The Holy Sword

"Master Aise, you have returned."

Before returning to his room, Aise found that Eni was actually still waiting for him. She stood before his door, her head slightly bowed, the hem of her skirt gently swaying around her slender ankles.

"It is already very late. Why aren't you asleep yet?" Aise frowned.

"Because I am Master Aise's maid," Eni said quite seriously. "Besides, why did you run out late at night again? If Master Xia Lun finds out, he will definitely be angry..."

"He doesn't know," Aise said nonchalantly, stepping sideways to bypass her and reaching out to push the door open, completely ignoring Eni's words. "As long as you don't tell my father."

"I... I will tell Master Xia Lun!" Eni glared at Aise, puffing her cheeks in anger.

Ten years had passed, and the little girl who used to play with ants alongside him had grown up, blossoming into a graceful young woman.

"Then I won't let you follow me anymore." For some unknown reason, a trace of irritation rose in Aise's heart.

"That won't do! ...Ah, Master Aise, you're injured!" Eni suddenly exclaimed. Without leaving any room for argument, she grabbed his wrist and led him straight into the room. "Let me treat it for you."

"I don't need your help. I can handle it myself."

Despite saying this, for some reason, Aise couldn't bring himself to shake off her hand.

"So many injuries... Master Aise, what happened to you?" She hadn't seen clearly at the door, but now Eni noticed the dense, tiny scratches on Aise's face and arms, some of which were still oozing tiny beads of blood.

These were all scraped by flying debris during the battle; that guy's strength was indeed terrifyingly great.

Just from blocking one spear thrust with his sword, the webbing between Aise's thumb and index finger had split open from the shock. His forearm was still throbbing with pain, and a numb, buzzing sensation resonated deep within his bones.

"I just need to apply the potion my mother prepared for me. It will be fine by tomorrow morning, and it won't leave a scar," Aise said casually.

"Let me apply it for you, Master Aise. It must be inconvenient for you to do it alone." Eni held out her hand to Aise. "Give me the medicine."

"I can do it myself."

"Give me the medicine," Eni told Aise with considerable stubbornness. "Otherwise, I won't leave."

This girl...

Aise's mouth twitched, but eventually, he obediently took a crystal vial out of his spatial ring.

Usually, when his father taught him swordsmanship, injuries were inevitable, so his mother had prepared many potions for him.

The potion was blood-red and gel-like. He didn't know what it was made of, but it felt cool and refreshing when applied to his face, and the pain quickly subsided.

Eni's movements were very light and careful. Her fingertips occasionally, inevitably, brushed against his skin, carrying a soft warmth unique to a young girl.

"Are you satisfied now?" Aise tilted his head somewhat uncomfortably.

Seeing Aise's face smeared red from her application, Eni couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Now that you're done, hurry up and leave." Aise waved his hand, trying to dispel the inexplicable awkwardness in the air.

"Do you really dislike me that much, Master Aise?" Eni puffed out her cheeks.

Too lazy to waste words, Aise grabbed the back of Eni's collar and lifted her out the door like a little kitten, then slammed the door shut with a loud bang, cutting off her line of sight.

"Master Aise!" Eni angrily kicked the base of the wall a few times before leaving in a huff.

What a troublesome girl... Aise muttered in his heart.

They could be considered to have grown up together.

Although Eni considered herself a maid, Aise could tell that Xia Lun did not treat her as an outsider and took very good care of her.

Aina's attitude towards her, however, was lukewarm... which was perfectly normal, considering Aina treated her own biological son the exact same way.

In truth, Aise had always deliberately distanced himself from Eni, but she always had a relentless, stubborn way of barging into his world.

Aise couldn't quite articulate his own attitude toward her either.

It was undeniable that the little girl from back then had indeed grown increasingly beautiful and captivating...

Aise shook his head, then pushed open the wardrobe in his room and unlocked the hidden compartment underneath.

He pulled a large chest out from inside.

The lid opened, and in an instant, the room was filled with swirling radiance. Inside, it was packed to the brim with gold coins, representing a truly astonishing fortune.

These were all brought back after he wiped out those bandits... Of course, this was just a byproduct. His true purpose was simply to slaughter, in order to alleviate his illness.

It was very effective. Now, it was basically well under control. He hadn't had an episode in a long time, and his father was also very pleased.

It was just that the bandits in the surrounding area were becoming fewer and fewer... Today, he had to travel dozens of miles just to catch one group, finally managing to vent his restless, burgeoning killing intent.

Aise expressionlessly poured today's harvest into the chest as well.

A long object wrapped in cloth fell out of his spatial ring, hitting the carpet with a muffled thud.

He almost forgot, there was this thing too.

Aise frowned.

A sword... It was of no use to him, and disposing of it would be troublesome. What was he thinking at the time? How did he end up bringing it back as if possessed by ghosts and gods?

Aise slowly unwrapped the tightly wound fabric.

The scabbard gradually revealed its true appearance. It was so antique that it bordered on crude, resembling a piece of dead wood dried and flattened by time. Without any ornamentation or metal fittings, it was dull and lusterless, ordinary enough to leave any treasure hunter thoroughly disappointed.

Aise couldn't help but feel even more disappointed. It really looked completely worthless... What use could something looted from a third-rate bandit possibly have?

But Aise decided to take a look anyway, just to see what kind of ware was hidden inside.

Aise grasped the hilt, then paused in slight surprise.

He actually couldn't pull it out.

Applying a little more force, the longsword still remained completely motionless, refusing to be unsheathed, as if the inside of the scabbard was slathered in glue.

A surge of humiliation and anger at being mocked welled up in Aise's heart. Holding nothing back, he clamped his five fingers tightly around the hilt, tensed his arm muscles, and gave a violent yank with all his might.

Clang—

A cold light flashed, and a burst of black mist diffused outward, winding around the blade, flowing endlessly as if it were alive.

"This is..."

Astonishment was revealed in Aise's eyes. The longsword before him had a blade as pitch-black as if it were soaked in ink. The erratic black mist swirling around it emitted a terrifying, tyrannical aura that made one's heart palpitate.

Just looking at it once, Aise felt the killing intent in his heart constantly surging forth; he actually felt the faint signs of an impending episode.

Almost without hesitation, Aise forcefully suppressed the churning killing intent in his heart and returned the longsword to its scabbard.

Panting heavily, Aise collapsed onto the bed, his back drenched in cold sweat.

This thing... is too bizarre.

I can't keep it in my hands... I have to hand it over to my father and the others.

Aise took a deep breath.

But it's too late now, and it wouldn't be convenient to disturb them... I'd better wait until tomorrow morning.