When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 12 The Sacred Treasure Shield

Two of the trio are likely twin sisters.

They have short stature and similar slanted eyes.

They are wearing identical long black dresses, and the only noticeable difference is the color of their ponytails – one red and the other blue.

The ‘scythe’ sacred treasures hanging on their backs are also identical, just like their facial features.

Standing in front of the two is a girl with purple hair, presumably the leader.

She wears a robe fashioned into a miniskirt, effortlessly carrying the look.

The one who raised her voice in anger earlier.

The reason is probably the silver-haired girl standing in front of the trio.

Her shining silver short bob hair and an innocent baby face.

Her ‘white large shield’ on her back seems mismatched for someone who appears frail.

She stands before the purple-haired girl, with a remorseful expression and teary eyes.

“Why do we have to include a failure like you in our party? This is ridiculous!”

The silver-haired girl, upon hearing this, shrank, her large shield trembling.

From what one can gather, the shield girl is likely requesting to join the trio’s party.

And the leader, the purple-haired girl, seems to strongly dislike the idea.

The reason is unclear, but even if she wants to refuse, there’s a better way to say it, isn’t there?

Watching with a slightly uncomfortable feeling, the silver-haired girl once again lowered her head.

“P-please let me join your party?”

“I told you, you’re being persistent! Do you even realize how useless you are?”

The harsh words continued.

“Listen? Adventurers are a profession meant to defeat demonkind. Yet, someone like you, who has a ‘shield sacred treasure’ that can’t even defeat a single demon, shouldn’t even dream of becoming an adventurer, right?”

“…,”

In response to the leader’s words, the twin sisters behind nodded in agreement.

It seems those four are acquaintances to some extent.

Seeing that the silver-haired girl’s large shield on her back was declared an ‘sacred treasure,’ it’s more than just a casual acquaintance.

Friends… that might be a bit off.

Well, even I, just observing from the sidelines, can understand that a shield is useless as ‘armor’ against demonkind.

But to boldly declare, ‘can’t defeat a single demon,’ there must be some basis for it.

Or rather, what does that even mean?

“This test is based on demon extermination. If you’re willing to cooperate, it’s desirable to have high combat abilities. But teaming up with someone like you who can’t defeat demons would be of no benefit. We already need to gather test dolls for each person…,” the leader explained.

If what she says is true and the shield girl can’t defeat a single demon, then indeed, there are many disadvantages in this test.

If they form a party, they would need to secure one more test doll.

Choosing carefully when adding someone to the party is fundamental.

Regardless of how it’s put, it seems like a reasonable argument.

In the midst of this, the shield girl, with teary eyes, still pleaded with the purple-haired girl.

“B-but I have the ‘power to protect,’ so I can shield everyone from the monsters…”

“Ugh, what ‘power to protect’ are you talking about? We don’t need that! And we can’t afford to waste time! Just step back, you failure!”

Growing impatient, she finally raised her right hand.

At this point, I couldn’t just stand there watching.

I promptly intervened between the girls, grabbing the leader’s hand as she was about to slap the shield girl’s cheek. She turned her eyes, filled with anger, toward me.

“…Who are you?”

“I’m another participant in the test. Nice to meet you.”

“Is that so? So, what do you want? And what’s with this hand?”

“Nothing, I just thought you were going a bit too far.”

I understand her point of view to some extent.

If she doesn’t like it, there’s no need to include the shield girl in the party.

However, resorting to violence is something I cannot overlook.

No matter how persistent someone is, resorting to violence is never justified.

Returning her strong gaze, challenging the purple-haired girl, she eventually freed her hand with a scoff.

“It’s none of your business. Besides, no matter what anyone says, I won’t let her join our party. And I don’t think I went too far. The one at fault is her.”

“…”

Glancing briefly at the shield girl, she looked down with an embarrassed expression.

Does she realize she’s being too persistent?

Even if she is, there’s no need to make such a face…

“If you aspire to be an adventurer too, you should understand the incompetence of someone with a shield artifact. Yet, despite her inability to defeat a single monster alone, she’s trying to rely on us, fellow villagers. Pathetic.”

I see.

They must know each other because they are from the same village.

And the shield girl, having no one else to rely on, has been persistently approaching the trio.

In that case, it seems even more cruel to disregard fellow villagers.

Well, there might be some underlying issues precisely because they are from the same village.

Or maybe the expression she’s glaring at both me and the shield girl with tells the whole story.

“If you understand, then you should step back too. Or maybe, how about you take the test with this failure? Do you think you can pass the exam with this clumsy and incompetent girl?”

In response to that provocative voice, I glanced at the shield girl again.

A lack of confidence that was incomparable to others.

A frail figure that didn’t seem accustomed to combat.

Failure, clumsy, incompetent – the owner of the shield artifact that couldn’t defeat a single demon.

After staring at her, labeled with such words, I nodded confidently.

“Well then, let’s do that.”

“Huh?”

“Hey, if you’re okay with it, how about teaming up with me? I was just looking for companions, and let’s take the adventurer’s test together.”

“What!?”

The surprised voice came from the purple-haired girl.

As for the shield girl, she seemed stunned, frozen in surprise.

It’s no wonder they’re shocked. Even if there’s malice behind it, it seems like a joke to include a girl who has been called incompetent and a failure as a companion.

Looking around, the other participants who overheard our conversation seemed equally astonished by my words and actions.

Well, leaving that aside, I gave the shield girl, who didn’t show any reaction, one final push.

“Because, you know, I think we might have really good compatibility!”

“…Y-yes!?”

This time, the shield girl finally showed a surprised reaction to my words.