Chapter 56: 56

Zion and Hanette’s first meeting started with an argument, but it wasn’t all bad.

He didn’t stick to formalities and always treated her comfortably.

Even when mistakes were made, Zion took them in stride, often turning them into a joke.

‘He’s different from other nobles.’

Zion understood all of Hanette’s flaws.

He accepted her un-ladylike behavior, her addiction to alcohol and gambling, and her isolation within the mansion.

Instead of condemning her, he suggested she just needed time to find her way.

‘He was always by my side.’

Hanette felt her heart race as she recalled various memories.

When returning to the capital from a trip, Zion had personally fought off enemies.

He promised to protect her as a partner and even chased away her troublesome half-brother.

Even when enemies attacked again, he was there to save her.

‘How can I not want to be with him, even if it’s not love?’

It was a contradictory and selfish feeling.

It felt as if she wanted Zion to always be there for her, sacrificing everything.

Because of this, she decided to stay by Zion’s side.

She couldn’t just take without giving; she needed to do more.

‘If Zion stands up for me, then I should also stand by Zion…’

The notions of arranged marriage or emotions didn’t matter.

She simply wanted to be with Zion, to be comforted and protected by him.

In return, she would always support Zion and would even accept marriage willingly.

‘But I wish we could delay the wedding…’

“Sister, if we go on like this, we might end up having our wedding together. Can you handle that?”

Zion asked seriously, watching Hanette’s back.

For him, being with Hanette was no loss.

Hanette would follow his lead and could grow stronger.

But from Hanette’s perspective, marrying him might not be what she wanted.

“…If I couldn’t handle it, I wouldn’t have said so.”

“Ah… you mean what you said back then?”

“Right. Can you answer now?”

Hanette turned halfway, meeting Zion’s eyes.

Zion nodded slowly, recalling their previous conversation.

“If you want, I can stay by your side. You must have thought about it too.”

“…Let me ask you this. Can you handle me?”

Hanette asked calmly, feeling a slight warmth enveloping her.

She was pleased to hear what she wanted but didn’t want to show it.

Zion might find it strange and say it was unlike her.

“As an unopened flower… you just need to water it and give it sunlight.”

“You talk well. How does a kid like you know that?”

“Just trust me a little. You asked me to stay by your side… I can do that, right?”

Zion smiled lightly and headed toward the wardrobe.

Hanette watched silently before letting out a small laugh.

With Zion’s help, she felt she could indeed blossom beautifully.

“But how long are you going to stay like that?”

“…Are you skipping lunch too?”

“I’ll eat… but I can’t change my clothes because of you.”

Hanette snapped back to reality, realizing what Zion meant.

Zion was holding a suit and shirt in his hands.

She had been too lost in her thoughts to notice.

“Who wants to see you undress? I’ll wait outside, so hurry up.”

Hanette quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

She had never thought about seeing Zion undress.

It was just a coincidental situation.

‘Not yet. Not now…’

Hanette sighed, looking down the hallway.

She had made up her mind but still had so many unprepared things.

Even the thought of a wedding was daunting, and the future beyond that seemed impossible to fathom.

‘I don’t know much about this…’

* *

In a tavern in Poldin, the capital of Alain Kingdom.

Seran Sylase was dining with his comrades.

Today was the last day for recruiting knights, and they were set to leave the capital by morning.

Recently, the daughter of a Duke was attacked, and the capital had been off-limits.

Only after the culprits were caught did they prepare to leave.

“Those bastards kept us here too long.”

“Starting a fight in the capital… tsk.”

Seran ate his bread, listening to his comrades’ conversation.

Their stay had been prolonged, resulting in more expenses.

Although they still had funds, moving faster would mitigate the losses.

“What does the captain think?”

“About what?”

“Why do you think those guys targeted the Duke’s daughter? Why start trouble in the capital?”

“Hmm…”

Seran put down his bread and took a drink.

There must have been a reason to target the Duke’s daughter.

Maybe they wanted to kidnap her for ransom, held a grudge against the Duke, or had personal issues with her.

But causing trouble in the capital would cost more than they could gain.

“It doesn’t make sense. They’d get caught quickly.”

“Right. It was probably emotional.”

