Zion caught his breath and scanned the area. The silver skeletons were no longer in sight, and the remaining skeletons were steadily decreasing in number. With continued pressure, they could finish the hunt quickly.
“You can go back now. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, you’ve done a great job.”
Zion gave Seran and Enrite a nod before quickly retreating. Simultaneously, the formation of the Sylase Knights shifted, charging towards the skeletons.
‘Just in case...’
Zion gestured towards Hanette and the knights, prompting Hanette to mount her horse and approach with the others.
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just thought it might be better if you were closer.”
Zion dismissed the form of Exceed Rain, and the armor enveloping him gradually faded until it completely disappeared.
“How did you do that?”
“What do you mean… oh, the armor?”
“Yeah, that. I’ve heard of imbuing weapons with magic, but armor? This is the first time I’ve seen it.”
“Would you believe me if I said the sword and the armor are linked?”
Zion smiled as he spoke the truth. Hanette thought for a moment, then frowned.
“You’re rich… oh, you are rich.”
“It’s heavy, so I had it enchanted beforehand. This way, I can use it whenever I need it.”
“Must be pretty expensive?”
“It’s worth the cost.”
Preparing to awaken his magic and use Exceed Rain alone had cost 570 gold coins. The full armor, one of Exceed Rain’s unique abilities, was part of that expense.
“You worked hard today, didn’t you?”
“I did my best for someone special.”
“…Are you tired?”
“I’m not exactly tired, but I used a lot of magic. There was a lot to do.”
Hanette had poured her magic into helping Zion, contemplating how best to assist him while eliminating the skeletons. When she spotted the silver skeleton, she devised a strategy to lure it into a single direction, believing that Zion would understand and act accordingly.
“Good job. Without you, the hunt would have been much tougher.”
“Compared to you, it’s nothing. I was in a safe spot, after all.”
“That doesn’t matter. You played a crucial role. I just followed your plan.”
“Plan? It was just a common idea.”
“But you thought of it first, right? That’s enough.”
“…Really?”
“Some people are lucky. Their partners take care of everything.”
“Hmhm…”
Hanette stifled a laugh with a cough, covering her mouth. Despite the battle not being over, she couldn’t help but smile. Knowing she had been helpful brought a sense of pride and confidence.
“Now that I think about it, wouldn’t it have been better if I had been with you? I find it easier to use magic up close than from afar.”
“You need to stick to formations with the people you’re used to. One or two extra people might be okay, but more than that could be disruptive. That’s why I had you stay with the knights.”
“And if things go south, I can lead the knights to you?”
“Exactly, and you can support us from a distance.”
“Still… I’d prefer if you brought me along next time. It feels unfair for me to be left out.”
“…I see your point.”
Hanette had more potential and skills than Zion had initially anticipated. While he could protect her now, the future might see their roles reversed.
“You promise you’ll do that?”
“Yes, I promised.”
“You’re not lying, are you? Don’t change your mind later.”
“I realized during this fight that there are many things I can’t handle alone. Having you with me makes things easier.”
“You do trust me, right?”
“I’ve trusted you for a long time. But… trust and fighting are two different issues, so I needed to think it through.”
Whether Hanette was strong or weak didn’t matter much. She was his fiancée and someone he needed to support. However, considering her talents, it was better to create an environment where she could grow stronger.
‘Is it almost over?’
The Sylase Knights and Alain Kingdom soldiers were pushing forward. The skeletons were almost defeated and unable to put up much resistance. Although they had won, they couldn’t prevent casualties.
‘If it weren’t for the silver skeletons…’
The stronger the monster, the less likely it was to reveal itself. They relied more on intelligence than emotion and were content with their presence. Only the weaker monsters underestimated humans and continued their invasions.
‘Is the Shadow Dragon on the move?’
There were various reasons why strong monsters attacked the Alain Kingdom. It could be personal, orders from a stronger monster, or the appearance of one of the Three Demon Kings or the Four Calamities. Monsters rarely acted on personal motives, and strong monsters wouldn’t recklessly order an attack on Alain Kingdom. If the Shadow Dragon, one of the Four Calamities, appeared, nearby monsters might react first and become more aggressive.
