Black Sword Festival (2)

The next morning, Isaac sat blankly eating in the servants' dining hall. The Black Sword Festival was set to begin in the evening, so he needed a hearty meal to prepare. But his listless expression as he chewed his bread slowly made him look utterly dejected.

"You look drained."

Milli Marso, his peer and fellow commoner chef, approached cautiously. She looked worn out too, her face pale from the recent frenzy of preparations for the festival.

"Ah, well... yeah."

He could only sigh. Hadn't he prepared rigorously for the Black Sword Festival? He'd sparred relentlessly with Jonathan and Sharen Helmont—not to mention Lianna Helmont—to crack the Helmont sword style somehow. And yet, the one drawn against him was Silberna Kaldias.

Was there some rigging? No, there wasn't. Arandel Helmont wasn't the type for that anyway.

Well, guess I just have to win somehow.

But Silberna hadn't arrived yet, it seemed. Would she make it by tonight?

The Black Sword Festival's been nothing but complications. He still had to ferret out the Helmont traitor colluding with the transcendents. And he wanted to test himself in the festival too.

"Hey, Milli. Anything weird happen while I was gone?"

"Pardon?"

Milli startled more than expected, which in turn flustered Isaac.

"What's up?"

"There is something weird." She slyly gathered the other dishes from the table and set them in front of him. "You barely eating, sir. No pickiness—eat up. You need your strength today."

"......"

"Not tasty?"

"No, it's delicious. The best."

The warm table. Though he couldn't join the VIPs and was stuck at this shabby spot for the kitchen staff, this was still the most comfortable time for Isaac in the entire Helmont mansion.

"Milli, watch the Black Sword Festival closely today."

"Pardon?"

"I'll show you how much I've changed."

Perhaps because of that, Isaac—uncharacteristically—bragged to her like a kid. But Milli just gave a wry smile and poured him water.

"Don't push too hard. Staying unhurt is what matters most, right?"

"I'm not the Isaac you remember anymore. I'll show you how much I've grown in the North."

That he no longer needed her worry. So that when she thought of him leaving the mansion, it wouldn't be with that shadowed, anxious face—but a sunlit smile instead.

That was what Isaac wanted to prove.

Sorry, Silberna.

He absolutely couldn't lose today.

"......"

As evening fell, Isaac blinked at the boldly posted bracket results.

"That idiot......"

He clenched his fist. Due to Silberna's tardiness, Isaac had advanced without even drawing his sword—a straight walkover. The onlookers were in an uproar, claiming the Kaldias were disrespecting the Helmonts. Even Arandel Helmont looked displeased, which said it all.

It was as good as insulting the Helmonts' own Black Sword Festival.

"Congrats on the walkover!"

Sharen Helmont bounced over excitedly, oblivious. Isaac pinched her cheek.

"Why! It's good news!"

"Hah, fine. It is."

After bragging so boldly to Milli, advancing by walkover felt embarrassing. What would she say?

"But you'll drop tomorrow anyway."

Sharen pointed at the bracket wistfully. Isaac shrugged with a hollow chuckle. He truly hadn't expected to face him this soon.

"Isaac, remember just one thing. Don't mouth off and get beat senseless!"

"Why do you assume you'll get thrashed for mouthing off?"

Isaac grabbed Sharen's head and shook it, eliciting a shriek. She seemed to find the roughhousing fun despite it all. When he stopped, she wobbled dizzily but grew serious with worry.

"You know Roengreen doesn't hold back. The knight he faced last turned to mincemeat."

"Especially since he's already pummeled you a few times. He won't feel a shred of guilt."

"Remember that day he lost to big sis Lianna? He took it out on you—yelling and beating you senseless!"

Listening, Isaac suddenly wondered.

"But you call Lianna 'sis' and him 'that guy'?"

"Huh? What, should I call him big bro? I don't recognize those jerks as brothers!"

"......"

That was Sharen's personality, through and through.

"Anyway, I just don't want you hurt! Especially by those idiots!"

"Heh."

The Helmont mansion. With Milli, it felt like he'd gained another place to slightly relax.

Maybe that's why.

"C'mon, Sharen. Milli said she'd make something special for my 'hard day' tonight."

The evening banquet awaited. With Milli setting aside a spot just for him, better head there early. Precious time, but spending it with this Sharen felt okay.

"Ooh!"

Trailing behind, Sharen grinned and asked, "But what 'hardship' did you even face today?"

"......"

Lianna stared at the flowers in a vase. One rose looked on the verge of wilting, but she had no intention of replacing it.

