Mr. Horn had apparently been an adventurer since his youth.
In fact, he was active around the same age as I am now.
Though he never reached the level of a Sword Saint, he had earned the title of “Swordmaster,” which was just one rank below.
Helping the weak and defeating evil—Horn truly lived the life of a hero of justice. He traveled from place to place, helping all sorts of people.
Then, one day, Mr. Horn met a fairy.
He had taken on a job guarding a merchant’s estate, and there he found a fairy trapped within a barrier.
Because of their appearance, fairies were often overhunted by humans. Many were imprisoned and kept as ornamental pets... That merchant, too, had captured a fairy and was doting on her.
Seeing this, Mr. Horn was furious.
He destroyed the barrier and freed the fairy.
Though the merchant was outraged and the Adventurer’s Guild imposed a harsh punishment, Mr. Horn said he never regretted it.
And then…
"For some reason, that fairy took quite a liking to me."
“For some reason,” huh...
Well, after going that far for her, it’s not surprising she felt indebted.
But from Mr. Horn’s perspective, maybe he didn’t think it was anything extraordinary. Whether human or fairy, he just helps those in trouble. That’s all.
I thought that was really cool.
I want to be someone like that too.
"After that, I traveled with the fairy for a while. She said she had a dear friend, so I escorted her to where that friend was."
"Ahhhh!!!?"
Suddenly, Licorice let out a loud yell.
My ears rang, and I winced instinctively.
"What’s the matter all of a sudden?"
"I remembered! I remembered! This old guy really did bring Nonoka with him!"
"Nonoka?"
"That’s the name of my friend! How could I forget!?"
Well, it’s not like I forgot… this is probably the first time I’m even hearing it…
"Anyway,"
She brushed past it.
"One day, Nonoka, who had been missing, suddenly showed up with a stranger. I thought, this old guy must be a kidnapper!"
"Why would you jump to that conclusion…?"
"Isn’t that a bit too simplistic…?"
"So then I gave him a full-power Ultra Miracle Hyper Licorice Kick!"
"Hohoho! That really hurt, you know. I thought my neck was going to snap."
…That doesn’t sound like a laughing matter.
"Well, the misunderstanding was cleared up afterward, and we got along for a while."
"Spending time with fairies was a rare and precious experience."
"Hehe, the old man was totally captivated by my charm!"
"Indeed, young lady, you are quite adorable."
"Heheh~!"
Licorice puffed up her chest proudly—and then toppled backward with a thud.
Spinning in the air like that takes some skill…
"So, for a while, I spent time with two fairies."
"I see."
Strange how fate works sometimes.
Once again, I was reminded of how mysterious the bonds we form can be.
"But I couldn’t rely on their kindness forever. I decided to set off again... and then, your friend, Miss Nonoka, made a sword for me as thanks."
"That’s the Snow Crystal Sword…?"
"Yes. It’s a splendid blade. I couldn’t accept such a thing outright, so I only borrowed it for a while."
"I see."
"And it seems that it’s not just a powerful sword."
"Huh?"
What does that mean?
Could it have some meaning beyond just being a weapon?
Sensing my question, Mr. Horn continued speaking.
"You likely know this already, but weapons crafted by fairies are extremely rare. They hold great power and are so beautiful they could be displayed as works of art. If sold, you could live in luxury for ten years."
"But... that’s not where their true value lies."
"Oh?"
Hearing the words that slipped from my mouth, Mr. Horn looked intrigued.
He encouraged me to continue with a look, so I spoke what was on my mind.
"Fairies were once overhunted by humans. That’s why they disappeared from public view and began living quietly, in hiding. Relations were terrible."
"Indeed."
"And yet, a fairy made a sword for a human. That means... maybe it's a symbol of friendship between humans and fairies."
"Exactly so."
Mr. Horn spoke with a distant look, as if reminiscing.
"When Miss Nonoka handed me the sword she had crafted, she said this: 'This is a symbol of our friendship.'"
"...Nonoka..."
Hearing the story about her friend, Licorice looked like she was about to cry.
It seemed she still had many thoughts and feelings tied to the past.
"I see... so the Snow Crystal Sword is a symbol of friendship between humans and fairies."
"Yes."
Why, then, had Mr. Horn let go of such a sword?
Some lingering questions remained.
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