324 – The Holy Sword Contest -1-

Among the wandering souls, those who become ‘Eul’ are those who have no place to return.

A life without a destination is destined to wander. Exhausted from the aimless drifting, one inevitably collapses and becomes ‘Eul’ in relationships.

The strongest is not the swordsman who has slain dragons.

Nor the hero wielding the Holy Sword.

It is the one who has conquered themselves.

For everyone, the greatest enemy is the existence of ‘I.’ If one can overcome ‘oneself,’ it is as if they have triumphed over all adversities in the world.

‘Hmm…’

“What kind of nonsense is this?!”

Today, Shuen scratched his head while biting into a hot bar, reading a philosophy book in the convenience store.

Perhaps because the food was cooked with a magic tool called the Magic Stone Range, the juices burst forth in his mouth—a magical delight.

“Nom… nom…”

Shuen preferred the hot bar over philosophy.

No matter how much the Tetra family, his lineage, was renowned for their philosophical prowess, Shuen, who could not grasp the essence of philosophy, sighed in boredom.

“I’d rather welcome one more customer than read this.”

“There’s no inspiration. No fun. What on earth is this written for? It’s so dull…”

Shuen was not on friendly terms with philosophy.

Philosophy, at its core, is a discipline that unfolds the realizations gained through living life.

“This is why our family is broke.”

Philosophy, with its endless droning of pointless chatter, had long since missed the mark of the times.

Shuen thought it foolishly rigid, walking a path that was the very opposite of what people desired these days.

“I think I did well to pass it off to my younger sibling. If I had taken the reins, I surely would have led us to ruin.”

Shuen had a remarkable ability for self-objectivity.

The philosophy filling Shuen’s mind was singular.

‘Money is best.’

Money reigns supreme.

Without it, nothing can be done.

Thus, money is the highest virtue.

Having read with deep impression the line from a book, “If there are things you cannot do, it is because you lack money,” Shuen resolved in her heart to live diligently.

[The Secret to the Success of the Forest’s Friend Founder.]

“This person is my role model, you know.”

Unbeknownst to herself, Shuen had taken the convenience store owner as her idol. With a firm belief that one day she would become a remarkable wealthy person.

– Ding.

“Welcome! Happy Convenience Store SU is here!”

As the bell above the store door chimed, Shuen hastily closed her book and rose from her seat.

– The beginning of hospitality starts with a greeting. Even if the person who enters your shop is an enemy, for that moment, they are a king.

“…Oh. Hello.”

– Bow!

They were not close.

Though they were classmates, these were students with whom Shuen had no bond.

She had no friends in this academy, nor anyone to share a meal with.

A stiff smile crept onto Shuen’s lips as she looked at her peers, and a slight twitch marred the expression of the girl gazing back at her. It was as if neither was pleased to see the other.

From the aisle leading away from the display, the voices of students reached Shuen’s ears.

“Hey… why is she just sitting there?”

“Seriously, the finals are right around the corner. Isn’t she studying?”

“…”

Shuen clenched her fists.

“I don’t like studying, you see.”

In truth, it wasn’t that she disliked studying; she was simply focused on other matters. Of course, she knew this lazy demeanor was wrong, but once she returned to the dormitory, she would study in bits and pieces. There was much she wanted to say, yet Shuen chose to remain silent.

Not close, you see.

I keep my distance.

At the entrance ceremony, I stumbled over my words, and many came to dislike me for it. There were too many wounds from clumsy attempts to connect, and it left me frightened.

“I’m lonely.”

Shuen clutched the blue uniform tightly in his hands, lowering his head.

In that moment, the chatter of students pierced his ears. The secret to becoming popular, it seemed.

“Hey, did you hear that?”

“What about?”

“The Holy Sword.”

“The Holy Sword?”

“Shh! Keep your voice down!”

Before the student could glance back, Shuen bowed his head and whistled, making it clear he had no interest in their words.

– Zing.

“Whiiiii~”

-…

Whether his act had worked or not, the student returned to the conversation.

“Yeah, the Holy Sword…!”

“Uh… but what is the Holy Sword? You mean the one from fairy tales?”

“Of course!”

“But why?”

“You’re such a fool… What do you think a Holy Sword is?”

“A hero?”

“Exactly! A few days ago, I happened to overhear a meeting in the student council room.”

“Oh?”

“The student council president said they found a clue about the Holy Sword and are gathering elite members from the academy to search for it.”

“R-really?”

Shuen pondered.

‘A Holy Sword?’

Could it be that if he found the Holy Sword, he too might become popular?

– This is the very essence of the Holy Sword!

—

“Wow!! Shuen is so cool! Nobles are truly different!”

“Hehe! Don’t touch it! It’s worn out!”

“Of course! Why would commoners like us touch it!”

“Hehe!”

“Ohoho!”

Indeed, the news of finding the location of the legendary holy sword was a curious piece of information.

When the world is in peril, only the chosen one can wield the holy sword. It was a blade that only a hero could lift.

Moreover, if that sword were to be gifted to that man…!

“It would be enough for a dowry!”

Shuen was thrilled at the thought of preparing a dowry rather than just becoming popular.

Traditionally, a betrothal gift is something both men and women must prepare. Considering the meager means of that man, it was likely that she would have to shoulder the burden of the dowry herself.

