Chapter 273 Deep Floor Team (Part IV) – Yamikirimaru
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The next morning, we headed east on the Third Floor, aiming for the route to the Fourth Floor, but…
”There are several routes, but they all twist and turn. In the end, we have to walk all over the Third Floor to reach the eastern edge.”
Martina was complaining while holding a map during lunch.
We kicked away wandering monsters like High Goblins and High Orcs, defeated the monsters in each room, and secured magic stones and loot, but everyone was showing signs of fatigue from this monotonous exploration.
* * *
In the end, even after a whole day, we couldn’t reach the eastern edge of the Third Floor, and we ended up camping in a room where we eliminated some Hobgoblins.
”Even if we say we’re close to the eastern edge, that’s assuming it’s the same size as the Second Floor.”
Martina said while drawing the map of the Third Floor.
”Still, it’s complicated or whatever… the routes are really winding.”
Dorothy muttered in disbelief as she looked at the map Martina had drawn.
”That’s true. The blank areas we haven’t passed through are probably winding routes leading to the eastern edge too. If the Third Floor is bigger than we expected, we might not make it to the Fourth Floor by noon tomorrow…”
Having finished writing down the route we explored today, Martina threw her pencil aside and leaned back.
”Indeed, the size of the Second Floor was double that of the First Floor.”
”This Third Floor might be even larger.”
Liz and I peered over Martina’s map from both sides.
”Hmm… since each floor of the ‘Welnia Labyrinth’ is about twice as large as the Second Floor, that possibility can be considered.”
Asuka was applying powder to the blade and wiping it down.
”Have you finished taking care of ‘Yamikirimaru’?”
Asuka looked up while applying clove oil to the wiped blade.
”Well, you see…”
I drew ‘Yamikirimaru’ from its sheath at my waist and handed it to Asuka.
She placed the finished sword back in its sheath and set it aside, then took ‘Yamikirimaru’ from me and drew it out.
”…It’s beautiful… Did you take care of it?”
”Yeah… about 2 weeks ago…”
”──!”
When I received it from my master, the blade looked like a regular Japanese sword, but now, after being used, ‘Yamikirimaru’ has a black shine to it.
”It doesn’t get blood or grease on it unless something really unusual happens, so it doesn’t rust either. I’ve hardly done any maintenance on it.”
I was quite worried about that when cutting through orcs, but ‘Yamikirimaru’s blade remained beautiful.
”As expected of a ‘cursed sword.’”
”Oh, I think it’s probably because it’s made of ‘Hihi’irokane.’”
Hearing our conversation, Meluda approached us.
”It’s less likely to rust and the blade is stronger than one made of regular ‘tamahagane.’ And…”
Meluda took ‘Yamikirimaru’ from Asuka and stared intently at the blade.
”The stronger the magical power imbued in it, the stronger the shine of the ‘black blade.’ This ‘Yamikirimaru’ is quite something.”
”It started out with a normal blade color, though…”
Upon hearing my words, Meluda looked a bit surprised and returned ‘Yamikirimaru’ to me, which I accepted and sheathed.
Meluda stood up and headed to help Aluda and the others set up dinner, but I couldn’t help but notice the slight worried expression that showed for just a moment.
”A sword made of ‘Hihi’irokane’… it’s the dream of swordsmen from the East.”
”But I must say, Asuka’s sword seems to be quite a fine piece as well, doesn’t it?”
”…It’s something I inherited from my father. Even if I ended up becoming a slave due to circumstances, I couldn’t let go of this.”
Asuka quietly smiled while staring at my sword.
I don’t know what circumstances led this girl to become a ‘slave,’ but surely, this ‘sword’ must have been a small source of support for her in such a tough situation.
I stood up and gently patted Asuka’s back.
”Alright, let’s go have dinner.”
I took Asuka’s hand, who looked up and smiled, and we headed toward where everyone was.
* * *
After finishing dinner, as usual, Kazumi and Rena were wiping their bodies in the shadow of the tent.
”Hiroya… by the way, aren’t you learning any magic other than ‘Physical Boost’?”
Rena asked from behind me.
