Chapter 55: Sword Tournament (2)

 

The next morning.

 

Isaac was sitting blankly in the servants’ dining hall, having breakfast.

 

The Sword Festival would start in the evening, so he needed a hearty meal. However, from the way he listlessly chewed his bread with a drained expression, he looked rather dejected.

 

“You look like you’re out of energy.”

 

Milli, a cook of the same age and also a fellow commoner, cautiously approached. She, too, seemed worn out lately, likely from being busy preparing for the Sword Tournament. Her face looked tired and haggard.

 

“Ah, well…… yeah.”

 

He could only sigh.

 

Hadn’t he come thoroughly prepared for the Sword Tournament?

 

He’d been sparring non-stop with Jonathan and Sharen, even Rihanna, determined to figure out how to counter Helmut-style swordsmanship.

 

But in the end, the one chosen was Silverna.

 

He wondered if there had been some kind of tampering, but it didn’t seem that way.

 

Arandel Helmut wasn’t the type of person to pull something like that in the first place.

 

‘Well, I guess I just have to win somehow.’

 

But Silverna still hadn’t arrived.

 

Would she even make it today?

 

‘It feels like there’s nothing but complicated matters during this Sword Tournament.’

 

He had to track down whoever in the Helmut family was colluding with the transcendents, and he also wanted to test himself in the Sword Tournament.

 

“Hey, Milli. While I was gone, has anything strange happened?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Milli looked flustered. Her bigger-than-expected reaction surprised Isaac instead.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Oh, something strange did happen.”

 

Milli quietly slid some of the other dishes on the table over to Isaac.

 

“That you’re not really eating. Don’t be picky; eat a lot. You need your strength for today.”

 

“…….”

 

“Is it not tasty?”

 

“No, it’s delicious. It’s the best.”

 

A warm dining table…

 

Even though he couldn’t sit at the table prepared for esteemed guests and had to eat at this humble servants’ table, this was still Isaac’s most comfortable moment in the Helmut estate.

 

“Milli, watch the Sword Tournament carefully today.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’ll show you how much I’ve changed.”

 

Perhaps because of that, Isaac boasted somewhat childishly to Milli—something he rarely did.

 

Milli, on the other hand, gave a wry smile and poured him some water.

 

“Just don’t push yourself too hard. You know the most important thing is not getting hurt, right?”

 

“I’m not the Isaac you remember. I’ll show you how much I’ve grown in the north.”

 

He wanted to let her know she didn’t need to worry about him anymore.

 

That when she thought of him leaving the estate, instead of remembering a face overshadowed by worry, she could smile warmly, like sunlight.

 

Isaac wanted to show that he was worthy of her trust.

 

‘Sorry, Silverna.’

 

Today, he absolutely cannot lose.

 

****

 

[Isaac Helmut]

 

“…….”

 

Night fell.

 

Isaac blinked at the match-up results posted so conspicuously.

 

“That idiot……”

 

Isaac clenched his fist.

 

Because Silverna was inexplicably late, Isaac advanced without even drawing his sword, winning by default.

 

Thanks to that, the surrounding chatter was in an uproar, complaining that Caldias was disrespecting Helmut.

 

Even Arandel Helmut looked displeased, so there was no need to say more.

 

After all, this Sword Tournament was a Helmut family event, and it felt like it was being mocked.

 

“Congrats on winning by default!”

 

Sharen, hopping excitedly nearby, offered her congratulations.

 

Isaac reached out and lightly tugged on her cheek, annoyed at her oblivious teasing.

 

“Why’d you do that! Isn’t this a good thing?”

 

“Haa, yeah. Great.”

 

He had spoken so confidently to Milli, but ended up moving on by default—he couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed.

 

“But it looks like you’ll lose tomorrow, right?”

 

Sharen sighed regretfully as she pointed to the bracket.

 

Isaac shrugged and let out a hollow laugh, because truthfully, he hadn’t expected to face him this soon.

 

[Isaac Helmut vs Lohengrin Helmut]

 

“Isaac, just remember one thing: don’t goof around and end up getting beat up!”

 

“Why do you sound like you’re the one planning to get beat up?”

 

Isaac immediately grabbed Sharen by the head and shook her side to side, causing her to shriek.

 

Despite that, her excited tone suggested she found it quite entertaining.

