The Lychnis Knight Order had several unique attributes.
A two-person knight order, composed of a Duke’s daughter and a Marquis’s son, strong yet inexperienced in real combat, and their voluntary presence in the frontier region.
They couldn't help but stand out, and even ordinary soldiers would be interested in these two.
'Managing them should be easier with fewer members.'
Valtz didn't intend to treat the Lychnis Knight Order as a subordinate. He merely wanted to assist them as an eager supporter.
Moreover, he had connections with other Setinos Quasars, giving him a legitimate reason to support them.
'Even dealing with just the Marquis’s house is challenging, but combining it with the Duke’s house...'
Even the Marquis's house alone was intimidating for nobles. It ranked second among the five titles, and there weren’t many of them.
Adding the two existing Duke titles meant the lords had to be very mindful of these two individuals.
'If they were just relying on their titles, I would ignore them, but... this is different.'
Nobles usually considered themselves superior, oppressing and belittling non-nobles.
Royalty also behaved similarly, and commoners always looked up to them, bowing constantly.
However, the Lychnis Knight Order faced the beasts as soon as they appeared, ending the battle without any casualties.
'They probably stepped in without expecting any reward.'
Even with swift action, casualties were inevitable against flying beasts.
Yet, the Lychnis Knight Order achieved near-miraculous results.
Luck might have been a factor, but their mindset deserved respect.
'What did the Silver and Blue see in them?'
The Blue Sage continued to train apprentices, so another mage like Hanette Adelaira could emerge.
But the Silver Phantom was only now taking in his first apprentice, so it wasn't mere coincidence.
He must have seen something beyond skill in Zion Laird.
'It's good to encourage them, but I need to stay here.'
Valtz was both the commander of the Carverdrion Knight Order and the deputy commander of the frontline rapid response unit.
The frontline had a designated commander, and he roamed the frontier as support with his knight order.
Depending on the situation, he could temporarily use additional forces with his Setinos Quasar authority.
'They might not be at Fort Teroden when the letter arrives.'
Nobody knew the exact reason behind the formation of the Lychnis Knight Order or their purpose in the frontier.
They were currently at Fort Teroden, but they might move to another fort soon.
They could even come to Fort Alieard, but the timing was uncertain.
'Sending letters to all forts would draw too much attention. It's tricky.'
As a Setinos Quasar and a knight, he had to remain neutral.
Breaking this stance would cause suspicion among the lords and troops.
This matter needed to be handled discreetly and swiftly.
'I need to find the Lychnis Knight Order’s location first.'
He didn’t intend to gain favor from anyone.
It was just about preventing potential mishaps involving these young nobles.
If either got hurt, it would further tarnish the perception of the frontier.
'This is an opportunity.'
Whether conscripted or volunteering, people were reluctant to come to the frontier.
Injuries were common, and death was a constant threat.
It was the kingdom's law and decent wages that kept the troops here.
'If this works out, more might come to the frontier.'
Young nobles achieving success and returning safely could draw interest from both nobles and commoners.
If that momentum increased the troop numbers, Alain Kingdom could be more firmly protected.
'I should inform the commander. He might help.'
On the road to Fort Nakmor, in the frontier region of Alain Kingdom.
Zion and Hanette hurriedly finished their breakfast and left Fort Teroden.
They were familiar with Fort Teroden’s terrain, and no beasts besides the wyverns had appeared.
The lord suggested they stay longer, but there was no reason to waste time.
'Hanette has grown much stronger.'
Zion had observed Hanette since she took her mage exam.
Her eyes turned golden more often, and she gradually adapted to the change.
Now, her eyes changed color whenever she used magic, and her skills and control had sharpened.
'Why isn't she resonating with the Magic Sword?'
The signs were there, and she had the qualifications to use it.
But Hanette still felt nothing and couldn’t locate the Magic Sword.
Where had things gone wrong?
'She should resonate with the Magic Sword if she's qualified.'
Whatever he did, that fact wouldn’t change.
Only the timing of her resonance with the Magic Sword would vary.
If there was a problem, there was only one possible reason.