Even during the Black Sword Festival, she couldn't step forward. Normally, the eldest daughter showing her face at such events was ideal—but Arandel's fury meant he wouldn't allow her anywhere near the public eye.

Bam!

The door flew open violently. Lianna's gaze slowly turned to find Roengreen glaring at her, seething.

"No pointless talk. I'll be the next family head, Lianna."

Something must've happened. Roengreen looked feverish with rage.

"......"

Lianna saw no need to respond. She'd already resolved to claim the headship herself—but no reason to tell him.

But since she stayed silent...

"Tomorrow, I face that bastard Isaac."

"......!"

Lianna's eyes flickered. Roengreen caught it and smirked.

"No matter what you say. I'm turning him into a half-cripple."

"Roengreen!"

Lianna shot to her feet. Red Aura stirred faintly at her feet, coiling like smoke. But Roengreen didn't retreat an inch.

"Tomorrow's a warning, Lianna. If Father names you successor and you become head—"

Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward, growling at her.

"It won't end there. Once you're head, I wonder if you can keep him glued to your side forever."

He shoved past her and stormed out. Two voices echoed in her mind, overlapping.

Both sides wanted different things, but the leverage was the same. To Lianna, it felt like a knife to the throat.

But now, she needed to stand firm.

Right.

Lianna steeled herself. Tonight—she'd kill Roengreen—

Knock knock.

No answer, but the door creaked open anyway. At this point, was she really under house arrest? The woman who entered carried enough influence to ignore such things.

"Ahem, hello?"

The woman waved lightly with a smile. Lianna dropped to one knee in haste.

"Princess Clarice."

"Heard you were confined, but you look rough."

Clarice placed a gentle hand on her shoulder with a faint smile.

"Shall we talk?"

Where'd the princess go?

At the evening banquet hall, Isaac scanned for Clarice ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Evangelle Regardia but saw no sign. She'd been chattering about investigating the traitor—what had she found?

"Whoa, no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one's even near Isaac."

Sharen, now in a dress, circled him muttering. Festival participants were all swarmed by nobles chatting, but Isaac—the sole walkover—drew little attention. As a commoner son-in-law, it was expected. If Lianna were here, the scene might differ.

"Sir Isaac."

Milli approached carefully. Her unusually pristine chef's uniform hinted at her resolve for tonight's feast.

"This way."

"Ah, got it."

Thanks to her, he could savor the stew she'd prepared in peace.

"I want some too."

Sharen followed. Milli's face darkened briefly, but she said nothing.

The separate table. The stew on the cloth might look plain to others, but a satisfied smile curved Isaac's lips. Sitting down, a nutty aroma wafted up—perfectly tailored to his tastes. He loved commoner staples elevated with premium ingredients, especially when packed with meat chunks like this.

"This all? Thought it was fancy."

"My apologies, miss."

"Huh? No, it's not that—it's just Isaac's tastes are cheap, right?!"

"No, truly sorry."

Sharen pouted at the excessive apology, suddenly sheepish. One taste would change her mind.

"Perfect thickness. Lots of meat inside. You really know my palate, Milli."

Isaac praised with a grin; she bowed and added more dishes. Simple but meticulous—clearly all for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him. Seeing it, he felt a pang of guilt.

"I didn't even show anything today."

"For strength tomorrow."

Milli offered a soft smile.

"Ha, Milli. No thoughts on being my personal chef? I'll scrape the funds together somehow."

She just smiled the same way at his offer.

As he scooped a spoonful...

"Sir Isaac."

"Hm?"

"You've changed a lot. Even dining like this with Miss Sharen."

Isaac glanced at Sharen—oblivious, devouring the stew.

"Yeah. Real change. Wanted to show you especially."

Tomorrow's bout with Roengreen. He hoped Milli would watch.

"If I can, I will."

"......Milli, something wrong?"

Isaac set down his spoon calmly. Her off vibe stirred unease.

"Eat before it cools."

"......"

Isaac slowly lifted a spoonful. The warmth touched his tongue, sliding down his throat.

"Whoa—"

Genuinely awed. He hadn't expected this good.

"Milli, this is seriously—!"

His words cut off. Because Milli collapsed right there.

"......Milli?"

Isaac blanked on the situation. Then he saw blood trickling from her mouth—and his mind went numb, a splitting headache surging.

"Milli!"

He lurched up to help her—

"Gaaahhh!"

A scream erupted elsewhere. Sharen, who'd startled at Milli's fall, now bolted the opposite way.

"Mooommmmyyy!"

Galeniya Helmont. Mid-meal, she clutched her throat with both hands, eyes bloodshot in agony.