Chapter 38: The One Moving Forward, The One Who Remains Silent

What is an interrogation?

Isn’t it generally etched into people’s minds as an act of investigating, pressing, and probing to uncover the facts?

Silverna came in expecting just that.

But instead, there was a candle warmly lighting the room, a sturdy wooden table carrying the scent of a cool breeze, some simple snacks and bottles of liquor piled on top—

And finally, a scattered mess of worn-out playing cards.

“…….”

“…….”

Confronted with an interrogation scene that went far beyond her ordinary sense of things, Silverna clamped her mouth shut and stared.

Uldiran, the main culprit behind this situation, cleared his throat for no apparent reason and called it a night.

“All right, I suppose that’s enough fun.”

The others also began tidying up the cards, but Isaac wasn’t your average card player.

He gathered the cards and performed an impressively neat shuffle, looking every bit like a professional gambler.

“Ah, force of habit.”

He brushed it off with a mischievous grin, calling it “just a habit,” then handed the deck back toUldiran.

During his days as a boatman, one of Isaac’s main sources of income had been card games.

Local farmers, passing travelers, other boatmen—he’d gather them all together for quick card games at the slightest opportunity.

“Are you done with what needed to be done?”

At that questioning look, Uldiran cleared his throat again and stood up.

“If you’re curious, read the investigation report. It’s all there.”

The investigation report he handed over was written in elegantly clear handwriting.

The moment Silverna recognized it as Isaac’s handwriting, she set the report down in disbelief.

“Is there really such a thing as having a witness write their own investigation report?”

“Ah, my lady.”

Anna, who was standing behind her, quietly called out to Silverna.

No matter how close she is to him, there’s a limit to how much you can pester a Margrave in front of outsiders.

“…….”

With Silverna clamping her mouth shut and reading the report again, Uldiran stood up and made his ruling regarding the two.

“Both of them are cleared of all charges. However, for this large-scale operation, keep them under your supervision so they can devote their service to the kingdom.”

“Huh? I get that with Isaac, but even Rihanna Helmut?”

“She seems too valuable a force to waste, no?”

“…….”

When Silverna couldn’t answer, Uldiran simply left.

From the looks of the report, it seemed he’d already done what was necessary and was on his way.

“Isaac… The person who raised you when you were young was a Transcendent?”

Silverna looked at him with wide, surprised eyes.

“Yeah.”

“…….”

Judging by his short answer, he didn’t seem inclined to say more.

“So you know about the Transcendents and rituals?”

“Right.”

“…That explanation feels awfully insincere.”

“But the Margrave accepted it.”

“Isn’t it said that Transcendents kill humans without exception?”

“It was half-human.”

Silverna looked unconvinced, but Isaac did have someone backing him up.

“I’ve heard about it for a long time too.”

Rihanna Helmut raised her hand and added,

“Isaac was taught by some remarkable master when he was young. That’s why he knows all sorts of things.”

“…….”

As the married couple sat there staring up at her, Silverna felt a lingering discomfort.

“You said you learned to drink from them too, right?”

“Yeah, when I was really little.”

“Was it beer?”

“Wine.”

“Right, wine.”

They nodded and then looked back at Silverna.

‘Why do I feel like these two are lying?’

It certainly felt like a lie.

But with both of them speaking in unison, she couldn’t quite call it out.

“This is like watching a married con artist duo.”

Anna’s words perfectly hit on what Silverna was itching to say.

But the Margrave had already handed down his verdict, and there was nothing she could do but abide by it.

****

Stepping out of the interrogation room.

A hallway in the castle brimming with a chill in the air.

Walking along the path lit by the lanterns on the wall was Isaac.

‘That surprised me.’

Honestly, Isaac felt confused.

‘I never imagined she would go along with the lie so smoothly.’

He was startled at how naturally she chimed in on his lie, even adding details of her own.

Surely, Rihanna must have some questions about Isaac.

For example, his demeanor—

and his diverse knowledge about swords, among other things.

But because she didn’t let it bother her and played along, they managed to move on without issue.

“Earlier… that was a lie, wasn’t it?”

Behind Isaac—who was walking with a clear destination in mind—came the voice of Silverna.

She had been following him for a while, and at some point, Anna had vanished.

Isaac abruptly halted and turned around to face Silverna.

“Is this the interrogation room now?”

“I’m not interrogating you. And I’m not picking a fight.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“You could at least tell me the truth.”

It felt more like a plea, and it made Isaac’s expression stiffen.

“What do you want me to be honest about?”

“We’re comrades, aren’t we? We fight together, risking our lives.”

“Just because we’re comrades doesn’t mean we share everything.”

Even married couples keep secrets from each other sometimes.

At Isaac’s cold reply, Silverna pressed her lips together.

“The Margrave trusts me. You should do the same.”

“That’s because the large-scale operation is urgent right now. Even if there’s something fishy in your story, he still wants you both as part of his forces.”

“…….”

Silverna had hit the nail on the head.

Isaac took a breath and countered.

“In any case, he made his choice.”

“So that’s how you want to play it?”

Silverna took a deliberate step closer, her prominently curved chest nearly brushing against Isaac’s.

“Silverna, knock it off.”

