Oz was feeling uneasy, but she didn’t hesitate. To make La Bleure disappear, she needed to seal all seven Magic Swords. La Bleure was her task, and only by completing it could she reach a higher level.
‘But killing is a bit too much…’
Oz didn’t like to hurt or kill others. Her goal in becoming stronger was to live freely and prove her worth. Committing an evil deed would make her resolve and desires meaningless.
‘Sneaking in and out quietly is the best.’
Oz had used this method against the King of the Abyss. Although she was detected, she managed to seal the Earth Magic Sword and escape safely. The mysterious voice had lent her this ability, allowing her to cross an oval space to return to a predetermined location.
‘It’s a bit tricky.’
If the five Magic Swords were stored separately, she could quietly infiltrate and seal them. But if they were used by Magic Sword wielders, they would summon and dismiss them, making it inevitable to engage in combat. Even if she won, she might not be able to seal the Magic Swords.
‘I can’t just ask for the Magic Swords…’
Oz chuckled, recalling the feel of La Bleure. An immeasurable power flowed through her body, clearing her mind and eliminating trivial emotions. Holding a Magic Sword alone made one significantly stronger—who would willingly give up that power?
‘They said the three demon kings and the four great disasters were born because of the Magic Swords?’
More precisely, Magic Swords killed one enemy and created another. Magic Swords and enemies were interconnected, and unless the Magic Swords were sealed, the same cycle would repeat. True peace would only come by defeating enemies without relying on Magic Swords.
‘I’m not convinced, but…’
Oz suddenly stopped and looked up at a mansion. She had unknowingly walked in a different direction than where the Magic Swords were. The familiar scenery made her heart feel heavy.
‘They must be living well.’
Oz turned completely around and tried to sense the Magic Swords again. She had lived a life dictated by set rules and always followed the head of the house’s orders. She constantly watched her back and had never acted on her own will. She had feared being alone and suppressed her desires.
‘The head… father wanted to hand me over to the palace.’
Oz, born to a concubine, lost her mother at a young age. She was left alone, cared for by nannies and maids, with her father showing no affection. The legitimate wife and siblings hated her for being a concubine’s child, and the maids and servants followed their lead, ignoring her existence. Eventually, her father considered a political marriage with the royal family and finally took notice of her.
‘If that didn’t work out, he would’ve handed me over to a Marquis or Count family.’
Oz knew well what position she held. She was a mistake, a motherless concubine’s daughter, a fortunate bearer of the Duke’s blood, and a tool to be used for the family’s benefit. She always smiled outwardly but despised and found them disgusting inside. If the mysterious voice hadn’t helped her, she would still be trapped.
‘Habits are terrifying. My body is moving on its own.’
Oz laughed at herself, revealing cold eyes. She had rejected them in her heart, but her body still moved instinctively. Because of her foolishness, she had suffered and been used.
‘...I wonder if Hanette Adelaira is doing well.’
Oz had often thought of Hanette Adelaira. Like her, Hanette was a Duke’s daughter but more beautiful and outstanding. She was proactive and confident, making it impossible for anyone to openly criticize her. Before leaving, Hanette had been with her fiancé, so she must be married by now.
‘Should I visit her?’
**Duke Adelaira's Mansion, Garden.**
Zion and Hanette walked around the garden, admiring the scenery. Besides the mansion, the garden had been cultivated with various flowers and trees, providing a serene environment. Even without going out, one could spend a leisurely day, and maids or servants would bring anything needed. The vicinity of the mansion alone guaranteed most conveniences.
“…It’s quite spacious.”
“Isn’t it? Only a Duke’s house can have such a vast land.”
Walking beside Hanette, Zion surveyed the surroundings. The front gate seemed far away, with separate roads for carriages and pedestrians. Decorations were scattered around, and maids and servants moved in and out of the mansion. Guards patrolled the grounds, maintaining strict security.
“The Marquis Laird's mansion must be like this too.”
“Probably smaller. How can a Marquis’s house surpass a Duke’s?”
“Hmm… What about Duke Ternein's?”
“Being another Duke’s house, it should be similar. There might be some differences.”
“What about the royal palace?”
“There’s no comparison. What can be bigger than the royal palace?”
