a less-than-thrilled expression, responded.
“Yeah, honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t think a demon could become a Sword Master.”
“Why?”
“Usually demons use black magic or curses, right? Isn’t swordsmanship a distant art for your kind?”
“That’s prejudice. Humans each have their own specialties too, right? Demons are the same.”
“So, you can’t use black magic or curses?”
“Dunno, never tried. I’m not interested in that stuff. I don’t see why I’d need to dabble in black magic. I can beat anyone with just a single sword anyway.”
“……You say I’m annoying, but…”

Wasn’t he even more annoying, answering with such arrogance? Alice muttered quietly.

Aiden was of a similar breed to her. People overflowing with confidence in their own abilities and possessing the talent to back it up.

Their fields were different—her magic, his swordsmanship—but they were alike in their unwavering belief in their own capabilities.

She knew the minds of people like her well. People like her might lie about other things, but not about their skill.

So, his claim of having never tried black magic because he wasn’t interested was likely true as well.

That was at least a relief. It meant there was no risk of him secretly using black magic and getting caught.

*‘If only his presence could be further hidden…’*

If the existence of an unknown Sword Master were revealed, Aiden would instantly become the Empire’s hot topic.

He’d be featured in breaking news in the papers, and it was obvious the Emperor would set his sights on the new Sword Master.

Then her plan to send Aiden back to the Demon Realm as soon as possible would also be disrupted.

“Aiden, don’t use aura in front of others if you can help it. They’ll find out you’re a Sword Master.”
“Why? Everyone in your household already knows.”
“I mean, don’t let it spread *outside*.”

Rumors spreading within the Erdin household were fine. She could manage those somehow.

This time too, she used her authority to strictly enforce a gag order on everyone who saw Aiden’s skill that day.

But outside the household was different. No matter how much she was the ducal heir, she couldn’t control rumors floating around the streets.

And if rumors reached the Emperor’s ears, it would be even harder to manage.

“Things will get more complicated if you’re revealed as a Sword Master. The Emperor might even try to assign you to the Imperial Knight Order.”
“I’d hate that.”

Aiden made an exaggerated grimace with his handsome face. He seemed to really dislike the idea of joining the Imperial Knight Order.

“So, to avoid that, don’t show off that you’re a Sword Master. Surely you can defeat opponents without using your aura?”
“Of course not. Fine, I get it. I won’t use aura when I wield my sword, as you say.”

Aiden readily accepted Alice’s proposal.

As they finished their rough planning, a familiar building came into view outside the window.

“We have arrived.”

Right on cue, the coachman’s voice sounded as the carriage came to a stop.

Aiden opened the door first, got out, and extended a hand to Alice. As if intending to escort her out as he did when she entered.

Alice was briefly surprised by the natural movement, but with a haughty expression, she accepted Aiden’s help and stepped down from the carriage.

* * *

“Smith Armory?”

Aiden read the words on the sign.

“Yes, it’s an armory run by the Smith family for generations.”

The Smith Armory, a primary supplier for House Erdin, had the longest history in the north, and its weapon quality was exceptional.

Alice explained about the armory to Aiden as she opened the door.

“Welcome… Oh, Young Lady!”

A woman with dark green hair tied tightly into a single ponytail greeted them warmly.

She seemed to be in the middle of work; her brown overalls were smudged with soot here and there.

“Long time no see, Ann. Aiden, this is Ann Smith. She’s the blacksmith of Smith Armory.”
“Ah, is this the guard you mentioned, Young Lady? Nice to meet you. I’m Ann from Smith Armory.”
“Uh, yeah.”

Ann smiled cheerfully and extended her hand to Aiden.

Flustered by her friendliness, Aiden took her hand with a slightly dazed expression and shook it.

Ann pulled a stack of papers from under the counter and handed it to Aiden.

“You’re here to commission a new sword, right? Here, this is our armory’s catalog. Take a look and let me know what you like.”

Inside the catalog Ann gave him were drawings of various types of swords.

Aiden, who had reflexively taken the catalog, slowly flipped through the pages before stopping.

His eyes fixed on one spot. He pointed at a sword drawn in the catalog with his finger.

“……This one.”

Where he pointed was a drawing of a one-handed sword with a wide, sharp-looking blade.

The hilt had an elaborate engraving. At a glance, it looked more like a ceremonial sword used in temples than a practical combat sword.

Ann, taking the catalog back, asked,
“Do you like flashy things?”
“It’s not so much that… it just seems the most similar.”
“Huh?”

Ann tilted her head at his hard-to-understand words. But unlike her, Alice caught the meaning.

*The sword he pointed to must look the most like the one he lost.*

“Are you really sure?”
“Yeah, I like this one.”

When asked if it was okay to choose a new sword similar to his old one, Aiden affirmed.

If he liked it, she had no more to say. Alice immediately entrusted the custom order to Ann.

“Then the design is settled on this. Please use the highest-grade Deliron for the material. I’ll have it sent here by tomorrow.”

Deliron was a type of ore mined from an Erdin-owned mine, known for being hard yet light, often used as sword material.

Separate from her personal feelings toward Aiden, she intended to give him the best sword.

Her pride as the Erdin Ducal Princess wouldn’t allow her guard to carry an ordinary sword.

“Yes, understood. I’ll complete the sword within three days and send it to the ducal residence.”
“Good.”

After discussing the deposit and other details with Ann, Alice left the armory.

As soon as Alice got into the carriage, she said to Aiden,
“Now we’re going to Blosha Plaza.”
“Blosha Plaza?”
“Yes, it’s the most bustling place in our duchy. Since we’re out, I want to finish preparing the things we need for the inspection.”

As soon as Aiden’s sword was completed, they had to inspect the Saint Mountains. After dealing with the Saint Mountains issue, they planned to immediately head south to search for the sword Aiden lost.

They had a lot to do ahead. They never knew what problems might arise where, so they had to prepare thoroughly.

*‘We might encounter magical beasts, so it’d be good to buy high-powered magic scrolls or magical artifacts first. I should also buy magic chalk in advance. Oh, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a new magic staff while we’re at it. And…’*

While organizing her shopping list in her head, Alice looked at Aiden’s eyes, which were under a spell.

Changing his eye color with magic was good, but it had the serious problem of a short duration.

*‘I need to find a solution for that too.’*

She’d do her best to prevent it, but if by any chance the spell wore off in front of others, it would be impossible to fix then.

*Was there no good method?* Alice tapped her chin with a finger as she pondered.

“Let’s go there first…”

A plan came to mind, and a smile rose to Alice’s lips.