A Magic Sword user's qualifications are not quickly passed on if they die.
In the current timeline, the qualified successor may not even have been born yet, or if they are alive, there’s no telling when they will prove their worth.
It could take a few years to find them, but it might also take centuries for any sign of them to appear.
To make proper use of a Magic Sword at the right time, it's crucial to persuade the current wielder to use it correctly.
‘It would be good if they become allies...’
Even if they don't join as allies, simply using the Magic Sword correctly would be satisfactory.
Anyone genuinely wishing for peace and stability would cooperate in some way. However, anyone who threatens the world or sides with monstrous beasts must be eliminated.
‘How did they obtain that Magic Sword?’
One cannot simply create a Magic Sword by channeling mana. It requires aligning with the world's providence and the core essence of this world for a Magic Sword to come into existence.
Therefore, this new Magic Sword must have been created by twisting the world's essence, denying its natural order.
‘For any eventualities, I must find a way to destroy its immortality.’
Relying solely on Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira is not a sustainable strategy. Unforeseen situations could arise anytime, and they might not always be by his side.
Therefore, the goal is to gather all seven Magic Sword users and their swords in one place.
‘My thoughts could be wrong... or right.’
Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira have opened up new possibilities.
Because of them, Enrite could acknowledge that his judgment might be flawed while reaching a different conclusion.
He, too, was a Magic Sword user, with goals he aimed to achieve.
‘To become like them, I must change.’
He didn't particularly wish to become human. He merely sought to eradicate the traces of demons and dragons as a Magic Sword.
However, since Zion and Hanette accomplished what he could not, he felt compelled to follow their lead.
‘It’s not impossible. I also possess a human body...’
As both a Magic Sword and a human, he lived in this world. Although he struggled to understand human emotions, he felt he was gradually improving.
If this continued, he might soon achieve the desired results.
‘The light of El Tesoykve is brightening. Even I can become stronger...’
**Belgron Inn, 1st-floor dining hall.**
The Silenian Knights took positions around the inn, wary of their surroundings. Normally, they would gather to discuss the distribution of the treasure, but they couldn't sit idly after being ambushed.
Zion and Hanette intermittently tried to sense any disturbances in mana, while Enrite listened to the account of the recent battle.
“…They didn’t intend to kill you?”
“Yes, that’s how it seemed to me.”
“Still, there must have been a reason for attacking you.”
“Um… I think they were after my Magic Sword.”
Seran spoke cautiously, aware of the surroundings.
Enrite’s gaze sharpened, his brows furrowing.
Zion and Hanette remained silent, then slowly turned their attention.
“If they were after your Magic Sword, there must be a reason. Do you have any idea why?”
“I don’t know. They tried to take my Magic Sword without hurting me.”
Even Enrite couldn't understand the intention. Only those qualified could use a Magic Sword; others couldn't even grasp the hilt.
Enrite, being both a Magic Sword and a human, could wield the Wind Magic Sword while erasing its form.
“Ah, yes. The weapon the enemy used was peculiar. It seemed like a Magic Sword, but something was off about it.”
Zion and Hanette had sensed the same thing.
It felt like a Magic Sword but had a subtly distorted power. Since the Thunder Magic Sword was nearby, they realized a battle was underway and rushed to Seran.
‘What is this? There should only be seven Magic Swords...’
Zion was puzzled but accepted the existence of another Magic Sword without hesitation.
He already knew the original story and setting had deviated somewhat. If so, it wasn’t impossible for the number of Magic Swords to increase.
‘That’s right. It was a Magic Sword, but it didn’t feel like one.’
Zion had glimpsed its power when he deflected the enemy’s sword. Exceed Rain had reacted hostilely to the blade, sensing an odd, grotesque mana.
It was likely an imitation Magic Sword, imbued with special abilities.
‘There wouldn’t be just one of those.’
It could be a failed or prototype artificial Magic Sword.
But maintaining its form and being usable as a weapon meant it had practical utility. If these artificial Magic Swords were mass-produced and given to humans or monsters, they would face troublesome adversaries.
‘What should I do?’
There wasn't much he could do in the current situation. There was no existing lore or setting for artificial Magic Swords. However, the idea of mass-producing artificial Magic Swords was speculative, and qualifying to use them might be difficult.
‘I feel like I’ve seen this before...’
Though the face was masked, the eyes were unmistakable. They were a vivid green, conveying a sense of melancholy. While many could have green eyes, not just anyone had that particular aura.
