Chapter 16: 16
Enrite Serenine was a human born from the transformed Light Magic Sword.
Unlike other Magic Swords, the Light Magic Sword, El Tesoykve, had its own consciousness.
After the demons and dragons disappeared, it briefly vanished before reappearing in human form.
Since then, she settled in the Alain Kingdom, proved her skills, and became the White Apostle and a cardinal of the Kinesien Holy Church.
‘No one will know until she reveals her true identity.’
After leaving the Kinesien Holy Church, Enrite always stayed close to the protagonist.
She sensed the protagonist’s potential to wield the Light Magic Sword and decided to observe him.
Eventually, the protagonist proved his worth, and Enrite acknowledged it by revealing her true identity.
‘If I act like I know now, she’ll just get suspicious.’
Zion turned his gaze away, feeling a vague sense of tension.
Enrite was focused on the bowl, emitting her magic.
Although her face showed little emotion, her beauty was undeniable.
‘She does remind me of Hanette. Maybe because she’s a heroine?’
From the moment Zion saw Enrite, he sensed a similar aura.
It was an indescribable feeling, like being drawn to someone.
It felt like looking at another Hanette, yet there was a fundamental difference.
‘Hanette seems ready to explode, but the White Apostle feels like she’s pulling you in.’
Zion’s impression was abstract but clear.
Both Hanette and Enrite seemed to possess something transcendent.
They could reveal their true selves at any moment but chose to leave subtle traces.
‘Now I truly feel like an extra.’
For the first time since arriving in this world, Zion felt a sense of disparity.
The opponent was a heroine and a strong individual, a major character like the protagonist.
He was just an extra, not someone who could compete with her.
If Hanette grew stronger, she might also radiate a similar aura.
‘This makes me want Exceed Rain even more.’
Zion had accepted his role as an extra early on.
But that didn’t mean he had to conform to it.
That’s why he sought Exceed Rain, aiming to build his foundation and territory, even if it was a bit reckless.
‘I don’t intend to remain an extra, even if I can’t be the protagonist.’
In modern society, he couldn’t escape being an extra.
He always suffered losses, and over time, his body and mind deteriorated.
When he was finally buried under human malice, he clung to the reason for his birth and the value of his life.
He had to, or he couldn’t endure the weight of his insignificant existence.
‘I will find my own life.’
He never intended to become the protagonist.
Only with the protagonist could this world reach its predetermined conclusion.
He simply wanted to follow the flow and indulge his modest desires.
‘It’s a bit sad to part with Hanette, but…’
Zion flinched and furrowed his brows.
Hanette was someone who would soon leave, and all they did was bicker and play trivial pranks.
So why did he suddenly think of Hanette?
‘Have I grown attached?’
Zion chuckled, regaining his composure.
Hanette was a fleeting acquaintance, destined to join the protagonist.
There was no place for him in that journey.
‘There’s no way I could…’
“You’re different from other nobles.”
“In what way?”
“You’re quieter.”
Enrite lifted her gaze from the bowl and met Zion’s eyes.
Nobles who requested holy water usually talked endlessly, distracting her.
They were likely trying to impress her or get closer through shallow tricks.
But Zion had said nothing besides greetings and answers, sparking her curiosity.
“I don’t want to interrupt your work.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Well… the process of making holy water is fascinating.”
“…”
Enrite remained silent, puzzled.
He was different from the usual nobles.
A sane person wouldn’t spend money on something as useless as holy water without a reason.
Moreover, she sensed a resolute will in Zion’s eyes and voice.
“I must have holy water for my future. Isn’t that enough?”
“What kind of future are you looking at?”
“A future where I harm no one and receive no harm.”
It was a vague yet straightforward answer.
He could have simply said he sought peace and rest, but he chose to refer to himself and others.
Perhaps Zion Laird already knew true peace and rest.
“I will return your money.”
“What? What about the holy water?”
“You will receive the holy water as well.”
“…?”
Zion was momentarily speechless, his expression stiffening.
Enrite removed her hands from the bowl and gently folded them on her lap.
The water in the bowl had taken on a soft golden hue.
