File insisted on accompanying Zachary, but he refused.
"Uncle… I'm not asking you as a king or as Zachary White, but as someone you raised, as someone you inspired to be a man and person. I need you to protect my family. Our enemies grow closer every day, and I entrust the safety of my family to you," Zachary said as he prepared to set sail for the Merk continent next week, leaving behind the cage of life that had bound him for so long.
This shocked his family and the nobility, but nonetheless, they couldn't care too much; after all, the nobles were already itching for Zachary's descent from the throne. Now that Zachary would be removed, many believed that under Hector's leadership, Whiteford would guide the kingdom to a better future.
That night, Aina took a walk to her father's room. She slowly opened the door and saw Zachary sitting in a chair, facing the window.
"Dad?" Aina approached tentatively.
"Oh, Aina, what's wrong?" Zachary looked up at his daughter.
"Dad, everybody says you're leaving?" Aina asked.
"I am, my dear," Zachary said as he stood up and approached Aina, patting her head gently. "So I heard you did well at the academy."
"Uh… it's nothing that impressive," Aina said, looking away.
"What? But I heard otherwise," Zachary continued to pat Aina's head.
"Yeah, but still… Allura did amazing," Aina replied.
Zachary paused for a moment upon hearing this, then stood up to take a family portrait from the wall. "Allura… well, she is indeed a genius kid," Zachary admitted.
"Yeah, but I don't understand. Why do people hate her?" Aina asked her father.
Zachary realized Aina was innocent in this matter; she didn't understand why her half-sister was hated. He understood that, despite all that had happened, just like Hector, Aina genuinely saw Allura as her sister.
"Well, File tells me that 'haters will hate.' That means no matter how good you are, there's always someone out there who hates you," Zachary explained.
"Still, I feel it's unfair to Allura. She is amazing; she is smart," Aina insisted.
"Well, her talent speaks for itself. Just don't worry too much about it. Have you spoken to her, Aina?" Zachary asked.
"Well, not really. I haven't talked to her; everyone keeps preventing me from doing so," Aina admitted.
"Well… hm, Aina, can I ask you a favor?" Zachary said.
"What is it, Dad?" Aina replied.
"Would you look out for your sister? I know you two aren't close, but can you take her out for walks sometimes?" Zachary requested.
"Okay, I'll try, Dad. But as for Allura, I don't think she is naturally talented," Aina added.
Zachary was surprised. "What do you mean?"
"People say Allura is naturally gifted, but I think she just tries harder than anyone else. I often see her studying and training from evening to morning," Aina explained.
"Wow. That's unexpected. I never thought of that. Anyway, thanks for sharing it with me, dear. It's getting late; you should get back to bed," Zachary advised.
"Okay, Dad. Oh, one more thing. When you return, can I have a vacation to Fonta Aria?" Aina asked.
"Fonta Aria? Oh, I remember! File mentioned you wanted to see Sein, right?" Zachary recalled.
"Well, I've heard a lot of stories about her. I really wish to meet her, but after File returns, he's kind of busy, and I never have a chance to go there. Everyone says something about conflict," Aina carefully explained to her father.
"I see. Aina, you say you're going to study at the Paladin Academy after this, right?" asked Zachary.
"Yeah, I think it's a good idea. Mom says I need some holy magic training," Aina responded.
"Well, I heard from Zack that you two are quite similar when it comes to holy magic talent, especially with your ability to summon healing light without chanting," Zachary noted.
"Isn't everyone able to do that?" Aina asked.
"Hahaha, no! It actually requires some training. Anyway, don't worry; before I leave, I promise you can meet your idol," Zachary reassured her.
Aina then hugged her father tightly. "Thanks, Dad! You're the best!"
As night fell and Aina returned to her room to sleep, Zachary wandered around the library alone. Not long after, a shadowy figure approached him from behind.
"Dad?" Zack, Aina's older brother and the first son of Princess Anne Freyr, said as he approached.
"Oh, you came. Let's have a talk," Zachary replied, gesturing for him to sit. The two settled into a cozy corner of the library, with Zachary holding a cup of tea he had made himself.
"So, I heard you are leaving soon," Zack said.
"Yeah. Don't worry, son; just take care of your mother," Zachary reassured him.
"So, what is it you want to talk about?" Zack asked.
