A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 108

• Chapter 108 : A day in Seto’s life – Gravis’s chapter

Seto and his companions had returned to the Silver City.

Under Adams’ orders, his men were tasked with thoroughly exploring and investigating the city.

He asked Seto and his friends to help out with that, and as the ones who had lifted the curse that had plagued the city, they joined the investigation team put together by Adams, and once again entered its depths.

The city’s atmosphere had significantly changed, likely due to the sunlight reaching every corner now that the eerie fog had cleared.

This place that used to be a den of monsters and strange phenomena was now an ancient ruin bathed in a gentle breeze, sunlight, and the chirping of birds.

All signs of battles or supernatural occurrences had completely vanished.

The visibility was excellent, and the towering buildings illuminated by the sunlight conveyed a sense of historical weight even to someone like Seto, who lacked all knowledge in that area.

Countless skyscrapers stood majestically amid the grey ruins that were once the Silver City, welcoming all who came.

Seto was no exception. The urge to run around and explore everything bubbled up within him, but naturally, he reminded himself that he had not come here for fun and transitioned into work mode.

Meanwhile, Satis made the gesture of adjusting her glasses, her eyes secretly shining with an overflowing desire for knowledge, as she headed alongside other mages and scholars towards a place that appeared to be an academy.

They would investigate from a specialized perspective how advanced the level of medicine and science and living standards that came with them were at the time, and how much technology was influenced by paranormal abilities compared to the current era.

Seto wanted to go with them, but he had no experience with intellectual work that involves deciphering unknown languages ??and sharing knowledge with other experts to carry out advanced tasks in cooperation, so he ended up helping with a different job.

The task given to him by the investigation team’s leader was to accompany Gravis to the place where she had previously found treasure and help recover it.

According to Gravis, there was still treasure left.

However, due to the shortage of personnel, the support team for Seto and Gravis was delayed. 

The job was to complete as much as possible before the reinforcements arrived.

Though it sounded simple, it was undoubtedly hard labor.

Gravis was in a bad mood, as Adams had warned her not to steal the treasure for herself.

Yet, once she began working, she hummed as she eagerly stuffed treasure into bags, fully engrossed in the task.

Even Seto found the job tiring, but Gravis was excited and engrossed in the task as soon as he saw the treasure.

[You seem really happy even though you can’t keep any of the treasure.] (Seto)

[Well, I just love looking at treasure. Just look at this shine, this luster! Whoever cherished this treasure had some great taste.] (Gravis)

[Huh…] (Seto)

Seto, who was not particularly attached to treasure, did not quite understand her enthusiasm.
Gravis really likes treasure, huh… Sure, the more riches you have, the better. But it can become a poison if you have too much, no? Seto pondered absentmindedly, despite his lack of knowledge.

[C’mon, keep your hands moving! Depending on how hard we work, we might get a share of the loot!] (Gravis)

[R-Really?] (Seto)

[Yeah, that’s how it works. And if not, well, no big deal. Don’t dwell on it. If we adventurers got caught up in every little thing, we wouldn’t be doing something as dangerous as this.] (Gravis)

With that encouragement, Gravis went back to working diligently.

They hadn’t known each other for long, but perhaps she was surprisingly serious about her work… or so Seto thought.

As he considered this, he realized something.

They had met at the docks, fought together in the Silver City, and now they were working for the Cryfano family, but Seto still did not know much about her at all.

Nevermind not having much of a bond, there was almost none at all.

It was not like the deep ties Seto had with Satis or Hydra.

Only recently had he learned that Gravis was acquainted with Ryodou Anacondell from Benjamin Village, and that she had been childhood friends with the Hero Reid, but none of this had any direct relation to Seto himself.

The boy already considered Gravis a friend.

But thinking about it more carefully, they did not have much in common.

Building relationships could get complicated, but despite being friends, there seemed to be a certain distance between them, which made Seto feel a little uncomfortable and lonely.

So, he decided to strike up a conversation.

Something he could talk about, and something she might take an interest in.
Recalling their previous encounters, Seto brought up a simple topic.

[Hey, Gravis,] (Seto)

[Hmm? What is it?] (Gravis)

[If you could have any kind of magic sword, what kind would you want?] (Seto)

It was a topic related to magic swords.

Gravis admired powerful figures like Ryodou.

Which was why she gathered information and sought to obtain the magic sword hidden in the Silver City.

Based on what she said in the past, it was clear that she was seeking a “powerful magic sword”.

However, the strength of a magic sword varied greatly depending on its shape and abilities.

As a more experienced magic sword user, Seto asked Gravis out of a bit of curiosity.