“Perfect peace does not exist. Only peace for a part of us.”
“Because someone always has to sacrifice?”
“Exactly. To achieve peace, sacrifices are necessary. Therefore, it can never be perfect.”
Enrite recalled many memories, her eyes slightly trembling.
Those who wielded El Tesoykve always made sacrifices and faded away.
Various reasons existed, but at the core was the will to protect something precious.
She watched them with pity and sometimes saw their efforts as foolish.
“How can anyone be perfect?”
“Knowing that, you still said you wouldn’t harm anyone?”
“Because we strive for perfection despite knowing we can’t achieve it. Isn’t the effort itself valuable?”
“…”
Enrite lowered her gaze, suddenly realizing her own lingering regrets.
They always sacrificed themselves but never spared their efforts.
Though they could fail, no one gave up midway.
Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t forget them.
‘I see them in this person.’
Enrite faintly remembered the emotions she felt as a sword.
There seemed to be a fateful connection flowing from Zion Laird.
While he didn’t possess their qualities, he might awaken his potential and face her again someday.
“It seems I’ve met a rare person. Thank you for your kind words.”
“I’m honored that the White Apostle thinks so highly of me.”
Zion responded humbly, still puzzled by Enrite’s kindness.
He had merely expressed his usual thoughts.
‘I don’t know what’s so good, but it’s beneficial.’
Besides holy water, he needed to buy another item.
It would require considerable money as he had to bid at an auction.
If he got his money back for the holy water, he would have some leeway.
‘Should I buy a gift while I’m here?’
Freed had given him money for one reason only.
But given the situation, he had been ignoring that intention.
Now that he had some leeway, he could consider fulfilling it.
‘Should I buy something expensive to make it obvious?’
* * *
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Zion’s room.
Zion placed two boxes on the table.
Enrite had kept her promise, giving him the holy water she made herself and refunding his money.
‘I doubt she’ll like it.’
Zion stared at the gift box in deep thought.
For Hanette, alcohol and gambling were merely tools, and she had no particular hobbies.
In the original story, she was very interested in magic, following the protagonist to learn and apply it.
‘I want to give her a book on magic, but…’
It wasn’t a good idea.
Robbenz and Yenid strictly forbade Hanette from learning magic.
Giving her a book on magic might lead to it being confiscated, or she might refuse it, fearing others’ scrutiny.
‘I can’t buy her clothes or perfume.’
Hanette, fitting her title as the Crazy Young Lady, always rebelled.
She avoided anything noble ladies liked.
She didn’t want to resemble them by using dresses, cosmetics, or jewelry.
She just used what Yenid bought her, dressing appropriately.
‘I’ll just go for it.’
Zion quickly headed to the next room.
He knocked and slowly opened the door.
“You’re back? What’s that?”
“A gift for you, sister.”
“… All of a sudden?”
“Think of it as a bribe.”
“Haha! A bribe, you say? How amusing.”
Hanette laughed openly but showed a hint of interest.
It wasn’t a gift given out of pure intention.
Zion, like herself, received an allowance and had his own expenses.
Maybe Marquis Laird or Zion’s siblings had given him extra money, aware of her presence.
“You actually bought me something?”
“Yes, I thought a lot about what you’d like.”
“Haha! Why didn’t you just ask me?”
“That wouldn’t be fun. The best part of a gift is the anticipation before opening it.”
“What if I don’t accept it?”
“Then I’ll just take it back.”
Zion turned away without hesitation.
He heard a thud and felt a tug on his arm.
Hanette had grabbed his wrist.
“Hey! If you’re giving it, give it properly!”
“You said you wouldn’t take it.”
“That was hypothetical!”
“You were testing me? That feels a bit… annoying.”
“Don’t be petty. Just give it to me.”
“You started it first.”
“Who gives gifts without a reason?”
“There could be a reason.”
“Do you really think you should spend money on me?”
“… There’s nothing wrong with it.”
Zion chuckled and reluctantly handed over the box.
Hanette quickly snatched it and hugged it tightly.
‘Have I grown too fond? Why do I keep smiling?’