The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 346



346 – The New Master of the Sword

The academy dormitory, devoid of light.

– Wake up.

Mikhail, roused from sleep by the voice of someone calling him in the early dawn, rubbed his eyes and let out a faint sigh.

What he saw through his bleary eyes was the clock’s hands pointing to 4 AM. He wondered who would wake him at such an early hour, but he soon realized it wasn’t a person, and a frown creased his face.

“I drank yesterday….”

– Wake up…!

The voice ringing in his ears continued unabated, causing Mikhail to let out deep sighs, one after another.

– Wake up!

“Ugh….”

– Wake up!!

“Just five more minutes…”

– Flash!

“Ughhh!!!”

A blinding light shone from the direction of the voice, stinging his eyes. If he had known it would emit light, he would have covered it with a cloth. Shielding his eyes with both hands, Mikhail took a deep breath and finally lifted his heavy body from the bed.

“Yawn.”

As Mikhail trudged forward, he found the holy sword leaning against the wall, ringing with satisfaction.

He looked down at the holy sword, pouting his lips. He glared at it, hoping to convey that waking someone up like that was unacceptable.

The holy sword, however, paid no heed to Mikhail’s resentful gaze and steadfastly expressed its will.

– With so much evil in the world, how can you sleep?!

“Why…?”

– If you want to handle me, you need to train hard! You have to work diligently to become the strongest swordsman!

“I feel like I’m going to die after last night’s after-party.”

– A true swordsman overcomes hangovers…! Get your act together and dash to the training grounds. Let’s go!

“Ha…”

It’s true that those who wield a holy sword gain immense power, but at the same time, possessing a holy sword also means enduring a lot of hassle. That’s why Ricardo had said such things while looking at the holy sword.

– How about Ricardo taking the holy sword instead of me…? It’s too much of a sword for me.

– Ah… um… no, thank you.

– What?

– Think of it as a gift from me, and please take good care of it. If there’s ever a time when I need it, I’ll borrow it back occasionally.

– Still…

– I don’t want the holy sword.

After some time had passed, Mikhail finally understood why Ricardo had been avoiding the holy sword. He began to gather his clothes and prepare to head outside.

Wrapping a bandage around his ample chest.

“Has my chest gotten bigger…?”

– At this point, it’s a monstrosity.

“Yeah…”

He changed into clothes that would be fine even if he sweated. The holy sword continued to chatter incessantly, nagging Mikhail even as he dressed. It spoke of its past as a legendary hero.

– In my time, there was no such thing as sleep. Where was the time to sleep? I had to swing my sword during that time to hone my skills.

“Ugh…”

– If you lose your touch, a swordsman dies. From that point on, there’s no growth. That touch, you see…

“Ha…”

Mikhail was eagerly wishing for next week to arrive. Next week was the day he would train in swordsmanship with Ricardo. Just as a smile began to bloom on Mikhail’s lips, thinking about what he would learn this time, the holy sword spat out a chilling remark.

– Oh, and don’t get too close to that guy.

“What?”

– I’m talking about the one who became the master of the demon sword. Stay as far away from him as possible.

Stretching, Mikhail shot a glare at the holy sword and replied in a nonchalant tone.

“You’re noisy.”

– What?

“Be quiet before I break you.”

– …You little brat!

Mikhail smirked slightly as he grasped the holy sword.

Even if he became a celebrity at the academy.

Even if success awaited him after graduation.

Mikhail’s focus was solely on one thing.

Helping Ricardo.

What he could do now was to continue atoning for the past.

As he arrived at the training ground, familiar faces came into view.

– Can you cut me some slack?

– You’re acting like a weakling now.

– …I’m injured.

– You’re all healed up.

– Ugh…

Hystania Hannah and the academy’s senior director. And then.

– Just like the woman I saw in my dreams…

Yuria, fists filled with divine power, struck the wall. Lastly.

– Hah… Hah…!

Ruin, sweating as he worked on his diet, was visible. He was running while pulling a weight attached to a rope, exhaling harsh breaths and cursing under his breath.

– Damn it… this is tough.

Mikhail swallowed as he watched them. Their dedication was enough to inspire admiration.

