My name is Pirika Winup.
I once carried the title of Sword Saint, but I hold it in reserve now. I simply did not feel my strength was worthy of the name.
The previous Sword Saint and my senior fellow disciples were true warriors, each worth a thousand men. I had not yet reached that height. I still required a great deal of training. Furthermore, the title itself tended to invite all sorts of unwanted trouble, and I could not afford to cause problems for my benefactor, the Village Head, or for Village Five.
I would set aside the Sword Saint. That was for the best.
Once I stopped using the title, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was able to throw my entire heart into my training, and I felt a steady conviction that I was growing stronger. While I was still no match for Master Galf or Master Daga, I could say with confidence that I was among the most prominent warriors in Village Five.
Being entrusted with the Village Five Guard was a point of pride for me. It was somewhat vexing to realize I felt more pride in being the Captain of the Village Five Guard than I ever did as the Sword Saint.
I understood the weaknesses of my own swordsmanship. I was too specialized in anti-personnel combat; I struggled when facing opponents that fell outside that category. My solution was to gain experience by fighting monsters and magic beasts—powerful ones.
Fortunately, I had no shortage of opponents in the forest surrounding Village Five. I regularly ventured into the woods, hunting one creature after another. My days were spent balancing my duties as Captain with these hunts. Even the local adventurers began to regard me with respect, and the number of people asking me to teach them the sword—even if it didn't quite reach the level of a formal apprenticeship—steadily increased.
They were relatively happy days. While I hoped they would continue, there was also a part of me that could not forgive my lingering weakness. To be honest, I did not feel as though I could ever defeat Master Galf or Master Daga. Haunted by that thought, I swung my sword once more. I would move forward, one step at a time.
At one point, I ended up in a match against three men from the Human Kingdom: the Silver Knight, the Bronze Knight, and the Iron Knight. I won handily. Was this truly the extent of their strength? Or had I become that much stronger? No, conceit is a dangerous thing. Still, seeing my former self reflected in them was embarrassing, so I put extra effort into guiding the three of them.
The Bronze Knight ran away again? Then today, we shall practice capture training. We will hunt him down.
I wonder how many years it has been since I first came to Village Five. I finally reached the point where my sword could actually touch Master Galf and Master Daga. I was honestly overjoyed.
Then, I was approached about participating in the martial arts tournament at the Village of the Great Tree. I had heard that this tournament was a competition so fierce that even Master Galf and Master Daga struggled to win. My own chances of victory would be slim at best. However, observing the skills of true powerhouses would surely be educational. I wanted to become stronger, so I requested to participate.
Thirty days before the tournament was set to begin, I moved to the Village of the Great Tree. It was officially under the pretext of training, but it was really a selfish whim of mine to acclimate to the atmosphere as early as possible. I traveled via the Teleportation Gate. The Village Head told me that its existence was top secret. Of course, I would tell no one. I wanted to live up to the trust he showed by sharing such a secret with me.
Since I had encountered the Demon Spider spiderlings and the Arachne before, I knew the Village Head was on good terms with monsters and magic beasts. I also knew his wives included a Vampire Princess, an Annihilation Angel, High Elves, and members of the High Ogre Race. I even knew that Lady Yoko, the acting village head of Village Five, was no ordinary woman.
So, I thought I was prepared. Even so, I was shocked.
There were so many members of the Demon Spider lineage. So many Inferno Wolves. The Angel Race, the Lamia Race, and the Giant Race looked positively adorable by comparison. I didn't even feel the urge to fight; the military force here was simply overwhelming. I couldn't even think of them as training partners.
When I consulted Master Galf, he told me to focus on hunting the rabbits in the forest. Anything else was too dangerous and strictly forbidden. I had thought, "Only rabbits?" but I never imagined they would be Killer Rabbits.
I nearly died many times. The only reason I am still breathing is thanks to the Inferno Wolves who acted as my escorts and the highly potent medicinal herbs I was given. I have nothing but gratitude for the wolves who guarded me, though if I'm being honest, I wish they would have stepped in just a little sooner.
