Chapter 46: The Revered and Beautiful Goddess, Silverna

"Well, I'll be going now."

Just moments ago, it was a time filled with overwhelming emotions. But now, after a few minutes, it felt awkward and embarrassing.

As Liana cautiously stepped back, Isaac lay back down on the bed.

"Be careful on your way."

Even though she was just going back to her room, what was there to be careful about? Isaac himself wasn't sure, but he blurted out something anyway.

Liana, holding the doorknob, hesitated for a moment before stepping out. She then turned her head slightly, her cheeks flushed.

Her soft voice was as clear as the sound of tapping on a stone bridge.

"Hey, Isaac…"

"Yeah?"

It seemed like she had more to say. But instead of continuing, Liana just stared at him.

"What is it?"

"..."

"Liana?"

Only when he called her name did she flinch. Lowering her head as if reluctant, she muttered.

"You're back."

"..."

"I-I'll be going now."

Liana left as if fleeing. Watching the spot where she had been, Isaac sighed and relaxed his tense body.

'Lia, huh.'

That was a nickname he had only used back when they were together.

The fact that he had unconsciously called her that again left him both embarrassed and bewildered.

'Get a grip, Isaac. Don't let your thoughts wander.'

Liana's appearance was undoubtedly captivating. There wasn't a man in the kingdom who wouldn't be moved by the sight of one of its most famous beauties holding back tears.

But he had already fallen for her once before.

'It absolutely can't happen.'

Isaac took a deep breath and firmly sorted out his emotions.

'As fellow knights. I was just happy. After all, she's the knight I admired.'

"Sigh."

While muttering to himself to get a hold of his thoughts.

Creak.

The door opened again, and Vivian, the medical officer, entered.

"I heard you woke up."

"From Liana?"

"Huh? No, Lady Silverna told me."

Silverna? For a moment, he was taken aback, but he extended his right arm to Vivian for examination.

"You're still in pain, right?"

"Yes, it still hurts."

"To put it simply, you tried to crack a boulder with an egg."

"..."

"Your right arm was the egg. You took an impact beyond your limits, and it was utterly shattered. Once my mana recovers, I'll use healing magic, but you may still have some lingering aftereffects."

Fear crept in.

He still vividly remembered the time he had to give up everything because of an injury.

Seeing the shadow cast over Isaac's face, Vivian added an explanation.

"There's no helping it. If anything, you handled something that wasn't permitted."

"Are we talking about talent again?"

Vivian, who could be called a talent devotee, seemed dissatisfied that Isaac, with his extremely low mana, had demonstrated such swordsmanship, given his belief in magical superiority and the privilege of talent.

"Yes, exactly. It's about talent."

"You saw it with your own eyes."

"That's why…"

Vivian, pressing his hand to her forehead, replied with a sigh and a reluctant tone.

"That's why it's bewildering. What you showed seemed closer to effort than talent."

"..."

"Mages usually don't bend their stubbornness. Because we think and ponder more than others before coming to conclusions!"

He turned away abruptly and hastily tidied up the medicine shelves.

A clumsy attempt to hide his embarrassment.

"So, just know this!

Getting a mage to admit they were wrong is no small feat.

I—I don't just get swayed or change my opinions so easily!"

Vivian cut off the bandages wrapped around the splint on his right arm and began rewrapping them with fresh ones.

"Keep coming for treatment. That way, I can see just how far you can go with that so-called effort. And just how wrong I might have been…"

As Vivian finished wrapping the bandages, it seemed like his thoughts had settled. He took a step back and looked at Isaac with a serious expression.

"Your figure climbing the wall—"

It was a powerless stride challenging the impossible.

"That, in many ways, left a deep impression on me."

Watching Vivian's retreating figure as he returned to his duties, Isaac spoke up.

"Hey—"

"Yes?"

"Even if things have gotten bad between us, calling my wife by a nickname isn't strange, right?"

"..."

Vivian, who had been looking at Isaac with an awkward posture, sniffled and nodded.

"You didn't listen to a word I said, did you?"

Sorry, but he didn't have the mental capacity for that right now.

***

The Great Colony had been dealt with.

The royal family sent supplies to commemorate the celebration and condolences. For several days, the Malidan Wall was filled with a festive atmosphere in the form of a victory banquet.

A massive bonfire was lit In the center of the training grounds, and except for the minimum necessary personnel on duty, everyone was allowed to rest until it burned out. However, they had added long-burning fossil fuels to the firewood, and it had been burning non-stop for three days.

It got to the point where Uldren suspected someone was sneaking in to add firewood every dawn just to extend the break.

In any case.

The Malidan Wall, which had been defended through hardship, was now spending its days in a relaxed atmosphere. But of course, with the Great Colony gone, the time for farewells had also come.

The Reconnaissance Team 5 had gathered together.

While many dispatched nobles were leaving, it was also time for Meladik Drakemoor to depart.

The Drakemoor family had urgently summoned him back, so he had to leave without even sharing a few drinks to bid farewell.

"It feels bittersweet now that I'm actually leaving."

Meladik had come to the north as a promising member of the Drakemoor family to gain combat experience. Despite his age, he had gained considerable battlefield experience, and it had been a time of many realizations.

"You've worked hard, Meladik."

