A while ago, Zion had given him some advice.
"If you convey your sincerity to Hanette, she might understand, even if just a little. It might not change immediately, but things could improve over time."
After much contemplation, Oz found a way to express his sincerity and was now overwhelmed with emotion, trying to harm himself.
‘…Oh, the white apostle is here.’
As the tip of the sword moved, Oz suddenly noticed Zion in his line of sight. As the white apostle, Zion could quickly heal any injuries. Perhaps Zion Laird or Seran Sylase might come over to stop him from hurting himself with Timere.
‘Wouldn’t my death cause problems?’
This was Duke Adelaira’s training ground, and he had just been sparring with Hanette. If he died here, the training ground itself would be seen as a cursed place. Duke Adelaira would have to explain his death, leading to recurring controversies. Hanette would bear the responsibility, and Zion Laird and the Sylase Knights would be caught in the ensuing turmoil.
‘This isn’t right…’
He began to think he should stop. However, his arms wouldn’t move, and instead, he felt as though he was being pushed back. Timere was violently rejecting his magic.
‘This is… huh?’
Suddenly, flames erupted in front of him. The flames quickly grew, becoming an inferno that spread out. Oz, jolted by a slight shock, let go of Timere, and the flames instantly enveloped his body.
‘…It’s not hot?’
With the flames touching him, Oz cautiously opened his hands. The fire wrapped around him, but he didn’t feel the heat. Instead, it felt warm, as if it was protecting him.
“Whew…”
Zion sighed in relief upon seeing Oz surrounded by flames. Hanette must have used magic to protect him, ensuring he didn’t hurt himself with Timere.
“I don’t think he’s hurt,” Enrite said, still shocked but carefully examining Oz. Hanette had reacted quickly enough to deflect the blade. Though Oz was unharmed, his action was utterly unacceptable.
“Do you even realize what you just did…?” Enrite began, but the flames around Oz disappeared. Hanette walked past and approached him.
“Hey, you idiot!”
Hanette slapped Oz across the face, her voice loud and furious. Oz stood there, dazed.
“Ah…”
“You’re really out of your mind, aren’t you? This is insane.”
“Sister, calm down,” Zion interjected.
“You want to bring someone like this into the knights? Do you want to destroy the knights?”
“……”
Zion and Enrite fell silent, sensing the tension. Seran dismissed the electricity surrounding him and quietly observed.
“If you want forgiveness, you need to work for it, not try to kill yourself! Who told you to die?”
“……”
“I might dislike you, but I never told you to do anything. Isn’t that right?”
“……”
“Isn’t that right?!”
“Y-Yes.”
Oz snapped back to reality, the sting in his left cheek reminding him of Hanette’s slap. Hanette glared at him and continued.
“If you want to die so badly, go back to your family and do it! This is our land! Do you understand?”
“Yes…”
“Understand? If you understood, would you do something like this?”
“……”
Oz swallowed his discomfort. He had thought she despised him enough to want him dead, but instead, she was furious that he had tried to kill himself. The method was indeed wrong, and it would have caused trouble for many.
“Did you plan to join the knights after pulling a stunt like this?”
“N-No. It… just came to me suddenly…”
“Is that an excuse? Suddenly wanted to commit suicide?”
“No, I wanted to atone…”
“This isn’t atonement! Do you think dying will atone for anything? Do you want everyone here to suffer because of you?”
“N-No…”
“Then why did you do it? If you knew, why did you do it?”
“Th-… ugh…”
Oz hunched over, unable to meet her gaze. Zion didn’t feel the need to intervene, and Enrite seemed slightly satisfied with Hanette’s scolding. After a moment of thought, Hanette sighed deeply.
“What will you say to your family when you return?”
“Um… I’ll think about it…”
“You didn’t even think about that?”
“…No.”
“Seriously… you’re making me… sigh…”
Hanette clenched her teeth, barely containing her anger. It was an impulsive action driven by emotion, and undoubtedly, someone had seen it. In some form, both her father and Duke Ternein would find out.
After that, they would assign blame, and Oz would be ostracized and isolated again.
“Zion, what should we do about this?”
“…We need to explain it well. It’s best if we agree on what to say.”
“Cardinal Serenine, do you have any suggestions?”
