Zion Laird had sworn to lay down his life for Hanette Adelaira as her knight.
Hanette Adelaira accepted his vow and reciprocated by pledging her life in return.
Therefore, if they were together, they could both be inducted into the Royal Knights.
“What does the Royal Knights’ captain think about this?”
Gloné swallowed his silence, plunged into contemplation.
This issue had already caused trouble, and ultimately, Brandish had given up on Zion Laird.
Of course, if Hanette Adelaira was included, Zion Laird might be more receptive.
However, there was a lot of personal emotion involved, and the conditions had changed, so the officials would be the first to oppose it.
“…Your Majesty, the situation has changed significantly. Didn’t Barhen Laird join the Royal Knights first?”
“Is it a problem because they’re from the same family?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. And Hanette Adelaira has learned magic. Although there are a few mages in the Royal Knights, their number is not significant. If you intend to induct her into the Royal Knights, you must also consider the allocation of personnel.”
“Hm…”
Brandish could not counter this. Gloné’s argument was almost irrefutable, leaving no room for argument.
If they forcibly inducted the two, it would shake the foundations of the Royal Knights.
“Additionally, Hanette Adelaira is known as the Crazy Young Lady. It’s merely a rumor, but officials and nobles will be influenced by it.”
“…Is there more?”
“As members of the Royal Knights, they must protect Your Majesty and the royal family. However, those two might prioritize each other over the enemy. As the captain of the Royal Knights, I am deeply concerned and thus oppose their induction.”
Brandish nodded, quickly conceding.
Stubbornly insisting would only harm her and the entire Royal Knights.
It wasn’t worth sacrificing what they already had to gain something.
“Grand Duke Adelaira won’t be pleased. Marquis Laird has already given up one son.”
“Your wisdom is great, Your Majesty.”
“I must be too greedy.”
Both were children of nobles and citizens of Alain Kingdom. There was no need to create unnecessary discord or overturn a decision already made.
Even if they weren’t by her side, they would undoubtedly benefit the kingdom greatly.
“It is intriguing, though. A knight who can use sword aura and a mage are a pair.”
“I understand they are soon to be married.”
“Those two?”
“Yes, it is said their engagement period was set for six months, and now about a month remains.”
“Has it already been that long? Huh…”
Brandish left the office, recalling the events.
The waiting Royal Knights and maids slowly followed.
There were predetermined events she could attend, but she felt she must see their wedding.
‘If they spoke of laying down their lives before me, they must show the results.’
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, indoor training hall.
The indoor training hall had somehow become their exclusive space.
Only Zion and Hanette frequented it, and maids came by occasionally to bring water and towels.
Sometimes Yenid appeared to scold Hanette, but when Zion intervened, she would reluctantly leave with a request to take care of her.
It was always quiet and peaceful, making them feel they could enjoy this life forever.
“Phew… I need to rest for a bit.”
“Already giving up? Try a little more.”
“I can’t. I really can’t hold out.”
Zion, sweating, stood up.
No matter how much time he spent, he couldn’t catch up to Hanette.
Hanette’s talent was far superior, and she had secretly learned magic, gaining considerable experience.
Recently, her growth had been remarkable, widening the gap even more.
“It’s strange. Why can’t you hold out?”
“It’s not that I’m strange; you’re just amazing. How are you even managing this?”
“Hmm… It just works when I do it?”
“Just because you can do it doesn’t mean I can.”
“Why can’t you?”
“…?”
Zion frowned, not understanding her words.
In contrast, Hanette just gazed at him indifferently.
“Hanette, I’m not as great as you think. I’m just lucky.”
“I think you’re amazing.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Do I have to explain everything?”
“Sword aura? That was pure luck. The Royal Knights noticed me by chance. I put in a lot of effort to take down the hideout.”
“…But you did it alone, right? That’s why you’re amazing.”
“How many times do I have to tell you it was luck?”
“Then I became a mage by luck too?”
“That’s… not true.”
Zion trailed off, unsure.
Without luck, she might not have become a mage. But she skillfully utilized the situation, so part of it was her own capability.
“You seemed different back then. Did you really not feel anything?”
“Everything felt normal. What would I feel? Ah, maybe a bit tired.”
“Nothing else?”
“I said no.”
“Hmm…”
If she had connected with the Magic Sword, she would vaguely sense its location.
