4 Excalibur and Sword of Dracula?!
Chapter 4: Excalibur and Sword of Dracula?!
Having read all of his skills, Bryce called back the demonic energy into his heart, it lodged deep within him, calmly and ecstatic. His teeth returned to normal, and his eyes lost the red killing intent, becoming his usual black eyes, he also confirmed that the odd feeling was gone and that he was free of those shackles.
With the demonic energy sleeping contentedly within him, Bryce lost the smell of the demon's spawn, and he was no different than normal humans. However, it was also not exactly the case as the 'player' bloodline coursing within him belonged to the holy hero; his features slowly went through a silent change.
Demonic charm gone and replaced by the heroic mana, Bryce became someone akin to a shining knight with an amiable and reassuring smile, lovely blue eyes, and healthy white skin. All of those changes didn't matter to him as Bryce believed beauty and handsomeness were internal.
But he was glad that the heroic mana was warm and kind, his good friend fell asleep with him just stroking his head, and that mana was surely the cause as the wound on Gengo's side never stopped aching.
It'd be difficult to fall asleep with it prickling him, but Gengo had an awesome friend and owner who put him in dreamland.
Sleeping soundlessly, Gengo believed in his friend and his new powers. Bryce also knew what to do, so he leveraged that kind of mana and poured it into the silver sword. Unlike the demonic energy, that holy power was docile; it was so obedient that Bryce didn't know whether he had managed to stir it and move.
But as the plain weapon shone golden-blue, Bryce knew he had all of it in his control, the name of the sword changed, the blade became blue with golden edges, and two crystals of the same color adorned the hilt.
When the transformation had finished, the holy sword burst into golden particles, spreading light around Bryce and Gengo, those little specks fell around them like rain, some stayed and swirled mid-air, becoming a ray of sunshine in the darkened forest. The warmth of holiness soon entirely brightened the clearing, tended to the wounded, and embraced the friends tightly.
Those effects were so powerful that even Bryce, with demonic energy dwelling within him, felt like closing his eyes and going to sleep. He held on and hovered his eyes wide on Gengo's wound, which had started closing in the presence of the holy weapon.
"Excalibur, I can't believe how there are so many connections with Earth." Bryce glanced at the blinding sword impaled on the ground. There was a chance that only the name was the same, but he doubted it after learning about the name of the demonic version.
[Sword of Dracula.]
A rich history connected two versions of his bloodline weapon with Earth. And as Bryce recalled the two women summoning him at the same time, he was now sure that there were many more people summoned from his world — that didn't really bother him.
He didn't think people from Earth would become his enemies, of course, Bryce didn't doubt that the influence of demon lords and holy people could turn anyone against him, but he believed thinking about Earth wouldn't do him any good.
He missed his parents and felt sorry for them, he didn't know whether they knew about him not being their son, perhaps they adopted him and hadn't found time to tell him about it because of his odd tendencies to get into fights. Bryce now regretted not calling them often, and the thought of his sister being similar to his mother from Earth appeased his heart as he knew they weren't alone and had a blood-related descendant.
At that time, Gengo opened his eyes. He glanced at Bryce and noticed his heart aching from longing. He growled faintly and licked his hand.
"It's fine. Matters of Earth must be forgotten for now because there's no way a level one and abandoned hero or demon lord can return home, that will be for later. Our goals are now simple: food, shelter, and intel. I also must make you my heroic companion." Bryce explained their future goals, the mysteriously smirked, his friend tilting his head curiously.
With the Excalibur still shining on Bryce's right side, he extended his hand and put it on Gengo's head. He channeled the holy skill from his skill list, [Heroic Companion], and marked his friend with it.
Bryce's heroic bloodline trembled, then some of it left his body through his arm, seeped into Gengo's head, then lodged deeply into the dog's heart. From that moment onward, Gengo became a player, too; he received a system and some of the essential abilities to assist his best friend.
They smiled at each other in their honest and usual way, then turned their eyes to the troll.
"He's our food."
Gengo's ears and tail went down, and he looked away, missing his premium dog food already.
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In one of many humanity kingdoms, there was a gathering of nobles and church people. All of them donned their official clothes, they were outside before the grand castle with many commoners, merchants, and people of medium class gawking at the scene with twinkling eyes and respect, and the nobility and priests stood in perfect rows on either side.
They didn't spare an eye on other people, their eyes trained on the pope and the king.
Following those two was a group of young people led by a girl with a sword hanging on her hip. Out of all people, she appeared different, as though she was a foreigner.
But all knew she was one of them, for she was the hero of their kingdom!
"The first hero of our era to sweep the dungeon, Natsumi Tendo, shall now officially appoint heroic companions who will offer their utmost support to her journey to erase the evil of our world!" the pope announced, the chorus instantly parted their lips, and the official music played from the depths of the castle.
People cheered and screamed the hero's name, in awe of her abilities as she had claimed the lesser dungeon on the first day of her summoning, fulfilling her duty, flawlessly at that!
Natsumi didn't seem interested in others, though, and she also displayed displeasure at the grand announcement with music, chorus, dancers, and all other people she would rather kick away.
Still, the heroic companion skill was a skill only heroes could use, and it was only appropriate to have it officially done. It significantly boosted people's strength, so the official ceremony would also show citizens that the kingdom had strong enough warriors to follow and support the chosen one.
It was all about the face.
The team that Natsumi had cleaned the lesser dungeon together with knelt before her as though she was a princess. She followed what the king had taught her, unsheathed her sword in a cool way, and put the tip of her blade on the shoulder of the tank companion. After shouting the grand words to the crowd, the tank's shield shone with holiness, his equipment and bloodline advanced, and he became closer to the holy mana.
She repeated that to others, and the whole ceremony took a whole day. After that, all nobles and merchants were invited to the royal party, and the hero had to attend it, too. She spoke with others briefly, then escaped to the balcony. Staring at the full moon, Natsumi recalled her first dungeon run, the thrill of killing the first monster, and how she advanced through a blunt massacre.
"My eyes must have been like his, I finally found the reason."
"Reason?"
Natsumi wheeled to the origin of the voice, scrunching her face because of the pope, who was clearly drunk, then she retracted her eyes and gazed at the moon again.
She replied to the pope as he was a key to her ambitions.
"The reason I was always second. At my home, I couldn't beat a certain guy."
"Oh, really? I can't wait to meet other heroes, then. He might be here."
"I think only a demon lord could summon him to this world."
The pope's eyes turned serious, alcohol in his blood evaporated, and he asked the question he'd wanted to ignore.
"So what made him stronger than you?"
"He had those killing eyes. Every time I visualized my battle against him, I trembled and saw those black eyes with boundless madness. But in this world, I will develop that madness, too, and face him again. If he's not here, I will return back home and fight him as a human. If he's here," she smirked, "things will be easier."
"Once you get enough achievements, I will be able to perform a holy oracle for you, and you shall know all answers to your desires, Natsumi. Keep working hard."
"I will. It's so enjoyable, pope. But I will run to the dungeon next time you hold a ceremony."
"At least I will know where to search for you… Right, may I know the name of that swordsman?"
"Bryce."
"Thank you."
