Chapter 12: Effort and Aspiration

A full week had passed since the nobles were dispatched to the Malidan barrier.

Although it felt like many things had happened, that was only in the beginning.

The nobles were slowly adapting to the North, and the soldiers of Malidan were also forming a certain bond with them.

4 a.m., just before dawn.

On her shift rotation, Silverna yawned and slung her spear over her shoulder.

“Ha-aam, I’m sleepy.”

Just because nobles had arrived didn’t mean their shifts became any easier.

In fact, because Monster Den had been showing frequent activity lately, there were many times when you had to be ready even during the early morning watch.

“My Lady.”

Anna, who had been on duty alongside her, slipped out from among the soldiers heading off and approached Silverna.

“Anna, I’m going to ask the head cook to make some soup before I go to sleep. Want to have some together?”

“No, My Lady. More importantly…”

Anna leaned in close and whispered so that no other soldiers could hear.

“Why aren’t you wearing your chest binder these days? You know the soldiers are subtly talking about it, right?”

“…”

How could she not know? She could even feel their subtle glances.

The Malidan soldiers tried not to stare, but the dispatched nobles sometimes openly looked. It was unpleasant, but rather than shrinking away, her pride flared, making her stand all the more confidently.

“Is it that obvious?”

Silverna glanced down at her own chest.

She knew it was considered an attractive asset as a woman, but as a spear-wielding warrior, honestly, it was just cumbersome.

“It’s very obvious. Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Before, you found it so bothersome that you even wore the chest binder when you slept.”

“I did, but, well…”

Silverna sighed. After waiting until the passing soldiers were out of earshot, she finally spoke.

“Someone told me it’s better to get used to this.”

“Huh?”

“They said I should get used to wielding a spear even with a large chest. That there might come a time when I can’t use a chest binder.”

“Why wouldn’t you be able to wear it?”

“…If it gets even bigger, I won’t be able to wear it, right?”

Anna stared blankly at Silverna.

It was rare for her lady to blush and avoid eye contact like this, which was admittedly cute.

‘Bigger than this?’

So large that even the wrap wouldn’t suffice?

When Anna asked who’d spewed such nonsense, Silverna mumbled and whispered.

“It, it was Isaac.”

“Whaaaat?!”

It was such an out-of-the-blue male name.

“Isaac said that physical changes are something you have to accept. He said that’s why he gave up Helmut’s greatsword himself.”

“Th–that’s comparable?! Isn’t that sexual harassment?!”

“Anna, what are you talking about? Isaac said it out of concern for me.”

“Even so…”

Anna knew that Silverna had been spending a lot of time with Isaac lately.

After all, on the second day, he’d shown an astonishing depth of understanding in spear techniques during a training session. It was said that even some of the Malidan soldiers occasionally went to him for advice. Everyone who took his suggestions apparently showed clear improvement and was highly satisfied.

“In any case, I don’t think what he said was entirely wrong. It’s not just about my chest getting bigger—there might be times I can’t always rely on a chest binder, right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“What if it suddenly snaps in the middle of a fight?”

“I’ve sewn up so many of your shirt buttons that I’ve lost count.”

“Ahem, anyway—”

As the two headed back toward their quarters, they heard a blade cutting through the air from the training yard.

They turned their heads simultaneously, and in their view was Isaac, alone in a dark corner of the yard, swinging his sword.

“Isaac?”

“He’s at it again today.”

Silverna voiced her confusion, and Anna added:

“He comes out like that every day to train. He never misses morning exercises either.”

“Doesn’t he have to stand guard?”

“That’s right. Plus, at night he’s always the last one with a light on. Do you know how many candles he’s taken over the past week?”

Anna, who managed some of the supplies, knew these details.

“The soldiers are talking, saying all Helmut men are like that. He actually motivates them, you know.”

“…Impressive.”

Silverna mumbled to herself while staring blankly at Isaac.

Seeing her, Anna was struck by a sudden, chilling thought and warned her quickly:

“He’s a married man, remember! And specifically, the husband of Rihanna Helmut! If you stick too close, people will start gossiping!”

They were from rival families, after all.

For the only daughter of Caldias to make a move on Rihanna Helmut’s husband would be prime gossip fodder.

“I know, I know! I never saw him that way. I just think he’s impressive as someone who’s working hard, just like me.”

“R-right? That’s all it is, right?”

“Stop worrying about weird things.”

With that, Silverna grinned, raised her hand high, and called out in greeting.

“Hey! Isaac! Hard at work already this morning!”

Isaac, who had set his sword aside and was crouched down writing something, turned his head sharply.

Then he offered a faint smile and waved back simply.

‘He really is handsome.’

Anna had to admit it.

He’d seduced the “Blood Rose” for a reason.

The way he sweated under the Northern sky, unlike the rough local men, gave him a strangely appealing sexiness.

“But what is he writing over there?”

Trying to shift her thoughts, Anna asked. Silverna also tilted her head, puzzled.

“Good question.”

Out of nowhere, he’d stopped swinging his sword to jot something down.

The two trotted over to Isaac curiously.

“Working hard so early.”

“Good morning.”

At Silverna and Anna’s greeting, Isaac gave a curt nod.

‘Are we bothering him?’