"You've worked hard too, Captain. It feels like just yesterday that I challenged you on the first day."

"It's a good thing you listened after getting beaten up."

Meladik chuckled as he shook hands with Silverna. After shaking hands with each member, he stood in front of Isaac and, unlike the others, gripped Isaac's hand tightly with both hands.

"I learned so much thanks to you. Not just about Drakemoor swordsmanship, but about what it means to wield my sword. I feel like I've finally opened my eyes."

Meladik's heartfelt gratitude for the many lessons and advice he had received. Isaac smiled and replied.

Meladik's words carried the weight of genuine gratitude for all the advice and guidance he had received.

Isaac smiled as he responded.

"Don't mistake learning for imitation. When you wield your sword, it should be entirely your own, so remembered that."

"Huh?"

"..."

"Remember that you are a Drakemoor. Don't try to conform to it; where you go is the path of Drakemoor."

Sniff.

"Ah, the wind."

Trying to hide his welling emotions, he pretended the wind had brushed past his eyes.

And so.

Meladik Drakemoor left.

Many dispatched nobles had left early, complaining that the north was unbearable, but this was the first time someone from Reconnaissance Team 5 had departed. Even though they had only spent a little over a month together, it left an unexpected void in their hearts.

"That's something you said to me before, right?"

On the way back after seeing Meladik off, Silverna quietly approached and asked.

"You told me not to forget that I am Caldias, remember?"

The advice to not conform to Caldias' spearmanship but to become Caldias yourself. It still lingered deep in Silverna's heart, serving as both a source of pride and a catalyst to push herself further in her training.

"Who said that?"

"It was written in a book."

"A book? What book?"

"Please recommend it to her. Let the lady read some books."

As Anna chimed in from the side, Silverna pouted and grumbled. But Isaac laughed helplessly and replied.

"I can't. It's a book that doesn't exist anymore."

To delve a bit deeper, it was an autobiography.

And also a will.

"Hmm?"

Silverna didn't press further. She didn't think she'd actually read the book even if she got her hands on it.

"More importantly, Father wants to see you."

"The Margrave?"

"He's been asking about your condition."

Isaac glanced down at his right arm, which was still wrapped in splints and bandages. Though he had been receiving treatment whenever possible, full recovery would take a few more days, as healing magic consumed a significant amount of mana. For now, he had to settle for basic first aid.

"Did I cause him worry?"

"No, more than that, he said he wants to beat you up as soon as possible."

"…Because of this?"

Isaac pointed to the silver sword resembling an ice crystal hanging at his waist. Silverna, with her arms crossed, nodded with a pout.

"Right?"

"Ahem, Silverna. This sword—"

"This sword? Did you just call it a sword? I'm pretty sure I gave it a name."

"..."

"Don't like it? If you don't, give it back. I'll have Antonio melt it right now—!"

"Alright! I get it!"

Isaac cleared his throat awkwardly. Anna, watching from the side, smirked, while Sharen and Jonathan glanced over.

Liana had already slipped away unnoticed.

"This… 'Revered and Beautiful Goddess Silverna…' is why he wants to see me, right?"

"Yes, exactly. The 'Revered and Beautiful Goddess Silverna' is practically a leak of Frostsilver Light."

"Uh, Silverna. I'm really grateful, but how about changing the name?"

"No."

Silverna shot Isaac a displeased look and strode past him.

"Wait, Silverna. Hold on—!"

As Isaac hurriedly chased after Silverna, who seemed to be sulking, Anna couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

'The lady's got him wrapped around her finger.'

***

The tranquil sunset bathed Helmut's mansion in a warm glow. On Arandel's desk lay a letter filled with flowery language announcing the victory in the north.

With the great colony dealt with, the Sword Festival could proceed without issue.

Although slightly delayed, considering the special circumstances of the Great Colony, it was actually fortunate.

"Did you call for me, Father?"

The eldest son, Lohengrin Helmut, entered the room. His confident smile and cheerful demeanor suggested he had also heard the news over the Great Colony's victory.

"Isn't it truly fortunate? I was worried the Sword Festival might be postponed, but now it can proceed without any issues—"

"You—"

Arandel cut off his son's unnecessary words. It was as if Lohengrin's voice didn't even reach him.

"What are you wielding?"

Lohengrin straightened his shoulders, stood tall, and answered with a bright, confident smile.

"The sword of Helmut."

"..."

Had he answered wrong? Under Arandel's heavy gaze, Lohengrin swallowed hard and added.

"O-Of course, compared to your sword, Father, I still have a long way to go, but—"

"Hah."

A short sigh.

Arandel closed his eyes briefly and uttered a single sentence.

"Do not become a mere imitation."

"…Pardon?"

That was the end of it. Arandel, having nothing more to say, turned his attention back to the letter on his desk.

Lohengrin, standing dumbfounded, bowed slightly and left the room.

"What does that even mean?"

Crack!

Lohengrin clenched his fist so hard it felt like his bones might shatter, his face twisted in frustration.

"Helmut is Father, isn't it?"

Burying his frustration in his chest, Lohengrin headed back outside to resume his training.

Tomorrow, his mother would return.

When she did, he planned to ask her to probe Father's inscrutable thoughts.

'Mother wants me to become the family head, after all.'