I am tired of being the victim.
For a long time, I was called the Crazy Young Lady and nearly died twice unintentionally.
No one ever understood me, and I had to endure everything quietly, just observing.
But now things have changed. If someone threatens me, I can retaliate just as strongly.
“I said I would support you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just stay locked up in the mansion. I can kill people too. Why do you think I can’t?”
“I’m not saying you can’t. I’m saying you shouldn’t unless absolutely necessary.”
“If you truly care about me, you should say I might have to kill someone! The world isn’t full of nice people. There are bad ones, and sometimes even weird ones. If someone tries to kill me, I have to fight back. Standing still is what fools do!”
I had done many foolish things in the past.
I stayed quiet in the mansion and didn’t even use magic when attacked.
Sure, Zion helped me, but I couldn’t always rely on him.
I had to endure trials and pain and be resolved to kill any enemy.
“If I keep relying on you, I won’t be able to do anything. I won’t hesitate anymore. I’ll prove I can do it too.”
“......”
Zion was slightly shocked and remained silent.
He hadn’t expected such words from me.
While he thought my personality and mindset would change someday, he didn’t expect it to be so soon.
“Why do you want me in the knight order?”
“Well... because I need you.”
“Why do you need me?”
“You proved it recently. Not just anyone can earn the title of a mage.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“You’re my partner. I can’t leave you behind.”
“......”
I was at a loss for words and covered my mouth.
I wanted to tie up the conversation, but I was too embarrassed to lift my head.
Through my silver hair, the bright purple glint was visible, making it hard to meet his eyes.
“Hmm... If we weren’t engaged, would you have left me?”
“No, I wouldn’t leave. I’d persuade you to join the knight order.”
“Don’t lie. You have no reason to take me with you.”
“Even if you weren’t my partner... I still need you with me. So, I must take you.”
I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile.
Though there wasn’t a clear reason, he needed me.
Had we not been engaged, we wouldn’t have met, but I accepted it as it was now.
“Ahem... What I mean is I can do well too. Shouldn't the vice-commander be competent?”
“Even if one side falters, the other can cover. I’m not perfect, so I need your help too.”
“That’s not enough for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll make you rely on me. How long must I depend on a kid?”
Even knowing it might be impossible, I didn’t want to give up.
Following even the slightest bit was better than being left behind.
If we were to spend our lives together, I had to be closer, even if not at the same level.
“That’s modest. You can achieve it soon.”
“How is that modest? It’s hard for me to keep up with you.”
“I’m not very practical. You’ll soon find out.”
Zion was also growing stronger, but it was because of Exceed Rain.
Without it, he would be just an ordinary swordsman.
As Zion Laird, he had no choice but to rely on Exceed Rain.
“If you’re impractical, what does that make me?”
“Hmm... A noble lady who can become a great mage?”
“Ha! That’s funny. You becoming Setinos Quasar would be faster!”
“That’s a bit too high of a view.”
“What’s so high about it? Get a grip.”
I replied bluntly, resting my chin on my hand.
Among young swordsmen, few had Zion’s skill.
At best, only his older brother Barhen and a few others occasionally mentioned would compare.
In a few years, he might be called the best swordsman of his time.
‘How can I make him rely on me...?’
The continent of Caronbelaz, the world of shadows.
This place was completely reversed from the existing world and could only be accessed through shadow magic.
Everything in the shadow world was pitch black, and no living creatures existed.
Only one person had ever entered the shadow world, and no one else had mastered shadow magic.
Shadow magic was created by beasts, not humans.
- Grrrr...
A gloomy and subdued voice echoed from somewhere.
In this world submerged in darkness, it was the only voice and movement.
The voice’s owner considered this ominous and eerie atmosphere normal.
- I can sense the Magic Sword...
Something massive stirred and stood tall.
Its body was covered in black scales, with folded wings and a long tail on its back.
It was essentially the ruler of this world, known to humans as one of the four great calamities.
- I will make everything mine.
Shadow Dragon Grosiran’s eyes gleamed fiercely.
His gray eyes moved busily, soon locating the object.
- My treasure... my Magic Sword...
On a black-painted altar lay a single sword.
The blade glowed white, gradually turning green toward the hilt.
Being in the shadow world, its magic was sealed, preventing any qualified human from communing with it.
