Chapter 50: 50
Hanette tenderly caressed Zion’s hands, pouring her genuine feelings into the gesture.
Before her engagement to Zion, she had planned to run away. But at some point, she realized other possibilities, and running away didn’t guarantee the outcome she wanted. Thus, she found herself hesitating, still watching over Zion.
“You can take it easy and rest sometimes. You’ve already mastered sword aura; there’s no need to push yourself. You’re young; take your time.”
Hanette gently lowered Zion’s hands, which gradually stopped trembling. Zion, with a tense face, stared down at her pale hands.
“To me, you seem amazing. It’s hard to know what to do when someone like you is struggling.”
“……”
“Take a break for a while. People need rest too. If my presence makes it easier for you, I’ll stay. I might only be able to talk, but if that’s enough, I’m here.”
Zion flinched and slowly raised his head. Hanette looked at him with tender eyes, and Zion finally realized what he had done.
“Forget what I said earlier. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It didn’t sound thoughtless to me.”
“It’s nothing. Just ignore it.”
“Look me in the eye and say it’s nothing.”
Zion carefully met Hanette’s gaze. The light brown eyes seemed to flow into his mind. He wanted to say it was nothing, but no words came out. Her tender gaze seemed to bind his heart.
“…You’re struggling, aren’t you? I don’t know why, but resting will help.”
“I’m not tired. It’s because of you, sister…”
“Zion.”
For the first time, Hanette called him by his name and held his hands firmly. Zion fell silent, instinctively listening.
“Don’t forget I’m older than you. You should listen to your older sister, right?”
“Why bring up age…”
“Just listen to me.”
Hanette covered his mouth and leaned in closer. Zion tried to step back, but another hand held his waist. Her soft breath tickled his cheek, and a strong perfume scent filled the air.
“You stay here and rest. I’ll be right back.”
“But…”
“You should say, ‘Have a safe trip.’ Why don’t you understand me?”
“……”
Zion was too shocked to move. Her unexpected reaction and bold approach left him no choice but to comply. Moreover, with Hanette so close, it was hard to push her away.
“You once said you couldn’t just watch me suffer. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes…”
“No, don’t talk. Just nod.”
“……”
Zion hesitated but eventually nodded. Hanette leaned in, whispering softly.
“You’re my fiancé. We may not be married yet, but it’s almost like we are. Right?”
“……”
“I can’t stand seeing my proud fiancé looking so defeated. You feel the same, don’t you?”
“……”
“I have my pride too. If you’re in bad shape, it seems like I didn’t take care of you. Isn’t that true?”
“That’s…”
“Don’t talk, just nod.”
Hanette drew even closer, fixing her gaze on Zion. Her breath grew more intense, and the scent of her perfume became stronger. Zion swallowed his silence and carefully averted his eyes.
“If you had taken better care of yourself, this wouldn’t have happened. Right?”
“……”
“I’m not saying it’s not my fault. I got dragged around by you and couldn’t step in when I should have. You agree with that, don’t you?”
“I…”
“You really don’t listen, do you? Do you want me to scold you?”
Zion was dumbfounded but couldn’t speak. Hanette’s light brown eyes glinted sharply as she stared at him. How could she discipline someone who wielded a Magic Sword and mastered sword aura?
“As your fiancée, I’ll support you. Just accept it quietly. I’m not doing this because I like it. I can’t just watch you struggle.”
“……”
“You probably have a lot to say, but we can talk later. You need time to clear your head, don’t you?”
“……”
“Okay, I’m letting go now. Be quiet and stay here. When I come back, we’ll talk again. Got it?”
As Zion continued to nod, Hanette slowly stepped back and released his hands. They both sighed as they looked at each other.
“…Have a safe trip.”
“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”
Hanette smiled gently and left the room. Zion sat on the bed for a while, still reeling from the encounter.
‘I didn’t expect her to react like that. My face feels so hot.’