“What?”

Finally, Isaac lost patience and issued a sharp warning.

“I know you northerners have a special bond. But like I said, we don’t share everything with each other.”

“…….”

“You have secrets, and so do I. I just need you to trust that mine won’t hurt anyone.”

With that, Isaac turned and continued down the corridor.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

Right on the third step—

“I—”

Silverna’s voice cut through the silence, aimed straight at his back.

“I have feelings for you.”

“…….”

It was definitely inside the castle, yet Isaac felt as if a harsh wind were suddenly blowing.

His feet froze in place.

He slowly turned his head, and there was Silverna, arms folded, nodding at him.

“So… how about that? No more secrets now.”

Silverna pointed at him with her cheeks burning red, and Isaac let out a hollow laugh—amusement born of sheer disbelief.

Isaac stepped back over to Silverna and reached out, slowly fastening the open button of her shirt.

“Try dressing more appropriately. You’re a grown woman, you know…”

“Now tell me your secret. We should exchange, right?”

The water was already spilled. Silverna pressed on boldly, but Isaac just shook his head casually.

“That’s not really a secret.”

“Huh?”

“I already knew.”

“Wha—what…?”

This time, the tables were turned.

Silverna stiffened, and her face gradually turned red as a beet.

She opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, flailing her arms.

“Y-you knew? How? Since when?”

“It’s been a while.”

Even Anna, the aide, had come to Isaac asking him to keep some distance,

since it involved Helmut and Caldias.

“Ah, wha—?! H-hold on!”

Silverna, flustered, turned her back.

Her cheeks felt so hot that she might as well have used them for a blacksmith’s forge.

“But Silverna—”

“Wait! D-don’t talk to me right now!”

“…….”

Isaac decided to wait a moment, watching Silverna crouch and mutter to herself, shoulders twitching as she tried to collect her thoughts.

“Hah!”

Silverna turned back to face Isaac.

“Oh, jeez.”

Yet the moment their eyes met, her embarrassment surged once more. She covered her mouth and staggered back.

“First of all, let’s be clear: I’m a married man.”

“Haha.”

“…Did you just laugh?”

“No, nope. Wasn’t laughing.”

What’s up with that?

She was covering her mouth, but she sure seemed like she was laughing a bit.

‘ No way she has a thing for married men… right?’

‘ Did she actually like hearing that?’

In any case, Isaac continued.

“I’m married. So I don’t really owe you an answer, do I?”

“…….”

Silverna folded her arms and glared at Isaac. Her face was still bright red, but she seemed to have given up trying to hide it.

“What’s with that look?”

“This is kind of unfair. I was honest about my feelings.”

“And I was honest, too. I can’t accept them.”

“Sure, that’s what you have to say from your standpoint.”

Silverna was a natural genius: teach her one thing, she’d figure out ten more.

“Of course a married man can’t accept. I’m not so bullheaded as to force it.”

Anna’s advice—that this was a heaven-sent opportunity—sparked a flash of insight in that brilliant mind of hers.

“Put everything else aside for a second and just tell me personally how you feel.”

“Does that matter?”

“Show a little sympathy, will you? It’s the first time a guy has ever made my heart race. At least give me a decent sense of closure.”

“…….”

Isaac, who knew all too well the significance of a first love’s closure, hesitated before speaking the truth.

“Fine. You’re a very attractive woman. It’s flattering you’d even consider me.”

“If Rihanna weren’t in the picture…”

“…….”

“Would you have chosen me instead?”

The seriousness on Silverna’s face as she placed a hand over her heart was so earnest that Isaac found himself nodding without meaning to.

“Y-yeah. Probably. But what does that matter now? I’m married.”

“Hehe.”

‘ Was that a laugh again just now?’

Isaac was about to ask, bewildered, but Silverna simply nodded emphatically and beamed.

“Thanks, Isaac.”

“...Hey, Silverna.”

Feeling a sudden wave of anxiety, Isaac asked carefully,

“Is there something you know?”

“Huh?”

“I mean… I get the feeling you’re hiding something.”

Like crossing a precarious bridge, Isaac proceeded cautiously, and Silverna answered with a playful grin,

“Even comrades keep secrets from each other, Isaac.”

*****

Silverna stepped outside, her strides visibly lighter.

Isaac remained in the castle for some errand, but Silverna was eager to see Anna and share the day’s good news.

Then—

A red-haired woman stood idly at the entrance.

Her gaze was fixed on Silverna.

‘So the Helmut line really does have sharp ears…’

Sharen hadn’t been lying, it seemed.

Just from her aura alone, you could tell she already knew everything.

Without slowing her pace, Silverna strode right past Rihanna, making a bold declaration.

“I won’t apologize or feel guilty about it.”

“…….”

“You’re the one who missed your chance.”

Watching Silverna leave, Rihanna stayed silent, her lips pressed tight.

No—she couldn’t speak.

What could she possibly do at this point?

The responsibility for her choices.

Regardless of the reasons, she had kept silent at the estate.

And so here too—

She could only remain silent.

Because that was surely what Isaac wanted.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 5 chapters ahead of the release: https://www.patreon.com/readingpia

Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: https://discord.com/invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]

Support Author

Join Discord