New Companion

The day after conquering the Cave of Shura, Vergil went to the guild to meet with the receptionist. The receptionist, still stunned from the previous day, handed over two large bags containing the reward money and dragon materials from defeating the Giant Toads and the Thunder Dragon, which she had forgotten to give him due to her shock.

Vergil's accomplishment of clearing the Cave of Shura and slaying a special designated monster had already become the talk of the town. Although the receptionist had informed the adventurers after she regained her composure, they were skeptical. After all, it was only Vergil's second day as an adventurer. Even if he could hunt a large number of Giant Toads in a short time, defeating a special designated monster seemed impossible to them.

However, when they were shown the dragon's corpse transported near the town walls, they had no choice but to believe. Many adventurers wanted to recruit Vergil into their parties, but his intimidating presence kept them from approaching him.

In just two days of adventuring, Vergil had become a wealthy man. With the large bags of reward money and materials in hand, he headed straight to the blacksmith. He handed over not just the specified ores but also the dragon materials, along with an excessive amount of money as an advance payment. The blacksmith, Gary, was so astonished that he almost fainted.

Once Gary regained his composure, he began his work. Using the special materials from the monster and relishing the rare opportunity to forge a katana, he told Vergil, "Give me a day," and then shut himself in the forge. He tried to return the pickaxe he had borrowed, but Gary, having a spare, told him to keep it. Vergil gratefully accepted.

Following this, Vergil used his excess money to prepare a residence. Though the town was known for being a starting point for adventurers, its brick roads, buildings, and natural surroundings appealed to him. Plus, Gary's forge was there, and he might need further repairs or enhancements for his weapons in the future. Thus, he decided to make this town his base.

Vergil found a construction contractor while walking around town and commissioned the building of a house. When he handed over a stack of bills, the contractor's stern expression melted into one of joy, and he eagerly accepted the job. The house would be built in a natural, abundant area on the outskirts, next to a large, empty mansion with a wide garden. Vergil paid it no mind.

*****

The day after receiving his reward, Vergil headed to the blacksmith, anticipating that the katana should be completed by now.

"Yes! It's a jackpot! A huge win!"

"Nooo! G-give me back my panties! Eeeeeeeyahhhhhhh!"

"What an atrocious act! My instincts were right after all!"

'That voice... is it Chris?'

On his way to the blacksmith, Vergil stopped when he heard familiar voices. It sounded like someone was screaming in distress, but──.

'Never mind. It has nothing to do with me.'

Chris was merely an ally. He had no intention of meddling in her private matters. Vergil continued on his way to the blacksmith without any detours.

*****

"Gary, how's it going?"

Arriving at the blacksmith, Vergil called out to Gary while peering into the forge. As he did the first time they met, Gary was sitting and puffing on his pipe. When Gary met Vergil's gaze, he smiled as if he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Is it done?"

"Ah, just wait a moment."

With a grunt, Gary lifted himself and disappeared into the back of the forge. After a while, he returned, holding a sword sheathed in a scabbard with both hands, and placed it on the workbench. Vergil approached and scrutinized the sword on the table.

The handle featured a design of blue surfaces with white diamond shapes, a deep blue guard, and a sheath made from azure dragon scales with a pure white sageo cord. He grasped the handle and the scabbard, lifted it slightly, and drew the blade. The silver blade reflected Vergil's blue eyes.

"I used the ore and dragon materials you brought and took my time crafting it. Thanks to that, I could imbue it with lightning properties. How you use it is up to you."

After sliding the blade back into the scabbard, Gary boasted proudly. From the sword, Vergil could sense the dragon's power, similar to the feeling from the demon-infused magic weapons he possessed.

"As per your request, it's made to be harder and sharper. It's been a while since I made a katana, but I think I did a pretty good job... Hey, where are you going?"

While Gary was explaining the sword, Vergil, holding the scabbard in his left hand, silently left the forge. Puzzled, Gary immediately followed him.

Standing in the center of the courtyard under an overcast sky, with the wind blowing past him, Vergil slowly placed his right hand on the handle. Gary quietly watched from behind.

"Hah!"

With a swift, smooth motion, Vergil drew the sword and slashed diagonally downward. After holding the stance for a moment, he began swinging the sword. Powerfully, swiftly, and fluidly... Gary could tell that he wasn't just randomly swinging; Vergil was a skilled swordsman.

After swinging for a while, Vergil finished with a final strike to the right. A pale blue lightning bolt ran along the blade, responding to his swordsmanship. He closed his eyes and sheathed the sword with practiced ease. The sound of the guard meeting the sheath echoed as the blade was secured.

"Not bad."

Vergil opened his eyes and voiced his thoughts on the sword.

If he added his own magic power to it... It wouldn't match up to the Yamato, but it would still be sufficient to cleave through demons. This sword could certainly keep up with his power and technique.

"I like it. I'll buy this sword. How much?"

"After seeing that sword dance, I'd love to say I'll give it to you for free... but this is my business. Still, the two hundred thousand Eris advance payment you gave will cover it."

Gary explained that the advance payment was enough. Vergil, who had been about to take out a brown money pouch, put it away.

In his left hand, he held the katana. The void he felt since the day he was defeated by the Demon Emperor seemed to have disappeared, and for once, Vergil smiled. Just then, Gary, puffing on his pipe, asked him a question.

"So, what are you going to name that sword?"

"…Name?"

"Most adventurers name their favorite weapons. It can have a meaning, be chosen for its sound, or even be something funny."

A weapon's name, hearing this, Vergil recalled his past.

His father, Sparda, had names for his sword and even his dual pistols. Though he didn't understand the significance as a child, he later learned that even the names of the pistols had meaning.

