I Became the Main Character’s Demon Sword

25

“If you properly apologize to the child.”

The eyes that had become similar in color to Arpel’s soon showed a bitter smile. It was an attitude that made it hard to believe this was the same person who had shown hostility just moments ago. Of course, Arpel showed little reaction to his sudden change in attitude.

“I apologize. It seems I keep being disrespectful to Lord Rohan.”

“…Don’t touch Arpel.”

“Yes. I promise on my name.”

Rohan, who had been keeping his mouth shut, answered clearly in a distinct voice even though he hadn’t completely stopped crying. He also tightened his embrace around Arpel’s neck. Dionel, who had been watching Rohan, nodded without hesitation.

The knights turned pale when Dionel staked his name on the promise, but none of the three people conversing paid any attention to them. Only after receiving a definite answer did Arpel release his shadow. The thin, long shadows wiggled in place as if flicking their tongues, then suddenly disappeared into the floor.

“This, this cannot be! How can you think of allowing someone with the power of specters into the temple!”

“Elder. I’ve said it clearly. The Demon God is calling for him.”

Are you going to ignore His voice?

The old man who had urgently opened his mouth with a clearly displeased and indignant expression had to close it without achieving anything.

Although Arpel had released his shadow, no one dared to touch him as they had before. A few sharp glances lingered on him, but that was all.

“Then please follow me.”

“But, even Lord Rohan, I should…”

“I want to stay with Arpel… okay?”

“…Alright.”

The voice that couldn’t let go of its lingering attachment was half-ignored. Although it was clearly the old elder standing nearby who had spoken up, Rohan whispered to Arpel without taking his eyes off him for even a moment.

What if his fever rises again? Arpel, who had been gazing at Rohan’s reddened eyes with a concerned look, quickly nodded and gently patted his back.

Of course, Arpel hadn’t expected things to turn out this way either. He had thought there would be only two possibilities: being sealed or not. Contrary to his expectations, there had been a response from the Demon God. It was an existence he hadn’t even considered.

What kind of being is the god of this world? As he repeatedly stroked Rohan’s cheek and whispered that everything was okay to comfort the child in his arms, he suddenly felt curious about this.

The power Arpel wielded also derived from the Demon God. The High Priest’s sudden change in attitude must also be related to the Demon God. He had faintly heard the word ‘oracle’, so it was clear that the god wanted to meet him.

Then, that god…

‘Does it also know about the soul from another world that entered?’

Whether it was a demon sword or a holy sword, none of them could clearly communicate with humans, and certainly none had the bizarre ability to transform into a person. Arpel could only speculate that his uniqueness was due to the soul that remembered its past life as a human residing in the demon sword.

“You can enter through here.”

Of course, you’re welcome to go in together.

The place Dionel had brought Arpel and Rohan to, after dismissing even the knights, was the prayer room located in the deepest part of the central temple. As the huge door that seemed to be three or four times the height of a person opened, an interior that was less ornate than expected was revealed.

Inside were only a black statue of the god and simple implements that seemed to be used for worship. However, it looked quite solemn and even exuded an inexplicable holy atmosphere, making it feel somewhat disconnected from reality.

After guiding Arpel and Rohan inside, Dionel closed the door. He left with a word that he would be guarding outside, and it was then, as they were waiting quietly with their eyes closed.

The huge door suddenly opened.

“A-Arpel collapsed. He collapsed and turned into a sword. What should I do…!”

“…As expected.”

The one who peeked out as the door opened was Rohan. Tears that had barely stopped while in Arpel’s arms were once again hanging at the corners of his eyes.

His arms were visibly trembling, probably because the door was too heavy for his small body. Dionel first held the door that the child was supporting and then surveyed the situation inside. He had to harden his expression when he saw a black sword hilt lying on the floor, with no sign of Arpel.

When Dionel was confronting Arpel, he had received an oracle from the Demon God.

It was just a short sentence that conveyed only the essential request, but at that moment, Dionel began to doubt the identity of Arpel, whom he had firmly believed to be an executive of the Salvation Church.

The Demon God had never once asked to meet someone before, and since He hated specters as much as Dionel did, there was no way He would have ordered to bring that man if he was deeply involved with the Salvation Church.

Crucially, the magical power Arpel used was incomparably higher in grade than Dionel’s own power.

It was similar to the power of the demon sword he had seen once before, long ago.

What confirmed his thoughts was the situation before his eyes now. He had seen it once when he was young, holding his father’s hand as he assisted the previous High Priest.

A demon sword containing part of the shadow power, one of the most powerful among the Demon God’s authorities.

It was the sword that had been lost 20 years ago in an inexplicable accident.

***

As soon as he entered the prayer room and put Rohan down on the floor, Arpel felt an enormous impact wash over him that he couldn’t withstand without losing consciousness.

It wasn’t the kind of impact that meant pain. Just as he thought it felt like his mind was about to separate, his vision flipped. Just before the scene before his eyes changed, he thought he saw Rohan looking quite shocked with crumbling vision.

And what he heard was a frivolous voice.

When his blurred focus returned, everything was pure white. And in the center of it all, there was someone sitting sprawled out, with jet-black hair flowing down to the floor, and purple eyes similar to Arpel’s color, creased in a smile.

It was definitely not an imposing figure. But feeling the power of authority resonating within him, Arpel realized that this ‘being in human form’ was none other than the Demon God.

“I heard you wanted to meet me.”

Arpel just blinked silently as if he couldn’t understand. Perhaps not expecting much of a reaction in the first place, the Demon God pointed to the seat in front with his finger.

Of course, he couldn’t refuse. Although Rohan’s expression kept lingering in his mind, Arpel obediently followed his words for now. Perhaps because he contained part of the god’s authority, strangely enough, Arpel felt a subtle familiarity with the Demon God. Surprisingly, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

“I’ve never thought about it.”

As the Demon God wiggled his finger, two teacups popped out of thin air. Then, tea began to fill them from the inside. The act of handing over one cup was natural.

The taste of the tea was surprisingly sweet. Despite his appearance, it seemed he had a taste for sweet things.

Even though Arpel didn’t give any response, the Demon God continued the conversation smoothly by himself. Perhaps because of the pure white space, his figure stood out even more.

“…The power of fate?”

As expected, he knew.

The feeling of being called a soul from another world was unique, but that was all. More than that, the sound of that word, ‘the power of fate’, kept lingering in his mouth.

The Demon God was saying that Arpel’s past meeting with Rohan was fate. Now he couldn’t hear any other words.

Only that word, fate, kept lingering at the edge of his mind. An inexplicable sense of satisfaction welled up.

He touched the corners of his mouth, but it felt the same as usual.

“What were you curious about?”

The Demon God muttered while making strange gestures as if rummaging through something. Arpel, who had been fixating on those gestures, frowned slightly and asked.

“…Is it temporary?”

Now he could understand why his vision had crumbled. Then, is Rohan just facing a single sword? Suddenly, worry for the child grew rapidly.

“Rohan doesn’t have his ears pierced.”

What the Demon God handed over, as if casually throwing it, was a simple earring decorated with a purple jewel. It wasn’t particularly flashy in appearance, so it seemed like it wouldn’t be burdensome for either a man or a woman to wear.