Chapter 35: 35
Zion persistently persuaded Hanette to step out of the mansion.
Hanette had shown interest in magic since childhood, but she had never received any training or even read books on the subject. Although she had secretly studied magic, her self-taught methods quickly hit a ceiling.
Of course, even without intervention, Hanette would naturally grow stronger. The protagonist would lead the charge against enemies, and any injuries would be swiftly healed by the White Apostle.
However, Zion believed that if he stepped in now, he could help her even more.
‘They say hardship awaits those who leave home… I just hope she doesn’t get hurt.’
Even if he couldn’t recall every detail of this world, there was one thing he was certain about: Hanette Adelaira would neither suffer severe injuries nor die before reaching the end of the story. Although the conclusion wasn’t explicitly detailed, she would likely enjoy a happier life outside the mansion.
‘There’s a kind of affection even in resentment.’
Since their engagement, Zion and Hanette had not maintained a particularly good relationship. They constantly bickered, nitpicked each other, and clashed frequently. Despite this, Zion didn’t dislike or find her annoying. Their childish arguments were actually quite entertaining.
‘… Am I regretting this?’
Zion realized his feelings as he looked at Hanette. What would happen if Hanette followed the protagonist and left? It was a question he had often pondered, and the conclusion was always the same. Each time, he rejected that conclusion, reminding himself not to get caught up in trivial emotions.
‘I have no place in this.’
There was no place for an extra like him. That was his role in the original storyline, but now that he had been reincarnated, he didn’t have to follow that path. However, if he wanted to see the story’s proper ending, he had to maintain certain boundaries.
‘If I interfere, it’ll just mess up the story… and I can’t reveal Exceed Rain.’
If he moved alongside the protagonist, the flow of the story would undoubtedly twist. Knowing the future meant unintended consequences. The White Apostle would recognize Exceed Rain and likely try to fight him before he could explain.
‘But if I stop Hanette from going… what am I even thinking?’
Zion shivered, feeling a sense of detachment. If he kept Hanette by his side, the protagonist would lose a major character in forming the knightly order. Moreover, Hanette was fed up with life in the mansion and was trying to escape. For her sake, she needed to be by the protagonist’s side.
‘Maybe I’ve grown too attached. Having thoughts like this…’
Zion shook his head vigorously to clear his mind. Getting caught up in such feelings would only derail his objectives. Hanette was merely a passing connection and a tool in the political marriage arranged by Duke Adelaira. To lead a peaceful life, he needed to entrust everything to the protagonist and build his own foundation.
‘I must have been very lonely.’
He hadn’t been isolated for a short time in the modern world. He was always alone and couldn’t trust anyone. Perhaps that was why life in this world felt more comfortable.
“Looks like we’re here.”
“The place looks expensive.”
“Must be wealthy.”
“Of course. They probably have hundreds of members.”
Outside the window on Hanette’s side, an extravagant building came into view. The magic academy had invested heavily in its exterior to attract attention. Nobles enjoyed luxury and spent money to elevate their status. Learning magic required significant funds, so the academy used this tendency to its advantage.
“Oh, you mean people like you?”
“… Sister, we have no choice if we want to increase our mana.”
“It feels like a scam.”
“If there’s a scam, I’ll be the one scammed, not you.”
“That’s our family’s money you’re spending.”
“I got it from Duke Adelaira, so now it’s mine.”
“We procured it from our family.”
Zion looked at Hanette with exasperation. Hanette, on the other hand, returned his gaze as if asking what he was looking at.
“Once it’s passed on, that’s it. Don’t be so stingy.”
“You spending it on this is what’s stingy.”
“Stop nagging. We’re not married yet.”
“It’s not nagging; it’s a fact. Do you think I’ll care about you once we’re married?”
“I’d be grateful if you didn’t.”
“I’m managing the money.”
“You’re still being stingy?”
“How is this stingy?”
“Sigh…”
Zion stepped out of the carriage first and scanned the surroundings. Although they had brought guards, he couldn’t let his guard down. The rebels were always targeting the royal family and the two dukedoms.
“What are you doing?”
“Protecting you, sister.”