 

When he finally stopped, Sharen—though dizzy—voiced her genuine concern:

 

“You know it too, Isaac. Lohengrin never holds back. The knight he fought this time ended up beaten to a pulp.

 

And especially since you’ve already been on the receiving end of his fists a few times, Lohengrin won’t feel even a shred of guilt about hitting you again.

 

Remember? The day he lost to Rihanna, he got super mad at you and started beating on you like crazy?”

 

Listening to the story, Isaac suddenly felt curious.

 

“By the way, Rihanna is your unnie, but you call Lohengrin ‘that guy’?”

 

“Huh? Then should I call him ‘Hyung’? I don’t acknowledge them as my older brothers at all.”

 

“…….”

 

Sharen had always been this way.

 

“Anyway, I hope Isaac doesn’t get hurt! Especially not by those idiots!”

 

“Haha.”

 

At the Helmut estate, it felt as if there was now another place, aside from being with Milli, where Isaac could feel at ease.

 

Maybe that was why.

 

“Let’s go, Sharen. Milli said she’d prepare a really nice dinner for me tonight, figuring I’d have a rough day.”

 

There would be another banquet today.

 

Milli had said she’d make something especially for Isaac, so it was best to show up early.

 

It was a precious moment—

 

and it felt okay to share it with Sharen as she was now.

 

“Ooh!”

 

Sharen followed him, smiling, and asked:

 

“But what hardship did Isaac go through today?”

 

“…….”

 

****

 

Rihanna was gazing at the flowers placed in a vase.

 

The single rose looked as if it might wither at any moment, but Rihanna didn’t seem interested in replacing it.

 

Even though it was the period of the Sword Festival, she wasn’t appearing in public.

 

Normally, it wasn’t good for the eldest daughter not to show her face at such an event, but the fact that Arandel was prohibiting her from appearing in public was proof enough that he was furious with Rihanna.

 

Bang!

 

Just then, the door flew open with a crash.

 

Rihanna slowly turned her gaze toward it, and there stood Lohengrin, glaring at her and panting with fury.

 

“I won’t waste words. I’m going to become the family head, Rihanna.”

 

Had something happened?

 

From his tone, it seemed like Lohengrin was running hot with anger.

 

“…….”

 

Rihanna didn’t bother responding.

 

She had already resolved to become the head of the family, but there was no need to tell Lohengrin that.

 

However, it was a situation where silence was also an answer.

 

“Tomorrow, I’m fighting that brat Isaac.”

 

“……!”

 

Rihanna’s eyes trembled for an instant.

 

Lohengrin caught that reaction and curled his lips into a sneer before speaking again.

 

“No matter what you say—I plan on crippling him.”

 

“Lohengrin!”

 

Rihanna finally stood up, a faint red aura of rage seeming to stir at her feet.

 

But Lohengrin didn’t back down in the slightest.

 

“Tomorrow will be a warning, Rihanna. If Father chooses you and you become the head of the family—”

 

Grinding his teeth, Lohengrin stepped closer, snarling at Rihanna.

 

“Don’t think it ends tomorrow. If you really become head of the family, let’s see how long you can keep that brat at your side. I’m curious.”

 

With that, Lohengrin shoved Rihanna aside and stormed out.

 

In her mind, two voices overlapped:

 

[Become the family head, Rihanna.]

 

[That’s the only way to save Isaac.]

 

Her mother had spoken those words calmly, with a gentle smile.

 

[The moment you become head of the family—]

 

[Know that your husband will no longer be among the living.]

 

Lohengrin had bared his teeth, issuing that warning outright.

 

Though both sides wanted different things, they used the same threat.

 

From Rihanna’s perspective, it was as if a knife had been plunged into her throat.

 

But now, she needed to stand firm.

 

‘Yes.’

 

Rihanna steeled herself.

 

Tonight—

 

She would kill Lohengrin.

 

Or so she resolved.

 

Knock, knock, knock.

 

Though there was no answer, the visitor just knocked and then opened the door anyway.

 

By this point, one might wonder if this was really “house arrest.”

 

But the woman who entered possessed enough influence to ignore such technicalities.

 

“Ahem. Hello?”

 

Smiling broadly, the woman waved lightly.

 

Rihanna hastily dropped to one knee.

 

“Princess Clarice.”

 

“I heard you were under house arrest, but you don’t look so good.”

