Chapter 20: It’s reality

 

Dawn, before the sun had risen.

 

Once again, Isaac was alone on the drill grounds, swinging his sword.

 

This training, which had become part of his daily routine, served as a ritual to clear his head, still groggy from sleep.

 

‘Recon party.’

 

He had received the request from Silverna last night.

 

Isaac was to serve as a member of the Recon party.

 

Although this meant facing danger outside the barrier, he did not refuse.

 

‘With my skill, I’ll probably just be a burden, though?’

 

‘Martial prowess isn’t the highest priority for a Recon party. We’re not going out there to fight, but rather to gather information and make judgments.’

 

‘...’

 

‘I highly value your eyes and your ability to judge, Isaac. So I don’t think it’s such a strange suggestion.’

 

Isaac felt it might be mutually beneficial.

 

Just like the other nobles, he was relatively lacking in real combat experience.

 

Heading out on a Recon mission would help him quickly read the air and flow of actual battles.

 

‘Whew, this sword still leaves me wanting more.’

 

He slowly lowered his blade.

 

It was a single, standard-issue sword—one even regular soldiers received.

 

Because Helmut only used greatswords, this was the sword he’d been given upon arriving here.

 

Isaac let out a bitter sigh, his breath condensing white and briefly clouding his vision.

 

Just then, at the far end of the drill grounds, a hulking figure appeared.

 

Even in the pre-dawn darkness, it was easy to recognize him from his presence and size alone.

 

Uldiran Caldias.

 

The Margrave approached Isaac.

 

After Isaac greeted him politely, Uldiran dismissed the gesture with a mere wave of his hand and stood before him.

 

“I heard from Anna that you come out every day at dawn—the earliest of all—to train. So it was true?”

 

“I’m still lacking in many ways. That’s why I work hard so I don’t fall behind.”

 

“Once that effort accumulates, you’ll see it’s not so easy to sum it up in mere words.”

 

At Uldiran’s praise, Isaac smiled faintly.

 

From the perspective of the Margrave, often called the Guardian of the North, one might expect him to carry himself with a certain gravitas.

 

But in truth, Uldiran wasn’t particularly stiff or heavy-handed in his demeanor.

 

When you consider that Silverna, who mingles freely with regular soldiers, takes after him, it’s easy to understand.

 

“In fact, I came here to see you.”

 

“Me, sir?”

 

“I hear you’ve been talking with Silverna about various things lately? Apparently, she’s been visiting the nobles’ quarters quite often.”

 

“…….”

 

Isaac shut his mouth, embarrassed.

 

What parent would be thrilled that his daughter—especially when the man in question is married—visits a stranger’s room night after night?

 

“At first, I planned to give her a real scolding. Usually, one good knock on the head from me is enough to knock people out.”

 

He raised his big fist.

 

But his tone was warm.

 

“However, last night I happened to see Silverna training, and I changed my mind.”

 

“…….”

 

“She’s improved quite a bit. Even I, her father, almost didn’t recognize her.”

 

A glow flickered in Uldiran’s eyes—one carrying a complex mix of emotions.

 

“You helped her, right? I knew it the moment I saw her.”

 

“May I ask how you knew?”

 

“It reminded me of Helmut.”

 

A grin spread across Uldiran’s face, playfully mischievous.

 

“Of course, it’s not that she’s imitating their swordsmanship. It’s just that… a special person became even more special. That’s why I said it reminded me of Helmut.”

 

In her past life, and now in this one, too.

 

The moment she received a hint or two, or even a piece of advice, Silverna advanced rapidly.

 

She was the type to act faster than she thought.

 

“The Caldias family motto is to forge ‘a spear for everyone,’ but ironically, that tradition was holding her back. The moment she began wielding the spear by following her own instincts, I suspect she no longer thought of it as the Caldias style.”

 

“…….”

 

“They say moving forward means not discarding your past, but carrying it forward. Silverna came to me last night, laughing, telling me that’s what you said.”

 

A soft smile formed at the corners of Uldiran’s mouth.

 

Something about his kind and easygoing nature made Isaac instinctively lower his guard.

 

“My daughter owes you a lot. Thank you.”

 

“I, too, have learned much from Silverna.”

 

At Isaac’s reply, Uldiran slowly turned his gaze and pointed toward his mansion.

 

“In the North, a warrior doesn’t express gratitude with words.”

 

“Sir?”

 

“Come with me. I’ve got a warehouse full of items that are useless to me, but pretty valuable—”

 

He nodded at the sword Isaac was holding and laughed.

 

“I can see you could use something better than that.”

 

“……!”

 

Merely from watching a short bit of training, Uldiran had instantly grasped Isaac’s dissatisfaction with his current sword.

 

“Some say a skilled swordsman shouldn’t be picky about his blade, but you know it, right? Nothing is more particular about swords than the folks from Helmut.”