”Right? Hiroya should have a good ‘soul compatibility’ with this world, just like me, so it should be easier for you to learn magic and your magical power should be high, right?”
”That should be the case, but… I don’t think my magical power is that high.”
Now that my proficiency in ‘Physical Boost’ has increased and my magical power consumption has decreased, I don’t get tired from using this magic even after multiple uses.
”Is that why you can’t use other magic──.”
Rena murmured as if she understood.
”──I heard from Meluda about ‘Yamikirimaru’… that girl is probably using Hiroya’s magical power to boost her own strength.”
”Eh?”
Kazumi and I couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise at Rena’s serious tone and the content of her words.
”It originally had a normal color, right? The fact that it gradually became a black shining blade means that while being used by Hiroya… well, it probably awakened around the time you fought the ‘High-ranking Succubus.’ I heard it has ‘demon kin special effectiveness.’”
”Y-Yeah, that’s true…”
Since that time, the sharpness of ‘Yamikirimaru’ has changed.
I thought it was because the opponent was a youma and a ‘demon’s kin’…
but it seems to have become quite sharp against other monsters too.
”I think that ‘the blade gradually turned black’ is proof that ‘Yamikirimaru’ is growing.”
Aluda came in, pulling back the tent.
”Normally, when you forge a weapon, magical power is granted, and it doesn’t change after that.”
Aluda dipped a towel in hot water and started wiping my toes.
”But it seems like ‘Yamikirimaru’ is different. It has a basic ability called ‘demon’s kin effectiveness’… but it looks like that power increases depending on the user.”
Meluda, who came in next, took the towel from Aluda and wiped my other foot.
”I don’t really know if the ability of the person who forged ‘Yamikirimaru’ is exceptional, or if they trained it in cooperation with such a ‘grantor’… but that sword is really amazing.”
Rena chimed in with a tone of disbelief, continuing Meluda’s words.
”So Hiroya’s magical power is being used without his permission, right? …Isn’t that harmful to Hiroya?”
Kazumi asked with concern.
”That is indeed worrisome…”
”Yeah. Even though Mr. Hiroya doesn’t use much magic, if ‘Yamikirimaru’ causes him to run out of magical power…”
”If it harms Big Brother Hiroya… I’ll just throw it away!”
”Lady Martina, Uu will help too!”
”A ‘growing sword,’ huh? That’s quite interesting.”
Before I knew it, Liz, Dorothy, Martina, Uu, and Asuka had gathered on this side of the blindfolded tent.
”…I appreciate everyone gathering and worrying about me, but… I’m completely n*ked, you know?”
* * *
”Well, since Hiroya’s amount of magical power is on a whole different floor compared to Kazumi, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about there.”
While preparing the sleeping bags, Rena reassured everyone who was worried.
In the end, I was thoroughly wiped down from head to toe by everyone, including Uu and Asuka, and I felt really refreshed.
I can understand Uu, but why Asuka too?
”As a fellow swordsman, I’m interested in your body. I never had the chance to touch and check it before. ──But… every time I see you, Hiroya, you’re getting in better shape.”
Well, I’ll just think of it as an older sister checking on her younger brother’s growth.
* * *
Everyone wiped down their bodies and got ready for bed.
Rena strengthened the ‘magic barrier’ to keep monsters away, so we decided to minimize the watch and rest well for tomorrow.
”Let’s take turns watching in groups of 3. The rest can sleep peacefully.”
We all played rock-paper-scissors.
The results were…
”I’m first.”
”I’m second.”
”I’m third.”
Martina, me, and Dorothy lost spectacularly.
Well, if I used Dad’s power, I wouldn’t lose at rock-paper-scissors, but that would be a bit much… right?
”Okay, Martina, I’m sorry, but I’m counting on you.”
”Leave it to me, Big Sister Liz! Everyone, sleep well!”
We all said goodnight to Martina and crawled into our sleeping bags.
Oh, and I should add that the goodnight kiss was quite the ordeal.
After all, everyone except Asuka and Uu is ‘mine’ in this group.
”Uu want one it too! If you don’t give me one, I won’t make breakfast!”
I managed to convince Uu with a kiss on the cheek.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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