Of course, there were significant differences in the given conditions.
El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain awakened while in the hands of their users. In contrast, the Flame Magic Sword Brecht had never been summoned and was not one of the original Magic Swords. Moreover, attempting to awaken a Magic Sword without even touching it seemed unlikely.
“I awakened my Magic Sword after becoming human. How did you awaken your Magic Sword?” Enrite inquired.
“I accepted the darkness of Exceed Rain,” Zion replied.
“The methods of awakening were different, but the situations were similar, weren’t they?”
“……”
Zion pondered for a moment before silently agreeing. Enrite had resonated with Exceed Rain after being overwhelmed by the Demon God wielding an artificial Magic Sword. Despite being on the brink of death, he had drawn out Exceed Rain’s darkness, reaffirming his will to survive. In other words, both had faced dire situations but had overcome them by awakening their Magic Swords.
“Hanette must also have a way to awaken her Magic Sword. Don’t you think she’ll reach that point eventually?” Enrite concluded that they needed to observe Hanette further. It wasn’t something one could attain just by wanting it. Hanette needed time and an environment conducive to self-reflection, just as Enrite and Zion had found the right opportunities and processes to awaken their swords.
“It would be fortunate if she awakens it, but shouldn’t we also consider the possibility that she might not?” Zion looked at the possibility realistically. Hanette’s inability to summon the Magic Sword made her appear unstable. They needed to proceed cautiously, as there was no guarantee she could awaken it.
“Yes, we must consider that. I am also prepared for the worst-case scenario.”
“The worst-case scenario?”
“She might never be able to use a Magic Sword at all.”
Zion flinched and quickly turned his head. Enrite’s expression was calm, as he waited for Zion’s response.
“Do you believe she lacks the qualifications?”
“Not necessarily. The fact that she can’t summon the Magic Sword could imply a lack of qualifications, but she is using its power, so she’s not entirely unqualified.”
“Will she still be able to use magic?”
“…She might lose her magic. Hanette uses the Magic Sword’s power to cast spells.”
“Hmm…”
Zion frowned, contemplating Enrite’s words. They were based on facts and Hanette’s own observations, making them difficult to dismiss.
“This isn’t certain. I could be wrong.”
“What are you envisioning?”
“If it ends with her losing her magic, we might be fortunate.”
“……”
Zion instinctively recalled something Hanette had once said. When she was young, she had been gravely ill, her body cold, and she struggled to breathe. Then, out of nowhere, flames erupted, and her symptoms vanished. It seemed likely that the Magic Sword’s power had manifested, curing Hanette’s illness.
“Are you saying she might die?”
“Brecht holds the source of flames. While El Tesoykve could manage, Brecht cannot cure illnesses.”
“But she’s alive now.”
“That’s why I’m considering the worst-case scenario. There might be something hidden within Brecht.”
Zion, gripped by anxiety, glanced at Hanette. Though it was only a hypothesis, it was plausible enough to be unsettling. Perhaps the Magic Sword had not cured her illness but was merely suppressing it.
“Have you confirmed this?”
“I briefly examined her. There were no abnormalities.”
“Then there’s no problem, right?”
“Yes, there’s no problem. I was speculating, so there’s no need to worry.”
Zion finally relaxed, letting out a breath. Enrite observed Hanette for a while longer before breaking the silence.
“The reason I’m telling you this… is because you are Hanette’s fiancé. You should be aware of these things.”
“It’s better to know than not.”
“I could keep this to myself, but that wouldn’t be fair to you. Even if it’s just a guess, I felt it was right to inform you.”
“This state might continue, right?”
“It might. However, I haven’t experienced this before, so I can’t give a definite answer.”
“Summoning the Magic Sword would ensure her safety, correct?”
“That would be ideal. As long as she doesn’t die, the Magic Sword won’t leave her.”
“Even if she loses her qualifications, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll die, right?”
“Yes, but we’ll have to wait and see. For now, I think it’s best to leave things as they are.”
Hanette was rigorously training, putting her heart and soul into it. If they told her about this now, it would only cause unnecessary confusion. Moreover, since it was just speculation, there was no need to bring it up.
“…So that’s why you told me first?”
“I couldn’t tell Hanette directly, so someone close to her needed to know.”
“What should I do if… the worst-case scenario happens?”
Zion asked with a heavy heart, his eyes filled with sorrow. He could cut through darkness, but he couldn’t bring the dead back to life. Even if he defeated the Three Demon Kings and the Four Calamities, it would all feel meaningless if Hanette died.
