Chapter 2 Part 6: The Astrid Workshop

It irked her that Leila Asprey’s every word had been true.

To add insult to injury, she had no reply to give when her bluff was seen through on the spot.

C’mon, Adelaide, I can practically see that tail of yours wagging nonstop already.

Yeah, of course it would. Seniolis was a holy sword of the highest rank and one of the prototypes for all other Kaliyons. In fact, the very concept of “Kaliyons” had been born out of humanity’s repeated attempts to imitate and recreate those original blades. It had taken hundreds of years for them to see widespread use among the Braves, yet none had been able to create an exact replica thus far.

Presently, Seniolis was the strongest holy sword. Only a few other holy swords were renowned enough to be mentioned in the same breath.

As a technician, how could she possibly have passed up on such an opportunity?

“Start maintenance,” she murmured, touching the blade’s central point with a slightly activated catalytic stone.

With a clack that sounded like the unraveling of an intricate wooden toy, a single metal shard separated from the blade and rose into the air. It drifted several paces away and emitted a clear metallic chime.

After a slight delay, the other shards followed, ringing out forty-one chimes in total. The fragments making up Seniolis floated around the Astrid workshop, glittering like the starry sky.

Adelaide spun her head left and right, drinking in the view.

“I can’t believe it! What’s with this?! All of the spell lines are practically consumed by curses, and the backbone circuit’s about to rot away completely! You’ve gotta be kidding me, how is this still in one piece?!”

Her slender fingers brushed against the crystal that remained in the center.

“As a whole… it looks pretty ordinary. Actually… no, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call it one of the simpler types.”

Kaliyons were weapons that possessed a drastically different structure than normal swords. They were not made by pouring liquid metal into molds, nor hammered into shape on anvils. Rather, they comprised dozens of different Talismans, bound together by spell lines into the shape of a blade. Forced into a single unit, the individual pieces interfere with one another, triggering an intentional malfunction to produce effects that differed greatly from their constituent components.

Seniolis abided by that principle as well. No surprises here, given how all subsequent Kaliyons were modeled after it.

“No, wait, it might be more accurate to say that something’s lacking… it shouldn’t have been able to form a Kaliyon in the first place… but it still did? How on earth…”

Lost in thought, her eyes swept around the room. 

“Uncle? Is something the matter?” She noticed the man beside her was silent.

“No. Our genius technician, the pride of our house, is currently conducting her analysis, so I don’t think a layman like myself should have anything to add.”

“Yeah, yeah, but it’s lonely being the only one standing here in awe, y’know?”

“Such is talent. The only thing ordinary folk can do is to avoid butting in, so as not to disturb your concentration.”

“I guess.” Adelaide did not press Joshua further at his tone, which clearly indicated he was dodging the issue.

“Can it be purified?”

“There aren’t enough working spell lines, so I’m afraid the direct approach won’t work. The lines at two… no, four positions will need to be replaced simultaneously. I now understand why the Empire’s workshops gave up on this.”

“Leaving aside the prerequisites, can it be purified?” He repeated his earlier question.

“Yes, it can. If I’m the one doing it, that is.” Placing both palms on the table, she gazed at the ceiling and answered. “That’s what you’re hoping to hear, right?”

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“Yes… of course.” Joshua nodded and said in an unreadable voice. “The top-class holy swords are most difficult to deal with, after all. Hearing you say you can pull it off puts my mind at ease.”

“Hmm?”

She thought his words were a bit strange. He seemed to be talking about the ancient top-class holy swords as a whole, instead of merely Seniolis. Almost like he’s laid hands on one even before we took on this request.

Well, I’ve heard of no such thing, so I’m probably just overthinking it.

“Anyway, it’s a load off my shoulders knowing everything will go smoothly. I’m heading back to the office.”

“Okay. I’ll be holed up in here for a while, so I’m counting on you as far as paperwork is concerned.”

“Seeing that look on your face, I don’t suppose I have a choice, do I?” Joshua smiled wryly and departed.

How strange.

Kaliyons were weapons that could only be wielded by those who were chosen. The criteria for selection seemed dependent on an intrinsic value known only by Kaliyons themselves, and were pretty much inexplicable to the average person.

The vast majority of humans could not hope to wield them. But those who were able to came in all shapes and sizes—some could barely use the lower-tier Kaliyons, while others wielded the above-average ones with ease. And for a select few, swinging a high-class one around was a walk in the park. It was said that this had nothing to do with one’s gender, age or experience, but was, for the most part, predetermined at birth.

No amount of training could change that. Though there were rare cases of people who suddenly became qualified, nearly all of them had gone through life-changing experiences that bordered on the theatrical.

Seniolis and its contemporary holy swords were the exceptions—or rather, among the many Kaliyons, those five which did not conform to existing rules were the most venerable and highest-ranked.

These swords each demanded unique qualifications distinct from one’s affinity with other Kaliyons—or, to put it another way, dependent on the affection they held for their user. The specifics were unconfirmed, but it was said that Mournen could only be used by a companion of its previous wielder they trusted from the bottom of their heart; Seelen by someone born on the night of a particular comet’s passing; Seniolis by a Brave who was a paragon among Braves.

What constituted a Brave among Braves? Seeking an answer to that question, many had challenged Seniolis only to be rebuffed. Even among the successive generations of Regal Braves, only a few were qualified to be its wielder.

That’s all fine and dandy, but the problem is…

“Don’t tell me… this sword is defective?”

Seniolis was composed of forty-one Talismans in total. However, according to Adelaide’s analysis, the crystal that served as its control unit required forty-two components. For it to function as a Kaliyon, this thing needs one more Talisman, or something that can play the part, yet—

Just then, a series of light knocks came from the door. Thrice, then twice more after a short pause.

She skimmed a watchful eye across the workshop, confirming that she was alone. “Below the door,” she spoke in a low voice.

A thin envelope promptly slid in, and she heard the messenger moving away.

“C’mon, I was just getting started with this.” She placed down Seniolis, still in its disassembled state, and got up from her chair. “But it can’t be delayed any further, I suppose.” She picked up the envelope and inspected its contents.

The first document in the envelope had a black cat with a wide grin drawn on it. The subsequent documents revealed the personal details of several Basilfeld residents, as well as their cleanly drawn portraits.

The Cheshire Cat investigation report.

“I had my suspicions, but it looks like that kid really is the key. And the other side knows that too. In that case, should I make a move now? Or wait and watch for a little longer?”

After skimming through the papers, she threw the whole lot, envelope and all, into the furnace. In an instant, they crumpled and turned to ash.

Staring into the flames, she smiled ever so slightly. “When you’re up to no good, it’s best to strike first and seize the initiative, right?”

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