Chapter 6: I am willing to become your sword and shield

Everyone stood there in shock, staring at the scene before them.

A spirit from the Glorious race, dressed in a maid outfit, knelt before the girl like a knight meeting her princess.

“[Glory]? Impossible! How could you be a [Glory]? A [Glory] spirit would never have a name like Melo!” Sephilia questioned angrily, her expression twisted.

But Melo didn’t even glance at Sephilia. Her eyes stayed fixed on her young master, Melina.

Seeing the surprise and confusion in Melina’s eyes, Melo explained gently, “That’s because… I’m a stray spirit. I lost my original name long ago. Madam took me in and gave me a new name and identity. But…”

She paused, looking a little sad. “Even so, I won’t lose to any other [Glory]. I wonder… would you be willing to give me a chance—to be your sword and shield?”

Golden light shimmered, and a long knight’s sword glowing with a warm golden light appeared in Melo’s hands. She held it up with both hands and offered it to Melina.

“What a warm light!” Little Huiyao blinked her big eyes and stared straight at the sword.

“She’s really a [Glory]?!” Sephilia asked in disbelief.

“Yes,” Huiyao replied seriously. “That sword born of light is a symbol of our Glory race. And… I can feel a warm bond from that big sister. We were both born from the same light.”

Huiyao didn’t lower her voice, so everyone nearby heard her clearly.

But hearing it only made everyone even more stunned.

In this day and age, a [Glory] spirit became a stray? Who would waste such a treasure?

Melina also stared at the knight’s sword in disbelief.

The golden blade shimmered with radiant light and gently pulsed with a soothing energy.

As someone who had always idolized the Glory Knight, Melina immediately recognized it—this was indeed a true [Glory].

And the one standing before her was no ordinary spirit—she was extremely powerful.

Her hesitation wasn’t because she didn’t want to accept Melo, but because she couldn’t believe someone so strong would choose to become her bonded spirit weapon.

In her heart, she felt both joy and fear.

The failed contract, her father’s death, her mother’s expectations, the hope of restoring the Esbel family…

All of it welled up into her trembling fingers, as she gently reached out and touched the sword.

“I… really can?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Melo looked at her softly, then lowered her head and said with deep sincerity, “With this body as your sword, I vow to defeat all your enemies. In the name of [Glory], I swear—never to betray you!”

Tears filled Melina’s eyes again. Her shaking hand finally grasped the hilt of the knight’s sword. She raised it and lightly tapped Melo’s shoulders with it, once on each side.

She wiped away her tears and smiled through them. “Honestly, I’m supposed to be the knight here. This feels so weird. Hahaha.”

Melo’s body turned into a pure, warm light that wrapped around the golden sword in Melina’s hand.

In that moment, Melina felt a deep resonance from her soul—a bond connecting them both.

The contract was complete!

Inside the ceremony hall, the nun silently watched everything unfold outside, a faint smile on her lips.

“Ada… your child has finally stepped onto this path. But…”

A hint of concern crossed her brow.

If she wasn’t mistaken, that Glory named Melo had a thorn-like pattern wrapped around her wrist.

That was the mark of the “Kiss of Thorns.”

[Glory], and “Kiss of Thorns”…

Those two things together at this point in time could only remind people of that Glory Knight who betrayed humanity!

But… wasn’t that knight supposed to have been sealed away?

So what’s going on with this spirit girl now?

Sephilia clenched her teeth, also staring at Melina and the golden sword, speechless.

What kind of ridiculous luck was this?

A stray spirit—who turned out to be a [Glory]—just so happened to show up right when that “noble daughter” failed her contract? And then offered to bond with her?

Unbelievable! Why didn’t she come to her instead? Sephilia wouldn’t mind having another bonded spirit weapon!

Melina looked back at Sephilia.

There was no smugness or pride on her face.

She simply gripped her sword and said seriously, “I won’t lose to you.”

Sephilia twitched at the corner of her eye.

If it weren’t for her strict noble training, she would’ve cursed right then and there.

But now, she could only force out a strained smile. “Heh. Well then… I’ll be waiting for your challenge.”

After leaving the academy, Melina ignored the whispers and gossip behind her.

She only wanted to get home as soon as possible—so she could ask her mother what the truth really was.

Melo appeared again, still wearing her maid outfit, making Melina blush slightly.

“Your clothes…” she mumbled.

Maid dress, short skirt, black stockings, little leather shoes…

A faint blush also spread on Melo’s face. She replied softly, “It was… the Madam’s request.”

Melina’s cheeks flushed even more. Her gaze wandered, and who knows what she was imagining.

Melo didn’t quite understand what Melina was thinking, but she walked ahead and opened the door for her.

“Th-thank you,” Melina said quietly.

She still wasn’t used to having a servant to attend to her like this.

Once she entered, Melo followed behind and closed the door.

“Ah, young lady, you’re back! Did you have a good day at school?”

An elderly man in his eighties greeted her with a warm smile.

This was Edward—the Esbel family’s butler.

Though his face was deeply lined with age, his posture was straight and strong, and his voice still carried strength.

Clearly, despite the passage of time, this man had not surrendered to age.

“I’m home, Grandpa Edward,” Melina smiled back.

She glanced at Melo, then answered his question, “Yes. I’m very happy. I finally have a bonded spirit weapon of my own.”

Melo gave a polite bow and said, “Hello, Mr. Butler.”

“Oh, Miss Melo, I’ll be leaving the young lady in your care from now on. This old body of mine can finally take a bit of a rest. Hohoho!”

“You’re too kind. In my eyes, you’re still going strong,” Melo replied respectfully.

“Where’s Mom?” Melina quickly changed the topic, not wanting to listen to more polite small talk.

“The Madam is in the study right now, waiting for you both,” Edward said.

“Then I’ll go find her now. You take care!”

With that, Melina grabbed Melo’s hand and quickly headed toward Ada’s study.

There was so much she wanted to ask her mother about Melo.