Chapter 52: 52

The decision to leave the rebels alone so far had been to achieve a favorable ending. The protagonist was supposed to handle the rebels, gain fame, and earn the trust of the king and nobles. Zion had remained quiet for this sole purpose, but if it wasn’t certain, he would handle it himself.

‘I can tolerate it once, but not twice.’

Zion and Hanette had held hands for the second time. Both times, it was to transfer the lacking magic power. Was this really a valid reason to hold hands?

‘If I could just find their headquarters…’

Zion didn’t know all the hideouts of the rebels. However, with the resources and soldiers of his family, he could track down other hideouts. Especially since this attack happened in the capital, the king and the royal knights would likely get involved.

‘With enough evidence, we can end this for sure.’

Zion started planning, considering all possibilities. Marquis Laird’s private soldiers, Duke Adelaira’s private soldiers, the city guards, the security forces, the royal knights, and other forces. Even with just the soldiers from the two families and the city guards, they could likely annihilate the rebels’ hideouts.

“The security forces are here!”

“The city guards have arrived!”

“Phew…”

Hearing these reports, Zion relaxed his arms. The rebels might have fled, but there was no need to chase them immediately. The security forces and city guards would pursue them, and soon, private soldiers would join in.

“Sister, you’re not hurt, right?”

“More worried about the bodyguards…”

Hanette looked around, her face twisted with concern. The injured bodyguards were tending to their wounds, enduring the pain. If they hadn’t been protecting her, they wouldn’t have been hurt.

“We’re fine.”

“Our limbs are still intact.”

“We can’t die from this.”

The bodyguards didn’t blame Hanette. Instead, they saw their wounds as an honor and were relieved that Hanette was unharmed. Most of them had escorted the carriage when Zion and Hanette traveled to Kellidos. They hadn’t forgotten Hanette’s words back then and were fulfilling their duty as the family’s knights.

‘At least no one died.’

Zion dismissed Exceed Rain and observed the bodyguards. When he arrived, there had been no corpses. Had he been slightly late, Hanette might have used magic, or there could have been fatalities.

“Sister, it’s over now. You can let go.”

“……”

“Sister?”

“Huh? Oh, yes… right.”

Hanette finally released his hand, stepping back. Holding hands to transfer her magic had made sense, but now it felt a bit embarrassing. With the bodyguards around, she couldn’t help but be self-conscious.

“Don’t misunderstand… I just wanted to help…”

“You’ve held my hand once before, remember?”

“That was different. You took my hand then.”

“This time, you took mine. Is it my turn again next?”

“No… next time, I won’t hold your hand. I don’t want any misunderstandings.”

“What’s there to misunderstand? We’re engaged. Holding hands is normal.”

“No… it’s not okay. There won’t be a next time. I won’t do it again.”

The bodyguards, overhearing their conversation, struggled to hide their smiles. During their trip to Kellidos, they had bantered similarly. Seeing that they were still the same made the bodyguards feel a sense of pride.

‘They’re in a good place.’

‘Have they already married? I heard they got engaged a few months ago.’

‘I had times like that… oh, no, I didn’t.’

* *

Duke Adelaira’s mansion, first-floor hall.

Freed entered the mansion, rushing up the stairs. He had come quickly upon hearing about the attack on Zion and Hanette.

“Oh, you’ve arrived?”

“Where is Zion? Is Hanette safe?”

Freed asked about the two as soon as he entered the office. Robbenz understood his concern and stood up.

“They are both safe.”

“What happened? Have the culprits been identified?”

“Calm down. The city guards are pursuing them.”

“They deserve to be torn apart…”

Freed breathed heavily, clenching his fists. His forehead veins bulged, and his eyes were filled with rage. He wanted to march out with soldiers but came to Duke Adelaira’s mansion for an explanation first.

“No one died. Only the carriage was damaged.”

“The carriage was damaged? Hanette isn’t hurt?”

“She got out unscathed. The bodyguards were injured, but they are receiving treatment now.”

“Only the bodyguards were hurt?”

“Yes. Your son stepped in and ensured everyone’s safety.”

“Phew… I see.”

Freed finally relaxed, returning to his usual expression. Zion had also prevented any harm during the last attack. He must have been sticking close to Hanette out of concern.

“I was careless. Who would have thought they’d attack twice?”