'There's a mix of accurate and false details.'
Zion couldn't find an answer.
If Hanette had died, it meant those related details were false.
Yet, the eye color and certain changes were all correct.
'Was it a coincidence? How could that be? Or maybe she was alive for a while, and things changed...'
"Did something bad happen? Is that why we left the fort?"
Hanette turned and asked cautiously.
Zion had always been thoughtful, but he seemed even more so since coming to the frontier.
She wanted to help but felt she couldn’t do much.
"No, I just have a lot on my mind."
"What were you thinking about?"
"Hmm... where we should go next."
"Aren't we heading to Fort Nakmor now?"
"I mean the fort after Nakmor."
"Why are you thinking about that already?"
"So we can travel safely. Wandering without a plan isn't good."
"You consider this a journey?"
"A journey to gain experience. We can't stay here forever."
"...If you're okay with it, we can stay longer. I don't mind."
Hanette replied nonchalantly, looking around.
The frontier was dangerous, and soldiers were dying even now.
She felt a bit afraid but didn’t succumb to it.
She had someone she could trust right beside her.
"We can't stay too long. We need to regroup and come back later."
"Why do you think we can return?"
"We started a knight order, didn’t we? We're not short on money... Oh, if it's about lacking knights..."
"What do you think will happen when we return to the capital?"
"Uh... They'll ask how we are? They'll say we worked hard and should rest... And then..."
"They’ll talk about setting a wedding date."
"......"
Zion swallowed hard, nodding slowly.
Their engagement was extended by six months, but that could change anytime.
Strengthening family ties was more important than their situation.
Given the right circumstances, Robbenz and Freed would quickly push for the wedding.
"What will they say after we’re married?"
"Annoying tasks will increase. Sharing a room will be uncomfortable..."
"They'll tell us to have children."
"...Yeah, they will."
Marriage meant forming a new family and expanding its meaning.
A couple would emerge, and they would be expected to bear children.
Especially in an arranged marriage, the pressure would be immense.
"Do you want to go back now?"
"It’s better to delay. We need more reasons."
"That won't delay it much. We still have to get married."
"...I need to think more."
Zion awkwardly laughed, tilting his head.
Hanette quietly watched him, then spoke again.
"I have a good idea."
"Oh... What is it?"
"...Let's run away together."
"What?"
Zion quickly lowered his voice, glancing back.
The knights followed at a distance, oblivious to Hanette's words.
"Hah... Hanette. Are you serious?"
"Not completely, but we should consider it."
"That's absolutely not an option. Neither of us can handle it."
"If we escape from here, they won’t catch us. We’re skilled enough to manage."
"It's not about skill. They won’t leave us alone."
"Then we go somewhere else."
"That doesn’t matter. Our families wouldn’t know if we ran away or went missing."
"So they might think we’re missing?"
"Then we’d be helpless. Soldiers would be deployed everywhere. We’d get caught."
"We just need to escape well."
"Will we run forever? Fight soldiers? What can we do without support?"
"Like other knight orders..."
"That won't work. Running constantly means we can’t do anything."
"You don't trust me? I think I can manage if you're with me..."
"...?"
Zion lost his words, locking eyes with Hanette.
She looked at him with sad, pleading eyes.
Zion felt momentarily swept up by her gaze, but quickly regained his senses.
"It’s not about not trusting you. We need to be realistic. Making things worse won't help."
"Are you scared?"
"Why wouldn’t I be scared?"
"Well... because you're amazing."
Hanette smiled brightly, feeling relieved.
Zion felt the same fear, and he wouldn't act recklessly for her sake.
She hadn’t intended to test him, but she felt comforted by their shared feelings.
"You’re just like me... I'm glad."
Zion felt a strange resonance in her voice, almost forgetting to breathe.
His toes tingled, and his arms trembled slightly.
His chest tightened, and his heartbeat seemed unusually loud.
'We’re not alike at all. Without the Magic Sword, I’m nothing...'
Zion slowly reached for Hanette.
He gently touched her right cheek, looking at her warmly.
When would he see that smile again?
'Am I... falling for Hanette?'