There was no other way to explain it.
Gerganver had been forced into use, shackled by the Abyssal King. Naturally, it was impossible to establish any kind of connection with it, and those worthy of wielding Gerganver wouldn't have even known of its existence.
It seemed that now, freed from its bonds, Gerganver was belatedly attempting to establish that connection.
‘…I have no idea who it could be.’
With Oz, it had been easier to discern due to the variety of conditions involved. However, Gerganver was simply isolated, trying to connect on its own. Thus, they could only wait for the worthy individual to come forward.
‘The connection is not going well.’
As someone who had once been a Magic Sword, Enrite was well-versed in how the bonding process worked. Normally, a Magic Sword would transform its magical energy and transmit it to the worthy individual. But Gerganver struggled to do so, unable to properly convert and transmit its energy. It was exhausting itself, desperately trying to establish a bond.
‘Calm down. There’s no need to rush.’
Enrite gently stroked Gerganver, attempting to soothe its turbulent magic. Having been suppressed for so long, it was understandable that Gerganver was eager to complete the bonding process. However, in its current state, it could do nothing. Only after regaining its strength could it reach its rightful owner.
‘It’s not time yet. Just a little longer.’
Gerganver’s magic gradually subsided, its vibrations easing. Just as Enrite had once wielded the Wind Magic Sword Timere, she could establish a minor connection with Gerganver. Gerganver, sensing Enrite’s intention, relinquished its attempt to bond.
‘…It actually worked.’
Lesia observed this with a hint of puzzlement. Enrite had already become human and wielded the Moonlight Magic Sword El Tesoykve. As a being of light, it would have been impossible to handle another Magic Sword. Yet Enrite defied this principle, managing to pacify the Earth Magic Sword Gerganver.
‘Could she handle Exceed Rain as well?’
Exceed Rain was tainted with greed and corruption, having claimed countless lives. Lesia herself couldn't control it, only suppressing it once Zion Laird wielded it. Enrite might not be able to control it perfectly, but she could likely subdue it to some extent.
‘I wouldn’t know until I tried.’
Lesia let out a small laugh, meeting Enrite’s gaze. Those blue eyes and the beautiful face were filled with animosity. When would she finally be able to show Lesia a genuine smile?
“What are you laughing at?”
“Can’t I laugh as I please?”
“Laugh when you’re alone.”
“So, I should always be like this around you?”
“That would be better. Don’t laugh with my face.”
“It’s my face now.”
“You copied my face!”
“It’s more that… this body suits me best.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“It’s not a lie.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you better behave. Show any suspicious actions, and you’ll be the first to die by my hand.”
Enrite gripped Gerganver’s hilt and glared at Lesia. She could kill her right now if she wanted. But she had made a promise to Zion and had to consider the possibility that Lesia’s words were true. Moreover, Lesia was like her, a being transformed from a Magic Sword into a human, so she couldn’t simply reject her outright.
“You only ever talk about killing me?”
“You’re no different.”
“I don’t really want to kill you.”
“…We are fundamentally opposed. We may resonate, but we are destined to despise each other. You should want to kill me.”
“I wanted to meet you. I had many questions. But… it took a long time to get here. I wish we could have met sooner.”
“……?”
Enrite was momentarily taken aback and couldn’t continue speaking. It sounded too much like a lie, making it seem more sincere. She hated Exceed Rain, so Lesia should naturally have an enmity towards El Tesoykve. Yet, her words were the opposite, creating a sense of disconnect.
“Are you mocking me with your words?”
“I’m not trying to tease.”
“Should I take it as a request to cut off your lips?”
“You don’t let me say anything. Should I just keep my mouth shut forever?”
“You know the answer to that yourself, so why ask?”
“…….”
Lesia narrowed her eyes at Enrite. Enrite returned her gaze indifferently, her eyes growing sharper.
“Do you want to fight? I can oblige.”
“I said nothing, so why pick a fight?”
“Don’t be mistaken. You started this.”
“What did I do?”
“Your very existence is a provocation.”
“…Are you crazy?”
“That’s my line.”
Lesia sighed deeply in the ensuing silence. Enrite's hatred was compounded by her prejudice and stubbornness. Being on the receiving end of such baseless accusations was simply frustrating.
“If I say I’ll be your sister, you’ll still act like this?”
“I’ve never had a sister like you.”
“And if I leave, you won’t let me go?”
“Who knows what you’ll do if I let you go?”
“Do I just annoy you?”
“If it were only annoyance, that would be fortunate.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Disappear without a trace.”
“…I shouldn’t have asked.”