"Well, I haven't really spent any meaningful time with my children, let alone left any good impressions. Soon will be your little sister's birthday, right?" Zachary noted.
"Aina? Yeah, I know," Zack responded.
"I was thinking of sending her to Fonta Aria to the Loyal Swords Paladin Academy at the Melody City branch. But I want to give her something she will remember. Can you somehow arrange for Sein to be her personal mentor?" Zachary asked.
"You want me to ask Sein to be Aina's mentor during her study at Fonta Aria?" Zack clarified.
"Yeah, of course. It's not just a prince of Whiteford asking a favor from the leader of the Twelve Heroes. This is about the 'Night Blade Hero,' the mysterious member of the Twelve Heroes whose face has never been revealed to anyone. Not even the other members of the Twelve Heroes know who he is. Just ask Sein to train Aina," Zachary said, his tone teasing as he spoke to Zack.
Zack White, one of Zachary's eldest children, had secretly been a member of the Twelve Heroes during his youth. Over 20 years ago, he had been barely allowed to see the world due to the brewing conflicts across the continent, but later, he determined to stop the resurrection of an ancient daemon. Under the secret identity of the Night Blade Hero, he set off on a journey, leaving a decoy in Whiteford— a young teenager who looked almost identical to him.
As Zack followed his heroic path, he encountered the team that would eventually become the Twelve Heroes. When they were later ceremonially blessed to be the Twelve Heroes, Zack never once removed his helm or went without his face covered, like a shroud and cowl. However, File identified him with a single glance.
Of course, File was the only person he expected to know this secret information. As File later acted as a mentor to the Twelve Heroes, he often teased the Night Blade Hero, claiming that Prince Zack of Whiteford was his biggest fan and even joking that Zack had a huge poster of him.
This silly rumor turned Zack's face as red as lava, but he still had to maintain his character. Once the Twelve Heroes stopped the resurrection of the ancient daemon, the Night Blade Hero made his legendary exit, using a spectral power to fly into the sky, never to be seen again. When he later returned to Whiteford, he heard from his doppelgänger that on the day he impersonated Zack, File had given him a lifetime beating, as File easily saw through his deception. Eventually, he told everything, which was why File always knew his identity.
Up to this point, Zack thought no one aside from File knew about it, but then he realized how loyal File was to Zachary, so it wasn't surprising that Zachary knew.
Zack's face turned bright red again as he asked, "So, anyway, how? Can you do that?"
"Well, I guess I could—just let me talk to them first. J-Just prepare Aina's registration at the academy," Zack stammered.
Hearing this, Zachary smiled, his heart content. He then stood up, suddenly covering his face with his left hand to mock the Night Blade Hero's exit, imitating Zack in the process.
"Disappear into the night!" Zachary exclaimed as he made his escape, laughing mockingly.
"Argh!" Zack shouted, wanting to throw a chair at his father as his face turned bright red in embarrassment.
As the night passed, Aina was still asleep in her room when she suddenly heard her mother speaking to Zack.
"Are you serious?" Anne Freyr asked.
"Yes, I am, Ma," Zack replied.
"Do you know that the Eleison family is targeted by the Balrog Empire?!" Anne exclaimed.
"Yeah, it's no secret; I know," Zack said.
"And you and your father want to send her to train with them? Have you two lost your minds?!" Anne shouted.
Aina woke from her sleep and slowly approached the two, who were on the other side of the room.
"Mom, Zack, what's wrong?" she asked, still half asleep.
"Oh, it's nothing, dear. You should get back to sleep," Anne said hastily.
Zack stood in silence, and Anne could be seen snatching some papers from Zack's hand and hiding them behind her.
"Okay…" Aina said, feeling confused.
As Aina began to walk back to her room, Zack mustered his courage.
"Wait, Aina!" Zack called.
Aina turned around to answer her brother's call.
"How would you feel about studying in Fonta Aria?" Zack asked.
Aina's eyes suddenly widened as she couldn't believe what she heard. "What! Seriously?" she exclaimed.
"Zack!!" Anne shouted at him.
"Mom, at least let her make her own decision. You can persuade her, but the decision is hers," Zack insisted.
"What's this all about?" Aina asked calmly.
"Well, let's say you studied at the Loyal Swords Paladin Academy in Melody City. Would you want to?" Zack explained.
