Exceed Rain awakened with a new form of darkness.
When Zion embraced Exceed Rain’s darkness, it transformed at its core.
This darkness could only be truly encountered by transcending the world entirely.
‘This darkness contains light.’
It was a contradictory statement, but it was the clear truth.
Exceed Rain had shed its name of darkness and was reborn as the Holy Sword, a Magic Sword.
Light embedded in the darkness allowed it to shine even more brilliantly.
Though this process erased Exceed Rain’s consciousness, Zion had to accept it solemnly.
‘If it said it would speak directly, it means it will reappear…’
Even as its consciousness faded, Exceed Rain remained calm.
Moreover, it had achieved its purpose and assured Zion he was a worthy owner.
Although there was no reason to lie, Zion couldn’t be sure what significance it held.
‘Should I tell Enrite?’
Zion glanced sideways at Enrite, lost in thought.
Even Enrite didn’t know Exceed Rain had a consciousness.
If he told him, especially if Exceed Rain referred to him as a younger sibling because it was created later, it would undoubtedly shock Enrite.
‘It’s best he knows. Despite their strained relationship…’
- I appreciate your concern, but I should be the one to tell him.
Zion looked down at Exceed Rain immediately upon hearing those words.
The voice of Enrite was coming from Exceed Rain. More accurately, it was Exceed Rain’s consciousness speaking.
‘You’re still alive?’
- I told you, the consciousness remains.
‘When you suddenly disappear, people assume you’re dead.’
- …That’s understandable. It’s an easy mistake to make.
Exceed Rain maintained its consciousness and began seeking Enrite’s magic.
It could clearly sense its sibling nearby, along with El Tesoykve, and a faint sense of kinship flowed in.
- I’m grateful to you. Now I’ve gotten what I wanted.
‘What do you want?’
- To become human.
‘…What?’
Zion was momentarily at a loss for words, and Exceed Rain also fell silent.
The goal of becoming human wasn’t wrong; it was just entirely unexpected.
‘Uh… suddenly?’
- Isn’t it better than being stuck inside a Magic Sword?
‘That’s true, but… can you actually become human?’
- Since you took the Magic Sword’s power, the conditions are met. I just need to create a human body and enter it.
‘Is that even possible?’
- I need to create a body that can harmonize with my consciousness. If it’s even slightly off, the body will collapse, and my consciousness will perish.
Zion found the answer in those words.
Exceed Rain’s consciousness had the same appearance as Enrite and was an embodiment of its temporary form.
This meant that the body capable of harmonizing with it must also be predetermined.
‘…You intend to create a body modeled after the White Apostle, don’t you?’
- Have I given away too much? I didn’t want to be found out.
‘Can you make it?’
- It’s already done. I was just thinking about when to emerge.
‘You’re not planning to surprise the White Apostle or anything, right?’
- Wouldn’t that help us bond?
‘…’
Zion was so taken aback that he almost sighed.
Even though he knew little about his sibling, he hadn’t expected such a serious miscalculation.
It seemed he would have to intervene to help.
‘Don’t do that. You might end up being disliked.’
- He already dislikes me, doesn’t he?
‘If you want to be even more disliked, go ahead. I won’t stop you.’
- …What do you suggest?
‘Explain who you are when it’s just the two of you. Being honest might make him view you a bit more favorably.’
- Isn’t that a bit boring?
‘Wouldn’t it be better to follow my advice? I know the White Apostle well.’
- Hmm… alright.
Just as Zion persuaded Exceed Rain, he felt a presence.
Hanette was staring at him with a stern expression.
“Do I have to explain myself now?”
“You should tell me when we’re alone.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“I just don’t like it.”
“Shouldn’t you be a bit happier that I’m alive?”
“How would you feel in my place?”
“…It’d be hard, I guess?”
“You know that, so why say something like that? Are you picking a fight?”
“I’m not picking a fight; I’m just talking.”
“Do you call that talking?”
“…I’ll be quiet.”
“Why are you being quiet like you’ve done something wrong?”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Why are you asking me? Figure it out yourself.”
“……”
Zion clamped his mouth shut and cautiously averted his gaze.
Balz and Caden had already retreated, and Oz and Seran were slowly distancing themselves.
Only Enrite approached, but his words were unexpected.
“Why did you do that?”
“…What?”
“If you were going to unleash your magic, you should have told me. Why did you go alone?”
“I asked for help only when I thought it was dangerous…”
“How was I supposed to help you in that state? Was I supposed to handle you myself if you lost control?”
