Chapter 47: The Returning Sisters

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

Upon hearing that the Margrave had summoned him, Isaac rushed over without hesitation.

 

Despite his reputation as the Guardian of the North, the imposing giant of a man standing in front of him was nothing more than a doting father.

 

“How’s your arm?”

 

The question sounded concerned, but the tone was anything but. It felt as though he were testing durability, and Isaac quickly answered:

 

“It’s still not healed. I’ve heard it’s going to take some time.”

 

“Hmm!”

 

Uldiran let out a blatant sigh of disappointment.

 

Having momentarily set aside his role as the Margrave defending the kingdom, he was acting rather shamelessly.

 

“You didn’t call him here just to say that, did you?”

 

Eventually, Seleny Caldias stepped in to mediate.

 

When his wife interjected, Uldiran cleared his throat awkwardly and reached out his hand.

 

Isaac handed over the sword at his waist, titled ‘The Revered and Beautiful Goddess Silverna.’

 

After hefting it and swishing it around a few times, Uldiran let out a soft murmur of admiration.

 

“Ho, it’s very light.”

 

“I requested it specially. Since I’m not particularly strong, I asked if it could be made as light as possible.”

 

“And you compensated for the drop in durability by using Frostsilver?”

 

“…Yes, that’s right.”

 

With that, Uldiran offered the sword to his wife. Seleny took it and walked straight out of the office.

 

It was exactly as Isaac had expected.

 

Even if Silverna had given it to him as a gift, you couldn’t just casually let a Frostsilver weapon leak outside.

 

Especially not to someone from Helmut.

 

Left alone with Isaac, Uldiran looked him over and let out a sigh.

 

“As you know, this isn’t something we can just let go.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“The main issue is that Silverna took it upon herself—‘personally’—to give you Frostsilver. From my position, I can’t simply overlook this.”

 

“…….”

 

He seemed troubled by the fact that he had to punish his own daughter.

 

And yet, judging from the look on Uldiran’s face, he didn’t appear too displeased at all.

 

“So, as far as anyone is concerned, you never received this sword. We’ll settle it that way.”

 

“I understand.”

 

If Isaac had never had it in the first place, he wouldn’t have minded.

 

But having tasted it, he now felt its loss even more acutely.

 

He tried his best to hide this feeling, but apparently, Uldiran could see right through him.

 

With a sly grin, he added,

 

“In exchange, we’ll grant it to you in an official ceremony—an award in recognition of your recent accomplishments.”

 

“…Pardon? What?”

 

Maybe he’d planned on seeing a reaction like this all along, because Uldiran’s grin practically reached his ears.

 

For such a hulking man, his expression was as joyful as a five-year-old’s.

 

“I told you. The issue was that it was given out privately. Fortunately, plenty of people witnessed your feats this time.”

 

“…….”

 

“Well, some folks will grumble about a Frostsilver sword going to the son-in-law of Helmut, but so what? Anyone who wants to complain can come here and say it to my face.”

 

It was the audacity of the North, often called the ‘island of society.’

 

And given Isaac’s recent achievements in repelling a great den, it was hard to call Uldiran’s actions unjustified.

 

“I’ll talk to the royal family about it. In the meantime, your name might come up here and there, so handle that how you will.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“Which means, until the official ceremony, we’ll keep the sword in our custody.”

 

Isaac was twice as happy to learn that the sword he thought he’d lost would be formally presented to him.

 

He had been concerned about how to explain it once he returned to Helmut. Now, that worry disappeared completely.

 

“I saw your sword strike.”

 

With his arms now folded, Uldiran had assumed the posture of a seasoned warrior.

 

Recalling Isaac’s swordsmanship, he let out a half-admiring chuckle.

 

“I’m not about to belittle your skills, but keep in mind that Frostsilver played a big role in that. Understand?”

 

“Of course.”

 

If Isaac had been wielding a different blade, he might never have achieved such a result.

