Chapter 49: Helmut Family

 

In the Helmut’s Mansion.

 

While everyone was so busy preparing for the Sword Festival, Arandel was currently receiving guests.

 

Truthfully, they weren’t guests he particularly wanted to see.

 

He had agreed to meet them only once at the request of his wife, Galenia Helmut, who insisted they could be a great help in the upcoming Sword Festival.

 

And so, Arandel was meeting them now.

 

They were guests from Blackthorn.

 

From Arandel’s perspective—someone who had little interest in the weak—Blackthorn was hardly intriguing.

 

In reality, Blackthorn wasn’t the sort of family that got looked down upon.

 

But at least in front of Arandel, no matter how prideful a sword-wielding family they might be, they had no choice but to lower their heads and yield.

 

Because if Arandel considers you weak,

 

Then before him, you are irrevocably deemed weak.

 

The one who came from Blackthorn was their eldest son, Phil Blackthorn.

 

From his outward appearance, he looked every inch the noble—his straight posture even exuded confidence.

 

However, Arandel could tell that this confidence Phil carried wasn’t truly his own sense of pride.

 

A man had come along with Phil.

 

He was a head taller than Phil, standing quietly by his side with his lips firmly pressed together.

 

Though he seemed like a mere attendant, anyone could see it immediately:

 

This man beside him possessed far greater skill than Blackthorn’s eldest son.

 

“It is an honor to meet the great Helmut. Lady Galenia was gracious enough to arrange this meeting with you, Arandel-nim.”

 

Phil Blackthorn bowed politely.

 

Resting his chin on the armrest, Arandel gave no particular reply.

 

It was a gesture that said, I’m busy, so if you have something to say, get straight to the point.

 

Feeling awkward, Phil quickly continued.

 

“Ahem, I’ll be brief. We at Blackthorn believe we can offer what you, Helmut, desire—hence our visit.”

 

“…….”

 

“Arandel-nim, humans cannot fly. Moreover, humans cannot breathe underwater. Humans cannot survive without sunlight.”

 

He certainly was told to get to the point, yet his preamble was still long.

 

It was annoying, like he was reciting a script.

 

A sudden urge came to Arandel’s mind—should I cut out his tongue?—but Arandel decided to listen for a moment.

 

How grand must his story be, for him to go on so pompously?

 

“No matter how great a knight you may be, Arandel-nim, in the end, you cannot surpass the limits of humanity.”

 

“However! We are different! A power that transcends the limits of mankind! That is what we wish to propose to you.”

 

“…….”

 

“Have you ever heard of the Transcends?”

 

Phil Blackthorn’s voice was low and secretive.

 

His tongue flicked inside his mouth like a snake’s, dancing with each word.

 

“Beings beyond human. A race born to dominate all others! They have offered their cooperation to you, Arandel-nim—!”

 

“Enough.”

 

Arandel cut him off with a sigh.

 

“Not interested.”

 

Then he resumed reviewing information about partnerships and street vendors related to the Sword Festival.

 

From just that one curt remark, Phil Blackthorn was so terrified that he could say nothing. He stood there with his lips going dry.

 

Eventually, the man beside him spoke up.

 

“Arandel-nim, have you never wondered about the body of Helmut?”

 

“…….”

 

“Helmut possesses a blessed physique. A body that can hardly be called human.”

 

“…….”

 

“But… that’s the same with the Transcends. In fact, true Transcends can easily overpower a physique like Helmut’s.”

 

One look at his eyes told Arandel it wasn’t a lie.

 

It meant that among the Transcends, there truly were those who could surpass Helmut.

 

“We believe Helmut is closer to the Transcends than to ordinary humans.”

 

“…….”

 

“Don’t you find it primitive? These so-called nobles, wielding their paltry power to rule over others? To us, they’re all the same.”

 

“They’re ants. Whether queen, soldier, or worker—nothing but ants. If you step on them, they crumble.”

 

“So, Arandel-nim, join us and claim true freedom—!”

 

Arandel slowly rose from his seat and glanced out the window.

 

He saw the Helmut knights and Sharen’s carriage arriving, and realized he needed to make some preparations.

 

Lined up beside his office were greatswords.

 

Arandel grabbed the oldest, most worn-out one and strode forward.

 

Crunch.

 

Seeing that Arandel wasn’t listening to him anymore, the man bared his teeth.

 

He blocked the doorway, breathing heavily.

 

“It seems you still don’t understand.”

 

Creak! Creak!

 

Hideous horns sprouted from his head.

 

His skin turned black, his eyes burned crimson, and small wings appeared on his back—he looked every bit a demon.

 

“Observe our greatness—!”

 

His words did not continue.

 

Because his head was already on the floor.

 

Thud.

 

The Transcended couldn’t even utter a final word. Phil Blackthorn, who had been standing by like a bystander, realized what happened only about three seconds later—that Arandel had swung his sword and killed the Transcended.

 

“H-haaah…!”

 

Just one step from this man was enough to make the entire mansion seem to tremble.

 

And Phil hadn’t even been able to follow Arandel’s sword swing with his eyes.

 

Yet now, something clicked in Phil’s mind.