 

With a subtle smile, Clarice placed a hand on Rihanna’s shoulder.

 

“Shall we have a little talk?”

 

* * *

 

“Where did the Princess go?”

 

In the evening banquet hall, Isaac searched for Princess Clarice with his eyes, but she was nowhere to be seen.

 

He’d heard she was investigating the traitor again today. He wondered if she had found anything.

 

“Wow, there’s literally no one near Isaac.”

 

Sharen, now dressed in a gown, circled around Isaac and muttered to herself.

 

All the other Sword Festival participants were surrounded by nobles, all chatting away.

 

But because Isaac was the only one who advanced by default today, he wasn’t attracting much attention.

 

On top of that, he was also just a commoner who’d married into the family.

 

If Rihanna were here, perhaps it would’ve painted a different scene.

 

“Isaac.”

 

Just then, Milli approached cautiously.

 

Her chef’s uniform, cleaner than usual, hinted at how much care she was putting into the cooking tonight.

 

“Over there.”

 

“Ah, right.”

 

Thanks to her, Isaac could quietly savor the stew she’d prepared separately.

 

“I want some, too.”

 

Sharen followed behind.

 

For a moment, Milli’s expression darkened, but she didn’t say anything.

 

They settled at a small table of their own.

 

On the tablecloth sat the stew, which might seem a bit meager to others, but Isaac smiled contentedly.

 

As he took his seat, a rich aroma drifted up.

 

It was just the sort of dish Isaac loved.

 

He preferred dishes enjoyed commonly by the lower classes but made with more luxurious ingredients—especially something with plenty of meat chunks, which was perfect.

 

“This is it? Didn’t you say it was fancy?”

 

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

 

“Huh? Well, there’s no need to apologize. Actually, if you think about it, maybe Isaac just has cheap tastes?!”

 

“No, I really am sorry.”

 

At Milli’s somewhat excessive apology, Sharen pouted and then grew awkwardly silent.

 

Maybe once she tasted the stew, she’d change her mind.

 

“The consistency is perfect. Lots of meat, too. As expected, Milli knows my taste in food.”

 

Isaac praised her with a laugh, and Milli bowed her head before setting out the rest of the dishes on the table.

 

They looked modest, but every single one had a thoughtful touch, clearly meant for Isaac.

 

Looking at them all, Isaac felt a little guilty.

 

“I haven’t really shown anything today, though.”

 

“It’s so you can do better tomorrow.”

 

Milli gave him a faint smile.

 

“Ha, Milli. Are you sure you don’t want to be my personal chef? I’ll figure out a way to pay you.”

 

At Isaac’s proposal, Milli only smiled the same gentle smile.

 

Just as he lifted a spoonful—

 

“Isaac.”

 

“Mm?”

 

“You seem really different now. Sitting here with Miss Sharen like this.”

 

Isaac glanced at Sharen.

 

She was happily devouring the stew, apparently too focused on eating to listen to their conversation.

 

“Well, yes. I’ve really changed a lot. And I especially want you to see that.”

 

Tomorrow, he would face Lohengrin.

 

Isaac sincerely hoped Milli would come watch.

 

“If I can, I definitely will.”

 

“…Milli. Is something wrong?”

 

Isaac put down his spoon and asked calmly. He felt a strange unease at how off Milli seemed compared to usual.

 

“Please eat while it’s still hot. The stew will get cold.”

 

“…….”

 

Slowly, Isaac lifted his spoon again.

 

The warmth of the stew touched his tongue, then slid down his throat.

 

“Wow—.”

 

He was honestly, truly impressed.

 

He hadn’t expected it to be this delicious.

 

“Milli, this is really—!”

 

Isaac couldn’t finish his sentence.

 

Because Milli suddenly collapsed right where she stood.

 

“…Milli?”

 

For a moment, Isaac couldn’t grasp what was happening.

 

But as soon as he saw blood at the corner of Milli’s mouth, a searing headache jolted through him, almost paralyzing his senses.

 

“Milli!”

 

He jumped up in a panic to grab her—

 

“Aaaargh!”

 

A scream erupted from another part of the hall.

 

Sharen, who had jumped up in shock at the sight of Milli collapsing, was now running in the opposite direction.

 

“Moooom!”

 

Galenia Helmut—

 

in the middle of her meal, she was clutching at her throat with both hands, eyes bloodshot, clearly in agony.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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