This katana might become his new partner in this world. Naming it wouldn't be a bad idea. Vergil began to ponder a suitable name.

The name represents the essence, his former partner, the Yamato, lived up to its name. With his hand on his chin, Vergil thought of a name that would match this sword's power.

In that moment, a name from a myth of a certain country that he had read in the past crossed his mind.

"Ame-no-Murakumo."

"Huh? Murakumo?"

Vergil quietly uttered the name that came to mind. Hearing an unfamiliar name, Gary tilted his head. To explain why this name, he began to talk about the myth associated with the weapon.

"In my world... No, in a distant country from here, there was a legend called the Yamata no Orochi. Yamata no Orochi was a fearsome serpent with eight heads... you could call it a dragon. It demanded the sacrifice of a young maiden each year."

"Wow, a dragon with eight heads... That's quite a monstrous tale."

"It possessed immense power, enough to terrorize the country. However, it was eventually defeated by Susanoo, the god of storms and sea. Susanoo tricked the serpent and eventually slayed it. It is said that within Yamata no Orochi's tail, Susanoo discovered a powerful sword imbued with the power of lightning. The name of the sword... Ame-no-Murakumo."

"I see. So that's where you got it from."

A sword imbued with the power of lightning, crafted from the dragon. Vergil envisioned the Ame-no-Murakumo, one of the three sacred treasures said to have once illuminated the world, wielded by Susanoo himself.

"A sword with the power of lightning... The Thunder Sword Ame-no-Murakumo, huh? I think that sounds fitting. Well then, let's proceed with the renaming right away."

Gary retrieved a piece of white paper from his pocket and carefully inscribed the name with a pen. Then, he attached the paper to the sword's hilt, and in an instant, the paper ignited, imprinting the characters onto the hilt.

The Thunder Sword Ame-no-Murakumo - the name of Vergil's new companion sword in this world.

『Emergency Quest! Emergency Quest!』

"!"

At that moment, a shrill alarm sounded from speakers throughout the town, followed by an announcement directed at all the adventurers in Axel.

『All adventurers, please gather at the main gate immediately! I repeat, all adventurers, please gather at the main gate immediately!』

"...So it's that time again."

Vergil silently listened to the announcement, while Gary murmured to himself.

Gripping his new sword tightly, Vergil began to walk.

"You're going?"

"It's a perfect opportunity to test the sharpness of this sword."

Without looking back, Vergil responded to Gary, who had called out to him while smoking his pipe. This was the man who had ventured into the Cave of Shura despite being warned not to. Gary knew it would be pointless to try to stop him, so he simply said one thing to Vergil.

"They're strong."

"That's exactly what I hope for."

Seeing the serious look in Gary's eyes, Vergil understood that a formidable monster had appeared. With a confident smirk, he left the blacksmith's shop.

"Well then... I guess I'll close up the shop for today."

After watching Vergil leave, Gary sighed and disappeared into the back of the blacksmith's shop.

*****

A few minutes after the emergency quest was announced, a large number of adventurers had gathered at Axel's main gate. Among them were men who looked like they came from a post-apocalyptic world, Dust and his party members, a female knight with blonde ponytails, a mage with one red eye covered by an eyepatch, and a serene-looking woman with light blue hair. Next to these adventurers stood a man in a tracksuit, which seemed out of place among them. All of them were glaring ahead with intense expressions.

While the adventurers' gazes were focused on one point, Vergil stood atop the city wall near the main gate, his sword, bound with a white cord, planted like a staff as he looked ahead like the others.

'An opponent that requires all these adventurers to team up... interesting.'

Seeing the adventurers gathered below, Vergil's anticipation grew. Perhaps this was another special designated monster, like the dragon.

It seemed they were considering capturing it as well. Several cages were set up near the walls, indicating there was more than one enemy.

"They're coming!"

At that moment, one of the adventurers shouted to alert everyone. Vergil, who had been looking at the gate, raised his head.

From far ahead, an overwhelming number of small green shapes approached, like a swarm of insects flying through the air. The number easily exceeded a hundred. However, he didn't sense any powerful magic. They might be like army ants, whose strength lay in their numbers rather than individual power.

Vergil smiled as he saw these different kinds of strong enemies. The closer they got, the clearer their forms became.

'A group battle, huh? A good opportunity to test my sword...'

But then, Vergil doubted his own eyes.

He finally saw the enemies clearly. They were round, with wings the same color as their bodies sprouting from their heads. They had large, innocent eyes, and their bodies were a fresh, tasty-looking light green with white stems. These flying monsters were...

"Kyabe kyabe kyabe kyabe..."

Flying cabbages.

"It's harvest time!"

"Bring the mayonnaise!"

The adventurers rushed toward the cabbages in unison. Like soldiers charging out to the sound of a war horn, despite their opponent being cabbages.

"Everyone! It's time for the annual cabbage harvest! This year's cabbages are top quality, and you'll earn 10,000 Eris for each one you collect! Capture as many as you can and bring them to the cages!"

"Uwoooooo!"

The blonde receptionist from the guild announced the good news through a megaphone, boosting the adventurers' morale even further. Faced with this unexpected situation, Vergil stood motionless, his sword still planted in the ground. No, he couldn't move.

Cabbages flying naturally through the air. Adventurers chasing them as if targeting a high-ranking enemy. Expecting some fearsome monster upon hearing about the emergency quest, Vergil was met with a bizarre sight that left him stunned.

Realizing he had entered a world unknown to even Sparda or Mundus, Vergil indeed felt his heart race. He had explored the Cave of Shura, battled a challenging dragon, and acquired a well-crafted sword from the blacksmith.

But watching the cabbage harvest festival unfold, Vergil couldn't help but think:

'Perhaps... I've come to a wrong world.'