Levi wiped the blood from his forehead.
The goblin's dagger remained tightly gripped in his hand.
"...Damn this golem."
"I knew this wasn't going to be a handout."
The stone giant lumbered towards him once more.
Each footstep shook the ancient temple.
Levi narrowed his eyes.
"...There has to be a core."
"Every construct has one."
His gaze darted across the golem's body.
Chest.
Arms.
Legs.
Nothing.
Then...
A faint crimson glint flashed within its head.
"There."
"I found you."
Levi dashed forward.
The golem swung its massive fist.
He slipped beneath it and leapt.
The dagger slashed across the giant's face.
The crimson glow flickered.
Levi grinned.
"Bye bye, golem-"
BAM!
A stone fist caught him mid-air.
He crashed into the temple floor and rolled several metres before stopping.
"...Motherfucker..."
He coughed.
"My whole body's already sore."
The dagger had barely chipped the golem.
Levi slowly stood.
'Right...'
'That dagger isn't going to do anything.'
His eyes shifted towards the crimson sword still lodged inside the golem's chest.
'Looks like I've got no choice.'
'If I want to kill it...'
'I need that sword.'
The golem charged.
Levi sprinted straight towards it.
At the last second...
He slid beneath its swing.
Leaping onto its arm...
He launched himself toward the sword.
Both hands wrapped around the hilt.
He pulled.
"...COME ON!"
The blade refused to move.
The golem reached for him.
Levi planted both feet against its chest.
"...BUDGE!"
"...YOU STUBBORN BASTARD!"
With a deafening metallic screech...
The sword finally came free.
Levi fell backwards, landing roughly upon the stone floor.
The crimson blade hummed.
It felt...
Alive.
Levi slowly stood.
A smile spread across his face.
He pointed the blade at the golem.
"...My turn."
The giant roared.
Levi disappeared.
One crimson slash.
The golem froze.
A crack spread across its head.
Then...
The glowing core shattered.
The enormous body crumbled into lifeless stone.
Silence returned to the ruins.
-
Several minutes later...
Levi rested against a pillar.
"...Now..."
"...How do I get out of this forest?"
He admired the crimson blade.
"...At least you look worth the effort."
A voice suddenly echoed beside him.
"Thank you."
Levi nearly dropped the sword.
"...HOLY SHIT!"
"...You talk?!"
The sword sounded almost offended.
"...Well..."
"Obviously."
"I've been abandoned inside that miserable ruin for centuries."
"I had plenty of time to grow an ego."
Levi blinked.
"...This is one hell of a sword."
"I have a name."
"...Dumbass."
Levi frowned.
"You haven't told me yet..."
"...Shithead."
The sword laughed.
"...Fair enough."
"My name is Azhir."
"Though long ago..."
"I was known as Emberfang of Pyrathera."
Levi admired the blade once more.
"...Cool."
Azhir cleared his throat.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I'm only allowing you to wield me because the Goddess ordered it."
"You wield me."
"You do not own me."
Levi waved dismissively.
"Yeah..."
"Yeah..."
He casually picked at his nose.
Azhir groaned.
'I already dislike him.'
"So."
"Where are we headed?"
Levi shrugged.
"...Honestly?"
"I'm trying to find the way out."
Silence.
'...This might be the dumbest wielder I've ever had.'
-
Nearly thirty minutes later...
Levi emerged into a clearing.
Several crude wooden huts stood before him.
Smoke rose into the air.
"...A village?"
One goblin noticed him.
Its eyes widened.
It immediately pointed toward Levi while shouting frantically.
Azhir spoke.
"...Does he know you?"
Levi looked closer.
"...Oh."
"I think that's the goblin I let escape earlier."
Azhir sighed.
"I vote we kill them."
"I've been asleep for centuries."
"I'd like a proper warm-up."
Levi shook his head.
"They haven't even attacked-"
The ground shook.
Dozens of armoured goblins burst from the village.
Weapons raised.
Charging straight at him.
Levi sighed.
"...Never mind."
Steel flashed.
The battle was swift.
Azhir carved effortlessly through crude weapons and armour alike.
Levi's movements flowed naturally.
Weeks of relentless training...
Combined with Azhir's supernatural sharpness...
Turned the battle into a massacre.
Minutes later...
Silence.
Only the wind remained.
Azhir laughed.
"...Now that felt good."
"I've missed this."
Levi stood motionless.
Bodies surrounded him.
Blood soaked the earth.
Several goblins had fallen protecting one another.
His grip on Azhir tightened.
"..."
"...What have I done?"
Azhir answered calmly.
"They're monsters."
"I know..."
Levi looked away.
"...But they're still living things."
Azhir snorted.
"...I don't give a fuuuuuck."
"Now."
"Let's loot the place."
Levi stared at the sword.
"...You're unbelievable."
-
A short while later...
Levi emerged from the village carrying a sack filled with gold coins and gemstones.
He looked down at it.
"...Why did I even take this?"
"I'm a prince."
Azhir fell silent.
"..."
"...You're a what?"
"A prince."
"..."
"...YOU'RE A PRINCE?!"
Levi smiled sheepishly.
"...I may have forgotten to mention that."
Azhir groaned.
"...The Goddess really paired me with an idiot."
Levi chuckled.
"...You'll get used to me."
Eventually...
The dense trees began to thin.
Sunlight poured through the branches.
Levi smiled.
"...Finally."
"The exit."
Without another word...
He quickened his pace and headed back towards the Ashbourne Empire.