Chapter 56: Sword Tournament (3)

 

“Milli—!”

 

“Milliiiiiii—!”

 

He was shouting right in front of her, yet his voice sounded distant and muffled.

 

In Milli’s crimson eyes, the sight of Isaac’s tears suddenly appeared—

 

and in that instant, she was reminded of the moonlit nights she had spent with him.

 

It was a late night back then.

 

Under the moonlit sky, with no one around, he was gripping a greatsword, drenched in sweat.

 

There could be many reasons for practicing alone where no one could see, but for Isaac, it was simple enough.

 

He didn’t want to look pathetic.

 

To his family, seeing him flung about by the greatsword rather than truly wielding it would be nothing but shameful.

 

That was why he trained alone, late into the night.

 

Unfortunately, no matter how many times he gripped and swung the greatsword, he couldn’t overcome his natural limitations. The sheer weight of talent flowing from the Helmut bloodline was simply overwhelming.

 

“Please eat before you continue.”

 

A chef’s morning starts early.

 

Since Milli rose before dawn to prepare breakfast, it was only natural that she grew close to Isaac.

 

Perhaps it was because she was not just a commoner but someone from a small, impoverished district. To survive in the kitchen of the Helmut estate, she needed to be this industrious—and so they came to share a certain sense of camaraderie.

 

They were both working at daybreak to overcome something that felt impossible to defeat.

 

[Thanks again for this morning, Milli.]

 

“Even though you stayed up late yesterday, don’t you think you should rest today?”

 

It was the sort of everyday conversation they shared while gazing at the moonlit sky. In the stillness of dawn, these small exchanges were one of the few respites they could find within the Helmut estate.

 

[Rest? I have to keep trying. I don’t have any talent for the sword.]

 

“Talent...”

 

Milli let out a bitter smile. As someone who did have talent for cooking, she couldn’t help but wonder: even if she had that gift, would it really change anything?

 

Though the head chef recognized her potential and brought Milli in, that didn’t mean everyone in the kitchen acknowledged her. Just as Isaac suffered at the hands of Helmut’s direct bloodline, Milli was struggling amidst the fierce competition in the kitchen.

 

“Isaac, what is it about the sword that makes you try so hard?”

 

Now that they were close enough to speak candidly, Isaac paused at Milli’s question, then brushed it off with a bashful laugh.

 

[I came to admire the sword, so yes, I want to be like that. But more than that...]

 

[I want to stand tall at her side. At Rihanna’s side—that’s where I want to be.]

 

“But you’re her husband.”

 

[I may be her husband, but I’m not worthy of the title. I’m Helmut’s son-in-law and yet I can’t even properly handle a greatsword.]

 

Isaac pressed down on the blisters forming on his palms.

 

If one were to speak bluntly, failing to swing the greatsword properly even after all this effort would indicate a lack of talent. Yet, seeing Isaac gazing up at the night sky—like a child reaching out for a star he could never touch—Milli couldn’t bring herself to say it.

 

“Aren’t you afraid?”

 

[Afraid of what?]

 

Without realizing it, Milli let her voice grow sharp.

 

“Afraid of failing after trying so hard. In the end, doesn’t that mean there’s a realm you’ll never be able to reach?”

 

[...]

 

“I know I have talent... but because of my origins, no one will actually give me a chance.”

 

[To be honest...]

 

After a brief silence, Isaac replied, looking a bit self-conscious.

 

[I’m sorry, but I’ve never really been afraid of that. I am preparing, though.]

 

“Preparing...?”

 

[If, no matter how hard I try, I’m still not good enough to stand by my wife—]

 

He spoke nonchalantly, but there was a clear sadness in his tone.

 

[Then I’ll have to leave. Because that would be what’s best for Rihanna.]

 

“...!”

 

Those words struck Milli deeply. Despite working this hard, it wasn’t even for himself.

 

“But Isaac...”

 

[Yeah?]

 

Was that really what Rihanna wanted as well?

 

Milli felt the question on the tip of her tongue but swallowed it back.

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

She shook her head, deciding it wasn’t her place to say more.

 

Isaac and Rihanna had been married for six months.

 

****

 

By the time their marriage reached the one-year mark, rumors began circling within the estate that they had entered a dull phase.

 

Rihanna’s gaze was different now. She no longer gave those silent looks that, without words, conveyed how much she cared. Instead, her demeanor was cold and distant—she often wouldn’t look at Isaac at all.

 

Oddly enough:

 

“…These days, you don’t seem to have any injuries.”

 

[Mm.]

 

Thanks to that, Isaac found himself unscathed more often.

 

[Right...]

