Unlike with Seran Sylase, Zion Laird didn’t seem to hold the same potential. Still, handling the Magic Sword of Darkness and encountering the Magic Sword of Fire suggested a destiny intertwined with these powerful artifacts.
‘Maybe I need to observe a bit longer.’
Enrite had always made judgments based on the present. He had vague ideas about the past and potential futures but chose the most stable and intuitive path for certain results.
‘...I might have been wrong.’
Since becoming human, Enrite believed he had always acted correctly. To eradicate the Three Demon Kings and the Four Cataclysms, he concluded that all Magic Swords needed to be gathered and humans had to be involved. Enrite sought humans worthy of wielding Magic Swords, eventually joining the Sylase Knights, waiting for the right moment.
But unexpected events led to a new future unfolding.
‘If I had been right, it would have ended then.’
In ancient times, the Magic Swords of Light and Darkness, El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain, were created. A human wielded both swords to end the Demon God and Dragons. This act also revealed five other Magic Swords and brought forth the Three Demon Kings and Four Cataclysms.
‘Even if the Three Demon Kings and Four Cataclysms are eradicated, other monsters might appear.’
Enrite and that human wished for the destruction of the Demon God and Dragons, but Exceed Rain had no clear intention. Now, Enrite sought to gather the Magic Swords alone, with no one fully understanding his true intentions. While cooperating with humans might help, it could also ignite their desires, leading to the downfall of Alain Kingdom. Furthermore, repeating the same past meant caution was essential.
‘Even if all the Magic Swords are gathered, will they follow my lead?’
Enrite knew he could try to persuade the three people present, but there was no guarantee other Magic Sword holders would cooperate. They might have misguided beliefs or commit atrocities, threatening the world.
‘Therefore… a human capable of wielding both me and Exceed Rain is needed.’
Enrite instinctively knew the seven Magic Swords needed to be united. However, not everything would go his way, so he needed a backup plan. The best method was to be wielded alongside Exceed Rain, or, failing that, to have another Magic Sword take its place.
‘It’s not impossible. Even if we’re not siblings, our essence is the same…’
Thus, he aimed to develop Seran Sylase. At the right level, Seran could wield both the Magic Sword of Thunder and him. However, given the choice of Exceed Rain, Enrite would be torn.
‘A mere alliance is insufficient. The knight orders should merge…’
“Dinner seems to be over, so we’ll take our leave.”
“Oh, are you?”
“We’ll align the watch schedule with the Sylase Knights. Please inform us of any changes immediately.”
“Yes, we’ll do that. May we discuss the watch schedule among ourselves first?”
“…Understood.”
Hanette walked alongside Zion, slowly feeling relieved.
“…I’m sorry. I could’ve taken the blame.”
“No need to apologize. Your mistake is my mistake.”
“That makes me feel even worse.”
“It’s not necessarily bad. Think of it this way.”
“Hmm… If I do well, then you do well too?”
“Exactly. I lead the knight order. If we do well, it’s good; if we don’t, I’ll be the one criticized.”
“I did show my skills… so, can’t we say I did well?”
“You did some things well, but not everything was perfect.”
“Isn’t that better, in a way? I used fire magic only on the monsters, avoiding the knights.”
“That’s true. You showed how skilled you are.”
Zion set the dishes near the camp and headed to the riverbank. Hanette gave a light nod to the knights and followed Zion.
“…Do you think it’s okay to ally with the Sylase Knights?”
“Hmm… I think it’s fine. They’re skilled, and they work well together. Plus, having the vice-captain… I mean, the deputy commander… is an advantage.”
“You’re focused on the deputy commander?”
“The deputy commander is quite remarkable.”
“You should focus on the commander.”
“The commander is fine, but I’m more interested in the sword.”
“…Why?”
Zion paused, gazing at the riverbank. Seran Sylase wielded the Magic Sword of Thunder, Nailring. If Hanette was aware of that weapon, she likely recognized the Magic Sword.
“I don’t know… it feels familiar. Like I’ve seen it before.”
“Where did you see it?”
“Well, I don’t remember seeing it. It’s just a feeling. What could it mean?”
“…”
Zion understood the reason. Besides the Magic Swords of Light and Darkness, other Magic Swords could sense each other. This instinctual recognition was passed on to the Magic Sword wielders. Seran Sylase must have realized Hanette also possessed a Magic Sword.
“You might have seen it but not remember.”
“That’s possible.”
“Anything special happen when you were a child? It might be connected.”
Zion subtly probed, guiding the conversation naturally. Hanette likely obtained the Magic Sword before meeting him, so there might be a significant event linked to it.
“When I was a child… hmm… well…”
Hanette pondered, squatting by the river, dipping her hands in the water.
“All I remember is being scolded by my father and mother.”
“…What did you do?”
