Egru next selected the largest and most gleaming greatsword. D’Élysée asked with a somewhat troubled expression.

“Can you lift it by yourself, Brother?”

Egru nodded enthusiastically. His amber eyes sparkled with expectation.

He seemed to have gained unfounded confidence from watching D’Élysée lift the sword effortlessly with one hand.

“Be careful, it’s sharp. Hold it firmly with both hands. If it feels dangerous, put it down away from yourself.”

D’Élysée passed the sword hilt with these final cautionary words. Blinking in acknowledgment, Egru grasped the greatsword with delight.

Huh?

But his joy transformed into dismay in an instant. The moment D’Élysée’s hand let go, the sword’s center of gravity plunged downward.

In his panic, even the simple action of throwing the sword outward became difficult. The sword was far too heavy to hold upright from the start.

Seeing the blade tilting precariously toward himself, Egru reflexively closed his eyes.

“Are you alright?”

Gasp. At D’Élysée’s question, Egru cautiously pried his eyes open.

Fortunately, there was no pain. Though the sword had fallen from his hands, there was no crashing sound. Thanks to D’Élysée’s skillful catch, Egru had avoided injury.

“Excess leads to harm, Brother.”

D’Élysée spun the greatsword deftly in one hand and returned it to its original place.

“A weapon you cannot handle degenerates from a tool into a menace. Just as oversized shoes are uncomfortable, it’s a similar principle.”

Egru bowed his head in understanding at these undeniably true words. The deep disappointment lingering in his amber eyes gradually faded.

Come to think of it…

Where exactly was the resonating sword?

Egru began surveying the armory walls again. He touched various weapons, but none felt particularly compelling.

Could he possibly need to touch all these weapons? That seemed impossible even if he stayed awake for a week straight.

“Brother.”

D’Élysée suddenly cleared his throat and stopped Egru.

“Would you mind waiting outside the armory briefly? I’ll find a sword that suits your hands.”

“?”

“It’s absolutely not because you did anything wrong. It’s just that most things here are bladed weapons.”

D’Élysée covered his mouth with his hand and averted his gaze. He appeared anxious that Egru might encounter danger again.

Ah…

Egru couldn’t bring himself to look directly at D’Élysée.

Thanks to his intelligent and considerate brother, he received so much help. Yet as the elder brother, he should be serving as his brother’s pillar of support.

I’m just causing worry…

He had wanted to impress him by heroically obtaining a holy sword, but he was still clearly lacking.

To hide his dejection, Egru deliberately nodded with forced cheerfulness.

“I’ll escort you to the door.”

Egru shook his head at D’Élysée’s words. He gestured with his hand to indicate the door was close by, then quickly bowed his head and ran off.

“Brother, that’s the wrong direction…!”

Thump—it was then that his heart pounded startlingly hard. Not because of D’Élysée’s call.

With a sensation like his heart stopping, Egru swallowed his breath and raised his head.

Suddenly the whole world darkened, and only one sword hilt gleamed. The radiance was as sublime as it was dazzling.

Is this another cursed sword entrancing me? D’Élysée wouldn’t like it if I touch it carelessly…

Despite these thoughts, Egru slowly reached out his hand, driven by an irresistible instinct.

His reason flew away like scattered white petals, as if only he and the sword remained in the entire world.

“No, Brother. Don’t do that.”

D’Élysée rushed over just in time to stop Egru. He pressed down Egru’s outstretched arms and enclosed him in his embrace.

“See? This is why I asked you to wait outside.”

“Haa, haa…”

“Brother?”

Amber eyes flashed as they stared fixedly at one spot.

D’Élysée turned to look in the direction of his brother’s gaze. There hung a sword with a white base and subtle iridescent hues.

Is it crafted from a unicorn’s horn?

The blade had a particularly unusual shape. The spiral sword, curled like a pig’s tail, tapered toward the tip.

Yet it didn’t appear to be a cursed sword. Why had his brother lost his reason?

“Brother, can’t you hear me? Brother!”

D’Élysée grasped Egru’s shoulders and shook him.

Egru groaned and pushed D’Élysée away. His face remained flushed, as if in a state of excitement.

For a moment, a tense sensation surged in D’Élysée’s groin at the sight of his brother’s flushed appearance. Caught off guard, D’Élysée tried to clear his mind.

“Please calm down and stop, okay?”

Despite this composed entreaty, Egru kept twisting his body to reach the sword. Finally, D’Élysée wrapped his arms around Egru’s waist and lifted him up.

