The Magic Sword of Rest, La Bler.
La Bler is a weapon that defies natural order, the eighth Magic Sword created. It holds the power to seal the other seven Magic Swords, and once all are sealed, La Bler itself will disappear. It grants its user unshakable judgment and fully unlocks their potential, significantly enhancing their strength, magic, and combat skills simply by being held.
‘I’m not sure if this is the right thing…’
Oz Ternein didn’t fully trust the mysterious voice. It spoke of sealing Magic Swords, accepting his destiny, and eliminating foes. Yet, because of this voice, he awakened his magic and improved his swordsmanship, making him long for more.
‘Maybe I’ll get stronger if I follow its instructions.’
If the voice had demanded he kill people or commit crimes, he would have refused. But it only asked him to seal the Magic Swords and nothing else. This meant he could act as he pleased while sealing the swords.
‘I want to achieve something too.’
Oz didn’t believe sealing the Magic Swords would eliminate all monsters. Even if peace came, there might be no one to recognize his efforts. He might be deceived by the voice, but he felt he had to act. This was his only chance.
‘If I'm being used, I’ll pay it back later.’
Using the Magic Sword of Rest didn't harm his body. The voice only spoke and never showed itself. Oz trained alone, occasionally going out to gather food and clothes. Finding the Magic Sword of Rest might have been luck, but all his experience came from his own efforts.
‘For now, I’ll do what I can.’
Oz moved silently, searching for the energy of the Magic Sword. Undead occasionally appeared, but they didn’t notice him. He could handle a fight quickly, but facing the King of the Abyss was another matter.
‘He’s already strong, and if he uses the Earth Magic Sword…’
The Immortal King had no subordinates and disliked fighting, so he always hid. The Ocean King commanded a small force, never leaving his domain. Only the Abyss King led thousands of undead and wielded the Earth Magic Sword, making him the most dangerous.
‘I need to seal it quickly and leave.’
Oz stopped quietly, scanning his surroundings. He dispelled the magic on a door and swiftly entered. Beyond the stone floor lay a massive sword.
‘Found it.’
Gerganver, one of the seven Magic Swords, imbued with earth’s power. Its blade was covered in tan, with a sturdy gray hilt and an aura of magic. It looked like a greatsword, the heaviest and toughest of all the Magic Swords. Only those with well-trained bodies could wield it.
Oz approached Gerganver, ensuring no magic or presence was around. Suddenly, a fierce wind gathered, and Oz quickly rolled away as sharp magic surged from where he stood.
“You are brave to come here. Do you know where you are?”
A deep, resonant voice echoed. A figure in gray armor with glowing blue eyes stood there. The massive armor dwarfed Oz’s frame, and the large gauntlets seemed capable of crushing anything. Oz recognized his opponent and brandished La Bler.
“Abyss King…”
“You will not leave here alive. I will end your life.”
The Abyss King, Kherermion, clenched his fists, glaring at Oz. He realized Oz was human but couldn’t see his face due to the mask. If this human had reached this far unnoticed, he must be skilled. Moreover, his approach to Gerganver piqued the Abyss King’s curiosity.
“I don’t plan on getting caught by you.”
Oz took a deep breath and moved lightly. His form vanished in an instant, and Kherermion barely tracked his movement. Oz neither fled nor attacked. He only approached Gerganver and plunged his sword into it.
‘First seal.’
La Bler’s tip touched Gerganver, releasing suppressed magic that bound the sword. It seeped into the blade, erasing its inherent power and magic.
“What have you done to my sword?!”
“Why don’t you find out yourself? I’m busy, so I have to go.”
Oz unleashed white magic, creating another form. Instinctively, Kherermion reached out, unleashing wild magic. But Oz had already crossed an oval-shaped portal, leaving Kherermion’s magic to swirl in the air.
“Cursed fool! How dare you escape!”
Kherermion, furious, approached Gerganver. The sword had lost its color and no longer emitted magic. It seemed to have become an ordinary sword, stripped of its true power.
“What have you done to my Magic Sword?!”
Kherermion roared, sending his magic in all directions. His voice, filled with rage, echoed throughout the fortress, reaching the undead. He never imagined his cherished weapon would vanish so easily.
“I will find you and tear you apart! I will never forgive this!”
