Chapter 25: Damn Helmut

“Milady, the recon party has returned!”

“……!”

The moment Rihanna heard the report from Kelsey, Sharen’s maid, she rushed off in a hurry.

Before she knew it, the skies had grown dark and late. Everyone was worried because the recon party, which had only gone out for a short patrol around their base, was taking far too long.

Especially because another recon party that had gone out earlier had still not returned, the atmosphere grew even more grim.

Seeing the recon party enter through the barrier, Rihanna let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately…

Isaac appeared to be safe.

Her younger sister, Sharen, didn’t look so great either, but she was smiling awkwardly—at least not injured.

“There’s one fewer person than when they left.”

At Kelsey’s comment, Rihanna nodded.

They had set out six strong, but only five returned.

If people were to hear what they went through today—

They might even praise the fact that five of them managed to make it back alive, given how arduous it had been.

Even so…

That bitterness remained—

“Hmm?”

Kelsey let out a small exclamation as she pointed to Isaac’s hand.

Surprisingly, Sharen and Isaac were holding hands.

“Seems like those two have grown quite close.”

“Indeed.”

Rihanna found herself smiling without realizing it.

She knew that her younger sister tended to talk down to Isaac, but she couldn’t really intervene.

“At least not everything that happened was bad.”

When Kelsey said that, Rihanna nodded.

If the two had indeed improved their relationship…

Rihanna’s expression suddenly hardened.

‘At this point, what does that even mean?’

‘He had already…’

Isaac had already decided to leave Helmut.

Rihanna, her face darkening, still thought it would be nice if Sharen could at least give him one good memory.

Just then, Sharen linked arms with him, leaning against his shoulder.

‘…….’

Rihanna found it all a bit peculiar.

****

“Isaac-nim! Are you all right? Where, where are you hurt? If you’re tired, please let me carry you!”

“I said I’m fine. Now, give it a rest.”

“Please, if you need anything, just call! Gha, I should’ve gone along with you—!”

“You wouldn’t have been any help even if you had come. So get out.”

Isaac pushed Jonathan, who was about to barge into the room, sending him away.

“S-sorry, Isaac-nim! Please rest well!”

Once Jonathan left, Isaac finally had the room to himself.

“Hoo…”

With a long exhale, he flopped down onto a chair. He had never imagined before leaving his room that morning that the day would turn out this long.

‘I’ve heard there are times when they even have to camp out there.’

He could only imagine how exhausting that would be in this kind of weather. It was hard enough just making it back—he wondered if one night’s sleep could truly relieve all that fatigue.

‘Well, no use complaining now.’

After all, he was alive to complain in the first place.

He had survived a life-or-death battle.

He should be grateful that he survived—especially for the sake of those who didn’t.

‘Maybe I should wash up a bit.’

Fortunately, the nobles’ quarters were equipped with a washing area, so Isaac could at least clean himself up comfortably.

The water was hot, and the soap was of high quality.

Because this was the front line, Uldiran had spent from his own pocket to improve conditions for the soldiers—arguing they deserved even better treatment on the battlefield.

It was exactly what you’d expect from someone of the Caldias bloodline, who had once produced countless spears for the soldiers.

Such seemingly small yet significant efforts were undoubtedly part of why the Malidan Barrier held strong.

And so—

Fresh from his shower, Isaac returned to his room, only to find an unexpected visitor.

“Silverna?”

She was sitting in a chair, reading Isaac’s sword manual. Though she must have read it countless times, she was still carefully taking in every line.

“Ah, you’re back.”

Silverna, who looked freshly showered, rose from her seat with a smile.

She was wearing a thin outfit, and thanks to Isaac’s earlier teasing remarks, he was almost starting to get used to the very noticeable movement of her chest.

“Hmm, what about Anna?”

“Anna? She’s washing up. She’ll probably go to bed soon.”

“Right.”

Isaac nodded, looking somewhat uneasy.

It obviously wasn’t ideal for a man and a woman to be in a room together late at night in such light attire.

Hadn’t Anna and Uldiran specifically asked him to be careful?

He deliberately kept the door ajar as he stepped inside and spoke:

“So, what brings you here?”

But it didn’t seem like that kind of situation. Holding the manual, Silverna spoke seriously:

“I came to thank you. Today—if it hadn’t been for you, none of the recon party might have made it back.”

“…….”

“No, I’m certain of it. Without your knowledge and clearheadedness, we wouldn’t be standing here now.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. You’re the one who took down that yeti.”

Silverna didn’t look entirely convinced by his words—her expression remained clouded.

As the mood dampened, she hastily held out the manual and said:

“Anyway, Isaac. I want to thank you not just as the leader of our recon party, but as the only daughter of Caldias.”

“Thank me? How?”

“A sword. I’d like to make you the sword you really want.”

Isaac’s eyes went wide.

He had never reacted so obviously before, and Silverna found his look quite endearing—her lips curled up ever so slightly.

“You received Falchion from my father, but you never really liked it, right? We don’t know when the Great Den will calm down, but before that day comes, I’d like to talk to the blacksmith so you can have your sword.”

“Really? You’d do that for me? I haven’t exactly made the design public yet—is that okay?”

“Huh? If you explain the shape and structure well, he should be able to craft it.”

“I see. Haa, that means I’ll be busy again.”

Despite his words, Isaac lit up like a child meeting Santa Claus.

Seeing that, Silverna smiled softly. Even this simple conversation felt pleasant to her.

When he looked happy, it made her feel even happier.

It was the first time she’d ever felt such a rush of wanting to do something for someone else.

‘Milady, that’s not it, right?’

Momentarily, she thought she heard Anna’s voice in the back of her mind.

