Lesia didn’t fully understand the darkness Zion possessed.
She just thought that the night sky resembled Zion's darkness.
The fiery Magic Sword Brecht was deeply intertwined with Hanette, potentially leading her beyond the limits.
“Even if you're right, we can't rely solely on those two.”
“Is it because one of them almost died?”
“It’s not just about Zion Laird. What meaning is there in a victory won by sacrificing comrades?”
“If it means saving other humans. If a few sacrifices allow many to survive...”
“Are you saying it’s acceptable for a few to sacrifice for the many?”
“Isn’t it better to save more lives?”
“…Let me ask you something. If you die, the people in this castle can be saved. If you live, everyone in this castle will die. What would you choose?”
Lesia paused, unable to respond.
Only after escaping from Exceed Rain did she become human.
Despite finally obtaining a human body, she didn’t want to meet a fate of death.
“Don’t forget that feeling. If your life is precious, so are others’. Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira are no different. I don’t want to sacrifice them.”
For the first time, Enrite continued without anger.
It was a thought anyone could have, not entirely wrong.
Moreover, it felt inherently human, invoking compassion.
“…I didn’t say we should sacrifice them.”
“I know. I was just asking a question.”
“You said that because you don’t trust me?”
“It’s not about trust. It’s about thinking like a human.”
“You weren’t seeing me as Exceed Rain?”
“It depends on how you think about it.”
“……?”
Lesia looked at Enrite's profile in response.
He seemed to be smiling, but it was too faint to be sure.
Enrite slowly turned, making eye contact with Lesia.
“One more question. Do you trust those two?”
“I’m not sure if I trust them. But I know they can defy the natural order.”
“Zion Laird has already transcended it. But Hanette Adelaira…”
Enrite, unable to find the words, gently turned his head.
He couldn’t be certain about Hanette.
Her method of handling the Magic Sword was unique, feeling strongly incomplete.
Perhaps, if she were to awaken, he would reconsider.
“Do you see it differently? She is a bit special, isn't she?”
“Being special doesn’t always mean it’s good. If she awakens, it’s fine, but we must consider the opposite.”
“…You mean she might lose her qualification?”
“I’m speaking hypothetically.”
Failing to summon the Magic Sword means being unable to form its shape.
This implies being unable to wield it, indicating not being its true master.
Yet, she was still able to harness the Magic Sword’s power, marking her as special.
“So, that’s why you’re worried?”
“It’s one of many worries. One is reckless, the other unstable. What can I do?”
“Humans are inherently reckless and unstable. If you just help, they might find the answer.”
An unexpected but traditional opinion.
In some ways, it showed a deep understanding of humanity.
“You can say that?”
“I told you, I think before I speak.”
“…You’ve met humans before.”
“More like I’ve experienced them. I’ve seen what humans with Magic Swords think.”
“Were all of them evil?”
“Most were. Some weren’t, but they couldn’t overcome their desires. As for monsters, it’s a given.”
“What about Zion Laird?”
Enrite casually mentioned the name, showing curiosity.
Lesia seemed to ponder for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Ahaha... I’ll get in trouble for saying this.”
“Who will scold you?”
“Hanette Adelaira. She said not to know or share others’ thoughts.”
“…She’s right. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Enrite accepted this and gave up without hesitation.
He couldn't spy on others' thoughts without permission.
Lesia, having connected with Zion as a Magic Sword, likely knew, but for Zion’s sake, she had to keep it secret.
“I can tell you this. He’s human. He has desires and isn’t particularly special. But he’s qualified. That’s why Exceed Rain doesn’t control him.”
“Didn’t he use the sacred water I made?”
“That? It was useless. He just needed to come and grab it.”
“Exceed Rain didn’t find a master for a long time. Is there a reason?”
“You need to hold the darkness. So, Exceed Rain imbued darkness every time it was wielded.”
“To see if it could be used.”
“Exactly. It’s instinctive. Magic Swords seek to connect with qualified individuals. It’s similar.”
“…So it wasn’t meant to kill its user?”
“That’s my belief. It just had a flawed way of connecting.”
Though Lesia had a point, Enrite remained skeptical.
There was no need to endanger the user.
Exceed Rain not only put innocents at risk but sought to destroy everything.
