Chapter 35: A Divine Weapon's Purpose (I).
Celestia slowly released her hold on me, and only then did my heartbeat begin to settle. I really was not good at handling pushy, straightforward women. The silver-haired girl lowered her head, the glow around her body dimming faintly as if her resolve had softened with her voice.
"Master… Please form a contract with me." Her voice softened. "Allow me to live as your Divine Weapon."
The treasure chamber fell silent except for Cerberus' distant snoring.
Celestia placed a hand over her chest as if trying to recall memories long buried.
"Blessed by the gods… and sealed within this place…" Her brows drew together. "I remember very little. Only that my mother told me it would be safest for me to remain here until the war in the heavens had ended. But they never returned."
A shadow of sadness crossed her golden eyes. "I only know that Mother left me here long ago. Cerberus was tasked to guard this dungeon until a rightful wielder appeared."
"You're really a [Divine Weapon]?" I whispered.
I had only heard of them in stories. Legendary armaments wielded by heroes. Weapons said to possess divine blessings capable of altering the course of kingdoms themselves.
But none of the books ever mentioned them speaking. Or transforming into beautiful girls who invaded personal space without warning.
"Master, please sign a contract with me."
"I, um…"
"If you refuse…" (Celestia) lowered her gaze. "Then I shall remain in this dungeon until eternity claims me."
Her voice remained calm, yet the desperation hidden beneath it was impossible to ignore. "If you form a contract with me, I will belong to your side. I shall remain loyal. I shall become useful."
Her golden eyes lifted toward me again. They were pleading. Not commanding.
Not forcing.
Pleading.
"That's…" I hesitated awkwardly, shifting my feet. "That's a pretty huge commitment. I mean, can't you see I'm just a normal human girl? How long have you even been trapped here anyway?"
Celestia answered in a quiet voice.
"Five hundred years."
"Guhk-!" I nearly choked on air.
Five hundred years?!
That number hit me like a hammer. If she's been here for five hundred years, that's a long time. Yet, her humanoid figure is that of a child that's the same age as me. Could it be that the moment I touched the dagger, it would match the strength or the age that I am now?
"W-Well… I'm sorry to hear that."
"I do not wish to remain here until my blade dulls with time." She turned her head toward the pillow resting atop the pedestal. "A weapon is meant to be wielded. That is my purpose. I no longer wish to stay in this place."
Her fingers curled faintly against her chest.
"Master… please."
The sincerity in her voice hurt more than any dramatic speech could.
Even Cerberus, despite being a terrifying dungeon guardian, had spent centuries trapped underground.
Alone.
Waiting.
I exhaled slowly and rubbed the back of my neck.
"I mean…" I said carefully, "wouldn't Cerberus get angry if I took you? He's guarding this place and all."
"Cerberus will not be angry, if you take me with you then I am sure that he will be happy instead. I… see you as my master." (Celestia) glanced toward the giant beast sleeping soundly atop a mountain of treasure. "He appears to have taken a liking to you."
The Cerberus wagged its tail in its sleep.
I-Is it just faking its sleep?
"All treasures within this dungeon now belong to you," (Celestia) said calmly, sweeping one hand toward the mountains of gold, jewels, and relics scattered across the chamber. "Including me."
"..."
Honestly, I had no idea what else to say.
"Oh… um. Good?"
I had been dragged into this dungeon, fought a Minotaur, eaten dungeon meat, nearly collapsed from exhaustion, and somehow now I was being handed a mythical girl who was apparently also a Divine Weapon.
That felt like too much for one day.
I let out a weak sigh and finally gave in. Do I really have a choice? I feel like if I refuse her request to become her master, Cerberus will not let me leave this place alive.
"Fine. I'll form a contract with you if it means you won't be trapped here anymore." I gave her an awkward smile, with a deal like this it might do me some good to set her free afterwards. It feels wrong of me to own a weapon… that speaks and could look human. "After that, you're free to do whatever you want-"
"Good."
"Mmn-?!"
My brain stopped working entirely.
Before I could react, Celestia suddenly stepped forward and pressed her lips against mine.
My eyes widened. My whole body went rigid.
Then warmth surged through me all at once, racing through my limbs like a sudden current. Silver light exploded around us, and glowing symbols spiraled into the air in elegant rings, twisting and binding together like ancient chains made of mana.
