The Road Leading to the Palace
Brandish donned her armor and grasped her sword. The feel of the armor brought back distant memories, reminding her of how long it had been since she last fought. She had lived many years as a queen without needing to battle.
“Have all the officials and maids been evacuated?”
“Most have left the palace.”
“That’s not enough. Evacuate everyone except those who can fight.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Brandish walked calmly, looking up at the sky. The Ocean King’s ship, Fendalzous, floated above. It was clear that they would either continue their attack from above or the Ocean King and his crew would descend upon them.
‘My sword won’t reach.’
She could extend the range of her sword’s energy by using more magic, but it would reduce the power and speed. Even if it hit, it wouldn’t cause significant damage. It was better to conserve her magic and respond appropriately to the enemy’s actions.
‘We can’t win by just defending.’
The Ocean King would continue to bombard the palace, aiming for a prolonged battle. The defenders had to seize any opportunity to counterattack, but the Ocean King wouldn’t give them that chance. As their casualties mounted, their morale would plummet.
‘What should I do…’
“Your Majesty! They are attacking again!”
At the cry of a royal knight, Brandish drew the sword from her back. The dragon head on Fendalzous was gathering red magic. It must have used this power to increase its range and bombard the palace.
‘I won’t just watch.’
If she allowed this attack, it would harm not only the palace but also the soldiers. The palace could be rebuilt, but the dead soldiers could not be revived. As the queen, she had to protect Alain Kingdom.
‘Wait a moment…’
Brandish instinctively let go of her sword and extended her right hand. A light brown energy swirled around her hand, drawn from somewhere nearby. Recognizing it, she grasped it firmly.
‘The Earth Magic Sword, Guerganvo.’
Brandish found herself holding a gray hilt. The light brown blade emitted a faint glow, with a slight flow of magic. Though heavy and massive, it felt lighter than her usual sword.
‘You called me.’
Brandish hoisted Guerganvo onto her shoulder. It was the first time she wielded it, yet it felt as though they had been together for a long time. The sword absorbed her magic so well that it felt almost disconcerting.
“Your Majesty, perhaps you should…”
“I will not retreat. Who dares to defile my home?”
Brandish gripped the hilt with both hands, pointing the blade downward and stepping forward. With the Earth Magic Sword, Guerganvo, she could amplify her sword energy.
‘I will kill that beast.’
Filled with a surge of determination, Brandish poured more magic into the sword. She couldn’t accept that her battle with the Abyssal King had ended in a draw. She had saved Alain Kingdom and reduced casualties, but it wasn’t enough.
‘I should have destroyed it with my own hands.’
Without the Black Knight, they couldn’t have defeated the Abyssal King. Many soldiers were saved, and the Setinos Quasar avoided injuries. Still, she regretted not being there herself.
‘I can still fight.’
A red beam shot down from Fendalzous. Brandish watched it with sharp eyes, and Guerganvo began to release its vast magic. Gloné and the royal knights stepped back, seeing the immense power.
Brandish infused Guerganvo with her resolve and swung it forcefully. A light brown energy surged forth, taking shape and solidifying. The light brown line twisted, forming an arc at the end.
The completed sword energy soared, cutting through the air fiercely. It wasn’t the same sword energy she was used to. Adjusting to Guerganvo had caused a slight disruption in her magic control. However, her long experience with the sword ensured it didn’t dissipate easily.
The light brown energy clashed with the red beam, gradually slowing it down. Though it seemed the red beam would overpower it, the light brown energy held its ground. Eventually, both energies vanished together.
‘I can reach it.’
Brandish glared at Fendalzous, which now hovered motionless. It seemed almost intimidated by her sword energy.
‘If I wield it properly, I can defeat it.’
Brandish touched Guerganvo, familiarizing herself with its feel. Despite only wielding it briefly, it felt like part of her body. The sword adjusted its magic form to harmonize with her.
‘It’s as if it’s made for me.’
Brandish reminisced about past memories, recalling feelings of longing. Many had shown interest in her, but only two had approached with genuine affection. One was a departed companion, the other an aspiring partner. Could Guerganvo be the third?
‘An intriguing sword.’
Brandish smiled, raising Guerganvo. She had always achieved her goals through her own strength. But to reach the Ocean King in the sky, she needed Guerganvo’s power.
‘Can you help me defeat them too?’
There was no answer, but it was worth trying. She had already blocked the Ocean King’s attack and had the potential to counter. If she could strike down the Ocean King here, she might also eliminate other threats.
‘Then I’ll use you.’
