第７３４堀：楽しさのあとの (Part1)
**Chapter 734: After the Fun**
**Side: Yuki**
"How are things at the venue?"
"The place is packed, boss."
Steve, whom I had put in charge of security for the conference hall, answered my question. Of course, I had also entrusted him with guarding the VIPs and overseeing the security of the entire city of Betan.
"As expected of a place where magic swords hold so much sway. Just the announcement of an unveiling brought in spectators from countries all over," Steve remarked.
"Well, whether you can actually use a magic sword depends on luck. Since anyone has a chance, it feels like a commoner could suddenly become a hero. Plus, the gates connect all the nations now, making travel easy. And the centerpiece of the unveiling is the Holy Sword, which is said to be the original model for all magic swords."
I had been receiving reports, but the sheer number of people visiting for this Holy Sword unveiling was staggering; the economic impact was massive. It had reached the point where other nations were already asking if we could rotate the location of these conferences in the future.
It was essentially the same as the bidding wars for hosting the Olympics back on Earth. There’s nothing better for stimulating an economy. I suppose these kinds of events will become a regular agenda item for our meetings from now on.
That means heated debates every single time, huh? Well, that’s only if this Holy Sword unveiling is a success.
As I was lost in thought, Steve threw a question back at me.
"The Holy Sword is all well and good, but how’s the person using it doing?"
"You mean Light? I’ve heard reports from Agil and Jessica, and I exchanged greetings with her when I arrived at the venue today. There didn't seem to be any problems."
She seemed relatively normal. So normal it was actually surprising. Then again, we’d never really met face-to-face before. Since Light Revive had been operating under Marly’s command during their missions, I’d left everything to them. There was no reason for her to hold a grudge against me.
"Hmm. Well, that’s good then. It doesn't look like the Church or the Holy Kingdom have tried to tamper with the Holy Sword either."
"True. Though I never thought the day would come where I’d be so glad to have the Appraisal skill."
"Usually, Appraising people only gives you a rough reference. And even with items, you often end up wondering why they have certain names. But this time, it was clear as day: *Holy Sword. Creator: Sakuri.*"
"I immediately confirmed it with Noble of Ex and the Dungeon Master, Sakuri-fice. They said there’s no mistake. Unless the forgery is absolutely perfect, anyway. But if we start doubting that, there’ll be no end to it. For now, let’s just be relieved it’s the real deal. It’s not like we could borrow the Holy Sword and let Narjia 'examine' it—she’d literally take it apart."
"If that lady got her hands on it, it would probably turn into something else entirely," Steve chuckled.
Yeah, it really would. When it comes to developing equipment and weaponry, she has no concept of self-restraint.
"So, I’ve got a handle on the internal situation, but what about the outside? There were those groups trying to launch an attack during the first conference, right?"
"Ah, those guys. We didn't just stop them at the water's edge; we crushed them with room to spare. They were being led by factions within various countries who were dissatisfied with this alliance. Most of them have been punished by now."
"But there are remnants, right? Today would be the perfect day for them to cause a scene, with VIPs and tourists from every nation gathered in one place."
"Understood. I’ll step up the perimeter alerts around Betan. I’ll also increase security around the beastman village."
"Please do. Last time, it seemed like they planned to attack that village first to gather like-minded recruits. Demi-humans are particularly easy to use as pawns for those types."
"Even though White Forest has officially established diplomatic ties, there are still plenty of people who resent the way things are being done," Steve noted.
The world might look peaceful on the surface, but the truth is that it’s still riddled with problems.
"And how is Surakichi-san doing?"
"He’s successfully mimicked and positioned himself all over the venue. If anything happens, he can expand his body to protect the VIPs or isolate the audience into sections."
Slimes really are incredibly versatile. People who think slimes are weak simply don't understand their true potential.
As I was finishing the security briefing, Horst entered the waiting room.
"Lord Yuki. It is almost time."
"Right. Then, please escort the kings of each nation to their seats in the venue as planned."
"As you wish."
Finally, the unveiling ceremony was beginning. I wondered if it would end without a hitch.
***
"My, that was incredible. The Holy Sword is truly something else."
"Indeed. The Holy Sword was magnificent, but the magic sword users from the other nations were also splendid."
"It’s true; we’ve never had an opportunity for magic sword users and the Holy Sword user to gather in one place like this."
"It was exactly like something out of a fairy tale."
As those voices faded into the distance...
"Mommy! I want to be just like General Marly!"
"Do you think you can?"
"I can! General Marly told me I could! She said from now on, there will be lots of magic sword users who protect the whole world, not just one country. So I’m going to become a magic sword user and protect the world too!"
"Hehe. I’m sure you will."
A heartwarming conversation reached my ears. Twilight had already settled over Betan.
"...Well, it feels like nothing happened, yet a lot happened."
"Isn't that for the best, boss?"
"I guess so. The Holy Sword unveiling finished safely, and then we had the showcase for the magic sword users from each country. It went according to plan, but I didn't expect them all to come out at once."
Exactly as Surakichi-san said—just as the Holy Sword user’s debut ended, the magic sword users from the various nations stepped out to show off their own blades.
I understood the sentiment. If only the Holy Sword user was showcased, only Enaria’s reputation would soar. In the legends, the Holy Sword user of Light is the leader. There was a risk the audience would mistakenly believe Enaria was the leader of the If Continent.
To prevent that, they showcased the magic swords and their users to signal that all nations stood on equal footing.
From Zilba, there was Marly.
From Enaria, there was Prism.
From Roday, there was Doju.
From August, there was Laraina.
I mean, Marly and Prism are fine, but Doju and Laraina didn't leave much of an impression. Laraina uses a wind magic sword, which overlaps with Marly, and Doju uses a rock magic sword, but I can only ever picture him chasing after old man Blade.
And the kicker...
From the Kingdom of Ex, there was Kishua.
From White Forest, there was Kaya.
Hey, wait a minute. Both of those are actual Holy Sword users.
For the record, Kishua uses fire, and Kaya uses fire too. You guys are totally overlapping.
Both the Kingdom of Ex and White Forest have behind-the-scenes connections to Holy Sword users—or rather, the original spirits—so they must have pulled them in for this.
The Kingdom of Ex didn't originally have magic sword users; their national strategy for increasing power was focused on making those swords usable by anyone.