How could it fail to control Exceed Rain’s personality?
“Why couldn’t you stop Exceed Rain? You must have had opportunities.”
“Maybe I’m just incapable. Despite my efforts, my will didn’t reach it.”
“So, there’s another consciousness?”
“It’s not consciousness. It’s instinct. It probably wanted to find a qualified person.”
“That’s why you’re responsible! If you had resonated then…”
Enrite, overwhelmed by emotion, raised his voice.
Exceed Rain could have obliterated the Demon God and dragons.
However, forced use led to incomplete resonance, and while the Demon God and dragons died, they left the Three Demon Kings and Four Calamities.
Had it ended then, eternal peace might have come to the Karonbelaz continent.
“…So that’s why you dislike me.”
“Do you know how many lives Exceed Rain took? The damage caused by failing to kill the Demon God and dragons is immeasurable. What was I supposed to do?”
Enrite poured out long-held emotions.
Hatred for Exceed Rain, reasons for disliking Lesia, regret, and self-reproach.
Though just a Magic Sword, he was burdened by duty and responsibility.
Why was he so obsessed with annihilating the Demon God and dragons?
“Yes, you’re right. I bear some responsibility.”
Lesia lowered her head, eyes filled with sorrow.
She had tried to control Exceed Rain and longed to meet Enrite.
That’s why she became human and sought to cooperate with Enrite.
But from the beginning, their actions were futile.
“……”
Neither spoke.
In the silence, they remained vaguely aware of each other.
Enrite, having calmed his emotions, found Lesia still steeped in melancholy.
“There’s no point in talking about the past now. If what you say is true, you must have done your best.”
“I don’t intend to hinder you. I won’t run away from you.”
“Are you determined to prove your innocence?”
“Yes, no matter how long it takes... I have to.”
Having obtained a human body, she would eventually face death.
While alive, she needed to prove she wasn’t Exceed Rain.
Her goal wasn’t just to become human but to see beyond that.
“I wish the same. I’ll watch over you until the end.”
Enrite moved to say more but then walked away.
No more words were needed.
The other was the consciousness of Exceed Rain, now human.
It wasn’t the time for sympathy.
‘…Maybe this isn’t so bad.’
Lesia cautiously followed Enrite from a distance.
One day, they might walk side by side, sharing smiles.
Though difficult, just being together was satisfying.
‘Should I call him brother? He might like me more then.’
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, first-floor hall.
The Lychness and Sylase knights stayed at Vodeon Castle for a while before returning to the capital.
Since then, neither the Chimera Dragon nor the chimeras had appeared.
Having annihilated the invading beasts, they concluded the battle was over.
“Are you Zion Laird of Marquis Laird’s family?”
“…Yes, I am.”
Upon returning to Duke Adelaira’s residence, Zion met a man in a red uniform.
Recognizing the color and appearance, he knew the man’s purpose, having met him last year.
“This is a letter from His Majesty.”
“……?”
Zion, puzzled, accepted the letter.
The king’s seal was imprinted in wax at the center.
It probably related to the territory promised or the merits earned.
“Oh, this letter includes special permission. Hanette Adelaira may read it with you.”
Hanette met Zion’s gaze in silence.
Typically, royal letters were only for the recipient’s eyes.
Allowing Hanette to read it indicated a deeper meaning.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Once the messenger departed, Zion and Hanette quickly ascended the stairs.
They entered a room and locked the door.
“Sis, what do you think is in this?”
“Why was I allowed to see it?”
“Um… because you’re my fiancée? Or the deputy commander?”
“That’s not enough.”
“True.”
They sat at a table and placed the letter on it.
After a moment, they opened the envelope.
- The 17th King, Brandish Setve Enderoden, decrees to Zion Laird.
You have contributed to the defense of Alain Kingdom and fought valiantly against the enemy.
Setinos Quasar recognizes you, and the officials have agreed.
You are appointed as Setinos Quasar, and the Lychness Knights are elevated to the official knights of Alain Kingdom.
Additionally, the 3rd Princess, Yuter Setve Enderoden, and her fiancé, Barhen Laird, are entrusted to you.
You are to enter the palace with Hanette Adelaira on the appointed day.
I have not forgotten the vow between you and Hanette Adelaira, so you must appear before me.