Chapter 49: The Head of Helmut Family

The Helmut Estate.

Arandel, who was extremely busy preparing for the Sword Festival, was currently receiving a guest.

Not a guest he particularly wanted to meet.

It was at the request of his wife, Galenia Helmut, that he agreed to this meeting. She had insisted that this guest could provide significant help for the upcoming Sword Festival, so Arandel decided to meet them.

The visitors were from Blackson.

From Arandel's perspective, someone who had no interest in the weak, Blackson did not pique his curiosity in the slightest.

In truth, Blackson was not a family to be looked down upon anywhere else.

But at least in Arandel's presence, no matter how much they prided themselves on their swords as both their livelihood and honor, they had no choice but to bow their heads and submit.

If Arandel deemed someone weak, then in his presence, they were weak—without question.

The one who came from Blackson was their eldest son, Phil Blackson.

His noble upbringing was evident in his appearance, and his straight posture exuded confidence.

However, Arandel could tell that this confidence did not stem from Phil's own self-esteem.

There was another man accompanying Phil.

A man at least a head taller than him, standing silently by his side.

He might have appeared to be just an aide, but it was obvious at first glance.

The man standing beside Phil was far more skilled than Blackson's eldest son.

"I greet the great Helmut. Thanks to Lady Galenia's graciousness, I have been given the honor of meeting you."

Phil Blackson bowed respectfully.

Arandel rested his chin on the armrest, offering no response.

His gesture made it clear—he was busy, so if they had something to say, they should get straight to the point.

Feeling awkward, Phil hurriedly continued.

"Ahem, the reason for my visit is simple. We, Blackson, believe we can offer you something of great value."

"...."

"Lord Arandel, humans cannot fly. Humans cannot breathe underwater. Humans cannot survive without sunlight."

Despite being told to get to the point, Phil was dragging the conversation with unnecessary preamble.

His speech, delivered as if he were reading a script, was irritating.

The urge to cut out his tongue crossed Arandel's mind.

Still, he decided to humor the jester for now.

What was it that made him so full of himself?

"No matter how great a knight you are, Lord Arandel, you are still bound by the limits of humanity."

"However, we are different! We have transcended human limitations! What we wish to offer you is precisely that power!"

"...."

"Have you ever heard of the Transcendents?"

Phil Blackson's voice turned secretive, his tongue flickering like a serpent's as he spoke.

"Beings beyond humanity. A race born to rule over all others! And they wish to collaborate with you, Lord Arandel—"

"Enough."

With a sigh, Arandel cut him off.

"I'm not interested."

Then, without another glance, he resumed reviewing the details regarding the Sword Festival, checking arrangements with merchants and vendors.

Despite being dismissed with just a single sentence, Phil Blackson was paralyzed with fear.

He stood frozen, his lips drying out as he failed to muster another word.

Eventually, the man beside him stepped forward.

"Lord Arandel, have you never questioned the nature of Helmut's body?"

"...."

"Helmut possesses a physique blessed beyond human limits. A body that can hardly be called human."

"...."

"And yet… the same can be said for the Transcendents. No, the true Transcendents can effortlessly surpass even Helmut's physical prowess."

There was no deception in his gaze.

He was serious—there were Transcendents stronger than Helmut.

"We believe that Helmut is closer to the Transcendents than to humans."

"...."

"Isn't it ridiculous? These so-called nobles, playing rulers just because they wield a bit of power? From our perspective, they're all the same."

"They are ants. Queens, soldiers, workers—it doesn't matter. They're just ants, easily crushed underfoot."

"So, Lord Arandel, let us join hands and claim true freedom—!"

Arandel slowly rose from his seat and glanced out the window.

He saw Helmut's knights and Sharon's carriage arriving.

It was time to prepare.

His gaze fell upon the row of greatswords lined up beside his office.

Reaching out, he grabbed the oldest, most worn-down one.

He stepped forward without hesitation.

Crack.

Realizing that Arandel was no longer listening, the man bared his teeth.

Blocking the door, he growled—

"It seems you still don't understand."

Crunch! Crack!

A grotesque horn sprouted from his head.

His skin darkened, his eyes turned a deep, blood-red hue.

With small wings emerging from his back, he now resembled something one could only call a demon.

"Our greatness shall-!"

His words never reached completion.

Because his head had already been severed and had fallen to the floor.

Thud.

The transcendent being couldn't even leave behind a proper final statement.

Phil Blackson, who had been watching as a mere bystander, only realized three seconds later-

Arandel had swung his sword.

