Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Blackhand's Desperate Plea
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Helmunt Manor.
Arandel, who was in the midst of frantic preparations for the Sword Festival, was currently receiving guests.
They weren't guests he had any desire to see.
In truth, he had agreed to meet them once at the request of his wife, Galenia Helmunt.
She had insisted they could provide significant help for this Sword Festival, so Arandel had relented.
They were visitors from the Blackhand family.
From Arandel's perspective, who held no interest whatsoever in the weak, his curiosity toward Blackhand plummeted.
In reality, Blackhand wasn't in a position to be dismissed so lightly anywhere else.
But in front of Arandel, even a family that made swords their livelihood and pride had to bow their heads and yield.
If Arandel deemed them weak...
Then they were inescapably weak in his presence.
The one who had come from Blackhand was their eldest son, Phil Blackhand.
His appearance screamed nobility, and the way he held his back straight exuded confidence.
But Arandel could tell that this wasn't Phil's own self-assurance.
The man accompanying Phil.
Taller than Phil by a full head, he stood silently beside him with his mouth firmly shut.
Even if he was in the role of a secretary, it was obvious at a glance.
The man next to him was far superior in skill to Blackhand's eldest son.
"It is an honor to meet the great Helmunt. Lady Galenia has graciously arranged for me to see you, the family head."
Phil Blackhand bowed politely.
Arandel rested his chin on the armrest and offered no particular response.
It was a gesture telling him to get to the point quickly since he was busy.
Phil, looking awkward, hurried on with his words.
"Ahem, well, the reason for our visit is this: We of Blackhand believe we can provide what you desire, Lord Arandel."
"......"
"Lord Arandel, humans cannot fly. Humans cannot breathe underwater. Humans cannot survive without sunlight."
He had been told to get to the point, yet the preamble dragged on.
The scripted delivery, sticking only to what he wanted to say, was irritating too.
Arandel even felt an urge to cut out his tongue.
But he decided to hear out what this clown had to babble.
How grand a tale could justify such fuss?
"No matter how great a knight you are, Lord Arandel, you cannot escape the limits of humanity."
"But we are different! A power that transcends human limits! That's precisely what we propose to you."
"......"
"Do you know of the Transcendent Race?"
Phil Blackhand's voice was secretive.
His tongue flicked like a viper's, dancing within his mouth.
"Beings that surpass humans. A race born to dominate all others! They offer you their cooperation—!"
"Enough."
Arandel cut him off with a sigh.
"Not interested."
With that, he returned to reviewing the Sword Festival collaborations with suppliers and street vendors.
Phil Blackhand, terrified after hearing just those words...
Unable to speak, his lips parched, he stood frozen until the man beside him finally interjected.
"Lord Arandel, have you never questioned the Helmunt physique?"
"......"
"The Helmunt body is blessed with superhuman capabilities. A physique that defies human norms."
"......"
"Yet... the Transcendent Race is the same. No, the true ones among them could easily overpower even a Helmunt body."
His eyes alone confirmed it wasn't a lie.
It meant there were indeed Transcendents who surpassed even the Helmunts.
"We believe the Helmunts are closer to the Transcendent Race than to humans."
"......"
"Don't you find it primitive? Wielding such power yet lording over people as nobles? To us, they're all the same scum."
"Ants. That's what they are. Queens, soldiers, workers—all just ant spawn. Crush them, and they crumble."
"So, Lord Arandel, join hands with us for true freedom—!"
Arandel slowly rose from his seat and glanced out the window.
Seeing Helmunt knights and Sharen's carriage arriving, he knew preparations were needed.
The greatswords lined up beside the office.
Grasping the most worn and shabby one among them, Arandel strode forward.
Squelch.
The man, realizing Arandel was no longer listening, bared his teeth.
He blocked the door and snarled.
"You don't seem to understand yet."
Crunch! Grind!
Grotesque horns sprouted from his head.
His skin darkened, his eyes turned a vivid crimson.
Small wings sprouted from his back—a form one could call demonic.
"Our greatness—!"
His words didn't finish.
Because his head had already been severed and hit the floor.
Thud.
