Chapter 27
Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Rianna's Warning
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Sis?"
Sharen called out in a voice that barely rose above a whisper.
She was so flustered that she could hardly believe the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Common sense dictated otherwise.
Why would Rianna be here?
"Sharen, you've arrived."
But the moment those words left her mouth, Sharen's body went rigid.
That's really Rianna Helmunt.
The unmistakable, chilling killing intent that only she could sense from her sister was roiling through the room, dominating the space.
Kelsi!
She shot a pleading glance at her maid, but Kelsi could only bow her head and do nothing more.
"S-Sis? How did you even get here?"
"Is that really the important part right now?"
"I-It is! If Father finds out you're here, he'll be furious!"
"Yeah, he probably would."
Rianna nodded.
"I don't care."
Her expression made it clear she truly meant it.
It was a stark contrast to her usual habit of watching Arandel's moods.
What the heck?
This only made Sharen more flustered.
Rianna was practically radiating an aura that said she was deliberately courting the family head's wrath.
"Sharen."
Whatever the case.
One thing was clear: her sister was seriously pissed right now.
Why should I be scared of her?!
Glaring back at Rianna's attempt to seize control of the atmosphere, Sharen reverted to her usual attitude.
"What's this about, Sis? If you've come all the way here, there must be a good reason, right?!"
"Ah, Young Lady."
"Stay out of it, Kelsi. I'm here representing the Helmunt family at the Mallidan Wall. But Sis is defying the family head's orders by being here! I have every right to reprimand you-!"
"Did you enjoy your time with Isaac?"
"S-Sis..."
Sharen's tail immediately went between her legs.
Her shoulders slumped as she floundered, at a loss for words.
"You know, Sharen. Isaac is my husband."
"......"
She wanted to add "for now," but Rianna's menacing presence kept Sharen's mouth shut.
"To outsiders, it might just look like a brother-in-law and sister-in-law getting along well."
Rianna approached slowly.
Her red eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness.
"But I know what feelings you've been harboring."
"S-Sis?"
Now half in tears, Sharen looked up at Rianna.
"Don't do it, Sharen."
Rianna gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"I don't want to see Isaac suffer because of the Helmunt family anymore."
"S-Sis?"
Only when she was this close did Sharen finally realize the depth of emotion her sister was holding back.
"That's enough-."
Deep regret.
And yet, the inability to fully let go.
"Let him go."
It must have been because of how much she loved him.
"......Sis."
At this point, Sharen couldn't help but feel bewildered.
It was the very question Kelsi hadn't dared to ask out of curiosity.
The reason she was here, defying even Family Head Arandel Helmunt's command.
"Why did you come here?"
Rianna offered only a pained smile in response, saying nothing more.
"I know."
"Pardon?"
"I said I know. I get it."
"......What are you talking about, ma'am?"
"Nothing. It's nothing. Just treat me like a friend."
"Talking to yourself?"
Anna watched Silberna mutter to herself nonstop, growing increasingly puzzled.
Why is she acting like this?
"This isn't like me. Yeah, let's not make it awkward."
She wondered why Silberna was behaving so out of character.
Amusingly, the mystery solved itself soon enough.
"You idiot! You call yourself a Helmunt knight when you can't even handle Red Aura properly?!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
"......"
The next morning, at the training grounds.
Sharen was berating Jonathan pitifully over his handling of Red Aura.
And Isaac was jotting down notes while observing them.
By now, seeing him hold a pen and scribble in his notebook felt not just familiar, but expected.
Was he researching Helmunt swordsmanship?
He was diligently recording Sharen's lecture on Red Aura.
"Ahem, Isaac?"
Silberna approached awkwardly.
"Ah, Silberna."
Isaac greeted her and Anna simply. Before the hesitant Silberna could speak, he beat her to it.
"Got a hair tie by any chance? My hair's gotten longer than I thought."
"Now that you mention it, it has."
Isaac's hair now brushed his shoulders.
Anna pulled a spare hair tie from her pocket.
"Do you know how to tie it?"
"Yeah, more or less."
In his past life, he'd often holed up writing books.
He'd tie his hair in a ponytail like this whenever it grew out.
Once Isaac had neatly tied it back, Silberna stared down at him and suddenly shouted, looking wronged.
"Y-You, you, you wanna die?!"
"......Why?"
"Young Lady?"
"T-Tying your hair like th-that-."
Silberna's face flushed as she seemed about to say something, but she covered her mouth, swallowed her words, and held them back.
"Go see the blacksmith! I told him you'd be coming."
"Ah! The thing from yesterday!"
Isaac jumped up excitedly and headed straight for the forge, blissfully unaware of the stares from Silberna and Anna boring into his back.
The Mallidan forge was tucked in the farthest corner inside the wall.
The noise and foul odors inevitably pushed it to the edge.
Still, it was one of the most vital facilities on the front lines.
