You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Iori didn't answer, but instead reached out and gently touched the hilt of the sword on her left.

hum!

Instantly, the sword vibrated violently, as if resisting his touch.

--interesting.

This reaction made Iori laugh involuntarily.

As the Steel Hero, virtually no sword would resist his use, but this sword must have developed its own will over a long period of time, waiting for someone similar to its previous master—clearly not someone like Iori.

But if Iori really wanted to pull it out, the sword would be powerless to resist, so this reaction was more like a cat's fur standing on end... which was quite cute.

"It seems that these two swords are not something that just anyone can draw."

Iori withdrew her hand and spoke calmly, without showing any disappointment or frustration.

"And the origin of this sword is also very clear; it is written on the sword that was once used by a hero."

"Ugh?"

Cui blinked: "What do you mean? The Holy Sword of Salvation isn't..."

"The one on the right is the 'Salvation Sword,' and the one on the left is the 'Hero's Sword'—these are not the same thing."

Iori patiently explained, "As the name suggests, the Holy Sword of Salvation can only be drawn when 'salvation' is needed, thus turning the user into a 'hero'."

The sword on the left is from a time in history when humans and demi-human races faced a crisis. A human stepped forward and defeated the Demon King, and this person was revered as a 'Hero,' so the longsword he used became known as the 'Hero's Sword'—it didn't have the blessing of a goddess; it was simply the masterpiece of a mortal craftsman.

"He actually has such a background..."

The golden-haired elf frowned, the image of the reclusive sage flashing through her mind. She vaguely grasped something but hadn't fully figured it out yet.

"Huh? But these two swords are together... So, that hero also tried to pull out the holy sword but failed."

Farrell guessed, "After becoming a hero, did you place your weapon next to the Holy Sword to prove yourself?"

"How inspiring!" The appraiser exclaimed with amazement.

Those who weren't chosen by the Holy Sword made ordinary longswords into symbols of heroism through their own achievements—that sounds truly inspiring!

However, both Iori and Yosuke shook their heads and denied this statement: "It's not to prove ourselves."

"what?"

"Here... the last paragraph reads as follows."

Yosuke squatted down, stroked the inscription, and spoke calmly.

If you can't draw the holy sword beside you, then use it to protect the world—that's what I did.

"..."

Farrell was momentarily dazed, then came to her senses, overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling.

"Was this the advice of that hero?"

"Yes, as a senior and pioneer, he deserves respect."

Iori nodded slowly, then changed the subject: "They're so much better than those who left comments like 'You can jump ahead'!"

Farrell: "?"

Yang Jie wholeheartedly agreed: "Not only in terms of achievements, but also in terms of character, he is a true 'brave man'."

"This sword has no magical seal, so anyone can draw it. Of course, whether it can gain the sword's recognition is another matter. The hero probably didn't expect his weapon to develop a certain degree of self-awareness."

"And what about this holy sword? Has no one ever been able to pull it out?"

"Since it has never been used, perhaps it's just not the right time yet."

Yosuke seemed to be deep in thought. "If only the Demon King appears, it's far from being a 'main quest,' so we can't get the key item?"

He was still thinking about how to complete his mission and go home, and had little interest in the power of the holy sword.

"Would you guys like to give it a try?"

"I probably can't... I don't even know how to use a sword."

"I also prefer short swords."

"I want to challenge!"

Cui stepped forward and said confidently, "Let me give it a try."

She reached out and grasped the hilt of the holy sword, pulling it out with all her might; the slight furrow in her brow testified to her full effort.

However, the sword remained motionless, as if it had become one with the altar. Cui's expression changed slightly; although she released her grip, she was still somewhat resentful.

"It must be because there isn't a world-class crisis... In terms of swordsmanship and magical power alone, I definitely meet the criteria!"

Saito also tried it once, and the result was the same, but she did not express any opinion on it. After all, even if she drew it, she still wouldn't know how to use it. For a Shinigami, having a Zanpakuto is enough.

—Iori, who uses all kinds of weapons, is a heretic.

Just then, Yosuke suddenly stepped forward and grasped the pale blue hilt of the sword with gold trim. His movement seemed somewhat casual, as if it were merely out of curiosity.

"Yo-suke, you..."

Just as Farrell was about to say something, she saw Yosuke gently draw the sword, and the blade moved slightly, making a "click" sound.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on it, and the maze fell silent.

Chapter 554 Is she not here?

"Ok?"

When he came to his senses, Yosuke Shimazaki found himself in a small Japanese-style room, about six tsubo (approximately 3.3 square meters). It was pitch black outside the window, and in front of him was his favorite Sega Saturn console—which he recognized at first glance.

"Is this my room?"

Yosuke wasn't too excited. Although it seemed like he had traveled back in time, his intuition told him that this was not reality.

【O drifter, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am the spirit of the Holy Sword, and I will grant your wish.】

The screen flickered a few times before finally settling on a picture of a green-haired anime-style girl. Her clothing style was as light and airy as a fairy in a stage play. Beneath her slightly curled green hair were a pair of lively and bright eyes, and she exuded a clever and witty aura.

Come, sign a contract with me and become the hero who saves the world!

"Huh? I don't want to."

