[Learning that she had been tricked into giving up her beloved Hero, Brynhildr plotted to take his life. She was one of the War God's Valkyries, tasked with guiding the fallen warriors to their final resting place. As such, in death, Sigurd would be hers once more.] Archer recounted the tales of Sigurd for Fran and Art, as a bedtime story.

Telling them stories of other heroes was something he did often, partly because the girls enjoyed them, and partly to teach them the harsh lessons about the lives of those who earned the right to call themselves heroes.

They didn't know it yet, but someday, it would be them having to face scheming bastards, impossible monsters, cruel gods and jealous men and women. Archer hoped that they would have a few years time before it comes, but things were moving so quickly. He had to prepare them the best he could. These stories were the most gentle way he could come up with to do it.

His inspiration for that night's story came from what he had found inside of Celldio's ring, once he broke the defensive enchantment.

Archer had expected the ring to contain Celldio's stash of stolen Magic Weapons, which he planned on copying into his Unlimited Blade Works before identifying the original wielders and having them returned, and the ring did contain almost a hundred different 'ok'-quality Magic Swords. However, the real treasure was what Archer had not been expecting.

Being an A-rank Adventurer, Celldio had access to the Guild's forbidden records and extremely classified information kept by the Guilds. Secrets that couldn't have a price tag put on them.

It was one such record that caught Archer's attention, a list of all the Godblades that were ever confirmed to exist, but have subsequently been lost.

It appeared that Celldio had been under orders to find any Godblade he could, and to try to use his [Weapon Control] and [Curse Nullification] to force the weapons to obey his will.

Archer didn't really care about that. The man was dead, he made sure of it, so any plan that hedged on him was effectively finished. It was the list itself that interested him, and one item in particular.

The Blade of Wisdom — Cherubim

This Godblade has already been destroyed, but its remains should be collected if deemed possible. There are no confirmed details regarding its abilities. Investigating the blade through the use of the [Oracle] skill has led to the conclusion that it was a sword with an angel engraved onto it. It was likely to have been destroyed in the Kingdom of Kranzel.

The word 'Angel' jumped out at Archer, reminding him of what the Kipine had said, that the sword that Archer's soul now inhabited was powerless without the 'Angel's' soul. It had also said that the 'blasphemous sword had been reforged'.

A Godblade, once destroyed and then reforged. It wasn't just possible, it seemed likely, given the information Archer had to work with.

Archer had wondered about his own inability to trace his own sword body, and had guessed that it was his soul getting in the way and muddling up the trace, but that didn't explain why he couldn't even identify the material the sword was made of.

It made sense if that material itself was a Divine existence that exceeded what he could comprehend. Such as materials gotten from the God Eating Wolf, Fenrir.

After Fran and Art had fallen asleep and Archer had made sure they were tucked in, he decided it was time to get answers.

[Rani, how's your recovery been coming?] Archer asked.

{This system has regained most of its earlier functionality, though more Magic Stone Points will be needed to restore its full strength.} Rani informed him.

[Are you feeling up to answering a few questions?] After the exertion in the dungeon, Rani had to spend some time recovering her strength, and Archer had left her to it. He was curious, but his curiosity could wait until she was healthy. Losing Rani due to pushing her too hard would be a tremendous loss.

{This system will provide any information that it has access to.}

[Okay then, can you tell me about the form you took while we were in the Inbetween World?] Archer asked, he figured that he already knew the answer, but wanted confirmation anyways.

{This system could not access any form of its own, so it borrowed one from unit name 'Nameless''s memories. That form was the one held most firmly in your mind, and was easiest to access.}

[I see, so you weren't Hakuno after all.] Archer said. He was disappointed. He had held a flicker of hope that his old Master had made it to this world with him, but it seems that it was a false hope.

{This system cannot access its identity in order to answer your question. However, it is unlikely. Is "Hakuno" someone important?}

[...Hakuno was the name of my previous Master, from before I came to this world. If forced to describe her, I guess I would call her a miracle. She was an AI, a construct created without any real intelligence or soul that somehow spontaneously created a soul of its own. Something that should have been impossible, as the materialization of a soul is a form of True Magic.] Archer said, a little longingly. [Hakuno was something special.]

{...Forgive me. I didn't know that it had such a meaning to you.} Rani said sadly, saying 'I' rather than 'this system'. The way she did whenever she seemed to feel genuine emotions.

[It's fine. I don't really mind. It just took me by surprise. You can use the form if that is what is easiest for you.] Archer said, trying to be casual about it. It had been nice, to see Hakuno's face again, even if it hadn't really been her. [Tell me does the name 'Cherubim' mean anything to you?]

{...Attempting to access records… Access failed. Records damaged. Attempting to restore records… Failed.}

[So, you can't access the information?] Archer said, pondering over what exactly that could mean.