The Transcendent died without even a proper last word. Phil Blackhand, who had stood by like a bystander, took three seconds to realize Arandel had swung his sword and killed the Transcendent.
"H-heek!"
Each step the man took made the manor tremble with his presence.
Yet Phil hadn't even tracked the sword swing with his eyes.
Phil Blackhand trembled, but something clicked in his mind.
'That's why they were so obsessed with Arandel!'
He had wondered why they bribed Galenia Helmunt to force this meeting.
Now seeing it firsthand, he understood.
A physique superior to Helmunt's?
Humans no better than ants?
Then...
Then...
'There's no need to recruit Arandel, damn it!'
Now he got it.
They claimed superiority, but in truth, they feared Arandel.
Feared him enough to desperately try pulling him to their side.
He realized it now.
After all fates were sealed.
With his own life hanging by a thread.
The silver lining, if any...
Just like the first strike...
'What do I do? What can I say to survive?'
Phil hadn't noticed the second one either.
So even as his head flew off and hit the floor, he must have been pondering survival.
Thump!
"Father!"
Rianna burst into the office through the door, her eyes immediately falling on the two corpses.
Their heads cleanly severed, blood gushing out.
Her father stood motionless atop the pool they formed.
Yet Arandel spared them not a glance as he greeted Rianna.
Blood dripped steadily from the worn greatsword in his grip.
"You're here, my daughter."
"......Father."
"You've steeled yourself, hence the sword."
It was somewhat expected.
Rianna nodded faintly and unwound the white bandages wrapping her Ragnavel.
The bandages, used as a sheath, fell completely away.
"Don't say you'll accept the punishment gladly."
Arandel warned calmly.
"You might die."
Boom! Rumble!
Roengreen Helmunt, busy with Sword Festival preparations, rushed into the manor at the fierce noises echoing from within.
"Wh-what is happening?!"
He had been on a brief patrol to organize village stalls and secure passageways.
But suddenly, chaos erupted from the manor.
Even the garden, where red roses bloomed vibrantly, shook from the impacts.
The family had gathered at the manor's entrance.
Most striking were Alois with his broken leg and the worried Galenia beside him.
"Mother, what is going on?!"
"Roengreen."
Galenia greeted him with a grim expression, her face etched with deep concern.
"Rianna has returned......"
"Ah."
That alone was answer enough.
Rianna had sneaked off to the front lines, so now she was being reprimanded.
Bang! Boom!
The clash of greatswords roared like thunder.
The Red Aura bursting through the windows signaled dire circumstances.
'What in the world is...'.
He had learned of Rianna's strength from their spar before she left.
Roengreen had trained even harder because of it.
But he doubted if he could ever cross swords with Father like that.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts...
Galenia gently took his hand.
"Don't worry."
"Mother......!"
"You must stand tall, mustn't you? As the future family head."
"......You're right, Mother."
Roengreen resolved himself. What good was crumbling here?
As he steeled his resolve...
Boom!
Arandel Helmunt burst through the shattered front doors.
Gripping Rianna's throat in one hand like a hunter with prey, he evoked the king of beasts.
Her hair disheveled with blood and sweat, Rianna appeared unconscious.
Thud!
"Take her and lay her down. Tell her to remain confined until I permit otherwise."
With those words, Arandel returned inside.
The greatsword in his hand was chipped beyond use, a testament to Rianna's fierce resistance.
After treatment, Rianna lay on her bed.
Despite the long absence, she closed her eyes briefly, intoxicated by the familiar rose scent.
She couldn't leave until the family head permitted it.
Amidst inwardly congratulating herself for breaking Alois's leg in advance...
Creeak.
The door opened, and in walked her mother, Galenia Helmunt.
"......"
Rianna pretended to sleep, but Galenia smiled and stood by the bed.
"Why did you do that to Alois?"
"......"
"He's a good boy. Even getting treated by the mage, all he did was worry about you."
"......"
"Well, fine. If you won't answer, that's okay too."
Knowing Rianna was awake, Galenia chuckled softly and stroked her hair.
"Don't hate him too much. We're family."
"......"
"My beloved daughter, love your family."
With a warm smile, Galenia brushed Rianna's cheek.
"Because you must become the family head."