 

Yet his expression was worse than ever. Rihanna had never shown much affection to begin with, but lately, it had vanished entirely, leaving him visibly discontent.

 

[Well, I’ll just keep at it.]

 

From Milli’s perspective, Isaac had grown quite a bit over the past year. Before, he could barely manage even to lift the greatsword used by Helmut’s direct bloodline, but now he could actually wield it—albeit with great effort.

 

Like wearing clothes that didn’t fit, Isaac suddenly found himself stuck at a plateau he couldn’t surpass.

 

It was the limit of a mere boatman who had only ever paddled down a river.

 

“I’ll go grab some snacks.”

 

Milli went inside to fetch the potatoes she had steamed just for him. While she was in the kitchen, wrapping the hot potatoes in a towel, tragedy struck.

 

“Madam?!”

 

Galenia Helmut appeared discreetly and held out a small pouch to Milli.

 

[Put this into Isaac’s breakfast tomorrow.]

 

“This…?”

 

Her gaze made it clear there was no need to ask.

 

Milli froze, trembling so hard she couldn’t speak.

 

Gently patting Milli’s stiff shoulders, Galenia spoke as though to comfort her.

 

[There’s no need to worry. Think of it as medicine—something that will keep Helmut healthy.]

 

“…!”

 

[He won’t die. That would inconvenience me as well. So trust me.]

 

Milli shut her eyes tight.

 

For the first time in her life, she mustered every bit of courage she had.

 

“B-But—!”

 

[Millie Marso, the girl from that filthy back-alley city of Bolten.]

 

“…!”

 

[Did you really think you got this job at the Helmut estate just because one head chef took a liking to you?]

 

It bore down on her.

 

Her status.

 

Her bloodline.

 

Her rank.

 

Her society.

 

An absolute figure wielding all the power was pressing her—no different from a predator cornering the back-alley mouse she’d once been.

 

[There was a reason we accepted someone from Bolten. It was all for times like this.]

 

“Ah…”

 

[This isn’t just a matter of conscience. I’m weighing your life, your family’s life, and Isaac on a scale.]

 

Her family?

 

[They say in Bolten, you only need to toss a few coins around to get people to pick up their knives, don’t they?]

 

“Why—why my family—!”

 

[You discovered my secret just now, didn’t you? That moment sealed your fate.]

 

“Ah.”

 

The mistress of Helmut had ordered harm upon her own son-in-law.

 

From the instant Milli realized this, her life was no longer her own.

 

Before she knew it, Milli had the purple pouch in her hand.

 

And she was nodding.

 

****

 

Two weeks later, Isaac, who had recovered somewhat, was once again wielding his sword.

 

But possibly due to the time he’d spent bedridden, even lifting the greatsword proved difficult for him.

 

[Hah… Hah…]

 

Eventually, Isaac set down the sword, breathing heavily as he scanned his surroundings.

 

[Milli?]

 

Normally, Milli would have come to check on him by now, but she was nowhere to be found.

 

[Milli? Huh? Is it her day off?]

 

Isaac headed to the kitchen to look for her, but she wasn’t there either, so he turned and went back outside.

 

“Hic…”

 

Underneath one of the kitchen storage shelves, Milli hid, choking back her sobs.

 

She couldn’t forget Rihanna’s cries when Isaac suddenly fell ill. Nor could she bear to see Isaac, who never once suspected her for his sudden illness.

 

So she avoided him for a while.

 

As time passed, she carried guilt in her heart that refused to go away. Yet she reached a point where she could hide those feelings well enough.

 

Thud.

 

Several years slipped by.

 

On the surface, Milli pretended to be calm, but she was already broken beyond repair. Then, one day, that same purple pouch was placed before her again.

 

And she had only one choice.

 

****

 

“Milli—! Please! Please, snap out of it!”

 

Even as everyone in the banquet hall rushed toward Galenia Helmut, who was writhing in agony, only Isaac stayed by her side.

 

Perhaps her memories were flashing before her eyes like a revolving lantern.

 

Milli’s recollection of past events traveled across time, finally reaching this very moment.

 

As always, in the grandeur of the mansion, the two of them were left alone—isolated from everyone else.

 

“What’s going on? What did you eat?! Milli!”

 

Tears—the kind she never shed despite the oppression and torment—were now falling from Milli’s cheeks. Desperate to save his friend, Isaac shouted urgently around him.

 

“A doctor! Or—no, a mage!”

 

Already, a horde of mages and doctors had swarmed Galenia. Isaac, gritting his teeth, tried to get up in a panic, but Milli clutched his wrist.

 

Her touch was so weak it terrified him.

