I Returned with the Cheat Holy Sword

“⋯⋯”

“⋯⋯”
Felix and Gray blinked at the same time.
Thanks to Carlyle’s sudden intrusion, neither of them seemed to know how to react.

“Wow, sorry I’m late! I’ve got terrible night vision, ended up wandering around for ages!”
He spoke with his usual shameless tone—and his eyes briefly caught on Gray’s fingertips.
⋯⋯A faint tremble still lingered there.

[Just as expected.]
⋯⋯What happened here?
[Just like you have things you don’t want to tell others, I’ve got at least one of those myself.]

⋯⋯
Carlyle gave a slow, quiet nod.
Understood.

[⋯⋯Hm?]
I won’t pry. But if possible, please tell me one day.
[Saying you won’t pry and then saying that is contradictory, isn’t it.]

If it’s something painful, I want to help. That’s my job, after all.
To support the Hero with everything he has.
That was the duty bound to Carlyle.

If this person was struggling, he would solve it—heart and soul. As he always had.
[⋯⋯.]
A deep sigh rose from inside the Holy Sword.
A sigh thick with the meaning of: Here he goes again.

[⋯⋯Your total lack of self-awareness is always so damn creepy.]
Sorry?
[It’s nothing. Anyway, you should probably go ahead and do what we talked about.]

The Holy Sword seemed oddly eager to change the subject. Carlyle tilted his head but brought the spear in front of him.
Let’s see.
What he could do right now was—

[System Message]
▶ You use ‘Command Authority’ on target: Gray!
▶ All ‘negative emotions’ are removed from the target.
▶ The target is now strongly influenced by your words.
⋯⋯That should do it.

“My lady.”
As he spoke and activated the command, the trembling in Gray’s hand instantly disappeared.
“⋯⋯.”

Even Gray’s own eyes widened.
It was probably the first time she’d experienced something like this—where all the “bad things” weighing down her body just vanished in a flash.
“Forgive me. I believe I’ve failed again this time.”

“⋯⋯.”
Gray just blinked, unsure what he meant.
“I was a bit slow cleaning them up today. I forgot you usually leave the last one for me during training, like always.”

⋯⋯That never happened.
They never even trained together.
He was just saying things she’d never heard before.

“⋯⋯.”
But then Gray realized—Felix, the Cardinal, was silently watching her from behind.
She snapped to attention.

She finally understood why Carlyle was saying this.
“⋯⋯You’re late. Still way too slow.”
She said it like it was a routine—that she always left one monster behind to test Carlyle on purpose.

Just like that, she fabricated an excuse for not finishing off the ghoul—not because she “froze,” but for another reason entirely.
⋯⋯At least on the surface, she gave the Gray Cardinal nothing to dig into.
A smile curled over Carlyle’s lips.

Soon, that cheerful voice came tumbling out again.
“Looks like there are more left, my lady. Please lead the way!”
“⋯⋯.”

“My lady?”
“—Shut up.”
Ah, she was back.

Carlyle’s smile deepened at the sound of her usual hostile tone.
“Don’t tell me what to do, you useless thing.”
“⋯⋯.”

That’s right.
Yeah, this was Gray as she was meant to be.
Carlyle was well used to hearing that brand of royal arrogance laced through every sentence.

But still—
“Follow me. I’ll clear the path.”
“Yes, ma’am!”

With those words, Gray leapt forward—and in that moment, she looked nothing short of reliable.
***
Gray cleaved through the ghouls flooding in front of her and threw a glance over her shoulder at Carlyle, who trailed behind like a duckling.

Now that she’d regained her composure, ghouls posed no threat to her at all.
Even a number that would make seasoned knights scream—she cut them down easily, all while calmly reflecting on what had just happened.
“Your Highness, if you’re feeling unwell, there’s a good breathing technique. Inhale for three seconds—”

Carlyle gently took the princess from the Cardinal and coaxed her softly, helping her stay calm amid the chaos of battle.
“⋯⋯.”
What to call this?

