Chapter 114: Silence

Two women were standing face to face in an empty clearing.

Rihanna Helmut and the Grandmaster.

“Now this is an unexpected development.”

She might have been different in her previous life, but as Rihanna is now, it’s clear she’d have trouble facing the Grandmaster.

And yet, on the other hand, Issac was curious what Rihanna in her current form might show against the Grandmaster.

Sharen and Lohengrin came shuffling over to Issac’s side.

“So Isaac is finally the grand prize? I’m still too lacking to be in that ring... Plus, Silverna isn’t here either.”

Sharen mumbled while Lohengrin watched with keen interest.

“Damn it. If they’re going to spar, they should’ve called me too.”

Lohengrin personally witnessed the Grandmaster’s skill in Blackthorn.

Now that she’s about to fight Rihanna, he’s both jealous and excited.

Isaac felt something similar—he, too, was looking forward to it.

“Don’t exert all your strength. We have another day tomorrow, and duties to fulfill.”

“I understand.”

The Grandmaster’s hand rested on her great saber.

The red greatsword was at the ready, poised to deflect the impending strike.

Claang!

In a flash, the long-bladed saber was drawn, cracking across Rihanna’s greatsword like a whip.

Rihanna’s body tilted back from the impact.

Her expression showed clear surprise at the unexpected power.

“Keep your wits about you. I heard Helmut has sharp eyesight? You’ll need to keep up with me.”

With that, the two women’s sword dance began.

The spectacle of two beautiful warriors unleashing a torrent of sword strikes was mesmerizing enough to captivate everyone around.

A crowd began to form.

By the time everyone’s attention was firmly riveted on the two women’s swirling sword dance—

“Hm.”

Isaac hadn’t noticed his presence, likely because of his own relaxed posture. Eisenwolf, standing with hands behind his back as he watched the spar, spoke to Isaac.

“You did a tremendous service today.”

“I only did what I had to do.”

“Let’s skip the modesty. If that were true, then it’d mean none of us did our part.”

Since it was just a polite formality, Isaac merely nodded in acknowledgment.

“Have you heard the current situation?”

“Yes, I’ve heard talk about a possible retreat.”

“Hm, we were more ignorant and stubborn than I’d thought.”

Eisenwolf subtly turned his head, gazing at Isaac as he asked:

“I hear you’ve been fighting those Transcendents since the time of the Great Den?”

“…Unintentionally, yes.”

“You even took out the one Sword Saint, at Blackthorn, and you dealt with the cursed Arandel—all with your own hands.”

A look of tangled emotions flickered in Eisenwolf’s eyes.

Today’s ambush did more than just jolt the Pure Flow Association awake.

It also left a stronger-than-expected impression on the old veteran.

“Hrm…”

He let out a low rumble, as though there was more he wanted to say but didn’t know how. Eventually, he gave Isaac a firm pat on the back.

“Peace may seem a given, but it’s founded on the sacrifices of soldiers. I always remind my grandson of that—”

A self-deprecating smile crossed his face.

“And yet even I was accepting the peace you protected without question.”

“Sir Eisenwolf…”

A surge of emotion welled up in Issac’s chest.

The fight against the Transcendents was born of a desire not to repeat the hopeless world he once witnessed.

A world no one else remembers.

A burden he thought only natural for him to shoulder alone.

Never did he think it warranted any thanks.

Of course, Eisenwolf knows nothing of his previous life.

But even such a brief moment of gratitude filled Isaac with a sense of fulfillment and soft elation he’d never felt before.

“And so, I’d like to formally seek your counsel now. It seems inevitable we’ll clash with the Transcendents again when we reclaim the North.”

“Counsel, sir—?”

“There’s talk of pulling the troops back. It may seem cowardly at first glance, but I find it quite rational. We never know when an enemy like that might suddenly appear in our main camp.”

“…”

“What do you think?”

“I believe we shouldn’t retreat.”

Isaac plainly voiced his own view.

Eisenwolf did not scold or appear surprised, simply listening attentively.

“Of course, the situation is difficult. If just a few like the one we fought today were to drop into the middle of the unit, it’d be dangerous. If they appear behind our lines during battle, the damage could be irreparable.”

However—

“Conversely, we’ve gained a clue. If they can distort space like that, then I believe it also explains how the Malidan Barrier vanished.”

“You think the Malidan Barrier was relocated somewhere?”

“Yes.”

They absolutely cannot retreat here.

They cannot go back.

In his previous life, the Malidan Barrier held out for an entire month without any aid.

And so, they fell.

‘This time, I won’t let that happen.’

Isaac clenched his fist.

“Surely, the soldiers of the Malidan Barrier are still fighting somewhere out there.”

“…….”

“Waiting for us.”

He knew it was dangerous.

If the main forces got caught up, it could be a mortal blow. Still—

“We have to go save them.”

Those who devote themselves without hesitation... He couldn’t stand by and let them meet the same end this time.

***

Malidan Citadel.

A tavern filled with cold, biting air in the absence of sunlight.

Many soldiers gathered at the tavern inside the citadel.

Among them was a man whose closeness to the troops seemed unusual for one of his rank: Uldiran Caldias.

In a crisis like this, titles and ranks were little more than empty formalities.

