A Disgusting Sword

-.

We checked into a high-class hotel, as this was no time to save coins. Elze and Linze looked dull-eyed at how two nights would basically have wiped out the reward we would be given from our Guild mission. However, it was likely that we would be watched by the Duke's informants, and if we looked too miserly it would look somewhat ungrateful.

I actually felt things were vastly overpriced too. Just like with the Silver Moon Inn, meals were included. I figured it was because in this kingdom's technology level, there was really not that much more amenities that could be given to the guests. Everything was so luxurious and ornate, but in the end the entertainments inside the room could only come from guests invited to your own private lounge and bar.

Each room did have its own private bath with hot and warm water though. Even some form of rudimentary air conditioning with piped air.

/"It sure is convenient, huh, being able to create fire and water from out of nowhere."/ Monika commented while using sound echoes to trace the pipes. A cleverly hidden water tank on top of the hotel provided enough water pressure for faucets.

Even Silver Moon Inn had running water for their faucets and toilets, though Micah only really had a large barrel in the room above. There were still improvements that could be made though, and real estate was actually one of the surest and least effort ways of making money. No wonder landlords were often the first against the wall during times of revolution.

-.

As we left the hotel that morning, we had their in-house messenger deliver a letter to the Ducal estate of the Ortlinde Family. The message boy looked a bit intimidated, and even more so when we flashed our medals. The contents of the note was that were off to visit Viscount Sordrick, and the most convenient time for meeting the court magician (if possible) would be early the next morning. Then we were leaving Alephis the day after that.

Alephis was a beautiful clean city with large wide streets. Like Reflet, the buildings were a strange combination of styles, but now I could see it was mainly for effect. Alephis had surprisingly tall buildings for its tech level, but I guess they just had better idea of masonry and magic to reinforce structures.

While Monika only expressed relief at finally no longer having to deal with those horses, I felt somewhat sad. I'd grown a bit affectionate towards the… cow-horses, as we'd come to call them. We left them in the care of a stable while we hired some city carriages with tall horses with sleek dark coats.

Slim, perfectly managed creatures. They had blinders on their eyes to keep them from being scared off anything unexpected. They wouldn't even know how to start to deal with the world outside their city. In many ways, they reminded of myself as I used to be, and I somewhat disliked them for that.

-.

-.

"Playa-sam-"

"Ah-ah! Still not a high ranked noble. If we're going to play the honorifics game, dono will do."

Elze snorted. "Hah! Like anyone believes that!"

I tilted my nose up snootily. "That is a Jedi Truth, and you will respect it!"

"I surely have no idea what you mean by that, and that is why I have decided to just ignore it," Elze responded, turning her chin up arrogantly high as well.

/"Really? Really, Elze? Of all the words you could have chosen, you accidentally arrived on that? You truly are a gift to memelordery. It's a pity only Player and I can appreciate what this means."/

Yae just continued to stare. "You both get along quite well, this I see."

"… they get along too well at times, I'm afraid," Linze mumbled.

Yae bowed slightly. "Then, please do allow me to say, Playa-dono, Monika-sama… Elze-dono, Linze-dono, thank you for putting up with me so far. I am most grateful for all your help, that I am."

Yae was feeling tremendously out of place. All three (four) of us got along quite well, our personalities meshed together. Yae felt like just someone we picked up along the way, and being rewarded so handsomely for simply just being in the vicinity felt wrong to her.

She believed she had nothing to uniquely contribute, either in conversation or battle ability.

She would be wrong about that though, because the really girls did like having her around. Elze and Linze were likewise strangers to Belfast, and there were conversations that women could only have with each other, you know? Elze and Linze, being twin sisters, had already exhausted most things they could chat about on the road. They were adventurers by choice of profession, not raised from birth to be a warrior like Yae.

We had arrived at Viscount Sordrick's mansion. Compared to a Duke's it was quite… cozy. He probably had land of his own somewhere, however. Baron was the lowest hereditary title with a significant amount of land and obligation to raise arms in the king's defense. To my knowledge, Viscount was the next step over that, so one should expect a larger estate for self-sufficiency.

We gave our names and intent to the gatekeeper, and when we mentioned Zanac he said that the viscount would meet us personally. Odd.