- Once everything is gathered, it will be even more beautiful. It will remain in this world forever.
Unlike the other great calamities, Grosiran did not rampage but always stayed in this world.
It was a black world meant only for him, inaccessible to any living creature.
Thus, other colors placed here would shine even more brilliantly.
- Heh heh heh...
Grosiran ran his fingers over the pale green Magic Sword, emitting a bizarre laugh.
This Magic Sword had a wind attribute.
Its noble appearance and pure light made it hard to look away.
How many more such Magic Swords were there?
- Only beautiful things belong in my world.
Around the pale green Magic Sword were countless treasures.
Golden crowns, goblets, nuggets, ingots, lavish necklaces, rings, and various sparkling jewels.
He had to keep collecting, and bringing in other Magic Swords would make this world shine even more.
- The shadows will be with me...
The frontier of Alain Kingdom, the front line.
The eastern border of Alain Kingdom was called the frontier, where fortresses of varying sizes formed the front line.
Tens of thousands of troops were stationed at the front, conducting beast deterrence and eradication.
However, aside from the fortresses and their vicinity, the troops couldn’t act freely, and beasts sometimes infiltrated through the blind spots between fortresses.
Thus, flexible troops were needed for specific situations, filled by independent knight orders and mercenary groups.
“Is that the knight order we’re talking about?”
“Everyone knows them. They swiftly take care of things on their own.”
“I heard they get paid in advance.”
“They deserve it. They handle their tasks well and don’t run away.”
The soldiers at the outpost murmured, glancing at the group behind them.
It was a knight order that had traveled the frontier for months, earning a wide reputation.
With fewer than ten members, they demonstrated combat power comparable to large knight orders when fighting beasts.
Each knight was strong, and the commander displayed overwhelming force while leading them.
“The commander looks young.”
“Probably not thirty... maybe just over twenty.”
“Wow... a commander at twenty?”
“He’s a commander because he’s skilled. Why else would they follow a young guy?”
“He was impressive. Every time he swung his sword, yellow light flashed.”
That commander was a swordsman who also used magic.
He was so fast that he couldn’t be tracked by the eye, and his sword strikes appeared blurred.
In an instant, yellow light burst out, leaving beast corpses in its wake.
“That’s what magic is. We country folks might not get it...”
“Using both sword and magic?”
“Why not? If he can do it, he does it.”
“Never seen anyone use both.”
“Come on, it’s possible if he’s doing it. Why argue?”
“Just saying what I heard.”
“Probably some odd talk you picked up. Why even bother?”
“Man... no one believes me. They said it’s not possible.”
The two soldiers began arguing heatedly.
Several knights glanced at them and turned back to their commander.
“Let’s summarize. We’ll wait here. If beasts come, we fight. If not, we wait until morning.”
The commander of the Sylase Knights, Seran Sylase, concluded his explanation and looked around.
The knights who followed him were gathered.
Among them was a white apostle, whose identity was kept secret.
“Are we getting paid just to stand around?”
“Well... it’s a bit different, but close enough.”
“Fine by me. We’re off tomorrow, right?”
“If an urgent request comes, we might not rest. We did get an advance payment.”
“Ugh! Let’s not take any requests till tomorrow! I need a drink.”
“Hey! Are you here to drink? Just follow the commander.”
“You keep saying that? Talking to someone who doesn’t appreciate a good drink.”
“You need to fix your attitude. I’ve told you since we were in the capital...”
Seran intervened, trying to mediate the quarrel.
A hooded woman, hearing the word “capital,” remembered something.
‘...Zion Laird is coming.’
Enrite Serenine, the white apostle, recalled the events in the capital with a faint smile.
Seeing potential in Zion Laird, she had returned the holy water and paid for his expenses.
She had heard he had learned sword energy and assumed he had grown stronger since.
‘He said he’d come with his fiancée.’
Rumors from the capital had reached the frontier.
Zion Laird had formed a knight order and was coming with his fiancée.
A swordsman using sword energy and a mage with the title of a mage, supported by the Duke and Marquis families, held authority comparable to the royal knights.
Thus, the lords of the frontier were preparing to welcome them.
‘This too is destiny. If he has obtained the Magic Sword, I must make him an ally. Absolutely...’