Chapter 05
“Hahaha, this child is my daughter. Eve, say hello.”
“Ah, h-hello!”
“Hello, Eve. That’s a lovely name.”
Among the robed men, the largest one smiled and waved at me.
I gave an awkward smile and bowed politely to greet them.
“You came at just the right time.”
At that moment, the smallest man—the same one who had questioned me threateningly in the forest path—stepped right up to me and looked down.
I stared up at him blankly.
Up close, he didn’t seem much older than me.
More like a boy than a man—someone who still hadn’t fully shed his youthful features.
The boy scanned me with a cold gaze, then pointed at the Excalibur I was holding.
“Let’s make a deal. Give that to me.”
Then he turned to my dad and spoke.
I blinked in shock and looked up at him.
What… what do you want me to give you?
My Excalibur?
Why is everyone suddenly after my Excalibur today? Absolutely not—I shook my head firmly and looked at my dad.
My dad also looked troubled and patted my head.
“Haha, I’m afraid we can’t do that. If you need a sword right away, I can show you another one instead.”
“No. I want that sword.”
What the—? Why is he so stubborn?!
The boy shook his head firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
I stared at him in disbelief.
Then one of the men standing by the table slowly stood up, approached my father, and bowed.
“We will pay whatever price you ask.”
Hey! I said no matter the price!
I hugged the sword tightly and looked at my dad with teary eyes.
Dad, do something about these crazy people.
They showed up in the forest looking suspicious enough to scream “I AM A SHADY GUY,” so I thought they were some hero party or something.
But now they were trying to take a sword from an eight-year-old girl—so they were just insane, apparently.
So please kick them out, Dad!
I tugged at my father’s sleeve to urge him to deal with them quickly.
My father looked at me thoughtfully for a moment, then bowed politely.
“I’m sorry. That sword is not for sale. Please return home.”
“What? Not for sale?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What kind of sword cannot be sold even to the Crown Prince of the Empire?”
I froze at those words.
W-what? Crown Prince?
Why would someone like that come all the way here?
I lifted my head and looked up at the boy who was taller than me by at least a head.
Without a doubt, his noble silver hair and the sharp red gemstone eyes—symbols of the imperial family—confirmed his identity.
The Imperial Royal Eye!
So this rude guy really is the Crown Prince?
I looked at my father in shock.
He was still bowing respectfully.
Judging by my father’s reaction, the prince’s words, and the demeanor of the men behind him, it was clear—
He really was the Crown Prince of the Empire.
No way. He’s actually a prince?
I tried to calm my mind as it went completely blank.
So the Crown Prince came here and asked for my sword… and Dad refused?
Is that even allowed? Won’t he just get his head chopped off for refusing a royal request?
I swallowed nervously, hoping the boy in front of me wasn’t a ruthless tyrant.
And quietly prepared to say goodbye to Excalibur.
Goodbye, Excalibur…
You saved me today, but if the Crown Prince wants you, I guess I have no choice.
Dad’s life—and mine—is a million times more important than a sword.
But then—
[Who said so?! I am not some object to be bought and sold!]
The sword in my hand suddenly vibrated loudly.
I panicked and tried to cover Excalibur’s blade.
“Shut up, you idiot!”
[Unbelievable! What? You want me? Do you think I’m some scrap metal you can just pick up from a market stall?!]
As it shouted and vibrated, everyone in the room turned their attention toward me.
Ah. I’m doomed.
I awkwardly smiled, trying to think of how to explain this rude talking sword.
Maybe I should just say it has nothing to do with me and hand it over—
[And stop thinking such foolish thoughts, you idiot! How dare you call me something you can just hand over!]
The sword continued to vibrate violently.
Then the red-haired man standing behind the prince spoke carefully.
“…Is the sword vibrating right now?”
“Huh? Ah—no, it’s just… this kid is a bit out of control—ahaha.”
But then I realized he wasn’t asking whether the sword was talking… but whether it was physically vibrating.
I widened my eyes.
“Hey, mister!”
“Y-yes?”
“Can you hear this voice right now?”
[You foolish child! My voice can only be heard by you! Only you!!]
“Voice…?”
“Eve, are you saying you can hear the sword talking?”
My father grabbed my cheeks and looked at me.
I nodded while meeting his eyes.
“U-uhh…”
“Really?”
“I said yes! Dad, can’t you hear it? None of you can hear this?”
I pushed my father’s hand away and looked at the men in the room.
Then the prince, who had been quietly observing me with narrowed eyes, tilted his head slightly and said,
“No. I can hear it.”
“…What?!”
[What?!]
The prince stepped forward and held out his hand.
Without hesitation, I placed Excalibur into his palm.
[HEY!!]
The sword vibrated violently in protest, but I ignored it.
“Ugh, so loud. Just be quiet.”
“Here you go, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I stepped back and smiled awkwardly.
[YOU—! You spineless, irresponsible brat!! How dare you call me your master?!]
“Is that brat your master?”
[Who are you calling a brat?!]
This is bad.
I tugged at my father’s sleeve again, looking at my extremely rude, very talkative sword that was currently insulting the Crown Prince of the Empire.
We’re all going to die.
But instead of getting angry, the prince only curved his lips slightly and asked again,
“Let me ask once more. Is that child your master?”
[Yes! I am not something that can be easily bought or sold!]
No, no, actually—
You are something that can be easily bought or sold.
I desperately wanted to cover its mouth again, but the prince’s overwhelming presence made me freeze in place.
Today is seriously the worst day ever.
I glanced up at my father.
Just in case, I thought I should ask him if he had any last words for me.
My father, however, was watching the vibrating sword in the prince’s hand with great interest.
Then—
“Ah… hahaha… A sword that chooses its master… so that story was actually…”
