"......"
Zion's mind went blank for a moment, and he felt a wave of confusion wash over him. Even Oz and Serran, who were nearby, were staring at Hanette.
Hanette noticed their reactions but merely shrugged them off.
“Liking your fiancé isn’t wrong, right?”
“Well, that's true... um...”
Zion hesitated, contemplating her words. It was a perfectly reasonable statement, yet it felt awkward. He hadn't expected to hear something like this in such a setting.
“I think I’ve grown quite fond of you over time. What about you?”
“Me? I guess I've grown fond of you too.”
“I remember hearing that love grows through marriage and building a family. We're not marrying for love, but we do have some affection, don't we?”
“Yes, that's true.”
“In a way, it's like we're already married. We've spent a lot of time together in this mansion and even traveled to the borderlands together. We've been with each other every day.”
“We haven't really been apart.”
“I think we did things out of order. As we spent time together, I started to like you.”
“Hmm…”
Zion slowly nodded, beginning to understand what she meant. He had occasionally wondered if he liked Hanette. The term “liking” could mean many things and be interpreted in various ways.
“You mean you developed feelings for me as we spent time together?”
“Now you're getting it. Did you think I was going to say I love you here?”
“It’s easy to misunderstand. You never said anything like that before.”
“...Should I take it as you asking me to dislike you?”
“I didn't say that.”
“But that's how it sounds to me.”
“Ugh... Would you be satisfied if I said, ‘Please like me’?”
“Now you're speaking more to my liking.”
Hanette smiled and removed the towel. Zion squinted his eyes and then smiled back.
“It still feels like I’m getting the short end of the stick...”
“I’m the one losing out. Who else would like a kid like you?”
“Maybe it's the other way around. Perhaps I made you like me.”
“You? Make me? A kid like you has a lot to say.”
Hanette responded nonchalantly, feeling a bit pleased. His straightforward and teasing manner was reaching deep into her heart, more genuine than the formalities of other nobles.
“We'll see if you still call me a kid after we marry. But I guess you'll have to call me something else.”
“If you’re good enough, I might change it.”
“What would you call me then?”
“Um... uh...”
Hanette pondered but couldn’t decide. She had never thought about how she would address him after marriage. “Kid” was the most familiar term, and she only occasionally used his name.
“You haven’t thought about it, have you?”
“You... you haven’t either!”
“I could just call you what I usually do.”
“Seriously? Will you call me sister forever?”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Well...”
Hanette glanced at Oz and Serran and then fell silent. When alone with Zion, it was different, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak in front of others. It was a simple request, but saying it aloud made her feel embarrassed.
“You should figure it out yourself. Why ask me?”
“How would I know if you don’t tell me?”
“And you think you’d know if I told you?”
“You're just being stubborn again, aren't you?”
“You’re the one being stubborn.”
“Ugh…”
Hanette signaled the maid and handed back the towel. Serran returned it, while Oz reluctantly watched Zion.
‘I need to stop sparring. It’s not changing anything.’
‘I… I want to fight too…’
Eastern region of the Kingdom of Alaine, near the supply base.
Zion and Hanette were traveling toward the borderlands with the Silver Knights. Unlike before, the number of family knights had increased to dozens, and the Silver Knights were moving with more knights.
From now on, they would receive reinforcements on the front lines, and the Kynesian Holy Order would send a paladin unit in a few days.
Although they had thoroughly prepared, Enrite was still trying to foresee the future.
‘I guess I have to give up on Silver.’
The silver ghost had not contacted him since he left. This meant they wouldn’t fight and would only carry out the assigned tasks as the Setinos Quaestor.
If they went to the borderlands, they might meet again, but he probably wouldn’t come to him.
‘If we gather the front-line troops, we can block them.’
It was estimated that the undead the Abyssal King could command would number in the tens of thousands. While that wasn’t a small number, they could plan a defense and counterattack by mobilizing troops from each castle.
However, only strong knights could face the Abyssal King and the undead knights.
‘Just because someone is strong doesn’t mean they should be brought in. The opponent is the Abyssal King.’
This was an enemy that couldn’t be defeated by mere numbers. A poorly crafted strategy could weaken their forces or lead to a massacre.
‘Apart from me, the magic sword users, and the Purple Knight, what other knights do we have?’
There were many restrictions on this matter, so caution was necessary. If they took strong knights haphazardly, the units they belonged to would be vulnerable.
Moreover, throwing them into battle without familiarization could cause confusion. It might be better to have them contain the undead knights instead.