As we waited in his foyer, I soaked in the architectural details. The place I lived in had embraced modernity very thoroughly, and the oldest heritage sites were the few that remained from the turn of the 1900s, the last reminders of our Colonial Era. Mostly stone churches and fortifications. Certainly nothing older dating all the way back to the Renaissance Era. This Sordrick estate felt steeped in history.

A red-haired man soon appeared. He looked very fit, and his eyes were sharp. He was powerful, we could all feel this subconciously. His every movement was light yet tight with tension, like bird of prey circling just waiting for the right moment to swoop down on its target.

"I am Carlossa Galune Swordrick. Are you the messengers that Zanac sent?"

"Indeed we are," I responded, showing the message tube. "We're here to deliver this letter upon his request. We were also asked to receive a response from you to take back with us, if you don't mind."

"I see. Then I request you wait here for a moment. I shall compose a reply." He turned and left the room. This level of curtness was certainly a far cry from the reception we had at Duke Ortlinde's place, but it was to be expected.

After he left, a maid served us tea. I couldn't really tell any difference between different grades of tea, it was all just boiled leaf juice to me. Linze and Elze looked a bit put out at the treatment they were getting though.

"Wow," I mentioned. "It's weird enough that Zanac actually knows a Viscount in the capital, but this guy? Can you imagine what circumstances could possibly have led for Zanac to be friends with such a hardass?"

Linze snorted into her cup. "Mister Zah! That's… mean."

"Why not? I mean, for some reason Zanac is friends with you. I guess it's a lot more explainable, you're both so weird," Elze replied evenly. "But that guy…"

"Please do not disrespect my father's friend in my presence," Yae said softly.

"I was just going to say that he's strong. You haven't met Zanac of Fashion King Zanac like we have. Where does sword and fashion meet, really? Maybe they're just childhood friends. Maybe they're even related."

/"You know, the rank of Viscount also has related duties to their station. They are supposed to assist the Count in managing the territory, and as such may have broad powers for dispensing justice and tax collection to the other nobles and lands under them,"/ Monika said only to my ears.

Monika dear, that just makes Zanac sound like a spy or informant. Reflet is a very long way from the capital anyway.

"… wait. Hang on a minute. Yae, how did Viscount Sordrick help your father anyway? Was there an expedition of some sort to Eashen? Belfast and Eashen are very far from each other, but you have open trade. Eashen is a silk-producing country too, right?

Yae shook her head. "No, it was my father who came here to Belfast, many years ago."

I blinked. Wait, that sounded familiar. "A samurai coming to Europe... showing off his swordsmanship... to the court of Spain? Ahah! JOURNEY OF HONOR! I dimly remember that seeing that!"

/"Or more properly, Tsunenaga Hasekura,"/ Monika pulled up the real-life event that movie was based on.

The girls just looked at me oddly again.

"It was indeed… a journey of honor…?" Yae tried to politely concur while just as confused as the rest.

Soon enough, the Viscount returned and handed over the re-sealed message tube. If it functioned similarly to the Guild cards, probably the only ones who could open it were those whose blood were keyed to the enchantment.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting. You may give this to Zanac," he said. "But before you go-"

He directed his piercing gaze towards Yae. "You – I have been wondering ever since I first laid eyes on you. Have we met before?" He furrowed his brows, thinking it over, then decided "No, I don't think so. Still… what is your name?"

Yae bowed. "My name is Kokonoe Yae, daughter of Konokoe Jubei, that I am."

"Kokonoe…?! Ah! So you're Jubei's daughter! Now I see!" He laughed out loud and slapped at his knees, giving out a broad smile.

His entire being just opened up so suddenly, we were taken aback. He gave Yae a once-over look from her white socks up to the ribbon tying her tall ponytail and grinned happily.

"There's no mistaking it, you are almost the splitting image of your mother, Nanae!" he said. "Well I'm glad you took your looks from your mother and not your old man!"

Yae smiled without a word. She didn't look insulted by that, at least. Ugly guy hot wife syndrome? Well maybe their samurai culture thought effete beautiful men to be unappealing husbands.

