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"I've decided that I'm going to keep the sword for a while. I want to learn how to use it without losing control," I say as I try to think of a way to convince them that my choice is the best decision.
"That's the stupidest thing you've ever said, Master," says Alessia incredulously.
"Emir, this is just one of your jokes, right?..." asks Delia with confusion, speaking for the first time since I returned home.
"... If so, it's not funny."
"It's not a joke, Delia..." I say seriously.
"... I wouldn't joke about something like this."
"You promised me you'd get rid of that thing!" exclaims Alessia, as she breaks the handle of the knife she was holding, which bends due to the force of her grip.
"Yes... About that… At the time I only said it because I wanted you to stop talking to me. I'm sorry, but I was very, very angry with you," I say in a neutral voice, not trying to hide the fact that I'm not proud of what I did, and knowing that there's no way I can explain it without hurting her.
Delia can't seem to believe my words, and for the first time, the smiles fade from the faces of the three annoying beauties.
"That's... That's..." says Alessia, blushing even more, but she can't seem to find the words to express how she feels.
"That was a mistake. I know, and I apologize. I wasn't thinking straight at the time..." I say, finishing Alessia's sentence.
"... Haa... And I guess the same thing happened to you."
"Yes, you're right..." says Alessia, as for a moment an expression of regret filters through her mask of fury.
"... But that doesn't include anything to do with that despicable sword. I want that damn thing out of our lives."
"I agree with Alessia, Emir..." says Delia, looking at me with concern.
"... That thing almost caused us to kill each other."
After Delia's words, Irina raises her hand to get our attention and says, "I don't know if you'll accept my opinion on this matter, but I'd like to express it."
"No offense, Irina, but I'm not interested in your opinion," I say, trying not to sound disrespectful, but making it clear that this is a matter between my girls and me.
"I am interested in her opinion, Master. They are my friends, and I will not allow you to belittle them..." says Alessia, her eyes flashing with anger.
"... You can say whatever you like, girls. Master will listen to you carefully if he knows what's good for him."
"Very well. I think Emir is right in his decision to try to learn how to control the sword. According to what we've been told, that sword is incredibly powerful. It's also dangerous, yes, but you don't get rid of things just because they might be dangerous. All weapons are dangerous..."
Irina expresses her opinion in her usual calm voice, pronouncing the words very slowly, as if trying to minimize the damage her words are causing her friend.
"... I imagine you think the same as me, don't you?..." she says, looking at Zia and Miria, who nod silently.
Alessia and I listen open-mouthed to Irina's words.
I'm very surprised that they're taking my side, but Alessia obviously feels terribly betrayed.
"... As much as we criticize him sometimes, I know Emir isn't stupid. He wouldn't keep that sword if he thought it was putting you and Delia in danger."
She says the last words, looking directly into Alessia's eyes, apologizing with her gaze, as the blue-eyed blonde seems to be on the verge of tears.
"I know perfectly well that Emir would never do anything to put us in danger. But you weren't with us, Irina..." says Delia, reaching out a hand to Alessia to pull her body toward hers, then wrapping her in a protective embrace.
Alessia lets herself be pulled and curls up against the fox girl, as if seeking safety.
"... Emir was not in control of his actions. If that happens again, his willingness not to hurt us is of little use. That is the kind of danger that sword represents."
"About that. I have discovered that, while in its sheath, the sword cannot affect anyone's mind. And I have also discovered that I can use it safely for short periods of time," I say as I unsheathe the sword, after which I make three quick slashes in the air.
"STUPID MASTER!"
"NO!"
Delia and Alessia suddenly jump to their feet when they see what I'm doing, knocking over several chairs in the process, while shouting the first thing that comes to mind.
But the danger they fear does not exist.
Curiously, even though we've been talking about it all this time, I don't sense any emotion or thought coming from the sword.
"You see..." I say, putting Zariche and its dark sheath into my inventory, then taking it out again, but sheathed.
Alessia and Delia remain where they are, as if they don't know what to do, alternating their gaze between my face and the sheathed sword in my hands.
"... Delia, you more than anyone should understand how useful it is to have a talking weapon as an ally."
"My Blue Wind is nothing like that thing!" says Delia, offended and disgusted by the fact that I compared her companion to Zariche.
"And I don't think that thing will ever be our ally. Judging by what Delia told me, that sword's personality is as sinister as its appearance..." says Alessia, sitting down again now that she can see there is no danger.
"... Haa... But I guess you don't care about that."
"The way I see it, if the only problem is that the weapon tries to control its bearer, you just have to train to resist the weapon's influence," says Irina, earning herself an angry look from Alessia.
"Irina, you've said enough," says Alessia, her eyes narrowed.
