Chapter 46: 46

Zion had countless thoughts, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He could understand why, but he couldn’t fully empathize. He hadn’t experienced it firsthand and was merely observing the described events.

“I’m sorry for making you cry. I didn’t mean to.”

“…It’s just a saying. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Hanette wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. She had held back for so long, only occasionally letting her emotions out when alone. In her childhood, she had cried without thinking, but now her gaze had turned cold. Whatever she did, she was wrong, and she didn’t want to show any weakness.

“I’m partly responsible too. I’ve brought disgrace to the family and didn’t act like a noble lady. That must have upset the family head.”

“He probably wanted you to live like a noble. You might have been isolated.”

“Yeah, I’m not very useful… which is why we got engaged for the sake of the family.”

Hanette didn’t want to conform to the customs of the nobles, but she couldn’t entirely reject them either. She couldn’t do anything alone. That’s why she had been sneakily hoarding allowance and dragging out the engagement with Zion.

“…I don’t think you’re useless. You just need more time than others.”

“Do you really think so?”

“If you were truly a troublemaker, would you have talked to me? You’d have either hurt my feelings or ignored me completely.”

“That’s just… well…”

Hanette searched for an excuse but fell silent. Zion’s words were somewhat true. When they first met, she was cautious but didn’t intend to push him away. Zion was also being used just like her.

“Sister, how long do you think it takes for a seed to bloom into a flower?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I don’t know either. But I do know this: flowers bloom at different times. Some bloom at the same time, but that’s not very common.”

“……”

“Some flowers bloom quickly, others take longer. You’re the same. If you wait a little longer, a beautiful flower will bloom.”

Hanette chuckled at Zion’s words. He was trying to comfort her, but his words weren’t entirely wrong. Even if seeds are planted at the same time, they grow at different rates depending on their conditions and environment.

“You understand what I’m saying, right?”

“…You’re saying things that don’t sound like you.”

Hanette denied her own words and looked up. The way he was speaking now felt more like the Zion she knew. Until now, she had felt a sense of unfamiliarity, but now his sincerity was reaching her.

“I don’t show my tears to just anyone. So, make sure you do well from now on.”

“What should I do well?”

“Just do well on your own.”

“……?”

Zion didn’t fully understand but smiled anyway. The familiar tone and atmosphere were fully present. Although there were still traces of tears, her gaze and expression seemed to have returned to normal.

“Now you seem more like yourself, sister.”

Zion returned to his seat and looked across the table. Hanette, now more lively, was looking at him. Perhaps his words had helped her feel a bit more at ease.

‘Hmm… What should I do about Barhen?’

Although the food had arrived, Zion didn’t pay it much attention. Recently, he had heard that Barhen decided not to join the Royal Knights. It was likely that he gave up because of him and was focusing on mastering swordsmanship instead.

‘I can’t tell him honestly… but does it matter if I stay quiet?’

According to the original storyline, Barhen was supposed to be with the third princess, but it wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. Whether the third princess married someone else wouldn’t significantly affect the protagonist and his companions. Her marriage would likely be with a Duke or a Marquis, and even if it wasn’t Barhen, her position wouldn’t be jeopardized.

‘I’d still prefer if he joined the Royal Knights…’

“What are you doing, not eating?”

“Huh? Oh, I was just thinking.”

Zion belatedly picked up his fork and looked at the food. It was an appetizer mixed with various vegetables and fruits, emitting a unique and fresh aroma that tickled his senses.

“…Are you thinking about Barhen not joining the Royal Knights?”

“How did you guess? Is it intuition?”

“It’s not intuition… everyone but you probably knows.”

Hanette answered bluntly while sipping her water. Zion slowly nodded, recalling the presence of social gatherings. Even if only one noble caught wind of the information, it would spread widely through these gatherings, making it almost impossible to keep secrets.

“If everyone knows, there’s no need to explain.”

“They also know it’s bothering you.”

“…I’m not that nice.”

“But you have a conscience, so you’re considering it.”

“Alright, let’s say I have a conscience.”

Zion poked at his food with his fork before putting it down again. For Barhen to master swordsmanship, it would likely take at least a year. Until then, he probably wouldn’t even consider joining any other knight order.