“Well, I wanted to learn magic, but they said no. I wanted to wear formal clothes like other noble children, but they refused. I wanted to play outside, but they said it was inappropriate. There were so many things I wasn’t allowed to do.”
“…”
Zion gazed at Hanette with a sympathetic look. Hearing it made him feel sorrowful and melancholic. Robbenz and Yenid likely tried to guide her on the right path, but Hanette probably lived in pain and sadness, unable to find comfort in their words.
“Sorry for asking.”
“It’s okay. You can ask. It’s all in the past.”
Hanette stood up, shaking off the water from her hands. If Zion hadn’t helped her, she wouldn’t have overcome these memories. Now, she was moving forward, hopeful for a better future.
“…Oh! I remember something.”
“What is it?”
“Something special did happen when I was young.”
Hanette wiped her hands, turning slightly. Zion, intrigued, listened closely.
“When was it? Four… no, I think I was five. I was very sick, and my body was freezing. I could barely breathe. They called for holy knights and mages, but nothing worked. They thought I would die.”
“What happened then?”
“Well… um… you might not believe this, but suddenly, flames erupted, and I got better.”
“…Hanette, what are you talking about?”
“I’m just telling you what I was told. The bed and blankets burned, and the room almost caught fire, but they managed to put it out.”
“…”
Zion was momentarily stunned but soon grasped her words. Perhaps she obtained the Magic Sword during that incident.
“You weren’t hurt?”
“That’s the strange part. I wasn’t hurt at all. They said I was just smiling.”
“It is strange. You should have been in pain. Why were you smiling?”
“Why are you asking me? I don’t remember.”
“It happened to you.”
“I was too young to remember. Maybe I was a bit crazy then. Haha!”
Hanette laughed lightly, watching Zion’s reaction. But Zion remained tense, lost in thought.
‘She must have awakened her magic when she obtained the Magic Sword.’
Robbenz and Yenid wouldn’t lie about such an incident. It was too unusual to be anything but true. Hanette must have displayed her magical talent from a young age.
‘That’s why she had so much magic power. And why she was good at magic…’
Hanette had grown with the Magic Sword inside her, increasing her magic power significantly. Her superior adaptation and understanding of fire magic likely stemmed from this. Even her desire to learn magic might be linked to the Magic Sword.
‘Hanette might be capable.’
This wasn’t mere speculation. Even the protagonist bonded with his Magic Sword as an adult. Other Magic Sword wielders bonded even later. If Hanette could grow properly, she might surpass even the Blue Sage and the protagonist.
“…Is everything okay? You don’t look well.”
“…Hanette.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve just realized something important.”
“What is it?”
“I need you by my side.”
Hanette wanted to laugh it off but found herself staring at Zion instead. His violet eyes shone more clearly than ever.
“You said that before, didn’t you?”
“That was as a partner. This is different.”
“How is it different?”
“With you, I feel like I can do anything.”
“…”
Hanette felt overwhelmed but couldn’t look away. Zion’s belief in her felt genuine. Could her presence truly help him?
“If that’s what you want… well… it’s not difficult.”
Hanette replied, feeling a faint warmth. She had heard similar words before, but why did this time feel so different?
‘Does he trust in my abilities? Or is it something else…’
Alain Kingdom's borderlands, the Dead Zone.
The Sylase Knights moved unpredictably, wandering through the borderlands. They had received advance payments from the lords, so they had to be ready for dispatch as soon as a mission was given. Zion and Hanette didn’t participate in the battles but kept busy aligning with the Sylase Knights’ schedule.
“Aren’t they tired? How can they keep this up?”
“They have no choice. Lose trust once, and they can’t get missions. What do you think happens then?”
“They can’t do missions, so… the knight order can’t continue?”
“Right, they’d disband.”
“…Can’t we recruit them all into our order?”
“…I hadn’t considered that.”
It was an interesting idea, but the premise was wrong. The Sylase Knights wouldn’t fail to complete their missions. With the protagonist, the White Apostle, and capable knights, they were too reliable. Plus, the lords’ trust was strong, so they wouldn’t abandon the Sylase Knights easily.
“If we just get the deputy commander, it’s a gain…”
Hanette sensed something and looked towards the Sylase Knights. Zion followed her gaze and spotted a group of monsters. They had avoided intervening so far, but this time, they had to join the battle.
“You stay here and support from a distance. I’ll go ahead.”
“…Okay.”
“All units, protect the deputy commander.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hanette was worried but couldn’t hold him back. She had to obey the knight order’s command and trust Zion’s strength to keep him safe.
‘Full armor.’
Zion dashed forward, summoning Exceed Rain. A dark aura emanated from the sword, enveloping his body. The aura transformed, forming a black armor. Zion’s eyes glowed purple as he infused Exceed Rain with magic.
‘That creature is dangerous. It shouldn’t be here…’