Chapter 28: 28
It was also one of the unique abilities possessed by Exceed Rain.
Exceed Rain used this ability every time it disappeared, and the protagonist occasionally made use of it as well. Of course, it was only permitted for Exceed Rain and its user, so it couldn’t be considered versatile.
‘Since things will be quiet for a while… I guess I should increase my mana in the meantime.’
To efficiently utilize Exceed Rain’s mana absorption, the total amount of mana had to be increased first. The less mana available, the more the effect of mana absorption amplifies, and other unique abilities need to be used as well. Moreover, accepting mana beyond the total amount was not easy, and even if possible, it would strain the body.
‘What kind of impact will this incident have on Hanette?’
If their ambush was an accident that had to happen, then it can be ignored. But if it wasn’t originally part of the storyline, it could be considered a variable.
‘Should I have gone on a journey with Hanette?’
It was hard to distinguish whether that journey was a predetermined flow or an unexpected variable. At this point, it was still early in the storyline, and Zion wasn’t aware of the previous content. In other words, he couldn’t pinpoint where and how things went wrong.
‘Thinking about it more won’t yield answers…’
“What are you doing now?”
“Reflecting on the meaning of the sacred relic.”
“You’re putting mana into it, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’m especially using my power for you.”
“… Using power?”
“Now, whatever happens, you won’t get hurt.”
Zion infused mana completely into the necklace and handed it to Hanette. However, Hanette just looked at the necklace with a puzzled expression.
“You did something unnecessary again, didn’t you?”
“It’s not unnecessary. It’s not something I do for anyone.”
“What difference does it make if your mana is in this?”
“I told you earlier, didn’t I? You won’t get hurt.”
“Why do you put it that way?”
“I don’t think you’ll believe me even if I explain.”
“Sigh…”
Hanette felt a faint excitement but did not show it. She felt like talking to Zion had become part of her daily routine. Her life, previously tangled with gambling and drinking, being considered a Crazy Young Lady, seemed to be gradually fading away.
“Aren’t you scared?”
“… Are you talking about those who ambushed us?”
“For some reason, they tried to kill us. They might come back later.”
“That’s something to think about when it happens.”
“You may not mind because you’re strong, but I…”
Hanette trailed off and lowered her head. Being able to use swordsmanship meant Zion was quite skilled. At his young age, the Royal Knights might even invite him to join. In contrast, she was just a coward who couldn’t even properly face death.
“That’s why I told you to always carry the necklace. That way, I can help you.”
“What can you do to help? Follow me around for the rest of your life?”
“If you really want that, I can do it.”
Zion answered without hesitation. He planned to protect her until the protagonist arrived. Hanette had to follow the world’s flow with the protagonist. Even if he wasn’t there, the mana infused in the necklace would react first.
“… Hah! Why so serious? I already have a bodyguard, why would I need you too?”
Hanette forced a laugh, suppressing her fear. She didn’t want to make Zion uncomfortable over a minor emotion. It would be better to increase the number of bodyguards or urgently use magic to deal with threats.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m not there. I can help whenever needed.”
“Do you think that’s possible with just a necklace?”
“You can keep it in your pocket too.”
“Do you think adding some mana to a necklace changes anything? Get a grip.”
“You still don’t trust people. I wonder what I should do.”
This ability didn’t activate just because the user wanted it to. It required negative emotions to be transmitted through an object imbued with Exceed Rain’s mana. The user could roughly specify the emotions to be conveyed; Zion set conditions for physical pain or fear of it.
“Isn’t that a superstition? They say embedding mana brings luck or miracles.”
“Do you think I’d believe in something pointless?”
“You must have believed it to buy this. That’s why you buy city specialties too.”
“Saving money for what? Think of it as a fun purchase.”
“Do you think getting red petals means love will come true?”
“I just repeated what I heard. Oh, right. You took those flowers, didn’t you? What did you do with them?”
“Those? Uh…”
Hanette couldn’t continue, recalling the memory. All three flowers, supposedly a city specialty, turned out to have red petals. She knew it was a sales tactic but didn’t want to share the results with Zion.
“I threw them away.”
“Threw away five silver coins’ worth? There were three flowers.”
“It’s your fault for spending money on that.”
“Be honest. You checked them, right?”
“Why would I check that? Do you think I’m like you?”
“You wouldn’t just throw them away because of the cost. You probably checked them first.”
