Chapter 23: 23
Zion immediately recognized the sword and approached it cautiously. More than half of the blade was embedded in a flat rock, wrapped in rusty chains to prevent it from being removed. The hilt, dyed in a deep black, the guard with a dull gleam, and the blade forged in a rich violet hue matched the description of Exceed Rain.
‘Only that person could enter here.’
The one who wielded the two Magic Swords had El Tesoykve’s power. The method to handle Exceed Rain was documented in their journal. Zion, possessing El Tesoykve’s power, met the requirements to retrieve the sword.
‘This one sword cost me too much money.’
Zion set down his bag and took out the demon gloves. The worn gloves would reveal their hidden power upon contact with a specific substance, intended to awaken Exceed Rain and break its seal.
‘Maybe I can sell it for half its price afterward.’
He glanced at the gloves, then quickly slipped his right hand into one. The glove, made for a demon’s size, was loose and difficult to maneuver. However, it would suffice to grip Exceed Rain’s hilt.
‘If it breaks, I can’t even sell it.’
Zion took out a dagger and carefully cut his left pinky finger before putting the glove back on. He squeezed his pinky, letting blood drip onto the glove. The glove absorbed the blood and began to tremble, emitting a dark aura in response to the living blood.
‘It doesn’t take much.’
Zion moved his gloved hand toward Exceed Rain. Typically, the dark magic would consume a person’s body, but his immunity to magic erosion, thanks to El Tesoykve’s holy power, protected him. The glove’s power silenced, and the chains around Exceed Rain began to rattle and loosen. The rock holding the blade cracked, creating small gaps.
Zion, tense, tried to pull the sword from the rock. The chains snapped, and the rock shattered with a deafening noise.
‘Am I going to get crushed here?’
He hurriedly backed away, pulling Exceed Rain free. Although the sword itself didn’t react, the cave was undergoing strange phenomena. This wasn’t what he had anticipated from the descriptions of Exceed Rain’s escape.
‘Time to get out of here.’
Zion bolted toward the entrance, emerging back into the forest. The tremors and noise ceased instantly. The magical barrier and the dense trees had vanished entirely.
‘It was all an illusion?’
Zion looked around and then down at Exceed Rain. The sword was absorbing all the magic from the glove, which began to fade and crack.
‘So much for 320 gold coins.’
He held Exceed Rain in his left hand and flicked his right, causing the glove to fly off and shatter into pieces on the ground. The glove had lost all its magic, turning to ash.
‘It seems calm for now.’
Zion wrapped his hands in magic, inspecting Exceed Rain. As expected, the sword couldn’t control his mind, nor could it erode his power. This meant he had become Exceed Rain’s master, capable of using its abilities if his magic was sufficient.
‘I can return before lunch.’
He condensed his magic into the hilt, then released it, causing Exceed Rain to vanish. Now, with the right to use it, he could summon and dismiss the sword at will.
‘I need a cover story.’
Kelydos, the rented house where Zion and Hanette stayed
Kelydos was one of the largest cities in the eastern region of Aelin Kingdom. It was a hub for all routes leading to other cities and a mandatory passage to the capital.
‘Where did he go?’
Hanette wandered the courtyard, displeased. That morning, she found out Zion had left early without explaining his absence, just saying he had somewhere to go.
‘He should’ve taken a guard. What if he gets lost?’
Kelydos was new to both of them. Despite its established security, safety wasn’t guaranteed. Criminals with malicious intentions could be found anywhere.
‘There must be a reason for coming here. That’s why he went out alone.’
When did she start doubting Zion’s actions? The 30-gold-coin relic, the 320-gold-coin gloves, and rushing to repay his debt. Each had no clear connection, but they all seemed suspicious.
‘Why buy a relic? And the gloves?’
Buying a relic meant visiting the cathedral. Spending 320 gold coins on worn gloves suggested a specific purpose. Repaying his debt might be for her, but she couldn’t understand the other two.
‘What is he up to? What is he hiding…’
She noticed Zion approaching with a bouquet. Why would he bring flowers?
“Where have you been?”
“I went to get flowers.”
“Why flowers all of a sudden?”
“To give to you.”
“Why for me?”
“To share. Half for you, half for me.”
“…?”
Taken aback, Hanette was speechless. She expected an obvious lie, but his response was absurd. Why share flowers?
“These are one of the city’s specialties. The petals change color when picked.”
“You went out early to get city specialties?”
“They’re popular. I couldn’t get any yesterday because they sold out.”
“You could’ve taken a guard.”
“I wanted to walk alone. Don’t you ever want to travel alone in solitude?”
“That’s supposed to be a joke, right?”
“I’m serious.”
Zion picked a flower from the bouquet. Hanette, looking at the bouquet, reluctantly accepted it.
“Watch this. It will change to one of the rainbow colors.”
Zion plucked a white petal, causing the remaining petals to turn yellow.
“The last color is what matters.”
“… Why does it matter?”
“It’s said to show a person’s future based on the final color.”
“Do you believe that?”
“Of course not. It’s just for fun.”
Zion smiled, plucking petals one by one. Purple, yellow, orange, and navy. Only two petals remained. He pulled another.
“Red.”
“What does it mean?”
“Red means love will come true.”
Hanette burst into laughter but showed no emotion in her eyes. She couldn’t help but treat him like a child. How gullible could he be?
“… How much did you pay for this?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Do you have a lot of money? Spending 320 gold coins wasn’t enough?”
“Thanks to someone, I do have money. Since you didn’t take it, what else could I do?”
“Are you mocking me?”
“I never mocked you. I only spoke the truth.”
Zion continued provocatively but remained composed. He needed to make her forget about his morning absence. Although some personal feelings were involved due to her refusal to accept the repayment.
“Judging by your tone, did you spend 10 gold coins?”
“This flower costs only 5 silver coins.”
“… You spent 2 gold coins on these? Are you insane?”
“It’s fine. Since you didn’t take the money, I don’t feel guilty.”
“Get a refund now!”
“It’s my money.”
“I don’t care. Get a refund!”
“Then you get the refund. I’ll take my share.”
Zion reached for the bouquet, but Hanette pulled back quickly.
“Are you going to keep disobeying?”
“What else can I do?”
“This annoying kid!”
“Do you want to try? I can give you one.”
“Hey!”
“Is that too much? Fine, I’ll have to concede for my fiancé.”
Zion smoothly transitioned the conversation, passing Hanette. He had spent 2 gold coins, but it was enough to distract Hanette and others. There would be no further questions about his morning activities.
‘I need to practice using Exceed Rain… Should I find a suitable place?’
Aelin Kingdom’s Eastern Region, in a carriage
Hanette and Zion were returning to the capital after a four-day trip. Though nothing significant happened, she felt exhausted. Probably due to the young boy beside her, sharpening her nerves.
‘At least he didn’t waste money on anything else. Maybe he’s pretending to listen.’
Hanette glanced at Zion, who seemed lost in thought, staring out the window. What was he thinking?
‘Red means love will come true? Why does he believe such nonsense?’
Recalling that moment, she shook her head. She had secretly plucked the remaining petals after snatching the flowers from Zion, but the results were too bizarre, so she threw them away.
‘How could all three be red? It’s a scam…’
“Ambush!”
“Protect the carriage!”
Shouts erupted outside. Hanette looked out in shock. Zion furrowed his brows, gathering his magic.
‘An ambush here means… it must be them.’
He deduced their identity quickly. These assailants operated secretly and wouldn’t encounter the protagonist until the mid-late story. Attacking now, outside the capital, meant they aimed to kill Hanette.
‘Time to use Exceed Rain.’