The Godking's Legacy Read online

  “No,” Lucia said and shook her head. Her lips pressed together. “Why me?”

  “You’re not speaking clearly,” I said and sat down, resting the metal spear across my lap. “Why did I choose you as my new master?”

  Lucia nodded, causing her hair to bounce up and down. Do I make up a lie and tell her I saw potential in her? Let’s tell the truth.

  “Because you’re a beastkin.”

  “Eh?” Lucia asked and furrowed her brow. “But the Godking was human?”

  Exactly. I nodded. “And male.”

  “So … why me and not the prince? You could’ve become the weapon of a rich master instead of a slave.” Lucia’s head lowered.

  “Humans are devious. I wanted to live under someone more honest and simple.” If the Godking had taught me anything, it was to never form a contract with a human again. No way.

  “Did you just call me stupid?”

  “I called you simple. It’s a compliment.”

  Lucia didn’t look very happy. Maybe I should pet her—petting seemed to make her happy. I placed my hand on her head and scratched behind her ear. She whimpered and clung onto my wrist. That’s when she noticed the spear and bag of spirit stones on my lap.

  “W-where did you get those?” she asked with a red face. I noticed she didn’t try to move my hand away.

  “The spirit stones were from the prince, and the spear was from a guard.” Her body stiffened underneath my touch. A constipated look appeared on her face. Did she need to go to the bathroom?

  “They’re dead,” she whispered. I almost didn’t hear her.

  “They are. You killed them.”

  Her face paled. “Me?” Tears pooled in her eyes, making them glisten.

  “Who else?” I asked. Did she not remember? Maybe I should’ve gone with the prince instead…. “Did you not notice?”

  Lucia bit her lower lip. “I forgot because I was hungry…,” she said as she gazed upon the carnage. “What’s going to happen now? I killed a prince. They’ll hang me with my own intestines when they catch me.” Her hands turned white as she clutched my arm. Her eyes betrayed her fear. How cute.

  “Then don’t let them catch you,” I said and laughed. “Calm down.”

  “You’re too calm!”

  “It’s not the first time I’ve killed royalty.” Honestly, it probably wouldn’t be the last either.

  “Impossible,” Lucia said and shook her head. “The Godking would never kill anyone. He was a saint!”

  “Oh, you poor child,” I said and sighed before rubbing her ears again. They were so soft to touch. “The Godking’s nothing like you think he was. It’s best if you just forget everything you know about that bastard.”

  ***

  I never knew having my ears rubbed would feel so good. I just want to close my eyes and sink into that feeling of bliss. Shivers ran from the back of my neck down to my toes, causing my tiny digits to curl. Wait. The Godking was a bastard? Is that what Durandal just said? Was he the type of weapon spirit to shit talk his masters? He did call me stupid….

  “What do you mean bastard?” I asked, pulling his hand away from my head. Though I was reluctant to part with his fingers, I wouldn’t be able to think straight if he kept on rubbing me.

  “I mean what I say,” Durandal said with a smirk. Did he know what petting did to me? “Forget it. You don’t believe me.”

  It’s true. I didn’t believe him. The silver spear in his lap bothered me. “Are you sure you should keep that? It’s bad karma to loot the dead.”

  “If that was the case, the Godking wouldn’t be so widely praised. He was the one who taught me to plunder the spoils of our enemies.” Durandal raised the spear. “Do you have another weapon to give me?”

  I’m going to ignore his comment about the Godking. My idol’s not a grave robber. Maybe Durandal’s impression of the Godking was skewed after spending millennia by himself. That must be it. As for a different weapon…

  “No.” I wasn’t allowed to carry weapons as a luggage-bearing slave. The bag was just filled with necessities for survival.

  “Then I’ll be keeping this. I don’t think you’ll be able to keep us out of danger by yourself.”

  Did he just call me incompetent? I’m very competent! How rude. Actually … compared to the Godking, I guess anyone would be classified as incompetent. I have to work hard to meet Durandal’s expectations! …Or at least not disappoint him too greatly. I nodded to myself. Work hard, Lucia.

