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

Chapter 31 Sacred Treasure Restoration

The mission was accomplished, and Rust and Dia safely returned to town with the requested items.

To report the completion of the mission, they needed to head to the guild, but first, they decided to visit another location.

The town of novice adventurers—Milchronde’s central area.

They went to the “Fountain Square,” a place commonly used for gatherings by the townsfolk.

White shining tiles spread in a circular pattern, and a large fountain stands in the center of the square.

The bricks forming the fountain are also polished pure white, creating a square that makes one hesitate to enter with shoes on.

Several columns tower around the fountain square, and people waiting for meetings use them as backrests.

“I’ll go to the temple and perform maintenance on the artifacts.”

“Yes, I’ll wait here then.”

Rust and Dia said to each other and temporarily went their separate ways.

Dia leaned against one of the columns, choosing to wait for Rust’s return.

Generally, adventurers, upon returning from a mission, visit either the temple or the healing clinic.

Visiting the clinic is to treat injuries sustained during adventures, while going to the temple is to restore the durability of artifacts.

This is commonly known as “Artifact Maintenance.”

It is a ritual to return damaged or destroyed artifacts from battles against the demonic race to their optimal state.

Therefore, around this time in the evening, the temple is always bustling with adventurers waiting for Artifact Maintenance.

“Yawn…”

However, for Dia, that was a somewhat distant conversation.

The reason being that her shield artifact possessed a skill called “Immortality,” which prevents the durability of the artifact from decreasing.

Its name is the 【Immortal Great Shield】.

An absolutely unbreakable and unchanging artifact, one that, to put it bluntly, does not require artifact maintenance.

That’s why Dia always waits at the Fountain Square until Rust’s artifact maintenance is complete.

Dia even suggested waiting in line together, but Rust declined, saying it would be inconvenient.

Either way, she had to wait patiently in the square.

“Hehe…”

However, surprisingly, Dia didn’t dislike this time.

Not being crowded in the temple was one reason.

Above all, she felt like a slightly special existence.

What other adventurers did as a matter of course was entirely unnecessary for her.

It felt somewhat like the guilty pleasure of lazing around at home while everyone else was working during the day.

And, as she was quietly letting a smile form on her face…

Suddenly, she felt a tap on her right shoulder.

“――Huh!?”

Surprised, she turned her gaze towards the source, finding a girl standing there.

Wrapped in a robe with a purple theme, her skirt was short like a miniskirt.

Her long hair of the same color shone in the evening sun, fluttering gently in the breeze.

“What are you laughing about all by yourself?”

“A-Amethyst-san…”

Amethyst, the wielder of the 【Purple Lightning Bracelet】, was Dia’s childhood friend. Both had taken the adventurer’s exam, and she was currently staying in Milchronde as well. While Dia had occasionally seen her around town, this was the first time she had initiated a conversation like this.

Ignoring Dia’s surprised reaction, Amethyst looked at her with a somewhat exasperated expression.

“Why are you here? Is there something interesting going on?”

“N-No, not at all! I’m just waiting for Rust-san, who went to the temple for artifact maintenance. So, I was just reminiscing and laughing to myself, or something…”

It seemed like she had been caught laughing alone.

Embarrassed, Dia tried to play it off in a hurry. However, her efforts were in vain as Amethyst steered the conversation in a completely different direction.

“Hmm, waiting for his artifact maintenance, huh? So, you’re alone now.”

“Huh?”

…Yes, she was alone, but what was the big deal?

Dia tilted her head in confusion, and Amethyst, also being alone, responded with a question of her own.

“By the way, why is Amethyst-san here? Where are Spinel-san and Lapis-san?”

“I’m in the same boat. Waiting for maintenance with Spinel and Lapis. They’re probably waiting in line at the temple right about now.”

Upon receiving that response, Dia nodded in understanding.

Dia’s 【Immortal Great Shield】 had a skill that prevented the durability from decreasing. In contrast, Amethyst’s 【Purple Lightning Bracelet】 was a catalyst-type artifact that could target enemies from a distance.

As a result, Amethyst had fewer opportunities to directly receive attacks, similar to Dia, and her artifact’s durability was rarely depleted. Dia realized that she wasn’t the only one with a special circumstance, and she felt a little disappointed.

(If that’s the case, the two of them might be meeting with Rust-san right now…)

Dia once again let a small smile form on her face.

