King —
Organt Dia Arceus.

First Sword Saint —
Farlus Macba.

The two enjoyed a pleasant conversation for a while. A few minutes later, Farlus, with a slightly serious expression, spoke.

“How is it, Your Majesty? How is the progress?”

They seemed to share a close relationship.
Farlus showed no sign of fear in addressing Organt, the king.

“Hmm… No. I must admit, the situation remains difficult,” Organt answered, stroking his beard.
“It seems we must entrust this to the next generation. 《Reincarnation Magic》 is still beyond our capabilities.”

“I see… It can’t be helped,” Farlus sighed deeply.
“However, if we entrust this power to the wrong person, the world could face destruction. We must pass this power to someone both sincere and resilient.”

“Indeed… It would be good if such a person were to appear.”

Closing his eyes, Organt muttered into the empty space before him.

“—Is that acceptable, Goddess?”

At that moment—
My vision darkened.

“…Huh?”

Before I knew it, I had returned to my original location.

A warm breeze.
The peaceful sound of insects.
The familiar scenery of Rastal Village stretched before my eyes.

It seemed I was back. Back in my original world.

“What was that… just now?”

It didn’t feel like a mere dream.

Both Organt and Farlus looked exactly as they did in the portraits I had seen. No—
They were identical.

I couldn’t make sense of it.
What exactly had just happened?

――――――

[System Message]
Complete. Complete.
The will of the First Sword Saint, Farlus Macba, has been passed down.
Will you accept it?

――――――

“Sword Saint’s will…?”

I didn’t fully understand it.
But there was no reason to refuse.
With determination, I mentally voiced, “Accept.”

And then—

――――――

[System Message]
Confirming. Confirming.
You have acquired the First Form of the Engen Style.

――――――

In that instant, a faint shimmer enveloped me.
It was warm, yet nostalgic…

Ah… I see.
So this is it.
This is the origin of the Macba style—the most powerful swordsmanship.
The proud sword technique that the Macba family, renowned as Sword Saints, has preserved for generations…

“……”

As the light faded, I realized I had reached a new state of being.

I somehow understood what had just occurred within me.

“……”

Closing my eyes, I focused my awareness.

“Hah—!”

With a swift motion, I drew my sword from its sheath.

—BOOM!!
A massive tree, which had stood far away, was instantly cleaved in two.