 

In fact, even if he tried to recreate that moment now with the same sword, there was no guarantee he’d succeed.

 

After all, he’d pushed himself to the point of shattering his arm.

 

Clearly, he’d tapped into a level he wasn’t physically prepared to handle.

 

“Frostsilver is a crystalline ore that can only be mined from caves where cold air collects. Unlike most minerals, it’s imbued with the chill of the North.”

 

“…….”

 

“Always remember this when you carry the sword: the gathering cold could one day devour you. And also remember not to overstep your bounds with Silverna.”

 

“Duly noted— Pardon?”

 

Uldiran, his eyes blazing fiercely enough to melt Frostsilver, glared at Isaac and added with a growl,

 

“If you lay a hand on my daughter, my spear made of Frostsilver will bury you in its cold.”

 

“Might I remind you, I already have a wife.”

 

“Right, right. May the two of you live happily ever after. And if you ever think about messing with Silverna, you’d better be planning on divorce. Got that?”

 

“…Understood.”

 

“Haha! My apologies for even uttering the word ‘divorce’ to such a devoted couple!”

 

Recalling how Rihanna had once knelt for Isaac, Uldiran let out a hearty laugh and gave Isaac a friendly slap on the back.

 

Isaac could only stand there looking embarrassed, choosing to hold his tongue.

 

* * *

 

Two days later.

 

In front of the carriage, Sharen lightly kicks at the ground for no apparent reason.

 

“Such a shame.”

 

The wound inflicted by Bricalla had already healed.

 

Once again, the mighty constitution of those from Helmut had proven its worth.

 

And today, Sharen was departing for Helmut after receiving a letter summoning her back for the Sword Festival.

 

Along with a bustling line of carriages, several knights of Helmut were busy making preparations to leave.

 

Sharen felt a twinge of regret about leaving the North.

 

It was her first time staying away from the Helmut estate for so long, and she seemed to have grown fond of the connections and memories she’d made here.

 

She’d certainly endured her share of hardships.

 

Comparing her to how she was upon first arriving in the North, one might say she looked like a completely different person now.

 

“Have Milli make you some star cookies. She’ll bake them right up.”

 

“Oh, right! Star cookies!”

 

Hearing the reason she’d originally sought him out, Sharen bounced on her heels and grinned brightly.

 

She’d been pouting for a while about not being able to eat anything sweet, but those complaints had faded at some point.

 

Remembering sugary treats again seemed to put her in a good mood.

 

“I want to hurry back and eat them. Isaac, come home soon, too! Let’s eat star cookies together!”

 

Isaac could only offer a wry smile at Sharen, who was radiant and carefree.

 

For the record, Isaac would not be returning just yet.

 

Since his right arm was still not fully healed, he had to continue receiving treatment from Vivian.

 

Although one round of healing magic had allowed him to remove the splint and bandages, his injury wasn’t completely healed.

 

Not wanting to risk complications, Vivian insisted on performing healing magic one more time, so he had to stay behind.

 

“I’ll even let you taste my secret cookie stash!”

 

Sharen burst out laughing at her own idea, making it sound like a whole lot of fun.

 

Her bright little smile was contagious enough to put a similar expression on Isaac’s face.

 

Life in the North had changed many things.

 

Among them, his view of Sharen had certainly changed.

 

Once a mischievous kid who cared only about herself, she now displayed a hint of nobility, a touch of elegance befitting a fine young lady.

 

Isaac would never forget the image of her back during the battle against Bricalla.

 

If it hadn’t been for Sharen and Jonathan, he would have died before even raising his blade for that decisive strike.

 

Placing his hand gently on her head, Isaac patted her in gratitude.

 

Seemingly pleased, Sharen flashed a bright grin and shook her head to match his gentle hand.

 

 

“Hehe! Well, I’m off then!”

 

“You’ve done great work.”

 

With that, Sharen and her maid Kelsey bid farewell and headed for the carriage.

