Disclaimer: Nothing.

Reason

Just as Nicolai was taken away, hurt and unconscious, her eyes caught sight of the fallen Gallahad's Sword. It was lying alone on the marble floor, separated from its emerald-eyed owner. The golden hilt and ivory sheath were stained with inkblot-markings of blood, yet it still gleamed pure in the candlelight.

Karin knew she should have left that cursed sword to rust—but, despite all reason, she took his sword with her. She couldn't explain why, but she just...could not abandon it.

"Ugh...you're gonna carry that thing around with you, Karin?"

"I'm not just going to 'carry it around' with me. I'm going to use it. It's a perfectly good sword, you know."

"But it was his sword! Who knows where it's been! It could be cursed! And take my word for it, y'don't want to deal with any curses."

"I highly doubt Nicolai would curse his own sword."

"But—look! There's blood on it! I'm telling you, it's cursed!"

"I'm not going to throw away it away, Yuri. I would buy a new sword, but you wasted all of our money, remember?"

And that shut him up.

He left her alone while she spent an entire night carefully and methodically preparing Gallahad's Sword; she rubbed off the demon's black blood with tissues and hot water, cleaned the scabbard and sword with a light oil to prevent rust, and polished the golden hilt with a special balm. She tested it out, practiced a few morning drills and exercises. The sword was heavier than what she was used to, but it was a comforting weight by her side as she faced monsters and demons.

But then Yuri bought her another sword from Gerard when the team arrived in Japan. But she refused to use it—she claimed she grew accustomed to Gallahad's Sword. Yuri even tried to swap the two swords while she was sleeping and attempted to toss the 'cursed sword' over a waterfall. Luckily, she stopped him and made him promise (by cutting off his oxygen with an expert stranglehold) not to do something like that again.

And before leaving Japan, Gerard approached her, requesting to bargain for her ivory and gold weapon (Yuri practically shoved her toward him). The merchant very much wanted to buy Gallahad's Sword; he said it was an authentic piece of masterful craftsmanship. It was very valuable.

But Karin could not bring herself to sell it. And Yuri asked why again. And she gave him another reason again. But really...she didn't know why.

E.n.d.

I'm one of the rare speices that likes the Nicolai/Karin pairing. Please leave a comment! Thanks for reading!