48

He was the one who learned swordsmanship, but it was those two who gave him the realization.

If it hadn’t been for the stimulation of those two people, it would have taken me more than a few years to learn swordsmanship.

“ah… I appreciate your words, but I want you to faithfully carry out your mission. Because you are a member of the Royal Knights.”

“If you need my help, I will ask your Majesty the King for permission.”

“Until then… … .”

“We must ask for forgiveness from Zion, and we must express our gratitude to Miss Hanette. I can’t necessarily help you, so I want to make a promise right here.”

“Well… … .”

Hannette is at a loss for what to say and continues to worry.

In the first place, it was the first time I met Barhen at this place, and there was no point of contact otherwise.

I just knew him as the eldest son of the Marquis Regard family and a promising swordsman.

I wish I knew the reason, but I couldn’t guess even that right now.

“Brother, I understand what you are talking about. But my fiancé won’t even ask for help, even for his brother. So do I.”

“… I know. That’s why I’m saying I’ll make a promise. It’s to make arrangements for me to come right away, even if you or Miss Hanette don’t ask for help.”

“And I don’t know what kind of help my brother received. Could you please tell me about it?”

“If it were you, you would know it well even if you didn’t say anything. Miss Harnette must already know.”

“… … .”

“… … ?”

Shion and Hanette glance at each other in silence.

No one understood Barchen’s words.

However, Barhen answered seriously while immersed in a solemn atmosphere.

There seemed to be something, but there was no explanation, so I just stayed still.

“I’ve said everything I want to say, so wake up first.”

Barhen gets up from his seat and casually straightens his collar.

Now that I had shaken off my lingering feelings and guilt, I left the rest of the work to Shion.

“Yes? Brother, why don’t you drink tea and go… … .”

“I don’t want to disturb you and Miss Harnette. It takes a lot of time to get to know each other. So, wouldn’t it be better for me to leave?”

“Still to that extent… … .”

“Shion, don’t forget that resolution. Your talent is important, but you cannot move forward without determination.”

“Yes? no, what is that… … .”

“Miss Hanette, please take care of your sister. You must have Miss Harnette by your side.”

“uh… I will try.”

“Then see you later.”

Barhen nodded and left the drawing room.

Shion and Hanette follow right after, retracing what Varhen said.

‘I do not know what I mean.’

‘I don’t have anything good to leave to me… … .’

* * *

The residence of the Marquis de Prandike, an indoor gymnasium.

Shion moved leisurely and met Hafnon’s wooden sword.

Compared to the first sparring, my body became quite light, and I was able to quickly detect the opponent’s movements.

I could learn more if I put on magic power, but I thought it was a little too early.

‘It’s too dangerous to engage in sparring while using magic.’

Even the incumbent knights did not recklessly release their magic power during sparring.

Although physical attacks could be offset with protective equipment or armor, there was no magic power to do anything about.

In order to block attacks mixed with magical power, one had to cover one’s body with magical power, and in order to maintain it for a certain period of time, one had to be proficient in mana management to some extent.

From noblemtl.com

Knowing that Shion’s proficiency was low, he deliberately trained only in swordsmanship.

‘I have to clean it from the ground up.’

Training swordsmanship, augmenting and operating magical powers, adapting to acid lanes and using abilities.

Even if I did this much now, I could promise later.

Because it wasn’t about fighting the beast right away or helping the main character.

‘I chose the opponent well.’

Shion quickly retreats and catches his breath.

Hafnon was a strong opponent and a great teacher.

He was able to improve his swordsmanship skills little by little while doing his best to always move according to himself.

“her… … .”

Hafnon stepped back and let out a short sigh.

Shion slowly got used to his swordsmanship, and on the contrary, he constantly dug into gaps.

If it continued like this, it would not be enough to catch up, so it would soon find another prosecutor.

‘I’ll have to hold onto it a little longer.’

Hafnon was being stimulated little by little just by sparring with Shion.

If Shion swung the sword sensibly, he tried to respond carefully while making predictions.

Because the method of using the sword was different in the first place, it was from that gap that he gained enlightenment.

‘I haven’t been able to get a sense of the sword skill yet.’

The news that Varhen Reggiard had mastered swordsmanship had already spread widely in the social world.

This happened about a month after he said he would give up joining the Royal Knights.

It must have been that Shion Reggieard had helped in some form.

‘If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to meet you later… … .’

“Would you like to take a little break? I’m fine but… … .”

“no. As long as it’s okay with Shion, I don’t mind.”

“Then I will go first this time.”

Shion showed sharp eyes and rushed towards Hafnon.

At the same time, Hafnon straightened his wooden sword and quickly struck back.

“I think my older brother is working harder today.”

“Yes? My fiancé seems to be working harder.”

Harnette answered calmly and slowly turned her head.

Sitting next to her was Raina Prandike, Hafnon’s sister.

Raina’s light blue eyes twinkle and she smiles softly.

“Isn’t it because your fiancé is good at using a sword? I think my older brother is a bit busy adjusting to that too.”

“Well… Since you use sword skills, you should be able to handle it a little better.”

Hannette subtly acknowledged the fact, but did not express it.