“I don’t mind, but I’m not sure what the family head will think.”

“You gave up joining too.”

“Nothing would change if I joined.”

Hanette propped her chin on her hand, observing Zion. He seemed calm on the surface, but there was a hint of confusion. If left alone, it might affect his sword training and mana enhancement.

“Your talent is both a blessing and a curse. Don’t overthink it. Barhen will have his own plans.”

“He might have plans, but…”

“It’s just a postponement. He still has a chance. He can learn swordsmanship quickly.”

Although Barhen had expressed his intention to give up joining the Royal Knights, the King hadn’t accepted it. Instead, he had left the door open, considering Barhen’s talent too valuable to waste.

“Barhen might want to learn swordsmanship, but…”

“He’s one of the best young swordsmen, right? He can learn it in a month.”

“……”

Zion wanted to argue but swallowed his words. No matter how many times he explained, she would give the same answer. She would only agree after seeing the results for herself.

“Why did you say one month specifically?”

“It seemed like you learned it in a month.”

“So because I learned it in a month, Barhen can too?”

“That’s right.”

“…It makes sense.”

Zion finally let go of his thoughts about Barhen and picked up his fork again. With some luck, it might be possible. Barhen’s talent was among the best.

‘But a month is too short.’

* * *

Marquis Laird’s Residence, Outdoor Training Ground.

Under the evening sky, a young man was diligently swinging his sword. No one could stop him, and Marquis Laird received periodic reports about him. Aside from meals and sleep, he spent all his time here, practicing swordsmanship. He even saved his mana, pushing himself to his limits with sheer physical effort.

‘If Zion could do it, so can I.’

Barhen Laird, drenched in sweat, steeled his resolve. His whole body ached, and his hands trembled from gripping the sword. He felt like he could collapse and sleep peacefully. But there was too much at stake to give up, and Zion’s words kept echoing in his mind.

‘There must have been a reason.’

It was a coincidence.

He could only use swordsmanship and had no experience with it.

He had to get stronger.

Achieving this required a desperate desire.

‘Was his fiancée that precious to him?’

Barhen paused, catching his breath. Zion had shown a different side after meeting his fiancée, eventually manifesting swordsmanship. He must have poured all his emotions into the blade, determined to protect her and avoid a meaningless death.

‘I have nothing to protect. I’ve never been in danger like Zion.’

Barhen had shown talent in swordsmanship since childhood, and his skill had only improved over time. Many nobles had high expectations for him, and several knight commanders had expressed interest in training him. He had become a promising swordsman, and the Royal Knights were evaluating his potential membership. But now, it all seemed meaningless, and his ambitions were shattered.

‘I was arrogant.’

He had always been in the spotlight, never stepping down from his position. He had received guidance from knight commanders and gained experience fighting beasts in the border regions. But he had never faced real danger and had always enjoyed praise and encouragement. He had lost his initial determination and had only been obsessed with perfection.

Barhen, recalling Zion’s emotions, released his mana. Zion must have been ready to face death, determined to protect his fiancée and return to her. Even if he fell here, he would not give up.

‘What I want to protect is…’

Gray mana surged, enveloping his entire body. It traveled down his arms to his fingertips, flowing through the hilt and along the blade. The sword vibrated heavily, then quickly subsided.

‘My pride and goal… for the Laird family.’

He abandoned the thought of using swordsmanship. The idea of wielding a sword became faint. He poured all his determination into the blade. If he did this, he might be able to follow Zion’s path.

A gray light flashed beyond the darkening sky. Numerous curves appeared, intertwined, and finally, only the sword remained. As time passed, his mana dwindled, but his movements grew faster.

‘Something’s coming…’

The mana gathered on the blade grew intense and brightened. Instead of dispersing, it converged on the blade. Barhen instinctively felt confident and drew a trajectory toward the sky. The gray line bent along the sword’s path. But the line didn’t disappear; it grew darker.

As he set down his sword, a form emerged and surged upward.

“This… is swordsmanship.”

Barhen gazed at the sky before collapsing. The gray sword energy surged before gradually fading. His exhausted body slumped to the ground.

Finally, he could rest.

“Zion… you awakened me.”