‘If only the Purple Knight would step in...’
He didn’t expect much from the Purple Knight. Just guiding the troops and providing occasional support would be enough.
Using a bow, he could attack from a distance and avoid close combat with the Abyssal King.
‘Zion Laird, Hanette Adelaira, and I must fight well.’
With the Night Slayer El Tesoiqbra, he could easily erase the darkness held by the Abyssal King. The Dark Blade Exceed Rain could absorb the Abyssal King’s magic and withstand the darkness. The Flame
Blade Breicht would constantly pour out fierce flames, and if it resonated with Exceed Rain, they could potentially annihilate the Abyssal King.
‘If it can also resonate with El Tesoiqbra...’
El Tesoiqbra and Exceed Rain had resonated before. It was mostly due to luck, and there was no guarantee it would happen again.
But if Exceed Rain valued Zion Laird, it would likely strive to resonate again.
‘I don’t know how they predicted it, but... I must trust them.’
All these plans stemmed from Zion Laird.
In a short time, the Abyssal King Keremion and his forces would invade, so preparations were necessary. Though there was some doubt, trust was essential. Zion Laird had predicted the Shadow Dragon’s invasion before.
‘Does Exceed Rain have hidden abilities?’
Enrite pondered, glancing at Zion. Unlike the others, Zion perfectly wielded Exceed Rain. Perhaps the abilities awakened through that connection allowed them to foresee the Shadow Dragon and the Abyssal King’s invasion.
‘Had Exceed Rain already awakened?’
Enrite felt a sense of destiny and heightened emotion. If Zion Laird could wield Exceed Rain, resonate with El Tesoiqbra, and possibly with other magic swords, perhaps he could destroy the Three Great Kings and the Four Calamities.
‘Maybe I’ve been waiting for this day...’
“Ah, I won’t cut it.”
“Forget what I said back then.”
“You said you didn’t like it?”
“Sigh... You look better with it short.”
“I can tell you’re lying.”
“You’ll only be uncomfortable with it.”
“Someone told me they liked long hair. I’m just keeping it for them.”
“Sigh...”
Enrite smiled, eavesdropping on their conversation. Though their relationship was formed out of obligation, it had softened over time. Their meeting was destined, and their bond would deepen.
“They meant me.”
“When did I say it was you? You and that person are unrelated.”
“How stubborn can you be?”
“Why is this stubbornness? Call it conviction.”
“...Why is that conviction?”
“Would you understand if I explained?”
“Isn’t it worth explaining?”
“That’s why I don’t need to explain. Haven’t you understood with all I’ve said?”
Zion, feeling conflicted, looked at Hanette’s hair. Her hair had grown back, but she refused to cut it and instead changed how she tied it. Despite the inconvenience, she remembered his words and kept her hair long.
“Sister, you can always grow it back.”
“Do you want me to cut it every time we go to the border? Then you’ll never see it long again.”
“Your hair is just a part of you. The important thing is you.”
“……”
Hanette, slightly surprised, flinched involuntarily. She had resisted cutting her hair, but Zion's unexpected words made her reconsider. Was he persuading her?
“So what if it’s short? You still look beautiful. You’re my fiancée. Isn’t that enough?”
“Um...”
Hanette avoided Zion’s gaze but then met it again. His deep purple eyes seemed unusually bright today.
“Fine, I’ll cut it.”
“You won’t change your mind later, right?”
“I said I’ll cut it.”
“I know you’re doing it for me. I appreciate the thought.”
“What do you know...”
Hanette mumbled softly but smiled warmly. Zion felt at ease, looking ahead again. Enrite watched them, coming to a subtle conclusion.
“Resonance begins with the heart. Then I and Exceed Rain might...”
Borderlands of the Kingdom of Alaine, at the castle of Alliard.
Baltz was on guard outside the castle, waiting for their arrival. The king had sent a letter informing him they would be dispatched and ordered him
to support them with troops if necessary.
The Kynesian Holy Order had committed to sending paladins, and the Mage Association might send mages. It was clear that the Setinos Quaestor or the royal palace had sensed danger and were taking precautions.
‘The White Knight is coming.’
All these actions must have been led by the White Knight Apostle. Otherwise, there was no way the king, the Kynesian Holy Order, and the Mage Association would all move simultaneously. Additionally, the Lychness Knights were joining, so he could instinctively grasp the reason.
‘...The Three Great Kings or the Four Calamities must have appeared. That’s why they’re using the Lychness Knights.