 

‘I was wondering why they were so obsessed with Arandel!’

 

He had been puzzled, especially since they had bribed Galenia Helmut just to get this meeting. But seeing it firsthand, he understood.

 

A physique stronger than Helmut?

 

That humans are like ants?

 

In that case…

 

Then there’s no need to persuade Arandel at all, damn it!

 

Finally, he realized it.

 

Although they claimed they were superior, in truth, they feared Arandel.

 

They wanted to recruit him to their side—because they were too scared to be his enemy.

 

He only realized it now.

 

After all fates had been sealed.

 

Only at the very moment when his life hung by a thread.

 

If there was any small mercy…

 

Just like the first strike…

 

‘What should I do? How do I speak so I can survive?’

 

Phil Blackthorn failed to notice the second attack as well.

 

’First, get on my knees!

 

Even as his head flew off and tumbled to the floor, he must have been frantically thinking of ways to survive.

 

Thud!

 

“Father!”

 

When Rihanna Helmut pushed open the office door, the first thing she saw were two corpses.

 

Their heads had been neatly severed; blood gurgled from the stumps, pooling beneath them.

 

Standing on top of that crimson puddle was her father.

 

Yet Arandel Helmut did not spare so much as a glance for the dead as he greeted Rihanna.

 

Blood dripped drip, drip from the old greatsword in his hand.

 

“You’ve come, my daughter.”

 

“...Father.”

 

“You must have expected this when you picked up your sword.”

 

And indeed, Rihanna had anticipated it. She gave a small nod and proceeded to unwrap the white bandages binding her Ragnabel—the makeshift scabbard fully undone.

 

“Don’t bother saying you’ll accept your punishment without complaint.”

 

Arandel Helmut cautioned her calmly.

 

“Because you might die.”

 

Kwaang! Kwaanggg!

 

A deafening uproar came from within the mansion. Lohengrin Helmut, who had been in the midst of preparing for the Sword Festival, rushed inside in alarm.

 

“W-what in the world is happening?!”

 

He had been out doing a quick patrol, overseeing the street stalls and ensuring clear passage through the town.

 

Suddenly, chaos erupted in the mansion.

 

Even the garden, lush with red roses blooming bright, seemed to quake from the impact.

 

Near the mansion’s entrance, family members had gathered.

 

The first sight that caught Lohengrin’s eye was Alois Helmut with a broken leg, and Galenia Helmut tending to him.

 

“Mother, what is going on?!”

 

“Lohengrin.”

 

Wearing a troubled expression, Galenia Helmut greeted him and replied with a deep sigh.

 

“Rihanna has returned…”

 

“Ah.”

 

That alone said it all.

 

Rihanna had vanished to the front lines without permission, and now that she was back, this was the reprimand she faced.

 

Thud! Claang!

 

The sound of greatswords clashing thundered like a storm.

 

A fierce red glow spilled from the windows, hinting at the severity of the fight inside.

 

‘What on earth…?’

 

Lohengrin already knew Rihanna was strong—he had learned that firsthand in their last spar before she left.

 

He had worked harder ever since, yet he couldn’t help doubting whether he himself would ever be able to meet his father’s blade like that.

 

Sensing his uncertainty, Galenia Helmut gently took Lohengrin’s hand.

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

“Mother…!”

 

“Stand tall, won’t you? Especially since you’re the one who will become the family head.”

 

“…You’re right, Mother.”

 

Lohengrin steeled his resolve. If he wavered here, what good would that do?

 

At that moment—

 

Boom!

 

The mansion’s massive doors burst off their hinges. Out came Arandel Helmut, gripping Rihanna Helmut by the neck with one hand like a captured prey, evoking the image of a king of beasts.

 

Her hair, tangled and stained with blood and sweat, suggested Rihanna had already lost consciousness.

 

Thud!

 

“Lay her down. Tell her she’s confined until I grant permission otherwise.”

 

With that, Arandel Helmut turned back inside.

 

His greatsword—its blade chipped beyond further use—showed how fiercely Rihanna must have resisted.

 

Having received treatment, Rihanna Helmut now lay on her bed.

 

Though it had been a while, the familiar scent of roses filled the air, lulling her into momentary repose.

 

She couldn’t leave until the family head granted permission.

 

Half-smirking to herself, she thought it was fortunate she had broken Alois’s leg earlier.

 

Thud.

 

The door opened, and in walked none other than her mother, Galenia Helmut.

 

“...”

 

Feigning sleep, Rihanna remained silent, but Galenia only smiled as she approached the bedside.

 

“Why did you do that to Alois?”

 

“...”

 

“He’s a good boy. Even while the mage was healing him, all he did was worry about you.”

 

“...”

 

“Well, alright. If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine too.”

 

Fully aware that Rihanna was not actually asleep, Galenia smiled softly and stroked her daughter’s hair.

 

“Don’t resent him so much. We’re family, after all.”

 

“...”

 

“My dear daughter, love your family.”

 

Wearing a gentle smile, Galenia Helmut caressed Rihanna’s cheek with her hand.

 

“Because you are meant to be the head of this family.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

[TL: What kind of 4D chess this Mama is playing here!!

 

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