Anna sensed he wasn’t exactly delighted by their interruption, but—

“What are you doing? Let me see too.”

The wild northern lady, Silverna, approached Isaac without a second thought and looked into the book he was writing in.

“A swordsmanship manual?”

Isaac didn’t hesitate to show it. He was actually curious about her opinion.

“Hmm?”

“….”

Anna also peeked over from the side.

The neat handwriting and drawings were very detailed, and as the pages went on, there were notes on improvements and corrections.

“Are you writing this all yourself?”

Anna asked if he was writing a new manual rather than using an existing one, and Isaac nodded.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“You’re from Helmut… right?”

Anna asked cautiously.

She was basically asking if it was okay for a son-in-law of Helmut not to use their signature greatsword style. Isaac smiled wryly.

“I can’t wield Helmut’s greatsword. I’m naturally a bit lacking in raw strength.”

“A-ah, r-right.”

It was only natural that Isaac, born a commoner, couldn’t measure up to the blessed genetics that made Helmut’s greatsword wielders so formidable.

“But Isaac.”

As an awkward mood settled in, Silverna, still focused on the manual, asked without lifting her gaze:

“What kind of sword are you assuming you’ll be using here?”

“…….”

“It’s not the Helmut greatsword, but it’s also not a typical two-handed sword. It looks like you’re wielding it one-handed, yet you’re not using a shield either.”

Silverna’s observation was spot on.

Simply from the text in the manual, she had deduced several points. Isaac smiled, impressed by her keen eye.

“Correct. The sword I plan to use… is a weapon rarely seen in the Kingdom. It’s the kind my master wields.”

“Your master?”

“Yes, I have one. I can’t tell you more than that.”

Isaac intentionally steered the conversation away.

Though both Silverna and Anna were curious, Isaac showed no intention of elaborating.

‘If I know how to wield a sword, Grandmaster. I wanted to be like you.’

There were two individuals who deeply influenced Isaac regarding the sword:

Rihanna Helmut, who first inspired a mere nobody to yearn for the blade.

And the Grandmaster, who made him certain of the sword style suited for him, after witnessing it numerous times.

“We’re on our way to whine at the cook for some soup. Would you like to come along, Isaac?” asked Anna, deliberately changing the subject to dispel the awkward mood.

“Yeah, let’s do that! I have some stashed cheese I can ask them to add,” Silverna chimed in playfully, pulling Isaac along. He followed, pretending it was against his will.

“And, you know, if you need help, just say the word. If there’s anything I can do…” Silverna smiled as she added this.

She was quick to understand what kind of treatment he might have faced in Helmut for not using their signature blade. Isaac nodded, touched.

“Sure, thank you.”

Watching the two share a friendly moment, Anna once again got a creeping feeling:

‘No way, right?’

No, it couldn’t be. Not even her lady would—

‘No, impossible.’

He was a married man, after all.

****

A woman with long black hair cascading down her back, wolf-like ears pricked atop her head, and a long, crescent-moon-like blade slung over her shoulder spoke thus:

[“From now on, call me Grandmaster .”]

Her disciples standing before her were puzzled by the sudden declaration.

[“Greatmaster?”]

[“We’ve always just called you ‘Master’ without issue.”]

[“Have you had a change of heart?”]

These disciples, each of considerable skill, looked among themselves. Among them, the woman pointed her finger at Isaac, who leaned on a staff.

[“Because of him, my position is threatened. All of you keep going to learn from him.”]

No one could deny it.

He might not have been able to swing a sword, but Isaac was more versed in martial technique than anyone.

Thus, the once simply “Master” began calling herself “Grandmaster ” to reaffirm her standing.

After sending all the other disciples away, they were alone.

The Grandmaster perched on the windowsill, sipping her drink with a laugh. Isaac apologized to her:

‘I’m sorry. It seems I overstepped and caused you some trouble.’

[“Hm? What are you talking about?”]

The Grandmaster let out a hollow laugh and replied:

[“Don’t misunderstand. I said that because some disciples felt it hurt their pride to learn from you.”]

‘…’

[“Child, your talent is very special. Perhaps the heavens took your leg for that reason.”]

‘Grandmaster, the reason I work so hard is—’

[“I know. You want to create a sword style you can wield even without one leg.”]

But as she spoke, the Grandmaster’s eyes held a sorrowful sympathy for Isaac.

[“It’s impossible. No matter how hard you try, you’ll crumble helplessly when you meet true swordmasters.”]

Isaac gripped his staff tighter, resenting his leg that refused to obey.

[“Child.”]

The Grandmaster did not console him.

She merely stated the truth plainly.

[“It pains me.”]

‘Grandmaster …’

[“If only fate had allowed our paths to cross a bit sooner.”]

She did not look at Isaac.

She only stared at the distant round moon and drank her liquor in solitude.

.

.

.

“Everyoneeeeeeeee!”

At Silverna’s shout, Isaac’s eyes snapped open.

He woke from his sleep and rose from his bed with the swiftness of a trained soldier, stepping out into the corridor.

There, Silverna, dressed in armor, was gathering the nobles.

“Everyone, fully armored, and assemble in the training yard within ten minutes!”

Her urgent tone and demeanor made it clear this was no simple drill.

The unusually long night of Malidan was about to begin.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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