Though she’d insisted she felt no romantic interest, Anna’s words kept pushing her to think more seriously about it.

“…Sorry.”

Watching him beam while he prepared to sketch out a blueprint, Silverna suddenly apologized.

“Huh? For what?”

“It’s nothing. Sleep well. You will talk to the blacksmith. He’s quite skilled.”

“You’re not going with me?”

Isaac was puzzled. Normally, knowing Silverna’s personality, she’d have insisted on tagging along to make sure everything was in order.

“Right, You will speak to him yourself.”

Silverna gave him a bitter smile and then headed for the door.

“Good night.”

Thud.

The door closed.

Isaac stared blankly at where Silverna had been.

Then—

The door rattled open again, and another woman entered.

“What was that? Why was Silverna here? Isaac, are you really planning to start a whole new life somewhere else?”

“…….”

Her twin pigtails slightly messy, Sharen Helmut stepped in.

She wore cute pajamas and had a blanket draped around her shoulders. Given that this wasn’t her room, she must’ve braved the cold to come here.

“Why are you here?”

Setting aside his blueprint, Isaac asked, sounding a bit curt. Sharen pouted and answered:

“I just… had something I wanted to tell you.”

“Something you want to tell me?”

“Yeah, so…”

Looking embarrassed, she wriggled awkwardly, pressing her palms together and slipping them between her legs.

“Thanks for today. Really.”

It was quite remarkable that Sharen would express her feelings so honestly, especially to Isaac.

This newfound sincerity reflected her growth—and the winds of change blowing through her life.

“Sure.”

Still, Isaac’s voice was cold.

“...”

“Don’t tell me you were hoping I’d give you some sweet answer. I only protected you because I wanted to survive.”

“……I know.”

Sharen lowered her head.

“B-but when I was in Isaac’s arms today, it was so warm. So I… I’m just really… grateful.”

“I keep telling you—it was just to keep us alive.”

“I-I’ve never been held like that by anyone before. My other brothers and sisters are always so cold toward me.”

“Haah, Sharen?”

Isaac, frowning, slammed his pen onto the desk. Sharen flinched, checking his mood.

“You know how I was treated in Helmut. Are you expecting me to trash Helmut right along with you? You’re part of Helmut yourself.”

“I know….”

“At least you didn’t outright beat me in the name of ‘training’ like the other siblings. But you did treat me like half a slave, didn’t you?”

“M-maybe so.”

Sharen shrank back more and more, her head hanging low, tears welling in her eyes.

“I get that you’re only seventeen, that you’re still immature. But even if you say you’ve changed—coming over just to say thanks because I saved you—it’s not like I can just accept it at face value.”

“Sniff.”

Seeing Sharen on the verge of tears, Isaac didn’t know what else to say.

‘Maybe I went too far.’

But then again, when he remembered the past, his veins threatened to pop.

Maybe that’s why—

He wanted to ask something a little more fundamental.

“Hey, Sharen. Why do you want forgiveness so badly? In a month, I’m divorcing Rihanna. After that, you won’t ever have to see me again.”

He knew she had changed because of what happened, but that didn’t mean Sharen’s nature had vanished entirely.

She could just pretend none of this happened, and there would be no issue.

It’s not like Isaac was really in a position to demand anything of Sharen.

“…….”

Sharen pressed her lips tightly together.

In that moment, Isaac noticed something and suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“Ah, no way. You know I’m your brother-in-law! This is not okay!”

“N-next month you won’t be!”

“Hey! What kind of nonsense is that?! Just because I held you when it was cold?!”

“B-but it was so, s-so warm!”

“That’s obviously—!”

Isaac smacked his forehead and let out a sigh.

Seventeen years old.

It’s an age where romance is pure fantasy.

Holding hands, sharing a drink, a warm smile—

It’s the perfect age to mistake these little flutters for love.

“I—I’ll make you happy! I’ll do better than my sister ever did!”

“Look at this kid, still wet behind the ears, trying to mess with an adult! Get out, right now!”

“Hmph!”

Sharen, on the verge of tears, was pushed out of the room by Isaac.

She was unusually strong, though, so it was like trying to shove a boulder out the door.

‘Dammit…’

Damn Helmut.

He decided to try a different tack.

“Sharen, you’re just confused. You’re mistaking that little rush of excitement for love.”

“…I don’t think I am.”

“You are. That’s exactly what this is.”

“So… it’s not real?”

“Right. That’s all it is. And let’s be reasonable—having feelings for your brother-in-law—”

‘Ah.’

‘Damn Helmut.’

Come to think of it, there was that maniac in Helmut who was obsessed with his own sister.

Blinking her large eyes, Sharen looked up at him. Isaac let out a final sigh and declared:

“I just can’t stand you Helmut people.”

****

“Ugh.”

Grumbling as she returned to her quarters, Sharen had no choice but to leave after being thrown out so decisively. Still, it wasn’t a complete loss.

‘He did at least listen to me!’

That alone gave Sharen a bit of hope.

It was the first warmth she’d ever experienced.

And the sense of relief that came with it.

She never imagined it would come from Isaac, but all the same, Sharen decided to label these flutters in her chest as “love.”

“Hehe.”

Feeling like the heroine of a romance novel, Sharen entered her room—

Only to find Kelsey there, looking pale.

“Huh? Kelsey, you’re still awake?”

“M-Milady…”

Kelsey seemed uneasy as her gaze shifted toward the bed.

There, sitting on the edge of Sharen’s bed, legs crossed and chin propped in hand, was a woman staring coldly at her—

“Uh, u-uh, u-unni?”

At the sight of Rihanna, Sharen didn’t even have time to wonder how she had gotten in.

Her teeth chattered even harder than they had in the freezing cold.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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