Her rival, Hannah, didn’t seem to be close with her father either. With that in mind, Shuen nodded along, focusing on the chatter of the women.

“But isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

“The holy sword, which has been a legend for hundreds of years, suddenly appears. It sounds like a lie made up from some odd book.”

“Hey, you fool! It’s not that it just appeared; they’ve finally found a clue after centuries of searching. Have the scholars just been idling away until now?!”

“Ah… now that you mention it, that makes sense.”

“Right? Hah… I wish Senior Mikhail would have it. That would be so cool. A hero wielding the holy sword with silver hair flowing…! Just imagining it is amazing, isn’t it?”

“Hehe… that’s true…!”

Hoooom…

As Shuen listened to their words, she nodded along.

The red-haired butler swinging the holy sword with a flourish.

“Hehe!”

A smile crept onto Shuen’s lips.

“What’s up with that person… they’re strange.”

“They’ve always been strange.”

“Hehe…!”

The holy sword.

Shuen decided she would take a vacation soon. To be the first to retrieve the holy sword.

Whoever picks it up claims it as their own.

—

“Ugh!”

Giving is a matter of one’s own heart.

*

At the same time, in the student council room of the academy.

The student council was in turmoil, grappling with the recent discovery of the holy sword’s location.

“I found something while going through ancient texts, you know.”

“…”

“I confirmed that the holy sword seems to be located in the north.”

“…”

“Yuria mentioned it. There are folk tales passed down through generations in a specific area of the north. If I were to put it harshly, they could be seen as ghost stories. But just listen.”

The council members nodded, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Shartia. It was the first time they had seen her so excited.

Conversely, Shartia felt a weight lift with the arrival of the senior officer, allowing her to indulge in the happiness of life.

‘Ah… I am so happy.’

– Hand this over to the treasurer.

– Still… setting the budget is my responsibility.

– You just need to stamp it. Isn’t that right?

– Then I…

– You should play.

– Um…

– Write a letter to Ricardo. You mentioned that you feel overwhelmed with work, so send him some suggestions for improvement.

– Why is a mere butler so capable…?

– By the way, Ricardo said something too. He’s worried you’re trying to carry everything alone; he thinks you might collapse.

– …Ricardo said that?

– Yes.

– Gah…

With a blissful smile, Shartia gently nudged Yuria forward.

Taking a hesitant step at Shartia’s commanding gaze, Yuria wore a tense expression as she recounted the tale she had heard from her father.

“Ahem.”

“…”

“In our north, there is a mountain that one must not ascend.”

“…”

“My father always told me never to go there when the sun sets, in the Andes snow-capped mountains.”

“…”

“Monsters come out.”

“…”

“He was right, you know. The northern snow peaks are indeed filled with fiends. But when I was a child…”

Yuria spoke, recalling her youthful escapades.

“When I was about nine, I sneaked up that mountain without my father knowing. The herbs that grow in the Andes are of such fine quality.”

“…”

“That day, the snow fell heavily, and the sun was nearly gone.”

“…”

“I was so lost in gathering herbs that I found myself at the mountain’s summit. At one point, the blizzard began to clear, and then I saw it.”

“…What did you see?”

“A temple.”

“A temple?”

“Yes. A temple, I think it was one that led underground. My memory is hazy, but that’s how it felt.”

“Hmm.”

“And then I came down because I was hungry.”

The council members exchanged skeptical glances at this deflating tale. They thought it was too far-fetched.

But then—

—Bang!

Shartia spread out the ancient texts deciphered from the royal archives across the table, a smile creeping onto her lips. A smile that promised to shatter their doubts.

“This.”

The holy sword is a relic that only the true-hearted can wield.

A heart of purity.

A heart of pristine white.

Only those who possess the will to protect others can grasp this object.

Should one who does not meet the conditions take hold of the sword, great suffering will follow.

Yet—

When a great crisis befalls the world, if one who is worthy grasps the holy sword, they shall gain immense power to safeguard the realm.

In a realm where pure white reigns, the holy sword lies in slumber.

‘Pure White’

The phrase emphasizing purity drew nods from all present. And with a heavy voice, Shartia spoke.

“You know where it is.”

The council murmured softly, their voices barely above a whisper. “The North.”

A land cloaked in snow-capped mountains of pure white.

For when one speaks of purity, it could only mean the North.

Shartia firmly added a crucial point for them to consider.

“This endeavor will move in tandem with the imperial court.”

“The imperial court?”

“It seems the court does not take this matter lightly.”

“…”

“With Yuria and me assisting in the interpretation, we barely secured permission to accompany. The number of those who can follow is limited to a maximum of ten to fifteen.”

“Still, the imperial court is…”

One of the student council members voiced his concerns, his tone laced with anxiety.

His words were steeped in various emotions. What if they lost the holy sword? And if he were to become its master, would he have to surrender it to the court? Such foolish worries spilled from his lips. Yet, sensing their greed, Shartia spoke with resolve.

“The senior director stated it clearly. If the student council acts unilaterally, he will dismiss all of you.”

“…”

“What if it’s a trap set by heretics? If a powerful heretic appears as before, can you handle it?”

Having faced numerous trials, Shartia wore a grave expression as she spoke.

“You must keep your wits about you.”

And as for Mikhail, the one destined to become the sword’s master…

“…”

He remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.

‘There’s a lecture next week…’

In a state where he could not focus on the holy sword.