“A deep sleep? Does that mean you die if you fail?”

『Most people wouldn’t think to ask, but white mages are a bit different, huh?』

“Don’t dodge the question and answer.”

『It’s not death. It’s literally a deep sleep. If you fail the trial, your soul falls asleep. The body remains here.』

Lucian, who had been silently listening, threw in a word.

“Then the body will rot and disappear.”

『You catch on quickly.』

“Then it’s no different from dying.”

Adelia frowned. Listening to the holy sword’s words, she understood.

If one couldn’t escape the illusion, they would be trapped in it forever. The soul would live in fake happiness forever, losing the body. A body without a master would return to nature over time.

Adelia let go of the holy sword. She fully retracted the white magic circulating through her body.

Then she turned and met Lucian’s gaze.

“Let’s leave. If there’s a real chance of death, I oppose it.”

Her blue eyes met his steadfastly. The corners of her lips, always upturned, were now calmly leveled.

Adelia’s voice, with a serious face, was unwaveringly firm.

The original story had given the holy sword an owner. Even if Lucian didn’t take the dangerous challenge, the holy sword would find an owner someday.

‘No, even if it doesn’t find an owner, it doesn’t matter.’

Adelia was resolute, showing no regret for her decision.

The holy sword’s purpose was to prevent evil. But Adelia possessed white magic that could become the force of evil.

This meant that at least in this generation, the world wouldn’t be engulfed by evil, and thus, the holy sword had no role to play.

“You are enough without the holy sword. There’s no need to take risks in such a place.”

Her unwavering eyes were solely focused on Lucian. They were filled with trust and concern, making everything else seem unimportant.

A faint smile appeared on Lucian’s lips as he fully received her gaze.

“I will do it.”

“What?”

Her eyes widened as she looked at him.

Adelia bit her lip and frowned.

Lucian leisurely crossed his arms.

“Do I look like someone who would fail such a trial?”

“That’s not it, but….”

“Whether the price of failure is death or fainting, it doesn’t matter. I won’t fail.”

“You could die if you make a mistake. Are you really going to do it?”

Adelia frowned, unable to understand.

She clenched her fists and held her head high.

Lucian smirked. He uncrossed his arms and pressed her furrowed brow with one finger.

Her white, soft skin indented slightly.

“When you confidently said I would definitely become the master of the holy sword, you weren’t scared then.”

“Your skills are certain. But that’s different. Your physical strength has nothing to do with the trial.”

Adelia tried to pull her head back to avoid his touch.

But he persistently followed. It was as if he was trying to shake off the worry plastered on her face.

Adelia’s eyebrows twitched. The wrinkles on her forehead slowly smoothed out. Only then did Lucian lower his hand with satisfaction.

Her blue eyes still trembled slightly, unable to let go of her worry.

Lucian took a step closer to her. The remaining white magic around them created a warm atmosphere.

“Just trust me. If you can’t trust me, trust yourself. If I’m in danger, you’ll save me somehow, won’t you?”

Lucian placed his hand on Adelia’s cheek. He gently stroked her jawline with his fingertips as if petting a cat. The careful yet bold gesture made Adelia’s shoulders twitch. It felt as if the places his fingers touched were burning.

Her soft silver hair tangled between his fingers. The faint scent of lilies of the valley tickled his nose.

Just as she did, his red eyes only contained her. Although it wasn’t something that required her opinion, he was asking for her permission. For the worried Adelia.

Eventually, a deep sigh escaped her slightly parted lips.

“I can’t deny it.”

Adelia shook her head and shrugged.

She still worried about the situation, but she respected his decision. To keep insisting would be more than concern; it would be disregarding him.

She grabbed his wrist that was touching her cheek.

Then she suddenly leaned in.

“If you dare die, I’ll save you even if I have to break the holy sword.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t make you a widow on our honeymoon.”

At his playful tone, Adelia let out a small, deflating laugh.

Her worry melted away with his silly joke.

Her eyes curved into a pretty arc.

She let go of his wrist and gently pushed him away.

“I trust you and I trust myself.”

