Ex-Hero, Now Freeloader - Chapter 9 – Holy Sword Tantrum 2

I see. I finally understand.

For the entire time she was used by Heroes who thought she was annoying, it was like her mind was sealed away.

That’s why she wants me to think that a Hero needs her.

She wanted to be with me and still have her mind intact, so she asserted her existence.

She is terrified that she will be left behind because my strength far exceeds that of the past heroes. Strong enough to do just fine in a fight without a holy sword.

She was worried that I would never come back to her.

Or that if I did wield her, her mind would be sealed again. Or even considered unnecessary as a weapon.

She was scared.

「Why didn’t you say anything? Did you think I might shut you up like the past Heroes?」

That said, I did actually want to do that.

She was pretty noisy…

But I would never want her to be silent. That’s probably why she’s always so energetic.

Because this relationship is the best for me as a Hero.

『B-because…I-I did something terrible…』

Said Mika in a truly apologetic tone.

「Something terrible?」

I tried thinking about it but nothing came to mind.

「Oh, is it about breaking that treasure sword?」

『N-not about that. Uhm… When I first met you, I thought that maybe you would see me as a partner of equal standing since we were going to be together since childhood.』

「Hm…but then…?」

Nothing seems wrong so far.

『That’s just it. Just as silver tits mentioned, it’s not normal to give a five-year-old child a sword to go fight. Honestly, I should have watched over your growth while refusing you, saying something proper like「You are not yet old enough to wield me」or something. But I didn’t.』

「Ah, I see.」

You felt guilty about that decision and find it pretty hard to confess to it.

『I’m the worst, aren’t I? I’m sure you hate me. I’m sorry. I took advantage of your kindness and acted as a trustworthy holy sword…but I’m nothing like that.』

Mika wallowed in self-loathing.

Childhood or not, it’s debatable if she was a trustworthy holy sword.

But she is a partner of equal footing.

『I’m ready. If you want to punish me and erase my mind…I will optimize myself if you wish it.』

She spoke like a prisoner on death row, shutting their eyes tight, awaiting execution but…what is she talking about?

「No, I’m good.」

『Huh?』

「I’m just saying you don’t have to worry about it.」

『Wha-?! D-don’t you get it? Even though I’m a holy sword, I put my own feelings first over-』

「OK, first of all, there’s a misunderstanding here.」

She probably harbors some sorta regret like「He never would have fought at such a young age if I stopped myself from…」or something.

『Huh?』

「Just think about it. I was found by those five, and even if you said something…do you think they would hear you out and wait for me to grow up?」

『…Ah.』

Looks like she realized.

That’s right, that would be impossible.

「If I made the excuse that I wasn’t worthy of using you yet, I would have spent those days without you.」

Even without a holy sword, the crest of the Hero is carved onto me.

There are no problems in training me and making me fight.

『Y-you might be right. But even so, that doesn’t make the sin of my choice disappear.』

Hm, so that’s how it is.

「Okay, I forgive you.」

『You forgive me?! Just like that?!』

「I mean, it’s not like I want your consciousness to disappear.」

The punishment she’s looking for isn’t something I want to give.

Her making decisions I don’t want her to make just to atone would cause trouble.

『…!! W-why would you…』

Mika sounds like she’s about to cry again.

Hmm… Well, she told me everything, so I guess I have to say it.

「Those other five, they’re in charge of my upbringing, right? They’re my seniors, leaders, teachers, and adults.」

『Y-yeah…?』

「So…well…y’know… You’re full of yourself, but we’re equals. If you say something annoying, I can say something back.」

『We treat each other unreservedly?』

「Yeah! I think that’s it. I’m sure I…I’ve always wanted a relationship like that…so…」

The words just aren’t coming out.

Still, we’ve come this far, I have to tell her.

「I’ve always imagined that making a friend would…feel like this…」

Like kids I see in towns, dudes laughing while sharing drinks in a bar, or soldiers or mercenaries fighting back-to-back while cracking jokes.

A relationship that cannot be built by oneself, a friend.

I would probably never have that in my life.

I may have simulated that experience with Mika.

As expected, the other five didn’t say anything about not speaking to the holy sword.

『F-friend…? I’m a sword, you know?』

「Huh? So? It’s not like you can become partners without being friends, right?」

……Wait, can you?

There definitely are quite a few people who go into battle yelling「This is my partner!」.

But none of them ever call it their friend…

『R…Rain…!』

「W-what?」

The holy sword Mika…started wailing.

『Bweeeeeeh…!』

「Gah, shut up…!」

Oops, I told her to shut up.

But…she honestly is being really loud right now…

『D-dank yuu…! I zwear I’ll doo mai bezt to-』

「I can’t understand anything you’re saying.」

You don’t have to push yourself to say things while bawling.

I’ll try deciphering what she was trying to say… Uhm…『Thank you, I swear I’ll do my best to change my ways.』I guess?

Huh, guess I did understand her.

「Sure. Looking forward to working with you.」

『Yeah. Thank you, truly. …I’m glad you’re my wielder.』

「Is that so?」

『Also thanks for forgiving me for breaking that treasure sword.』

「Nope, still haven’t forgiven you for that.」

Man, she always gets carried away…

But just thinking about all that made me smile.

Even Mika giggled.

This exact feeling of being able to have pointless discussions like this is what I’ve always wanted.

『I’m prepared. Even if those other five come after you, I’ll fight for you.』

「Thanks, but I’m not expecting much out of you, though.」

『Cheeky brat!』

「Ahaha.」

At that moment, Ferris came in with the tea.

「Thanks, Ferris.」

「Not at all… Fufu.」

Ferris looked at me with a slight smile.

「W-what?」

「Master Rain is truly a kind individual.」

「…You went to make tea…right?」

「Fufufu.」

…Come to think of it, I vaguely remember seeing Ferris before…

I don’t think it was at the time I rescued Eleanor… Meh, just my imagination.

「About your afternoon appointment, Master Rain.」

「Ah right, I promised the little ones I’d play with them.」

「Understood. I shall prepare the area.」

「Please and thank you.」

『You’re taking me with you, right?』

「Fine, but no talking during hide-and-seek.」

『Hmph, it’s just a step down from covert ops training, right? This’ll be child’s play.』

「No, this really is child’s play.」

It might be better to have them teach me a new game today.

Something I’ve noticed yesterday is that this Demon King Castle has a very wide playground-like space.

I pick up my cup of tea while thinking that.