Hanette paused, gripped by doubt. For Leshia to be stronger than Enrite, several conditions had to be met.
Innate magical power, talent in combat, practical experience, and the possession of a Magic Sword.
If even one of these was lacking, Leshia couldn’t be stronger than Enrite.
“Let’s say you have a lot of magic power. You might have plenty of combat experience from living with a Magic Sword. But… you don’t have a Magic Sword, do you?”
“A Magic Sword is just a weapon, not necessarily a measure of skill.”
“Only certain people can use a Magic Sword. Handling a Magic Sword should count as part of one's skill.”
“So, does that mean anyone with a Magic Sword is automatically stronger?”
“Not always. You can be strong without a Magic Sword.”
“Hm… To answer simply, if Enrite has a Magic Sword, I might be at a disadvantage. But if he doesn’t, I could win.”
Leshia tried to pour more tea into her cup but gave up when the pot was empty. Zion took the teapot from Leshia and stepped out into the hallway.
“Earlier, you said you were stronger.”
“I think I’m stronger. But combat isn’t just about raw power. That’s why I said I could win.”
“…What?”
Hanette felt disappointed with that answer and lifted her cup. She hadn’t asked because she didn’t know; she wanted to gauge Leshia’s strength, but Leshia’s answer was vague.
“Let me ask you a question this time. Is that okay?”
“You’re curious about me?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“There’s nothing special about me.”
“Where else could I find someone as unique as you?”
“…What do you want to know?”
“Let’s start with an easy question. Do you love Zion?”
“What? Cough! Cough!”
Hanette hurriedly set her cup down, choking on her tea. Leshia watched calmly, waiting for more tea to arrive.
“What kind of question is that?”
“Why is it strange? There’s nothing wrong with humans loving each other.”
“You don’t know, but Zion and I are in a political marriage. We’ve only had an engagement ceremony.”
“Oh… So, you’re not marrying for love?”
“Th-That’s right.”
Hanette felt a sense of rejection as she wiped her mouth. She was stating a fact, but why couldn’t she accept it?
“Couldn’t there be a case where an unwanted marriage turns into love?”
“It’s possible, but I don’t know if that will happen to me.”
“You seem to have a lot on your mind. Let’s approach this differently. How would you feel if Zion loved you?”
“…?”
Hanette was struck by the question, lost in thought. Could Zion see her as a lover?
“Zion wouldn’t have those feelings for me.”
“Why not?”
“Well… it’s just…”
Hanette struggled to find a reason, but nothing came to mind. Instead, she felt a strange sense of hope.
“Since it’s hard for you to answer… I’ll ask again later.”
“No, I can answer.”
“How long should I wait?”
“You’re asking strange questions!”
“It’s not difficult. It’s not even that strange.”
“You started this topic! Why did you ask?”
“…Why? Why did I ask?”
Hanette suddenly realized what Leshia meant, showing a stiff expression. Leshia had once existed as the consciousness of the Magic Sword Exceed Rain and had been used by Zion. Had she seen Zion’s heart during that time?
“What do you know?”
“Hehe… I won’t tell you more. You have to answer first.”
“Did you read Zion’s thoughts?”
“Maybe. If you become a Magic Sword, you’ll understand better.”
“Why do you keep evading?”
“Because you won’t reveal your true feelings otherwise. Do you want answers from me? Then you must give answers too.”
“I’m not asking about Zion’s thoughts. The problem is you reading his mind without permission. Did you get Zion’s consent?”
“….”
Leshia was speechless, caught off guard by the question. She hadn’t intentionally read Zion’s thoughts; his magic and will had just imprinted on Exceed Rain.
“I don’t want to know Zion’s thoughts this way. It only matters if Zion tells me.”
“It doesn’t matter if you hear it from him or me.”
“It does matter. Zion’s thoughts should be known only to him. No one should find out secretly. Zion trusts you; is this how you repay him?”
“…?”
Leshia, following Hanette's reprimand, felt overwhelmed by faint emotions. If someone read her thoughts and shared them with others, how would she feel? What would Zion think of her if he knew?
“Should I apologize?”
“Yes. If Zion forgives you, that’s the end. If he’s upset, you wait until he calms down.”
“Okay… I understand.”
