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Chapter 42: The Magic Sword

I rolled up the sleeves of my work clothes and stood at my personal workspace. On the workbench before me lay the ‘mud‑caked magic sword’ I had received from Guild Master Togo the other day.

Looking at it again, the grime was truly horrific. The blade was caked with sludge‑like mud and layers of dried monster blood, solidified like fossilized rock. If left unattended, it seemed like it would fill the whole room with a stench of curses and rot.

“Alright… first, I’ll carefully strip away this caked‑on sludge of resentment and rust.”

I picked up the bottle I’d prepared, filled with a special cleaning solution mixing baking soda and citric acid. Just then—

On the workbench, the magic sword began to tremble eerily, rattling. The next moment, a voice—arrogant and dismissive—rang out directly inside my head.

『…You… dare… you with such pitiful magical power dare touch me so casually…!』

A sharp will of rejection that seemed to shake my brain itself. But instead of being startled, I was strangely impressed.

“Oh, impressive. For being covered in rust, you’ve got quite the spirit. Alright, alright, I’ll scrub you clean and shiny right now.”

As I raised the bottle, the sword vibrated even more violently and tried to spew an ominous black mist. But perhaps due to years of accumulated grime, the mist only sputtered out weakly, failing to take shape.

『S‑stop! What is that suspicious liquid!? I, who have drunk the blood of countless heroes and plunged the world into chaos—GWAAAAH!?』

I didn’t let the magic sword finish its self‑introduction. I poured the cleaning solution generously over the blade, from hilt to tip.

Fizzzzzzz!!

The baking soda and citric acid reacted violently, creating a powerful foaming action. Pure white bubbles mercilessly enveloped, lifted, and broke down centuries’ worth of mud and resentment.

『Ah, it burns! What are these white bubbles! My coating, my identity is melting! Stop, don’t wash me! Don’t purify meeee!!』

A death‑rattle scream echoed in my head. Hearing it talk made me feel a bit sorry for it, but to restore its original form, this step was unavoidable.

“Just stay still. You don’t realize how badly you smell, do you? This is how you’ll be reborn as the greatest sword.”

I picked up a sponge and prepared to begin the serious cleaning—just at that moment.

“T‑Toru‑kun! We have a problem!!”

From the main desk area, Rin came rushing out, her face pale. The normally calm and composed woman ran over so fast her heels nearly tripped her. The tablet in her hand was flashing intensely.

“What is it, Rin? I’m a little busy right now—”

“This is more important! That mysterious organization that bought up our artifacts through dummy companies in the auction… they’ve contacted us directly!”

My hands stopped. The sword, writhing in its foamy misery, also fell silent for a moment, perhaps sensing Rin’s urgency.

“…! Do we know who it is?”

“This might sound hard to believe, but it’s rumored to be the massive corporate group that secretly controls the European economy—the ‘Eden Group.’ A message came directly to our company’s most deeply concealed secure line, under the name of its chairman!”

Rin swallowed hard. With trembling hands, she held out the tablet. On the screen was a brief message in English that radiated unmistakable pressure.

‘To Master_Eye-dono. Regarding your company’s technology and your relationship with Seira Jinguji-shi, I wish to speak with you directly.’

Staring at the screen, a chill ran down my spine.

Eden Group. I had thought it was just some wealthy company hoarding items, but the fact that they had tracked down our secure line and sent a message directly suggested their information network and technological capabilities might surpass even the guild’s.

“…They even know about Seira.”

“What will you do, Toru‑kun? This is definitely not just a business proposition. Should we tell Seira?”

I glanced toward the sofa. Seira was still there, sleeping defenselessly, probably tired from last night.

Since the message named her, it likely involved her as well.

“No… not yet. Let’s gather more information before waking her.”

I took the tablet from Rin and turned off the screen. Then I turned back to the sword still sizzling with bubbles.

“Rin, could you report this message to the guild? Ask Togo‑san to look into it discreetly. As for a reply… we can wait. Let’s see how they react.”

“…Understood. But they’re quite aggressive. Be careful.”

Rin returned to her desk, still looking uneasy. I turned back to the magic sword.

An immense pressure from across the sea. And the unsettling atmosphere beginning to swirl around Seira. We had just barely survived the Stampede, and already there was no peace.

“…Hey, were you listening, magic sword? Looks like I don’t have much time to leisurely polish you.”

『Haaah, haah… Hmph, a power struggle among humans. H‑how tedious.』

The sword answered, voice trembling beneath the foam. Despite its curses, it no longer seemed to resist.

『But… fine. I’ll test your resolve with my blade. So hurry… hurry up!! Wash off this fizzing stuff! Before my pride fizzles away completely!!』

“Alright. Here we go, all at once.”