Chapter 2: Heroes Assemble! The Battle for the Holy Swords!

Yario trudged onward for roughly three days, panting, 「Huff… huff…」 before finally entering a vast kingdom.

The place was incredibly lively, with countless people coming and going.

Cheerful, bustling conversations echoed everywhere, while delicious aromas drifted through the air.

「I-Is this…？」

「What? You don’t know? This is Ryuhāzoma, one of the five greatest kingdoms in the world.」

An old man passing by explained it to Yario.

「R-Ryuhāzoma!?」

「Judging by the way you’re asking, you must be someone who was reincarnated or transported from another world, and it seems you don’t know much about this world yet. But don’t worry. Head toward that castle over there. I’m sure you’ll find guidance on what path to take next.」

The kind old man pointed toward the castle.

Yario replied gratefully:

「Thank you! Then I’ll head there right away!!」

And with that, he dashed off.

The old man watched Yario’s back as he ran away and smiled.

「That kid… His eyes are overflowing with life. I’m sure he’ll become someone great someday.」

After receiving permission from the guards at the gate, Yario entered the castle.

He made his way into a vast great hall.

A large number of people had already gathered there.

Yario looked around in surprise and confusion.

That was because an overwhelming sense of pressure seemed to radiate from everyone present.

「Maybe they’re reincarnated people or otherworlders like me… They’re definitely not ordinary. I can feel it clearly…」

Just then, the king appeared above them on a balcony that resembled a terrace.

「Welcome, reincarnated ones and travelers from other worlds. The time has come for you to become heroes and set forth to defeat the Demon King.」

「「「OOOOOOOOOH!!」」」

A passionate roar echoed throughout the great hall.

The king continued:

「However, before that, you must obtain a Holy Sword. Without one, you will never be able to defeat the Demon King. Now, choose a weapon for yourselves from those displayed along the wall surrounding you, and begin your journey.」

Only then did everyone notice.

Encircling them was a cylindrical brick wall, upon which all kinds of weapons were displayed.

Everyone stared in astonishment.

「Oh…」

Murmurs spread throughout the hall.

However, one of the reincarnated people and otherworlders became suspicious and raised his hand.

「If you possess this many Holy Swords, couldn’t you simply give them to your soldiers and have them attack the Demon King?」

But the king shook his head.

「It will be easier to understand if you see it with your own eyes rather than hear an explanation. Soldier. Take one of the Holy Swords.」

「Yes, Your Majesty!」

The soldier who had been ordered stepped toward the wall and grabbed one of the swords.

Immediately…

Scorching flames erupted and engulfed his entire body.

The soldier writhed in agony.

「GAAAAAAAH!!」

Then his body was burned black, and he collapsed onto the floor.

The reincarnated people and otherworlders all turned pale.

「Ah…!」

They trembled at the horrifying sight.

The king spoke:

「Those who belong to this world cannot even touch these weapons. If they do, they will meet the same fate. These weapons are meant exclusively for reincarnated people and those transported here from other worlds.」

「They possess tremendous power, but in exchange, each one comes with restrictions of its own. Remember that well.」

Yario held his breath as he stared at what had just happened.

Since he himself had been reincarnated, he understood that he probably would not be burned like the soldier.

Even so, he realized just how terrifying these weapons were.

The king raised one hand.

「Now then! Heroes! Those with courage, claim your Holy Swords!!」

The first man to step forward wore a confident grin.

「First come, first served! I’ll take this sword!!」

He pulled one of the swords down from the wall.

Immediately afterward, the other reincarnated people and otherworlders rushed forward noisily, each taking a Holy Sword for themselves.

As for Yario…

Because he had arrived late, he could only stand there and watch.

There were no swords left for him.

「N-No way! I’m too late!!」

Just then…

The first man who had obtained a sword approached Yario with a sinister smile.

「Fufufu! I am Saiko Suteru, a man who was transported to another world. And it seems you don’t have what it takes to become a hero.」

He raised his sword.

「In that case, taste the power of my Holy Sword and die!!」

Unable to suppress his desire to test the power of his newly acquired sword, he charged at Yario.

Yario panicked.

But then he steeled himself, drew the sword at his waist, and took a defensive stance.

「What? What’s with that ordinary sword?」

「I… This is the only thing I have…」

Yario had no choice but to fight Saiko Suteru.

「Hahahaha! My sword is the Holy Sword Absolute!!」

「It possesses the terrifying ability to cut through anything!」

「You don’t stand a chance of winning!!」

The other reincarnated people and otherworlders watched in fear.

That was right.

Each Holy Sword possessed its own unique ability.

They wielded powers that ordinary weapons could never hope to match.

「Die!!」

Saiko Suteru charged forward.

But Yario shouted as well:

「But I have an ability granted to me by the goddess too!!」

「Transform, sword!! Extend into a spear!!」

The sword in Yario’s hand instantly stretched out.

It transformed into a spear.

The spearhead pierced straight through Saiko Suteru’s chest.

「GWAAAAAAAH!!」

He collapsed.

「Why!?」

「Why did someone like me, the wielder of a Holy Sword, lose!?」

Yario was just as astonished.

「I-I see!」

「A spear is longer than a sword! No matter how powerful a sword is, it’s meaningless if you’re struck before you can attack!!」

「That’s right!」

The people around them began to understand.

「Then the ability to cut through anything is useless too!」

「This duel! The winner is Hero Yario!!」

That was right.

The deciding factor in the battle had been attack range.

The other reincarnated people and otherworlders erupted into astonished chatter.

「Ugh… I can’t believe I lost… But that truly was a magnificent battle…」

Saiko Suteru lay on the ground, smiling.

「Yeah. You were strong. I couldn’t let my guard down for even a single moment.」

Yario walked over and took his hand.

The two shook hands.

「At the end… I have one request to make of you as a friend…」

「All right.」

「Take this Holy Sword with you… And let me see the future through you…」

「I understand. I promise I’ll do it…」

Yario took the Holy Sword Absolute.

Saiko Suteru smiled in satisfaction.

Then…

「Clack!」

His body went limp.

He passed away with a peaceful smile on his face.

Moved by the passionate battle and touching friendship they had just witnessed, the reincarnated people and otherworlders around them began to shed tears.

「Clap… clap… clap…」

They applauded.

Carrying his sorrow within him, Yario stood tall with the Holy Sword hanging at his waist.

「Demon King! Just you wait!」

「Saiko Suteru’s death… I, Yario, will definitely avenge it!!」

— End of Chapter 2 —