Enrite observed the two quietly before stepping forward.
Oz, enveloped in silence, watched Enrite approach.
"Do you understand what you've done to us?"
"...Yes, I do."
"Even if you had reasons, your actions were not justified. Do you accept that?"
"I... I do."
"I could punish you right here, but I won't. Instead, you'll have to comply with our demands. Can you do that?"
Oz hesitated briefly, then nodded. He didn't know what they would ask, but it didn't seem like they intended to kill him. Besides, with the involvement of Duke's daughter, Marquis's son, and a Setinos Quasar, he felt somewhat reassured.
'It's complicated, but perhaps this is also fate.'
Although the opponent had ambushed them with an artificial Magic Sword, it turned out that he was indeed qualified. Despite the chaotic beginning, his goal seemed to be materializing in some form.
Perhaps those present, gathered around the Magic Swords, were bound together by a single destiny.
'El Tesoykve awakened because of me. That means...'
When his consciousness fully became human, El Tesoykve transformed into the Moonlight Magic Sword. This was the catalyst for El Tesoykve's awakening and suggested other possibilities. If the other Magic Swords went through a similar process, they could awaken and become even more powerful.
'Other Magic Swords might avoid this, but Exceed Rain won't.'
Enrite watched Exceed Rain with certainty. Exceed Rain was a primordial Magic Sword and his sibling. As a primordial Magic Sword, it too would inevitably awaken.
'It will be a different process from mine...'
Enrite quickly realized what that process would be. The human had wielded El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain simultaneously but had not subdued Exceed Rain's will. However, Zion Laird had earned Exceed Rain's recognition and even achieved resonance with other Magic Swords.
'Zion Laird will awaken Exceed Rain.'
Zion Laird was Exceed Rain's true master, meaning he could fully harness its power. However, even if the awakening existed, it wouldn't be achieved easily.
'Who knows when that will happen...'
Enrite looked to the future with a faint sense of anticipation. There were many potential outcomes beyond his expectations, but not all would bring hope and peace.
'He said there are two left.'
Among the three artificial Magic Swords, one had been destroyed. The mysterious voice might attempt to retrieve the remaining ones to pose another threat.
The mysterious voice likely had its own goals for wanting to seal the seven Magic Swords.
'...Could it be trying to revive the Demon God?'
If the mysterious voice left traces of the Three Great Kings, the Demon God might still be alive. Therefore, it might be trying to neutralize the Magic Swords that once drove it to the brink of destruction.
'I will eradicate them. This time, no trace will remain.'
The world's boundary, a disconnected space.
This place exists yet does not exist, following the laws of providence. Thus, no matter can enter this space. However, some beings who defied providence could not only know of this space but also open pathways to it.
- Ugh... My Magic Sword...
The mysterious voice crossed the pathway into the disconnected space. Even if La Bler was destroyed, it did not mean his own end. But losing the means to directly eliminate Magic Swords was a significant loss.
- To think it was a Magic Sword user...
He now existed without a body, maintaining form only through magic. While he could wield the eighth Magic Sword, La Bler, himself, the magic cost was too high, so he sought another method. He had handed La Bler to Oz Ternein, but Oz had lost the will to seal after connecting with the Wind Magic Sword.
- It was a battle I could have won...
The Light Magic Sword was no match, and the Wind Magic Sword wasn't fighting. With a bit more effort, he could have sealed the Dark Magic Sword. But suddenly, the Light Magic Sword had grown stronger, and he was overwhelmed, losing La Bler.
- I intended to seal the Magic Swords first, but to fail again!
La Bler was also a Magic Sword and couldn't be destroyed by ordinary means. However, the combined power of the Light and Dark Magic Swords broke that rule, recreating the situation when he lost his body.
- I need to change my plans.
The mysterious voice sighed, gathering his magic. With La Bler gone, the seal on the Earth Magic Sword Gerganver was likely broken. If Gerganver fell into human hands, it would lead to a catastrophe.
He still had the ninth and tenth Magic Swords left. While they couldn't directly interfere with the seven Magic Swords like La Bler, they granted immense power to their wielders. Used correctly, they could annihilate not only the Magic Sword users but also the Alain Kingdom.
