第３３３堀：残りの聖剣 (Part1)
**Chapter 333: The Remaining Holy Swords**
**Side: Comet**
Man, the world is a vast place.
I always thought I was quite the talent, but it turns out there are countless people out there who surpass me. It’s not often you get to admit defeat right from the start like this. When you’re known as a leading expert in your field, you carry a certain pride, and because you bear the weight of those expectations, you can’t just honestly admit that you’re losing to someone else. You end up making excuses—claiming this part is flawed or that part is superior—just to try and maintain some sense of equality.
Well, I hated the people at that research institute for that very reason, which is why I was doing my own research alone in a laid-back village, but...
"When the gap is this wide, there’s no point in being stubborn. Hahaha!!"
I had come to the laboratory Yuki-kun provided, intending to evaluate the level of technology here. Instead, I’ve been the one studying, humbled by my own lack of knowledge. And it’s not just the scientific technology brought by Yuki-kun and Taizo-san. I was floored by the craftsmanship and delicate mana manipulation of Narjia, the chief of the Fairy tribe and a master of enchantment. I was also stunned by Zargis, the demon. The magical aptitude of a race specialized in mana is truly something else.
And they are taking these technologies with different characteristics and combining them to create even newer ones. These aren't just simple new discoveries, either; they are simultaneously developing things that benefit the general public. For now, they are mostly inventions that trace the history of Yuki-kun and Taizo-san’s world, but eventually, inventions unique to this world will emerge.
"Well, there’s no point in being stubborn here, is there?"
"Indeed. No matter how much of a technical system we have based on specialized skills, from the perspective of Yuki and his group, it must look like we’re just fooling around."
"You said it. By the way, why are you two in the archives? Did you come to look something up?"
Unlike me, these two have been here for a long time and understand Earth’s scientific technology reasonably well, so they don't usually come here to study. Or rather, if they tried to learn it seriously, they’d spend their entire lives on just one field, so they only study in moderation.
"No, we have business with you, Comet."
"Yes. There is something we would like you to verify."
"With me?"
That’s strange. There isn't much I can offer in terms of wisdom here. I’ve already recalled and written down the data regarding mana depletion from my memory, but the content was almost identical to theirs. If anything, the research results from Yuki-kun’s group are more precise. Basically, all I could do was talk about statistics and past experiences.
"Does this mean... it’s about the 'Betu-swords'?"
That’s the only thing I can think of. They’re grandiosely called Holy Swords or Demon Swords now, but they were originally just "conveniently overpowered swords" I developed with the concept that just holding them would make you stronger. This is what’s complicating the current situation. Well, I suppose it’s a problem of my own making. It’s such a hassle.
"Yes."
"However, the crude Demon Swords we recovered didn't have any inscriptions or marks that would lead back to the developer. This is about the other swords."
"The other ones?"
"The Holy Swords. There are the thirteen you gave out—the 'Betu-swords'—and the one you gave to Peace. That makes fourteen in total, correct? Not counting prototypes or the ones you kept for yourself, just the ones you gifted."
"Hm? Ah, yeah, that’s fourteen."
"Of those, the ones currently in existence are the nine held by the Holy Sword users now in Weed. Peace’s sword was crushed by Yuki-san, but you repaired it, so that’s one. That leaves four Holy Swords whose whereabouts are currently unconfirmed."
"Ah, I see. You mean there might be research being done elsewhere based on those four, so you want information on them?"
"Yes. Though, for the record, we have identified the location of all four."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Three are in White Forest, the demi-human country Yuki-san and his group are heading to next. And one is in Enaria. The former is based on the testimonies of Claudia-san and Kaya-san. As for the latter, when Yuki-san invaded Enaria as Zilba, there was a girl who called herself a Holy Sword user on the enemy side. We captured her, and for the sake of the future, we returned the girl and the sword to Enaria. However, we have already collected the data."
"Hmm, I see. So it’s a matter of confirmation and information."
"Yes. Could you help us?"
"Well, studying isn't bad, but if I don't do my job, there’s no point in me being here. Hifie will get angry at me."
Yeah, I came to the lab full of enthusiasm, but I don't have any achievements I can boast about to Hifie. If this continues, she’ll definitely scold me. I should at least create some easy-to-understand results. Yuki-kun and Taizo-san probably don't expect me to make major discoveries in a research position like this, but Hifie is indifferent to such things and has always complained about my research. If I have some clear results, she’ll be quiet for a while.
"Alright, first, can you give me information on the three Holy Swords in White Forest? I intend to verify the actual items, but it would be helpful to have information beforehand."
"That makes sense. Let’s see..."
I proceeded to write down everything I could remember about those three Holy Swords and answered their questions to ensure accuracy.
"If you verify these, I think you’ll be fine. Though, it would be more certain if you could send me photos."
"That is true. I will tell Yuki-san that."
"And the last one, the one you already have information on?"
"Ah, here it is."
With that, Zargis handed me the document for that one sword. I took it without hesitation and skimmed through it.
"Hm?"
I felt like there was a strange description in there. Am I tired? I rubbed the bridge of my nose and looked at the document again.
"Hm-mm?"
Even after a second look, nothing changed.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, I don't know this Holy Sword."
"Pardon?"
"This isn't a Holy Sword I made. I can say that clearly. The owner, Light Revive, or whatever—at this point, it’s not a sword I created."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I understood that my Holy Swords had too much power, so I implemented mana authentication. They can only be used by the person registered to them. I made it so those changes could only be done using the facilities in the dungeon I was in. In other words, it’s strange that there’s a new wielder."
"I see."
"Next, this 'Holy Sword of Light.' I only manufactured one sword with the 'Light' attribute. Adjusting the output was extremely difficult. Even with the mana pool of a dungeon core, the mana consumption for the wielder is quite severe. Since the owner of this one is Difes, that Holy Sword is something different from mine."
"But, judging by the structure..."
"That’s true. As Narjia says, it resembles the Holy Swords I made. I haven't seen it in person, so I can't say for sure, but based on the information, it looks quite similar."
Now then, what could this mean? Just as I was about to fall into a sea of deep thought, Zargis’s words pulled me back.