Infernal Blade – Part 06
The memory of Luke’s graceful, almost divine, movements during their recent expedition still lingered in Cecily’s mind. What stood out most was how he moved his lower body—his right-footed approach, the seamless footwork, and gliding steps. All of it was foreign to the swordsmanship she knew. It had to be the technique required for wielding a katana.
“I’ve mentioned before that Luke agreed to make me a katana, right? I want to master those movements—or at least something similar—before I receive the sword. That’s why I chose this blade.”
Cecily wasn’t confident enough yet to handle a weapon designed solely for thrusting, so she chose the false-edged saber, which allowed for both slashing and thrusting techniques.
“You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”
“Of course. I’ll get Luke’s katana, no matter what.”
“Ah, the power of love.”
“Aria… we’re going to need a serious talk one of these days.”
Aria chuckled softly. Her gaze drifted upward, toward the skyline above the city, at the ridge of Blair Volcano visible far beyond the Ashen Woods.
The coastal volcano belt, always cloaked by a thin veil of volcanic ash, made the mountains appear hazy, almost like a mirage. The jagged, uneven silhouette was far from comforting to look at.
Yet, Aria often found herself staring in that direction. It wasn’t so much a fascination as an invisible pull, something that seemed to hold her in place. Watching her gaze that way gave Cecily an unsettling feeling, as if Aria might suddenly disappear—not just to another city or country, but to a world far beyond.
Cecily once asked Aria why she always stared at the volcano. Her response was flat, almost indifferent.
“I don’t know. I just feel like I have to watch it.”
It was a strange answer.
“How nice,” she muttered suddenly, turning to Cecily.
“Hmm? What is?”
“That sword,” she said, pointing to her saber. “I’m jealous.”
“Sorry, but it’s borrowed. I can’t just give it to you.”
Aria chuckled and shook her head. “No, I mean, I wish I could be like that sword. Used by you.”
“Oh, that. Well, if there’s ever a chance—” Cecily stopped herself.
Aria smiled faintly, her expression distant. “I could become a weapon of massacre, depending on who wields me. But you wouldn’t do that, right? You’d use me to protect people. To defend the city. I think that’s really wonderful.”
That shadow in her smile again. After spending the past few days with her, Cecily was starting to understand the meaning behind it. Aria had given up hope.
“If you used me, my wind would probably feel different. Softer. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”
Her past and identity as an Infernal Blade weighed on her, like a stone shackled to her feet. She had already given up on fulfilling her desires.
“I hope that day comes someday.”
But she didn’t believe it would. Not really. She had resigned herself to never getting what she truly wanted, not in this lifetime. As an Infernal Blade, she saw herself as nothing more than a spectacle, a tool for killing. The awareness that her bloody past and cursed destiny would haunt her until death was what cast a shadow over her smile.
Whenever Cecily saw that smile, she felt an overwhelming distance between them. No matter how much they talked, her words never truly reached Aria. Though Aria shared stories of her past, it never felt like she was truly opening up. Cecily felt as if they were speaking through an invisible wall.
Aria was an elusive enigma. And that feeling had only grown stronger since they met.
Cecily took her hand. She felt her body tense, and for a moment, she almost let go.
No, Cecily told herself.
Letting go would be a mistake. She knew that instinctively, so she held on tighter and looked into her eyes. They were trembling with fear.
“C-Cecily?”
“I know I’m much younger than you, and this might seem like empty words, but… can we be friends?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Maybe others saw you as nothing more than a weapon. But I don’t. Right now, I just see a woman. A woman named Aria.”
“…”
“So, will you be my friend?”
“What do you think an Infernal Blade is?”
At the time, she didn’t have an answer.
“No, that’s not a fair question. Let me rephrase it,” Cecily said with a gentle smile. “Aria, I want to be your friend.”
Now she had an answer to her question.
“Be my friend.”
Aria blinked in confusion. Then gradually she began to relax, gently squeezing back Cecily’s hand.
“Are you sure you want to be friends with someone like me?”
“A knight never goes back on their word.”
“It sounds like you’re professing your love for me.”
Cecily blushed. Chuckling, Aria added, “I want to be friends with you too, Cecily. I mean it!”
Smiling, Cecily teased, “Are you sure you want to be friends with someone like me?”
“A sword never goes back on its word.”
“Are you professing your love for me?”
Both of them burst into laughter, giggling uncontrollably.
Did I get through to her?
For the first time, Cecily felt close to the elusive Aria. Her smile now seemed genuinely warm, like that of an ordinary girl. Cecily wasn’t sure if this was just a fleeting fantasy or if Aria was truly opening up.
This exchange wouldn’t change Aria’s circumstances or erase her troubled past. Being an Infernal Blade was an inescapable part of her identity. But it wasn’t pointless.
Cecily’s feelings had reached her. She hoped it did.
“Wait,” Aria exclaimed, stepping away from Cecily. “I just thought of a great idea.”
“A great idea?”
“Yes, a great idea!”
Aria’s innocent smile was truly lovely.
The Independent Trade City of Housman’s Third District welcomed the day of the fair.
The number of stalls had greatly increased. During the three-day festival, ordinary citizens with permits could set up their own stalls. Those who didn’t usually run shops took the opportunity to sell various goods or serve homemade dishes, while shopkeepers showcased special items prepared for the occasion.
On the first day, the Third District was extremely crowded.
In the central square, the public park managed by the city office was packed with people. Most had their eyes fixed on the temporary stage set up in the center of the square. The main event of the fair, the auction, was about to begin, but for now, an opening performance was taking place.
Street performers from across the continent, dressed in colorful costumes and bizarre makeup, entertained the crowd with acts honed during their years of travel. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
“A-Are you sure I can come along?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. That woman insisted on bringing you along.”
Among the crowd were Luke and Lisa.
Luke wore a short cloak over his usual work clothes. Lisa was dressed in the outdoor clothes Cecily had chosen for her and carried only a small pouch at her waist.
Lisa bounced up and down, trying to get a better view of the stage.
“If I’m causing you trouble, I can head home—oh, look, Luke! That performer is amazing! Wow! If I’m really a bother, just say so! Oh, oh, oh—he’s swallowing a sword!”
“If you don’t want to go home, just say so,” Luke grumbled. His comment was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd.
As the opening act wrapped up, the mayor took the stage for his speech, and the auction kicked off, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The first item up for bid was submitted by a citizen—a piece of jewel steel refined at the Second Tatara Workshop, capable of condensing Aetheria into a protective barrier. Bidders shouted fiercely, each determined to outbid the competition, and the price skyrocketed. The square buzzed with excitement.
Lisa, caught up in the energy, cheered along with everyone else. But gradually, her enthusiasm waned. Her shoulders slumped, and the smile faded from her face as a thought crept into her mind.
With her head lowered, she asked Luke, “Do you think we’ll find it?”
“Hard to say,” he replied. “From what I’ve heard, it doesn’t sound promising, but I’ll keep an eye out.”
“What about Aria?” Lisa hesitated, then added, “Would she work?”
Luke shook his head. “No chance. A hundred of her might be manageable, but we’re not gonna find a hundred of her.”
His right eye stayed fixed on the stage, watching coldly as an array of ornate swords, foreign armors, and rare animals were paraded one after another.
“We can’t kill it with that sword,” he muttered under his breath. Though his voice was emotionless, Lisa understood the weight behind those words—the history, the meaning.
Lisa reached for the edge of Luke’s cloak and clutched it tightly with her small hands. Luke said nothing.
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