The Resolve of Two Women
“Hah! Hah!”
“The bastards are retreating!”
On the battlements of the Mallidan Wall. Even after repelling yet another wave of beasts, what escaped the soldiers’ lips wasn’t relief or joy, but sighs closer to complaints.
It had been over a month since the horde had been identified as a great swarm. Even the hardy soldiers of the Mallidan Wall were growing mentally and physically exhausted from the daily assaults. And lately, the attacks had grown more frequent—sometimes twice a day. The battle with fatigue often came before the beasts did.
“……This won’t do.”
Silberna, captain of Reconnaissance Squad 5, muttered while leaning on her spear. She seemed to have her own thoughts on the recent uptick in attacks.
“…….”
Amid the weary soldiers stood Lianna Helmont, tall and unbowed. Her red hair fluttered in the wind atop the wall. Gazing silently beyond the battlements without a trace of fatigue, she embodied why the Helmont name commanded such respect.
Slowly, Lianna’s head turned. Amid the other soldiers sat a black-haired man with his hair tied in a ponytail, slumped in exhaustion as he chatted with those around him. Though distant, every word reached her ears.
“We almost died for real this time.”
“Thank you, Sir Isaac. If you hadn’t covered me earlier, that rock would’ve given me a concussion.”
“Forget it—you saved me last time.”
“Did I?”
“Wasn’t it you? So many close calls, my memory’s fuzzy.”
He bantered and laughed with the soldiers, but the content wasn’t something to brush off lightly. Two broken taedo swords lay beside him, no less—a sign of just how dire it had been.
Is this situation sustainable? As her worries deepened—
Rumble!Boom!
“Ugh, what was that?”
“Lightning? Did lightning strike?”
“Thought it was another beast for a second.”
Beyond the mountains. Lianna’s eyes widened at the bolt from a clear sky.
“This is too dangerous.”
In the strategy tent. The commander of the Mallidan Wall’s 1st Company appealed to Uldiran, seated at the head, like a plea.
“We’re being whittled down. Never mind the rising injured—morale inside the walls is in shambles.”
Swing spears daily, slay beasts. Yesterday’s laughing comrade dies today under a flying boulder. The frontline’s weight crushed them heavier than ever.
“No sign of the horde thinning. Recent sightings of beasts from other regions suggest they’re coming from far outside.”
“Hm.”
Uldiran, stroking his chin beard, eyed the map—clearly sharing the sentiment.
“As commander, I beseech your decision.”
Once the report and proposal ended, another company commander across the table raised a hand for the floor.
“Your Excellency, the Mallidan Wall’s purpose is defense. Yes, injuries mount, but we’ve slain countless beasts.”
“Abandon our advantageous position to hunt outside? The risks are too high. And the horde’s leader remains unidentified. It’s premature.”
Each commander’s stance held rational merit. Leading from the battlements, their views clashed yet earned mutual respect.
“Hm.”
Uldiran pondered. Continue this endless war of attrition? Or seize the moment, thin their numbers further, and sally forth?
Silberna itched to speak but bit her lip—merely Recon 5’s captain, not her place. Her leg bounced restlessly.
“What’s Lady Lianna’s view?”
Uldiran sought the dispatched noble representative’s opinion. Lianna, unprepared for a question to a Helmont, met his gaze steadily.
“Just now—.”
Uldiran Kaldias was always like this. She voiced her held-back thoughts.
“After the beasts retreated, I faintly sensed mana in those lightning strikes.”
“Mm?”
“Tch.”
Subtle groans rippled through the tent. No one else had noticed.
Normally, they’d scoff—but.
Of all people, a Helmont.
Could be real.
Tricky.
Not just reputation. Their physiology was too well-known. A Helmont wouldn’t spout nonsense. Yet trusting one voice blindly was hard.
“I suspect it’s the work of the beast rallying this great swarm.”
Lianna stated her mind flatly, ignoring reactions.
“Head there, and we’ll find it?”
“I can’t say for certain……but we should investigate.”
Clang!
The clear ring of steel spread from the training ground’s corner—now Isaac’s reserved spot. His taedo thrust straight; Sharen’s greatsword mirrored the path in response.
But Isaac hopped like a rabbit, spinning midair. Sharen’s blade whistled past harmlessly.
Landing, he swung anew for her throat—
“H-Hong Yeom Pa!”
Sharen’s cry lagged; crimson-red Red Aura erupted from her greatsword first. Spreading wide, it struck—Isaac’s airborne body hurled far, ungainly.
