It was the last choice and a humble consideration.
Oz couldn’t interfere with their relationship, future, or hope. Especially Hanette Adelaira, who was like a mirror reflecting her own ideals, was someone she didn’t want to tarnish.
‘Should I give up?’
Oz could abandon La Blaire and find another way to grow stronger. However, she didn’t fully understand that method and couldn’t guarantee good results. Moreover, she had achieved success by following the mysterious voice, so she couldn’t completely dismiss that possibility.
‘I don’t know...’
Why did they possess Magic Swords? Why were they entangled with her fate? It felt like she was becoming a villain, trying to crush them.
‘I’m not wrong, but... neither are those two.’
Oz wanted to grow stronger and live freely, while they sought glory as knights. Both paths were valid and had clear reasons, and she needed to accept that. With conflicting wills, Oz couldn’t make an easy decision.
‘When the time comes, I’ll find the answer. Until then, I’ll seal other Magic Swords first.’
**Alain Kingdom’s capital, Belgron Inn.**
The entire Silenian Knights were staying at this inn. Without a fixed residence, they had to camp or rent buildings to sleep. Having wandered the borderlands for a long time, they were now enjoying a break here, thanks to the achievements of Seran and Enrite.
‘It’s time to divide the treasure...’
Seran stepped out of the inn and started walking down the street alone. Soon, they would receive the treasure back from the palace and would need to discuss the distribution.
The Silenian Knights had planned to meet with the Silenian Knights here, and Enrite had mentioned he would find time for it.
‘I didn’t do much.’
Seran had participated in the battle against the Shadow Dragon but knew she hadn’t been much help. She had only blocked shadow magic and hadn’t even attempted to attack the Shadow Dragon. In truth, it was the Silenian Knights and the White Apostle who had defeated the Shadow Dragon.
‘We won’t get half of it.’
The Silenian Knights hadn’t contributed as much to the battle compared to the Silenian Knights. Thanks to Enrite’s efforts, they would get a portion of the treasure. They likely wouldn’t demand half but might get one out of three or four parts.
‘That should still be a lot of money.’
Enrite had promised to use his share entirely for the Silenian Knights. Even his portion would secure a considerable amount of funds.
‘Would they have managed without us?’
Even if she was disregarded, Enrite’s absence would have been a disadvantage. But the Silenian Knights wouldn’t have been overwhelmed without them. Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira were exceptionally strong.
‘Where did the difference come from?’
Enrite, as a Setinos Quasar, might be stronger, but Hanette Adelaira was beyond comprehension. Although she wielded a Magic Sword like Seran, she seemed to have reached a higher level. Moreover, she hadn’t even used her Magic Sword during the battle against the Shadow Dragon, leaving Seran puzzled and conflicted.
‘Both he and the vice-captain...’
Zion Laird used a unique sword, and Enrite had suddenly disappeared, creating a form of sword and armor. Although these might be Magic Swords, they didn’t possess any detectable aura. What secrets did these two hold?
‘I’m so weak.’
Since obtaining the Thunder Magic Sword, Seran had considered herself strong. It wasn’t a weapon just anyone could wield, and many had acknowledged her prowess. But before the Silenian Knights, even that seemed insignificant.
‘When will I ever...’
Suddenly, Seran instinctively summoned Neiling, stepping back quickly. At the same time, a blade struck, clashing with Neiling.
Seran felt an immediate aversion, pushing the blade away.
‘It’s similar to a Magic Sword but slightly different.’
Gripping the hilt, Seran glared at her attacker. The assailant’s face was masked, and they made no sound. The sword they wielded emanated a familiar yet grotesque aura.
“What’s the meaning of this...”
Before Seran could finish her sentence, the attacker closed in again. Seran deflected the sword, but it subtly changed direction. However, they didn’t exploit any opening, repeatedly clashing with Neiling instead.
‘They could have attacked me...’
Enduring the assault, Seran studied the attacker’s eyes. They glowed a soft green, devoid of hostility. Considering the earlier attacks, perhaps the assailant had another motive.
‘Are they after Neiling?’
To test her theory, Seran deliberately changed her stance, creating an opening. The attacker, without hesitation, swung their sword at Neiling.
‘They know about Magic Swords.’
Blocking every strike, Seran slowly retreated. If the attacker intended to kill her, they would have pressed harder, leaving injuries. Instead, they followed her movements, focusing solely on Neiling.
“Stop. What do you want?”
“...”