“It’s not your fault. We couldn’t keep Hanette cooped up in the mansion forever.”

“Your son was nearly hurt. I’m truly sorry.”

“Zion did what he had to do. He’s skilled enough to avoid harm.”

“He’s saved my daughter twice now. I’m grateful, but also deeply sorry.”

Robbenz had no doubt Zion would protect Hanette. He had already proven his skills and continued to train diligently. He was likely enduring all this for Hanette’s sake.

“You don’t need to apologize. The attackers are the ones at fault.”

“We should gather the soldiers once the situation is under control.”

“I’ll assist you. Phew… where is Zion?”

“He’s with my daughter. They haven’t left the room, busy talking.”

“May I see them briefly?”

“Of course. I’ll show you the way.”

Robbenz led the way down the corridor, and Freed followed quickly, determined.

‘It’s enough that they’re safe. The rest will be handled by Duke Adelaira and me.’

* *

Royal Palace, Royal Administrative Office

Brandish pushed the documents aside, waiting for Gloné to arrive. As queen, she couldn’t tolerate what had happened. It was an insult to her and a crime shaking the nation’s foundation.

‘They dared to raise an army where I and the royal palace reside?’

Brandish’s eyes blazed with fury as she unleashed her magic. Blue currents swirled violently, dotted with golden specks. If she weren’t the queen, she might have led the soldiers herself to crush the culprits.

‘If it was organized, there must be someone behind it. They could be hiding in other regions…’

The door knocked, and Gloné entered the office. Brandish reined in her magic and stood up.

“Royal Knight Commander, have you investigated the incident?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Report in detail.”

“The attackers numbered several dozen, with some able to use magic. The city guards are pursuing them, but none have been captured yet.”

“Hah… Are they planning to let the criminals who threatened Alain Kingdom escape?”

“…The city guard captain has recognized the gravity of the situation and is leading the pursuit. Additionally, on-duty troops have been mobilized, and the head of the security forces has taken direct command.”

Brandish calmed slightly upon hearing this. The city guard captain’s involvement meant they intended to capture or eliminate the rebels. The city guard captain was as formidable as the Royal Knight Commander, and no one would dare resist him.

“How is Grand Duke Adelaira?”

“Some of the carriage escorts were injured, but Grand Duke Adelaira’s daughter is unharmed.”

“No fatalities?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Only injuries have been confirmed.”

“They were attacked with magic, weren’t they?”

“The carriage was targeted first, but the daughter escaped by luck. She then used the carriage as a shield, buying time with the bodyguards.”

Brandish listened silently but noticed something. Simply buying time wouldn’t make the attackers disappear. They wouldn’t have used their magic only once.

“How did they hold out?”

“The youngest son of Marquis Laird intervened.”

“Zion Laird, you mean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…He didn’t defeat the attackers?”

“He didn’t leave his fiancée’s side.”

“Ah, I see. He couldn’t leave her.”

There was no need for deep thought. He had to choose between protecting and killing. Some might choose the latter, but Zion Laird would certainly choose the former. Protecting his beloved was more important than killing enemies.

“…He would have been a fine addition to the Royal Knights.”

Brandish regretted not pushing harder back then. Perhaps she should have insisted more. But if she had forced Zion Laird to join, he would have been resented forever.

“Your Majesty, if you issue a royal command now…”

“I’ve already decided to let Zion Laird go. I can’t change my mind now.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“We already have Barhen Laird. He’s no less than Zion Laird… I should be satisfied with that.”

Barhen Laird had expressed his desire to forego joining the Royal Knights, but Brandish didn’t accept it. Appreciating his talent, Brandish changed it to a deferred entry, willing to wait for years. However, Barhen Laird mastered sword aura in just a month and ultimately joined the Royal Knights by royal command.

‘At least I gained one.’

Barhen Laird had likely been spurred on by Zion Laird. Though delayed, it led to mastering sword aura. In a way, she had gained a better swordsman instead of Zion Laird.

‘If not for Zion Laird, Hanette Adelaira…’

Looking at the results, Brandish couldn’t let go of Zion Laird. Hanette Adelaira survived because of Zion Laird. Had he made the wrong choice, she would have lost two nobles and damaged relations with both families.

‘Such a loss… If only I had known, I would have paired him with the third princess…’