Leaving the North
Thud. Galeniya pushed open the door and stepped into the study without knocking. She was the only one in the household permitted such familiarity with Arandel Helmont's private space.
Arandel stood silently by the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out. At the end of his line of sight stretched a row of street vendors from the nearby village procession. Though two corpses had lain there moments ago, the servants had cleaned up efficiently, filling the room with a thick rose scent.
Galeniya approached lightly across the carpet. Standing behind her husband, she murmured with a low chuckle.
"Lianna has grown far more than expected."
"……."
He said nothing, but the greatsword on his desk—the one he'd just used—spoke volumes. Her skill was still no match for Arandel's, nothing to compare, yet she'd elevated her prowess enough to nick the blade.
"I heard you've named Roengreen as heir. Has that not changed?"
"……."
"I know why you chose Roengreen. After Lianna, it was about the succession. But she's divorced from Isaac now."
"……."
"Just arrange a new match for her. One who can give the family a proper heir."
Galeniya's voice quickened. The reason was anxiety. Fear mingled in her eyes, desperation for the answer she craved.
"Make Lianna the family head. And…… and then."
Galeniya cautiously grasped Arandel's thick hand, still clasped behind him. At the touch, her face flushed red.
"Let's leave."
"……."
"If Lianna becomes head, Helmont will need no further worry from you. Even that commoner son-in-law, the biggest stain, is leaving."
Her voice now trembled with sobs. Gripping his hand tightly, she pleaded urgently.
"Is it because of the Sword Eclipse Festival? Because Lianna's married, she can't participate? What does it matter! It's just a festival! The heir announcement is ultimately your call!"
She wrapped both hands around his. A tremor of supplication and warmth.
"If Roengreen becomes head, can you leave the estate?! You can't! It wouldn't be the great Helmont you envision!"
So.
"Please, make Lianna the head."
Leaning her head against his back, Galeniya begged through tears.
"You have to live, at least."
"……."
"Make Lianna head and leave with me. There must be a way to save you. They wield mysterious powers and master healing arts, or so I've heard."
A short breath. Arandel finally turned to look down at his wife.
"Do it? Please?"
His pleading wife. Arandel replied in his usual stoic tone.
"You truly believe those vermin can save me?"
"It's possible! I saw it myself with the Black Hand! They're something beyond human! They use sorcery unlike any magic!"
"How do you know them?"
"No need to worry. I said nothing of your condition. They may not even realize we need them."
On the contrary, Galeniya had maneuvered the transcendents into desiring Arandel.
"Let's go. After the Sword Eclipse Festival…… in a Helmont carriage. We'll see flowers, the moon, picnic like lovers. And then—."
A faint smile touched her lips, as if envisioning that day.
"We'll become transcendents. Their sorcery differs from magic—it can cure your illness."
Though she'd killed the two envoys who came as messengers.
It had been a fine opportunity to demonstrate Arandel's prestige. They'd realize how vital he was, making him impossible to abandon.
One could sense how thoroughly Galeniya had prepared the board. How deeply involved she'd been, perhaps for years.
A faint dizziness washed over him.
"I refuse."
His words shattered all her efforts in an instant.
Clack, clack! Clack, clack!
Her footsteps alone stirred an ominous air through the mansion. Galeniya's eyes were red-rimmed, but she paid it no mind. Servants passing by bowed low, stealing glances warily. The usually benevolent matriarch's foul mood signaled crisis to them all.
Those who crossed her path hurried to warn others: tread carefully.
Galeniya headed outside. Following the sweat scent amid blooming roses led to Roengreen swinging his greatsword.
"Mother?"
He lowered his blade, wiping sweat. Perhaps spurred by Lianna and Arandel, his training was fiercer than usual.
"Is something wrong? Your eyes—."
"My son."
Galeniya stared at Roengreen, fists clenched.
"You know I love you."
"Mother?"
"Become the family head, no matter what it takes."
Never had he heard such intensity from her; strength surged through him instinctively.
"You will be head. Somehow."
"Mother, actually—."
"I know. What worries you. It's Lianna's true strength, isn't it?"
Roengreen fell silent. He'd been crushed by her before she left. Witnessing her clash swords with Arandel upon return had eroded his confidence further.
"It's fine. You can do it. No holds barred. You're the true heir. You must lead Helmont."
"Mother……!"
Emotion welled in Roengreen's eyes as he gazed at her. Fists tight, he nodded.
"I will, without fail, live up to your expectations as your eldest son."