**Capital of Alain Kingdom, Liberty.**
Zion and Hanette visited a luxurious tavern they had been to before. Liberty still screened its guests, and only nobles or wealthy merchants could get a table inside. Zion couldn’t help but remember the same old memories whenever he visited, memories he couldn't forget no matter how much he tried.
“Hey sis, do you remember? We drank some strong liquor here.”
“I ordered strong liquor to impress you.”
Hanette looked around the tavern, lost in her thoughts. She had often come here, always drinking alone. It wasn’t because she enjoyed it; it was a way to secretly stash money. She spent her time lamenting her fate, stuck in a cycle of the same worries every day.
“Half a bottle got you drunk, huh?”
“I’m not a good drinker. I didn’t drink because I wanted to.”
“Then why did you go drinking?”
“…I pretended to drink. I needed to save money.”
Zion listened to her confession, carefully watching her. Hanette avoided his gaze, her eyes filled with a sad light.
“Oh… you were planning to use it after running away?”
“I needed something to survive, didn’t I?”
“You wouldn’t have needed money. You have talent.”
“How do you learn magic without money?”
“Practical experience is more important than theory. With your skills, you would have managed well.”
“……”
Hanette fell silent, pondering his words. She had been using magic even before joining the magic society. Perhaps Zion was right, and she would have fared well alone.
“Think about it. The Blue Sage and the head of the Logos Society recognized your talent. You earned the title of Mage in less than a year and killed the Shadow Dragon. With your ability, you could succeed in anything.”
“I didn’t do it alone. It was possible because of you and the Silenian Knights.”
“It’s the other way around. It was possible because of you.”
Hanette had helped him withstand the full force of the Shadow Dragon’s attacks, locate its position, and suppress it. She enabled them to achieve everything. He and the White Apostle had only been able to keep the dragon in check.
“You’ll become even stronger. You might not need me anymore. If that happens…”
“I’m not going without you.”
Hanette interrupted, meeting Zion’s eyes. Zion looked at her quietly before breaking into a smile.
“I can’t go without you either. I can’t do this alone.”
“You could manage without me.”
“I’m not as strong as you think. You might not need me, but I need you.”
As a Magic Sword user and someone who could wield Exceed Rain, he was still necessary. Perhaps they could recreate a near-ultimate power by holding both El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain together. But seeing Hanette's strength, even that seemed insignificant.
“Are you misunderstanding something? Why do you think I wouldn’t need you?”
“Well, maybe because you wouldn’t want to marry someone like me? There could be someone better.”
“I told you before, didn’t I? You’re worth marrying. I don’t think there’s anyone better.”
Hanette rested her chin on her hand, speaking softly. She wouldn’t let Zion go now. Even if he wanted to leave or said he no longer liked her, she wouldn’t give up. It would surely be a lie or a personal issue.
“I need a drink tonight.”
“Suddenly?”
“You upset me. I acknowledged you, but why do you undervalue yourself?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“It’s too late to apologize.”
Hanette waved for a staff member, and Zion couldn’t stop her, watching silently.
‘Did I do something wrong? What should I do?’
**Duke Adelaira’s Mansion, Hanette’s Room.**
Hanette drank a little and returned to the mansion with Zion. She wasn’t completely drunk and could walk straight without assistance. She could clearly see Zion’s face and hadn’t lost her mind. She wouldn’t speak carelessly and make mistakes like before.
“Hey, do I seem drunk?”
“You’re not talking nonsense, so probably not.”
“Ugh… I can’t drink anymore. This stuff isn’t for everyone.”
“How did you drink without me?”
“I secretly poured it away. Ha!”
“……”
Zion shook his head and sat in a chair. Hanette wasn’t as talkative or reckless as before. He planned to wait until she fell asleep and quietly return to his room.
“Don’t drink anymore. It’s bad for you.”
“I didn’t plan to. You annoyed me, so I tried it.”
“So it’s my fault again?”
“It is your fault.”
“Phew…”
Zion accepted it calmly, looking at Hanette. She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her shorter hair was a slight distraction, but she looked as beautiful as ever.
“Ugh, I feel worse now.”
“Of course, you do. You can’t live without blaming me.”
“You should stay here tonight.”
“…What?”
“There’s no extra blanket. Just sleep next to me.”