The holy sword spoke softly, observing Mikhail standing still.

– Listen to me.

“…”

– I will help you.

Mikhail drew the holy sword and closed his eyes, filled with the resolve not to fall behind them.

And then.

“There you are!!!”

Shuen, eager to grasp the holy sword, was also running over, rubbing his eyes.

*

At the same time.

“How was it?”

I was sitting at my desk, speaking with Caliburn right in front of me. Caring for a tenant adjusting to a new environment was part of a caretaker’s duty, after all.

Caliburn, looking weary, let out a tired voice as he rang the bell.

– It was tough. This is my first experience like this, and it drained my energy. Ah, of course, I don’t have a body, but still.

“Ha ha… So, you’re saying it wasn’t bad?”

– …

After some contemplation, Caliburn replied in a shy voice.

– It was nice. I felt like I was with friends again after a long time. It’s a feeling I didn’t quite grasp even when I was alive…

“That’s a relief.”

– Thank you.

He was a courteous sword.

I had thought he would share a similar disposition to a holy sword, but it seemed otherwise.

I had considered putting him away in the storage if he became too noisy. However, I was somewhat satisfied with Caliburn’s surprisingly quiet demeanor and his ability to maintain boundaries.

“Mr. Caliburn.”

– Yes.

“Actually, there’s something I want to discuss.”

– Yes.

I had something I wanted to tell Caliburn. I had come across something strange while researching information about him.

Of course, finding information on Caliburn had been challenging.

A lot of time had passed, and it felt as if ancient civilizations had erased her from existence, leaving a significant lack of information.

Fortunately, there was a clever expert in that field who was able to provide me with some information.

– Are you referring to the Bloodline Sword, Caliburn?

– Yes, do you happen to have any information? I couldn’t find anything even at the library.

– I have some.

– Really?

– I study history as a hobby, ha ha! Fortunately, I believe I can fulfill the saint’s request. If you could wait a moment, I’ll summarize it into about thirty pages…!

– No, just give me the general information. I only need to know what she did and what kind of person she was.

Upon checking the materials Hans provided, I discovered something intriguing. It was about Caliburn herself.

“I’ve heard you wield a sword.”

It was the phrase that indicated he was a master who could teach me about swords. Not just any master, but one with the title of ‘Sword Emperor.’

There’s a famous saying known among swordsmen: “When one reaches the pinnacle of swordsmanship, even when cutting a person, the blade does not stain with blood.”

In my past life, I had seen this line in a drama, but in this life, it was spoken by Caliburn.

What that means is.

“If it’s not too much trouble, that is.”

-…

“Could you teach me about the sword?”

It could be said that she was an exceptional swordswoman.

Caliburn remained silent at my request. Was there a question too difficult to answer? The only thing that filled the air was an awkward tension from her reluctance to respond.

“It’s not a demand. I simply want to learn your swordsmanship, that’s all.”

-…

“I’ve learned to wield a sword all on my own, without a master, so I only know the basics. Therefore…”

-My sword is…

Caliburn interrupted and spoke her truth.

-My sword is one that kills.

“…”

-It is wicked, despised, and not shared with others.

“…”

-I, too, learned the sword alone, just like you, and created my own style.

What that meant was that I should create and forge my own path, just as she had. Was it a warning not to hope for luck?

I felt a twinge of discomfort, as if I had been caught trying to cheat. I was a little ashamed of myself.

But then.

Caliburn delivered an answer I had never anticipated.

-I can teach you, but I fear my sword might ruin yours.

“…”

-Of course, if you can keep up, the outcome would be different.

Her voice was laced with confidence. It carried the assurance that her sword would never negatively influence mine.

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-It feels strange to say this, but in the past, I was a monster. Of course, you are a formidable opponent now, but back then, I was even more of a monster.

“Haha… Is that so?”

-Indeed.

Now it was time to settle the debt for this transaction. Accepting something for free didn’t sit well with my temperament.

“Then let’s get to the main point.”

-What? Is this not the main point?

I shook my head lightly and posed a question to Caliburn.

“Mr. Caliburn.”

-Yes.

“Perhaps…”

-…

The kind of reward she couldn’t refuse.

“Are you interested in resurrection?”