ALL NOVEL Chapter 375
“Looks like you’ve brought the Holy Sword.”
Hecate tapped the Holy Sword resting on the table a few times with her paw, then jumped onto the bed to groom her fur with her tongue.
Having lived as a cat for so long, it seems she’s just like any other cat now.
If it were me, I think I’d feel a sense of self-loathing and give up. Hecate didn’t seem bothered at all.
Is this the lifestyle of a goddess?
While I was watching her, I reached out and stroked Hecate’s nape. The soft fur of a cat brushed against my fingers, leaving a pleasant sensation.
“Humans really love touching napes, huh?”
“Touching a cat’s body is a way for humans to heal their weary minds.”
“I don’t logically understand why touching a cat’s nape does that.”
I guess as a god, she doesn’t comprehend human emotions.
Touching a cat is so healing.
I assure you, when you’re bored, there’s nothing quite as healing as having an animal come by or petting a girlfriend.
“You’ll understand once you pet a cat yourself.”
“Right now, I’m a cat, so I’m not quite sure.”
Well, there’s nothing we can do about that.
I turned my gaze back to the Holy Sword after getting off that strange topic.
Glory of Kalon.
In the game, it’s regarded as the ultimate weapon for all classes that use swords.
But what about in reality?
I picked up the Holy Sword and inspected it once again. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve observed it, but it’s still fascinating to have the Holy Sword I only saw in the game in my hands.
I thought I could never get this sword here.
The process to obtain it was filthy complicated.
It was the strongest weapon, achievable only just before slaying the Dragon after completing a two-and-a-half-year-long linked quest. The achievement rate for acquiring this weapon was merely around 3%.
Well, considering there’s a substitute, it’s understandable that it’s second-tier if I’m not doing an achievement run.
I tentatively channeled the power of the World Tree into the Holy Sword.
The power seemed to flow in somewhat, only to bounce back, as if it considered my energy a foreign substance. It’s a pity that it can’t accept the power of the World Tree. Is it really trying to act all mighty as a Holy Sword?
“I guess I need to attune it.”
Since I don’t know how to use divine powers anyway, it’s best to alter it so it can accept the energy of the World Tree or the Phoenix.
After all, once it’s been handed over to me, there shouldn’t be any problem doing whatever I want with it.
If there’s any complaint, I could just say it was expected when you handed it over to me. Until I catch that outsider, Kalon shouldn’t be able to interfere with me.
“I’m going to the workshop, so feel free to play or rest.”
“Work, huh? Interesting. I’ve heard the young one is a famous artisan, so I want to take a tour.”
“Then just follow me.”
I stood up and headed straight for the workshop. Hecate leaped off the bed and followed me softly.
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“Uncle? What are you doing at this hour?”
“That’s what I want to say…”
It’s already 8:30 in the evening.
I stole a glance at the clock hanging in the workshop corner and told Viola,
“I’m planning to tweak this weapon.”
“Weapon…? Wait a moment…”
Viola looked at the weapon in my hand and gasped like a startled cat.
“Uncle! You’re going to modify the Holy Sword?!”
“Don’t shout. And isn’t it a strange thing to do?”
“Can you really modify the Holy Sword as you wish?!”
“Once you handed it over to me, you should expect that much.”
“Um…what? No, if you say so, I guess that makes sense.”
Look at her trying to brush it off because she doesn’t want to argue with me. How cute is this? I placed my hand on Viola’s head and patted it. She shyly averted her gaze but soon closed her eyes, happily accepting my affection.
“Humans are strange. Why do they stop raising issues once they’re patted?”
“Physical contact is important for humans. Hecate. Have you never experienced it?”
“I’ve touched many young ones, but I can’t say I know.”
If you don’t know, then there’s nothing I can do. I withdrew my hand from Viola’s head and placed the Holy Sword on the workbench. The workbench, rebuilt from the World Tree a few months ago, instantly wrapped around the Holy Sword with wooden vines as soon as I set it down.
“…It’s always amazing to see this workbench. It really seems alive…”
“If you want, I can make one for you too.”
“I’d feel it’s too extravagant for me…”
“Come on. Don’t strain yourself too much. Eventually, you’ll get used to it.”
Despite my words, Viola shook her head. It seemed owning a World Tree-made workbench, even if I offered her 10,000 gold coins, was still a heavy burden for her.
“Maybe when I officially become an alchemist, it’d be different, but for now…”
“Understood. Viola.”
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make one as a graduation gift. I’ve seen Viola’s workshop for long enough that it wouldn’t be difficult to tailor it to her habits.
I tucked the thought of Viola’s graduation gift into a corner of my mind and resumed the work of modifying the Holy Sword.
The work, as trivial as it was, consisted only of making it easier to accept the energies of the World Tree and the Phoenix.
…But thinking about it, isn’t this kind of NTR?
It’s practically a modification that transfers the ownership of the weapon to me, so um… never mind.
Shaking off the inappropriate thoughts that had popped into my head, I sighed and picked up the modified Holy Sword.
The Holy Sword now gleamed with a faint blue hue.
Should I test it out?
I slowly infused power into the Holy Sword. Unlike before, this time the sword accepted my energy with ease, like a thoroughly trained dog in obedience.
“Nice and neat.”
“Is it already finished?”
“Yeah.”
“That was incredibly fast… I wish my research went that quickly.”
Viola sighed with a gloomy face.
“Is there anywhere you’re stuck?”
“No, well… it’s basically at the finish line, but the proportions are a bit off…”
“Keep talking.”
I hugged Viola from behind. She stiffened in surprise, looked up at me, and blushed, mumbling.
“I-I feel embarrassed…”
“I don’t see why you should be embarrassed since it’s not like anyone else is watching.”
“Still…”
“You don’t need to be too shy. We’re just between us, right? It’s been several months, so think of me as your safe haven. If you keep racing your heart every time we hug, you won’t have any heart left.”
Viola nodded, albeit awkwardly, and began to talk about her research with a more relaxed face.
While quietly listening to her, I organized my thoughts.
After all, I hardly know anything about alchemy. How could I come up with good ideas?
“…It’s quite a complicated issue.”
“The proportions are so fine that it’s too difficult to work by hand. Even if I create a recipe to commercialize it, there are problems…”
As Viola’s explanation stretched on, it grew increasingly complex. I felt like I might end up learning everything about alchemy and its commercialization routes if I stayed quiet too long, so I interrupted her.
“Viola, it’s nice to listen to, but at this rate, I might memorize the whole sales route and end up setting up a guild myself.”
“D-did I talk too much?”
“No, it’s fine. You looked cute while explaining with such fervor.”
Now only Viola is getting all bashful. Renny has now come to accept affection as natural.
“Uncle…”
“The young alchemist seems to have a crush on a bigger young one. I’ve heard humans only commit to a single partner in a lifetime, so how many do you have?”
Hecate asked me with a look that seemed like she couldn’t believe it.
“Weren’t all of them gathered at once? Six in total.”
“…As expected, young ones are amusing humans.”
I had no idea what she meant.
I shrugged and released the embrace.
Viola cast me a longing glance, looking a bit disappointed, but I ignored her and strapped the Holy Sword to my waist.
Now that the business is concluded, I needed to get some sleep to prepare for tomorrow.
“Viola.”
“…What is it?”
“Don’t overdo it with your research; just rest today.”
I quietly reached out my hand to her. Viola stared at my hand vacantly before breaking into a shy smile and taking it.
Her hands, though a bit rough for a girl, also had a softness to them as I felt them against my palm. It was a unique sensation. I smiled to myself, returning to Yeomyeong-gwan with her.