‘With four Magic Swords in one place… it’s bound to come.’
The Shadow Dragon wanted to gather all the Magic Swords and store them in the shadow realm. The Magic Swords were more beautiful and radiant than any other treasure, and their unique magic and colors would fill the shadow realm. It rejected the blackness of shadows but was obsessed with the light that created them.
‘I should inform the White Apostle.’
Enrite would understand his words. As one of the seven Magic Swords, Enrite desired the destruction of the Three Demon Kings and the Four Calamities. Moreover, if the Light Magic Sword was involved, even the Shadow Dragon wouldn’t approach recklessly.
‘I’d like to eliminate it this time… Can’t I use Exceed Rain?’
Theroden Castle, Rihines Knights’ Barracks.
After completing the monster hunt, they found themselves at Theroden Castle while searching for a nearby fort. The lord of Theroden Castle had again tried to bring Zion and Hanette inside, but they declined. One reception was enough, and they needed to stay with the Sylase Knights.
“Are you sure about this? The Sylase Knights wouldn’t mind.”
“They’re staying in barracks too. We should match their conditions.”
They couldn’t prioritize their comfort in front of Setinos Quasar. Besides, if Enrite was staying in barracks, they had to follow suit. Even if Enrite showed consideration, it should be seen as a formality.
“You’re surprisingly not stubborn.”
“Ha… Do you think I’d be stubborn over something like this?”
“You used to be.”
“You used to play pranks that weren’t even funny.”
“…You’re right. Those were fun times.”
Zion chuckled, reminiscing. Although their initial encounters were fraught with tension, in hindsight, those moments felt fleeting. As time passed, they grew closer, gradually building trust. Ultimately, Zion held onto Hanette, and Hanette stayed with him.
“Sounds like you enjoyed teasing me.”
“You were stubborn too.”
“Not as much as you. I had my reasons.”
“Do you need reasons to be stubborn?”
“You acted like a child, so I had to be stubborn.”
“Oh, I see. I teased you because you were being stubborn.”
“Really? I thought you were just childish… Well, I guess you are.”
“I don’t want to hear that from someone who used to throw tantrums at a kid.”
“Don’t you remember your faults? You lost out because you were too honest.”
“No conscience, huh?”
“At least I don’t blame others like you.”
“Are you challenging me?”
“You started it.”
“You’re blaming me again.”
“Do you think blaming counts as talking?”
The two stared at each other in silence before bursting into laughter. It was a trivial argument, and neither was upset. They simply accepted it as part of their usual banter.
“This makes it hard to tease you.”
“Do you still think I’m stubborn?”
“Not really. If you say it, there’s a reason.”
“What if there’s no reason?”
“Then I’d think that’s the reason.”
“…Because we’re partners?”
“Exactly.”
“You use that word a lot.”
“It’s not wrong, is it?”
“No, but… It sounds like I’m stuck with you.”
“Hmm… does it?”
“Ha… You don’t deny it.”
“With your personality, you’d ask for a reason even if I said no. And if I gave you one, you’d think it’s a lie.”
“You talk like you know me well.”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t? Don’t you know me well too?”
“Well…”
Based on their experiences, Zion seemed to hold many secrets. The expensive gloves he bought at the auction, the sword energy he displayed during their journey, the enchanted necklace, and the way he absorbed her magic. None of it made sense, but she let it go, considering his perspective.
“To me, you…”
Hanette turned, sensing someone approaching. Zion stepped in front of her, summoning Exceed Rain.
“You’re quick to react. Is the woman beside you the fiancée you risked your life for?”
Emerging from the darkness, the figure revealed himself. The voice and mask were familiar, making it easy to identify.
“Silver Phantom…”
“You’re not doubting me again, are you? The King has sent a letter.”
“What brings you here?”
“Just checking in. I also have something to deliver.”
Caden observed Hanette, pulling a letter from his coat. As he had heard, she was strikingly beautiful yet cold. How could anyone call such a woman a Crazy Young Lady?
“Who would you choose between me and the Purple Divine Archer? If you choose me, I might teach you the next secret technique.”