"That means I could meet the Leader of the Twelve Heroes, Sein, didn't I?" Aina asked excitedly.
"Yeah, of course," Zack confirmed.
"Aina, please listen first. Right now, it's not safe here. Fonta Aria is on the frontline against the Balrog Empire. If they decide to attack, your mother is worried about your safety," Anne warned.
"Aww… but Mom…" Aina said, looking disappointed.
"Mom knows you want it, but right now, you're safe here. If the Balrog Empire decides to attack, not even Sein could keep you safe," Anne said firmly.
Aina looked sad upon hearing this.
Suddenly, Zachary walked in. "What's wrong? Why are you two so loud in the morning?" he asked.
"Don't tell me you gave your approval for Aina to go to Fonta Aria," Anne said to Zachary.
"Of course I didn't give approval; I'm the one who recommended it," Zachary replied.
"Did you ever consider the danger lurking out there? Can you even imagine what might happen if some spy or soldier from the Balrog Empire captures her?" Anne exclaimed.
"Don't worry; I'll assign a personal bodyguard for her," Zachary said with a relaxed expression.
This only annoyed Anne, making it seem like Zachary didn't care much for Aina's safety.
"Bodyguard?? Those nomadic people were capable of taking the lives of two Grand Master paladins! Do you think a couple of bodyguards could protect Aina?" Anne asked with an angry expression.
Suddenly, File entered the room.
"Oh, Uncle, you're here," Zachary said.
Everyone offered a slight bow to show respect to File.
"Anyway, of course, I'm not letting my little girl go unprotected. File here will be her bodyguard," said Zachary, still with a relaxed expression.
"What?" Both Anne and Zack exclaimed in shock.
They had just heard Zachary appoint the strongest man in Whiteford, if not the strongest person on the continent, as Aina's personal bodyguard.
"Don't worry, Princess Anne. I swear I'll protect Lady Aina during her studies abroad," File assured her.
Hearing this, Anne suddenly relaxed her tension.
"Wait, Dad, are you serious? Don't you think it's a bit much? What if enemies attack Whiteford?" Zack interjected.
"Well, worry not. Even before Uncle File acted as Protector, Whiteford was already the strongest and most stable kingdom on this continent. I believe we will be fine. The real problem lies with the enemies within the walls. Those are the foes that only my princes and princesses can fight," Zachary explained.
As the morning went on, Aina, filled with pure excitement, couldn't wait for her studies; she would finally meet her idol.
The day finally arrived when Zachary decided to leave. He would face this journey alone, departing before dawn. Although he hated the idea of leaving his family behind, he swore he would return one day.
To his surprise, Hector and Allura were already waiting at the front door of his room. Without hesitation, Allura ran and hugged her father tightly.
"Father, are you leaving now?" Allura asked.
"Yes, my little angel. I'm going to save your mother," Zachary replied.
"Dad, can I go with you? I promise I won't hold you back," Allura said with tears in her eyes, burying her face deep in Zachary's embrace.
"Now, now, my little angel. I know you're sad, but listen to your dad. I will bring your mom home, and when we get back, I want you to prepare a ceremony or celebration for our return," Zachary said.
"But you promise you will return, right? You promise not to leave Allura?" Allura asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Of course! Why would I leave my little angel? After all, this is my home. I will always return," Zachary reassured her.
"Okay, I will wait and pray for your safety," Allura said.
"That's all I need to hear. Now promise me you'll be a good girl and not cause trouble for Hector, alright?" Zachary said with a smile.
"Promise!" Allura replied enthusiastically.
"Okay, Dad, you made a promise to your little angel. So, I'll pray for your return, old man," Hector added with a playful grin.
As Allura released her hug from Zachary, she ran to Hector and hugged him.
"I will. Don't worry, even an old man like me. I was trained by your uncle, and I assure you he didn't give me any mercy during our training. So take care, son; be strong. I'll always pray for you. Take care of our family," Zachary said.
"I will, Father. Everything good about me starts with you," Hector replied earnestly.
That dawn, Zachary finally stepped outside White City, fulfilling his promise to his loved ones, those who had given him the most meaningful years of his life.
It was two days later that he set sail for the continent of Merk, beginning his long search for the survivors of Aaruu Village, facing a godforsaken land plagued with monsters, Outer Gods, and countless horrors originating from the dark cosmos.