Chapter 92: Escort

“Huh, how curious. Indeed. Long ago, I once tried wielding a sword with my tail.”

“You told me that was your embarrassing past, right?”

The two people conversing over small sips of liquor: Isaac and the Grandmaster.

Stories that, for some, are memories of the past and for others, predictions of the future, flow back and forth between them.

After downing a cup, the Grandmaster gives a bitter laugh and nods.

“I never intended to deny it, but talking with you like this makes me truly believe in this ‘return to the past’ business.”

Isaac pours another round into the Grandmaster’s cup.

Simply sharing the secret he had long kept to himself brought a sense of relief.

“So, you’re saying the swordsmanship knowledge you possess comes from that era, when you were called the ‘Silent sword.’”

“That’s right. You always called me the child who chases stars.”

“…….”

With a wry grin, the Grandmaster lets out a hollow laugh.

“So that’s why it shone so beautifully back then?”

“Pardon?”

“Your eyes reflected the stars. It was mesmerizing.”

“…….”

Merely the effort of chasing stars, to receive such acknowledgment—it was both humbling and rewarding for Isaac.

The Grandmaster, who once lamented the injury to Isaac’s legs and spoke of his potential, had caused Isaac to harbor doubts about himself.

He had often wondered if he could really have lived up to those expectations, had he not been crippled.

‘It feels good.’

Being recognized like this naturally lifted Isaac’s spirits, helped along by a mild tipsiness.

“I’ve been thinking carefully.”

Smacking her lips, the Grandmaster looked at Isaac.

Her expression was bright, as if a tangled knot has come undone.

“You say I took on many disciples, yet I never once spoke of my past.”

“That’s right.”

Moreover, she had barely involved herself in the war.

In fact, she remained somewhat passive. Even when a sword was held to their throats, unlike the others, she accepted it with unsettling composure.

“I believe, back in that time, I must have been disillusioned.”

“Disillusioned… you say?”

“Disillusioned with humanity.”

In that moment, Isaac recalled walking the night streets of Bolten.

When attacked by the citizens of Bolten, the Grandmaster had tears in her eyes as she tried to stop them.

-Stop right there.

-Doesn’t it look as though what they said might actually be right?

At the time, everything was so urgent that he had glossed over it, but looking back now, those words shouldn’t have been taken lightly.

“That’s probably why I stayed in seclusion. Just taking on new disciples and waiting to die—such was my life.”

“…….”

“I had no other reason for taking on so many students.”

Since these were her own words, Isaac found no room to argue. In truth, the Grandmaster had refused to join the kingdom’s forces even at Princess Clarice’s request back then.

And they simply followed the Grandmaster’s lead.

‘I thought it was a strange choice at the time.’

So that was the hidden backstory.

“But now, this time, you changed something.”

A crescent-moon smile appeared on her lips.

“By trusting you,”

The Grandmaster lightly held out her cup and clinked it against Isaac’s.

“I’ve decided to stand on humanity’s side.”

It was a declaration that she would join the upcoming war against the Transcendents.

Isaac stared blankly at the Grandmaster for a moment, then flashed a bright smile and bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

****

Sharen gazed blankly up at the sky.

About a month had passed since the incident in Bolten.

She had been staying at Isaac’s estate in Evergarde during that time.

A lot had happened.

One major development: all the marriage proposals aimed at Isaac had stopped.

Some claimed his actions in Bolten had been too extreme, tainting him with a notorious reputation.

Though not entirely false, the complaint was that his chosen method had been problematic.

Isaac didn’t feel wronged by this.

He said anyone who hadn’t witnessed that madness firsthand was bound to say such things.

Rumors of cruelty began to circulate about Baron Logan as well, causing Isaac’s once-rising name to falter.

‘It’s already been three months since Isaac left Helmut.’

Sharen sat absentmindedly in a chair, mumbling to herself. To be honest, she was bored.

She still trained with her sword every day, but that was more of a routine than anything else.

Contrary to the rumors that the Transcendents would soon declare war, life was quieter than expected.

‘Maybe it’s all a lie?’

Those so-called Transcendents are just imaginary creatures!

Sharen knew it was nonsense.

After all, she herself had fought against the Transcendents.

“Hmph.”

Sharen hummed alone, shaking her head from side to side.

The capital city was full of bakeries, a paradise for anyone who loves sweet treats. Still, she was broke and forced to rely on Isaac for an allowance, so she had to hold back whenever she indulged.

“Oh, right!”

Jumping to her feet, Sharen headed back inside the estate.

In the dining room, two people were deep in conversation over tea: Isaac and Princess Clarice.