The chamber brightened with that brilliant radiance for one breathless moment.
Then the light vanished.
Celestia slowly pulled away and I...
"The contract is complete."
I could feel the tip of my ears blushing like crazy.
"Y-You kissed me?!" I couldn't help but yell out loud that I fear the whole dungeon floors could hear my voice.
Celestia stares at me casually as if something like a first kiss doesn't bother her. She tilts her head, looking confused as to why I would react badly. "You stated your agreement. You have agreed to become my master, I am now bound to you."
"B-But you kissed me on the lips!" My face burned so violently I thought I might burst into flames on the spot. "I-I was literally about to say you're free to do whatever you want afterward!"
"Master Francisca," Celestia said softly, completely ignoring my panic, "My apologies but it is the only way to form a contract. For us, this gesture only means bonding with one another. It is an honor to become your [Divine Weapon]."
She placed a hand over her chest with graceful solemnity.
"I am the true treasure of this dungeon."
I was still reeling from the kiss.
I was still trying to force my brain back into working order.
And then Celestia added, almost casually, "You have also tamed Cerberus. Though unintentionally, it has formed its own contract with you."
"What?!"
Since when did the guardian dog join in the fray?! I don't remember kissing that hound! Not unless-! When it licked me on the face, that was a form of contract?! Ew!
Celestia looked toward the sleeping guardian, and there was a faint softness in her expression.
"We shall both remain in your care now."
THUMP-!
"...!"
My legs suddenly felt hollow, as if the strength had been ripped clean out of them. A sharp pang shot through my body, followed by a wave of dizziness that made the chamber tilt around me. I clenched my teeth and forced myself to stay upright, but my knees trembled violently beneath me, threatening to give out with every unsteady breath.
"…I can't feel my legs anymore."
The exhaustion hit me all at once.
Celestia moved instantly.
She caught me before I could collapse to the floor.
"My apologies," she whispered. "Forming a Divine Contract consumes mana. I should have realized the burden sooner."
Her golden eyes softened. "You are, after all… human."
"I-I…" My voice came out weak and unsteady. "I want to go home…"
"As promised," (Celestia) said gently, still supporting my weight, "I shall serve you until your final breath, Master Francisca."
I couldn't help myself but finally closed my eyes. I'm… too tired for this shit.
…
===
3rd person's POV
===
The [Divine Weapon] she turned toward the massive guardian beast.
"Cerberus. Take us to the surface." One of Cerberus' three heads lifted at once. "It is time for me to leave this place."
"Groaf! Awooooo-!" The dungeon trembled violently. From far behind the treasure chamber, ancient stone groaned and shifted. With a deep rumble that rolled through the floor, a set of old stone stairs began to emerge from the wall, as though the dungeon itself had answered the command.
Celestia blinked in surprise.
"…I did not know that you could do that. Well done, Cerberus."
Cerberus barked proudly, he sniffs the unconscious girl and whimpers. He was happy to have finally found a decent human that could feed him and the weapon's new wielder.
"You think the same, don't you? She… will be a wonderful master to serve." (Celestia) caresses the hair on Francisca before looking at the stairs. "My friend, can you accompany us for now on the surface? I fear that with my current state I cannot protect her alone."
"Woof!"
"Groaf!"
"Aowoo!"
Cerberus lowered himself onto all fours. Carefully, Celestia lifted Francisca's small body and placed her upon the guardian beast's broad back, holding her steady until she no longer swayed.
"Ngh… whew." The Divine Weapon looked down at the sleeping human in her arms, her voice soft and thoughtful.
"I was hoping… that her heart would beat like a drum." She paused, then frowned faintly. "But I do not know how a drum beats."
Her gaze lingered on Francisca's face.
"Our new master is a beautiful human." Celestia's golden eyes softened, looking at her new master's face. "I could feel her heart pounding so loudly when I kissed her."
Cerberus rolled his eyes, entirely uninterested in their conversation.
Celestia tilted her head and looked at him.
"Do you think she loves me now?"
"Arf."
She stared at the guardian for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. The guardian knew what he was doing and the divine weapon agreed. He was indeeded a wise one.
"…I suppose you are right." With Francisca safely resting on Cerberus' back, the two of them turned toward the stairs and began their ascent to the surface.