“......”
Zion fell into a moment of silence, his expression tightening. Even though it was a joke, it still caught him off guard. He knew a lot more than others, but he didn’t possess any supernatural powers.
"How could I bring someone back to life?"
"You’ve already done it twice."
"I’ve never..."
Zion suddenly understood her meaning and fell silent.
Hanette slowly wiped away her smile, her eyes filled with a bitter look.
"If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here. You brought me back to life."
"I didn’t do it expecting anything in return. If that’s why you’re marrying me..."
"It’s not that. I’m grateful you saved me, but marriage is a separate matter."
Of course, they weren’t entirely unrelated. Zion saving her twice made her trust him completely.
"After we get married, I might regret my choice or come to dislike you. But I will still trust you because you are my partner."
Marriage was inevitable. Even if she ran away, she’d have to pay a high price, and her future would be bleak. Thus, she was forced to make a choice, and after much deliberation, she made her decision.
Even if it turned out to be a wrong decision, she would continue moving forward, believing it was the right one for now.
"It’s good to trust me, but you don’t have to stake your life on it. Your life belongs to you."
"If you tell me to stake my life, I’ll have to, right? Even if I die, you’ll somehow save me."
"...If anyone is to die, it will be me, not you."
This was a sense of responsibility and belief. No matter what, Hanette was his partner and fiancée.
He had erased the fate that demanded her death and had gained her trust, leading to the creation of their knight order.
Now, he couldn’t ignore Hanette and vowed to protect her until his last breath.
"Hmm… Then we’ll die together."
"Why does it have to come to that?"
"If someone is strong enough to kill you, then I’ll have to risk my life to kill them."
Zion widened his eyes, falling into a strange feeling. Hanette was smiling, but her eyes seemed to harbor a hint of killing intent.
If it was a joke, it was a relief, but if she meant it, how should he handle it?
"Are you serious?"
"...Since you’re stronger than me, you won’t die first."
Hanette murmured confidently. Zion was an exceptionally talented swordsman who meticulously planned and managed the knight order.
If Zion were to die, it would mean facing an immensely strong opponent. In such a case, she’d have to risk everything to fight that enemy.
"It’s good to ask for my opinion, but don’t let it sway you. It’s your knight order, so you need to do things your way."
"It’s also your knight order. We received support from your family too."
"That’s why I’m the vice-captain, right? My role may be reduced, but I’m still here. So, do your job properly. The vice-captain is always watching."
Hanette lightly tapped Zion’s breastplate with a playful smile.
Zion flinched, chuckling softly. The vibrations from her tap seemed to resonate through his chest, reaching his heart.
‘...She’s changed a lot.’
Zion recalled their first meeting. Hanette was arrogant and immature, constantly provoking him and keeping her distance.
But now, she was relaxed yet serious, with a firm resolve etched deeply within her.
‘She’s growing in a good way.’
Hanette’s talent was shining brighter than ever. She had quickly earned the title of mage and was now at an even higher level than before.
Perhaps she would become stronger than the Blue Sage and reach the pinnacle of magic.
‘How strong will she become…?’
Zion envisioned new possibilities. A person who could surpass even him and the protagonist. A knight capable of eliminating the three great demon lords and the four calamities.
Maybe that person was right beside him.
‘I need to work hard. I can’t fall behind the vice-captain.’
Alain Kingdom's borderlands, on the way to a blind spot.
The Sylase Knight Order had left Nakmor Fortress to carry out a mission. It wasn’t a difficult mission, and monsters weren’t guaranteed to invade.
But the knights were constantly on edge, aware of the outsiders following them.
"Why are they following us?"
"They said they’d accompany us for a while."
"There must be a reason."
"Why keep it a secret from us?"
"High-ranking people always keep secrets from us."
"Damn it..."
The knights exchanged glances and then turned their attention to the following knight order. They had distinctive features that made them stand out.
"One uses sword aura... and the other is a mage?"
"Just two of them? Who are the other knights then?"
"They’re knights sent by their families."
"Ah, right. They’re nobles."
"Do they even need them? How can we beat those two?"
"You idiot... Nobles always have retainers. Maids and servants wouldn’t be enough, so they brought knights."
"Why did they come to the borderlands?"
"They’re here to observe. They have skills but no experience."
"Wow… Diligent nobles. Do they even do that?"
"They have other purposes."
The knights fell silent, pondering the statement. Not much was known about the Rihines Knight Order.
Rumor had it that it consisted of a few nobles and had participated in a brief battle at Teroden Fortress. Their purpose for coming to the borderlands was unclear, leading to speculation.
"Do you know something?"
"Think about it. Why would nobles come all the way here?"