I put down my teacup and said "If you would forgive my discourtesy, how do you know Yae's father, Viscount Sordrick?"

The noble's eyes turned back to me, and his gaze returned to a killing sharpness. Why?

Ah. If he were familiar at all with Japanese-like culture or speaking norms, referring to a woman without a honorific implied some personal intimacy. Not necessarily romantic, but at least friendship or being a social superior. On the other hand, we were in a western country and its mores and that wasn't a rule to be followed here.

Yae was just so much easier to say than Kokonoe. I tried to be proper, but I'm lazy like that. Though maybe I could call her Koko...?

Nah. That would be almost like saying I love Moni (ka), which would be objectively true for both things, but also offensive.

"Hmm." The viscount rubbed at his chin. "Right. You see, her father Jubei used to be the instructor of swordsmanship for the Sordrick family. Back when I was just still a sniveling brat, he really put me through the wringer! I was challenged at everything, sometimes I really hated him, sometimes I really respected him, but… it was worth it in the end. Hard to believe it's almost twenty years ago now…"

"My father always says that among the many swordsmen he had trained, none were as wise or as talented as you, Viscount-dono."

"Oho? Well! I'm certainly pleased to hear that. Even if it may be flattery… even if he may be saying that to motivate some new snot-nosed Eashen brats trying to learn the sword, it's heartwarming to hear my old teacher speak highly of me." Once more his demeanor switched to this completely relaxed, disarming manner.

But Yae continued speaking with a serious look on her face. "He also said to me, that if ever I should get a chance to meet you, that I should beg your advice in matters of swordplay, that he did."

"Oho…?" The viscount narrowed his eyes and gave her a thin smile, apparently intrigued by her words. "In that case… who am I to refuse a request from my old master?"

-.

-.

We followed the viscount out to his garden.

All of us raised our eyebrows in surprise. Occupying fully half of it, right up to the tall stone outer walls, was a hugely out of place building. What with its white paper screen walls and dark timber construction, floor raised off the ground like on stilts, and one wall open to the elements. The floor was wide expanse of polished long wooden slats. It looked exactly like a Japanese kendo dojo.

And of course, to enter it like most Asian dwellings, you had to leave your shoes behind and wear provided indoor slippers. The viscount simply walked in barefooted, Yae had little problem because of her wooden sandals and her white socks. Linze complied, following shortly on stockinged feet. Elze and I took a little longer to shuck off our boots.

The viscount went into the back room and emerged wearing a simple training kimono. "Do you like it?" he asked. "This building was planned by Mister Jubei, and was built by my father. This Eashan aesthetic… ah, it's not just for show. So much was learned here."

Yae nodded. "It reminds me of the dojo back home. It makes me feel quite nostalgic, that it does."

"Good. Then you know what to do." The viscount took one practice blade then pointed to the rack of swords near a wall. "Choose the wooden sword that suits you best."

I raised my hand. "I have a question, if you don't mind."

The viscount gave me again a narrow glare. "Go ahead."

"Is your name Sordrick derived from 'sword'?"

He gave me a dull look that implied /'Are you an idiot?'/ "Yes. That is in the name. Sword-rick. It means sword-rich. My family had ever been wealthy in martial accomplishments, and earned everything through service in battle to the crown."

He looked past me to the girls and gave them a look that asked /'Why are you hanging out with this fool?'/

Elze's shrug was a very profound /'Eh'/.

Yae went over to the sword racks and swung several swords to test which length of grip and blade felt right, and eventually nodded. She went over to meet him at the center of the room.

The viscount nonchalantly asked over his shoulder "Are any of you familiar with Healing magic?"

Even Yae couldn't keep from making a small amused sniff. I raised my hand, and so did Linze. "We know some spells, yes…" I replied.

"Then there's no need to hold back. Come at me with all you have!" he said to Yae.

Both Yae and the viscount bowed at each other, and held their swords out in a guard position. They stood there for several moments, just weighing each other's presence. And then Yae dashed forth, thrusting with her sword towards his face. The viscount parried the strike, but slapping it aside gave Yae's sword the extra energy needed for a follow-up swing to cut down at his hips.

