I stared in silence at the blade claiming to be a Holy Sword.
What should I do? Maybe I should call for an exorcism.
"Just grip me for now," the voice echoed. "We will talk after that."
This felt disgusting. I had the distinct impression I’d be cursed the moment I touched it. I decided it was best to stay away.
"Hey. Grip me."
In the first place, who had left a sword in here? I was the only one with a key to this room. Not even the servants or my family were permitted to enter without my leave. Besides, I had been cooped up in this basement every day lately. Even if someone had managed to sneak in, there was no way I wouldn't have noticed.
"GRIP ME!"
The thing was getting on my nerves. My irritation finally outweighed my caution. Fine, I'll grip the damn thing.
I reached out and lightly grasped the hilt.
In that instant, a bizarre sensation washed over me. It felt as if my life force were being drained—or more accurately, as if the sword had become an extension of my own body, my blood circulating all the way to the tip of the steel. It was an unsettling, jarring feeling.
"Optimization complete. From here on, mental speech will suffice. No one else will hear us."
The voice vibrated directly inside my skull.
What did that mean? Could it hear the words I was thinking right now?
"Precisely."
How revolting.
"The feeling is entirely mutual."
Then why go through the trouble? What are you, anyway?
"I told you, I am a Holy Sword. I am a weapon forged by the Fourth Mythos, Fate, who carved away a piece of its own divinity to create me."
A single line of logic pierced through my muddled thoughts. This thing knew about my situation. The moment I realized that, I began to accept the possibility that it truly was a genuine Holy Sword.
A Holy Sword. Yes, a Holy Sword.
But what did that imply? Wasn't the Holy Sword a weapon that only Reiji was meant to obtain? Wasn't that the very reason he was the only one capable of saving the world?
"A Holy Sword alone cannot defeat the Evil God," the voice explained. "Only when paired with Holy Magic Power—the unique power possessed solely by Reiji Wolf—does a Holy Sword truly become a blade capable of slaying the Evil God."
I see.
It was exactly as I had thought. In the end, Reiji was still the only one who could save the world. I had already unilaterally broken off my engagement with Celestia. I had made Chesa cry. I didn't expect to be saved myself at this point. I was going to be the ultimate stepping stone for Reiji.
"Hmph. It seems we both drew the short straw," the Holy Sword muttered with a hint of self-mockery.
The short straw?
"You are a clown destined to be crushed by a hero. I am the Holy Sword held by that clown. Ours is an extremely miserable relationship."
I considered that for a moment. If Reiji was also going to obtain a Holy Sword, then Fate must have created two of them. One for Reiji, the true hero, and one for me, the stepping stone. You were made into a foil to make the real thing look better, just like me. No wonder you’ve been in such a foul mood.
Still...
"Is it really that miserable?" I asked aloud.
"What?"
"Think about it. Without us, Reiji can't become a hero, right? If we were truly that pathetic, why would Fate go through the trouble of creating another Holy Sword just to give it to me? Doesn't that mean our roles are just as vital for the sake of saving this world?"
"..."
"Anyway, what's your name? If there are two Holy Swords, it'll be easier to tell you apart if I have a name to call you."
"...It is Zest."
"Nice to meet you, Zest. You can rot in self-pity all you want, but I’ve decided to be a Proud Stepping Stone. I need you to be useful, or we're both in trouble."
"Who do you think you are speaking to? I am a Holy Sword. Try channeling your magic power into me."
Magic power? Like this?
I did as instructed and poured my magic into Zest. The color of the blade shifted instantly. The elegant sword, once adorned with refined gold and silver decorations, was dyed pitch-black in a heartbeat.
It was completely black.
"Are you sure you're a Holy Sword? This looks like a Demon Sword to me. The kind that comes with a permanent curse."
"I am a Holy Sword! A Holy Sword optimizes itself by responding to its wielder's magic! This appearance is not a reflection of me, but of your own nature!"
Seriously? Am I really this ominous?
Well, actually... it was perfect. From now on, I had to become the most hated man in the world. This look suited me far better than some sparkling, saintly blade.
"Try swinging me."
I took a stance facing the basement wall. I stared at the ominous, pitch-black blade that looked as though it had been forged from the night sky itself. As if responding to the magic overflowing from my hand, a dark aura wavered along the steel.
A single flash.
Zest was as light as a feather. Despite it being my first time holding the sword, it felt incredibly natural in my grip. A black streak of light tore through the air, and a deep fissure groaned into the thick stone wall.
"...Incredible."
The power exceeded my wildest expectations. With this, I could truly reign as a wall of despair for Reiji to overcome.
A fairly loud crash echoed through the basement, but fortunately, no one came to investigate. They were likely curious, but too terrified to approach.
Not bad, Zest. This power might even rival a full-strength Third Rank Magic spell.
"Third Rank? Do not make me laugh. Once you grow, you will eventually surpass even the Royal Rank."
I see. That was something to look forward to. Claude von Einhart had more talent than anyone, if nothing else.
"You have led a singular life," Zest remarked, peering into my soul. "Two lives are blended within you. You possess memories of a past life, do you not?"
"You can tell? You don't seem very surprised."
"Reincarnation is the way of the world. Such beings are not rare in the Celestial Realm."
"Is that so?"
Honestly, that was a relief. Since Zest understood my circumstances, I could consult him about my plans. For someone like me who had to deceive the world, finding a collaborator was my biggest hurdle. I had been prepared to play the stepping stone entirely alone, but I never knew when the mask might slip. Perhaps Fate had granted me Zest for that very reason.
"Do you truly intend to save the world?" Zest asked suddenly.
"What's with the sudden question?"
"Even if you are satisfied with this arrangement, I am not. The hero is someone else. Why must we stake our lives just to set the stage for him?"
"If the world isn't saved, we die anyway, don't we? Then we have no choice but to fight."
"Is that the only reason?"
When he put it like that, I found myself at a loss for words. Well, there was also the matter of my past life.
"Regret for failing to reach out when it mattered?" Zest asked.
"Something like that. Sorry for dragging you into my self-satisfaction. But I fully intend to involve you, so stay prepared."
"Hmph."
Hearing a response that sounded like a snort, I checked my pocket watch.
"Oops, I've got to go. It's almost time."
"Where are you going?"
"To my etiquette lesson."
"What?"
"I had Chesa arrange for a top-tier manners instructor. If you can see into my past life, you should understand my reasoning. The world I came from was full of fiction—movies, novels, anime. I know exactly how a man in the position of a stepping stone is supposed to behave. Listen, Zest. We aren't just some common jobbers. We are the greatest and worst obstacles Reiji will ever face. Therefore, I must project overwhelming class. My bearing, my speech, even my table manners... everything must be impeccable. It's about pressure. I have to become a man who makes Reiji feel true weight."
"I understand your point, but..."
"Then let’s get moving. To be a Proud Stepping Stone, every second counts."
"Teacher! I have a question!"
"Y-Yes... Lord Claude, what is it?"
"If I must leave the table during a meal, where exactly should I place my knife and fork? Also, regarding the napkin—is there a specific regulation for how it should be folded when placed on the chair?"
"W-Well, about that..."
The instructor timidly began her explanation. I carefully noted every word. A villain with sloppy eating habits was nothing but a third-rate thug. I would cut my steak beautifully, elegantly, and cruelly. Only then could I be a true antagonist.
"Your ability to switch gears is certainly top-tier," Zest said with a mental sigh.
"I'm trying to concentrate, so keep quiet for a while."