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Chapter 43: The Holy Magic Sword

“One, two!”

With a shout, I gripped the nozzle of the high‑pressure washer and switched it on.

SPRAAASH!!

Along with the roar of the motor, a high‑pressure jet of water slammed into the magic sword’s blade. Centuries of mud and blood rust, loosened at the roots by the baking soda and citric acid paste, were blown away with the spray.

『GYAAAAAH!? No, stop… H-huh? What’s this…? It doesn’t feel… bad…? Mm…』

The sword had started out screaming, but as the grime came off, a strange hint of ecstasy began to mix into its voice.

“Alright, finishing touches.”

I turned off the high‑pressure washer and carefully wiped the blade dry with a soft microfiber cloth. What had been an ominous lump of scrap iron now revealed a breathtakingly beautiful form.

Half of the blade was a black that seemed to absorb light. The other half was a mirror‑clear silver. The two opposing colors merged seamlessly in an undulating, beautiful blade pattern.

『…Haaah, haah. Y‑you dare treat my proud darkness like this… and yet, my lord, the water temperature was truly excellent. I offer my sincerest gratitude…?』

“What’s with you? Your personality is all over the place.”

『I‑I can’t help it! My proud demonic power has been mixed with that white, fizzing stuff you used… that intense purifying power! Thanks to that, my noble wicked heart has been… cl‑cleansed in both mind and body.』

I activated my right eye’s ‘True Appraisal’ to check its newly reborn status.

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[Name] Unset
[Rank] Mythic Level
[Condition] Excellent. Through repeated careful washing and strong purification, the original ‘Magic Absorption (Dark)’ property has fully fused with the sacred property of ‘Evil Purification (Light).’ It has sublimated into a supreme autonomous weapon possessing both holy and demonic powers.
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“Oh, the rank went up. And I see… so the original magic sword’s nature has mixed with a holy sword’s nature.”

『Indeed! Thanks to your unnecessarily careful manual labor, I have reached unprecedented heights… Ah, this overflowing holy light is so bothersome! …Yet my heart is overflowing with loyalty to my lord.』

The rough personality of a demonic sword and the obedient personality of a purified holy sword. The two natures clashed, leaving it emotionally unstable… but at least it didn’t seem intent on harming me.

『By the way, my lord. Now that I am reborn, would you please grant me a new name? With your fine taste, please bestow upon me a supreme name worthy of myself… take… take responsibility…』

“Don’t put it like that! But I see… a name, huh.”

I thought for a moment.

The catalyst that changed my life was that ‘Holy Sword Excalibur’ I’d picked up in the garbage dump that day and polished in the bathroom. I wanted to give this new partner a name inspired by that sword, one that could stand alongside it. Honestly, I’d already grown attached.

“…How about ‘Caliburn’? I recall it’s another name for Excalibur, the name of the sword said to be its prototype. You’ve gained the power of a holy sword too, so what do you think?”

『Caliburn… Fufu, for you, it’s not a bad name. …I thank you for this wonderful name, my lord. From now on, I shall reduce all of my… your enemies to dust.』

The black and silver blade hummed happily, vibrating in the air. It seemed pleased with the name.

Caliburn floated up gently and took a position right behind me, hovering close. Automatic follow and autonomous guard mode. With this, my own security had significantly improved.

“Toru‑kun, done?”

Rin walked over with her tablet, her stern expression softening slightly. She saw Caliburn floating behind me and her eyes widened.

“What’s that? Half black, half silver… it’s gorgeous. Is that the junk?”

『Girl, do not gaze upon me so casually… However, allow me to introduce myself. I am my lord’s first sword, Caliburn. A pleasure.』

“…A rather emotionally unstable sword, isn’t it.”

“There were circumstances. It’ll probably settle down eventually. More importantly, what about the guild?”

Rin nodded and lowered her voice.

“I reported the message discreetly to Guild Master Togo on his private line. When the name ‘Eden Group’ came up, he seemed quite wary. He said, ‘The guild will gather information behind the scenes too. Those people stop at nothing, so be very careful.’”

“I see. So it’s not just some rich company.”

“No. We’ll have to stay vigilant too—”

“Mm… fwaah…”

A cute yawn came from the sofa in the main room. Seira kicked off her blanket and sat up, her platinum blonde hair mussed with sleep.

“Good morning, Toru, Rin… Huh? What’s that sword floating beside you?”

Seira rubbed her eyes and came closer, looking puzzled. The moment she did, Caliburn behind me gave a violent shudder.

『Eep!? Th‑that scary woman from before…! G‑good morning!』

It seemed Caliburn had sensed the monstrous aura emanating from Seira even back in the guild’s storage, and remembered it. The wild demonic sword personality had instantly retreated, leaving only its obedient side.

“That sword looks interesting! Did you fix it, Toru? Can I touch it?”

『Eek! My lord, help! My blade will be snapped in two!』

“I won’t break it!”

Caliburn tried to hide behind me in fear while Seira chased it with keen interest. Watching the scene, Rin and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

With a new partner, I’d like to savor this peaceful daily life, but now wasn’t the time. Now that Seira was awake, I should share the information.

“Seira, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about. Do you have a moment?”