Chapter 13: 13
Magic Sword
The Magic Sword was a weapon only the chosen could wield, and it held immense power.
In the story, there were seven Magic Swords, each embodying a specific element.
Five of them would be claimed by their rightful owners or by those who proved their worth as the plot unfolded.
The protagonist obtained a Magic Sword before meeting Hanette and later acquired two more.
‘I can’t use any other Magic Sword.’
Zion had experienced the flow of this world indirectly through the novel.
He knew who would claim which Magic Sword and that without the proper qualifications, one couldn’t even touch them.
However, one Magic Sword had no designated owner and could theoretically be used by anyone.
‘The Magic Sword of Darkness, Exceed Rain. This one has no preferences.’
Exceed Rain was one of the seven Magic Swords, possessing the attribute of darkness.
In the story, it appeared last and was wielded by a monster when it encountered the protagonist.
The protagonist defeated the monster by severing its hand, but Exceed Rain quickly vanished, unyielding.
Afterward, it caused chaos, switching between human and monster hands, until the protagonist eventually subdued it and used it in occasional battles.
‘It’s a dangerous weapon. If used incorrectly, it could cost your life.’
Unlike other Magic Swords, Exceed Rain didn’t discriminate among users, but its price was cruel and brutal.
It drained the user’s magical power and required life force to fully unleash its power.
Thus, using Exceed Rain would eventually deplete one’s life force and magical power, leading to the complete dissolution of the user’s body.
‘Of course… there is a way to use it safely.’
To use Exceed Rain permanently, certain conditions had to be met.
Consuming red Limpi Machina with a specific potion and drinking holy water made by the White Apostle.
The former granted immunity to mind control, while the latter provided resistance to magical erosion.
With both immunities, the adverse effects of Exceed Rain on the user could be completely neutralized.
‘Since I lack any special talents, my only option is to use Exceed Rain to become stronger.’
Zion had long ago assessed his capabilities and reached a conclusion.
Zion Laird, like an extra, had no talent in martial arts or magic.
Even if he worked hard, he couldn’t become strong quickly, and establishing an independent foundation and territory would be challenging.
Therefore, he intended to use Exceed Rain as an extreme but certain method to gain power.
‘It’s the most powerful among the Magic Swords… I can at least reach the top tier.’
Exceed Rain’s power was exceptional, given its high risk.
In detail, its inherent abilities were unique, making even the protagonist struggle.
If the protagonist hadn’t used the Magic Sword of Light, they wouldn’t have been able to defeat Exceed Rain.
‘The Magic Sword of Light, El Tesoykve…’
El Tesoykve was one of the seven Magic Swords, embodying the attribute of light.
It stood in opposition to Exceed Rain and was the least combat-oriented Magic Sword.
However, unlike other Magic Swords, it held holy power, effectively countering monsters and Exceed Rain.
‘It’s in the capital of the Kingdom of Allaine…’
El Tesoykve wasn’t hidden, and the protagonist couldn’t obtain it immediately.
No one recognized its true identity.
At this point, only Zion could identify El Tesoykve.
‘If I obtain Exceed Rain, I might be considered an enemy.’
In essence, Exceed Rain was a cursed weapon, imbued with hatred and despair.
Therefore, everyone who used Exceed Rain, except for the protagonist, died painfully in the original story.
Of course, if Zion could use Exceed Rain without issues, he might form an alliance with El Tesoykve.
‘I’ll have to explain somehow…’
El Tesoykve inherently opposed Exceed Rain, prioritizing its destruction.
However, it hadn’t inflicted any critical damage over the years, and Exceed Rain also tried to counter and destroy El Tesoykve.
Their natural opposition made them instinctively reject each other, but in reality, using both Magic Swords together could unleash near-ultimate power.
‘Using both would be great, but it’s impossible now.’
This was part of the novel’s lore, recorded as a piece of history.
Long ago, there was a single human who wielded both El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain.
This person eradicated demons and dragons, creating a seemingly eternal peace.
However, the remnants left by the demons became the Three Demon Kings, and the dragons’ corpses reincarnated into the Four Great Calamities.
‘Even the protagonist couldn’t wield both Magic Swords together. So, it’s okay for me to take it.’
Zion intended to take Exceed Rain before the protagonist.
The protagonist didn’t use Exceed Rain effectively and only kept it to prevent it from falling into others’ hands.
