Odyssey of the Renegade Sovereign
Chapter 29: ENDER (2)

Chapter 29: ENDER (2)

"....Who?"

"..."

ENDER stared at him.

Her eyes twitched.

The sword spirit slowly uncrossed her legs, each motion elegant and measured, like a queen stepping off her throne. Her bare feet touched the wooden floor without a sound.

"Seriously?" she said charmingly.

"Just now I said I am ENDER," She repeated.

Astrael rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Yeah, uh... sorry. I think I missed that last part after ’progenitor of the sword’. I kinda spaced out when you started listing all the divine titles and whatnot."

Her eye twitched again.

ENDER gave him a look. Not anger nor disappointment.

"You are the first mortal to reply to me in this manner, you know," she muttered, folding her arms tightly beneath her chest. "Do you know what the last person did when they heard my name?"

"Passed out?"

"Knelt and cried. Then tried to build a church."

Astrael blinked.

She turned away, muttering to herself.

"Three epochs. I slept for three damned epochs and the universe gives me a brat."

"Hey! I’m processing. Give a guy a break. I literally just got back from a death dimension and met a talking sword woman in a mini dress."

"This is battle regalia, you peasant. Forged from divine soulweave at the forge of Eternity. It holds the souls of three Archlords and can block a conceptual singularity."

"Still looks like something from a fashion ad," Astrael mumbled under his breath.

Her glare intensified. The room temperature dropped two degrees.

"You are lucky you are cute when you are dumb," she hissed.

"I—what?"

"Nothing." She looked away.

Astrael stared at the woman in front of him, looking at her with confusion. Externally, he remained still, his face showing only mild bewilderment.

But inside? His thoughts were in chaos.

The sword he had purchased from the blacksmith was far from ordinary. He had sensed during the appraisal that it was sealed, suggesting it was exceptional, but certainly not to this astonishing extent.

He took a slow breath, narrowed his eyes, and muttered in his mind:

’Appraise’

[ENDER (Sealed)]

[Progenitor Sword (Soul)]

[Grade: C]

[Attack Power: 1000]

[Durability: ????]

[Characteristics-]

[1) Soul-Bonded: It is currently bonded to Astrael Ravenastra’s soul. Other than him, no one but those who have received approval from ENDER may wield it.]

[2) Adaptive Form: Using mana, the user can change the form of ENDER to any type of sword desired as long as the user has a clear idea of its composition and features.]

[3) Dimensional Recall: Can be summoned to the wielder’s hand at will.]

[4) Indestructible: Cannot be broken or destroyed by any known means. Bound beyond physical dimensional law.]

[5) Exclusive Resonance:Once bonded, the wielder cannot use any other weapon. ENDER rejects all rivals and demands complete exclusivity.

[Attached skill-]

[1) Sword Will: An embodiment of the wielder’s intent, Sword Will sharpens both blade and mind. When activated, each strike carries a portion of the user’s spirit, allowing attacks to cut through not just flesh, but energy, magic, and even intent. The stronger the will, the sharper the blade.

[2) Emperor’s Authority: [Locked]

[???????????]

[Description: A Soul Artifact that was born as a miracle from the primal origin of the cosmos during the primordial era, containing the concept of END (Returning to Ruins) Law, a higher-dimensional sword capable of slaying anything the wielder can imagine, seen or unseen. Currently in a dormant state.]

"Nani?!" Astrael exclaimed in disbelief. He stumbled back a step, eyes nearly popping from his skull as he stared at the glowing appraisal window still hovering in front of him.

"This... This is sealed?" he muttered, voice rising with disbelief. "And it’s already like this? What kind of broken-ass, plot-armoured weapon are you?"

He glanced back at the woman still lounging with her arms folded beneath her perfect chest, her long legs crossed one over the other with languid grace.

"Hehe~ what are you staring at?" She purred, tilting her head to the side.

The shift in her tone, from ancient and divine to playful and downright teasing, sent a small jolt through Astrael’s spine.

"Nothing," Astrael blushed.

He jerked his gaze away instinctively, a light blush creeping up his face.

"N-Nothing."

She giggled. A slow, melodic sound that somehow managed to be both elegant and wicked. "Don’t worry," she said, slowly dragging her fingers down her own thigh, "I don’t mind being admired."

Astrael cleared his throat and tried to focus. Again, he focused on the sword appraisal, but it wasn’t working.

[ERROR]

She smirked again.

"So... is that one of your weird abilities?" she asked, nodding toward him with a knowing look. "You can analyse anything?"

He blinked.

"How did you know that?"

Her violet eyes sparkled with mirth.

"Hehe~ I have lived more than you can imagine, and seen the myriad of things in the world. I’ve seen the rise and fall of civilisations before your world had language. Watching you fumble around was like watching a baby deer try to walk for the first time."

Astrael frowned. "I wasn’t that clumsy—"

"You tripped over your own thoughts."

"It was a lot to take in!" he protested.

She shrugged one bare shoulder.

"I’ve been watching you since the moment you touched me. Your aura’s a mess, by the way. But..."

Her eyes narrowed. Then softened.

"...I like you."

Astrael blinked.

"You... like me?"

Her lips curled upward again. "You’re a mortal. A lower existence by every standard. But despite that... you didn’t crumble when you crossed into the void. You didn’t die when you touched a blade that should’ve erased your soul."

She leaned in slightly, her eyes glowing like nebulae.

"You intrigued me. That doesn’t happen often."

Astrael swallowed. The air in the room suddenly bent around her presence like gravity itself was paying attention.

"...Thanks?" he offered, voice uncertain.

She chuckled.

"Don’t misunderstand. To save your sorry ass in the void I had to bound to your soul, and I still think you’re an idiot."

"...Fair."

"But..." her voice now more seductively as if a demon was whispering, "you are my idiot now."