[What kind, you ask? I mean, there are all sorts, right?] (Gravis)

[You want a powerful magic sword, sure, but they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big, some are small, and their abilities are different too. So, to put it simply, are you looking for something like a knife or a greatsword? There’s this rumor that even if someone has a magic sword affinity, using one that doesn’t suit them could actually shorten their lifespan.] (Seto)

[Ah, that’s what you wanna know, huh? Right.] (Gravis)

Gravis paused her work, did a light stretch, and sat down on some rubble.
She was about to take out her silver pipe but noticed Seto watching her intently and sighed, putting it back.

[I used to think that as long as it was powerful, any magic sword would do.] (Gravis)

[Used to?] (Seto)

[Yeah, until I saw you fight that scumbag down here.] (Gravis)

[Ah, that guy…] (Seto)

The fierce battle underground against the head soldier.

Even now, the threat of the magic sword he wielded still lingered deep in Seto’s soul.

[I admit that I haven’t lived an upstanding life that other people can be proud of, and I’m the type of woman who would do anything to win, even if it means fighting dirty. But, you know, that magic sword, well… I just didn’t like it.] (Gravis)

[…Ah, now that you mention it, you did say something like that back then. You said you didn’t want anything to do with a sword that twisted.] (Seto)

[Heh, you’ve got a good memory. If I’m going to have one, it’s gotta be flashy and cool, right? Like your magic sword.] (Gravis)

[Mine? Really?] (Seto)

[Yeah, totally. And honestly… you looked pretty damn cool with it back then.] (Gravis)

Gravis smiled cheerfully.

She crossed her legs, rested her right elbow on her knee, and placed her hand under her chin, giving Seto a gentle smile—a stark contrast to her usual rough demeanor.

[C-Cool, huh? That’s kinda… embarrassing.] (Seto)

[Hahaha, don’t get all embarrassed now! It’s just the truth. At first, I thought you were just some stupid brat poking his nose where it didn’t belong, but after seeing you in action, well, I had no choice but to change my mind.] (Gravis)

[S-Stupid brat…?] (Seto)

[Yeah, sorry about that. I was in a bad mood back then, and looking back, I was pretty childish about it. Anyway, I acknowledge you now. And soon enough, I’ll find a magic sword that suits me, and surpass you.] (Gravis)

[Hahaha! I’m sure you’ll surpass me in no time.] (Seto)

After that, they continued working while chatting about trivial stuff.

About the kind of magic sword Gravis would like, and what she would do with it.

Even though they knew it was just a fantasy, the two of them had fun.

Gravis would laugh at her own musings, and seeing that, Seto could not help but smile too.

Once their tasks were done, it was time for lunch.

Gravis brought their food over, but Seto’s portion was noticeably larger.

[Uh, my portion is…] (Seto)

[It’s fine, don’t sweat it. You’re still growing, so eat up.] (Gravis)

It seemed Gravis had gone out of her way to negotiate for more food, knowing he would need it.

He had been trying to deepen their friendship, and now she was showing her kindness in little ways like this.

It made Seto really happy.

Her thoughtfulness shone even brighter to him than all the gold and silver treasures scattered around them.

[Thanks, Gravis.] (Seto)

[Don’t mention it. But in return, you’d better work hard after lunch.] (Gravis)

[Got it! If you need anything, just rely on me as much as you want.] (Seto)

[You don’t have to tell me. I’m pretty bossy, so you better be ready.] (Gravis)

They then resumed their afternoon work.

Unlike the morning, even as they worked in silence, there was no awkwardness or discomfort.

As their work went smoothly, Seto and Gravis were joined by a large number of people.

Things got noisier than before, and work progressed at a much faster pace.

Seeing this, Seto carried each bag with a cheerful mood.

[Hey, Seto! Not that way!] (Gravis)

[Huh?!] (Seto)

Meanwhile, on Satis’ end, their work was progressing steadily as well.
Satis was in the middle of deciphering documents.

[…There exists a wendigo called “Ahas Patel” who governs death, as well as multiple powerful wendigos called the “Viceroys” who support him… And a shrine maiden serving as a connection between the Viceroys and humanity… This content seems to be related to this world. And it’s connected to the Wendigos…] (Satis)

At the library she had visited before, Satis was working with other mages, pulling out books and deciphering them.

Right when her work hit a lull, Satis found a particularly interesting book on one of the shelves.

[Is this… a book about magic swords?] (Satis)

The book she held was thick, almost like a grimoire, and its musty smell and hefty weight seemed to symbolize the weight of history.

Satis’s interest suddenly piqued.

Based on the content, it looks like an illustrated encyclopedia… but something tells me it’s more than that. It’s almost like research data. (Satis)

The unease brewing in her chest made Satis look away from the words and out toward the horizon.

Despite the sunlight filtering in from the distance, it seemed unusually bright.

For a brief moment, she had the strange sensation that a bird had just flown by. 

Though it must have merely been a gentle breeze sweeping through.

While it was not exactly a feeling of dread, an odd sense lingered in Satis’s heart.