  “You agree?” Durandal had a strange expression on his face.

  “Eh?” What did I just agree to? Think, Lucia. He called you incompetent. “No! I’m competent!”

  He shrugged. “I’m still keeping this spear.”

  “But you’re a sword spirit.” I’ve never heard of a weapon spirit using a weapon that didn’t resemble its weapon body.

  “And you’re part squirrel. Does that mean you fight using squirrels?”

  “That’s different!” What the hell was he saying!? Was there something wrong in his head? Did thousands of years of solitude ruin his sanity?

  “If you can learn how to use a sword, why can’t I learn how to use a spear?”

  Why did that feel like another jab at my intellect? Forget it. You don’t have to argue with the senile, old man who happens to be ridiculously attractive. Gah! He’s a weapon spirit, Lucia. When you grow old and wrinkly, he’ll still be flaunting his awesome body. You stand no chance in hell.

  “Then keep the stupid spear!” Did I just yell? Oops.

  “I will.”

  At least he didn’t get angry at me. I don’t want to pee myself again—the first time was embarrassing enough. I can’t believe I had to clean myself with the prince’s towels. Clean? Oh, right. I have to do the dishes. I grabbed the pot. It’s sparkling?

  “I cleaned the dishes and gathered everything important while you were asleep. We can leave at any time.”

  He did the dishes? But … he’s Durandal, a legendary sword spirit. What the fuck? That’s even worse than making the emperor shine your shoes! “You did the dishes?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Yes!”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re Durandal!”

  “And you’re Lucia.”

  I don’t think he understood what I was trying to say. How many people would execute me on the spot for making their idol do the dishes? There’d probably be nothing left of me. I chewed my lower lip. How do I tell that to him in a way that won’t make him feel angry at me? While I was thinking, his hand landed on my ears. I raised my head. He was smiling. Not the cold, bloodthirsty kind of smile, but the nice kind. The kind that makes you want to tackle him and snuggle against his chest and lick his neck and take off his clo—. Lucia!

  “Don’t worry about my status as a godly weapon who’s way beyond your league. You’re my master now. Do you think the Godking did his own dishes? No, that asshole made me do them.”

  But it’s fine if a legend makes another legend do the chores. I don’t have that right. And did he just admit that I was way under his league? Well, I guess that’s true, so I’ll forgive him. Ah. It makes me tingly when he scratches me there. Don’t stop. Sadly, he did.

  “Let’s leave? We can’t stay here forever.”

  And go where? I can’t go back to the empire now that the prince is dead. Oh right, I killed him. Does that make me a bad person now? “Where do we go?”

  An evil-looking smile appeared on Durandal’s face, and I couldn’t help but shiver. What did he have in mind?

  “The Valley of Beasts.”

  Huh?

  “It may be a bit dangerous, but danger will help you improve faster.”

  Was he a sadist? Why did it seem like he was imagining me in perilous situations? But how come I’ve never heard of the Valley of Beasts? Could he be talking about that place? “The Valley of Beasts? Is it the canyon that separates the fae from the demons?”

  His smile widened. “So yo
u know it.”

  “Oh.” How do I say this? “But it was converted into a trading post before I was even born?”

  Durandal’s face froze. Did I break him again? I waved my hand in front of his body, but there was no reaction. “D-Durandal?” Ah, he’s working again.

  “Then the Snow Queen’s Forest?”

  The Snow Queen’s Forest? Did he want to eat ice cream and build snowmen? “The tourist resort?”

  Durandal’s face cramped. “Tourist resort? I’m talking about the forest that the Snow Queen lives in with the giant, carnivorous rabbits.”

  “Yeah, me too. The number of adventurers exploring her land dwindled, and it became more profitable for her to turn it into a tourist resort. Now everyone goes there to eat ice cream and play with the rabbits. Can we go?”

  “No!”

  But I wanted ice cream. A sigh escaped from my lips.

  “Are there any dangerous areas with lots of wild beasts?”

  Of course. But should I lie to him? If I told him, I think he’d make me go there, and I don’t want to die. Maybe I should lie to him. I’m going to lie to him.