“As Zion said, we should agree on our story. We should stay quiet until someone asks.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea.”
Hanette calmed herself and looked at Oz. The shadow of her reflection she had seen in him was no longer there. Oz had made a grave mistake, and even if he didn’t join the Lihines Knights, he had to accept the consequences. Yet, leaving him alone felt unsettling.
“You’re bound to cause trouble if left alone, aren’t you?”
“…I plan to stay quiet from now on.”
“Don’t lie. This is the second time already. How can I trust you?”
“……”
“Someone needs to keep an eye on you. Don’t you think?”
“……?”
Oz didn’t immediately understand her words, feeling confused. Zion, however, felt certain, and Enrite accepted the outcome with a faint smile.
“I’ll acknowledge your skill. Zion, what do you think?”
“He seems a bit unstable, but… he’s not bad. He just needs a bit of help.”
“Since the captain acknowledges it… I’ll allow your entry into the knights.”
Oz was left speechless by the unexpected answer, his mouth slightly open. Hanette, however, still wore an annoyed expression.
“But… you’ll join as a temporary member. We’ll also require military support from Duke Ternein. If you have any objections, speak now. I have nothing to lose.”
“…I’ll join as a temporary member.”
Oz finally touched his left cheek, easing the pain. Being a temporary member meant he had a chance to prove himself. Perhaps Hanette had understood his sincerity after all.
“I won’t apologize for the slap. Consider it over with that. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“If Duke Ternein complains, I’ll say I slapped you to stop your suicide.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t force you. The more trouble it causes, the worse it is for you, not me.”
“Yes.”
“And… as the vice-captain, I’m warning you. I’ll forgive up to two mistakes, but I won’t tolerate a third. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
Hanette stared at Oz for a while before finally turning away. The mood remained heavy, but her green eyes seemed to shine brightly. It was as if she had resolved to move forward with her life.
‘Why did I see myself in him…’
She already knew the answer. Their experiences might differ, but their emotions were similar. That’s why she felt a sense of kinship and saw her reflection in him.
‘What can I achieve with someone like him…’
Though she regretted her decision, she still looked toward the distant future. If her shadow was reflected in Oz Ternein, their outcomes might also be similar. On the other hand, she might have turned out like him under different circumstances.
‘…But I have Zion.’
Hanette glanced at Zion. It was because of him that she had come this far. Without him, her life might have gone astray.
‘Even now…’
Zion was watching her. Unconsciously, she smiled and realized something.
‘Do I… like Zion?’
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Zion’s room.
Busy but comfortable days had passed, and a new year had begun. The weather had always been warm, with no signs of extreme heat or cold. Alain Kingdom had little seasonal change, but each region varied significantly. The snowy northern areas and the sweltering southern regions were often avoided by many.
‘Nothing major happened, but time flew by.’
Zion sat on his bed, reflecting on the events. Oz Ternein’s attack, the sealing of the Magic Sword, El Tesoykve’s awakening, Oz Ternein’s entry into the knights, and the negotiations with Marquis Frandique. Aside from these, his life had been routine and uneventful.
‘Raina is almost convinced… just need to bring in Halfnon.’
Zion and Hanette had visited Marquis Frandique’s estate at an opportune time. Raina was ready to become the leader of the Holy Knights and was preparing to be bestowed the title of cardinal. Halfnon, known for his skill with the sword, had trained with renowned knights and made a name for himself as an exceptional swordsman. Both were receptive to joining the Lihines Knights, and Zion was awaiting their final decision.
‘Oz is adapting well, and the Sylase Knights are growing in number.’
Since joining the Lihines Knights, Oz had been diligently training in swordsmanship and magic control. The Sylase Knights had gained popularity among commoners, attracting skilled individuals. Robbenz and Freed had pledged more knights from their families to support the Lihines Knights. The king, aware of the Lihines Knights and the white apostle, was seeking ways to bolster Alain Kingdom’s forces.
‘…Time to head to the frontier.’
Normally, the Sylase Knights would go alone, but Zion’s involvement meant he had to follow. The enemy had vast power, leading numerous beasts, and he needed to utilize the frontier’s troops to their fullest.
‘The Abyssal King, Keramion. I must destroy him and retrieve the Earth Magic Sword.’