 

“Who could disagree?”

 

“Haha! One time I was about to spar with that rascal Arandel, and—”

 

****

 

Early morning, once the sun was up.

 

Isaac, standing on the drill grounds, wore a satisfied smile.

 

He sported the snowman-hide cap and gloves gifted by Silverna and Anna, as well as boots designed to keep him from slipping on snowy roads.

 

And finally, at his hip hung a broad, long sword called Falchion.

 

“You look like a proper Northener now.”

 

When Silverna said that, Isaac just shrugged.

 

In particular, the Falchion he’d received from Uldiran was of exceptionally high quality.

 

It wasn’t a perfect match for what he truly wanted, but it was far better than the standard-issue blade he’d been using.

 

He’d been envisioning a single-edged sword for “Isaac’s Sword,” the one he was currently writing about, and Falchion was perfect for that concept.

 

“Yawn, I’m so sleepy.”

 

Just then, a figure with twin pigtails trudged onto the drill grounds.

 

Sharen Helmut.

 

She yawned wildly as she approached the two, apparently tired from sleeping in a new bed.

 

Sharen was also part of the Recon party Silverna had formed—a handpicked group selected purely for skill, disregarding noble lineage.

 

“Have you two had breakfast?”

 

“Not yet. We’ll grab a quick bite once we’re out in the field.”

 

“I ate some snacks.”

 

At Silverna and Sharen’s answers, Isaac took out the sandwich ingredients he’d brought from the dining hall.

 

He spread his cloak on the ground and sat down, preparing sandwiches.

 

“It’s best to fill your stomach before heading out. You never know what might happen once we’re outside.”

 

At Isaac’s words, Silverna hesitated, then took the sandwich from him.

 

“You’re right. It seems I’m nervous about leading the Recon party.”

 

“What about me?”

 

Sharen asked if he had made her a portion as well.

 

Isaac glanced her way, then quickly assembled a sandwich and handed it over.

 

“Well, since Isaac made it, I wasn’t expecting much— Wait, what the heck!? This is really good!”

 

In an instant, Sharen’s attitude flipped, and she devoured the sandwich ravenously.

 

“I often made these for lunch when I worked odd jobs. You need to balance the ratio of jam just right.”

 

It was a simple sandwich, but he had always tried to make it taste as good as possible.

 

“So this is how you seduced your wife, huh.”

 

Sharen mumbled as she ate, getting jam all over her cheeks. Isaac thought about correcting her but gave up and simply nodded.

 

“Yeah, I seduced her with this.”

 

Truthfully, at the time, he really had tried to win Rihanna over.

 

He remembered trying out various cheesy lines, doing whatever he could to get closer to her.

 

What a cringeworthy past.

 

“So the sandwiches you used to woo Rihanna, you’re now giving to me?”

 

When Silverna murmured, peering down at the half-eaten sandwich in her hand, Isaac quickly explained,

 

“Don’t twist the meaning. I’m just trying to make sure we aren’t starving, that’s all.”

 

“I know, I know.”

 

Even so, Silverna began eating the sandwich with an oddly delicate approach.

 

****

 

Rihanna awoke later than usual that morning.

 

‘Haah.’

 

She’d had a restless night, plagued by nightmares. This was hardly unusual; nightmares came to her quite often.

 

Her morning started a bit later than most people’s, but it didn’t matter.

 

She was only posing as a maid, after all, and being late to rise wasn’t a serious problem.

 

Sharing a room with the other maids was certainly a novel experience, but such was the situation.

 

Rihanna checked under the bed—which was basically just a large wooden box without so much as a cushion.

 

There, wrapped in layers of bandages, lay a lonely greatsword awaiting its master.

 

Ragnabel.

 

Rihanna’s greatsword.

 

Once she confirmed it was still safe, she quickly freshened up and went outside.

 

Just like yesterday, she hid herself thoroughly before stepping out.

 

From outside her lodgings, the first thing Rihanna saw were the soldiers of the Malidan Barrier, each busy going about their duties.

 

Looking a bit further, she could see nobles training on the drill grounds.

 

And still farther off, under the rising sun, stood the imposing Malidan Barrier itself.

 

‘It’s cold.’

 

The weather was chilly.

 

It was the first time in a while that she found herself with nothing to do, and she was starting to feel a tinge of boredom.

 

Her hands numb from the northern chill, Rihanna suddenly recalled a memory from the past.

 

Back when the two of them weren’t married yet.

 

“We were talking about the North, weren’t we?”

 

The blue river stretched out behind them as a backdrop.

 

That day, the current was unusually calm, so they were spending some time on a small boat.

 

Just the two of them in a little ferry, facing each other.

 

They chatted away to digest the sandwich they’d split in half.