“Just as Isaac reported, investigating nobles with disabled children has revealed a few suspicious details.”

“So the information from Bellingwaltz Mercenary Corps was correct. They’re likely using sorcery-based healing or body enhancements as bait to lure nobles.”

“Exactly. My sister, Princess Adeline, is quietly but thoroughly preparing countermeasures.”

Sharen snuck up from behind and clung to Isaac’s back.

Though their important conversation was momentarily interrupted, neither Isaac nor Princess Clarice scolded her.

“Bored, are we?”

“No, it’s more like—”

Before Sharen could finish, Isaac handed her a snack from the untouched refreshments on the table. She popped it into her mouth and beamed happily.

“If you’re not going to eat it, can I have it?”

Isaac cast a sidelong glance at Princess Clarice. She picked up one piece for herself, then nudged the rest toward him as if saying, “Take them all.”

Sharen took the plate of cookies and headed out. Isaac’s eyes followed her briefly before he resumed his discussion with Princess Clarice.

“In any event, it seems your plan to expand Princess Adeline’s influence is working nicely.”

“Right? All I have to do is feed her the right information, and my sister handles the rest perfectly.”

Princess Clarice smiled, finding it all quite convenient. Just then, Sharen let out a gasp from the dining room entrance.

“Huh?! Huhhh?!”

Sharen backed away, gripping the plate of cookies. Behind her stepped in a stunningly beautiful woman with a mature bearing.

Adeline Seraphia Regardia.

The First Princess.

“Princess?!”

“Unnie?!”

Startled, both Isaac and Princess Clarice jumped to their feet. Princess Adeline greeted them with a gentle smile.

“It’s been a while, Baron Logan. Didn’t I tell you to show your face more often?”

Isaac started to kneel on one knee, but Princess Clarice quickly grabbed his shoulder, preventing him.

“Unnie might try to pull something on Isaac, so that’s why I’m here.”

“Oh my, there’s nothing you won’t say to your unnie, is there?”

Princess Adeline took a seat in one of the empty chairs.

Without meaning to, Isaac suddenly found himself hosting not one but two princesses in his estate.

“The recent Bolten incident was quite striking. I never knew you had that side in you, Baron Logan.”

“Under the circumstances, it was necessary. If I hadn’t acted, I would’ve been the one killed.”

After all, the rioters, driven mad by drugs, had shown no hesitation in taking lives.

“I have quite a few swords encrusted with gems. But I’d love to own a butcher’s blade still drenched in blood…”

Propping her chin on her hand, Princess Adeline gazed intently at Isaac.

Their eyes met—only for a slim hand to swoop in between them.

“Ah-ah-ah! No way, that’s not happening! Isaac is busy! He still has things to do for me!”

“…Things to do for you?”

Isaac frowned at Princess Clarice. She forced a laugh, as though she’d slipped up.

“Haha…”

“So, you came here just to ask me for a favor? I was wondering why you were buttering me up so much.”

“That’s how she is. She never really cares about people’s feelings—she just calculates everything for her own benefit.”

“Ahem.”

Princess Clarice cleared her throat awkwardly, then raised her voice in irritation toward Princess Adeline.

“And what about you, Unnie?! Why are you here?! I need to talk to Isaac about something very important right now!”

“I’m here for something important too. I came here to talk to you.”

Princess Adeline’s gaze grew calm.

Her eyes were like a quiet lake—so mesmerizing that one might want to settle down in their depths.

“I came to tell you there’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself.”

“……”

“Many nobles, led by Baron Logan here, are already working hard. Even the kingdom’s military, which used to be too focused on Helmut, is naturally regaining its balance.”

“……”

“The North is solid, the South is fierce, and the Central region is lofty. The kingdom is ready for them anytime.”

“……”

“I almost wish they’d just show up already.”

Princess Adeline shrugged.

“So, Clarice, if you reconsider—”

“But those Transcendents are full of unknowns. That’s exactly why I’m worried.”

Princess Clarice’s voice trembled.

“They’re a race found nowhere else on the continent. And yet, they have their own culture, history, and traditions—just like us, built over countless years.”

The unknown.

Princess Clarice, who thrived on gathering intel, making judgments, and calculating outcomes, felt uneasy.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something else, something undiscovered, might be lurking out there.

“Just as we had Arandel, there may be something else they’re hiding.”

“Clarice.”

“Which is why, Isaac…”

Princess Adeline tried to speak, but Princess Clarice pretended not to hear and turned to Isaac.

With a faint smile, Princess Clarice spoke carefully.

“I… My marriage has been arranged.”

“……!”

“So, on my way to meet my fiancé… May I ask you to escort me?”

– – The End of The Chapter – –

 

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