  “Don’t lie to me.”

  I froze. “Y-you can read minds?” What the heck! That’s not fair at all! Has he been reading my thoughts this whole time?

  Durandal sighed. “I can’t, but I’ll know if you’re lying.”

  You better not be able to! There’s a giant tentacle monster behind you! Okay, good. He didn’t react. But I probably shouldn’t lie to him. “There’s the southern pass.”

  “Isn’t that where the dwarves live?”

  “No? They live in Anvilrock Mountain.”

  “It looks like all my knowledge of the continent has become worthless,” Durandal said and frowned. “Then let’s go to the southern pass. I’ll teach you there.”

  “Can’t you teach me somewhere more peaceful? Like, um, a meadow of flowers or a small farm in the middle of nowhere?”

  “Lucia.”

  I stiffened. Why’s he glaring at me like that!? “Y-yes?”

  “Do you know what makes the world go round?”

  “Um. Angular momentum?”

  “The hell is that? The answer is money!”

  “Oh.”

  “Do you have any money?”

  I’m a slave. What money would I have? “No.”

  “That’s why we need to make some. I’m a simple spirit. All I know how to do is kill things. And killing beasts will make me money.”

  Make you money? Isn’t the money for me? What the hell? But I guess he does make sense. I can’t survive without money, and killing beasts is profitable. And I don’t think I’ll die under his protection, right? But I should probably get him a sword. What kind of sword spirit uses a spear? “Okay. I’ll listen to you.”

  “Of course.” He nodded as if me listening to my own weapon was the most natural thing in the world. But why did he look so sinister? He’s definitely a sadist. Goodbye, peaceful days. You were a good friend.

  2

  The southern pass. It’s said to be the most feared area in the continent, teeming with wild beasts, poisonous plants, treacherous terrain, and, of course, bloodthirsty outlaws. When Durandal asked me if there were any dangerous areas nearby, it was the first place that came to mind. We left the miniature dimension two weeks ago and headed straight for the pass, uncovering numerous treasures and legendary artifacts. I trained under Durandal’s guidance and became an expert with the sword. Durandal also recovered his peak strength, and we became tyrants of the land. At least, that’s what I’d like to say.

  “Lucia?”

  “Yes, Durandal?”

  “Where are we?”

  In reality, none of that happened. We’re lost, utterly and hopelessly lost.

  “Um. A forest?” Please don’t stare at me like that. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

  “Are you lost?”

  “No.” I’m competent! I swear! It’s just that I get so distracted by…, well, everything. But it only happens sometimes! …Okay, most of the time. Especially when Durandal looks at me. I still can’t believe he’s my weapon spirit. It’s like a dream.

  Durandal sighed. He does that a lot. Maybe he’s depressed? Well, it makes sense—he’s been all alone for thousands of years. Anyone would feel the blues. Heck, I feel sad if I don’t talk to someone every three hours.

  “Where are we, and where is the southern pass?” Durandal asked.

  “Well,” I said and cleared my throat. “We’re in a forest. And the southern pass is to the south.”

  “What did I say to you about lying to me?” Durandal crossed his arms over his chest.

  I stared at the ground. “You said I shouldn’t lie to you.” My eyes watered, but I blinked back the tears. Maybe he won’t notice.

  “If you didn’t know the way to the southern pass, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

  “I wanted to show you that I was competent.” Ah, the tears were falling. Stupid eyes. Stop leaking. My nose started to run, so I sniffled. Durandal sighed again and placed his hand in my hair. He scratched behind my ears, and I closed my eyes.

  When I finished crying, Durandal asked, “Do you have a map?”

  I nodded. Bryant had packed more than one in the bag. It’s amazing how he ended up dying despite how prepared he was. I guess that was my fault. I still feel a little guilty, but the happiness of being with Durandal washes all my guilt away. I think it’s because of his head rubs. His finger skills are too perverse.

  I took out the map and handed it to Durandal. He stared at it while I stared at his face. I love seeing his serious expression, but only when it’s not directed at me. After looking it over for a few minutes, he folded it and put it away into the interior of his robe. Does he have a pocket in there? I wonder what else he stores.

