~Chapter 4~

I thought it would turn out that way.

That’s why I foolishly wasted my last golden chance.

Looking back, I should have thrown away the hoe the very moment it started talking. But instead, like an idiot, I bit down on the bait.

“Y-Yes. I’m your master.”

—The contract has been sealed.

The moment I answered, the hoe burst out in a dazzling white light.

My right hand burned painfully, and strange letters I had never seen before appeared, carved into the back of my hand.

I stared wide-eyed. It was definitely the hoe. Just the hoe!

But when the light faded, what remained wasn’t a hoe at all—it was a sleek, sharp sword.

—This body’s name is Louis Garbon Bonthiar III.

A sword. No eyes, no nose, no mouth, and yet… I swear I could feel the greasy aura of butter coming off it.

Was it just my imagination, or did this sword just wink at me?

—It is an honor for you to become my tenth master.

“T-Tenth master?”

What was with that number? Don’t tell me he changed masters once a year, and now he’s ten years old with ten masters?

And more importantly—a sword? Really?

I stumbled backward as the floating sword hovered in the air.

“Why did you suddenly change form? What I picked up wasn’t some expensive-looking sword like this.”

It was a hoe! A rusty, old hoe!

While I was trembling with injustice and confusion, Louis puffed himself up proudly.

—If I were to recount the history of my birth, ten handkerchiefs wouldn’t be enough to dry your tears. So I’ll make it simple.

Yeah, right. Simple my foot. What followed was an epic saga worthy of a historical drama.

—I was forged by the God of Abundance, Boneracol, who labored three days and nights to create me. My body is infused with prosperity itself! Many have tried to claim me.

Boneracol? Why does the god’s name sound like… that? My trust in this story was dropping fast. But Louis, oblivious to my squinting eyes, carried on dramatically.

—But I am an exceptionally clever sword. I only allowed myself to be wielded by emperors worthy of leading this nation’s future. Yet after nine masters, I grew weary. Too many fools, too unworthy. So I hid myself in a humble form.

Now he’s talking about emperors.

‘This guy’s a braggart, isn’t he?’

Sure, the sword looked noble and mysterious, but would an emperor really carry something like this? Shouldn’t emperors wield, you know, something bigger, heavier, grand?

This blade was so thin and light I could swing it around myself. Transparent like ice, it didn’t look like a weapon meant for fighting at all.

‘I’ve really gotten tangled up with something strange.’

Because of one careless answer, I was stuck in a contract.

‘Can I undo this somehow?’

I rubbed the mark on my hand. But it moved as though it was part of my skin.

‘Ugh, doesn’t seem like I can erase it. So now I have to live with this noisy, probably useless sword?’

Without caring for my inner despair, Louis leaned forward and shouted proudly.

—But Master! You recognized my true value even in my humble disguise!

“Uh…?”

No, I just picked you up because you looked like a hoe.

—The eye that sees the beauty of a flower even buried in mud! Truly, you are the one with the quality of a king. From now on, you shall receive the blessing of Louis Garbon Bonthiar III!

This guy… is totally misunderstanding the situation, isn’t he?

I waved my hands awkwardly.

“But I’m just a farmer. I don’t need something so grand like you.”

—That doesn’t matter.

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter! Didn’t you say you wanted a proper master? Then you should find a brave and wise person more fitting for you!”

I tried to talk him into leaving me, but Louis refused. Instead, he stuck even closer, saying ridiculous things.

—I am the state itself.

‘What is this, Louis the 14th?’

Just because his name is Louis doesn’t mean he gets to act like that.

And state? What state? I just want to farm quietly, deciding whether to plant pears or quinces tomorrow!

“I don’t even know how to use a sword. I really don’t need you. You should find someone who can wield you properly.”

I said it with all my sincerity.

—Ah! Such wisdom, such humility! That’s why you are my true master!

…This narcissistic sword was hopeless.

“……”

Yep. Definitely a my-answer-was-already-decided type.

‘Whatever. I’ll just go with the flow.’

I mean, this is a fantasy world. Having a talking sword isn’t that big of a deal.

‘Actually, it kind of makes me feel like I’ve really reincarnated into a novel.’

Besides, I wasn’t married, had no family, and honestly, I was a little lonely. Now I had someone to talk to, even if it was a sword.

‘Things have been too quiet lately anyway.’

So I chose to think positively. Extending my hand, I said:

“Thank you for choosing me. Let’s get along from now on.”

—And I with you, Master. May you live long—until you smear filth on the walls as an old granny—and keep me happy.

“…That’s a bit much.”

All I want is a life where I can keep my dignity as a human being.

‘Besides, picturing an old granny clutching a sword while… smearing walls is just too funny.’

Though, now that I thought about it… maybe that could be amusing too.

Either way, I now had Louis Garbon Bonthiar III.

And that was when strange things began to happen.

✦ ✦ ✦

“Strange things are happening in the territory.”

“Strange things?”

It was the second and fourth Wednesday of the month—the days I had tea with the Lady of the Territory.

I was peeling fresh melons when she said that, chewing thoughtfully.

“Don’t throw away the seeds. They’re sweet and delicious.”

“Let’s just agree to disagree about that.”

“You always have to argue with your elders.”

I didn’t like melon seeds getting stuck in my teeth, but since she liked them, I left the seeds in the slices I served her.

Chewing again, she went on.

“Trees and plants are suddenly growing like crazy. Even the hoya in my office bloomed for the first time in seven years. Isn’t that amazing?”

“That’s just because of the good weather. This year’s climate is really kind.”

The sun shone bright, the rain came just right, like some god turned the faucet on and off with perfect timing. Even the wind blew gently, spreading pollen and helping pollination. The beehive I kept for fun was already overflowing with honey.

‘Now that I think about it, the weather really has been unusually good this year.’

How could it be this perfect?

‘Well, sometimes nature just works out that way.’

I sighed softly through my nose. But the Lady wasn’t finished.

“When dogs give birth, they always have exactly eight puppies. And when chickens lay eggs, they’re always double-yolked. It’s gotten so strange that people are now looking for single-yolk eggs for fun.”

“That just means the land is blessed. It’s because you’re such a good person, Lady.”

“No. It’s strange. Very strange.”

If it were me, I’d be shouting “Jackpot!” But the Lady was cautious, always suspicious when things were too good.

‘Yet this was the same person who trusted me the first time we met.’

Not just trusted me. She often muttered things like, “If only I could adopt her as my daughter…”

‘Though adopting me must have been complicated for her.’

In novels, noble families adopted left and right, but in reality, adoption involved inheritance and wealth distribution—a very complicated affair. Not something easily done.

And honestly… getting that close would be a bit too much for me.

I liked things the way they were—calling her Grandma and keeping our distance comfortable.

As I was cutting more melon, she suddenly pointed to my hand.

“Why are you wearing bandages on your hand?”

“Ah…”

Well, you see, a Dark Dragon started living on the back of my hand…

‘Yeah, I can’t say that.’

I forced a weak smile, but the Lady suddenly stood up, alarmed.

“You’re injured? Let me treat it right away. Show me!”

If I let this go, she’d probably start screaming for a doctor. I quickly sat her back down.

“N-No! It’s not an injury.”

“Then what is it?”