“……”
Zion felt cornered and took a step back.
But Hanette took two steps forward, sharply rebuking him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m not going…”
“The Lychness leader was watching. Do you think it’s right for me to handle this?”
“That’s not…”
Zion couldn’t make any excuses.
He understood why they were reprimanding him so harshly.
They must have been worried about him and desperately tried to save him.
If they had been injured because of him, they would have been consumed by guilt.
“Sigh… I’m just glad you’re safe. Lychness leader was more worried than I was.”
“……”
Hanette almost said more but turned her head away.
She could easily guess why Zion acted alone.
While she respected his intentions, the result was unacceptable.
He had essentially died and come back to life, leaving her furious yet relieved.
“Is it really over?”
“I’ll let it go this time. If this happens again, I’ll dissolve our alliance as per the treaty and hold you accountable.”
“…Understood.”
As the leader of the Lychness knights, Zion couldn’t refuse that request.
The alliance was based on the basic treaty guidelines, which included such clauses.
Enrite, as the vice-commander of the Sylase knights, had made a reasonable demand.
“Give up your position as the leader. I can’t trust you with it.”
“…What?”
Zion was momentarily speechless, staring blankly at Hanette.
Hanette’s expression was rigid, and her eyes were cold.
She seemed intent on taking over the Lychness knights herself.
“Sister, that’s not possible. I can yield on many things, but…”
“You used your position to act recklessly. That’s why this happened.”
“I didn’t do it for my own sake.”
“Right, it wasn’t for your own sake. But was it good for me? At that moment, I was thinking about burying you with my own hands. Do you understand how I felt?”
“……”
Zion looked into Hanette’s eyes and reluctantly shut his mouth.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Though they were on the verge of spilling, Hanette bit her lip and barely held them back.
“Did you create the knights to see this? Is tormenting me that fun?”
“Sister.”
“You can have the knights and everything. I’m done. Do you think I followed you to see this?”
Hanette turned sharply and walked away.
Enrite hesitated briefly before following her.
Zion watched their retreating figures, unable to follow.
“Sigh…”
“I get it without hearing it. You went alone and ended up like this, right?”
Caden approached quietly.
Zion tried to argue but restrained himself.
“Can’t you leave me alone? I want to be by myself.”
“Being alone won’t solve anything.”
“Sigh… do you think I wanted this?”
“Of course not. But you shouldn’t have done this in front of your fiancée.”
“What do you know…”
“Marriage is a partnership, not a solo venture. You acted unilaterally and almost lost your life. How do you think your fiancée felt watching that?”
“……”
Zion understood the meaning and showed a bitter expression.
Even Enrite had scolded him, knowing the process was wrong.
Hanette had been anxious and angry, but also deeply concerned.
“Loving someone is good, but don’t make your loved one sad. You might sacrifice yourself, but your loved one can’t accept that. To them, you’re more precious than anyone.”
“…What’s your point?”
“Live for your loved one. If it comes to it, running away together is better.”
Caden gave his advice and quietly left.
Zion watched the fading silver fragments, his eyes narrowing.
‘I’ll do better next time. Next time…’
Near Arleard Fortress, temporary camp.
Arleard Fortress was damaged from the battle, filled with corpses and remnants of monsters inside and out.
Although Alain Kingdom had won, the damage couldn’t be quickly repaired.
They couldn’t entirely abandon Arleard Fortress, so they had to station troops nearby.
They were currently repairing the inner walls and reorganizing the troop deployment, while requesting reinforcements and supplies from the capital and other fortresses.
“…You said you had something to tell me?”
“Yes, could you wait a moment?”
Zion finally called Enrite as the sun set.
He couldn’t keep it a secret forever, so it was time to resolve it.
‘It’s time to come out now.’
- You mean now?
‘We’re alone.’
- It’s too plain…
‘Are you going to keep stalling?’
- I guess I have to.
Exceed Rain reluctantly agreed and manipulated its magic.
The blade of Exceed Rain absorbed purple light, forming a glowing sphere before detaching completely.
The purple sphere floated and began reshaping itself.
“What is…”
Enrite watched the sphere in confusion.
It appeared to be a simple mass of magic, but it felt strangely familiar.
The purple sphere slowly transformed into a human form, revealing itself.
“Ahem… hello?”
Enrite frowned, staring at the sudden figure.
The appearance and voice were identical to his, the form derived from the Magic Sword, and the familiar magic.
It was too clear, causing suspicion.
“…Exceed Rain?”