- I planned to use them after sealing the Magic Swords... but now I can't wait.
The mysterious voice tore through space and pulled out two Magic Swords. The Eternal Life Magic Sword, Zyell Berza, and the Dragon Magic Sword, Dran Calgonis. He could use these Magic Swords himself, but to conserve his magic, he needed to find others to wield them.
- The resurrection must be hastened.
He originally intended to seal the Magic Swords first, then eliminate the Magic Sword users. Without Magic Swords or their users, nothing would threaten him. But since the conditions weren't met, he had to focus on regaining his body first.
- What was once mine... I will reclaim. Great Kings...
Belgron's Inn, Second-floor room.
Before entering Belgron's Inn, Oz removed his mask and revealed his name and face. Zion had expected this, but Hanette couldn't help feeling shocked. Enrite remained silent, pondering, while Seran listened to the conversation and slowly grasped the situation.
Now, the four surrounded Oz, listening to how he acquired La Bler and why he tried to seal the Magic Swords.
"...So you just followed orders?"
"Yes, they said I could become stronger if I did. I was skeptical, but I decided to believe once more."
"And you did become stronger?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Oz, aware of his surroundings, answered Zion's questions. It seemed absurd as an excuse, but he couldn't lie. Especially since he had attacked them, he had to quietly accept any criticism.
"What if someone had gotten hurt?"
"I tried to do it without hurting anyone..."
"Is that supposed to be an excuse? Swinging a sword around, and you think no one would get hurt?"
"Sis, calm down."
"How can I calm down? Is that supposed to be an excuse?"
Hanette reacted sharply, her voice biting. Being the daughter of a Duke didn't grant immunity from all wrongdoing. If his reason had been even slightly plausible, she might have held back, but it wasn't worth listening to.
"So you think it's okay if others get hurt as long as you can become stronger? Do you really believe that's right?"
"......"
"Fine, let's assume no one got hurt. What about the people being attacked? Are they supposed to just take it?"
"Umm..."
Seran hesitated but decided not to intervene. Speaking up would only result in more criticism. It was best to leave mediating to Zion.
"...I'm sorry."
"An apology isn't enough. You're the daughter of Duke Ternein, aren't you? How will you explain this? Can you return to your family like this?"
"I'm not going back to the family. If you plan to send me back, you might as well kill me here."
Hanette was taken aback by the unexpected response.
Oz's light green eyes were filled with determination.
If they sent Oz back to the Ternein Duchy, it would lead to a dire outcome.
"Can you take responsibility for that? Do you know what I'll do to you...?"
"Sis."
"I'm seriously... ha..."
Hanette reluctantly stepped back and turned away.
The room fell silent until Zion spoke up.
"This is indeed a serious issue. Two dukes are involved, and there's the Marquis as well. With a Setinos Quasar, it's not something we can easily resolve."
"...I acted alone. You can make a public complaint, but I've severed ties with my family. Do as you wish."
Oz glanced at Timer, placed on the side.
Nothing had gone right, from the start to the process to the end. A brief moment of greed had led to his current predicament.
Whatever they decided, he had to follow blindly.
"Cardinal Serenine, what do you think we should do?"
"...It's a tough call. To avoid controversy, sending her back to the Ternein Duchy would be right."
"I'll just escape or take my own life."
"......"
Zion and Enrite exchanged contemplative glances.
They probably had similar thoughts but couldn't act rashly.
Their opponent was the daughter of a duke, and she was already reported missing in the capital.
"Sis, I'll be right back."
"I'll return shortly."
Zion and Enrite left the room, meeting outside to discuss.
"It will cause problems if we take her in."
"They could accuse us of kidnapping the duke's daughter."
"Leaving her alone isn't a good option either. The Magic Sword users need to stay together."
"I understand, but it will be a significant burden. It's the Duke's family. If Hanette and I get involved, it could escalate into a family feud."
"If I'm involved, it will cause controversy at the royal palace."
"Should we think about it more?"
"We need to resolve this within a day or two. These matters need quick resolutions."
"Alright."
After finishing their discussion, Zion and Enrite returned to the room.
Oz watched them and cautiously spoke up.
"...I'll return to the Ternein Duchy. I'll renounce my family name and join your order."