Silphir's Story

I can't accept this!!!!!!

Did you see it right? I'm pretty sure Rudd used some trick!

Otherwise, there's no way I could lose to Rudd again!

C-Can't you be quiet!? I didn't lose; I just went easy on her!

Hm, hmph! It was a mistake to leave the judgment to a human. You're fired!

Yeah, I agree with you, Silphir.

I came to point out that the true winner is Silphir.

Hey, what are you implying!!!!

Actually, I've been watching your duel for a while now.

Just saying, at your current level... You might be able to pull out 'that sword'...

That sword? What sword?

Hehe... Once I visited Jade's house, I saw a painting of a sword in a stone.

Under the painting, it said: 'The legendary sword. The one who pulls out this sword will rule the world...'

What!? There's such a sword!?

And a few days ago, I saw Rudd coming out of a closed cave with a long face.

It was the first time I saw Rudd like that, so I got curious and went into the cave...

C-Could it be...!?

Hehehe... Yes, I saw it.

In the depths of the cave, stuck in the largest stalagmite, the brilliantly shining legendary sword, Excalibur!

Excalibur!?!?

Hehe... The name doesn't matter, Master. What matters is that the sword exists, and even Rudd couldn't pull it out.

Isn't that right, Silphir?

Yeah, I can feel it... that sword is definitely...

Waiting to meet its true master... in the damp and dark cave!

Sist, do you know the way to that cave?

Hehe. I was going to leave after giving you the info on the sword... But today, I feel generous and will guide you for free!

No, you're coming too.

Because I need a witness! You have to let everyone know that I'm the one who pulled out the legendary sword!

Sist can't do that. She has a bad reputation among dragons because she committed various crimes like fraud, misappropriation, and theft.

Hehe, my only sin is living honestly...

...Really? Then I guess I have no choice...

Heeya!

Hehe. Everyone always forgets that I'm the third-in-command!

Great. Sist, let's go!

Hehe, great for me, actually...

Come on, both of you, let's go in!

I didn't know there was such a cave near the village entrance. Has it been closed for a long time?

Yeah. I heard it has been closed since the ground in this area gives in easily.

But couldn't it be just a rumor to hide a sword? See, here are piles of all sorts of precious gems!

Oh my, my. Master, don't tell me...

Because you think she won't be able to pull out that sword?

What?!!?!

Master, is that really true!?

...Ugh!

Uh, now that you mention it... the Sist I know definitely would...

Be a-a dragon of good taste in both objects and beings!

Listen to me, that human judged wrongly just now, not even understanding your worth. Right?

Hehe... he... you're right. Sist recognized my worth at a glance...

Yeah! What's wrong with a dragon taking some minerals? Why do you get so suspicious at such a small matter?

W-What do you mean!? What are you saying all of a sudden?

Did you really think sweet words like that would suddenly please me?

Ahem, as you said, I'm very strong, but I want to become the second-in-command by defeating Rudd.

Because...

...Uh, over there...

Well... I might have grabbed something...

Master!!! Behind, behind you!

Hey, Sist! What did you touch!?

Uh... a golden handle that looks expensive and suspicious? Hehe.

This is not the time to laugh like 'hehe'! Run away now!!

Ugh, what the heck!? Something broke into the cave from outside?

Ack, who is grabbing my neck!?

...Everyone, hold on tight.

*Cough, cough!*

Uurgh...

Yeah, all my gems are okay!

Hey, I don't know who you are, but thank you for saving us...

.........

...Wait a second, you!

You, you! Why are you here!?

...That's what I want to ask you.

Ugh, wait. This voice...!

What are you lot doing here?

Sweets! We came to look for the legendary, legendary sweets! Right?

Y-Yeah! I suddenly wanted to have some sweets! Hahaha!

Th-That's right! You said you were curious about the Dragon Village, so we were taking a tour!

Sist being in a group taking a stroll is suspicious...

I-I came along to see if there is some treasure! Hahaha!

Okay. I understand. Then, all of you, leave this place immediately.

This cave was closed a long time ago. No one can enter here without Daya's permission.

...That's a lie. You're trying to drive me away on purpose, to prevent me from pulling out that sword, aren't you?

Sword? What do you mean by that sword?

Don't play dumb! I know you secretly sneaked in here, coveting the legendary sword!

I've never coveted anything or sneaked in here.

Then what were you doing here in a closed cave?

Patrolling. This place is at high risk of collapsing, since the ground is not firm.

Many mistakenly enter here, so I patrol every day upon Daya's request.

Yeah! That's just a smokescreen to hide the legendary sword...!

...? What was that just now!?

...As I thought, the ground has weakened even more because of that earlier.

...Sist, didn't you say that it was just a rumor that the ground is weak?

Ahem... I didn't say it was a rumor, I said it might be a rumor.

We need to get out of the cave now. Everyone this way!

...No, I can't leave until I find the sword.

Y-Yeah! You need to defeat Silphir to make us get out, Rudd!

Heeeya!!!

What are you doing, Silphir! Don't throw sword energy at these walls!!

Hmph. If you hadn't cowardly dodged, the cave walls would have been fine!

Kneel before me and admit your defeat, would-be third-in-command!

I'll accept a duel outside anytime, so calm down for now, Silphir!

Ahh! The wall is collapsing... Huh?

Oh! Right, Silphir! This was the room! Nice, Lazuli!

