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The gray-blue world shifted around them again, but this time, the massive Youkai Blade Tailless hovered in midair, its spectral form emanating a voice.
"Sever all… for rules set to crush rules, for submission made to resist submission, for calamity forged to destroy calamity…"
Arden couldn't help but frown. A talking blade was one thing, but this voice—rough, ancient, and hoarse—was nothing like the sweet or alluring tones he'd half-jokingly hoped for. It sounded more like a chorus of elders, stern and commanding, rather than a seductive whisper of power.
Tailless' cryptic words were clearly aimed at Miyabi, ignoring Arden entirely.
"This… is Miyabi's destiny!"
Hearing "destiny," Arden finally understood: the blade wanted her to yield to its power, to accomplish some monumental purpose.
So that's what it's trying to coax her into…
Miyabi exhaled sharply, grounding herself. "Back then… is that how you persuaded Mother? Did you… really promote 'destiny' to her, making her pay the price?"
"Answer me!" she roared, voice breaking, tears threatening, yet her resolve unwavering. "Do you truly believe the rules of inheritance are right?"
She knew her mother's death wasn't the blade's fault, but she needed to vent, to confront the spectral legacy that had shaped her life.
"Duty… isn't something to be toyed with according to your whims."
Tailless' tone suddenly hardened, like a stern elder scolding a disciple. Arden made a note: compared to other sentient weapons like Qingming Sword or Tigerbane Bell, Tailless' goals were more… familial. Its power existed to maintain the Hoshimi lineage.
"We are the strongest, beyond pain, desire, or need… these are your problems," the blade continued, instructing Miyabi.
"The strongest? I don't think so!"
Miyabi waved the Sword of Red Heaven in her hand.
"What did you say?!"
Tailless seethed. Its ancestral heir daring to wield another weapon—one not bound to the family's centuries-old will—was inconceivable.
A crimson lightning bolt struck the Sword of Red Heaven, attempting to cleave it. Sparks arced wildly across the blade… and then fizzled.
The Sword of Red Heaven? Arden thought, smirking. One of the Ten Great Ancient Swords—imbued with imperial energy and centuries of fortune—wasn't so easily broken by a mere family relic, however venerable.
"No… impossible!"
Tailless could not believe it.
"Nothing's impossible," Arden interjected.
The blade sensed his presence and drew back slightly, its tone less aggressive, curious how this mortal dared speak.
Arden smirked, adopting a playful tone. "I'm not lecturing—just making a suggestion. Honestly… you're acting like a parasite living off Miyabi."
Tailless stiffened.
"You've contributed to humanity? I respect Miyabi's ancestors, of course. But the era has changed. Why must Miyabi rely on you instead of a better weapon?"
"Better weapons give more power," Arden continued relentlessly. "Take the Sword of Red Heaven, I gave her—free for her to wield, no blood required. Can you match that?"
Tailless fell silent. Arden's analogy hit home: a paid meal costs effort; a free one gets devoured enthusiastically.
"You're not strong, can't fly, and your powers are mediocre at best. If you cling to the past and do nothing, the era will pass you by."
Arden's voice softened, almost fatherly. "You still try to lecture her? She became a Void Hunter with talent and sweat alone. Strong people never complain about their environment."
Tailless had no words to counter. Arden had hit every point.
"… I've said enough."
He turned to Miyabi.
"Now… the choice is yours."
She met his sincere gaze, nodded once, and looked up at the floating specter of Tailless.
"From now on…"
The Sword of Red Heaven descended gracefully into her hands.
"I abandon the blade… and take the sword!"
"No!!!"
Cracks and rumbles echoed across the inner world. Tailless' spectral form reeled in shock as Miyabi's resolve shattered its ancient hold. The inner landscape trembled, fragmenting along with the centuries-old legacy of fear and obedience.
A new chapter had begun.
===BREAK===
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