The Weight of Kinship
Isaac immediately set to work. He first instructed Sophia and Hans to distribute food supplies alongside the villagers, while he himself began repairing the village defenses and palisades with the remaining two members.
Dig was a new recruit who had recently joined the Iron Shield. Of course, calling him a "new recruit" was relative—there was little difference between those who had been there since the founding and those who joined shortly after. Surprisingly, Hans enforced discipline strictly on such matters, and with Isaac backing him, Dig and Las had suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the pecking order.
Dig whispered quietly to Las, his fellow recruit. "Don't you think we're screwed?"
"What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"No, think about it. The guildmaster and the seniors are running this place like a damn military camp. And this guild hasn't even been around that long."
Dig's complaints were perfectly reasonable. A newly founded guild enforcing such rigid discipline was unusual. If they had been anywhere other than Gideon, his grumbling might have found an audience. But Las, who had experienced life in other guilds, merely smirked at the foolish remark.
How do I deal with this idiot? It didn't really matter to him, but he hoped no sparks would fly because of it.
"There's no initiation rite, no weird rules. This place is decent enough."
"What? Initiation rite?"
"Yeah, you clueless bastard."
"Clueless? I know plenty!"
Las lightly ignored Dig's indignant outburst and ran toward Isaac. The early days of a guild could be an opportunity—a chance to rise to a higher position.
"Master, is there anything I can help with?"
"We need to reinforce the palisade a bit more."
"Then I'll fetch the materials right away."
"Good. Take Dig with you."
Las nodded. Then he grabbed Dig by the scruff of the neck as the latter lounged idly in the back and dragged him along. This guy should be grateful the master was such a good person.
If this were any other guild, he'd have been kicked out long ago.
Gideon was overflowing with people knocking on guild doors in hopes of becoming heroes. Why would anyone keep around a slacker who didn't work hard and only caused trouble?
When he first joined the guild, Las hadn't believed the master's words about running a family-like guild. But after what had just happened, he thought he might be able to trust it a little.
Damn that useless bastard.
Once Las and Dig disappeared, Isaac finally let out a sigh filled with anger. If Dig had kept slacking off in the back, Isaac had nearly broken character and lost his temper.
That was really close. I need to reflect on this.
However, Isaac didn't turn away from his mistake. As a dedicated concept player, how could he nearly break character over something so trivial? Of course, it was because Dig reminded him of the lazy subordinates he'd seen in the military, but even so, if a concept player broke character, they could no longer call themselves a concept player. Reflecting on his own failings, Isaac threw himself back into reinforcing the palisade with renewed vigor.
The work progressed smoothly. Sophia and Hans, who had gone outside the village to procure food, returned without incident and managed to bring back a substantial amount of supplies.
"You worked hard. Go inside and rest now."
"No, but the master is still working. How can we rest?"
"We'll help too."
"Thank you, but I must decline. You've both completed your share of the work, so you deserve to rest. However, let's decide the night watch rotation—including me—before you rest."
There was some back-and-forth about how they couldn't possibly rest while he worked, but in the end, Sophia and Hans backed down. The more they argued, the longer the palisade repairs would be delayed.
"Master, I'm tired now. Can't we stop and rest?"
"You little—"
"Fine, you go rest. Las, you've worked hard too."
"No, sir. I'll stay and continue helping."
"Thank you so much, Master! Then good luck with the rest~"
Unlike Las, Dig immediately thanked Isaac and headed straight to his assigned quarters. Las watched him go with a dumbfounded expression before turning back to his work. At least Dig's actions weren't insincere. Watching the master work alone didn't sit well with him, and more importantly, there was something he wanted to ask.
"Master, may I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"What do you think of Dig?"
"It seems you don't like him."
Las had tried to phrase it indirectly, but Isaac had struck right at the heart of the matter. He fell silent. But Isaac knew exactly what he meant—he had once been in a similar position himself.
"Honestly, he doesn't do his work properly and just slacks off. I don't really like him."
Las spoke his mind honestly. Setting aside Dig's appearance, the fact remained that Dig himself wasn't putting in any effort. Isaac smiled at his words.
"It's true that Dig isn't exactly diligent."
"Right? So—"
"But taking care of even someone like that is what family does."
"……Family……"
"You can't just cut off a finger because it hurts."
Of course, he would bear the consequences himself. With those words, Isaac finished the reinforcement work. Watching him, Las finally understood what Isaac meant.
The master intends to carry everyone forward.
It wasn't about turning a blind eye. Mistakes were met with stern reprimands, and good work was rewarded. He led them in the most natural way possible. That was the master's method.
If it's here, then maybe……
Las swallowed the rest of his words and turned away. For now, completing the work was the priority. But one thing was certain—he had decided to follow the master with genuine loyalty.
Damn that useless bastard.
Even as Isaac inwardly cursed Dig with gusto, the incident struck without warning.
It happened suddenly. Dig had been whining about how tired he was, which provoked Hans's anger and led to a verbal clash. Then the goblins launched their attack on the village outskirts. If Dig had been even slightly more alert—or at least not fallen asleep while on watch—the village's casualties would likely have been far lighter. It was an absurd situation: being ambushed at night despite having posted sentries. Yet Isaac calmly issued orders to everyone.
Sophia and Hans would engage the main goblin force while Isaac and Las evacuated the villagers to safety and rescued Dig along the way. Naturally, Hans and Las were both furious with Dig.
"That bastard would be better off dying to the goblins."
"As his fellow recruit, I must make him come to his senses."
"I won't stop you this time."
Whatever else might be said, failing to maintain watch could not be excused. Especially with villagers present. One wrong move could lead to the protagonist's annihilation—and everyone else's as well.
"You men, hurry up! Now's not the time to stand around!"
"Understood."
"Be careful."
"You too, Master."
After their brief exchange, they each moved quickly to their assigned tasks. Separated from Sophia and Hans, Las hesitated for a moment before speaking to Isaac.
"Will the two of them be enough?"
"Yes. Those two have the strength for it."
"Just who are they, really?"
"Fallen knights. That's all I'll say."
At Isaac's words, Las realized the pair must have their own story—one that wasn't meant to be heard from others. Having reached that conclusion, he fell silent.
I don't know the details either.
The original Isaac might have known, but the current Isaac didn't have much information about them. They had only appeared vaguely in the story, never in detail. Even the setting bible only mentioned "fallen knights" and nothing more. As someone who had memorized the entire setting bible, Isaac had no choice but to answer this way.
"Aaaagh!! H-Help me!!"
"That voice……?!"
At the sound of Dig's scream, Las stood frozen in shock. But Isaac had already moved swiftly. Though he hadn't yet fully adapted to Isaac's body after possessing it just days ago, that didn't matter now. Isaac soon spotted Dig desperately swinging his sword atop the watchtower, barely holding on. Confirming that Dig was still alive, Isaac charged straight at the goblin horde.
Of course, one wrong move could mean his death. But Isaac didn't care. A true concept player was willing to stake even their life on their concept. Finally, Isaac drew his sword. The chilling sound of flesh being cut echoed through the air. A brief flash gleamed in the darkness before vanishing instantly, and the heads of the goblins climbing the watchtower flew off.
Watching the scene, Isaac thought to himself: If he couldn't save his family, then he would die here instead.