‘If I think hard enough, I might remember...’
“Her face was covered, and she didn’t speak. I haven’t done anything to make someone hold a grudge against me... other than targeting my Magic Sword, I have no clue.”
“…She seemed to be a woman.”
Hanette’s comment drew the attention of the three.
There were no distinct features to deduce gender, so how could she be sure?
“What? How do you know that?”
“It’s just a feeling.”
“……”
“……?”
Seran fell silent, and Enrite harbored a slight doubt.
Only Zion chuckled, taking her seriously.
“I couldn’t tell if it was a woman.”
“I just got the sense. She was quite petite, wasn’t she?”
“That’s true.”
“And her movements were a bit delicate. You could sense it most when she used mana.”
“…Can you really tell?”
“It’s not a huge difference. I’d explain, but I can’t find the words.”
Though Zion couldn’t fully accept her reasoning, he didn’t doubt her.
Hanette had her grounds for saying so. It was either a man or a woman, so even guessing wouldn’t be far off.
‘A woman with green eyes...’
Zion pondered briefly before recalling a name.
He had encountered a noble with similar traits when visiting Duke Ternein’s estate. He clearly remembered arguing about that noble with Hanette.
‘Oz Ternein.’
Oz Ternein had already fled the estate, and her whereabouts were unknown.
She was supposed to become a beast hunter in the borderlands, but now there was no certainty. If the attacker was indeed Oz Ternein, what should they do?
‘Her sword was easily repelled.’
During the earlier battle, Zion had blocked the strike aimed at Hanette.
The sword lacked strength and was easily deflected. It seemed like a feigned attack, quickly withdrawing.
‘She didn’t intend to kill Seran...’
Her actions so far showed no intent to kill. She had ambushed Seran, targeting the Magic Sword for some reason.
‘She’s not just after the Thunder Magic Sword.’
All of them were Magic Sword users, making them potential targets.
To counter an ambush, all four needed to stick together.
‘But we can’t always stay together.’
If the enemy could sense Magic Sword auras, she would soon discover them gathering.
She might then bide her time and strike when they were exhausted.
Above all, they needed to capture her to learn her identity and how she obtained the artificial Magic Sword.
‘I need to find a way...’
“We should think this over more. For now, let’s settle the treasure distribution first.”
“That sounds good.”
Hanette was the first to respond, showing interest.
Chasing an enemy who targeted Magic Swords wasn’t feasible now. They had gathered for the treasure distribution and needed to conclude it quickly.
‘She won’t come back after Zion dealt with her.’
The enemy had fled through a white space after clashing with Zion.
He had seen her left arm cut, leaving bloodstains behind. If she didn’t want to die, she wouldn’t attempt to ambush them again.
‘I can handle it myself... it’s not difficult.’
There was no reason to hesitate out of fear. She was a mage and a knight who had slain a Shadow Dragon. No one could threaten or stop her.
‘If she appears again, I’ll kill her myself.’
**Duke Adelaira’s estate, Hanette’s room.**
Hanette examined the item sent by Enrite, then slowly placed it in a box.
After negotiating with the Silenian Knights, they had divided the treasure, sold it at auction, and made their first profit. They had secured considerable funds and considered how to use them.
This item was the result, and she had already decided who would receive it as a gift.
‘The mana is well-embedded.’
Hanette added wrapping paper to the box, adjusting it several times.
If she could have moved alone, she would have infused it with mana beforehand. However, they had concluded that they needed to stay together due to the threat of ambush, so she couldn’t slip away.
‘He’ll probably notice.’
Hanette finished wrapping and stood up.
Zion would likely recognize what was inside the box immediately. However, with her mana mixed in, he might be mistaken.
‘If he finds out, he finds out.’
Hanette took the box and headed to Zion’s room. She was curious about his reaction to the gift.
“What’s that?”
“A present for you.”
“A present? It’s not even my birthday.”
“That’s why I’m giving it. You’ve given me gifts before.”
“…Oh, that?”
Zion smiled and accepted the gift.
He could faintly sense Hanette’s mana from within. What did she want to give that required embedding her mana?
“Can I open it?”
“Don’t expect too much. It’s pretty ordinary.”
“Hmm...”
Zion unwrapped the package and opened the box. Inside was a familiar-looking necklace with a reddish aura emanating from its edges.
‘It’s a similar necklace, imbued with mana. So... does it have the power of a Magic Sword?’