"...In the end, I killed Nero."
Borrowing the communication device stripped from Nero, Kuck was now connecting with Maple Club.
On the other end, silence hung, listening to Kuck's report. After a long while, a voice finally came: "The tyrant has always been hard to control, but for such a long time, only Nero could wield the Yama Sword. Still, it's her own fault—having pushed you too far, she should bear the consequences... As long as the Yama Sword has been recovered, that's enough. Kuck, since the task in the east failed, come back at once."
"I understand," Kuck replied quietly.
On the table lay his Precious Spear, and also the rusted Yama Sword. After turning off the communicator, Kuck set it down with the others.
He fetched a basin of warm water, and waited for the towel to soak, then wrung it out a little.
