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

I looked down at the single sword stored in the luxurious box.

The blade was beautiful like glass, yet pitch black. The handle and guard were decorated in purple, and the whole thing emitted an eerie aura.

This was the calamitous magic sword [Muramasa] that also appeared in the game.

It was an extremely powerful weapon of the type that chose its user. I never thought this would be selected as my dedicated weapon. I swallowed my saliva.

“Luka, can you sense it too? The aura this Muramasa emits.”

“Y-yes…”

I honestly nodded to head of house Lucius’s words.

Magic sword Muramasa. This sword was a blade with an extremely powerful ego. At the same time, it carried a curse—if the weapon judged that someone wasn’t worthy to wield it, they would receive the curse the moment they equipped it. What a shitty specification.

According to the official setting, there were apparently many who died unable to hold this sword. More than anything, its performance as a weapon was top-class. The fact that it still remained meant no one suitable for this sword had existed.

Lucius was probably taking a gamble too. If I was chosen by Muramasa, I could extend my power further. Besides, this sword was something from Lilith’s homeland.

It was the weapon that once dealt a fatal wound to Lilith.

“If you don’t think you can hold it, give up. This time I’ll specially give you the right to refuse.”

“…No. There’s no problem.”

I shook my head. Lucius grinned.

“Ho. You think you can hold this sword?”

“Yes. I don’t have time to be scared in a place like this.”

I resolved myself and gripped the sword. Immediately after, a terrifying purple aura flowed into me from the sword.

[I ask you.]

A voice echoed in my mind. A low male voice that wasn’t Lilith’s. The voice continued.

[What will you use me for? What will you accomplish using me?]

I answered that question in my heart. Strangely, I could answer immediately.

—To become strong. I’ll use you for that. Nothing more, nothing less.

[You seek strength? You will cut down many, won’t you?]

—Of course. I’ll become the strongest. Everyone stronger than me is an enemy. I’ll survive and just leave my mark.

[Amusing, amusing. Interesting. You’re the first human like this I’ve encountered.]

The mysterious voice laughed kutsu kutsu. I couldn’t laugh at all.

Even now, I was overwhelmed by the eerie aura flowing from the sword, and my body’s trembling wouldn’t stop. I was desperately suppressing the feeling of wanting to vomit.

[Very well. I acknowledge the courage to grip me without going mad, and I’ll lend you my power. The nostalgic power I sense from your depths must also be seeking me.]

Nostalgic power? Did it mean Lilith?

I didn’t really understand, but if it would acknowledge me as its master, there would be no problem. I gripped the sword even tighter and laughed.

“—You belong to me.”

At that moment, the aura covering my body stabilized. This was… even curses were mixed into my aura.

Just by holding the sword, I understood the concept of curses, and even my total aura amount increased.

I understood. Right now, at this moment. I had become stronger again.

“Thank you for waiting, head of house. Muramasa seems to have acknowledged me as its owner.”

“I-I see.”

Hm? What? Father, who usually barely moved his expression, was unusually surprised.

Did he think I couldn’t control Muramasa? How disappointing. I never had even the slightest intention of dying from the start.

“Well done, Luka. From today, that Muramasa is your dedicated weapon. Train even harder.”

“Understood. I am deeply grateful.”

I bowed my head and returned to my seat. However, all the other siblings except Norn-nee-san, and even the servants, were frozen while staring intently at my face.

Everyone was looking at me with eyes that couldn’t believe I had been chosen by Muramasa, the legendary weapon.

It was the first user in hundreds of years. I understood their feelings, but I felt a bit irritated since it seemed like I was being looked down on.

The only one who wasn’t surprised at all was Norn-nee-san. She was smugly muttering “Of course it would be Luka.”

☆

The dinner party ended quietly due to my Muramasa commotion.

Returning to my room, I drew Muramasa from its sheath and grinned.

“Well well, to think I could obtain a hidden weapon from the game this early—this is the best.”

Originally, Muramasa was one of the hidden weapons that could be discovered after clearing the game. Its performance was terrifyingly high accordingly.

[Ugh…! Luka smells unpleasant!]

“What do you mean unpleasant smell?”

[Strictly speaking, you smell like the shitty thing that hurt me! Throw away that filthy sword! Bad!]

Bishi! Lilith pointed at the Muramasa in my hand and barked. Naturally, I refused.

“That’s obviously impossible. It’s a precious weapon I finally obtained.”

[Even without such a cursed weapon, my aura is sufficient!]

“Yes, yes. Lilith’s aura is certainly amazing, but to kill the Wild gods, I need to use everything. If you want revenge, please forgive me.”

I understood why she disliked Muramasa, but having this would let me become stronger more efficiently.

She probably understood that too. She puffed out her cheeks and didn’t say anything more. However, she was radiating an aura that said “I am angry” with her whole body.

“Ah, I’m looking forward to it. From tomorrow I need to kill lots of monsters using this guy. The more I kill, the stronger Muramasa becomes. And I become stronger too.”

I smoothly drew the blade slightly. Illuminated by the light, the edge gleamed ominously.

If possible, I’d like to drill Muramasa’s performance into my body before fighting the original protagonist.

Seven more years. There was plenty of time.

☆

One month after obtaining the magic sword Muramasa.

I devoted myself to learning aura and swordsmanship from Norn-nee-san while making time to go monster hunting.

Muramasa’s performance could only be described as wonderful. This sword inflicted multiple curses on whatever it cut. Moreover, its sharpness was terrifyingly keen. I could slice through monsters one after another even without aura.

However, unfortunately, Muramasa’s performance wasn’t just this. Its original abilities included several others, and to draw them out, my current strength was insufficient.

Having growth elements was rather pleasing though.

To draw out Muramasa’s abilities as quickly as possible, I continued fighting with single-minded devotion. Kamren once spat “What a madman” at me.

Are you okay with that? Despite having no talent.

I had also said that back to him.

With such things, one month passed. When time had passed in an instant for me, I was suddenly called by head of house Lucius. He apparently had some business.

When I visited his room, Lucius said to me:

“In two weeks, a party hosted by the imperial family will be held in the imperial capital. You come too.”

I had a premonition of a storm.