 

It was so sweet, they didn’t even feel the need for tea or snacks.

 

[When you’re in love, everything looks wonderful.]

 

Isaac said with a smile.

 

Was that really so?

 

Is that why everything about him appears so wonderful to her right now?

 

Swallowing her true thoughts, Rihanna spoke a different line.

 

‘How absurd.’

 

[It’s true. They say love is magic for a reason.]

 

‘We need to think realistically.’

 

[I’m speaking realistically enough. When you’re with someone you love, everything you do and everywhere you go seems wonderful.]

 

Rihanna, who had no such experiences, could only keep denying.

 

Before long, as they drifted along on that little boat, the two of them started exchanging words like a Q&A session.

 

‘What about the North? It’s freezing up there.’

 

[Then we just hold hands.]

 

‘The East is so humid. It’ll get on our nerves just being together.’

 

[I’ll fix a nice cool drink for you. Then we can sit under the shade and while away the time.]

 

‘It’s the rainy season—soon it’ll pour.’

 

[Then let’s share one umbrella. My shoulder can stand a little rain.]

 

‘…Where did you learn to say all this?’

 

[What can I say? Must be the power of love.]

 

Isaac, embarrassed by his own words, let out a laugh.

 

He looked so adorable that Rihanna nearly laughed along with him, but—

 

Isaac was a commoner and a ferry worker.

 

Rihanna Helmut was from a prestigious noble family.

 

The stark difference in status pricked at her mind once more, and Rihanna’s expression turned somber.

 

[What’s wrong—]

 

‘Helmut.’

 

Meeting Isaac’s concerned gaze directly, Rihanna spoke just one word.

 

‘What about Helmut?’

 

The frigid North.

 

The scorching East.

 

Compared to Helmut, those places were nothing.

 

Rihanna was certain that this time, Isaac wouldn’t be able to answer. It left a bitter taste in her mouth, but—

 

Gently,

 

He clasped her hand and smiled.

 

[That’s where you’ll be.]

 

‘…!’

 

Rihanna bit her lip and lowered her head.

 

She let her hair fall forward to hide her face, and Isaac didn’t push any further, saving her from further embarrassment.

 

She was so shy.

 

Her face felt like it might burst into flames.

 

That was the memory.

 

“Good thing I’m wearing a mask.”

 

Returning to the present, Rihanna mumbled to herself awkwardly.

 

As the cold northern wind cooled her burning face, she spotted three people crouched in a corner of the drill grounds, eating sandwiches.

 

‘Isaac and Silverna?’

 

Her younger sister was there too, but Rihanna paid her no mind.

 

She kept her steps silent and stealthily approached them.

 

She didn’t need to get too close.

 

The body of a Helmut warrior possessed excellent hearing.

 

It was Sharen who spoke first.

 

“Give me one more. It’s tasty.”

 

“Make it yourself.”

 

“Tch! I’ll make a better one than you!”

 

“These are simple ingredients, but the sandwich tastes good. I always thought a sandwich was a sandwich, nothing special.”

 

At Silverna’s final comment, Rihanna flinched.

 

A sandwich?

 

‘A sandwich made by Isaac?’

 

That was the same dish they used to eat on that little boat, something of a “date” snack.

 

Isaac had even made it for breakfast on their fourth wedding anniversary.

 

“……”

 

A strange feeling swelled in her chest.

 

Rihanna was pretty sure she knew what it was, but she chose not to put it into words.

 

‘He’s grown close to Lady Caldias even on the Barrier walls, it seems.’

 

Feeling somewhat dejected, Rihanna kept listening to their conversation.

 

“Technically, it’s a bit different from the sandwich I used to make. The ingredients aren’t the same, plus the prep is off.”

 

“Really? Sounds like you’re proud of it?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Munch, munch.”

 

Sharen’s noisy munching made it hard for Rihanna to hear clearly, but she felt her shoulders ease slightly.

 

‘Right, that’s it.’

 

After all, the sandwich they ate on that little boat was something special.

 

It wasn’t something you could easily find anywhere else.

 

“So, what—is it the taste of love or something?”

 

Sharen, jam smeared around her mouth, asked.

 

At seventeen, it seemed she was understandably curious about such topics.

 

‘Well, you could say that.’

 

Even if they might not understand now, Rihanna knew it had certainly been true back then, and she nodded inwardly—until:

 

“Come on, grow up. Love, my foot. It’s tasty because jam and meat are tasty, that’s all.”

 

“……”

 

…She’d been about to nod when Isaac said that, and Rihanna instinctively jerked her head around to look at him.

 

“There’s no such thing as ‘the power of love’! Don’t let romance fool you!”

 

“Okay, okay! Stop it already! You’re suddenly way too serious—it’s scary! Don’t get in my face!”

 

'No, It’s reality! Marriage is reality!'

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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