What? Is that really true!? ...Wait, don't sneakily call me by my old name!!!

Wait, Silphir, Sist!

Hurry! Follow me! It's dangerous to get trapped in such a place!

Master! Master! Look at the end of the cave!

Hehe... he... Alright, Master!

From this moment on, witness with the impartial eyes of a neutral party as I draw the legendary sword!

Silphir, no! The cave is already collapsing due to the shock earlier!

Hah, be quiet, you coward! Just sit there and watch, would-be third-in-command!

...It can't be helped, then.

Huh, wh-what is that! You were at the entrance, how did you get in front of me this fast...!

There's no time, I'll knock you out quickly, Silphir!

Hmph! You act all noble all the time, but you can't let me pull out the legendary sword after all, huh?

Wait. The sound seems really dangerous...?

Damn! Watch out, Silphir!

...I'm fine. Silphir, are you okay?

*Cough, cough!* Ugh, dust!

...Huh?

...Grrr?

.........

.........

Damn, it seems some monster from above has fallen in when the ceiling collapsed!

Silphir, I'll handle that one.

Watch for an opening, you get Sist and the human out of the cave!

What nonsense is that? I'm the one who will take the monster down!

You have improved a lot in deflecting enemy attacks with martial arts, Silphir.

Hmph, I've always been good at martial arts! I just didn't bother using them because it's usually too much hassle!

Well, they were close when they were kids.

Ahem. I had something urgent to take care of...

Anyway, those two weren't on bad terms back then. They grew up together after all.

Even now, Rudd doesn't dislike Silphir. Though... Silphir has reasons to dislike Rudd...

Master, Master! Look at this!

Hahaha!, see, what did I tell you!?

Alright, now... let's go present the sword to the one!

.........

...*Sniff*...

...*Sniff*... Waaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean... *sniff*... *sob*...

GO SLOWLYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

*Sniff, sniff*...

Th-This place is...

Wah... Waaahhh...

*Sniff*... The reason I like this place is... it's not because of the sapphire color...!

When I sink in here... my body looks transparent.

Just like her...

Um... can I come in for a moment?

What doth bring thee here, Silphir?

...I've come to offer something to you.

Please accept this sword, Daya!

So... this is the legendary sword thou hast found in the closed cave?

Hehe, that's right! I took the risk of bringing it because I wanted to give it to you.

Hmm... I see... Let me take a look...

Oh, this is... quite rare.

What!? A-Are you serious?

Forsooth. It's quite a rare.. imitation.

...Sorry?

Look closely, Silphir. When thou dost view under the light, it's pretty obvious to be an imitation, like here, the joint.

I guess the inside of the cave was too dim for thee to see the sword properly.

B-but...! Sist said it was the legendary sword...

Yeah, Sist once did sell this toy, falsely claiming it to be a legendary sword, and thereby made a great profit.

After this did come to mine attention, I recalled them all, and now they hath grown most rare. Lo, if thou dost press upon the false gem set upon the hilt...

...This can't be...

Silphir, I am well aware of thy desire to defeat Rudd and become second-in-command.

But remember, the sword is but a means. If thou really dost want to get stronger, thou hast to build thy true strength, not rely on means.

B-but! The reason I want to become the second-in-command...!

Methinks Rudd hath taken to training each morn at the break of day.

It mayhap would be pleasing to match thy waking hour with Rudd's and train together, much as ye did in the days of thy youth as hatchlings.

H-Hold on please! Daya!

Now, thou shouldst go back. Rudd will come soon, and I need to talk upon business with her.

And for the sword... I shall accept your gesture. I have long outgrown playing with such toys.

...!!!!!!!!

*Sniff*... I... I just want to be closer to Daya...

That's why I want to become the second-in-command, but Daya always talks about Rudd!

That's not the only reason! She always pretends to teach me, though she's just a little stronger than me!

She comes to my house whenever she can, to help me practice swordsmanship and check my muscle mass! Do you know how annoying that is?

Why? Because she's beautiful! She's the strongest, solidest, and even crystal-clear!

I know sapphires are cool, but compared to diamonds... honestly, they're just blue stones.

What's strange?

W-What do you mean!?

Hm, hmph... I felt a bit embarrassed, sorry...

Well, I actually like sapphires too. Of course, my ultimate goal is becoming a diamond, but...

Sapphires can never become diamonds, Silphir.

W-What!? What are you talking about, you jerk!

And diamonds can never have the deep blueness of sapphires.

So instead of trying to be something else, polish your own blue beauty even more.

...You're really annoying. I know that too! Don't act like you know everything.

But why did you come this far out? You hate coming here, don't you?

It seems you've forgotten, so I brought it here for you.

Huh? What did I forget...? Huh?

...Damn it...

I had no choice but to tie her up, because she kept trying to run away.

Yes, now that I think about it... Sist.

You dare to deceive me by calling a fake sword the legendary sword, huh?

W-What should I do! I had to get the relic I left in that room!

I needed a bodyguard to fight against the monsters instead of me... and a cover-up story if Rudd found me out!

...Will you hold her, or will you beat her?

...I'll catch her.

E-Eeek! Right, you two! I'll give you money! 1,000 gold, no, 10,000 gold!

Hey, Master. Make sure you watch her closely so she doesn't escape.

Aah! T-Then 20,000 gold!!!!!!