The world of Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance, an anime from years past, its details faded in Altair's memory, much like Highschool of the Dead. Its light novel roots hadn't garnered much lasting popularity, so Altair hadn't followed it closely.

In this world, power rested in the hands of spirits. Five Spirit Kings, Fire, Water, Holy, Wind, and Earth, ruled the Elemental Spirit World, standing at its apex, embodying its very essence.

Humans lived in their own realm, able to wield spirit powers through contracts, but only pure maidens could form such bonds. Thus, this world's strength was held by young women, making it, in a sense, a matriarchal domain.

Yet, there was an exception: the protagonist, a man capable of contracting spirits, much like a certain mecha pilot who defied gender norms. Historically, another man had wielded such power, the legendary Demon King, intent on destroying the world.

This man, the protagonist, was indeed the Demon King, or rather, his reincarnation: the sixth Spirit King, the Dark Spirit King, reborn as a human male.

This world also held the holy sword Altair sought: Terminus Est, the Demon-Slaying Sword.

A supreme weapon capable of killing Spirit Kings, Terminus Est was a sword spirit of the highest rank, rivaling the Spirit Kings themselves, equivalent to this world's five chief gods. Thus, Est was a god-slaying blade, designed to vanquish the Dark Spirit King.

Thousands of years ago, the Dark Spirit King rebelled against the five Spirit Kings, leading dissident spirits in a war but was defeated. In his final act, he reincarnated as a human male, becoming the Demon King. He contracted numerous spirits to challenge the Spirit Kings, who countered by creating their own weapon: Est, wielded by a chosen maiden, the Saint.

The Saint was a tool, meant to channel Est's power to slay the Demon King. Uponосудар

Upon killing the Demon King, the Saint would die from the amassed curses, petrifying into shattered stone. This was the Spirit Kings' failsafe: Est, called a holy sword, was a demonic one. Its ability to negate curses didn't dispel them but absorbed them, transferring them to the wielder. When the curses overwhelmed, the Saint would perish.

The Spirit Kings, true overlords, controlled a powerful weapon and a disposable pawn, ensuring the Demon King's defeat without risking a wielder growing too powerful to control.

Est was formidable, exactly what Altair desired. She could transform into a silver-haired, expressionless beauty who was fiercely loyal. Perfectly matching his vision.

As for the curse and petrification? Altair wasn't concerned. His longevity was uncertain, but his high magic resistance made curses irrelevant. Even if they affected him, his first skill, Tom Cat's Body, ensured recovery from any state, even ash. He'd never tested it to that extreme, but petrification posed no threat.

Most crucially, Est was his "former wife." Though he'd neglected her over the years, this was his chance to make amends.

The opportunity was here, and he couldn't let it slip away.

With the protagonist, Kamito Kazehaya, the Dark Spirit King's reincarnation, right before him, Altair had to act fast to reunite with his beloved Est. Let her strike or scold him, he'd endure it, for his heart still cherished her.

His resolve firm, Altair declared, "My actions are clear as a mirror, my deeds just!"

"Kid, you handle your business. I've got somewhere to be." Ignoring Kamito and his future harem's antics, Altair crouched, then launched off the tree like a cannonball, speeding toward the compass's direction. The gust scattered the pond's water, causing Kamito to stumble onto the girl again, triggering another predictable harem outburst.

While Kamito dealt with his fiery companion, Altair reached the dilapidated church sealing Est. It resembled a ruin, but the entrance's barrier hinted at something valuable within.

"This is too easy." Altair muttered. "A seal this weak? It's practically begging the protagonist to take the sword."

With a swipe, he dismantled the barrier and entered.

The church was a vast, windowless basement, illuminated only by a skylight casting light onto an altar where a sword was embedded. The blade looked worn, colorless, almost like a stone sword.

Inspecting it, Altair nodded approvingly. "You could totally pass as Excalibur's stone-bound twin."

But this was a decoy, a mere stone sword. The true Est lay sealed beneath. The stone blade was a ruse.

Gripping the hilt, Altair tugged, but it resisted. "Even the fake sword's got some power holding it in place, huh? All for show."

Channeling magical energy, he loosened the sword, pulled it free, and tossed it aside. It shattered like cheap glass. The altar exploded as the decoy broke.

"Here comes the real deal." Altair said.

A radiant longsword floated in the air, its golden guard and hilt adorned with blue accents, its meter-long silver blade embedded with an oval green gem. A luxurious two-handed sword.

The awakened sword spirit, still groggy, reacted instinctively, attacking her awakener. The blade dove toward Altair.

Smiling, he sidestepped at the last moment, grabbing the hilt with his right hand. The sword halted but struggled, trying to fly upward. Altair stood firm, unyielding.

The enraged sword spirit unleashed visible energy waves, but Altair held tight. Spirit contracts required either a divine dance to please the spirit or overwhelming strength to force compliance, both needing a contract incantation.

Altair, embarrassed, admitted, "It's been years since I watched this. I forgot the incantation. Est, can we just contract like this?"

No chance. Est's frantic struggling screamed defiance.

Sighing, Altair poured magical energy into the blade. When that wasn't enough, he tapped his cursed energy, linked to the world's ley lines for limitless power.

A torrent of cursed energy flooded Est's blade, making it glow blindingly. Altair half-expected to shout "EX Curry Stick" And unleash a beam. Unable to wield or resist the overwhelming power, Est redirected it into Altair, easing her burden.

Their energies intertwined, but Est hadn't anticipated Altair's endless reserves. Each transfer was refilled instantly, pushing her to her limits again.

The blade trembled and glowed, unable to break free. After a futile struggle, Est relented. The harsh light softened, and Altair sensed a bond forming.

Ceasing his energy output, he watched the blade's glow fade to its silver sheen. It vibrated briefly in his hand before dissolving into light.

On his right hand's back, a faint blue pattern appeared: two crossed swords in a magic circle, Est's contract seal.

"Looks like the contract's sealed." Altair said, details fuzzy but certain of success.

Imagining waking to a silver-haired little girl in black stockings, drowsily greeting him, Altair's excitement surged. He raised his right hand, displaying the seal, and grinned. "Est, get~daze!!!"

***

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