She would continue connecting with it, inevitably seeking it out.
But Hanette hadn’t shown any signs of change and acted the same as usual.
‘This is different from what I knew. Could it be another manipulation?’
In the original narrative, even a sign of connection with the Magic Sword meant they would definitely sync with it.
The protagonist also experienced changes before acquiring the Lightning Magic Sword, and other characters followed similar paths.
But Hanette deviated entirely from this process, raising doubts.
‘Is the Magic Sword’s lore incorrect?’
Right now, he couldn’t be certain of anything.
He speculated that even Hanette’s details and lore might have been altered.
If the Magic Sword became a variable, his knowledge of the future could become jumbled.
‘Is Seran Sylase really the protagonist?’
As questions and doubts intertwined, he reached another conclusion.
Novels are fundamentally based on imagination and fiction.
Even if the world and characters existed, the details and lore could change.
‘The ending could be different too.’
The protagonist eradicates the three great demons and the four great disasters, bringing true peace to the world.
It was a predetermined conclusion, and Zion relied on this to build his foundation.
But if even that was false, how should he respond?
‘Not everything is wrong. But… I can’t tell what’s wrong.’
If he could distinguish between the information he trusted and doubted, he could proceed with just one choice.
But if he couldn’t differentiate, he’d be stuck in constant hesitation.
With truth and falsehood mixed, his judgment would blur, and he’d lose confidence amidst the uncertainty.
‘Running away won’t change anything.’
If the protagonist reached the conclusion alone, there’d be no reason for him to intervene.
He could just check occasionally and move according to plan.
But if the conclusion changed, the protagonist and his companions could all die, or the world could be utterly destroyed.
‘I need to revise my plans.’
Not drastically, though.
The details and lore were slightly different, not entirely transformed.
He just needed to act more diligently, expanding the knights’ activities.
‘How should I change it…’
“You think a lot, don’t you?”
“To move according to plan, you have to think a lot.”
“Can you really do well?”
“You’ll help, won’t you?”
“As vice-captain?”
“Right. Or do you want to be the captain?”
“If I wanted that, I would’ve founded it myself.”
“You can do it now.”
“How can I? You’re better for it.”
“Why can’t…”
Zion realized the meaning behind her words belatedly.
He had gained trust, so mentioning founding a knights’ order would at least earn him a chance to explain.
But Hanette, known as the Crazy Young Lady, would only face criticism for saying the same.
“I’m fine being vice-captain. I might not be qualified…”
“You’re not unqualified. Without you, I wouldn’t have thought of founding the order.”
“I’m different from you. I just started learning magic.”
“Don’t belittle yourself. As a mage, you’re on par with me.”
Although her connection with the Magic Sword was part of it, it was also her latent talent.
He used Exceed Rain to manifest sword aura, so they essentially had similar conditions.
“You speak well.”
“I mean it. I need you.”
“…”
Hanette unconsciously covered her mouth, turning away.
Her face felt warm, and chills ran down her neck.
Could he say something so embarrassing so nonchalantly?
‘Since he says he needs me… I have no choice.’
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, office.
Zion and Hanette entered the office together.
Robbenz listened intently to Zion and occasionally glanced at Hanette.
After a long explanation, Zion finally took a breath.
“…So, you want to delay the wedding?”
“Yes, I’m not saying we won’t marry. I want to achieve our goals before the wedding.”
“Have you discussed this with Hanette?”
“Yes, she agreed to follow my wishes.”
Robbenz fully turned his gaze to Hanette.
She hesitated briefly but then showed determined eyes.
“Hanette, I want to hear your thoughts. Do you truly want to follow Zion to the frontier?”
“Yes, I want to change myself before the wedding.”
“…”
Robbenz, understanding her meaning, swallowed his silence.
She had been tormented by him and her family and was called the Crazy Young Lady by nobles.
But she never harmed anyone and endured with a passion for magic.
Thus, she diligently learned magic and earned the title of mage.
“Both of you have skills… I can’t oppose this. I give my permission.”
“What?”
“…?”
Zion and Hanette were taken aback, enveloped in silence.
Typically, there would be an emotional response or a series of rebuttals.
But Robbenz appeared surprisingly composed.
“You thought I’d oppose? I entrusted Hanette to you. I can only follow your and Hanette’s wishes. I’ll also support the founding of the knights’ order.”