Every endeavor has a beginning and an end, and it goes through a process.
Agreeing to an alliance right now would be premature. One cannot trust the other party without verification.
'You need to stick to the basics to negotiate properly.'
Of course, Zion knew a lot about the protagonist and saw the presence of the White Apostle positively.
However, he had established the Rihines Knight Order using the names of two noble houses, and Hanette was acting as the vice-captain.
In name, at least, they needed to evaluate the Sylase Knight Order and decide on the alliance to protect the honor of both houses and the Rihines Knight Order.
'Even if the protagonist tests me, I should accept it. It's the right thing to do.'
The protagonist was probably attending this meeting because of Enrite. If a Setinos Quasar requested an alliance, there would be a legitimate reason.
But if he didn't understand the reason, doubt and resistance would naturally arise.
'We need mutual understanding.'
Zion wanted to form this alliance and maintain the relationship straight and true. Agreeing immediately would establish the alliance, but it would be shaky afterward.
The protagonist wouldn't fully accept the alliance with Zion, and Zion himself was skeptical about the original storyline.
'We need to discuss this thoroughly…'
“You're right. We can't form an alliance based on rumors alone. That's why we wanted to confirm your intentions about the alliance.”
“Were you just planning to hear our thoughts?”
“Yes, negotiations should proceed after that. It’s an alliance between knight orders, after all.”
Zion felt satisfied with that response and reflected on himself. Perhaps he had underestimated Enrite.
A Setinos Quasar would think about these things, and maybe even the protagonist's opinion was partly involved.
“You'd want to apply the same conditions?”
“Yes, we would also like to assess the Rihines Knight Order.”
“We might disappoint you due to our small number of members.”
“We've already taken that into account. You can recruit more knights later, can't you?”
“…Ah, what I mentioned earlier was my opinion. I haven't yet heard the vice-captain's thoughts.”
“……?”
Hanette flinched and turned to Zion. Why was her position being brought up here?
Being a two-person knight order, she was given the role and just followed Zion’s lead. There was no need to seek her opinion now.
“If you plan to discuss it, when can you conclude?”
“Hmm… When do you plan to leave Sylase Knight Order?”
“We were supposed to leave this morning, but we decided to stay one more day. You can decide by tomorrow, or we can set a date and place for a future meeting.”
Of course, Zion could conclude the discussion quickly. He just needed to persuade Hanette and record the terms and reasons for the alliance.
He had been delegated the authority to make decisions regarding the Rihines Knight Order, so he didn't need to seek permission from the heads of the two houses.
“Then we will decide before tomorrow morning.”
“We can arrange another meeting if necessary, so please think it over carefully.”
“I understand. Do you have any thoughts on the duration and terms of the alliance?”
“We would like the alliance to last for less than a year. Like the Rihines Knight Order, we believe it's not good to be overly entangled in an alliance.”
“I agree. This is our first alliance, so it would be best to approach it lightly.”
“Yes, if both orders are satisfied, we can renew the alliance after the period ends. Since the terms might change, it's better to keep the duration short.”
“Should we also keep the terms simple? Complex terms might be detrimental for both sides in our first alliance.”
“Exactly. We can refer to the basic guidelines for knight order alliances…”
Hanette frowned slightly, trying to manage her expression. Listening to the conversation, her mind felt overwhelmed.
Even Seran had a subtle expression, paying close attention to the discussion.
‘…He’s well-prepared.’
Hanette felt proud yet powerless at Zion's extensive preparations.
It was hard to think of him as just a kid considering the significant things he was handling—establishing the knight order, joining with her, traveling to the borderlands, fighting monsters, and forming alliances with other knight orders.
How far ahead was Zion thinking?
‘I just need to do as he says. Even if I can't help, I shouldn't hinder him.’
Nakmor Fortress, on the ramparts.
After the negotiations, Zion and Hanette went up to the ramparts. It was important to understand the fortress's structure and the environment and terrain outside.
Eventually, they would leave the fortress for a large-scale monster hunt, possibly facing the three great demon lords or the four calamities.
While the protagonist and Enrite would primarily take action, Setinos Quasar or other Magic Sword users might also step in depending on the situation.