—
In the capital of Alain Kingdom, Baldwin Mission Commission Office.
The mission commission offices were not only in the capital but also spread across various regions. Everyone had personal needs, and skilled individuals needed work. Therefore, the offices facilitated commissions for knight orders and mercenary groups, taking a fee for their services. They also handled recruitment notices for knight orders and gave high-paying commissions to well-known knight orders.
‘…Still no one.’
A young man yawned as he left a tavern. Despite posting a recruitment notice as soon as he arrived in the capital, no one showed interest. Though he had recruited a few comrades, it wasn’t enough to satisfy him.
‘The manager was right. Just having a position isn’t enough.’
The young man glanced at the recruitment board before turning away. He had demonstrated his skills to the commission office manager, who then agreed to post his notice. However, three days had passed with no change, wasting both time and money.
‘I might have to search for people myself.’
Since awakening his magical power, the young man could faintly sense human nature. He could perceive someone’s flow, physical condition, magical capacity, potential, and future possibilities. However, it was a vague overall impression, so it wasn’t always certain.
‘There doesn’t seem to be much in the knight orders…’
He had checked knights in various orders, hoping to find something special, but most seemed weaker than the comrades he had already recruited. Older knights, captains, and vice-captains had a certain gravity and dignity, but they were exceptions.
‘Mercenary groups are the same.’
Mercenary groups were less organized, with fluctuating memberships. Thus, their overall level seemed lower than knight orders, and wealthy nobles or merchants never entrusted them with missions. They were only used for cheap labor or discreet tasks.
‘Maybe I expected too much?’
Where he came from, there were no strong knights, though it was peaceful. He had always been interested in the heroic tales from the frontier and wished to visit the capital, where many strong individuals, including the Setinos Quasar, resided. But the reality was disappointing.
‘Maybe I should try the magic academy or Kinesien sect…’
He stopped when he noticed someone. A strange sense of kinship struck his heart. This person was different from those he had encountered but might be even more significant.
‘Someone who can use a Magic Sword like me…’
Without thinking, he ran. Though surrounded by bodyguards, he had to speak to her. Missing this chance meant never meeting her again.
‘She has strong magic too. Must be a noble lady…’
She had bodyguards and a personal carriage. Though it was odd for a noble lady to wear formal attire, he’d think about that later. His current focus was on recruiting her for his knight order.
“Who goes there?”
“Stop! If you don’t halt…”
Startled by the bodyguards’ shouts, Hanette turned. A figure in armor was rushing toward her. She couldn’t look away, feeling an inexplicable familiarity.
“Please, join my knight order.”
“…Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, we’re recruiting now.”
“……”
The bodyguards were speechless, and Hanette let out a laugh. Of all things, he was recruiting her.
“I’m not interested. Even if I joined, I’d find a better order.”
“Please, just give me a chance to persuade you. Just listen.”
“Listening won’t change anything. I have no skills.”
“That’s not true. I can help…”
“This fool…”
“Stop. It’s no big deal.”
Hanette turned and walked away. The bodyguards reluctantly lowered their swords and followed. The young man watched her go and shouted with all his might.
“If you change your mind, come to the Baldwin Mission Office! My name is Seran Sylase, and look for the Sylase Knight Order!”
Some bodyguards glanced back, but Hanette didn’t. However, she mentally noted the young man and his knight order’s name.
‘…It’s not the right time.’
Maybe she’d give him a chance someday. No one had ever tried to recruit her before, and he seemed bold. But she had more important matters to attend to now.
‘I have someone to take care of.’
She didn’t need a reason to take care of him. She could just ignore him, but she chose not to.
‘I don’t even like him that much.’
Hanette chuckled, stopping in front of a shop. If she truly disliked him, she wouldn’t have come this far. Maybe, just maybe, she had a small fondness for him.
‘He asked me not to go, so I should stay. If he ends up hating me, I can always leave then.’