The attacker didn’t respond to Seran’s question. Even if they explained, she wouldn’t understand, and even if she did, she’d question the motive. So, they trusted their judgment, aiming to resolve this alone.
“That’s not a Magic Sword you’re holding! What are you trying to do with it?”
Seran imbued Neiling’s blade with electricity, scattering it widely. The attacker quickly evaded, neutralizing the electric currents.
‘...I can’t seal the Magic Sword like this.’
Oz watched Seran’s Neiling, focusing her mana. When a Magic Sword was in use, it was surrounded by mana, preventing it from being sealed. Moreover, being in the capital, continued combat would attract the city guard or militia. She had to either change her approach and seal it now or escape and find another opportunity later.
‘I didn’t want to do this.’
Resolving herself, Oz charged at Seran. As her head cooled, her desire to grow stronger surged. Despite vowing not to harm anyone, she found herself pouring out mana.
If she accidentally killed someone, what would happen to her?
‘Am I becoming a villain...’
Just as Oz lunged at Seran, flames erupted in front of her. The fire spread, encircling her. Realizing the presence of another Magic Sword, Oz let out a bitter laugh.
“Ah... that was quick.”
Infusing La Blaire with mana, Oz swung it powerfully. A white arc sliced through the flames, extinguishing them instantly.
‘Hanette Adelaira, Zion Laird...’
One Magic Sword wielder had suddenly become three. She had planned to seal their Magic Swords last, yet they met so quickly.
‘She’s grown even more beautiful.’
Turning her gaze slowly, Oz scrutinized Hanette. Her hair was slightly shorter, but her appearance was more radiant and graceful. As expected, Hanette’s future seemed ever brighter.
‘He’s treating her well.’
Locking eyes with Zion, Oz slowly raised La Blaire. She could almost see herself and Hanette overlapping. If she had been engaged to Zion Laird, could she have been this happy?
‘...How foolish of me.’
Oz lightly stepped forward, then vanished from sight. Though she and Hanette had many similarities, they could never be identical. Thus, Zion Laird couldn’t treat her like Hanette.
“Sister!”
Zion stepped in front of Hanette, slashing Exceed Rain. A white blade, brimming with energy, shot out, revealing Oz.
‘Now is the time to retreat.’
Oz quickly distanced herself, creating a white space. Though she had feigned attacks to gauge their strength, Zion had immediately seen through her and repelled La Blaire. They were very strong, and if they attacked together, she would undoubtedly lose.
‘I might not be able to seal it...’
Oz took a step back, gathering mana rapidly. In an instant, a violet blade of energy struck, and she attempted to block it with La Blaire. But the unexpected attack was too powerful to fully negate.
“Gah...”
Barely managing to step back, Oz entered the white space. It was a secluded place, her personal refuge. The energy was isolated, and they couldn’t follow.
“I shouldn’t have done this...”
Sinking to the ground, Oz let her left arm hang. Blood trickled down her left arm. Enduring the pain, she tore a piece of cloth.
“Huff... ngh...”
Binding her left arm with the cloth, Oz clenched her right hand, pulling the cloth tight with her teeth.
“Mm! Ngh...”
Finishing the makeshift bandage, Oz leaned against the wall. La Blaire’s power would eventually heal her, but she had to endure the pain and remain still for now.
“Ah... I can’t seal it... They’re too terrifying...”
Oz laughed bitterly, then grimaced. She had attacked an engaged couple, and the retaliation had been swift and fierce. Next time, they would likely try to kill her.
“How can I beat them? Ah, I can’t do it. I won’t.”
**On the way to the inn in Belgron, Alain Kingdom’s capital.**
Sensing the clash of Magic Swords, Enrite hurried over. The Dark Magic Sword, the Fire Magic Sword, the Thunder Magic Sword, and something that felt like a Magic Sword but was different.
A new Magic Sword had been discovered beyond the seven known ones.
‘It’s not a Magic Sword. So why does it carry a Magic Sword’s aura?’
This was an unprecedented phenomenon for Enrite. If it existed as a Magic Sword, it meant someone had created it artificially. Who could surpass the world's natural order and create a Magic Sword?
‘The Wind Magic Sword moved. So...’
The Wind Magic Sword, Timere, had resonated for the first time. Enrite immediately noticed this and realized it was connected to the Magic Sword clash. Perhaps it had reacted to another Magic Sword bearer.
‘They mustn’t be killed. They might be a qualified human.’