No matter the means, he'd claim the headship. Naturally, one man came to mind: Lianna's one weakness.
"My son."
Galeniya embraced him, voice breaking, heedless of his sweat-soaked form.
"Ah, my son."
Stroking his hair, she sighed as if carving out her own flesh.
"I truly love you."
But if asked who she loved more.
Arandel, without doubt.
"Fight with everything you've got."
Challenge Lianna with all your might.
And shatter utterly.
So completely you can never claim the headship.
Bubble, bubble. Bubble, bubble.
In Helmont's kitchen, chef Milli Marso stirred a massive pot of broth vigorously with a wooden ladle. It wasn't mere stock. She'd gathered premium cuts—ox tailbones, kneecaps, ribs—and steeped them with medicinal herbs in a net for health benefits.
"Hehe."
The finest meal for his return from the North. It had been bitterly cold there, so she'd prepare a warming stew, her specialty. She'd secured top-grade meat too, to serve fresh on the day.
"Whew, tough day. I'm heading out."
"Yes, Head Chef. Great work today."
Though night had fallen and all had left, Milli kept stirring. Wiping sweat with a towel to avoid any drops tainting the pot, she focused intently.
Creeeak.
The door opened stealthily.
"Forget something—."
Thinking the head chef returned, Milli's face hardened upon seeing her guest.
"M-Madam."
She dropped the ladle hastily, greeting Galeniya. Rumors of the matriarch's bad mood had reached her too. Was that why? Anxiety kept Milli's head bowed.
Thud.
A purple pouch dropped to the kitchen floor. Small enough for one hand.
Milli's eyes widened; she knew exactly what it was.
"……!"
"When I give the signal, put it in Isaac's meal."
"Madam, that's—!"
"You must. It's the only way to control Lianna."
"But—."
"Enough talk."
Galeniya's eyes gleamed with murderous intent, pressing her.
"If you're cast out, who looks after your family?"
"……!"
Milli trembled in fear and terror, swallowing hard. Images of her family flashed through her mind.
"It's fine. No need to worry."
Having seized Milli's heart, Galeniya soothed her with a venomous smile.
"You've done it once before."
Clack, clack. Clack, clack.
Galeniya's footsteps faded.
Left alone, Milli squeezed her eyes shut. Four years prior, screams still echoed in her ears.
"Isaac! Isaac—!"
She hadn't known Lianna could weep so desperately. Those ruby-like eyes, once thought blood-cold, shed tears like jewels.
Her hoarse cries begged for his recovery.
"Save him! Why! What the hell is this?!"
How many times had she screamed it? Physicians and mages always gave the same reply.
"W-We don't know. The symptoms resemble a common cold, nothing more. Unusually so—."
"Magic has no effect. It's mainly for trauma anyway—."
"Isaac—!"
Desperate screams. Throat-tearing pleas.
And the one responsible: herself.
"Achoo!"
"What, caught a cold?"
Isaac shook his head, rubbing his nose.
"Nah, not a cold. Just an itch."
"Be careful. You're leaving—if you show up sick, they'll say Northerners live with colds glued to them."
Isaac chuckled at Silberna's words.
A cold, huh.
'Come to think of it, they kept warning me.'
"Watch out for colds!"
"Be careful?"
"Ah, no! Be careful!"
Even through Sharen's messages, they'd sent warm tea and towels with cautions. Before departing the North, Lianna had added one last time:
"Watch out for colds, Isaac."
'If I catch one despite all that, I can't complain if they call me an idiot.'
Rubbing his hands, he eyed the carriage—the same one from the journey up. Jonathan bustled loading luggage.
"No need for teary goodbyes, right?"
To Silberna beside him, she slapped his back with a nod.
"Yeah, I'll catch up soon."
They'd meet at the Sword Eclipse Festival anyway. No drawn-out farewells.
"Sir Isaac! Ready to depart!"
"Alright, let's go."
As he stepped toward the carriage, cheers erupted from the North.
"Thank you for your serviceee!"
"I'll never forget that dayyy!"
"Come visit anytime! You're always welcome, Sir Isaac!"
"Next time, I'll show you spear skills that'll shock you!"
Mallidan Wall's soldiers bid fervent goodbyes. Selene pinched Uldiran Kaldias's side as he glowered "hurry up already." And at the forefront.
"Safe travels! Isaac!"
Silberna waved with a bright smile.
Amid their send-off, Isaac headed once more for Helmont.