"No, Alessia. She's right. Even if the sword's personality is a problem, there's no denying that it's a powerful weapon..." says Zia with a calmness that tries to emulate Irina's.
Miria says nothing and looks at Alessia with pity, but she clearly agrees with her two friends.
"... In fact, I would like to have the opportunity to acquire such a weapon. As long as I can keep it under control, as Emir is clearly doing right now."
"Haa... Fine, Master... I guess if you're so set on it, Delia and I ALONE won't be able to change your mind. But we're going to have to keep a close eye on that thing," says Alessia, trying to control her irritation.
"You're right, Alessia... But what if that thing takes control of Emir's body on a crowded street?" says Delia, shuddering.
"That won't happen. I know I can use it safely. In fact, if necessary, I can only carry the sword when I go to the labyrinths..."
I realize that Alessia and Delia still don't trust my word, which hurts a little.
But it's understandable after our first experience with the cursed sword.
"...But its power of control isn't as strong as you think. When we found it, what happened was because I didn't know what was going on..." I say as I resume my descent down the stairs, now that the atmosphere finally seems to be calming down a bit.
As I go down the stairs, Arya follows me in complete silence, with her usual neutral expression.
"... All the time I was fighting that zombie dragon, the sword was surely gradually affecting my mind. That's why, when I defeated the dragon, it was so easy for the sword to confuse me until it finally took control of me."
"That theory is very convenient. Too convenient, I would say. How do we know it's not just a trick by the sword to make you let your guard down?" Irina asks, looking at me with a frown.
"Because yesterday I was using the sword for a short time while fighting alongside Melissa and Arya in the Altamira Labyrinth..." I say as I look back at the elf for support.
But the elf doesn't react in any way to my words.
' - So that's where Master was... well... At least Melissa is someone we know.'
"...and I had no trouble noticing the moment the sword started trying to confuse me. As soon as I noticed that, I put it away in my inventory. That's why I know I can control it."
"You're an idiot..." says Miria, speaking for the first time as she looks at me with disgust.
"... Who the hell do you think you are to use innocent people as test subjects?"
"Thank you, Miria," says Alessia, smiling as she looks at the young woman.
"I had already tested it before, in a different situation..." I say in my defense.
"... That's why I took the risk of using it alongside other people, and, as I said, I was very careful while using the sword. But enough about me. I've already told you what I did while I was away from home. What did you do during this time?"
"Nothing," says Miria, snorting in exasperation.
"The day before yesterday, Delia slept most of the day. Alessia was very depressed and worried for that reason, besides the fight you and she had in the no man's zone, so she didn't want to leave the house," Zia explains, smiling amusedly at Miria.
"We stayed here to comfort her, even after Delia woke up..." Irina says in her usual calm voice.
However, her gaze hardens as she continues speaking.
"... I understand why you got angry with her, because I would have too. But you're a bastard for disappearing like that right after a fight with your lover. Only cowards do that."
Irina's disapproving gaze somehow reminds me of the look my mother used to give me when she was training me as a child.
Under that gaze, a chill runs down my spine as I relive the most painful moments of my childhood, while I hear Miria mutter softly, "Men."
"Yes, I suppose you're right... In my defense, I can only say that it wasn't my intention to disappear for so long..." I say, sitting down at the table.
Arya stands behind me, saying nothing, probably hoping to annoy me into ordering her to sit down.
But right now, I couldn't care less about the elf's attitude.
"... My intention was just to be away for a few hours so that Alessia and I could calmly reflect on what had happened."
"Where were you, Master?" Alessia asks reproachfully.
"I went to see Gerald, the magic refiner. I figured he could help me understand how the cursed sword works," I say, smiling apologetically at my first girlfriend.
"You went to see that old pervert for help?" Miria asks incredulously, but before I can answer, Delia also asks a question.
"Was he able to help you?"
After her words, Delia glances with disgust at the sword I carry at my waist.
"More or less. But that's not what delayed my return," I say, after which I set out to explain what I did while we were apart.
...
When I finished my explanation, I gave Alessia and Delia the skill items I bought for them, plus the magic items I bought for the house.
I also gave them communication rings so that my girlfriends and I could have a permanent channel of communication, regardless of the distance between us.
The pile of gifts was exactly what my girlfriends needed to temporarily forget their concerns about my plan to keep Zariche.
Seeing Alessia and Delia receive so many things, the three annoying beauties also seemed to expect a gift from me.
According to them, I should have bought them a gift, since I met Old Gerald thanks to them.
But their hopes were dashed, so they began to criticize Gerald for inviting me and not them to the auction, since I am a man.
"Well, now that we're done with all that..." I say, after allowing them a few minutes to leisurely examine each of the gifts I gave them.
"... Alessia and Delia... I think the three of us have a long conversation ahead of us. Alone."