Brandish intended to accomplish what previous queens had failed to do. It was Alain Kingdom’s long-standing wish and the hope of many. In the face of such noble cause, pride had no value.
‘My strength alone isn’t enough. So…’
Brandish sensed a familiar presence and turned her head. A masked man approached. Gloné nearly drew his sword but relaxed upon recognizing him.
“Silver, is it alright for you to be here?”
“I’ve taken measures. This is my mistake, so I’ll rectify it.”
Caden placed his hand on his sword’s hilt, drawing it swiftly. The blade made no sound as it left the sheath. He had worked tirelessly to regain his lost senses, now capable of impressive swordsmanship.
“…How about waiting a moment?”
Brandish gripped Guerganvo tightly, feeling its power. She felt as if she could cleave the sky. With the Silver Thief present, she should ask his opinion.
“Watch closely.”
Guerganvo absorbed golden fragments of magic, emitting a light brown glow. Brandish focused on the Ocean King’s ship and swung the sword. The curved energy shot into the sky, embedded with golden fragments.
The light brown energy turned golden, radiating a gentle hue. Guerganvo had fully synchronized with Brandish, transforming the magic. The golden energy struck Fendalzous, slicing it in two. The ship disintegrated, its fragments plummeting to the ground.
“This is the woman you seek to protect.”
Brandish imbued Guerganvo with magic, striking the ground. The sword released golden magic, causing the earth to tremble. Enormous earthen walls rose around the palace, expanding outward.
The walls grew, eventually enclosing the palace. They continued to spread, forming a defensive perimeter where Fendalzous was expected to fall.
“Oh…”
“Wow…”
The royal knights and soldiers gazed at Brandish in awe. She kept her eyes on Fendalzous, standing firm. Despite the massive magic expenditure, she showed no sign of fatigue. As a queen and Setinos Quasar, she could not lose her dignity.
“…Can you handle this?”
Brandish asked Caden seriously. She had amplified her magic through Guerganvo, but it wasn’t something just anyone could do. It required a qualified Magic Sword user.
Caden surveyed the scene before responding.
“I haven’t proven myself yet. Could you wait a bit longer?”
“You want to prove yourself?”
“Don’t you think I should show I can handle it?”
Caden had known before becoming a thief. Mere passion and affection wouldn’t win Brandish’s heart. He had to make her feel confident enough to open up to him.
“I can wait. Even if you fail, I won’t be disappointed. If you wish to give up, just say the word.”
“I will follow your words.”
Caden couldn’t bring himself to call her by name, opting for a more formal response. He couldn’t use the term ‘queen’s order’; it was more a promise to follow her. If these were her true feelings, he had no choice but to accept.
‘Now, only the Ocean King remains.’
With the ship destroyed, the situation had improved. But the Ocean King wasn’t dead, and not all the crew were killed. They were likely falling to the ground with the debris.
‘You won’t escape.’
Brandish closed her eyes, following Guerganvo’s senses. She quickly discerned what was nearby. As soon as the Ocean King and his crew touched the ground, Guerganvo would relay their location.
‘For invading the capital and attacking the palace… I sentence you to death.’
The Road to the Palace in the Capital of Alain Kingdom
Zion and Hanette were rushing to the palace. The family knights followed them, and the city guards and defense forces cleared a path. Oz was probably heading there, and Yuter and Barhen would be inside the palace.
‘Couldn’t we have pinpointed the exact timing of the ambush?’
It was a regretful oversight, but still helpful. Lesia’s prediction of the Ocean King’s approach had allowed them to respond. However, the Ocean King still had the advantage, and the defenders would feel increasing pressure as time passed.
‘If I intervene, what about Demon God…’
Zion stopped abruptly, sensing a magical change. Fendalzous was firing red magic at the palace. A light brown sword energy rose from the palace, colliding with the red magic and nullifying it. There was also a faint magic sword aura emanating from the palace.
‘Guerganvo? Could it be…’
Zion realized something but saw another surge of sword energy. This time, it was golden, and it cleaved Fendalzous in two. Only a few people could wield Guerganvo and produce such powerful sword energy.
‘The king is a Magic Sword user.’
Zion hesitated momentarily before resuming his run. If the king wielded Guerganvo, they could hold off the Ocean King. They might even resonate with other Magic Swords and annihilate the Ocean King.
‘Is luck on our side?’
Zion changed direction, heading toward where Fendalzous was falling. Not only the king but also the Setinos Quasar and Magic Sword users were gathering. This would push the Ocean King into a corner, and Demon God would try to reclaim his power.
‘I might be able to kill Demon God.’