Infernal Blade – Part 03
“So,” said a voice thick with exasperation, “how does that bring you here?”
It was midday. Location: the Seventh District of the Independent Trade City, near the Ashen Woods. Atelier Liza.
The small workshop’s master and his assistant were in the middle of lunch. It was a lovely day, so they had set up a table and chairs outside to enjoy their meal.
Luke Ainsworth, the workshop master, had his feet propped up on the table, leaning far back against his chair. Next to him, his assistant Lisa held a plate of food in each hand, glaring at his legs on the table. The soot on their work clothes indicated they had just finished working.
“Luke,” Cecily said, crossing her arms. “Unfortunately, I’m not here for you today.”
“Sounds fortunate to me.”
“Hahaha, you’re killing me with these jokes.”
“I guess wimpy knights don’t get casual conversation.”
“Hahaha, I’ll cut you down.”
As their usual banter began, Lisa, sitting beside them, let out a sigh.
“Gotcha!”
“Ah.”
Aria plucked a small, ball-shaped snack right off Lisa’s plate. Bite-sized, it was made from ground grains, roasted and rubbed with homemade spices. Aria popped it into her mouth, chewing with satisfaction.
“Wow, this is loaded with Aetheria,” she commented.
“Ah, yes. I mixed in fruits from the Ashen Woods with the spices. The fruits are rich in Aetheria.”
“Really? The Aetheria around here are something else. Such fast absorption rate, which is great for us.”
Lisa gave Aria a surprised look. Aria grinned.
“Are you…”
“So,” Aria said, pointing at Cecily and Luke. “Are those two a couple?”
The air grew sharp. In a flash, Cecily drew her saber with astonishing speed, thrusting it straight at Luke’s throat.
“My honor’s about to be dragged through the mud. Deny it. Now.”
“I would love to deny it, but there’s a better way to—huh? What’s with this sword?”
Luke furrowed his brow, studying the saber pointed at his throat.
Most sabers had a curved or semi-curved blade, but Cecily’s was straight. The first third from the tip of the blade was double-edged, while the rest was single-edged, forming a false edge. The blade was narrower than standard swords, making it lighter.
“Good eye,” Cecily nodded. “The false edge lets me slash and thrust. I can use it one-handed, and it’s very convenient to wield.”
“Relying too much on convenience might trip you up someday.”
“No one asked for your opinion. Like I said before, I chose this for a reason. Wait, I got sidetracked.” She sheathed her sword and collected herself. “Let me formally introduce her. This is Aria, an Infernal Blade. I’ll be her guard from now until the fair. You’ll likely see her around, so I figured you should meet.”
“Nice to meet you!” Aria waved, popping another two or three dumplings into her mouth.
“I’ve got a million questions,” Luke said, scratching his head, “but Cecily Campbell, what exactly makes this woman an Infernal Blade?”
“Good question. I was just as shocked at first. Aria, mind showing him?” Cecily asked, and Aria readily agreed.
After licking the oil and spices from her fingers, Aria stepped away from the group and stood on a grassy patch. She relaxed her body, taking shallow breaths. She was quiet and still.
Aria inhaled softly and murmured, “Unshackle from slumber. Seize the truth. The wind, in my hand. Slay God.”
“Slay God.” The disturbing words left Luke and Lisa frozen in shock.
The transformation began. A wind blew, a soft breeze that stirred the grass, coiling around Aria. She spread her arms wide and spun in place. Though her movement seemed simple and deliberate, it was flawless, a rhythmic motion like a dancer lost in her craft.
The spiraling wind enveloped Aria’s body, concealing her. What was once an invisible natural phenomenon began to take on color—a dull silver, closer to gray yet still distinctly metallic.
The wind intensified, from a gentle breeze that caressed their cheeks to a gust that ruffled their clothes and hair, turning into a gale that slammed against their bodies. Luke and the others shielded themselves, waiting for the strange phenomenon to pass.
Suddenly, the wind exploded outward, scattering in all directions, then quickly converged.
The world returned to a calm stillness. Lowering their arms, Luke and Lisa looked back to where Aria had been.
“What?”
Aria was gone, and in her place stood a single sword, embedded in the ground. Its silhouette formed a cross. A rapier.
A sword designed for stabbing. Like Cecily’s saber, it had a guard on the hilt, but the guard itself was like living metal, twining around the base of the blade like vines. This intricate design was known as a swept hilt.
The blade was even thinner than Cecily’s saber. Embedded in the pommel was a small stone of the same dull silver as the wind had been. Cecily stepped forward and pulled the sword from the ground. The tip of the rapier was fine, sharp, and perfectly straight. Its cross-shaped form emitted a mystical aura.