After a moment of silence, Zion entered the room with a maid. The maid carried a larger teapot and a plate piled with cookies. Zion waited until she left before speaking.
“Nothing happened, right? You seem a bit off.”
“I need to apologize.”
“Suddenly? For what?”
“When I was inside Exceed Rain, I saw your thoughts. I didn’t mean to, but it feels wrong.”
“….”
Zion showed no reaction to her words. He knew that accepting Exceed Rain’s darkness allowed Leshia to see his heart. Now, hearing it explicitly, it just felt redundant.
“People make mistakes. You can’t read my mind anymore, right?”
“As a human, I can’t read your mind.”
“…Hanette caught you, didn’t she?”
“I realized it was my mistake while talking. I got a bit scolded.”
Feeling that the matter had ended peacefully, Leshia poured herself more tea. Hanette watched for a while before reluctantly looking away.
‘This is the right way.’
Hanette let go of her lingering feelings and glanced at Zion. If she had handled it well, she could have found out Zion’s thoughts. But it was a cowardly method, and she didn’t want to trample on his feelings.
‘I’ll find out someday. Someday….’
The borders of Alain Kingdom, Arleard Castle.
Arleard Castle was being reconstructed with the help of many laborers. At the same time, soldiers were on guard to protect the castle and workers from monsters. Many monsters had attacked, but they were easier to fend off compared to the Abyssal King and the undead knights.
‘It has been mostly restored….’
Balz inspected the construction around the castle with his knights. The outer walls were nearly complete, and the inner walls were halfway done. The magical fortifications had just begun, and preparations were needed for the upcoming attacks from the Four Calamities on other castles.
‘The frequency of strong monster attacks has increased. It’s time to end this.’
Balz felt a pang of regret as he turned from the castle. Though Alain Kingdom had been threatened by strong enemies, they had survived and emerged victorious. They would continue to win, and eventually, all monsters would be gone.
‘The Silver Knight should be here soon.’
Balz thought of Caden, whom he had seen a few days ago. Though still wearing a mask, Caden now carried a sword. Unlike before, it seemed he was ready to use his skills to their fullest.
‘The White Knight might know why.’
Caden hadn’t explained why he had taken up the sword again. He had simply said he would reclaim what he had neglected and achieve great deeds. With Enrite back in the capital, he might have some idea.
‘…Will Zion Laird be coming too?’
Even Balz couldn’t help but worry about Zion. He had grown stronger, but it was at the cost of risking his life. If Zion found himself in a similar situation and decided to risk death again, he would have to be stopped.
‘It’s not his time to die.’
Zion was young and talented, engaged to a beautiful noblewoman, and destined for greatness. He had everything, yet didn’t hesitate to put himself in harm’s way. He needed to learn when to hold back rather than rush forward.
‘If it comes to that again… I’ll be the one to risk my life.’
This was Balz’s respect for Zion and his resolve as a member of the Setinos Quasar. Finally, a knight worthy of succeeding him had appeared. From humble beginnings, he had risen to become the king’s knight and spent many years defending the border. Now, he was ready to face death on the battlefield without regret.
‘Zion Laird. You should take my place. That’s all I ask.’
The northern border of Alain Kingdom, Verdeon Castle.
This castle, located at the northernmost frontline, was where the Chimera Dragon was expected to attack. Being at the northern tip, Verdeon Castle was influenced by the northern region’s climate. It wasn’t cold enough for snow, just a mix of changing weather between the north and east.
‘I need to confirm it first.’
Zion stood atop the castle wall, waiting for the Chimera Dragon. The longer the fight dragged on, the worse it would be. So, he planned to strike first and test the darkness.
‘With the darkness, I could end this easily….’
The holy Magic Sword Exceed Rain could absorb and annihilate darkness. Any dark-infused attack would be nullified, and any dark creature would meet a certain death. However, if only part of the darkness was present, it would merely inflict damage based on its amount.
‘There must be some darkness. It can’t be completely absent.’
All beings, humans, and animals, harbored some darkness. Without darkness, they couldn’t be called living. Where there is light, there is darkness, and vice versa.
‘Being created from a dragon’s corpse… it should be killable.’
Zion’s body no longer contained magic. Only pure darkness resided within him. To cut through this darkness, he needed even greater darkness or a brilliant light.
‘With this darkness, I might even destroy a demon.’