"Do you want to fight with me? Why are you saying such things..."
Hanette raised her voice, but then fell silent. She never expected to see this side of Zion. Her heart wavered, and the feelings of frustration and sadness seemed to lighten.
"I've thought a lot... Is it okay for me to die like this? What would happen to you? Did I make the right choice? These kinds of thoughts."
Zion, struggling, continued to speak with tears in his eyes. He wasn't crying on purpose or for any special reason. It was just that the many emotions he had kept inside were now surfacing.
"At first, I thought my actions were right. If I die, I save others. But then... I fell before I could kill the Abyssal King. I realized something was wrong."
"......."
Hanette couldn't take her eyes off Zion, listening intently to his words. The sincerity in his voice and expression was evident. Seeing the tears in his violet eyes made her heart ache.
"Realizing I would die meaninglessly made me regret it. I felt I shouldn't have done it."
Zion poured out all the emotions he felt when he met Lesia. He didn't know what would happen later, but at this moment, he wanted to convey his feelings. He risked his life, and then wanted to live again, all for Hanette.
"I should have lived, even if just for you."
Hanette could no longer ignore Zion. Her heart pounded fiercely, and she desperately wanted to comfort him. But she remained silent, needing to hear everything he had to say.
"I didn't trust my comrades. When things didn't go as planned, I became impatient. I was greedy and only thought about myself."
Though Zion had awakened Exceed Rain and overcome death, using that power to defeat the Abyssal King and reduce their losses, none of it would have been possible without Hanette.
"It was because of you that I got this far."
Zion spoke with difficulty, looking at Hanette. If she left him, he wouldn't be able to stop her. Even if it led to their engagement being broken or the two families growing distant, he had to accept it.
"From now on, I'll live for you. No matter what anyone says, I'll stay by your side. Can you trust me one more time?"
Zion took a deep breath after saying all he wanted. Hanette, with a sad look in her eyes, slowly began to speak.
"...I still trust you. It was just a mistake, right? One mistake doesn't make me hate you."
Hanette raised her right hand and gently placed it on Zion's head, slowly stroking his hair, feeling the warmth and texture.
"I won't call you a kid anymore. You're my knight and my fiancé. So, never leave my side again. Without you, I..."
Hanette felt her throat tighten, unable to finish her sentence. Zion Laird was someone she depended on, trusted, and saw as her future husband. She couldn't imagine being without him and knew they had to stay together through everything.
"Don't leave first. I don't want to be left alone."
"......"
Zion didn't say or do anything, just feeling the emotions conveyed through her touch. He realized that Hanette cared for him as much as he cared for her.
"I won't leave first. I'll always be by your side."
"You have to. It's a promise."
Hanette held out her pinky finger, waiting for his response. Zion smiled and linked his pinky with hers.
'...I guess it's settled.'
Caden, who had been quietly observing them, slowly stepped back. He had been watching out of concern, hoping for a positive outcome. Fortunately, it seemed their relationship was intact, and it wouldn't be broken even when they returned to the capital.
'If they do well, I can do well too.'
Caden thought of someone special, hoping that the accomplishments of Zion and Hanette would catch her attention. He held a sword too, and hoped she would notice him.
'If I’ve done this much, maybe she’ll have a meal with me?'
While he could formally request an audience, having her voluntarily spend time with him would be more meaningful. Her genuine interest would create an opportunity for him.
'Meeting them again might help...'
In the Royal Palace, Royal Office
Brandish received the urgent report from Arleard Fortress and took immediate action. He arranged reinforcements to replace fallen knights and soldiers, established supply lines for the encampment and frontline, and devised strategies to counter the monster invasions.
‘Abyssal King…’
Brandish recalled old memories, filled with a faint sense of nostalgia. He had clashed swords with the Abyssal King Kerameon, fighting to kill each other. Though he didn't achieve victory, he was satisfied with having protected Alain Kingdom. But as a swordsman, the unfinished business lingered.
‘Is it true he's dead?’
Brandish was skeptical at first. The Abyssal King was an opponent even he couldn’t kill, and reports indicated the enemy had grown stronger. But after learning who killed the Abyssal King, he believed it.
‘First, they killed one of the Four Calamities, now they've taken down one of the Three Demon Kings.’
Brandish chuckled as he folded the letter. A noble who had mastered swordsmanship at a young age and played a significant role in suppressing the rebellion. At 19, he defeated the Shadow Dragon, and at 20, he vanquished the Abyssal King. Few in Alain Kingdom's history had achieved such feats.
‘He must have had help from other knights.’
Three Sentinels fought the Abyssal King, and the lady from Duke Ternein and the commander of the Sylase Knights participated too. Despite the fortress walls falling twice, they minimized the damage and prevented the monsters from invading Alain Kingdom. It was their collective effort that led to the victory.
‘But… It requires skill to achieve such things.’
Zion Laird's skills were exceptional for his age, perhaps even surpassing what was needed. His talent alone was beyond Brandish's, and he continually showcased his abilities. Though Brandish saw him as a valuable asset, without unleashing his potential, the monsters might not have been defeated.
‘Hanette Adelaira has grown much stronger too.’
Brandish remembered their first meeting at the palace when he saw her merely as Zion Laird's fiancée. She had the courage to risk her life, and he let them be together, wishing them well. Now, she had earned the title of Mage and was on the path to becoming a Grand Mage.
‘They let go of their greed and gained something greater.’
Brandish regretted not having Zion Laird join the royal knights, occasionally contemplating an arranged marriage with the third princess. But the current outcome wasn't bad, and it opened new possibilities.
‘Something neither I nor the previous queen could achieve. If these two continue to step forward…’
Brandish hoped for peace and stability on the continent of Caronvela. Though he wished to mobilize a large force to eradicate the monsters, success wasn’t guaranteed. Thus, eliminating the strongest monsters was the best course for ensuring safety.
‘With ambition comes the need for rewards.’
The two deserved substantial rewards for their great deeds. They were already granted privileges for defeating the Shadow Dragon, but this time, they deserved more. By securing their loyalty and pride, they would continue to serve the kingdom.
‘What could satisfy them…’
Both were nobles born into wealth and power, respected even among other nobles. It wasn’t easy to find a suitable reward that would please them.
‘It must be meaningful.’
A meaningful gift, no matter how humble, would touch their hearts more than a mere valuable item. Brandish wanted to give them something essential, with deep significance.
‘Even if they get married, a gift will be needed…’
Brandish pondered as he spread out the map of Alain Kingdom. They would eventually leave their families and establish their own households. When that time came, they would need substantial resources.
‘The capital is tough, but other places could work.’
He scrutinized the lands around the capital. The northern and southern regions had extreme climates, making them unsuitable. Only the eastern and western regions remained, both populated with buildings and people. Many areas were owned by nobles, making it difficult to choose freely.
‘So limited. Was Alain Kingdom always this small?’
Brandish pushed the map aside, stretching her body. No matter how much she thought, she couldn't find suitable land. The capital was fully occupied, and distant lands wouldn’t be appealing.
‘Can't leave it unresolved…’
Brandish corrected her posture and concluded simply. The reward had to be meaningful and satisfying. There was a way to meet both conditions.
‘I’ll give them the choice. Surely, among all this land, there’s one they would want.’