And the transcendent being was dead.

"H-heooook!"

With each step he took, the entire mansion seemed to tremble under his overwhelming presence.

Yet, despite this, no one had even seen the moment he swung his sword.

Phil Blackson trembled, yet in his mind, something finally clicked.

'So that's why they were so obsessed with Arandel!'

Why had they gone so far as to bribe Galenia Helmut just to arrange this meeting?

He had wondered about it, but now that he had witnessed it with his own eyes, he understood.

A body stronger than Helmut's? Humans are nothing more than ants?

Then…

Then that means…

'There was never any need to persuade Arandel in the first place, dammit!'

Only now did he realize.

They spoke as if they were superior, yet in truth, they feared Arandel.

They wanted to bring him to their side, not out of arrogance, but out of desperation.

Only now did he understand.

Now that everything had been decided.

Now that his own life was hanging by a thread.

If there was any silver lining…

Just like the first strike…

'What should I do? What should I say to survive?'

He hadn't even noticed the second.

'First, I should kneel!'

Even as his head was being severed and falling to the floor, he was still desperately thinking about how to survive.

Clatter!

"Father!"

Bursting through the door of the office, Liana's eyes immediately landed on the two corpses.

Their heads had been cleanly severed, blood gushing out in waves.

Standing still in the pool of blood was her father.

However, Arandel didn't spare a single glance at the corpses.

Instead, he turned to greet Liana.

Blood dripped steadily from the old greatsword in his hand.

"You've come, my daughter."

"…Father."

"You've taken up the sword because you're prepared, I assume."

That, too, was something he had already anticipated.

Liana gave a small nod and began unraveling the white bandages wrapped around her Ragnavel.

The bandages she had used as a makeshift scabbard unraveled completely.

"Don't tell me you'll accept punishment willingly."

Aranel calmly warned her.

"You could die."

***

Boom! Boom!

Loud crashes echoed from within the mansion, prompting Lohengrin, the eldest son, to rush inside.

"W-what is happening?!"

He had been out organizing the village's street vendors and securing passageways.

But now, a massive commotion had erupted in the mansion.

Even the garden, where red roses bloomed in full, trembled from the shockwaves.

At the entrance of the mansion, the family had gathered.

Among them, the most eye-catching was Alois, whose leg was broken, and Galenia, who was concerned about him.

"Mother, what is going on?!"

"Lohengrin."

Galenia greeted Lohengrin with a dark expression. She answered with a worried look on her face.

"Liana has returned…"

"Ah."

That alone was enough of an answer. Liana had secretly gone to the frontlines, and now she was being reprimanded.

Bang! Crash!

The sound of a large sword clashing against another resonated like thunder. The red light spilling out of the window signaled that something serious was happening.

'What in the world is going on…'

Liana's strength was something Lohengrin had come to understand from the training they did before she left. That's why he had tried even harder, but now he wondered if he could ever face their father in a duel like this.

Did Galenia sense his unease?

She gently took his hand.

"Don't worry."

"Mother…!"

"You must stand tall, mustn't you? Especially as the future head of the family."

"…You're right, Mother."

Lohengrin steeled his resolve. If he collapsed here, what would happen?

Just as he was about to gather his determination.

Crash!

The gates were shattered, and Arandel Helmut emerged. He had Liana by the neck, as if he were a predator with his prey, evoking the image of a beast king.

Liana's hair was disheveled, stained with blood and sweat, and she appeared to have already lost consciousness.

Thud!

"Take her inside and tell her to reflect until I permit her to leave."

With those words, Arandel went back inside. The great sword in his hand was so damaged that it seemed it could no longer be used, revealing just how fiercely Liana had resisted.

***

After receiving treatment, Liana lay in her bed. The familiar scent of roses, though long absent, enveloped her as she closed her eyes for a moment.

Since she couldn't go outside until the head of the family permitted it, she quietly thought to herself that she was glad she had broken Alois' leg in advance.

Creak.

The door opened, and in walked none other than her mother, Galenia Helmut.

"…"

Liana pretended to sleep on purpose, but Galenia smiled and stood by the bed.

"Why did you do that to Alois?"

"…"

"He's a good boy. Even while being treated by the mage, he only worries about you."

"…"

"Well, if you're not going to answer, that's fine."

Galenia, already knowing that Liana was awake, smiled brightly and gently patted her head.

"Don't hate him too much. We are family, after all."

"…"

"My dear daughter, love your family."

With a warm smile, Galenia stroked Liana's cheek.

"You must become the family head, after all."