Robbenz did not actually want to send Hanette to the frontier regions.
Near the frontier, there were vicious beasts, and soldiers, including the elite Purple Shrine Archers, defended the front lines.
However, casualties occurred regularly, and even the best knights often suffered severe injuries, sometimes leading to permanent disabilities.
So, rather than expecting to achieve glory, there was a natural fear of injury.
"I trust you, that's why I'm allowing this. Just as you've done before, will you protect Hanette well? She's a strong warrior, so she shouldn't get hurt."
Of course, Hanette had earned the title of a mage and was continuously honing her magic.
Even if she fought against the beasts, she wouldn't easily be defeated and might even save more soldiers.
But the fact remained that sending Hanette to a dangerous place worried him as a father.
"I want to trust Hanette, but... I can't. Do you know why?"
"You're worried she might get hurt."
"Even if she achieves glory, it ends if she's injured. If she can be healed with sacred magic, that's fortunate. But what if she can't be healed? How would I feel if she died?"
Hanette listened quietly, filled with emptiness.
Why was someone who used to hate and scold her saying such things now?
Perhaps he wished she had never been born or would disappear forever.
"I will definitely protect her so that won't happen."
"You know well that being strong doesn't mean you can kill all the beasts. Why do you think the Purple Shrine Archers stay within the fortress? Do you think other knights stay idle because they are stupid? No. They don't act because it's that dangerous."
"Yes, that's why I said I won't involve myself in combat as much as possible."
Zion's actual purpose in going to the frontier was not to fight the beasts.
His true goal was to observe the protagonist and allies, but it was also a ruse to delay the wedding.
He would consider various possibilities based on the knights' actions, while Hanette, as a mage, would achieve her goals.
Of course, whatever they did, their safety had to be guaranteed, and if necessary, Zion was prepared to fight alone.
"I ask you this. It's fine if you don't achieve glory, just don't get hurt. I'll provide whatever you need. Please follow my wish for Hanette's sake."
"Yes, I will follow your words."
"You too. Just don't get hurt. Other than that, do as you wish."
"...?"
Hanette, coming to her senses, looked at Robbenz.
He wasn't particularly angry or pressing.
He looked more gentle than ever, and even his voice was calm.
"I said do as you wish, but that doesn't mean act thoughtlessly. Even if you don't consider the family, your conduct should not be problematic."
"Yes, I will be careful."
"Don't stay away from Zion. It's not because I don't trust you. I mean, discern well who you can trust."
"Yes, I will do that."
"When it's urgent, you can run away. No matter what others say, take care of your safety first. After death, money, nobility, all become useless. And......"
Robbenz continued speaking with a stern expression.
Hanette listened carefully despite giving the same responses.
His words were not to be taken lightly and seemed like sincere advice.
'...He's not scolding me.'
Hanette, feeling a sense of dissonance, showed a lonely gaze.
Robbenz had always criticized and oppressed her no matter what she did.
She hadn't expected to get permission easily, but instead, he even offered to help establish the knights.
Was he trusting Zion, or did he see it as an opportunity to send away someone he considered useless?
'I don't know.'
Originally, she had planned to run away from this mansion.
She had secretly saved money, made plans, and acted like a rogue.
But after meeting Zion, she gave up on running away. Now, the circumstances seemed favorable again.
Wouldn't it be quite fun to run away together with Zion?
'Zion can manage something, right? He's more capable than I am...'
Marquis Laird's estate, study.
Zion and Hanette immediately went to see Freed.
To delay the wedding date, they needed permission from the heads of both families.
Although Robbenz's title was higher, Freed's title was still significant.
Since it was an arranged marriage by mutual agreement, both families' opinions had to match.
"I was wondering why you came..."
Freed, deep in thought, looked at the two alternately.
The mere idea of delaying the wedding gave him a headache, and now they mentioned forming a knights order.
Moreover, they planned to operate it as a two-person knight order, leaving him puzzled about their intentions.
"Are you delaying the wedding because of the knights order?"
"Yes, we have things we want to do before getting married."
"And those things involve going to the frontier?"
"We want to gain various experiences. If we defeat the beasts and achieve glory, it will benefit our families."
"I never asked you to achieve glory. Do you have another reason?"
"We want more freedom. If we get married like this, we might become a burden to each other."
Zion calmly continued his explanation, gauging Freed's reaction.
From his expression, it didn't seem like he was upset.
His tone and atmosphere were the same as usual, making Zion think he might grant permission more easily.
"Are you being arrogant because you learned how to use sword energy?"
