After finishing off the Minotaur, Qianshuo left the Dungeon together with Ais.
Even though he still had the stamina to keep training, today had already been an extremely fruitful haul for him.
He had unleashed Amatsu Raikō, and he had also slain a mutated half-beast whose ability values were at the peak of Level 2. Being able to do that meant Qianshuo had already surpassed the vast majority of adventurers at the same level.
And the most ridiculous part?
He'd only been an adventurer for one month. Achievements like this were enough to make anyone feel ashamed of themselves.
Qianshuo lowered his head and stared at his own hand.
When he released Amatsu Raikō just now, he'd felt something… strange. Something wonderful.
Like his body and the blade had fused into one.
In that instant, he wasn't "swinging a sword."
He was the sword.
So this… was what a Secret Sword Ultimate Technique felt like.
If he could stabilize that sensation—fix it in place, call it forth whenever he wished—how strong would he become?
"What are you thinking about?"
Ais's voice snapped him out of it.
Qianshuo looked up and saw her tilting her head at him, golden eyes full of curiosity.
"Nothing," he said, smiling faintly. "Just thinking… next time, whether I can cut one more strike."
"…Me too."
Ais murmured. Her eyes brightened a little.
The two walked side by side, and a question naturally surfaced in Qianshuo's mind.
I'm actually looking forward to the next secret sword…
How far can my sword technique really go?
Is swordsmanship… endless?
What he sought was the ultimate summit of the sword—but did such a summit truly exist?
It was unimaginably far away for him, yet sometimes he couldn't help thinking about it.
Beside him, Ais was completely dazed.
Even now, she was still immersed in that final strike of Amatsu Raikō.
The "beauty" of that sword was beyond what words could describe.
In her mind, she kept replaying it—trying to simulate it, trying to replicate it.
But she knew she couldn't.
Not yet.
That sword technique, that comprehension of the way of the blade—it surpassed her. It even exceeded what she understood as possible.
Even if Qianshuo was far weaker than her right now, Ais was certain:
One day, he would reach Level 5.
And he would understand even more of the sword.
And so, an intense thought formed in her heart:
Learn from him.
Ask him to teach me swordsmanship.
If she could grasp even a fragment of what was inside his sword, she would become stronger—much stronger.
When it came to becoming stronger, Ais had an iron resolve. She would pay any price, even her life—just like Qianshuo's dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman.
They were the same kind of person.
People who would trade everything for the ideal in their hearts.
This was Ais's instinctive conclusion: she could feel Qianshuo's ambition. It wasn't something he could hide.
"…Miss Alicia."
Qianshuo called softly as he came back to himself.
By now it was evening; they'd already left Babel Tower after exchanging magic stones for valis, and they were walking through a plaza ahead.
At this hour there weren't many people around. And since they'd taken smaller back roads, practically no one noticed them.
Ais froze for a second—then realized he was addressing her. Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Lying about her name really wasn't a good idea.
She needed a chance to explain it properly to Qianshuo.
"…Mm. Qianshuo."
She answered quietly.
"We'll part here," Qianshuo said with a light laugh. "And remember—go home and take a proper bath."
Ais lowered her head, cheeks redder, not daring to look at him. Her nose twitched slightly as she reflexively sniffed herself.
…She didn't smell, right?
But when she heard they were separating, she felt unwilling—because she still hadn't properly asked him to teach her the sword.
Yet she also knew this wasn't the moment.
At the very least, she needed to confess her real identity first… otherwise she truly wouldn't be able to face him.
"…Ah… okay…"
Ais nodded, subdued.
Besides, she understood the reality: Qianshuo was Freya Familia, she was Loki Familia.
By the nature of their familias, they were enemies.
"Qianshuo."
"Hm?"
"Can we… meet again?" she asked. "I want… to see more of your swordsmanship."
The evening breeze lifted her golden hair, and the strands brushed lightly across Qianshuo's cheek.
"Of course, Miss Alicia," Qianshuo replied, smiling.
"And as for swordsmanship… I'm looking forward to seeing yours as well."
His gaze drifted to the sword at her left hip.
Ais blanked.
She clearly hadn't expected him to say that.
Looking forward to… my sword?
"…It's a promise, Qianshuo."
"Next time we meet."
"Mm."
Qianshuo couldn't help laughing to himself.
If Ais went home and realized he actually knew the real Alicia…
He really wondered what her face would look like then.
Still, if there was one regret from today—
It was that he hadn't gotten to see Ais's swordsmanship with his own eyes.
He wanted to know what kind of understanding of the blade this genius girl—the famed Sword Princess—actually possessed.
After they said goodbye, the two headed in opposite directions.
Qianshuo waved once, and his figure melted into the crowd.
...
...
Freya Familia — Folkvangr, Divine Chamber.
Freya had already returned from Babel Tower to Folkvangr.
And she had announced to her familia that for the time being, she wouldn't be going to Babel Tower—she would stay within the familia grounds.
The moment this news spread, the Freya Familia members were overjoyed—especially the maids stationed by the walls.
Because they couldn't accompany Freya to the top floor of Babel Tower.
Those girls who remained behind to serve their goddess were so happy they almost wanted to embrace and cry.
To be able to attend Freya-sama every day—
To them, there was no greater honor, no greater joy.
Meanwhile, the maids stationed at Babel Tower would probably be heartbroken.
Because Freya was loved and adored to that extent.
"Mm… He's grown stronger again, hasn't he? That child…"
Freya murmured.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window above her divine chamber, she watched Qianshuo return through the gates of Folkvangr.
Only a week had passed, yet those eyes of hers—eyes that could see the very essence of a soul—saw that the "swordlight" on Qianshuo had become even more brilliant.
"Mmm… I haven't spoken with that child in quite a while. While I'm staying in the familia… I should have a proper 'conversation' with him."
"And I should make sure he remembers…"
"Kindness isn't something he can just give to other girls so easily."
"It belongs… only to me…"
Freya whispered.
Then she called softly toward the door.
"After dinner, bring that child to see me."
Her voice was light.
But the tone carried an unmistakable weight—one that allowed no refusal.
"I have… a few things I'd like to ask him."
....
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