Though the process was extremely arduous, and I even doubted whether my persistence truly held any meaning… fortunately, my swords and I finally received aid from the Government of Time.
And thanks to my somewhat unorthodox— almost heretical— repair methods, every single one of my swords in the Honmaru survived; not a single blade was shattered.
For me, that was the best news of all.
After discussing a chaotic array of matters— such as the subsequent relocation of the Honmaru’s Main Hall Coordinates, rewards, and compensation from the Government of Time— the Action Team hinted that I should first send all the swords out of the room.
They seemed to want to speak with me alone—at least, not in the presence of the Sword Spirits in the Honmaru.
Though I found this request a bit strange, I still gestured for the swords who had just helped me and Toki no Munechika to leave first.
“All right, understood.” Yamanbagiri Chougi’s gaze calmly swept over the Action Team representing Toki no Munechika, and without saying anything superfluous, he promptly stood up, preparing to leave. “I’ll be waiting outside— if there’s any danger, just call me.”
The Action Team couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Chougi-kun, there’s no need to be so guarded, is there? We’re not going to do anything to Lady May.”
“And besides, is it really necessary to be this harsh toward a former colleague?”
Yamanbagiri Chougi remained unmoved. “You said it yourself, that was ‘before.’ Now, I’m just my master’s sword.”
As he said this, he cast a light glance at me.
I instinctively shivered.
Ugh… that look… I’ve seen it before.
When he was pressing into my waist on the bed, that was the same look, the same expression—full of extreme restraint and endurance, yet his movements were laced with a ferocity that could have shattered me entirely.
Maybe something had triggered him… I didn’t dare bring it up, but I suspected it was the Red Headband that had been left tied to my wrist—the one Yamanbagiri Kunihiro had taken off earlier but hadn’t brought with him.
“Master…”
He whispered softly, then bit into my chest where his head rested.
In the sharp pain and sudden gasp that followed, I heard Chougi’s voice.
“The sword that can give you everything— none other than me.”
Because I accidentally recalled what had happened back then, I suddenly felt a little embarrassed to look at Chougi’s face.
I lowered my head, and the legs that had been kneeling properly shifted anxiously.
Someone chuckled nearby.
I bit my lips in annoyance and shot a fierce glare in that direction— Sekizou, that wretched old man, was grinning slyly at me. When he caught my gaze, the mischievous smile on his face deepened even further.
“This is what humans call ‘use and discard,’ right? Hahaha.” Sekizou tapped his palm rhythmically with his fan. “After all, you only think something is beautiful when you don’t have it. Once you get it, it’s not so ‘beautiful’ anymore— that’s what you mean, Master?”
I felt there was a double meaning in his words. Was it just my imagination?
Fine, I admit it. To squeeze every possible compensation from Toki no Munechika, I deliberately summoned two former Inspectors to ensure that not a single penny would be wasted from his pocket.
But knowing Toki no Munechika so well also had its downsides— like now, when the Action Team wanted to pull them aside to say something quietly to me, they immediately realized it.
“I can cooperate and leave,” Sekizou suddenly said just as I was wondering how to get rid of him.
“But, shouldn’t you give me some benefits in return?”
Hah?! What else do you want?!
I nodded hastily, agreeing just to get this ancestor out of the way.
Once only the Action Team representing Toki no Munechika and I were left in the reception room, I looked at them.
“Then, everyone, you must have something you need to say to me alone—without my swords around.”
Even after several hours had passed, the sharp divine aura radiating from the female Saniwa before me showed no sign of fading.
Yet, through secret means and subtle methods, it had been confirmed… she was indeed still human in form.
In other circumstances, it might be necessary to consider other possibilities; but since the location was strictly within the Honmaru, the prime suspect was undoubtedly…
“The Sword Spirits really haven’t done anything to you?”
Though bearing the title of gods, they were, at their core, still swords.
When it came to matters involving their acknowledged master, no sword could remain truly calm.
The Time Retrograde Army’s encirclement and assault were dangerous and sudden. To protect their master, the swords would do anything.
…Just like those Honmaru whose coordinates had been leaked and passed through by the Action Team weren’t all overtaken by the Time Retrograde Army.
Some had been defended by their Sword Spirits putting their Saniwa into Fate of the Blade.
More than anything else, the most important thing to the swords was that their master lives long and well.
“…No, nothing like that. You’re overthinking it.” When the Action Team asked me with such a serious attitude, I understood what they meant.
But rather than ask what the swords had done to me… it was more about what I had done to the swords.
…Too shameless to say!
Even if I am an immoral Magician, I still want to maintain a bit of dignity and image in front of my colleagues!
Because of my “non-cooperation,” the Action Team left full of concern.
They really are good people, but this time… well… the problem was actually on my side.
But judging by their expressions, it seemed unlikely that a few words from me would dispel their doubts… I had to figure something out.
Lost in thought, I wandered outside and suddenly collided hard into someone.
“Hey, you can’t be so careless, Master.”
It was Sekizou.
He blocked me at the doorway, a smile playing on his face that was impossible to read. The single icy blue eye visible beneath his fringe sparkled like the most dazzling sapphire.
On any other day, I’d appreciate Sekizou’s looks. Truly worthy of a ten-thousand-ryō sword. With that face, I could eat an extra bowl of rice.
But today, for some reason, when I met those blue eyes I would normally like so much, my heart skipped a beat. A bad feeling quietly crept up inside me.
“What is it, Sekizou? Do you need something?”
“I’m here to ask for a favor.”
He stretched out a hand and pressed it against my face, trapping me between his chest and the door frame.
“Have you decided how you’re going to bribe me, Master?”
“You ought to give me a little something in return, don’t you think?”
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