Here at the Malidan Barrier, everyone was simply another warrior, another soldier.

“How’s the food supply?”

“If we ration strictly, we can last about five days… though that only means nobody will starve outright.”

The quartermaster replied apologetically.

“And our weapons?”

“We can manage some basic maintenance. We’ve set aside anything usable from our fallen comrades… the gear of those who’ve closed their eyes.”

At Antonio the blacksmith’s words, they all let out a bitter sigh.

No matter how short they were on weapons, handling the belongings of comrades who fought so fiercely…

Normally, they would have refused vehemently, but the situation was dire enough to make it unavoidable.

Following Antonio’s report, the dispatched mage, Vivian, spoke up in the dim light.

“The magic cast on the Malidan Barrier will last, at most, two days. Since there’s no mana here, it can’t maintain itself much longer.”

For now, they could endure thanks to the frigid air produced by the Barrier’s climate-altering spell.

But once two days passed, the enemy’s assault would undoubtedly resume.

When that time came…

Could they hold out?

Could they stop them?

Such doubts were spreading through everyone’s mind when—

“We must hold out to the end!”

Silverna, the lady of Caldias, shouted, cutting into the discussion.

“Reinforcements have arrived! The kingdom has sent a relief force to find us. So…! All we have to do is endure!”

Her words made everyone look puzzled, but then Uldiran spoke up in agreement.

“Exactly. The Primitive Transcendent we captured today mentioned Baron Logan.”

“……!”

“Ah, Isaac?”

“Is that true?”

The soldiers’ eyes wavered.

There wasn’t a soul in Malidan who didn’t know Isaac.

Ever since the time of the great den, he’d left quite an indelible impression.

“The kingdom has sent a force to save us. So don’t lose hope! Soldiers of Malidan! We will not retreat, not even one step!”

Cheers erupted inside the tavern.

Everyone split a single swig of lukewarm beer to bolster their spirits.

Meanwhile, Uldiran stepped outside.

His destination was the underground prison holding the captives.

They were saving every resource, so they didn’t even bother lighting torches. Only ragged breathing echoed in the darkness.

There, bound tightly by chains so he couldn’t move an inch, was the Heukgyeon.

Drooling, he glowered at the approaching Uldiran.

“A scion of the Primitive Bloodline… you certainly have unusual fortitude. An ordinary human would’ve died of these wounds already.”

Uldiran replied calmly, prompting a scornful snort from the Heukgyeon.

“Uldiran of Caldias, do you really believe you can escape our wrath?”

“I don’t even know why you’re so angry. Shouting at me on and on won’t enlighten me any.”

Feigning a casual demeanor, Uldiran shot back glibly.

The sound of rattling chains followed.

The enraged Heukgyeon writhed, putting all his strength into a brief but furious struggle.

“Grrr! I’ll tear your throat out.”

“I just want to confirm something.”

Without any change in expression, Uldiran inquired with composure:

“On a recon mission nearby, I found traces of a village. Compared to the kingdom’s building style and way of life, there were many differences.”

“…….”

“At first, I assumed we’d been teleported into some independent space—”

But that wasn’t it.

This place wasn’t some isolated dimension created just to cut off the Barrier.

“This is… the land where your kind lives, isn’t it?”

A land without light, teeming with grotesque beasts… A harsh wasteland where not even a single blade of grass could properly survive.

“Haha. How are you enjoying our homeland?”

Speculations were swirling about the sudden appearance of these Transcendents.

The first to reach the truth was none other than Uldiran Caldias.

“So that’s what it is.”

He had already been quite sure; he’d only come for confirmation.

The Heukgyeon knew that as well, and thus, finding no use in hiding it, decided to divulge the truth.

“We Transcendents—”

He didn’t stop there. The Heukgyeon went on, voice tinged with a foul sense of mockery:

“We figured we could wipe out humankind with ease if only Arandel Helmut was out of the picture.”

“Hm? Well, that fellow is indeed remarkable—”

“You? We never even had you in our sights.”

Uldiran clamped his mouth shut.

Amused by his reaction, the Heukgyeon’s voice took on a faint sneer.

“Arandel’s rival? The only man who can stand against him? Laughable. You know the truth as well as I do.”

Compared to Arandel Helmut…

“You’re sorely lacking.”

“…….”

“If Arandel were here, he would have marched right past the Malidan Barrier.”

“…….”

“He would’ve completely destroyed us. After all, he once singlehandedly took down five of the Primitive Bloodline while in poor health.”

Even in the midst of an illness that left him physically weak.

A cunning chuckle echoed, as relentless as a hunting dog gnawing at a wound.

“Guarding a tiny barrier in the North suits you just fine. You’ll never be more than that.”

“…….”

A moment of silence followed.

Then a third voice broke the stillness in the darkness.

“Father! They’re trying to break through the Barrier again! They’re hauling in some bizarre structure from outside!”

Silverna, rushing in with urgent news, called out. Uldiran nodded calmly and turned away.

“I’ll be right there.”

His footsteps echoed down the quiet corridor.

“So in the end, you have no reply.”

Heukgyeon’s mocking laughter seemed to trail Uldiran’s every step.

– – The End of The Chapter ––

 

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