Lesia accepted this with a resigned tilt of her head. She had somewhat anticipated this reaction and knew that getting along wouldn’t be easy. It was just that her accurate guess left her feeling a bit dejected.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t be here…’
Seran quietly observed the exchange, sensing the tension. Intervening would only drag her into the volatile atmosphere. Enrite rarely lashed out like this. What was more surprising was how Lesia endured and calmly responded.
‘This usually happens when people are close.’
Seran thought about Zion and Hanette, feeling a strange sense of disconnect. There seemed to be a similarity, yet a difference as well. Perhaps they were balancing jokes with sincerity.
‘Am I the only one not fitting in?’
Seran felt a faint sense of loneliness, unsure of the situation. Everyone else seemed to accept it naturally, leaving her feeling out of place.
‘I’m the odd one out.’
Accepting this belatedly, Seran focused on the two. This might be related to becoming stronger. Zion, Hanette, and Enrite were all exceptionally skilled knights.
‘Is Lesia strong too? I haven’t seen her fight, so I’m not sure.’
Royal Palace, Royal Reception Hall.
Brandish had finished dinner and was having tea. Normally, she would enjoy a quiet cup in her private quarters, but tonight she had invited a special guest to join her. This guest had often visited secretly at night, but today, they arrived in the afternoon, dressed formally.
“How many people do you think know that you’re the Silver Sentinel?”
“The Royal Knights’ commander knows. A few high-ranking officials might have guessed.”
Caden sipped his tea with a relaxed smile, his light gray hair and violet eyes gleaming. He was young and handsome, enough to make any woman turn her head.
“Is the commander pretending not to know?”
Brandish put down her cup, finding it hard to believe. Gloné, the commander of the Royal Knights, had always been solely focused on guarding her. He wouldn't allow any suspicious individuals near Brandish and considered the Silver Sentinel the most dangerous. He was always ready to stop him, separate from his mission.
“Perhaps he was moved by my devotion to you?”
“Haha! That’s a stretch. The commander would never be moved by your feelings.”
“…If he didn’t recognize me, he wouldn’t have shown hostility.”
Before entering the reception hall, Caden had exchanged glances with Gloné. Gloné had noticed something but let him pass without a word. From that moment, Caden was confident, feeling a slight acknowledgment.
“There must be another reason.”
“If there is another reason… it might be because you invited me. He couldn’t turn away a guest of Her Majesty.”
“That’s true. I did invite you.”
Brandish recalled the reports she had received. Zion Laird had defeated the Abyssal King with the help of the Silver Sentinel, who had drawn his sword. Zion had nearly died but revived just in time to nullify the Abyssal King’s attacks. The concise report suggested that the long-desired future was slowly being realized.
“…You drew your sword?”
“Yes, it was part of the vow I made to Your Majesty, but the situation was dire, so I had to break it.”
Caden spoke formally, distinguishing between addressing Brandish as a person and as the queen. For Brandish, he had feelings of admiration, but for the queen, he had a duty as a loyal knight.
“Why did you draw your sword?”
“The White Apostle informed me of the Abyssal King’s invasion, and the Abyssal King was stronger than expected.”
“Why didn’t you intervene sooner, before Zion Laird was in danger?”
“…I hesitated. I believed he could handle it without my help.”
Caden deeply regretted and blamed himself when he saw Zion on the brink of death. If he had acted sooner, Zion wouldn’t have been in such peril. Thus, he resolved to give his all and ensure the Abyssal King’s defeat.
“But… Zion Laird survived, didn’t he?”
“Yes, though at that time, he was barely clinging to life. I didn’t expect him to recover fully.”
“The White Apostle said the same. How was he during the battle with the Abyssal King?”
“He was incredible. More powerful than the combined strength of me, the White Apostle, and the Violet Archer.”
“Really?”
Brandish’s interest piqued. She had heard from the White Apostle that Zion had grown stronger, but this was an even higher evaluation. Given that Zion played the largest role in defeating the Abyssal King, it made sense he had extraordinary power.
“The Abyssal King endured attacks and healed quickly from wounds. No one could stop him, but Zion Laird ended him. That’s why I said he seemed stronger than us.”
“…Then let me ask, do you think Zion Laird could defeat the other Demon Lords and the Four Calamities?”
Brandish had posed this question to the White Apostle as well. The response had been cautiously optimistic, suggesting it might be better to wait and see. As someone with comparable skill, the Silver Sentinel could provide a valuable perspective.
“In my opinion… it’s possible. Why not give Zion Laird more support?”