“Emotional…”

“They must have lost big to her in gambling. Or maybe they got into a fight while drinking.”

“How do you know that?”

“Don’t you know? She’s the eldest daughter of Duke Adelaira. Known as the Crazy Young Lady. Likes drinking and gambling.”

“…Really?”

Seran’s eyes shone with curiosity.

Could a noble lady really indulge in alcohol and gambling?

If it was true, then they might have attacked in a fit of emotion.

“Why would dozens of people attack over drinking and gambling?”

“Those who lost to her probably banded together. They’d have nothing to fear.”

“Using magic tricks to say she’s skilled?”

“Destroying a carriage is a trick. Not as good as me though…”

“But didn’t they run when they saw swordsmanship? That’s nothing special, right?”

“……”

“……?”

At Seran’s words, the two men burst into laughter.

Their standards for skill seemed too high.

While anyone could learn magic, swordsmanship required extraordinary talent.

“Haha… Captain! Do you think swordsmanship falls from the sky?”

“Captain, swordsmanship isn’t something just anyone can use.”

“But that noble kid used it easily?”

“Marquis Laird’s youngest son is an exception. Using swordsmanship at 19 is something only a genius among geniuses can do.”

His fame had spread not only in social circles but also among commoners.

A swordsman at 19, the fiancé of the Crazy Young Lady, and a strong fighter who thwarted two attacks.

It was because of him that there were no deaths in the recent incident.

“Hmm… what if that noble joined our knight order?”

“What would happen… monsters would get their heads smashed, and anyone causing trouble would be dealt with on the spot?”

“He has no reason to join. He lacks nothing.”

“…That’s true?”

Seran had thought about meeting that noble.

How could someone a year younger than him use swordsmanship?

If given the chance, he wanted to learn from him.

‘…The noble lady didn’t come. Something seemed off.’

Even if not as skilled as that noble, she had potential.

He felt a sense of kinship and thought she might also be worthy of wielding the Magic Sword.

Maybe she already had the Magic Sword and was hiding it.

“Seran Sylase.”

A woman in a hood sat down, looking around cautiously.

Platinum hair peeked out from under the hood, and her delicate features were visible.

His comrades didn’t recognize her, but Seran welcomed her with a bright smile.

“Ah, you’re here?”

“Who’s this woman? Is she joining us?”

“She has an imposing presence. Who did you bring?”

“Come closer. Who she is…”

Someone next to him left a silver coin and exited the tavern.

The woman noticed this, quickly turning her head.

Every time she encountered the Magic Sword, she felt a similar sensation.

‘Exceed Rain?’

“What? The white apostle…”

“Quiet! How can you say that here?”

“Calm down. We need to move to another spot.”

Enrite Serenine ignored the surrounding noise, focusing on the door.

It might be a coincidence, but the feeling was clear.

There was no reason for Exceed Rain to be here, and if it had fallen into human hands, it would be causing havoc, destroying everything in sight.

‘There’s no way Exceed Rain is in the capital…’

* *

‘This is not good.’

Zion cautiously removed his hood, scanning the surroundings.

Fortunately, no one was following him, and there were no noticeable changes.

The white apostle must have felt the same way he did.

‘We don’t mix well.’

Zion fully removed his robe and started walking through the city.

Exceed Rain and El Tesoykve were natural opposites, making them react sensitively to each other.

Had he been a moment late in leaving, the white apostle would have found him quickly.

‘…Leaving tomorrow.’

Zion had been observing the protagonist and his comrades, keeping his identity hidden.

Hanette wasn’t joining, and he wanted to confirm the white apostle’s entry into the knight order.

From what he saw, there were no major issues with the protagonist’s order.

‘The protagonist and the white apostle are enough.’

It didn’t mean the other comrades were useless.

The protagonist and the white apostle simply held crucial roles.

Even if Hanette didn’t join the order, it was somewhat reassuring.

‘But if she doesn’t join, Hanette won’t grow… that’s not good.’

Zion felt a bit regretful but didn’t cling to it.

He couldn’t give up on Hanette now.

He was a bit worried, but she had expressed her desire to stay by his side.

If it came to this, he would have to step in himself.

‘…I need to persuade Duke Adelaira.

Hanette must learn magic. If she gets the Magic Sword early, she’ll adapt faster.’