“Come, Signaltin.”
“Call sign confirmed, coordinate axis fixed. Commencing transfer of Signaltin.”
“Wha―?”
Before Ruth could even be surprised by the name of the sword Koutarou had whispered, the transfer had commenced.
Just in front of Koutarou's extended right hand, a black hole about ten centimeters in diameter appeared. From that hole, a sword still in its sheath appeared. The sword had a complex design that made use of many curves. The white and silver colors blended together and it looked as graceful as a work of art. Without hesitation, Koutarou stuck his hand into the black hole, grabbed a hold of the sword’s handle and pulled it out.
The moment Koutarou grabbed a hold of the handle, the sword began releasing a pure-white glow. The sword covered everything around it in light. It was almost as bright as the sun.
“What is this sword!? Alaia's crest is engraved on the handle!! And the royal family's crest is engraved on the sheath!!”
The most and second most famous crests were engraved into the sword. Those were the royal family's crest using the goddess of dawn as its motif and Alaia's personal crest using silvery white snow as its motif.
Despite the powerful white glow, the crests shone beautifully as if making their presence known.
“Your excellency, Blue Knight, this ship, the Cradle, will pray for your fortune and glory in place of the nation of Forthorthe.”
“...Thank you.”
Koutarou was stood in the center of the light, holding the sword in both hands. In his right hand was the handle, and in his left the sheath. Koutarou turned back to Ruth and spoke out to her.
“Ruth-san.”
“Signal...tin? And your excellency, Blue Knight...?”
Ruth was unable to respond to Koutarou as she was just so surprised by this development.
It's a replica... no, it's too well made for that... and this light... and why did the Cradle call Satomi-sama, Blue Knight... A code name? No, this is...
Without waiting for Ruth's reply, Koutarou smiled and continued speaking.
“I... will protect everyone's future with my life, and these two swords.”
And it wasn't just Ruth and Theia. Koutarou wanted to protect everyone who suffered in his presence. He couldn't protect everyone in the world, for he was no god, but he at least wanted to make those who had made him smile, smile in return.
That was Koutarou's oath, and his wish.
Koutarou had returned from the past Forthorthe to fulfill that oath.
“So let's go, Ruth-san. Theia is waiting.”
“U...Uhm...”
Koutarou pulled Signaltin from its sheath as Ruth struggled to come up with something to say.
Its silvery white blade seemingly responded to Koutarou's feelings as it shot out its white light.