"No. Achieving glory is a future goal; experiencing different things is more important now. We won't leave the fortress or engage in combat."
"...Hanette, you've only recently learned magic. Are you overconfident because of your mage title?"
"We're not leaving right away. We wanted to get permission first and then prepare. I'm still training in magic at the academy."
Hanette responded politely, feeling inwardly tense.
Surprisingly, Freed was scrutinizing more rigorously than Robbenz.
If she hadn't earned the mage title, he might have outright refused from the start.
"Can you protect Hanette well? Even if she's a mage, she's your partner. If you can't protect her, you shouldn't even think about the knights order."
"I suggested it first, so I'll take responsibility..."
"I can protect Zion too. Why are you only questioning Zion's responsibility?"
Hanette abruptly interrupted, but Freed said nothing.
The question had been based on Zion's strength.
However, now that Hanette had learned magic and held the mage title, she could surely assist Zion if she put her mind to it.
"Zion, let me ask you. How much do you love Hanette?"
"Excuse me?"
Zion unintentionally responded stiffly.
Hanette flinched but continued to listen quietly.
"I don't want to hear anything else. What feelings do you have for Hanette?"
"......"
Zion, engulfed in silence, tried to find an answer.
Freed was more serious than ever, his gaze deep and steady.
Perhaps he was trying to gauge Zion's determination and mindset, given their plan to form a knights order together.
"I want to be with her until the end of my life."
"Even without going to the frontier, you can achieve that, can't you?"
"I got engaged at a young age. Soon, we will have the wedding and possibly children. Before that happens, I want to enjoy freedom with my sister."
Zion quickly composed his sentence, making it sound plausible.
Although he had a real goal, he couldn't reveal it to Freed.
Of course, Hanette was also trying to prove her worth, so it might be related to pursuing freedom.
"...Hanette, now let me ask you. How much do you love Zion?"
"What? Oh......"
Hanette hesitated, glancing at Zion.
Freed's acceptance of Zion's answer meant he was satisfied with it.
Thus, she had to express her feelings as clearly as Zion did to move forward.
"Zion has always been by my side. So, I want to stay by his side too."
"Does that mean you won't let Zion go alone?"
"Yes, I can help Zion now. I want to give back more than I've received."
"You can still achieve your goals without going to the frontier. Yet, you still want to go?"
"...I want to prove that I'm not a rogue. Can't you give me one chance?"
Freed, while contemplating, was satisfied with her answer.
They didn't necessarily have to take the risk.
They could stay in the capital and train, or hold high positions in other knight orders or magic academies.
But since Zion and Hanette's desires were clear, he couldn't stop them.
"Fine. Do as you wish. I'll support delaying the wedding and forming the knights order."
"Thank you......"
"But you can't do it alone. Take other knights with you. If there's a problem, return to the capital immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, understood."
"Yes, I'll do that."
Zion, finally shaking off his anxiety, thought of what to do first.
He had already gathered a lot of information, and the king had promised to send knights and soldiers.
Now, he just needed to storm the headquarters, capture everyone, or execute them on the spot.
'All that's left is to clear the southern region. The rebel leaders are all gathered there.'
Southern region of Alain Kingdom, Rodab.
Rodab was a city and town of moderate size.
It had shortcomings to be called a city and too many residents to be a village.
Due to its low profile compared to other cities, it was a good place to hide and receive stable supplies.
"Have you confirmed everything? If you fail once, it becomes a race against time."
"We searched the southern region thoroughly. We referred to the documents sent from the capital, and all scout units were involved in this mission. This is the place."
The chief knight commander in charge of the rebellion eradication mission quickly explained while bowing.
Hundreds of knights and thousands of soldiers were scattered, waiting for orders.
Zion slowly nodded, looking at the rebel headquarters.
"I'm sorry, but I've never commanded troops. Please help me a lot, chief knight commander."
For this mission, the king had temporarily granted Zion command authority.
Having found and swiftly annihilated all the hideouts in the capital, he had earned recognition for his strength and achievements.
From Zion's perspective, he had to step in himself, so there was no reason to refuse.
"I will assist you to the best of my abilities."
"...We must not let a single one escape. Especially the leaders, we must capture them."
The chief knight commander turned his head immediately, sensing the magic.
A purple aura faintly surrounded Zion's body.
His eyes were filled with murderous intent, and the purple magic seemed ready to burst out.
Could it be that he planned to use sword energy to attack the headquarters?
"If we can't capture them alive, it's better to kill them. In that case, I will step in and eliminate them. Do you understand?"