Without even thinking, Yang Jie refused outright: "It's too suspicious. Can you just let me leave?"

【…Huh? Why? I refused…Huh?】

The Holy Sword Elf was stunned, a hint of urgency appearing in his eyes.

What's wrong with you? You've already come all this way, yet you're rejecting me... That's not right. Shouldn't you accept me with a serious and formal attitude?

Think about it carefully, this is a holy sword, a blessing from the goddess! Just drawing it will make you a hero—isn't that a fantastic development?

"Because... I don't really like using swords... and it looks like a scam no matter how you look at it."

Yosuke's gaze, hidden behind his glasses, was skeptical: "Based on my (game) experience, anyone who promises you all sorts of benefits right from the start, without you having to pay any price, and just wants you to sign a contract—is definitely up to no good!"

【…】

"Iori also said that you should never trust such a suspicious person, otherwise you will be kidnapped and become a magical girl."

"...You have nothing to do with 'the girl,' do you?"

The Holy Sword Spirit was speechless for a moment, but she was not actually a conceptual elemental spirit. Instead, she was an embodiment created by the power of the goddess within the sword. As an existence that bore a certain mission, she had finally encountered an opportunity to make a difference and had to make the most of it.

If I miss this person right in front of me, who knows how many hundreds or thousands of years will pass before I reach that point?

I am not a malevolent demon, but rather a being residing within the Holy Sword, destined to assist the hero in becoming a savior.

Now that you have passed the test of the Holy Sword, it means you possess unparalleled talent and bear an extremely great destiny. To save the world, you must acquire power greater than any enemy, and only by wielding the Holy Sword can you fully unleash your potential.

"Even if you say that... in the end, isn't the so-called holy sword only born when the world is about to be destroyed?"

Yes, it has already appeared—the element that will destroy the world.

"what?!"

Yang Jie was startled. He hadn't taken it seriously at first, but now he shivered and asked seriously, "Is it the legendary demon, or the ancient demon race making a comeback? Could it be that the Demon King has been resurrected once again...?"

No, it's the person next to you.

The Holy Sword Spirit spoke with a blank expression and a calm tone, completely ignoring the relationship between Iori and Yosuke.

He is the reason I was born.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Yosuke frowned: "Iori has never said he wants to destroy the world, let alone whether he has the ability to do so."

You have misunderstood the true nature of the Holy Sword.

The sprite leaped out of the screen and into the room, its feet barely touching the ground as it sat in mid-air, hugging its legs, tilting its head to gaze at Yosuke.

The activation condition for the Holy Sword is 'the emergence of a crisis capable of destroying the world'—the key is not the other party's will, but whether the other party possesses the power to do so.

There are madmen who want to rule or destroy the world every day. Does the Holy Sword have to be sharpened specifically for those people?

But if the person next to you has a similar thought, no one can stop him—that's when the Holy Sword needs to be used.

"...This is so unreasonable."

That's just how the system works; I... cough, there's nothing I can do about it.

The Holy Sword Spirit smiled slightly, as if it could see through Yosuke's thoughts.

[You and that person are quite close, aren't you? He certainly doesn't seem like some heinous villain, but this world is incredibly fragile to him; even the formless sprites fear him—you should be able to sense that.]

"..."

Yang Jie remained silent.

His special ability is to communicate with the spirits of all things, so he is very clear about how the elemental spirits feel about Iori. However, Iori is not a traditional magician and does not need to please the little spirits. Yosuke originally thought it was not a big deal.

"Then can you let me out?"

Don't you want to?

"While the unique equipment in the entire server is indeed tempting, if it's going to be used against a fellow player... there's no need to weigh the options at all."

A cold, white light flashed across Yosuke's glasses: "In the end, can someone who does this really be called a 'hero'?"

The title of hero is bestowed by the 'world,' and human emotions... are not even considered.

"Then there's nothing more to say."

[Don't rush. You may not want the power of the Holy Sword, but do you remember what I said at the beginning?]

I will fulfill your wish.

Looking directly into Yosuke's eyes, the Holy Sword Spirit parted his lips slightly.

Don't you want to leave this place and return to your original world?

"—!"

Yosuke's eyes widened: "Can you do it?!"

The Holy Sword was created to deal with the crisis of world destruction. According to the goddess's setting, the hero is also a human summoned from another world, with powerful skills.

As long as the hero fulfills his mission with the Holy Sword, he will have the opportunity to realize his wish, whether it is to stay and become a king or to return to his original world.

Isn't this exactly what you've always wanted? Yosuke Shimazaki.

"..."

A large shadow fell over Yosuke's overly mature face: "Let me ask you first, this isn't some kind of test, is it?"

The trope is something like, "If you abandon your comrades for your own desires, you can't truly draw the holy sword."

【No, I'm not that bored. Besides, don't you know best who the most threatening person in the world is right now?】

The Holy Sword Elf chuckled, its eyes sparkling.

I can assure you that everything I've said is true; you can even have the elf use magic to verify it.

"I understand."

The Holy Sword is an 'invincible' existence in this world, symbolizing the strongest power and infinite possibilities. If it were to fall into your hands, given your ability to communicate with spirits, perhaps the most powerful 'hero' in history would be born!