Slime Dragon instinctively realized its existence was fading. The core had already been shattered, and the immortal Magic Sword Zael Berza showed no reaction. The pain had become faint, and all its senses seemed paralyzed.
"I could have become a true dragon..."
The red slime gradually turned to liquid, and the internal bones and organs disintegrated into pieces. Yet, the flames clung tenaciously, burning everything to ash.
"I can't be dying..."
Its voice could no longer be heard. The body continued to collapse, mana trickling out and then stopping completely. Even with its remaining strength, it couldn't harness the power as the liquified slime evaporated under the relentless flames.
"Graa… gurgh…"
Slime Dragon finally understood the cause. The destruction of the core dispersed the power of the Four Calamities, and Zael Berza was absorbing the remnants. Despite being shattered and losing its form, it continued to siphon its power.
"Graaa… Demon God..."
Slime Dragon had anticipated the Demon God’s deceit. It always remained wary, believing it could suppress any trickery with its own strength. However, being attacked during its weakened state rendered any resistance futile.
"This... damn... act!"
Slime Dragon’s body completely liquefied, covering the ground. Bones and organs left no trace, and mana was gone. Hanette watched the process for a while, then turned away, erecting a barrier of flames.
"Is she trying to keep that stuff from coming here?"
"It doesn't look very good."
"She's gotten more cautious."
"Once you fall, that tends to happen. How about you try dying and coming back?"
"...Coming back might be a bit difficult."
"Exactly, so take care. Once you lose something, it's not easy to get it back."
Hanette smiled faintly as she returned to Zion. Lesia moved slowly, watching the pair. Hanette stayed close to Zion, her gaze filled with concern.
'It's not just difficult; it's impossible.'
Even before becoming human, she knew this well. Once a living being dies, nothing can bring them back. Zion had come close to death but never crossed the threshold. Hanette, however, had overcome death and returned stronger.
'Both of them transcended fate.'
Fate maintains the laws of this world and cannot be defied by ordinary means. Lesia and Enrite, as the consciousnesses of Magic Swords turned human, had defied fate. Zion and Hanette existed as humans imbued with primal forces, also defying fate. Though they had both transcended fate, their paths and endings were distinctly different.
'Bearer of the Five Origins... The one who holds light and darkness...'
Lesia reflected on these terms while glancing between Zion and Hanette. Though the prophecy had yet to be realized, they possessed the potential. They were Magic Sword users, each holding the primal force of flame and darkness, respectively, and both had transcended fate.
'Hmm... Is there anything left that could threaten humanity?'
Considering the prophecy alone, there should be a greater foe than Slime Dragon. But with the Three Demon Kings and Four Calamities eradicated, only a weakened Demon God remained. Furthermore, the last artificial Magic Sword left by Demon God was destroyed, preventing it from regaining its strength.
'The timing and location aren't specified.'
Predicting the future also defies fate. Thus, to make such an event happen, it would require stringent conditions or significant sacrifices, potentially resulting in incomplete outcomes. If it falls into the latter category, the lack of specified timing and location might be related.
'Maybe it will be postponed for centuries… or not occur in Alain Kingdom.'
Humans have limited lifespans, and Magic Swords seek new masters when their current ones die. With time and place unspecified, various possibilities remained. Though Demon God’s presence was unsettling, future generations of humans would not be weak either.
'We'll know eventually...'
"Has it been vanquished?"
Brandish appeared with the allies. Zion and Enrite attempted to stand, but Brandish gestured for them to remain seated.
"Don't stop the healing. We don't need formalities on the battlefield."
Brandish walked around, surveying the surroundings. There seemed to be no casualties, though Zion looked exhausted, breathing heavily and drenched in sweat.
"Did Black take the lead again?"
"Black initiated, followed by Hanette Adelaira and Lesia Serenine, who finished the battle."
Enrite explained calmly while tending to Zion. Brandish nodded, gazing at the widespread golden flames.
"Did Hanette Adelaira cast that spell?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hanette stood up, responding respectfully. Brandish recalled the earlier events, her curiosity piqued.
"Did you contain the enemy with flame magic?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You accomplished alone what we could not."
"I believe I was fortunate. The others helped as well."