“Look carefully. It’s a form difficult to cut with. Its bulk would also make swift thrusting challenging.”

Egru continued to push against the unyielding shoulders, showing no signs of backing down. His small feet dangled and flailed in the air.

D’Élysée calmly continued his explanation.

“I’ve never seen a sword with such an unclear grip method. If you like it, that’s fine, but are you sure it’s alright?”

Egru nodded vigorously.

“Alright then. Let me check it first, just to be safe.”

D’Élysée carefully set Egru down and grasped the sword hilt. Immediately, the blade, which had been tightly coiled like a spring, writhed as if possessing consciousness.

Ah, I see.

D’Élysée could finally understand the sword’s bizarre form. Its current shape was tailored to its previous user.

In the grasp of its new master, the blade completely transformed. It straightened out, hardening into an engraved blade. Egru’s amber eyes grew even wider.

“Wait, Brother. It’s dangerous to come so close.”

As Egru rushed toward the sword, D’Élysée raised it above his head. Egru also reached upward, but the height difference made his effort futile.

“I’ll let you have it after examining it a bit more.”

Despite D’Élysée’s explanation, Egru began jumping up and down on the spot. D’Élysée’s ears reddened slightly as he discreetly averted his gaze.

Each time his brother jumped up, pressing against his chest, the sensation of rubbing against his shirt wasn’t entirely unpleasant. The warm, panting breath on his chest and shoulders felt warm and ticklish.

After thoroughly enjoying their contact, D’Élysée looked up at the sword. As expected, it had transformed into his preferred bastard sword form.

A blade with near-perfect proportion and balance. It would be a lie to say it wasn’t astonishing.

Even the grip had appropriately extended to fit his hand, and blue energy rippled along the blade as if responding to his aura. It was a sword with a strong consciousness, capable of penetrating its owner’s capabilities.

Remarkable…

Not many swords can withstand a Sword Master’s aura.

Even among Sword Masters throughout history, few used a single sword for extended periods. Even mythical blades would eventually melt when surrounded by aura and wielded repeatedly. Once a sword deteriorated beyond repair, there was no alternative.

But this is what Brother chose.

D’Élysée turned away without hesitation. Though tempted, he harbored no greed. Moreover, he already possessed the holy sword said to have been used by the first Hero.

“You could get seriously injured in front of a blade, Brother. I won’t hand it over until you stand still.”

“……”

“Lower your hands. Stand straight.”

At this gentle command, Egru struggled to stop moving. How long did he stand there, catching his excited breath?

“That’s right.”

D’Élysée smiled softly and passed the sword. Egru swallowed hard and extended his hands. The sword’s reflection danced in his dilated pupils.

“It’s a sword that changes form according to its owner. I’m excited to see what shape it takes when you hold it.”

With a heart ready to burst, Egru grasped the hilt.

“It will be a bit heavy. I’ll help you hold it until it gets lighter.”

D’Élysée overlapped his hands on top of Egru’s. Even as they held the sword together, he carefully avoided touching the hilt directly. After a moment, the dynamically writhing blade finally solidified its shape.

“Ah.”

Upon seeing the sword’s form, D’Élysée involuntarily sighed.

I suspected as much…

The pig’s tail shape from earlier was no coincidence.

A sword with consciousness is equally discriminating about its owner. It seemed designed to transform into a ridiculous shape when held by someone it didn’t acknowledge, making it unusable.

The sword’s new shape was an equilateral triangle. Though dagger-sized, its dimensions made both stabbing and slicing awkward.

“Listen, Brother. We have plenty of time, so let’s look at other swords. There are countless magnificent weapons here.”

D’Élysée carefully gauged Egru’s mood. He must be terribly disappointed after such high expectations.

Just as he was about to offer words of consolation, Egru smiled brightly.

His earlier excitement had completely subsided. As he caressed the flat blade with a satisfied smile, D’Élysée asked in bewilderment.

“Are you alright, Brother?”

Egru tilted his head to one side, as if not understanding the question.

D’Élysée couldn’t help but smile in return. Perhaps the sword’s consciousness hadn’t been greatly shocked by his brother’s purity.

“Nothing, never mind.”

<system>

Hero’s Holy Sword acquired!

<system>

Congratulations. Unexpected quest successfully completed.

Egru clutched his newly acquired holy sword tightly to his chest. Tomorrow would finally mark the beginning of their journey.