"For some experience..."
"Ah, they could do that in the capital. If they came all the way here, there must be a reason."
"Really?"
"Nobles are peculiar."
The knights quickly accepted this and waited for more.
The knight who made the statement glanced around and then whispered, lowering his voice.
"They're targeting our knight order."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why target us?"
"They don’t have many members. They’re looking to recruit us."
"Wow..."
"What?"
"......?"
The knights reacted subtly, tilting their heads. It sounded plausible, but it also felt exaggerated.
But if it was true, what would happen next?
"Are we that valuable?"
"Recently, no one’s been making a name like us."
"Would the commander allow it?"
"He’d think about it. We’ve discussed it before."
"Are we going to work for nobles now?"
"They’ll feed us well."
"They’ll also provide good equipment?"
"Will they pay us well too?"
"That depends on the work."
"They might. Nobles have money to spare."
"Would they spend it on us?"
"Probably not."
"Right?"
"Hmmm..."
The knights fell silent, turning their heads simultaneously. Zion and Hanette noticed their gaze and looked curious.
"What's going on?"
"They're curious. We said we’d keep the alliance a secret."
"A bit bold, don’t you think?"
"Better than sneaking glances."
"Hmmm..."
Hanette squinted, determined. If they were interested, she needed to project strength and solidity.
Once they underestimated her, it would be hard to establish a proper relationship.
"They're looking."
"Wow."
"Strong presence."
"They must have some temper."
The knights quickly turned away, pretending nothing happened.
Hanette smiled, satisfied.
"See? We won."
"...Why are you treating this like a competition?"
"This is important. Once we get pushed, we’ll keep getting pushed."
"We’re here to form an alliance, not to fight."
"I know. That’s why I just watched."
"You scared them."
"Of course. An alliance means we’re equal to their commander. We need to maintain dignity."
"What if they’re too scared to talk?"
"That’s when we buy them drinks and ease them up."
"...Where did you learn that?"
"Um… How did I learn that? I don’t remember."
Hanette laughed awkwardly, trying to recall. Zion chuckled, watching the Sylase Knight Order.
‘...She’s not wrong. Establishing authority is important.’
While they aimed to assess each other's level, in the end, they would form an alliance through mutual understanding.
Establishing their relationship this way wasn’t a bad choice.
‘We need to show our strength during the battle. Only then will we gain their respect.’
Alain Kingdom's borderlands, a blind spot.
Rotting flesh, bodies on the verge of breaking, overly twisted remains.
The Sylase Knight Order, along with the Alain Kingdom soldiers, was fighting zombies.
Seran Sylase led the charge, guiding his knights, who bravely followed him.
Zion and Hanette watched from the rear, observing the battle.
"Not bad. What do you think?"
"...They fight well."
Hanette replied calmly, scrutinizing the knights.
Though they seemed reckless, the Sylase Knight Order never faltered.
As they advanced, their formation remained intact, growing stronger.
"The three in front are holding it together."
"One is the commander... the other two are quite strong."
"They need that to maintain formation."
"But it looks a bit risky. Can three of them hold?"
"That’s why the strongest are in the front. They rely on the vice-captain."
Zion glanced at the knights and subtly mentioned Enrite.
Enrite was hiding his identity as a Setinos Quasar. Acting as the vice-captain of the Sylase Knight Order fit that intention.
"They haven’t lost anyone so far, right?"
"Yes."
"Then… the vice-captain must be skilled?"
"...Hanette."
"I know. I’m just sharing my thoughts."
Hanette understood the need to keep Enrite’s identity a secret. But Enrite was a Setinos Quasar, an exceptional holy knight.
Naturally, his holy magic was exceptional, and the knights trusted him, fighting without hesitation.
"The three in front are strong, but the others seem weak, don’t they?"
"They’re skilled enough."
"I could do better."
The two fell silent. The knights behind them understood and turned to look at Hanette.
Hanette frowned, then unleashed her magic.
"Watch closely. This will be quick."
"Hanette, wait..."
Hanette swiftly conjured flames and hurled them at the zombies.
Zion tried to stop her, but the flames had already erupted.
The zombies screamed as they caught fire, their bodies crumbling swiftly.
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh..."
The Sylase Knight Order retreated quickly but soon realized it was unnecessary.
The flames floated in the air, attaching only to the zombies.
Moving so naturally, it almost seemed like the flames weren’t real.
‘This is...’
Enrite turned quickly, staring at Hanette.
He sensed a familiar energy from Hanette.
He hadn’t noticed it when they first met, so why was she revealing it now?
‘She must possess the Flame Magic Sword. How did she hide it all this time?’