The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 11: The Forbidden Magic Sword

Luka’s first trial had ended.

The impact left by the small Salvatore who wasn’t even ten years old yet was instantly conveyed from the head of house Lucius’s mouth to his siblings.

Lightning struck.

Though no one voiced it, they all must have imagined it. Awakening aura at five years old, completing the trial at eight years old. Moreover, among the monsters he subjugated were even medium-sized monsters.

It was already a great achievement. Abnormal and miraculous.

Luka had produced results that no one else had accomplished. His talent was incomparable. If he continued growing like this, it was almost certain that Luka would sit in the head of house’s seat.

Some felt impatience. Some felt irritation. Some showed interest.

With various schemes intersecting, that night—all the Salvatores who had gathered for this day assembled in the dining room.

The pretext was—a dinner party to celebrate Luka’s trial achievement.

☆

“It suits you very well, Luka-sama.”

“Is that so? That helps.”

I conveyed my thanks to the maid who was smiling cheerfully. Currently, I was dressed in formal attire in my room. For the dinner party that would begin soon.

[There’s a saying in the country I was from: “Fine feathers make fine birds.” It suits you~, Luka.]

“Do you think I don’t know what that means?”

“? Did you say something, Luka-sama?”

“No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“? Understood. Then I’ll move to the dining room first. Are you really fine alone?”

“Yeah. It’s inside the house, no problem.”

“Understood.”

The maid bowed deeply and left the room. Finally alone, I sighed “Phew” and sat in a chair. I glanced up briefly. Above my head was the figure of the Wild God Lilith floating while skillfully lying down.

“Hey, don’t suddenly talk to me when people are around.”

[I didn’t intend to talk to you~? Luka just answered on his own.]

“Your voice carries well. I can’t ignore it either.”

[Mufufu. Not really! But is it okay?]

“What is?”

[The dinner party, the dinner party. Luka’s other siblings will gather, right? That means the employer of those scoundrels who attacked Luka in the snowy mountains will also be there.]

“That’s right. Since everyone should be called for the dinner party, they’re almost definitely there.”

[Isn’t it dangerous? If they’re nearby, they might come to kill you.]

“That won’t happen.”

I dismissed Lilith’s worry.

[Why not?]

“This is the great Salvatore ducal mansion. If they started something in a place like this, other people would definitely notice. It’s impossible to assassinate me without being noticed.”

[Hmm. Well, I don’t care about anything as long as Luka is safe.]

“What, are you worried about me?”

[Of course. We made a contract, didn’t we? I need Luka to live as long as possible.]

“Yes, yes. Even without being told, I’ll live for a hundred years.”

I had no intention of dying easily.

“More importantly, don’t talk to me during the dinner party, okay? It would be troublesome if I get unnecessary prying. Today is an important day.”

[I won’t interfere, but… is it that important? It’s just praising Luka’s great achievement~, right?]

“No, it’s different. At this dinner party, I’ll be officially recognized as a full-fledged adult. Full-fledged Salvatore family members are given dedicated weapons personally chosen by the head of house.”

[Dedicated weapons?]

“For example, eldest daughter Norn-nee-san received the ‘Magic Sword Gram’ from the head of house.”

[I wonder if they’ll give Luka some strong weapon too?]

“Probably.”

All the siblings who had overcome trials so far had received weapons. They surely wouldn’t exclude me just because I was eight years old. It could be said that Lucius’s attention was now concentrated on me.

I was just looking forward to what kind of weapon I’d receive.

“That’s why it’s an important day. Stay quiet until it’s over.”

[Yes, yes. I hope you get an interesting weapon.]

“Yeah. Whatever weapon it is, I can master it.”

[There it is. Luka’s narcissism.]

I ignored Lilith’s words and stood up from the chair.

After checking my appearance in the mirror one last time, I left the room. My destination was the dining room on the first floor.

☆

I stepped into the dining room. All family members except me had already gathered. It meant I was called last.

“You came, Luka.”

The head of house Lucius, who was sitting in the innermost seat, prompted me to sit in the seat closest to the front. I sat down as told.

“Now let’s begin the dinner party. You all must be curious about Luka’s results. We’ll hear the details from him personally. This is tradition.”

All gazes gathered on me at once. Many faces I hadn’t seen in a while.

The people of the Salvatore ducal family were all excellent. Basically, after overcoming trials, they became adults and took on various duties. Norn-nee-san, as a special case, often assisted the head of house. Or she would go alone to dangerous zones and exterminate large numbers of monsters.

Therefore, sharp gazes from everyone except Norn-nee-san pierced into me.

All of them were opponents I couldn’t beat as I was now. Even I would feel some tension. At the same time, I found myself thinking—I’d like to try killing all of them.

The other siblings who sensed that killing intent sharpened their gazes even more. However,

“All of you. Stop glaring at Luka. If you get carried away… I’ll kill you, you know?”

Norn-nee-san’s bloodlust blew everything away. The overwhelming pressure from a superior made all siblings including me shrink back. Kamren was even breaking out in sweat all over his face.

“You calm down too, Norn. Right now, I’m asking Luka. How was the survival?”

“…My apologies.”

Warned by Lucius, Norn-nee-san closed her eyes. The air became cold and quiet.

I didn’t want to open my mouth in this state, but if it was an order from the head of house Lucius, I couldn’t avoid speaking. I told them about the week I had spent. As concisely as possible.

Then, one of my brothers who had been listening to my story shouted.

“Y-you mastered divine power?! During combat?!”

That was about when I was fighting the bear monster. In truth, I had just found a holy relic and drawn out its power, but since I plan to learn divine power eventually anyway, it’s pretty much the same thing (nod nod).

“Ridiculous! Aura alone is already impossible, but now divine power at eight years old?!”

“It’s the truth. I saw Luka’s injured arm. Without using divine power, he would have died from blood loss.”

“What?! N-no, but… divine power is heretical for the Salvatore ducal family!”

Despite Norn-nee-san’s supplement, one of my brothers persisted. Father Lucius was the one who answered.

“What’s wrong with it? Luka’s aura talent is also special. If divine power is mixed in on top of that, he should be able to improve his abilities even further. As long as aura isn’t neglected, I have no complaints.”

“Such…”

With the head of house’s words, no more objections came out. Lucius’s words were absolute. If the head of house acknowledged it, even crows would become white.

“Thank you, head of house.”

“It doesn’t matter. You have that much value. Polish your divine power just like your aura. Become stronger than anyone.”

“Understood.”

That was my intention from the start. Eventually I’ll surpass even you. I laughed internally, kukuku.

“Mm. The talk is sufficient now. Luka is undoubtedly a genius. He surpassed the trial at the youngest age. Let’s officially recognize him as a full-fledged Salvatore.”

“Yes!”

I bowed my head respectfully.

“As proof of being recognized, I’ll give you a present from me. Accept it. It’s a weapon dedicated to you.”

—Here it comes. The main point for me. The reason I attended this shitty dinner party!

One of the servants brought a box into the dining room. The box had chains and… were those talismans? Sacred items containing purification were attached to it.

I had a very bad feeling.

The servant, who was also a veteran warrior, slowly undid the chains wrapped around the box while sweat beaded thickly on his forehead. Before long, the box opened and the thing stored inside revealed itself.

It was—

[!]

I could tell that Lilith, floating some distance away, gasped.

“Come closer, Luka. Actually, hold it yourself.”

“Y-yes.”

I approached the box while slightly flustered.

Looking down, there was… the calamitous magic sword emitting an ominous aura—[Muramasa].