Hanette flinched but tried to maintain her composure. Zion quietly observed her before reluctantly backing off.
“… You seem off today, so I’ll leave. Keep the necklace with you.”
“I’ll wear it even if you don’t tell me. You sulk if I don’t.”
Hanette chuckled and put on the necklace. The unfamiliar sensation around her neck soon faded. The purple hue of the necklace disappeared, returning to its original state.
“When did I ever sulk?”
“You wouldn’t remember. You’d be too embarrassed to recall.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. If you need to go out, call me. I’ll go with you.”
“I can handle it alone.”
“Want your allowance cut in half?”
“… Oh, come on. Why bring that up?”
“Then go alone.”
Zion smiled and left the room. Hanette watched him leave and sighed.
‘If only you wouldn’t talk… how could you follow me forever?’
Hanette fiddled with the necklace, becoming familiar with its touch. It had been a nuisance at first, but now she wore it without issue. It felt like she adapted to the necklace as her relationship with Zion deepened.
‘Maybe… just maybe, I’ll trust you a little.’
* * *
Royal Palace, Royal Office
A woman with black hair was absentmindedly flipping through documents. She had to distinguish which ones required the king’s seal and which ones didn’t. Although she could tear up incorrectly sealed documents, it would be hard to manage issues once related matters progressed. So, it was better to check them properly now and focus all her energy on her work to avoid mistakes.
‘When I inherited the throne, I thought things were finally going well…’
Brandish Sethebe Endroden, the 17th queen of Alain Kingdom, sighed and turned her gaze away. As always, she felt her administrative duties didn’t suit her. If she could just wield her sword and kill monsters, she would be reasonably satisfied, but she hadn’t stepped onto a battlefield since becoming queen. This made her resent her past self who had aspired to become queen.
‘It’s boring… and my body itches…’
Brandish put down the document folder and leaned her head back on the chair. If only some interesting rumors or stories came her way, she might enjoy it a little. Lately, her repetitive, dull daily life made her cling even more to anything different.
‘If only someone brought interesting news…’
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The man who always guarded her entered the office.
“Your Majesty, I have a report.”
Gloné Ailike, the commander of the Royal Knights, respectfully reported. He was the leader of the Royal Knights and a knight who guarded the queen closely. Known as the strongest in the Royal Knights, only the captain of the city guard was said to match his strength. With two knights protecting the palace and the capital, no one dared to plot rebellion.
“Where is the report from?”
“It’s from the city guard. Do you remember the bandits near the capital?”
“How could I forget? Is there another incident?”
Brandish frowned, showing displeasure. Dealing with Grand Duke Adelaira alone was troublesome enough, and Marquis Laird was also involved in the incident. If additional problems arose, both families might send their private soldiers to eliminate the bandits.
“No. The city guard investigated the incident area and is now tracking the culprits. I’m here to report the battle that occurred in the meantime.”
“I heard the bodyguards from Grand Duke Adelaira’s family defeated the bandits.”
“It wasn’t the bodyguards. It was the youngest son of Marquis Laird’s family who defeated the bandits alone.”
“…?”
Brandish couldn’t comprehend the revised report. The term “alone” suggested the bodyguards hadn’t participated in the battle. How could he have fought the bandits alone?
“If it’s Marquis Laird’s family, the eldest son is known for his exceptional swordsmanship… and the second son works as a palace administrator, doesn’t he?”
“… It seems the youngest son has also reached a high level.”
“Is there a reason for the Royal Knights commander to say that?”
Brandish’s eyes lit up with interest. The Royal Knights commander rarely rated other knights as highly skilled. He usually just sought her opinion when someone was to join the Royal Knights.
“Yes. The youngest son of Marquis Laird reportedly used sword aura.”
“… Is that true?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The city guard re-investigated, and the bodyguards from Grand Duke Adelaira’s
family testified.”
“It’s hard to believe. Even among the best knights, few can use sword aura. How old is the youngest son?”
“He is 19 this year.”
“Hahahaha! Did I hear wrong?”
“You didn’t hear wrong.”
“I’ve met many knights, but I’ve never seen one use sword aura at 19. What about you, commander?”
“I’ve never seen such a knight either.”
Gloné was slightly surprised when he first received the report. He couldn’t believe it and thought the city guard had made a mistake. He repeatedly requested re-examinations, but the same content kept coming back.
“If that report is true… shouldn’t we bring him into the Royal Knights? I’d like to have him even if I have to use the queen’s seal.”