“Just wait comfortably. Time will pass quickly if you keep bothering the holy sword.”

Lucian slowly lowered his hand.

Her hair followed his motion. The fine hair flowed smoothly between his long fingers.

A gentle curve appeared on his lips.

『Should I ask the gods to make me a cursed sword? My goodness….』

The holy sword, watching alone, grumbled.

“Oh my, are you sulking?”

Adelia asked in a mocking tone, tilting her head to the side.

The holy sword didn’t respond. It really was sulking.

The holy sword, by its very existence, had always garnered everyone’s gaze, attention, and respect.

However, until just now, those two had been lost in their own world as if the holy sword didn’t even exist. This hurt the sword’s pride.

‘The holy sword is still quite immature.’

Its voice might sound like an adult man’s, but inside, it was like a pure child, much like Kai.

Thinking about it made her feel a bit pitiful.

But that didn’t mean she would stop her current actions.

Adelia grasped the hilt of the holy sword again.

She bent down and whispered in a small voice.

“If you let that person die, I’ll break you cleanly in half and throw you to the north and south of the empire.”

A chilling threat flowed smoothly from her soft lips.

A murderous intent gleamed in her blue eyes as she glared at the holy sword. The characteristic warmth of the white mage had completely vanished, replaced by a sharp gaze that tightened around the holy sword.

The blade of the holy sword trembled.

『You! If you do that, you’ll die from divine punishment!』

The holy sword shouted in frustration. This was a test set by the gods. It wasn’t something it could decide on its own, and it felt wronged and scared that she might really shatter it.

“I’m not afraid of dying. So, do your best. Got it?”

Adelia tapped the holy sword as if she was patting its shoulder.

Her eyes smiled coolly. Although her eyes were smiling, her lips remained calmly leveled.

『You’re really….』

The holy sword trembled with resentment. It wanted to retort, but Adelia’s momentum suppressed it, making it hard to speak.

She was so afraid of the man dying, yet she was indifferent to her own death. She was indeed a strange woman.

At that moment, Adelia’s lips opened once more.

“If that man comes back alive and becomes your master, I’ll make you a fine scabbard.”

This time, it was a sweet persuasion. She whispered sweetly in a tone, like she’s giving candy to a child.

If she had wielded a whip just before, now it was time to apply medicine to avoid the pain.

The blade, which had been trembling just a moment ago, stopped in its tracks.

『Really?』

“Of course. I’ll make you a scabbard adorned with all kinds of jewels, a convenient one to carry, and a noble one that reflects your dignity.”

Adelia applied the medicine and even promised a good gift. A gift so good that it would bury the fact of being whipped.

The holy sword, which had been embedded in this rough stone for hundreds of years waiting for its master, was tempted by her proposal.

『Three of them?』

“If you want, I can make even more. I have that kind of wealth.”

Adelia’s eyes curved.

It was an expression she made out of habit. A smile that wasn’t particularly kind, funny, or happy, but indifferent.

But to those who knew nothing, it looked like a warm smile.

『Ahem…. I’ll try my best.』

The holy sword cleared its throat unnecessarily and spoke as if doing a favor.

Of course, it still wasn’t something it could decide on its own.

『Then come here.』

The silver aura emanating from the sword fluttered towards Lucian.

Instead of using its blade, the holy sword used the silver aura like a hand.

Lucian stood in front of the sword, following it.

“I’ll be back.”

He turned his head as if he was seeking her final permission.

Adelia could only nod.

『I hope you pass the test. Descendant of Arthur. That woman might really shatter me.』

The holy sword’s voice echoed, sounding somewhat displeased.

Soon, the silver aura enveloped him. Unlike when it threatened Adelia, it was gentle and careful.

Adelia tapped her foot on the ground anxiously. She believed he could do it, but there was also an underlying fear.

His red eyes, flickering like the sun, briefly looked at Adelia. She flinched at that gaze.

But soon, his eyelashes fluttered, and his red eyes gradually disappeared.

A silver cocoon enveloped Lucian’s body.

‘There won’t be any problems. If he’s the crown prince I know, he’ll definitely succeed.’