“What do you think, Hanette? Should we form an alliance with the Sylase Knight Order?”
Zion paused and looked out at the landscape beyond the fortress.
The vast land exuded a desolate and eerie atmosphere. It felt like hostility was entangled across the ramparts.
“I don't have any particular thoughts. If we do, we do. If we don’t, we don’t.”
Hanette stood next to Zion, looking at the same view.
Zion was viewing the alliance with the Sylase Knight Order positively. If he decided on it, there must be a good reason.
“I can't decide alone. I need your opinion too.”
“You lead the Rihines Knight Order. I just follow your orders. So I have no thoughts.”
“It's true I lead the order, but I can't ignore your opinion. You're also a part of it.”
“You always said I have to follow your words.”
“I didn't mean you shouldn’t speak. And I explained my reasons back then.”
“You'll just do what you want after explaining your reasons.”
“If you provide solid counterarguments, I can follow your lead.”
“Haa… That's not likely to happen.”
Zion always had justified reasons for his actions, so no matter how much she argued, she would eventually give in.
“Alright, tell me what you think. I need to respect the vice-captain’s opinion too.”
“…You're teasing me, aren't you?”
“I have no reason to tease you.”
“How can I be a vice-captain? I'm just a mage who knows some magic.”
“You’re a future great mage, so you’ll give a good answer.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Someone of your caliber can become a great mage. How about aiming to be a Setinos Quasar?”
Hanette dismissed it as a silly joke and walked ahead.
Zion might achieve that, but she couldn’t. She had much to learn and couldn't accomplish things alone.
“Are you angry? Why are you upset?”
“I'm not angry.”
“Then what's wrong?”
“You say strange things.”
“Why is it strange? With your talent, you can become a Setinos Quasar.”
“…I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“It’s bothersome.”
Being a Setinos Quasar meant being a royal knight, frequently summoned and tasked with significant missions. There were also many people who would recognize her, leading to more responsibilities and risks.
It was too overwhelming for a noblewoman, and even more so after marriage.
“Hm… It is bothersome. Then why did you come here?”
“Do you even need to ask? I came because of you!”
“I did ask you to come, but surely you had your own thoughts?”
“Do you think I had any thoughts? Actually, I just don’t want to think.”
“……?”
Zion followed Hanette, mulling over her words.
Hanette originally wanted to live freely away from Duke Adelaira's household.
That's why she planned to escape before their wedding, but now she was giving a completely different answer.
“I've thought too much. After we got engaged, even more so.”
“You had a lot of worries?”
“Not quite. I actually… planned to run away secretly. I didn’t want to marry you.”
Zion cautiously observed Hanette at her sudden confession.
She continued walking, but her pace was slowing.
“But I didn’t want to run away anymore. It was uncomfortable at the mansion, but eventually, I wanted to stay there.”
“…Duke Adelaira must have made you feel comfortable.”
“Not really. Just nagged less. Probably because of you, huh?”
Hanette laughed joyfully, glancing sideways.
Zion shared her sentiment with a smile.
“…It’s all because of you. Why did it have to be you?”
“Trying to blame me again?”
“This time, it's your fault. You kept me.”
“Well… I did.”
Indeed, Zion had told her not to leave.
At the time, he didn’t know why he said that, but in retrospect, it seemed to have been sincere.
“But… I held onto you too. You came to me.”
Hanette recalled that moment, approaching Zion.
Her heartbeat quickened, echoing loudly.
Heat surged, warming her entire body.
“I decided to entrust everything to you. That’s why I accepted the marriage.”
“You trust me, right? I trust you too. That’s why I accepted the marriage.”
Even without love, trust was enough. Love was necessary to reach marriage, but mutual trust was essential to sustain it.
Thus, Zion feared marriage but steeled his resolve.
“So… I won’t think anymore. You can do it for me.”
“I can't read your mind.”
“Why would you need to? I just need to follow your orders, right?”
Hanette stopped, reaffirming her determination.
She wouldn’t always agree with Zion, but she would reluctantly follow.
Whatever he did, Zion would handle it better and foresee things she couldn’t.
“If you tell me to jump off here, I might do it. If you tell me to die, I will. You can revive me, right?”