“Allow me to introduce her again. This is the Infernal Blade Aria. She is both human and sword. And—”
With a light swing of the rapier, a gust of wind rose, whipping across the grass, trimming the blades cleanly.
“The Infernal Blade also generates wind.”
The whirlwind that sliced the grass was unlike any natural phenomenon or effects of a Prayer Pact.
“An Infernal Blade, huh?” Luke studied the rapier, nodding in understanding. “I get it now.”
Most supernatural occurrences in this world could be explained through two concepts: Aetheria and contractual faith, such as Prayer Pacts or Demon Pacts.
Prayer Pacts and Demon Pacts produced miracles. Some religious people referred to these as divine favors or blessings of the spirits, but ultimately, these phenomena were just the reactions between Aetheria and catalysts. Many so-called miracles recorded throughout history had been explained this way. Miracles attributed to renowned religious figures were verified as results of Prayer Pacts, while the existence of demons tied back to Demon Pacts. These discoveries had even been adapted into various industrial technologies.
But how did the Infernal Blade Aria fit in all of this?
The term Infernal Blade often appeared in legends. Its definition was vague and random, with any blade capable of producing strange phenomena being labelled an Infernal Blade, even if it wasn’t a sword at all. A sword that could cut down the divine. An axe that split the earth. An arrow that parted the sea. Weapons that defied normal functionality, or that were tied to myths, were collectively referred to as Infernal Blades.
But such things were merely the products of myth and imagination. While it might be possible to create something similar using Aetheria reactions, it was impossible to replicate these weapons entirely.
Unreplicable, inexplicable. That was why Infernal Blades were considered mythical, fantastical objects. Or so they thought.
“She’s both human and sword,” Luke said. “She can generate wind, but not through a Prayer Pact. That’s because she doesn’t use jewel steel. Unverifiable, yet undeniably real—an enigma. Perfect for drawing a crowd.”
The Infernal Blade Aria. Even when accounting for Aetheria, she was an unknown being.
“I expected nothing less from a swordsmith,” Cecily said. “You catch on quickly. Aria, that’s enough. Thank you.”
The rapier crumbled and seemed to shatter, breaking into fine particles. The Infernal Blade dissolved into a dull silver mist, which swirled into a tower as tall as a person before dispersing. Aria stood there once again in human form.
She let out a small breath, turned to the group, and smiled. “I’m back!”
“Welcome back,” Cecily replied with a chuckle.
“Why not just keep that Infernal Blade for yourself?” Luke said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Use your head. It would cost more than having you forge me a sword.”
“True. Either way, having you guard such a valuable sword on your own is quite the bold decision.”
“All the public knows is that an Infernal Blade will be on sale at the fair. Details will be revealed on the day. No one would ever think that an Infernal Blade is walking around in human form. Fewer guards mean less attention, and it’s more convenient to have a woman with her. That’s why I was chosen.”
“You sure you should be sharing all this?” Luke said with a mischievous grin. “There’s no guarantee I won’t spread it around.”
Cecily snorted. “You wouldn’t do that.”
Luke looked slightly taken aback, then clicked his tongue and turned away.
“Lisa,” Cecily called.
“Uh, yes?”
Lisa had been staring at Aria, though she still stole glances at her from the corner of her eye.
“Aria wants to see the city. I came here today to ask if you wanted to come with us.”
“Well… but…”
“You just bought some new clothes. You haven’t had a chance to wear them yet, have you? Go ahead, put them on.”
Though it was an offer she’d been hoping for, Lisa hesitated for a moment, glancing at Luke. He waved his hand dismissively, telling her to hurry up. Lisa’s face lit up, and she nodded eagerly.
“I’ll go get ready!”
She rushed off to the outbuilding without another word. Cecily smiled warmly.
“Hey, you.”
Luke, sitting grumpily, felt Aria tugging at his sleeve.
“What?”
“What’s your relationship with that girl?”
“She’s my assistant.”
“A small girl working a job? I heard swordsmithing is pretty hard labor.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Are you keeping her?”
“Am I really that untrustworthy?”
Cecily, Aria, and Lisa—now dressed in her new clothes and practically bouncing with excitement—set out to explore the city together.
Luke remained behind, watching them go.
Slay God, huh?
The Infernal Blade Aria.
“She’s probably,” Luke began but then shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Anyway…”
A breeze, the lingering remnants of the Infernal Blade, gently stirred his hair. The sun warmed his skin, the Ashen Woods stood silent, and a large eagle circled high in the sky, cawing sharply.
“It’s so quiet.”
Sitting in his chair, Luke looked just a bit forlorn.
Comment (0)