And if you asked the warmest spot in the north, everyone would point to the forge.
"You've got quite the lady-killer face on you."
"Pardon?"
Isaac blinked in confusion at the blacksmith's gruff remark the moment he stepped inside.
The blacksmith tsked while swinging his hammer.
"Asking a soft-looking bookworm like you for a sword. Silberna's too kind for her own good."
"He's a guest here. Mind your manners."
"Blacksmiths swing hammers with stubborn pride. Shouldn't I get to choose who wields the weapons I make?"
"Money's no object, then?"
"That's why the wife nags me so much."
The blacksmith bellowed with laughter.
Despite the northern chill, his sleeveless arms bore vivid burn scars and blade marks.
"Anyway, since Silberna vouched for me, I trust you'll forge my sword."
"Tch, fine."
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
Craftsmen like him often had rotten personalities, but their skills were top-notch.
With an artist's temperament, they treated weapons as their masterpieces.
So they poured their best into every one, no matter the client.
As a Caldias blacksmith, his skill was a given.
Living on the front lines meant hammering away without a day's rest.
His apprentices, visible behind him, all exuded master-level auras.
"I've got blueprints."
The blacksmith snatched them up and snorted derisively.
"Ha! What nonsense is this? Forging a sword from an amateur's drawings-!"
His freewheeling tongue fell silent.
His apprentices, who had been hammering away, looked over curiously—this reaction was a first.
After studying them intently, the blacksmith slowly raised his head to meet Isaac's eyes.
A heavy seriousness filled his gaze.
"......Did you come up with this?"
"Strictly speaking, no. I got advice from several sources."
A sword was indispensable to a swordsman.
Wielding a good one was a mark of skill.
Isaac's past life hadn't been just swordsmanship.
No—studying the blade naturally led to expertise in weapons.
He'd sought teachings from countless blacksmiths back then.
"Quite the unique sword."
"Strictly speaking, it's called a 'dao.'"
"Dao? Hmm, interesting. Similar to that curved sword you have, but different."
Isaac smiled wryly.
Because this weapon was one used by the Transcendent Race.
"Doesn't look suited for clashes. It'll be light, sure, but so thin—it won't hold up in a strength contest."
"That's why I'm using it—I'm not strong enough."
He confessed honestly.
Acknowledging his own limits.
"Looks like it'd snap after a few swings."
"Then you'd have forged it wrong, wouldn't you?"
"Hmph."
"That's why I came to the best blacksmith. If you're not up for it, I'll go."
"Childish provocation."
The blacksmith grinned and clenched his fist.
"And I'm pretty childish myself."
Decades as a blacksmith had taught him never to fear a challenge—that's how he'd reached this position.
"Wait right there. It'll take some trial and error."
"Sounds good."
The Great Horde wouldn't end for a while yet.
Isaac planned to cooperate fully until the sword was done.
As he turned back to the forge with the blueprints, the blacksmith paused and asked one last thing.
"By the way...... you're from Helmunt, right?"
"Yes."
"Think they'll let a Helmunt use anything but a greatsword?"
Isaac chuckled at the question.
"A sword's purpose is to cut, isn't it?"
"Hm?"
"The moment I pick up a greatsword, it's not a sword to me—it's just dead weight."
"......"
"I need a real sword."
The blacksmith stared at Isaac's firm declaration, then approached and offered a handshake.
"Antonio. The man who'll give you a true sword. Least you know my name."
"Isaac."
The training grounds after Isaac left.
"Hey, you moron! Can't you do this much?! This is basic!"
"I-I'm sorryyy!"
As Jonathan wailed under Sharen's stern guidance, Anna quietly asked.
"Young Lady, what's wrong?"
"Anna."
Silberna fidgeted with her lips before spilling out her complaint.
"You were right."
"Young Lady?"
"I...... th-think I like him."
"......!"
Anna's eyes widened, and she quickly scanned the surroundings.
Sharen and Jonathan were too focused on each other to notice.
The only other person in sight was a masked maid, but she was too far to hear.
Judging it safe, Anna spoke gravely.
"Young Lady, you absolutely cannot tell anyone about these feelings. Got it?"
"I know...... That's why I'm only telling you."
"Sigh, alright. He's a married man. From Helmunt, no less. Love is noble, but you know it can ruin your standing too."
"Yeah."
Silberna slumped dejectedly.
Anna hugged her tight and patted her back.
"Sigh, our Young Lady. What are we going to do with you."
"Anna...... Am I weird?"
"No, Young Lady. You can't help falling in love. It's just...... just......"
Anna hesitated, then answered with a sniffle.
"A little—just a little—too late."
It felt like a heavy stone had settled in her chest.
Thank goodness she had the day off.
She'd spend it sorting out her feelings.
Sigh, even the heavens are heartless.
Her young lady's first love.
And it had to be a mere flurry of sleet.