It wasn't that unexpected. It seemed that no one knew anything about the Godblades, even though each one of them left its mark on history, there was never so much as a mention of their names anywhere. It was way Archer had been so intrigued by getting a list of confirmed Godblades, as no records of the individual Godblades could be found anywhere, save for the ones widely known to the public as being held by S-rank Adventurers or Countries.

Some kind of higher power was suppressing the information, probably because letting mortals fight over world shakingly powerful weapons was a recipe for disaster. With that taken into account, the fact that the list could possibly exist at all was something surprising.

It seemed that whatever method was being used to suppress the information, it could be circumvented by the [Oracle] skill's ability to look into the past and see the events exactly as they played out. Something that Archer should keep in mind.

Perhaps an individual with the [Oracle] skill could look into the past and see the condition for Black Catkin evolution in it. It wasn't impossible.

That said, Rani's inability to respond didn't prove anything.

[Let's try a different question then. Are you the true intelligence of this 'intelligent weapon'?]

{...This system is one piece of this Intelligent Weapon.}

[One piece? Could you explain that a little better.]

{This Intelligent Weapon currently houses three souls. This system functions as a storage unit for the Skills, as well as a means to access the information contained within the Leylines. Meanwhile, unit name *******, grants the blade access to the [Self-Evolution] ability, and permits the consumption of Magic Stones.} Rani explained. Archer was confused as she did say a name for the other system, but he had been unable to hear her. Another bit of information suppression?

Either way, it appeared that there was a third intelligence within the blade that Archer hadn't even been in contact with yet. Wonderful. Hey, if you are going to have a split personality anyways, then just bring them all on. The more the merrier.

[The identity involved in absorbing the stones. What are they like?] Archer asked.

{...I would rather not talk about that good for nothing, lazy, perverted, old dog!} Rani huffed, breaking out of her usual character in a bout of extreme frustration.

[...]

{...This system apologizes. Though as that unit's consciousness is connected to the Moonlight Goddess, it is unlikely that he will wake outside of the full moon… It would be for the best if we did not allow him to speak to wielder Fran. He would undoubtedly be a bad influence.}

[A worse influence than I am?]

{...Attempting to calculate answer to query... Attempt failed.}

Archer couldn't help but laugh at the unsure response, before returning to a more serious subject. [So, you are supposed to store the skills and he is supposed to absorb the stones. What is my purpose? Why am I here?]

{This system cannot say for sure. However, it would appear that unit name 'Nameless' was meant to 'jumpstart' the Intelligent Weapon's growth, as neither this system nor unit name ******* were yet capable of independent action.}

[So, I was just a means to jumpstart the system when the sword lacked a will to move it or a wielder to swing it.] Archer said, seeing the sense in that. [If that is the case, I guess my purpose is coming to an end. You are already capable of some independent action yourself, and Fran can feed the blade Magic Stones even without me.]

{...This system does not follow.}

[It's nothing.] Archer said. Though he still wondered how long he would be permitted to stay. Even if the Goddess of Chaos wanted to use him like a second battery to jumpstart the sword's growth, that job was almost complete, and people like him weren't usually allowed to stick around after their jobs were finished.

He would be disappointed if his soul was discarded, but not entirely surprised. He would like to stay with Fran, to shelter her and help her grow into the Hero he believed she would one day become, but if that wasn't in the cards, at least he would know that Art and Rani would be looking out for her.

He would just have to spend his time preparing the girls as best he can.

"So to summarize, a wandering, no named Blacksmith appeared out of nowhere, throw our markets into chaos, grew sixteen levels of [Blacksmith] in just two and a half weeks, created a magic sword that could be mistaken for a Godblade, and then dueled an A-rank party by himself in fifteen seconds, before executing Celldio." Count Doroto recounted to those gathered at the city council meeting. "Did I miss anything?"

"He was recommended by Gallus, who claims to have only met him the day before." The Blacksmith's Guild Master commented. "Apparently he showed the old Master Blacksmith some kind of revolutionary new way to make leather armor and won him over immediately."

"He has knowledge about grafting spells into Magic Stones, something we have been trying to research for over fifty years, with little success." The Guild Master of the local Alchemist's Guild branch said. "It is knowledge that the Alchemist Guild wishes to buy from him, but he isn't interested in selling it."

"He's on extremely friendly terms with Amanda and has absolutely no concept of the value of money." Caroline commented. "He returned all the swords that Celldio had gathered through extortion, along with a list of everyone they came from and commissioned the Blacksmith's Guild to try to return them. But the list was made by him, so he has a means of figuring out where each and every sword came from."

"He seduced my daughter…" The Merchant's Guild's Master grumbled.

Klimt sat back and listened as everyone talked about this 'Merlin' person. All thoughts of the new Dungeon, the reveal of foreign spies in the City Knights and Guard, the mysterious destruction of the local Blackmarket, and even the sudden changes in the old Dungeon had been forgotten in the wake of history's sixth known Divine Blacksmith and his public execution of the A-rank Adventurer, Celldio.

Well, this was all extremely fortunate for Klimt, as it meant he didn't have to deflect questions regarding Fran's unusual existence. However, it appeared that Merlin appeared just the day after Fran herself. Was that a coincidence?