Hanette nodded thoughtfully. She had always focused on the downsides of Duke Adelaira’s house, never its merits. After experiencing the rough life in the borderlands, she deeply felt the difference.
“If I had run away, life would’ve been tough.”
“If you didn’t have any skills, yes. But you can use magic, right? You might have struggled for a few months but soon found your footing.”
“Living in the borderlands wasn’t easy. If I had run away alone, I wouldn’t have been able to eat properly.”
“You realized that before running away, right? Since you didn’t run away, let’s just keep it as our secret.”
Zion replied softly, turning his head. Hanette looked down, lost in thought. After their conversation, she seemed to have reconsidered her independence.
“Leaving together wouldn’t change anything?”
“Probably not. I don’t have much. Our knight order is just becoming famous. Without support, we might face some problems.”
“Lords wouldn’t treat us the same.”
“They wouldn’t mistreat us, but it would be inconvenient.”
“My family is impressive, isn’t it?”
“There are only two Duke titles. It’s naturally impressive.”
“There aren’t many Marquis titles either.”
“More than Duke titles.”
“Hmm… Is that why everyone wants to join our knight order?”
“It’s one reason. The Duke and Marquis names are attached to it.”
When Zion visited the palace, many people approached him. Most were interested in the Silenian Knights and expressed a desire to join. Zion told them he wasn’t accepting new members yet, but they still sent requests through different channels.
“Defeating the Shadow Dragon is the biggest reason, right?”
“Yes. It’s not something just anyone can do.”
“Does the fact that you and I are leading the knight order matter?”
“It’s quite important. The leadership changes the perception.”
“We have few members. Wouldn’t that seem inadequate?”
“Being few is good. It allows us to secure key positions. Holding important roles gives us leverage.”
“Why isn’t there any talk about the Silenian Knight Commander, who fought with us?”
“The White Apostle hides his identity. The Silenian Knights are mainly commoners, so nobles don’t see them favorably.”
“That’s unfair. Shouldn’t they be treated equally?”
Hanette replied curtly, frowning. Zion smiled, satisfied with her reaction.
“You’re right, but reality isn’t fair. They’re obsessed with status and reputation, so they look down on commoners. That’s why they want to join our knight order.”
“Because it’s made up of nobles?”
“Exactly.”
“Should we only accept commoners?”
“Well… It’s not a bad idea, but the heads of our families might oppose it.”
“Why accept such people? It’s better with just the two of us.”
“It would be difficult with just the two of us. We needed our family’s knights last time too.”
“So, you’re saying we should accept those people?”
Hanette stopped, waiting for an answer. Zion took a few more steps before turning back slowly.
“If we wanted to accept those people, we wouldn’t have formed the knight order. But we need comrades. Don’t you agree?”
“…Do you have someone in mind?”
“Well…”
Zion had a few candidates in mind. There weren’t many, but their skills were reliable. The plan was to operate with an elite few, using family knights and soldiers to fill gaps.
‘…Those three should be enough.’
Laina Frandique, Halfnon Frandique, and Oz Ternein. Laina Frandique, a cardinal and holy knight of the Kinesien Sacred Sect, was essential. Halfnon Frandique could be brought along with Laina, and Oz Ternein, wandering in the borderlands, could be encountered a few times.
‘Hanette should be able to communicate with them.’
Oz Ternein originally sought freedom, choosing to escape the mansion. This made her proactive, confident, and skilled, turning her into a monster hunter. Admiring Hanette, she could be persuaded to join them.
‘I hope there aren’t any unforeseen issues.’
**Marquis Laird's Mansion, Office.**
Freed pushed the files aside and pondered. He had already decided on an answer, but recent events made him hesitate. Much had changed, and unexpected situations had arisen.
‘If the political marriage is successful, I’ll need to reconsider.’
Marrying a direct royal family member meant lifelong dedication to the royal family. While it brought great benefits to the individual and the family, the head of the family couldn’t be carelessly handed over. The head must uphold the family’s name and honor, ensuring its legacy continues. But entangling with the royal family meant neglecting the family and, in severe cases, offering the entire family to the royal court.
‘I have to choose one… If I rely on reason, Zion is more suitable. Zion deserves to be the head.’