 

“Milli, don’t worry. I’ll get—”

 

“I… Isaac…”

 

At Milli’s plea, which was almost a whimper, Isaac fought back his urge to call for help and instead held her gently.

 

“Yes, Milli. I’m right here. So—”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“What do you have to be sorry for?! Just hold on— I’ll be right back—”

 

“I really… truly am sorry.”

 

In that moment, as he saw the heavy tears rolling down her cheeks, Isaac realized something was terribly wrong.

 

There was a strange dissonance about the way Milli seemed to accept death so easily.

 

“Huh… ugh… finally—”

 

“Milli, please. Don’t give up. I’ll fix this right away—”

 

“I’m sorry… for apologizing so late… too.”

 

“Stop it! Enough! It doesn’t matter what you say; I’ll listen to it all later. Just… please don’t give up!”

 

Her vision blurred, and his voice, filled with tears, trembled with desperation.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“I have something I want to show you… I’m finally done letting Helmut push me around. I wanted to show you… how I’ve overcome it and moved forward… so you could be proud of me!”

 

Milli’s trembling hand reached for Isaac’s cheek. It was as unsteady and fragile as her life.

 

He placed his own hand over hers.

 

“I’ll forgive you—okay? Milli, please. No matter what wrong you’ve done, it doesn’t matter. So—!”

 

Quietly, Milli’s eyelids began to close.

 

Like a blossom withering away, her hand slipped from his face.

 

“Ah—”

 

Even so, Milli forced a faint smile.

 

“I’m… glad.”

 

Satisfied by Isaac’s words of forgiveness, she closed her eyes for the last time.

 

“…Milli? Milli—!”

 

Her name echoed through the spacious banquet hall.

 

In the great mansion, beneath the faint starlight of dawn, these two had once shared different dreams yet worked tirelessly side by side. They leaned on each other, comforted each other, urged each other on, and sometimes scolded each other—all in order to move forward.

 

They each wished for just one thing:

 

That someday,

 

When they faced each other again,

 

They wouldn’t be crying,

 

Wouldn’t be worrying,

 

But smiling.

 

They just wanted to see each other smile.

 

That was all.

 

****

 

The next day.

 

By the time the sun rose, Milli’s room was already empty.

 

When Isaac finally went to see her, there wasn’t a trace of her left.

 

It was a stark reminder of just how swiftly the “unfortunate incident” at Sword Festival had been dealt with.

 

Galenia was safe.

 

She had shown a bit of discomfort at first, but unlike Milli, she suffered no lasting effects.

 

In fact, she announced that, for the sake of protecting Sword Festival, she would not hold Milli—the one who had supposedly tried to assassinate her—accountable in any way.

 

Many nobles praised Galenia’s generosity.

 

Many called her a saint.

 

Many referred to her as a paragon among nobility.

 

The only thing Isaac was left with—

 

was the portrait of Milli he had drawn long ago.

 

He found it in his room, apparently left there by Milli before the banquet.

 

“……”

 

Behind the frame, he had already read Milli’s letter:

 

How Galenia had planned to harm Isaac.

 

How both her and her family’s lives had been held hostage.

 

How her family had been swept up in the Bolten revolution and gone missing.

 

How she was sorry she could not atone for this in any other way.

 

“……”

 

Included was a vial of “medicine” Galenia had given her.

 

Milli had evidently planned to kill Galenia by using something different from the drug Galenia had originally handed over.

 

It meant she’d been preparing all along for the day she might need such a poison.

 

Yet Milli’s death only served to elevate Galenia even more in the eyes of the public.

 

Tap.

 

Isaac placed the portrait carefully on his desk and smiled gently.

 

Leaving his room, Isaac went straight to see Clarice.

 

She was in the rose garden at the time, and upon hearing reports of how desperately Isaac had wept the night before, she looked at him with concern.

 

“Are you all ri—”

 

“Galenia Helmut.”

 

However, there were no traces of tears left on Isaac’s face.

 

“The mistress of Helmut is the one who colluded against us—”

 

Thanks to a friend’s help, he’d discovered the truth.

 

“I’m convinced she’s already become a Transcendent.”

 

“Is there a reason you believe that?”

 

Milli had died within one or two minutes of ingesting a lethal poison, yet Galenia remained perfectly fine without any special treatment.

 

From what Isaac knew, only one kind of being possessed such monstrous resilience:

 

The Transcendents.

 

“It sounds quite plausible,” Clarice admitted.

 

“I have the letter Milli left behind.”

 

In it, she wrote how people might point fingers at him, but…

 

'You did so much for me.'

 

So don’t worry.

 

If possible, please just keep watching over me, my precious friend.

 

 

 

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

[TL: Dang, those onion-cutting ninjas are back at it again😭.  

 

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