Chapter 34
The mansion was noisy from early morning.
I blinked sleepily and dragged my slippers as I left my room.
Walking down the corridor, I heard the servants whispering.
“That sword found in the young master’s room… is it really a sacred sword?”
“Sir Bilton says it is.”
“How could a sword suddenly appear overnight?”
‘Of course.’
My heart beat faster.
I had only asked Hella’s aide a few hours ago.
And now it had already been delivered.
I went down to the first-floor lobby, pretending to know nothing.
Carlos and Damian were sitting seriously across from each other.
On the table between them was a long box—the same one I had received last night.
‘Delivered perfectly.’
The Moonlight Exchange really was fast.
I approached, keeping my expression neutral.
“…What’s going on? It’s been noisy since morning.”
Both of them looked at me.
“Nothing.”
Carlos answered briefly, giving no hint of weakness.
But the deep lines on his forehead showed he hadn’t resolved the tension.
I deliberately widened my eyes and pointed at the box.
“I can see that box too.”
“…It’s a sword.”
Damian answered for me, his face showing tiredness.
“It was on my desk when I woke up. I asked the guards, but no one saw anything.”
Carlos’s frown deepened.
Of course—the Grand Duchy’s security was strict.
Someone sneaking in was unacceptable.
‘But they probably can’t trace it anyway.’
The Moonlight Exchange wasn’t called a gathering place for mages for nothing.
“The maids said it’s a sacred sword.”
“You hear everything, huh?”
I smirked inside. The servants couldn’t help but gossip.
“I’ve summoned a magical appraiser. He’ll arrive soon.”
‘Even here, they’re unnecessarily thorough.’
For Carlos, whose life had been constantly threatened, this was natural.
The appraisal would prove the sword authentic, and its origin would remain unknown.
I had carefully orchestrated this.
‘The sacred sword came to Damian by itself.’
If I delivered it directly, everyone would suspect some ulterior motive.
A sword appearing suddenly, as if seeking its owner.
‘Then Damian would accept it without hesitation.’
Everything went according to plan.
The appraiser arrived around noon.
A middle-aged man with graying hair and thick glasses.
He bowed as he entered the reception room.
“Long time no see, Your Grace.”
“Inspect it.”
Carlos pointed to the box on the table.
When the appraiser opened it, the silver sword appeared, radiating soft holy power.
His eyes widened.
“Th-this is…!”
His hands trembled as he picked up the sword, inspecting it carefully.
He angled the blade toward the light, felt the handle’s pattern, and channeled magical energy to test it. Then he took a deep breath.
“…It’s authentic.”
Carlos raised an eyebrow.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
His voice trembled.
“It’s definitely the sacred sword of Pracacia. The engravings on the blade, the handle’s design, even the holy energy—everything matches the records.”
“It vanished centuries ago. Where on earth did this come from…?”
“That’s why I called you. Its origin is unknown.”
The appraiser thought carefully, then spoke softly.
“You said it was found in the young master’s room, right?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
“Legends say a sacred sword seeks its chosen owner.”
“Meaning?”
“According to records, the sword contains a soul. When it chooses its master, it finds a way to reach them.”
He looked at Damian.
“We don’t know how it arrived, but… perhaps the young master is the sword’s true owner.”
Silence filled the room.
Damian’s eyes flickered slightly.
Carlos said nothing.
‘It worked.’
This was perfect.
The story that the sword had come on its own was the perfect excuse.
“In any case, it’s definitely a sacred sword.”
The appraiser put it back in the box.
“We don’t know the delivery method, but the sword is unharmed. No curses or traps.”
“…So?”
“You should try using it.”
He looked at Damian.
“If you can synchronize with the sword, your swordsmanship will improve drastically. It’s worth trying.”
Damian gazed at the sword, uncertain but curious.
Carlos thought briefly, then nodded.
“…Alright. Understood. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’ll take my leave.”
The appraiser left, and only the three of us remained.
Carlos looked at Damian.
“…Will you try?”
Damian hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes.”
His eyes were firm.
As he reached for the sword, determination settled over his face.
‘Perfect.’
I allowed a small, hidden smile.
The first step was complete.
From that day on, Damian practically lived in the training grounds.
He went out before sunrise and stayed until the sun set, sometimes even later.
Often, he didn’t appear for meals. The maids brought food to the training ground, but he frequently left it half-eaten.
I watched from my window.
The training grounds were fully visible from my room.
Even without going outside, I could see everything he did.
‘…He’s working hard.’
Damian swung the sword in the sunlight, the blade glinting brightly.
Even before, Damian’s skill was exceptional. A prodigy since age ten, mastering aura by sixteen, becoming a Sword Master before twenty.
But…
‘Still not resonating.’
The sacred sword didn’t react.
No holy energy, no soul response.
Damian paused, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his chin.
‘Maybe it’s still too early.’
Synchronizing with a sacred sword wasn’t easy.
The soul inside the sword had to acknowledge the master for its true power to manifest.
Damian had taken a year previously to synchronize, losing his sight in the process.
‘This time will be different.’
He could synchronize without losing his eyes.
The question was how.
‘I need a hint.’
I couldn’t leave it to chance.
Not directly, but naturally.
A small cue might help him realize the way.
‘Time to go.’
I opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