Moreover, the protagonist wasted considerable time trying to capture Exceed Rain, so leaving it as it was wasn’t a good choice.
In other words, if Zion secretly took Exceed Rain, it would benefit the protagonist as well.
‘I’ll think about the protagonist later. First, I need to persuade El Tesoykve…’
“All ground up.”
“The potion is ready too.”
“… Ah, good work.”
As Zion moved, the cooks quickly stepped back, making way.
On the table were finely ground Limpi Machina and the warm potion.
Now, mixing these two and drinking would grant immunity to mind control.
Zion looked down at the two bowls before reaching out.
He poured the red Limpi Machina entirely into the potion.
Without even mixing it, he drank it all in one go.
‘I feel a bit clearer.’
After drinking the potion, Zion stood still for a while.
The bitter-sweet taste lingered in his mouth before moving down his throat.
His mind felt lighter, something vivid seemed to emerge, then it returned to its original state.
“How is it?”
Kaltz approached Zion, aware of their surroundings.
Hanette followed closely, bringing her ear closer.
“Hmm… it’s subtle.”
“The taste is subtle?”
“The feeling is subtle too.”
“No, why did you drink this?”
“They say it clears the mind.”
“Did you spend all that money just for that?”
“… To awaken magical power, one must do at least that much, right?”
Zion’s answer made Kaltz and even Hanette flinch.
Awakening magical power required a certain level of innate talent.
If he truly had the talent, he would have awakened it long ago, but he had lived without magical power because he lacked it.
“Uh… Does the lord know about this?”
“I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to show results first.”
“Then you should’ve kept it secret from me too!”
“It’s okay if you and Hanette know. You won’t secretly report it, right?”
“… You’ve become quite scary.”
Zion smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Hanette.
Hanette understood his meaning and slowly nodded.
She had been brought here and shown the entire process, so naturally, she would keep it a secret.
“You’re scarier than me. It wouldn’t have been easy to get the herbs.”
“For me, it was just talking around here and there. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Hanette, you waited well. It must have been boring, right?”
“It was kind of fun. Meeting Kaltz wasn’t fruitless.”
“Oh. It’s an honor, Lady Hanette.”
Kaltz replied respectfully, and Hanette bowed with a smile.
For a moment, Kaltz felt she wasn’t a reckless noblewoman and tilted his head.
‘Is Zion surprisingly good with women?’
“Brother, I have to go now. I need to meet the lord.”
“Oh, right. Lady Hanette, take care.”
“See you later.”
Zion left the kitchen with Hanette.
Hanette walked alongside Zion, glancing cautiously.
‘Is he really trying to awaken magical power? It’s not just for vitality, right?’
* * *
Marquis Laird’s mansion, study room.
As the maid opened the door, Zion entered the study.
Freed, who had been working, sensed his presence and immediately turned his head.
After the maid left, Freed stood up belatedly.
“… Sit.”
“Yes.”
Freed sat at the head of the table, and Zion followed, sitting beside him.
Freed, aware of the envelope in his pocket, spoke again.
“Where is your fiancé?”
“She is waiting for me in the reception room.”
“Is she uncomfortable?”
“No. She might not express it, but she didn’t seem uncomfortable.”
“That’s fortunate. She must be enduring it for your and my reputation.”
Zion recognized the remark as a compliment.
Most nobles still regarded Hanette as the reckless noblewoman.
Seeing her suppressing her true nature and waiting for him, Freed likely judged that she had improved significantly.
“She is kind and gentle, contrary to rumors. I hope you, at least, can see my fiancé favorably.”
Zion stated the truth and tried to take credit.
Hanette was inherently gentle and good-natured, avoiding harm to innocent people.
Both families wanted Zion and Hanette to get along, so aligning with this would bring some benefits.
Even if there were no additional benefits, improving his evaluation was advantageous, and he wouldn’t lose anything.
“… If you say so, it must be true. Take this.”
Freed, now assured, took the envelope from his pocket.
Zion remained silent, staring at the envelope.
“What is this?”
“It’s what you need.”
“May I open it?”
“Do as you wish.”
Zion carefully took the envelope and looked inside.
Neatly arranged banknotes were inside.
It was a similar amount to what he had received before leaving for Duke Adelaira’s mansion.
‘This should be enough to buy the holy water. If there’s some left, I should go to the auction house and get that.’