From noblemtl.com

Just because Zion was praised, he couldn’t be swayed by it.

Obviously, they’re only engaged, and if you show your feelings, you’ll look a little cocky.

“I think you can take a good look at it. My brother is also pretty good at using swords. If your older brother can move around busily, you’re pretty good at it.”

“… It’s good to improve your skills, but I don’t want you to get hurt. If you get hurt, it’s your loss, right?”

“You are right. But from the moment you grab the sword, you can’t help but get hurt. I can’t tell you not to become a prosecutor.”

Harnette sympathizes with the words and is immersed in worries.

Being strong does not mean that there is no risk of injury.

Not only Zion, but also himself.

Of course, I had it in mind from the beginning of the escape plan, but now that I think about it, it seems a bit reckless.

“Um… I’m suddenly curious, Miss Harnette, are you going to ask her to put down her sword after marrying her fiancé?”

“uh… I haven’t even thought about that yet.”

“You may want to decide quickly. You might end up fighting because of those things, right?”

“I might do that. I don’t want to interfere, but… … .”

Harnette blurts out her words and looks out at Zion in the distance.

It seemed that he was worried for no reason because Shion could be hurt.

Even if you don’t get married, you won’t have any regrets about him.

“ah… I must have said something wrong. Are you worried about your fiancé?”

“Oh, no. That’s not wrong.”

“If you still believe in your fiancé, you might as well leave it as it is. He even uses swordsmanship, so there’s no way you’ll get hurt.”

“… It does.”

Shion was still dynamically moving and swinging his sword.

It looked pretty rough and ferocious, but I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Every time the purple light shone through the flowing silver hair, it felt like something in my heart fluttered.

‘If I become stronger, I wonder if they can protect me.’

It was fine whether I was married or not.

Rather than that, the desire that Zion would not get hurt took precedence.

If he could properly learn magic, it would help somehow.

‘… Why don’t we just run away?’

Even if he ran away like this, only an uncertain future unfolded.

Before using magic, I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to properly fight demons.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to stay next to Shion and learn magic slowly?

‘Looks like I’m not crazy either. I’m not going to run away because of a kid.’

Hannette laughed and naturally clenched her chin.

They were too close to push now.

What will happen if we get closer from here?

‘I’m not doing this because I like a kid. just… I’m a little worried.’

* * *

The residence of the Duke of Adelaira, Zion’s room.

It was after the sun had already set and the dark night sky had spread.

Shion changed into pajamas and was looking out the window.

I should be in bed at this point, but it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep at this point.

‘… It’s not long now.’

Shion sighed and closed the window.

Now, about a week left until the main character arrives in the capital.

When that time comes, Hanette will meet the main character, and she will be completely separated from herself.

I already predicted it, but why is my heart so stuffy?

‘I have to let you go. I have to send… … .’

Shion followed the moonlight to the bed.

As the days went by, the amount of time I slept decreased.

Falling asleep late, waking up suddenly, or waking up too early.

What makes you so anxious?

‘It must be just being sensitive.’

Shion covered the blanket and slowly closed her eyes.

Putting personal feelings aside, I had to achieve my original goal.

Leaving everything to the main character and his colleagues, he lives a peaceful life.

Dreaming of more than that was greed, and messing with that greed would upset the balance.

‘If you follow me secretly… … .’

Suddenly the window opens and a breeze blows in.

Shion felt something and immediately raised the mana in his body.

I couldn’t see anything, but I couldn’t see it as a coincidence.

The windows were locked, and a blur had just appeared.

“… Who are you?”

Shion kicked off the blanket and summoned Exceed Rain.

At the same time, it quickly stores mana and prepares to use sword skills in an instant.

The speed at which magic is condensed increased because the overall level was raised through swordsmanship training and magic power enhancement.

“Five… Are you going to use swordsmanship?”

A shape slowly began to emerge from the darkness.

Zion takes her posture and quickly orients herself.

At this distance, it would not be possible to avoid the sword, but there was a possibility of blocking it.

From noblemtl.com

Judging by his ability to hide his presence and his infiltration speed, he must be quite strong.

“I don’t know if you know it’s a silver phantom thief.”

“… Cetinos quasar?”

“Since you know romance, I came to take a look. Could you give me a minute?”

Someone wearing a mask approached slowly under the moonlight.

Shion saw through the mask and costume and saw through to its identity, but did not fully believe it.

It could have been someone impersonating a silver phantom thief.

“A real silver phantom thief wouldn’t be like this.”

“Oh, you think I’m fake? I’ve sorted out those guys beforehand.”

“It means that there is no reason for the silver phantom thief to come to me.”

“His Majesty the King was talking about you… You risked your life for your fiancé? It’s very romantic.”

If you say that, the probability of being a silver phantom thief increases.

Rumors about herself and Hanette hadn’t spread yet, and only the king and the head of the royal knights would have known about him.

Most of all, there were hardly any people who talked about romance while wearing a mask.

“Here I make a suggestion. If you are a friend who knows romance, you deserve to be my disciple. I want to become a disciple after going through several tests… how is it? Would you like to try it?”