  Stupid, leaky nose. I sniffled again before asking, “Do you know which way to go?”

  “Of course.”

  Ah. As expected of Durandal. Sometimes, I wish he wasn’t better than me in all aspects. It really does make a girl feel inferior, you know? If he sees someone better than me, would he break the contract and leave? “Which way do we go?”

  “South.”

  I waited for more. Nothing else came. “And … which way is that?”

  Durandal stared up at the sky and spoke towards the clouds, “I said I’d teach you swordsmanship, right?”

  Oh. Was he finally going to start? I kept bugging him before, but he said I’d have to wait until we arrived at an appropriate area. “Yes!”

  “This is how it begins. A swordsman must rely on their intuition,” Durandal said and lowered his head until his eyes met mine. “Sometimes, you won’t be given a chance to think about your actions, and you’ll be forced to make a move. This is an exercise to train your intuition!” My body stiffened as his gaze grew cold. This is why I dislike his serious expression staring at me. It makes me feel so small. “You will trust your instincts to find the way south.”

  Huh? Why does this training sound like bullshit? Did he think I was a child? Just because I’m easily distracted doesn’t mean I’m not intelligent. “You’re lost too, aren’t you?”

  If I were a lake, his gaze would’ve turned me to ice. “This. Is. Training.”

  That’s not fair! “I, I understand.” There’s some fights you can’t win, Lucia. This is one of them. Just accept the fact that your weapon spirit is a bully. Ah, it’s really not fair. I think he’d kill me if I asked him where we were. Anyways, time to use my intuition. I closed my eyes and twirled around and around until I collapsed. The sky spun along with the trees bordering my vision. When the dizziness cleared, I sat up and pointed straight ahead. “That way’s south.”

  Why was Durandal looking at me like that? Was that pity? I’ve learned to recognize pity. I don’t think my actions were pitiful. I crossed my arms over my chest. “If I’m wrong, tell me. I’m sure you know the way.”

  Durandal cleared his throat and put on a stern expressio
n. “This is a test of your intuition. If I tell you you’re wrong, you won’t trust your future judgments. And it isn’t pretty when an honest and simple person second-guesses herself.”

  “Stop calling me stupid!”

  “I said simple. There really is a difference.”

  Whatever. I walked in the direction I pointed towards with Durandal at my side. “Can’t you teach me anything else other than intuition?”

  “I really did want to save it for when we found a suitable training ground,” Durandal said and sighed again. Maybe he really was depressed. I have to do my best to be cheerful for him! There are so many things to live for, Durandal. Like the three C’s! Candy, cuddles, and ice cream. Okay, maybe ice cream doesn’t start with a C, but still.

  “Lucia? Hello?”

  Ah. He was saying something. “Yes?”

  “How much experience have you had with the sword?”

  “Well.” How do I say this? Maybe if I word it correctly, it won’t sound so bad. “If you count that one time I used you in the miniature dimension, then … I’ve used a sword one time.” I’ve always used a mace. There’s just something so satisfying about cracking things open. It must be because of my squirreliness and nuts. It’s in my blood. Why wasn’t Durandal saying anything? I’m a bit afraid to look at his face, but I’m still going to peek. Eh? He was smiling? It was the nice kind too.

  His hand tousled my hair. “Everyone has to start from somewhere. It’s great that I get to train you from the very beginning.” He held my ear between his fingers and rubbed it. “I look forward to teaching you.”

  Was it just me, or did those words sound a bit ominous? Ah, I’ll worry about it when the time comes. For now, I’ll focus on the ear rub.

  ***

  Everything has a purpose. My purpose is to teach and protect my owner to the best of my abilities. That is all. I have to trust my owner’s judgment for everything else. So when Lucia told me she knew where to go, I believed her. I realize now that I made a mistake. For a beastkin, she has absolutely no sense of direction. What happened to her innate animal instincts? I’ll admit she does have a sharp nose for food, but that probably contributes to her overall problems.