Normally, seeing him act like that toward someone else would’ve irritated her immediately.
But this time was different.
⋯⋯Again.

He’d helped her again.
She’d nearly let a fatal weakness show in front of the Gray Cardinal.
No—she hadn’t just almost shown weakness. {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} She had genuinely been in danger.

A Hero wielding the Holy Sword had almost let a ghoul land a hit.
Given the weight of the title she carried, that could’ve become a massive scandal.
A bitter smile curled across her lips.

⋯⋯Pathetic.
Once she held the Holy Sword, she should’ve cast aside anything that could hinder her in battle.
She was a protector of mankind. She had to make only the right decisions.

Feeling and thinking made a person weak.
Only decisions mattered.
And just now, she’d been completely unworthy of the Hero’s name.

She couldn’t even raise her sword—just because of some memory from the past.
“⋯⋯.”
As that thought passed, her eyes flicked back toward Carlyle.

But regardless—
—My lady.
The moment she had faltered, the moment her weakness came to the surface—

That man had rushed in and said those words.
And just like that.
She was fine again.

As if she were… mentally leaning on him to some degree—
⋯⋯Don’t be ridiculous.
The thought struck her—and she kicked it straight down into the depths of her mind.

Fury bubbled up.
Dependent?
Her, on him?

The Hero was a being who looked down upon and protected everyone. One who always reigned from above.
Even if he had helped her often, feeling something like that for someone so insignificant—
It was absurd.

“⋯⋯.”
For the third time, Gray threw a glance at Carlyle.
He was still doting on the princess, trying his best to keep her calm.

Meanwhile, she was the one handling the bloody job of hacking down ghouls.
And the irritation that had flared earlier—
It was getting worse.

“—My lady?”
Carlyle suddenly looked up and met her eyes.
“⋯⋯.”

Hmph.
Was she staring too much?
Gray kept the eye contact, feeling awkward.

“Is something the matter?”
Carlyle smiled at her with that usual friendly face.
“Do you need any help?”

“⋯⋯Do I look like I need help?”
She shot back, testy from the awkwardness. Most people would be flustered in response.
But Carlyle, as always, replied without changing expression.

“Yes, I know. But if you ever do need anything, I’ll help right away.”
“⋯⋯.”
“Please just let me know. I believe you can handle anything on your own—but I exist to support you.”

“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯This guy, seriously.
What was it?

No matter when, no matter what, the moment she started to feel annoyed—he’d say something like this and defuse her feelings on his own.
Like he had some kind of perfect strategy guide on how to keep her from getting upset.
“⋯⋯Not really uncomfortable.”

Gray mumbled brusquely and turned her head away.
The irritation that had flared up earlier—gone. She was completely calm now.
“⋯⋯.”

No.
Not completely.
Her heart rate was up.

Because she’d just looked at Carlyle’s smile.
Hmph.
She snorted and ran a hand through her hair.

⋯⋯Don’t make me laugh.
It was just leftover adrenaline from the ongoing fight.
There’s no way she was being swayed by someone like him.

So she tried to shake Carlyle’s presence from her thoughts with all her might.
“⋯⋯.”
But.

In that same space—there was someone thinking something completely different.
Felix’s gaze was fixed on Carlyle.
Even now.

Even after all the ghouls had been cleared and they were walking out of the cave—
Still.
“Hmm—”

Perhaps.
“I’m starting to want him. Just a little.”
No one heard that quiet mutter.

***
[System Message]
▶ “Main Event: Ambush” has been completed!
▶ An event with “Gray Cardinal” has been generated.

[System Message]
▶ Trait “Hero’s Companion” has been activated.
▶ The “Rehabilitation List” has been partially updated!
[★ Trust 100%]

▶ Target “Gray” has reached 100% Trust.
▶ The target now treats you a little more special!
▶ “Trust” has been converted to something else!
[★ Interest 0%]
▶ A reward has been granted!

[System Message]
▶ “Holy Sword” transformation is now available.
▶ An event with Headmaster “Sior Whiteburn” has been added!