Chapter 54: Sword Tournament (1)

 

The sight of Alois leaning on a cane came as a refreshing shock to Isaac.

 

After all, it was certainly an unexpected scene.

 

So the burst of laughter was clearly a mistake, but he had no intention of taking it back.

 

“No, brother-in-law.”

 

In truth, Alois knew it too, so even though he was annoyed and offended, he chose to let it go.

 

“Something’s wrong with my sister!”

 

Because there was something more important.

 

“She says… she says I tried to harm you! It’s so unfair!”

 

Alois, eyes brimming with tears, cried out.

 

“Haven’t I always been on your side! When the other siblings tormented you, I always helped, and I was even the one who helped you with your fourth wedding anniversary!”

 

“……”

 

“Why would I, of all people, try to hurt you! She wouldn’t hear a single word from me and even messed up my leg like this! If I weren’t a Helmut, I might’ve been crippled for life!”

 

He should’ve stayed that way. Isaac clicked his tongue in regret.

 

Alois’ plea was quite persuasive. Indeed, in his previous life, Isaac had never suspected Alois. But now that he knew the whole story, all he could see was just how ridiculous Alois was acting.

 

‘If he’s gone this far in underestimating me, I’m not even angry—I’m just amazed.’

 

He must be acting this way because he’s absolutely convinced Isaac will believe him. He probably thought that no matter what Isaac had heard in the North, he would still manage to persuade him. In a way, it could be seen as Alois looking down on him.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Isaac pondered for a moment. Then, with a nod, he placed his hand on Alois’ shoulder.

 

“There’s no way you’d do that, brother-in-law. I’m not sure what this is all about, but I’ll talk to her.”

 

“Brother-in-law!”

 

Alois nodded, on the verge of tears. Isaac patted him on the shoulder and walked on by.

 

‘If it were up to me…’

 

He wanted to tear Alois to pieces right this moment. But since Rihanna had already smashed his leg, that was satisfying enough for the time being.

 

Besides, in a way, Alois is the most reliable link to the transcendent beings.

 

Take revenge on Alois?

 

Sure, that would feel good. But he didn’t want to live like someone whose whole life’s purpose was consumed by it. He needed to use Alois to see the bigger picture.

 

‘I have no reason to let that bastard define my life’s purpose.’

 

‘Don’t devalue yourself, Isaac.’

 

And personally, He wanted to take Alois’ legs for himself after they’d fully healed—so it wouldn’t just look like a lucky chance aided by Rihanna.

 

As he watched Alois leave with relief, Jonathan approached from the side and saluted.

 

“I am hereby relieved of my duty to guard Isaac Helmuth as of this moment!”

 

“Right, you’ve done well.”

 

“Thank youuu!”

 

Jonathan beamed broadly. He would still need to hide the fact that he was a mixed-blood transcendent, and his seniors’ bullying might not vanish overnight. But if it’s Jonathan, he’d manage just fine.

 

Isaac patted his shoulder in turn.

 

Unlike with Alois, it was a genuine gesture of encouragement.

 

“I’m heeere!”

 

At that moment, a seventeen-year-old kid burst out of the mansion’s doors. She passed by Alois, but they didn’t really speak. Though from the way Alois ground his teeth, it seemed he held some grudge against Sharen.

 

“Isaac!”

 

Sharen, hopping over, stuck her head out right away—an obvious demand for a head-pat.

 

Feeling a sudden stubborn streak, Isaac just stared vacantly. Then Sharen, ever so slyly, stepped on Isaac’s foot.

 

Swoosh, swoosh.

 

“Isaac! Something big’s happened! Huge!”

 

After that, Sharen explained, waving both hands like a flapping fish.

 

“What?”

 

Isaac’s eyes grew wide.

 

****

 

Clank.

 

It was the first time.

 

He had ever opened Rihanna’s door without any warning.

 

“Ah.”

 

Rihanna sat perched on the bed. It was the first time Isaac had seen her like this.

 

She looked haggard, her red hair dried and lifeless, her eyes devoid of energy. But the moment she saw Isaac, they slowly began to regain color, as if someone were pouring life back into them.

 

Lastly, there was the shackle on her ankle.

 

“Isaac, you’re back.”

 

Rihanna stood up slowly, and Isaac approached, demanding,

 

“What on earth happened? They say you tried to flee your house arrest!”

 

“……”

 

On his way back, Isaac learned that quite a few incidents had taken place in Helmut. The biggest one: Rihanna had tried to break free of the punishment the family head had imposed on her.

 

She tried to escape, but was caught again by the family head.

 

They crossed swords once more, and Rihanna suffered a crushing defeat.

 

This was the result.

 

A warning of sorts, telling her not to challenge the family head’s authority again.

 

“Why would you do that, Rihanna? This isn’t like you.”

 

At Isaac’s question, Rihanna’s lips parted. In the old days, she would have stayed silent here, but…

 

“Seems like… I just wanted to run away from making a choice.”

 

“A choice?”

 

Seeing the bewildered Isaac, Rihanna shook her head as though forcing herself. She reached out a hand for a moment, only to drop it again right away, as if telling herself she had no right.