 

Just then, Rihanna naturally stepped forward.

 

Because of the awkwardness that lingered from the last “Riha” nickname incident, Isaac cleared his throat unnecessarily and asked,

 

“You’re leaving too?”

 

“Mhm. I have to.”

 

“What do you think Father will say…?”

 

“It’s fine. I’m prepared for whatever he has to say.”

 

Isaac pondered how to see her off, but Rihanna spoke first.

 

“I’ve received some rewards for this subjugation.”

 

“Huh? But you weren’t here in any official capacity, so you shouldn’t be eligible for any…”

 

“You’re right. But the Margrave recognized my contributions.”

 

Before Bricalla reached the fortifications, Rihanna had played a major role when the situation grew dire.

 

However, since her efforts couldn’t be formally honored, the reward was granted discreetly, off the record—something Rihanna had also requested.

 

“All of it’s in your room. Use it.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Curious, Isaac asked, and Rihanna answered calmly,

 

“Some of Bricalla’s bones, a bit of skin, and part of its innards.”

 

“…You didn’t just dump your trash in my room, did you?”

 

Isaac looked exasperated.

 

But Rihanna already had a plan in mind for those materials.

 

“Remember that Rose Elixir Lohengrin gave you before you left?”

 

“You mean the heavily diluted stuff?”

 

Lohengrin had tried to threaten Rihanna over the ‘leak’ of the family’s precious elixir,

 

yet Arandel hadn’t really cared about it at all.

 

Even Isaac had no particular use for it and had tossed it into a corner.

 

“Right. Try mixing it together with those materials. Might have some interesting effects.”

 

After all, Bricalla possessed monstrous levels of mana.

 

Because the Rose Elixir was diluted, it could serve as a base to combine with something else.

 

“Oh.”

 

Impressed by the unexpected bit of advice, Isaac nodded.

 

He could also ask Vivian—as a mage and a doctor—to introduce him to an apothecary, or get help directly.

 

Though he was staying behind for treatment, it looked like it could turn into a surprisingly productive time.

 

“I’ll be going now.”

 

“Alright. Thanks.”

 

“Take care not to catch a cold, Isaac.”

 

“…….”

 

Come to think of it, Sharen had passed along that same message before.

 

“…Sure, I’ll be careful.”

 

Still, Isaac nodded, appreciative of her concern.

 

Though she felt a little wistful about their brief conversation, being able to speak so normally was already a big step for Rihanna.

 

Rihanna headed for the carriage.

 

There, Silverna was exchanging parting words with Sharen.

 

Rihanna tried to slip past Silverna quietly and board the carriage, but—

 

“Rihanna Helmut.”

 

Silverna called out to her specifically.

 

“What is it?”

 

Rihanna found Silverna difficult to stomach.

 

She knew full well that Silverna had an interest in Isaac.

 

She also knew she shouldn’t show any reaction to that.

 

Even so, it still made her uneasy.

 

They stared at each other for a moment.

 

Slowly, Silverna extended her hand, offering a handshake.

 

“You did well out there. It helped a lot—both for the front lines, and for me personally.”

 

“…Right.”

 

Not expecting a direct show of gratitude, Rihanna accepted her hand.

 

Their gazes briefly locked.

 

“Ouch!”

 

Between them, Sharen suddenly let out a dramatic yelp and hurried into the carriage for some reason.

 

Silverna released her hand first and spoke calmly,

 

“No need to drag this out. We’ll be seeing each other again soon anyway.”

 

“We will?”

 

“The Sword Festival. We received an invitation as well.”

 

“…….”

 

Only then did Rihanna realize why Silverna had brought it up.

 

She simply wanted to remind her.

 

A moment earlier, Rihanna had been leaving in slightly higher spirits at the thought that Isaac and Silverna would be parting ways for a while.

 

But—

 

“See you then, Rihanna Helmut.”

 

“….”

 

For some reason, Rihanna found herself unable to take another step forward.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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