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

Chapter 50 Advice from an older sister

The club in Gem’s hand was the artifact that the green demon had wielded. After defeating the demon, Gem had wrapped it in cloth and carried it on her back the entire time. Now, showing it to us once more, she said:

“I’m going to take this back to my village and see if they’ll recognize it as proof of defeating a strong demon.”

“Oh, I see…”

I remembered. Gem was currently on a journey to defeat demons. To complete her journey, she needed to defeat the seven great demons and bring back proof. Since it’s uncertain whether the seven great demons still exist, it’s been decided that she can just defeat seven powerful demons instead. This club would serve as proof of her first defeat. If she didn’t hurry back, the artifact might disappear. She needed to return to her village quickly.

Unclaimed artifacts, or those without an owner, remain in the world for a while. However, after some time, they disappear, following the death of their owner. It’s said they can last in the world for about one to two weeks, but since Gray Village is in a remote area, the distance must be significant. So, Gem would be leaving soon. Watching her wrap the club in cloth and sling it over her back again, I felt a tightness in my chest.

“…Then, let me escort you to the town gate.”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

With that, we left the guild. Charm called out, “I’ll have the perfect request ready for you tomorrow,” to which I nodded in agreement.

We began walking towards the east gate of the town. As we walked, I gazed at Gem’s back. We had only spent a day together, but now that it was time to say goodbye, I felt an inexplicable sadness. Was it her sunny and cheerful personality that made me feel this way? If possible, I wanted to talk to her a bit more. I wanted to be amazed by her silly comments and listen to her interesting, knowledgeable stories. Even if I couldn’t, there was one thing I wanted to ask her.

Why is Gem so strong? How did she gain that strength? How does one attain the ability to harness the immense benefits of artifacts and use them to their fullest potential? I wanted to learn from her about using artifacts and fighting with them, especially since I hadn’t yet mastered my own artifact.

But as I remained silent, unable to find the words, we eventually reached the east gate. Gem turned to face us, ready to say her final goodbye.

“Then, I guess it’s goodbye for me here…”

“…”

As I gazed absentmindedly, my eyes suddenly met Gem’s.

Instinctively, I averted my gaze.

Seeming to find my behavior curious, Gem tilted her head.

“Hm? What’s up, Rust-kun?”

“Oh, um, well…”

My hesitant words trailed off, earning a puzzled look from Dia beside me.

…Embarrassing.

I don’t want to say goodbye just yet, so if I ask to talk a little longer, I’m sure I’ll just be laughed at. And if I ask her to teach me more about fighting, I’ll seem even more hopeless.

It’s selfish of me to try to stop Gem just because I don’t want her to leave. I shouldn’t do it.

Thinking this, I kept silent.

Then, almost as if she could sense my thoughts, Gem smiled.

“Let me give you a special piece of advice,” she said.

“Huh?”

“You should have more confidence.”

Confidence…?

What does she mean?

And does she understand what I’m struggling with?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Gem suddenly asked a completely unexpected question.

“Hey, Rust-kun, can you do a backflip?”

“A b-backflip?”

“Yeah. Jump backwards, plant your hands, and spin around.”

…Y-yeah, I know what that is.

But why bring up a backflip now?

What could she possibly be intending with that question?

Is this another one of Gem’s playful remarks?

I wondered, but for now, I decided to answer honestly.

“I, um, can’t do it…”

“I thought so.”

“… ”

Was she asking those questions just to tease me?

If I felt that way, I shouldn’t have asked.

It was pretty embarrassing to admit I couldn’t do it.

As I blushed and looked away, Gem threw another question at me.

“So, Rust-kun, why do you think you can’t do a backflip? What do you think is important to be able to do one?”

“What’s important…? Maybe strength, flexibility? I’m not very strong, and my body isn’t very flexible…”

I don’t have the physical ability to perform a backflip.

That’s why I can’t do it.

I gave a safe answer like that, and then she threw a third question at me.

“Well then, what if you were equipped with the Cursed Magic Sword? If you were benefiting greatly from a sacred artifact, do you think you could do a backflip then?”

“W-well, that’s…”

Of course I could…

…Huh?

I imagined myself, empowered by the Cursed Magic Sword, jumping backward and smoothly flipping around.

…I muttered softly.

“M-maybe not possible.”

“Yeah, I thought so. I guess.”

“…”

“So, you should have more confidence. That’s the best advice I can give you.”

“……?”

With that, Gem’s advice came to an end.

…What did she mean by that?

Was that really advice?

Was asking if I could do a backflip her way of subtly suggesting I should practice because it might be useful in battle?

…I have no idea.

Quietly, I was dizzy with confusion in my head, and then Gem addressed me and Dia in a more formal tone.

“Alright then, I think it’s time for me to go. Thank you both so much for finding my sacred artifacts and for chatting with me.”

“Oh, no, we should be the ones thanking you for giving us such valuable experiences.”

“I had a really great time too.”

In response, Gem smiled softly. I realized it was finally time to part ways. Though my heart felt a pang of sadness, perhaps the ambiguous advice earlier had softened it a bit, as the intense loneliness I felt earlier was now absent.

Returning her awkward smile, Gem nodded in a sisterly manner. Then, she turned around, lightly waving her right hand.

“Well, see you later, Rust-kun! Dia-chan!”

“Yes.”

“Somewhere, again.”

With those words, Gem dashed energetically into the vast field like an innocent young girl, disappearing into the distance at an incredible speed, perhaps thanks to the two sacred artifacts hanging from her waist. It was definitely faster than any carriage. In Gem’s case, running seemed to be the better option to swiftly return to Gray Village.

As I pondered this, her figure soon vanished from sight.

Yet Dia and I continued to gaze at the horizon for a while.

Then, unexpectedly, Dia murmured,

“Will we see her again?”

Even though she herself had said, “Somewhere, again,” Dia asked me this.

Like me, Dia could probably use a bit more confidence.

Thinking this, I replied,

“Yeah, I think we’ll see her again. Maybe she’ll come to us even if we don’t try to meet up.”

After all, she’s like the sun.

Just as the morning sun rises to announce dawn, she will surely come when the time is right.

And like a dazzling sunshine, she’ll show us her innocent smile once again.

Thus, with a hint of melancholy, Gem’s quest for her sacred artifacts came to a close, but it ended safely.