Seemed unlikely, given how unusual both were and how both of them were connected to Amanda. It also seemed that Merlin's weapon of choice at the start of the battle was a bow.

In all likelihood, this was the Counter Guardian Spirit, Archer, taking on human form. Celldio never stood a chance. Not that Klimt would shed a tear about his passing. He had wanted the man dead for years, and only the man's father's influence stopped the Guild Master from killing the 'A-rank Adventurer' and his thuggish party himself.

"How is the Marquis Lesspus taking the news of his son's death?" Klimt asked.

"He is sending his deepest heartfelt apologies to the newest Divine Blacksmith for his son's unacceptable behavior, swearing up and down that he had no idea what the man was up to." Count Doroto said with a sigh. "He's attempting to kiss ass. It's not surprising. The King himself is doing something similar."

"Makes sense. For any country, having a Divine Blacksmith in your corner is as good as having an S-rank Adventurer. Perhaps even better, since the equipment they make can span the generations. Most rulers would be willing to bend the knee and beg for his assistance." The Blacksmith Guild Master said with a shake of the head. "Problem is that Merlin is such a confusing bastard to deal with. He doesn't care about money, status, or even women, but he ain't got the soul of an artist either. He's too down to earth and practical to be an artist. To him, a sword is nothing more than a weapon."

"If he doesn't care about material possessions, artistry or status, then what does motivate him?" Count Doroto asked.

"No idea. If I did know, I would have made use of it by now." The Blacksmith Guild Master said with a shrug. "I have a feeling that he has some kind of goal in mind. He isn't the kind of guy to do things for no reason at all. I just don't know what his reason is. He keeps gathering more and more materials in order to create more and more powerful weapons, but I don't know what they are for."

"Well, you will need to find something. His Majesty has already sent us orders to do whatever it takes to form a meaningful connection between the Divine Blacksmith and our country." Count Doroto said.

What motivated him. What motivated a Counter Guardian Spirit to move? What motivated a God to allow one to enter the world? Klimt wished he knew.

Perhaps he should try to meet with Merlin himself.

"I'm afraid it's a little late for us to be doing anything. After handing over the Magic Swords yesterday, he said he was leaving town and probably wouldn't be coming back."

...What?

Cruz's body and mind had long since gone numb. Even after being healed, the phantom pains of the welts that had been made on his arms and head by his sensei's tiger striped practice sword were stopping him from thinking clearly.

"Get up." Fran said forcefully, though her voice felt like it was coming from miles away.

It had been nearly two hours since they had started sparring, and the young girl had handled him with an almost dismissive air as she used pain to correct his mistakes.

This was a thousand times worse than when he had been merely an afterthought in the middle of the battle between Fran, Amanda and Art, as Fran never gave him a moment's rest.

Conjured water splashed over his body, its cold sending a jolt through Cruz's system, but even this couldn't rouse him.

Giving up on him, Fran went away, after saying he had thirty minutes before they would move on to the next part of training.

"I can't believe you've stuck with this." Rigg said as he and Izel checked on their party leader. "...Hey, you in there?"

Cruz didn't respond, he just blankly stared up at the sky.

It had been three days since he started his training under Fran, though it felt like three months. Three long month of having his fighting style forcibly corrected by the young girl.

"Cruz, this is ridiculous. You should just quit now, before this has consequences on your mental health." Izel said.

"No… I won't give up." Cruz said, the word 'quit' managing to penetrate his exhaustion.

"You've got to be kidding me. Why are you doing this? If you are trying to get that girl's approval, you don't need it." Izel said with a sigh.

"It's also probably not going to happen. It's been three days and she still doesn't even remember your name. She calls you Steve." Rigg pointed out.

"This isn't about approval, it is about improving." Cruz said. "How many of me do you think it would take to make a difference in a fight against someone like sensei, or worse, Amanda?"

"...That's not exactly fair. They aren't normal."

"But if we ever went to war, then the other country would also have people who 'aren't normal'. As I am now, I cannot protect anything. When people like them take the battlefield, I might as well not even exist." Cruz said, forcing himself up. "If I want to be able to fulfill my duty as a knight of the Liuzel household, I need to be stronger."

"And how do you plan on doing that? Miss Fran is leaving tomorrow. You won't be able to heal through the pain anymore." Izel tried to reason.

"...I have thought about that." Cruz admitted. "If I can't heal through the pain, I will just need to find another method to push my body just as hard… It isn't like my current Job has been doing me any favors."

Being a Flash Swordsman had only supported his bad habits, allowing him to get through simple fights by depending on his speed. If he wanted to keep up with Fran's style of training and learn how to fight for real, he would need another Job.

Once his sensei had left, Cruz planned on paying a visit to the Church to get his Job changed. He would become a Mad Swordsman and push through his limits.

Maybe then he could become worthy of his sensei calling him something other than Steve.

They are going to start heading out next chapter.