“Sir Isaac! Oh no! Siiiir Isaac!”
Jonathan, watching, rushed over in a panic.
Isaac tumbled across the yard. Halting at last, he snapped his head up, yelling.
“I told you no Red Aura!”
“H-Heh heh, Helmonts don’t lose!”
She’d bragged pre-spar, “Red Aura? Hah, no need.” Yet unleashed it mercilessly when pressed.
“Whew, fine. I’ve got the feel now.”
Isaac dusted off, rising. Sharen tottered over, sheepish, fumbling words.
She meant to apologize—but Isaac asked first.
“How was it?”
“Huh?”
“The sword. Before Red Aura, we were pretty even, right?”
“…….”
She hated admitting it, but true. She’d struggled clashing with him. A Helmont sans Red Aura was half-strength, sure—but Isaac, who couldn’t even swing a sword a month ago, now matched half her power.
“Be honest. Raw feelings.”
Sharen fingered her lip, glanced around, then confessed.
“Annoyiiing.”
“…….”
“Felt off. Like you knew every swing I’d make?”
“…….”
“From the third clash. I sped up on purpose—you knew that too?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“And you reacted like you knew I’d get mad and speed up?”
Spot-on, as expected. He’d predicted she’d push the gap here—nailed it.
“Don’t get mad…… I-I was tired! Defense ended thirty minutes ago, and you drag me into sparring—!”
Lips pursed childishly, she whined excuses. Isaac beamed, satisfied.
Two Helmont blades broken by his. Jonathan’s spars bored him now; Sharen, once untouchable, now yielded decisions.
Of course, Red Aura changes everything.
Jonathan’s weak version he could handle—but Sharen’s full Red Aura spiked the difficulty.
Thus, his aura worries deepened—
“…….”
“…….”
An ill-matched pair approached: Lianna and Silberna, eyes fixed ahead, unwittingly side-by-side.
“Whoa, they really don’t match.”
Sharen muttered. Isaac, reminded, asked casually—Jonathan present.
“Sharen, you didn’t tell Silberna about me and Lianna, right?”
She flinched, scoffing.
“W-What, am I an idiot?!”
“For real?”
“No! I’m not stupid!”
“Hey.”
As they walked toward the bickering Isaac and Sharen, Silberna quietly called to Lianna.
“…….”
No overt reaction, but she was listening—obvious.
“For this expedition, we’re leaving Isaac out.”
Lianna turned to her fully.
And nodded.
“Wise.”
“A beast wielding that lightning? He’d be at risk just approaching.”
“Exactly. We’re on the same page.”
She knew his efforts. He’d become a fine swordsman someday, no doubt.
But.
“Not yet.”
“Right.”
Too soon for their battlefield, both judged.
“…….”
“…….”
For one man’s safety.
Their first agreement.
That evening. Anna’s urgent summons to the forge had Silberna throwing on a robe and hurrying over. They didn’t operate at night due to noise—so her steps quickened.
“Done already?”
Beaming at Antonio upon arrival. Isaac’s aggrieved face from the exclusion still lingered; a sword gift would soothe him quick.
“You’re quick.”
“Skip the chit-chat. It’s ready? Show me!”
Antonio sighed, reining in her impatience.
“Aigoo, almost. Didn’t call you for that.”
“What.”
Her eager shoulders slumped. Expectation dashed.
“Then why?”
“Leftover frost silver ore. What to do?”
A finger-sized chunk of blue-green ore in his hand.
“Thought you’d just swallow it.”
Old man’s being honest for once.
“This amount? Useless.”
He smacked his lips, disappointed. More, and he’d have pocketed it.
“Hmm, with this much—.”
Silberna rolled it in her palm, pondering. An idea struck; she perked up, probing slyly.
“Ahem. Antonio? C-Could you……maybe make a ring?”
“…….”
“N-No! Just! Something to wear as a keepsake!”
“One apprentice did jewelry……but barely a ring.”
Lame response.
Well, yeah. Too forward. No place for it anyway.
Self-restraining—yet her mouth ran ahead.
“Earrings? One-sided style.”
Her tied hair exposed ears often enough.
“That might work.”
At his indifferent reply, she grinned, proffering the ore.
“Please. Nothing flashy—subtle, serene vibe. Suits me.”
“……Understood.”
Antonio feigned ignorance. Just hammer away, he thought, accepting.