As for the medicinal herbs, I was initially cared for by healing magic, but since I ended up needing it over and over again, the Village Head eventually just handed the herbs to me. I was forbidden from taking them outside the village. Indeed, with this level of efficacy, they would spark a war. I suspect they could even bring the dead back to life. Hahaha. Wait, aren't these World Tree Leaves...? No, surely not. I shall keep that thought buried deep in my heart.
I couldn't even properly hunt the rabbits that the cats caught with ease. I was inferior even to the cats. Those days forced me to confront that reality. However, if the cats were superior to me, it meant I could learn from them. I bowed my head to the cats and begged them to teach me.
After a while, the phoenix chick called Aegis began to help with my training. Aegis could also hunt the rabbits, despite being such a round little bird... The Eagle that stayed beside Aegis offered me comfort. Thank you.
I worked hard. I piled effort upon effort, but the results didn't come. As a change of pace, I helped with the harvest in the fields to clear my mind. During that time, I asked the Village Head for advice on fighting.
"Isn't it about watching your opponent closely?" he asked.
...
I intended to watch my opponents very closely. After all, they were creatures that might take my life; there was no way I wasn't watching them. But for him to point that out specifically... it meant I was failing to see something.
An Elder Dwarf named Wilcox gave me a sword he had made specifically for me.
"Because I couldn't bear to watch you struggle," he had said.
It was slightly longer than the sword I usually used, and the center of gravity was further toward the tip. With the tournament so close, I hadn't intended to change my weapon, but it felt strangely right in my hand.
Holding that sword, I challenged the rabbits once more. I felt like I was fighting better than usual. Was it the sword? Because I was able to hold my own, I finally noticed something. These rabbits... could it be?
I lost the ensuing death match, but that evening, I asked Master Galf about it.
"That rabbit. It's reading my movements, isn't it?"
"Hmm? Ah, that's right... though to be precise, it's 'seeing' them. The eyes of a Killer Rabbit can see the future."
...
Wasn't that an Evil Eye? And one that saw the future at that? How was I supposed to win against such an opponent?! I almost screamed, but I held it back. Master Galf and Master Daga hunted those rabbits. The cats and Aegis did too. Just because they saw the future didn't make them invincible. There was a countermeasure.
Think. Think!
The Village Head's words were correct. When I looked at the rabbit closely, I understood. It was moving because it had already seen my intent. In that case, I could use my own future movements to lead it into a trap.
I finally managed to hunt a rabbit without sustaining a single injury. The Inferno Wolves guarding me were surprised, and I was just as shocked. I was no longer the woman I had been only yesterday. It was the sensation of something awakening—as if I had shattered several thick walls that had been surrounding me all at once.
I had become strong. I felt as though I could cut through anything now. Though it was impolite, I felt I could fight on equal terms with Lady Lu or Lady Tia. No, I felt I could even surpass them.
Was this conceit? The one who answered my internal doubt was a Dragon who called himself Marksbergark.
"That is indeed a sword worthy of the title of Sword Saint. I hear you have refrained from using it, but there is no need for such reserve. You should claim the title with pride."
Thank you very much.
I bowed my head to Master Marksbergark and remembered that I was the Sword Saint. That was right. I was the Sword Saint. And I shall dedicate this sword to the Village Head. This blade exists for his sake! I shall never become his enemy; I swore it in my heart.
Regardless, if I were to dedicate my sword to him, I had to prove my worth at the martial arts tournament. The Village Head would surely be surprised. Fufu.
Let's see, I'm participating in the Knight Division... Wait, I'm not on the list? I'm sure it was supposed to be the Knight Division. Was it a mistake by Master Galf? No, it was changed to a different division on the recommendation of Master Marksbergark.
To which one? The King Division? The division with the Dragon Kings, Dark Dragons, and the Vampire Progenitor? Ah, Master Zabuton is participating too. I see.
Um...
The Demon King was beckoning to me. He looked as if he had just gained a new comrade-in-arms.
...
I-I won't lose!
Even for a Sword Saint, there are opponents one simply cannot beat. I understood that now. The previous Sword Saint also said that the secret to certain victory was to never challenge an opponent you couldn't defeat...
...Village Head, is it still alright to dedicate a sword like this to you?