She couldn’t imagine what kind of conversation the three of them were having. Well, they might not be talking at all…

Suddenly, Amethyst pointed to a nearby spot.

“Hey, how about going there for a bit?”

“Huh? To that food stall…?”

There was a stall selling juice. It offered a trendy drink where fruits were roughly crushed, and you ate it with a large straw, blurring the line between a beverage and food.

With its vibrant appearance and sweet and sour deliciousness, it was popular among young women or so Dia recalled.

As Dia was reminiscing about this, Amethyst continued with an indifferent tone.

“I’ll treat you. It’s a special occasion.”

“I-Is that okay? But why…”

“Come on, before I change my mind. Hurry up and follow me.”

“Ah, yes!”

She was half forcibly taken to the food stall. The signboard displayed various menu items, and Dia, taken aback, couldn’t decide. On the other hand, Amethyst quickly made her choice with just a glance at the menu.

“What are you getting? I’ll take the white one.”

“T-Then, I’ll go with… um… the purple one.”

Amethyst specified her choice based on color, and Dia, reflexively, did the same. Even so, the staff understood their preferences, and the ordered items were prepared accordingly. As promised, Amethyst paid for both.

Dia received the fruit juice and gratefully took a sip. Amethyst also took a sip, and they exchanged their thoughts.

“Oh, this is delicious. It’s not too sweet and easy to drink.”

“Yeah, it’s alright.”

“… ”

Dia smiled wryly at the honesty expressed in front of the shop. This straightforwardness was both Amethyst’s flaw and, at the same time, her strength. Dia reaffirmed that this was who Amethyst truly was.

The two returned to the Fountain Square, leaning against the columns with their drinks in hand. They continued to silently sip their drinks for a while, enveloped in an indescribable silence.

(S-Something… an interesting topic…)

Unable to bear the silence, Dia thought of bringing up a conversation. She was drinking something stylish with the fashionable Amethyst. She wanted to have a chic, girly conversation.

No, why was she even invited for a drink[ in the first place? She had been treated to juice, and she couldn’t recall receiving such treatment.

In a state of mild confusion, Dia suddenly remembered something she wanted to say to Amethyst.

“Oh, by the way, congratulations on passing the adventurer’s exam.”

“Oh, you knew?”

“Yes. I heard from the guild staff, and I wanted to say ‘congratulations,’ but I never had the chance…”

Two days ago, Dia heard that Amethyst and the others took the “special exam” for reevaluation and passed. Dia had wanted to congratulate them.

However, as she only caught glimpses of them around town, she never had the courage to stop and greet them. So, when Amethyst initiated the conversation, Dia felt a deep sense of relief.

In response, Amethyst, with a hint of pride, said something with a slightly pleased expression.

“With this, the three of us have become adventurers. Thanks to you. Thank you, Dia.”

“No, thank you, Amethyst-san. Thanks to you and the others, I was able to become an adventurer with Rust-san.”

Dia expressed her gratitude once again. She received the exam doll from Amethyst, and thanks to that, she became an adventurer alongside Rust. Dia still believed that she was the one who should be thanking them.

Amethyst then directed the straw extending from her juice towards Dia and simultaneously wore a determined expression.

“Even though we were surpassed in the adventurer’s exam, this time, we’ll advance before you. We won’t lose, Dia.”

“Yes. We’ll do our best too.”

Once again declaring their determination as adventurers, the two exchanged deep smiles. Dia used to see Amethyst as a sisterly figure, but now it was a bit different. They were each other’s best friends and toughest rivals. The sister-like relationship was good, but this feeling was also comfortable and intense, Dia thought.

(Oh, could it be that she approached me to say this?)

Reporting the success of the exam and declaring their future intentions. If Amethyst reached out to say these things, it made sense that she first checked if Rust was around.

Amethyst seemed to have difficulty dealing with Rust. Even if it was just to report passing the reevaluation, direct conversation might be difficult. She probably hesitated because she was aware that her pride might get in the way, leading her to adopt an assertive attitude.

If that’s the case, Dia thought, she would convey it herself later. And as Dia quietly considered this…

“By the way, um…”

“Yes?”

Amethyst posed a puzzling question.

“So, how’s the relationship with him?”

“Him?”

Dia instinctively tilted her head in confusion.