 

However, on the contrary, her eyes grew sharper. A stark contrast to how she had just been trembling like a reed moments ago.

 

“Isaac.”

 

The moment she stood face-to-face with Isaac, Rihanna finally appeared to make up her mind. She clenched her fist and declared,

 

“I will become the family head, and—”

 

“……!”

 

“When the sword tournament ends, you will leave this mansion safely.”

 

Absolutely.

 

“I promise.”

 

****

 

“…….”

 

Isaac couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. As he headed down to the first floor, lips pressed tight, he mulled things over in silence.

 

“Isaac! Isaac!”

 

The voice calling him again from the second floor. Sharen, who had somehow returned to her room, was beckoning Isaac with a mischievous grin.

 

“…….”

 

“Hurry up, hurry!”

 

“Haah.”

 

When Isaac entered Sharen’s room, an array of snacks greeted him. Kelsey was pouring tea, and the rose fragrance unique to Helmut filled the air.

 

“Ta-da! Behold my secret stash! Didn’t I say we’d eat together?”

 

“Ah.”

 

He had completely forgotten.

 

“My lady worked so hard to get these. Even though she really wanted to eat the few that were left, she said she’d wait for you, Isaac-nim, and held back.”

 

“D-don’t say that!”

 

Seeing Sharen turn red with embarrassment, Isaac let out a faint laugh. He’d been a bit overwhelmed moments ago, but putting something sweet in his mouth helped him relax.

 

‘Star cookies.’

 

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t said hello to Milli yet.

 

‘ She’s probably busy receiving guests,’ he thought. He wanted to greet her soon and try her cooking.

 

Munching on one of the star cookies, Isaac scolded Sharen matter-of-factly.

 

“Where did you even go looking for these star cookies?”

 

“W-what! Why?!”

 

“You nearly… Haah, never mind.”

 

Who would believe she’d almost become a traitor to humanity over a cookie? Isaac sighed and tried to let it slide, but it seemed Kelsey had plenty to say.

 

“That’s right, my lady. Do you know how difficult it was for the servants? We searched all the neighboring villages just to find them.”

 

“What?! N-no! B-but they’re delicious…”

 

Her voice grew smaller. With Kelsey and Isaac both staring, she finally lowered her head, dejected, and apologized.

 

“S-sorry… I won’t do it again.”

 

Sharen really had changed. Impressed, Isaac popped another star cookie into his mouth.

 

****

 

At the Helmut mansion, a lavish banquet was being held every evening these days.

 

It was to entertain the guests who had come after receiving invitations.

 

In particular, tonight’s main topic was the official rounds of the sword tournament, which would begin tomorrow.

 

Usually, this event showcased the Helmut family sparring amongst themselves to display their power.

 

But this time, there were more than a few external participants. One of them was Silverna. She hadn’t arrived yet, but had sent a letter confirming her participation.

 

Milli is nowhere to be seen.

 

And here was Isaac, competing as the husband of “Blood Rose” Rihanna Helmuth. Even though he bore the Helmuth name, no one approached him; Isaac didn’t mind.

 

He, on the other hand, would rather have seen Milli, his only friend in the mansion. Being a chef, though, she was likely holed up in the kitchen.

 

“Ah, there you are!”

 

The woman’s voice he’d heard at the market earlier called out to him. Clarice, no longer dressed like the shabby adventurer from before, now appeared in an elegant gown fit for a princess.

 

Princess Clarice, approaching him first—this drew hushed whispers from the surrounding nobles as they glanced their way. It was awkward, but he couldn’t very well tell a princess to leave him alone.

 

“I’ve been looking for you. I was worried you might not see me as a princess after I showed you such a scruffy side.”

 

Clarice smiled sweetly. Isaac, thinking she worried about the strangest things, changed the subject.

 

“So, did you gather a lot of information today? You mentioned you’d get plenty of valuable intel by going around yourself.”

 

At Isaac’s question, Clarice’s face stiffened a little. She nodded with an awkward smile.

 

“I heard a man named Poron in a nearby village got stung by a bee yesterday.”

 

“……”

 

“And a fellow named Jake, who lives next door to Poron, had to get a tooth pulled. Must’ve been pretty painful.”

 

“……”

 

“And then—there’s that kebab shop, right? People said it tasted awful and started complaining—”

 

“…….”

 

Isaac stared blankly, clearly unimpressed. Clarice placed a hand over her chest, let out a hoo, and then fixed him with a serious look, declaring,

 

“Allow me to explain logically just how important—so very important—those pieces of information are… in a way even a fool could understand. Come with me.”

 

‘Ah, great.’

 

Clarice, unwilling to admit her information was useless, burned with the need to prove herself right. Isaac could only sigh, exasperated by her competitive spirit.

 

Right then, her escort knight discreetly interjected.

 

“The match-ups are out.”

 

They had just completed the bracket draw for the sword tournament in front of the banquet hall.

 

Isaac found his name and frowned.

 

Isaac Helmut vs. Silverna Caldias

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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