For the glory of Laurel.

The proud boy liked this saying.

Great and noble Laurel, the sole master of Tiendabis.

Laurel possesses infinite rights and responsibilities as the master of this world, fulfilling his duties by destroying evil, caring for the weak, and establishing justice.

Having engraved the brilliance of Laurel deep in his bones, the boy had no complaints about bearing this sublime duty.

Moreover, he liked the title that would soon be given to him.

Whether it be the one who topples dragons, the one who stops disasters, or the sentinel of the border.

This was the story of Zion, who was still seventeen.

He was now taller and larger in stature than an average adult, but his face was still filled with youthful innocence.

However, Zion, who had inherited the countship yesterday, did not seem to acknowledge that he was still underage.

Judging by how calmly he accepted his farewells to his family before heading to the border.

Just before meeting Tarudes’ daughter, Duke Laurel called his son.

“Zion.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Bring one thing to remember you by. I’ll return it when you’ve finished your first battle.”

At his father’s request, Zion was inwardly taken aback.

It was awkward because his straightforward father was making such a shy request.

So, Zion, realizing anew that he was leaving home, wondered what suitable thing there could be.

After a brief thought, the boy detached a cufflink from his right sleeve.

Made of platinum and sapphire, it was something he had fitted anew upon receiving his countship.

Zion handed one side of it to his father without any attachment, and the Duke accepted his son’s item with a bitter smile.

So, Zion, who had been fine until then, felt a bit strange too.

However, he did not show it.

Because of his halfbrother, who was already depressed as if one axis of the world had collapsed.

Next to the Duke stood Zion’s halfbrother, Harudin Laurel.

Though they had different mothers, Zion and Harudin astonishingly resembled each other. Moreover, they were closer than most full siblings.

Harudin Laurel, a delicate boy who cherished his people terribly, was the older brother and heir, and Zion Laurel was the villain who brazenly manipulated such a brother.

So, the Duke’s side was wary whenever these halfbrothers played together, but they were good brothers in their own right.

Zion glanced at his brother’s gloomy face, and while his father went to talk to someone else for a moment, he gave him a little shove.

“Sending off a funeral?”

“Hey…!”

“You should speak honorably. I’m now a count.”

At his brother’s composed voice, Harudin’s face twisted.

Normally, he would have laughed carelessly at that great arrogance, but today he could not even force a smile.

He was now straining to swallow the words swirling in his mouth.

I wish you wouldn’t go to the border.

I’m scared you might change like Uncle.

I don’t want to part with you.

Harudin recalled his duty as the Duke’s successor and forcibly suppressed that feeble heart.

Zion glanced at his sniveling brother and clicked his tongue briefly. Then he removed the remaining cufflink on his left side and tossed it.

“You keep it too.”

“Eh?”

Harudin caught the item his brother threw in surprise and stared at him. Then Zion spoke brusquely.

“Give it back when I retire.”

Zion left those words behind and quickly turned away, and then Harudin laughed weakly.

To Harudin, Zion was an unbearable brother, friend, and object of admiration.

Zion was strong. Composed, generous, and confident to the point of arrogance.

Harudin thought that there was no Laurel more like a Laurel than him, and rather than being jealous of him, who was as dazzling as the sun, he loved him.

Zion also knew his brilliance well.

That’s why he willingly accepted his destiny to head to the border.

Acknowledging it as his duty,

With an arrogant thought that only he could handle it,

For the glory of Laurel, his essence, and pride.

.

.

.

But two years later.

Zion was recalling that moment of farewell to his brother as vividly as if it were only yesterday, having completely lost all his pride and dignity.
It was right after the sixteenth battle with Amaneser.

Zion, standing in the middle of the border, realized something was terribly wrong amid the staggering chaos.

It felt like just a few days ago when he had greeted his father and brother and left Laurel’s Duchy.

It felt like waking up from a very long dream.

He remembered everything that had happened over the past two years, but it felt strange, like someone else’s experience.

A chill sensation brushed past Zion’s side as he blankly fumbled with his memory.

Zion reached out thoughtlessly and was startled by the slippery sensation.

His palm was sticky with an overflowing amount of blood.

What? Why am I so injured? When exactly….

The moment he realized he was bloodsoaked, the pain that had been in abeyance instantly overwhelmed him.

“Ah, Ahhh…!”

His entire body felt like it was tearing apart.