The viscount parried that too, and other attacks the followed. He stepped back and gave way in order to avoid some of her attacks than waste energy blocking with his sword.

Yae backed away to catch her breath. The viscount merely stared back, not taking the chance to strike in return.

Yae stepped to the left and began to circle around, and he stepped to the right, refusing to be flanked. Their steps drew them into an inward spiral, the distance between them shrinking and shrinking until their swords touched again and began another furious exchange of blows.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

The sounds of wood striking wood rang through the dojo. It stopped only once Yae disengaged again, breathing more heavily this time. At no point did the viscount counter-attack, and he merely observed her dispassionately until finally he nodded, apparently reaching a decision.

"I see," the viscount remarked. "What a disgusting sword."

"… p-pardon?"

"We use the same sword style. And I say I can't fault you for any of that. You have learned all that your father could teach you. Your moves are perfect. You use strikes, feints, and retreats with precision. You have no wasted movements. Your stamina could be better, but that is just a matter of your youth. As a student of the sword you are indeed exemplary."

Yae nodded briefly to acknowledge the praise. "But in the end I am just a student? I accept that, I do. What am I missing, Viscount-dono?"

"No, it's not that. I can feel it in your strikes. What surety you had – is gone. Your strikes are firm, and yet also full of hesitation. Your movements are swift, and yet full of doubt! What confidence you used to have in your sword… it is shaken."

Yae stood silent for many moments. Then she firmed her grip on her sword and put one foot forward. "I… am ashamed. That is true."

The viscount grinned fiercely. "You've just seen the power of magicians, didn't you? For so long you thought that if you had speed and skill, that would be all you needed, didn't you? That if you could just strike first, respond faster, over those who neglected their innate fighting ability…"

Then he raised his sword slightly and stepped to the left. "But that was arrogant! You were just a frog in the pond, so sure of your own power. And then you met a magician that also understood the value of speed. Because of course anyone who sought to be of value to their nation would not be an idiot… they would also realize this weakness. Who is the fool to think her enemies would only be such fools?"

"…" Yae bit her lip and did not respond.

/"Oh. I certainly didn't expect that. Yae always looked so calm and so sure of herself. A true stoic samurai warrior, I thought."/

I winced. I didn't realize it either. None of us certainly thought Yae at any point was inferior. Elze, Linze, and I… we could accomplish so much because we benefited from the esoteric magical buffs that Monika could provide. It didn't seem quite fair to compare us to normal magicians.

"I have been there too," the viscount admitted. "Generations of this family had to contend with magicians having power and influence for far less effort. What is the solution? When all you have is a sword…"

"Wait hang on, I thought you said everyone gets magic?" I whispered to Linze.

She whispered back "Not everyone gets strong magic. Most people live without ever using magic after all."

"… And the length of your arm to swing it," The viscount merely seemed to flick his entire body and then suddenly he was by Yae's side. By instinct, she slashed at him. Their swords clacked against each other again. "How do you reach them? How do you bridge the gap?"

He kicked out, and Yae turned her body to evade the blow. Without letting go of her sword block, she swung in return with her elbow aimed for her opponent's solar plexus. He grinned and broke off contact, a single step back flinging him several stride-lengths away.

Real samurai, like real knights, didn't just fight with clashing their blades against each other. There was by necessity a lot of body blows in there too.

"You can block a sword. How do you block fire? How do you block curses? Poison? False rumors? Fighting is not all there is to victory… your father had to earn respect in this kingdom the hard way!"

"I can block a sword," Yae admitted. She closed her eyes, and remembered… and later she told me about a vision of slashing ice cutters, cast effortlessly and swiftly, a zone of absolute death. A burning hellscape on the other side, that would have destroyed a hundred armed men. "I cannot block a thousand swords."

"You are proficient with the sword, but proficiency is not enough. It's not enough to simply have the resolve to kill." The viscount scoffed, "What is that? Any child could do that.

"No, the true mark of skill is how you act when you have none of the advantages. Not the skill gap between master and student, not the strength gap between adult and child, but an absolute difference in power. How does one become sword-rich in a kingdom built on magical power?!"

Yae bowed slightly, but wisely kept her sword up to guard. "Please tell me the solution!" she begged.

-.

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