Returning from death was a miracle itself, and having grown stronger was akin to a rebirth. Knowing Zion was close to death, Hanette had defied death and managed to annihilate Slime Dragon.
"Lesia Serenine deserves more credit. Without her, we wouldn't have lasted."
"...You mean the White Knight’s sister?"
Brandish remembered the entire battle against Slime Dragon. Her side had focused on defense, slowing the creature’s movements, while Zion and Enrite’s side launched aggressive attacks. The white sword strikes had been particularly noticeable, cutting down Slime Dragon whenever they flashed.
Considering the overall contributions, Lesia had indeed played a significant role.
"The enemy vanished for a moment... How did that happen?"
"My fiancé took the initiative to restrain the enemy."
Hanette hesitated, glossing over the details. Explaining that Zion had risked his life would require recounting her death and resurrection. Since it was driven by emotional actions, it might provoke criticism. Watching Zion suffer in silence was already painful; she didn't want to make things harder for him.
"...Did he act alone?"
Brandish sensed an oddity but refrained from prying. Hanette’s armor bore holes, and Zion seemed drained of both energy and mana. If Zion had fought until such a state, there must have been a compelling reason, possibly Hanette's severe injury, inciting him to unleash powerful techniques in a fit of rage.
‘It’s likely too personal to disclose here.’
If they had a private audience, they might have spoken more openly. But in the presence of other knights, Hanette naturally prioritized Zion's dignity and chose to keep things concealed.
‘I can’t break the oath I swore.’
The oath made to appoint Zion as Setinos Quasar was intertwined with Hanette. Zion accepted the royal command partly because it allowed him to prioritize Hanette’s safety. With Hanette always by Zion's side, they inevitably fought together. All these factors were bound by the oath, and punishing them for a mere lie was unjustifiable.
‘The Sylase Knights vanquished the enemy... it’s right to overlook this considering their merits.’
As a queen, demanding absolute truth and loyalty from subjects isn't always feasible. Everyone harbors secrets, and she couldn't scrutinize each one. More importantly, both Zion and Hanette were children of prestigious houses, possessing fame and accomplishments. Compromise was necessary.
‘The prophecy has yet to unfold.’
Brandish hadn’t forgotten the prophecy from the seven Magic Swords. She would have been somewhat relieved had it occurred now. However, there were no signs, only growing unease.
‘Only the Demon God remains.’
It might be unnecessary worry. Perhaps the prophecy would never come true or held another meaning entirely. If the Demon God were permanently eradicated, there’d be no lingering regrets.
‘There were no casualties.’
Facing a formidable foe, everyone survived. While Alain Kingdom’s losses weren't erased, had they not ended it here, the toll would have been greater. The oath-bound individuals were safe, preserving a glimmer of hope.
‘Is it finally time to see the wedding?’
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Zion’s room.
A few days after, the personnel dispatched to the supply base returned to the capital. Confirming Slime Dragon’s demise and cleaning up took time. Formally, Brandish and Yuter should have returned first, but they stayed longer to ensure Slime Dragon was truly gone and to prevent Demon God’s interference.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better."
"Not fully recovered, right?"
"A bit stiff, but my mana is returning."
Zion replied calmly, lying in bed. He had been resting since the battle, but fatigue lingered. Enrite's regular check-ups helped his gradual recovery.
"Isn’t it taking too long?"
"Recovery takes time."
"I mean, will you return to normal? Even if your mana decreases, you need to move."
Hanette lay beside him, frequently checking on him. Despite Enrite’s assurance of no abnormalities and Zion’s mana gradually returning, she couldn’t help but worry, fearing for his well-being.
"I can move now, just not easily."
"Ugh… why did you do that? Are you satisfied now?"
"Should I have just cried there?"
"Hey, Serenine Cardinal and Lesia were there. Oz and Seran aren't nobodies. You could have fought together. Why act alone?"
"...What would I do alone? After your funeral, what’s left? Find another woman? Live alone until I die? What should I do?"
"……."
Hanette was momentarily speechless, cautiously shifting her gaze. Zion remained indifferent, staring out the window. After contemplating, she leaned closer to Zion.
"I'm staying here. Don’t stop me."
"Stay."
"...Aren’t you supposed to say no?"
"Well… no. When you get the chance, take it. There's no point after death."