“I will save her. No matter what,” Enrite said firmly, his eyes burning with determination.
Zion remained silent, gazing into Enrite’s fierce blue eyes.
“…Yes, I trust you.”
There was nothing more to say. Even if the worst-case scenario happened, he had to believe in Enrite. A trusted comrade had promised to save her.
“I want to see the two of you get married. So neither of you can die.”
Enrite was striving to live as a human. Although his goal wasn’t clear, he was continually searching for answers. Zion and Hanette were signposts on his journey, hard-earned guides he didn’t want to lose. That’s why he fought alongside them, moving towards the final battle.
“Is there a reason you want to see our wedding?” Zion asked.
“…I don’t know. I just want to see it.”
Zion smiled faintly, understanding the sentiment. Sometimes, desires don’t need a reason. They can be driven by instinct, feelings, or whims, accepted unconsciously. It was a very human reaction and a satisfying answer.
“I’d be very happy if you could attend our wedding.”
“Yes, I’ll definitely be there.”
Enrite smiled, briefly envisioning the future. If things continued this way, they could defeat all their enemies and achieve peace. Even the Three Demon Kings and the Demon God had fallen; the combined power of the Four Calamities couldn’t change the outcome.
“When the time comes, it will reveal itself.”
The one who connects the five sources, who holds both light and darkness. The phrases had emerged simultaneously from the seven Magic Swords. This indicated that all the Magic Swords had resonated, and those phrases likely pointed to the peace Enrite sought.
“That’s why I was obsessed with destruction.”
As someone who had once been a Magic Sword, Enrite understood those phrases. The purpose of the Magic Swords was to destroy the Demon God and dragons. El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain alone couldn’t annihilate their enemies, so five additional Magic Swords were created.
“If we fail this time… new Magic Swords might appear.”
Of course, Enrite didn’t wish for that future. When he was a Magic Sword, he could endure for hundreds or thousands of years or even longer. But as a human, he wouldn’t live for more than a century. He might die before gathering new Magic Swords.
“I’ll end this before I die as a human. That is my… destiny.”
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Zion’s room.
Lesia visited Duke Adelaira’s mansion with a light heart. It was almost like a vacation, and every visit, she was treated with utmost hospitality. Whatever she wanted was brought to her even before she asked, and the maids were always courteous and kind. Zion and Hanette weren’t demanding, so she naturally felt at ease.
“This time, you’ve given me something different?”
“Are you talking about the tea? The tea often changes.”
“Oh… so there’s more?”
“Yes.”
“Can I try the others after finishing this one?”
“…Sure, as you wish.”
Hanette replied calmly, watching Lesia intently. Lesia had not only drained her teacup but had also poured the entire teapot into her cup. Now she was asking for different tea, which left Hanette both baffled and intrigued.
“Can you really drink all that?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No… it’s just…”
Hanette tried to find the right words but eventually fell into silence. They had no shortage of food, so it wasn’t an issue. In fact, she wondered if she should pack some tea leaves for Lesia to take home.
“Do you eat like this every day?”
“Yes.”
“And the food changes daily too?”
“Yes.”
“I wonder how the other food tastes. I’d like to try it.”
“……”
Hanette gave up trying to figure it out and lifted her cup. Zion, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“Lesia, how is your Magic Sword?”
“That? Nothing’s changed. It’s working fine.”
“Do you still sense any other power?”
“Hmm… it might be harder now. I couldn’t adapt then, but now I’ve made it my own.”
“…You mean there’s no interference?”
“Right. I’ve severed the magic. I won’t let anyone else mess with my stuff.”
Zion felt a moment of doubt but decided not to pursue it. If Lesia’s words were true, the Demon God wouldn’t be able to manipulate the artificial Magic Sword anymore. While this meant they couldn’t track him, it also meant he wouldn’t risk further exposure, having already suffered a significant injury.
“You can fully control that Magic Sword?”
“If I fight him now, I can definitely kill him.”
“You nearly killed him last time, didn’t you?”
“That was a mistake. I should’ve used more power, but it didn’t fully cooperate, so the attack was weaker.”
“…Can you use stronger swordsmanship?”
Zion asked, slightly surprised. The power Lesia had displayed before wasn’t weak. Yet Lesia regretted not using her full strength.
“I can. I’ll have power left even after killing him.”