“Ha! Those guys won’t show up here.”
“… I need to keep my promise.”
Hanette paused as she was about to step out of the carriage. A warm sensation was rising from her chest. Her heartbeat pounded loudly as if trying to burst out.
“Are you okay? We can go back if you’re tired.”
“No, it’s fine. I was just thinking about something.”
Hanette stepped out of the carriage, feeling a dizzying sensation. Her heart continued to pound, beating more violently the closer she got to Zion.
‘Why am I feeling this? I didn’t do anything…’
* * *
Duke Adelaira’s Mansion, Head’s Room.
Yenid was unusually anxious, not even touching her tea. Her eyes kept darting to the window.
Robbenz understood her anxiety but couldn’t help but sigh.
“What are you so worried about?”
“We encountered bandits on the way back. Surely you don’t think they were actual bandits?”
“… Probably not. They likely have a grudge against our family.”
Robbenz replied nonchalantly, sipping his tea. Yenid jumped up, startled.
“Master! You knew and still let Hanette go out?”
“They can’t do anything in the capital. Too many eyes.”
“You don’t know what they might do!”
“So should we keep Hanette locked up in the mansion forever?”
“Well, no, but…”
Yenid lowered her voice and sat back down. Robbenz was right; they couldn’t keep Hanette confined forever. Her temperament required her to gamble and drink to stay calm, and if they forbade even that, she might have a breakdown.
“What good is it keeping her inside? Should we let her gamble and drink only in the mansion?”
“…”
“Staying inside won’t make those people disappear. And no matter how skilled they are, they can’t act openly in the capital. The city guard and police are there for a reason.”
“You’re right, but what if something happens?”
“Sigh… you’re right. That’s why I increased the number of bodyguards and informed the city guard and police. Isn’t that enough?”
Yenid, though convinced, still looked doubtful. Even with bodyguards, they could still be attacked, and the city guard and police couldn’t always be by Hanette’s side. Thus, the safest place was inside the mansion, but that would turn Hanette into a recluse.
“Well, if you still don’t trust it, trust Zion.”
“… Isn’t he a bit too young? It’s a bit worrying.”
“I told you before. Not just anyone can use sword energy. With a strong knight like him by her side, who would dare attack?”
Robbenz trusted the bodyguards but didn’t fully rely on them. None of them could use sword energy, and he couldn’t guarantee they’d repel an attack. But a knight who could wield sword energy wouldn’t let anyone get close, let alone attack.
“Think about it differently. Why do you think they targeted Hanette?”
“Because they have a grudge against our family…”
“That’s a fundamental issue. They have no reason to target only Hanette.”
“…?”
Yenid pondered for a moment, realizing there were others they could have targeted. They could have gone after her, Robbenz, or Hanette’s siblings. So why Hanette?
“They saw an opportunity. They can’t do anything in the capital, so they waited quietly.”
“So they targeted Hanette…”
“Because she left the capital. They struck when the guards were tired, ambushing them on the way back.”
“And Zion intervened.”
“How could those guys know what even Marquis Laird didn’t? They retreated because they knew they couldn’t face sword energy. That’s why they backed off.”
Robbenz had been shocked when he first heard the news but also relieved. Zion had protected Hanette and used sword energy, changing the dynamics of the political marriage.
“Why do you think I allowed her to go out? Because I trust Zion Laird. A knight who uses sword energy can protect my daughter!”
Zion Laird had become the talk of high society. Rumors circulated about his lack of experience with swords, poor swordsmanship, and lack of knightly activities. But once he showed results, those rumors became irrelevant. There were few in Alain Kingdom who could use sword energy.
“I understand your point. If you believe that, I feel more at ease.”
“… I no longer have high expectations for Marquis Laird.”
“What? Weren’t you considering a political marriage with the royal family?”
“Other families can do that. Even if Ternein takes it, our family won’t fall.”
Yenid finally understood. She had also felt disappointed that Zion Laird seemed ordinary, but after he used sword energy, that changed.
“Royal family? A 19-year-old noble using sword energy? What’s the big deal about that? Zion Laird has become more important than Marquis Laird. We must keep him close for Hanette’s sake.”