Chapter 48: The Chaos of Helmut

"This is… what on earth…"

The moment he stepped inside to check out Liana's gift, an exclamation slipped from his lips.

She had said she gathered the intestines, bones, and hides of the beast, so he had expected a bundle reeking of decay.

Yet, upon entering the room, what filled the air was not a foul stench but a dense and fragrant scent of mana.

His body felt invigorated, and his skin became moist and refreshed. Could this really be the environment created by the corpse of such a monstrous and vicious creature?

On the desk lay various byproducts, and beside it rested a massive bone.

Considering the creature's sheer size, the quantity wasn't overwhelming, but even this much was precious enough.

After all, the byproducts of beasts like the Bricalla held immense value in and of themselves.

"It might be possible."

Taking the byproducts along with the Roselixir that Lohengrin had given him, Isaac stepped outside.

His hopeful steps led him toward Vivian. Originally, he had planned to visit him for his regular check-up the next day, but the mere presence of the Bricalla's byproducts had filled him with such unexpected anticipation that he couldn't wait.

"No."

Vivian responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"..."

The sharp smell of disinfectant in the infirmary was like a sour wake-up call, snapping him out of his excitement.

"If it were that easy, the Magic Tower would have figured it out already. Aren't you being a bit too naïve?"

"..."

"I told you last time, didn't I? The Magic Tower has already researched this extensively. A person's constitution doesn't change that easily."

"..."

"If simply eating something beneficial could increase one's mana, then why would talent matter? Why would we need to select mages at all?"

Was he offended?

Or was he irritated that he hadn't taken his words seriously last time?

Either way, Vivian poured out his grievances one after another.

"What I'm saying is, don't take this lightly. But, well… leave the intestines and the Roselixir here. I'll ask an herbalist I know to take a look."

After about ten minutes of lecturing on talent, mages, and the nature of one's constitution, he finally said he would consult an herbalist.

If he was going to help in the end, couldn't he have just said so from the start?

Still, in the past, he would have dismissed it outright as a waste of time.

Perhaps their relationship had improved enough for him to at least entertain the idea.

"Hmm."

Leaving the infirmary, Isaac checked the remaining materials.

He hoisted a bone, twice as long as an adult man's arm, onto his shoulder and rolled up the hide like a scroll, securing it to the bone.

It reminded him of the times he used to go fishing while working as a boatman.

He wasn't particularly good at it, though.

"Isaac, there you are. I was looking for you."

As he stepped outside, he ran into Silverna, who had apparently gone to his quarters only to find him absent.

"What's up?"

He wondered if there was something important, but what Silverna handed him was completely unexpected.

"Here, take this."

"What is it?"

Resting in Silverna's palm was a silver-tinged earring.

Its design was simple, almost plain.

Having wielded a sword made from Frostsilver, Isaac immediately recognized what it was made of.

"This is made of Frostsilver."

"Yes, I made it from the leftover material after forging your sword."

"..."

Frostsilver, even in the form of an earring, was still incredibly valuable.

He was about to refuse, but before he could, Silverna forcibly shoved the earring into his pocket.

Burdened with the bone, Isaac couldn't resist properly and just ended up taking it.

"Wear it later."

"What if people see it?"

Earrings were accessories meant to be seen by others.

He had received permission to carry a sword, but wearing an earring felt a bit too much.

"Who else but someone from the North would recognize Frostsilver?"

"..."

It wasn't wrong.

Frostsilver wasn't something commonly seen in the market. At best, only royalty would be able to recognize it.

'Still, accepting something like this feels a bit…'

Isaac's expression darkened, prompting Silverna to casually pat his shoulder with a chuckle.

"Come on, let's not make a big deal out of this. One of us has already moved on and feels nothing anymore, so are you really going to keep reading too much into the things I give you?"

"Silverna."

"If it's that burdensome, give the sword back too. That probably feels like some kind of dowry to you, huh?"

"Ahem."

Isaac subtly turned his body, blocking her from taking the sword back.

'She wants to stay as friends, so there's no need for me to make things awkward.'

If she had already moved on, it would be rude for him to overreact. So, Isaac decided to honestly accept her goodwill.

That's why Isaac chose to simply accept her goodwill.

"Thanks, I'll use it well."

Earrings, huh?

He had never worn them in his past life.

'Well, life is about challenges.'

This was only his second life, after all.

He might as well experience new things.

'Anna was right.'

On the other hand, Silverna was inwardly delighted as she watched Isaac accept her gift.

Right now, Isaac's emotional defenses were practically impenetrable.

By using his status as a married man, he had even built a moral barrier around himself.

If Silverna tried to appeal to him too directly, it would only push him further away.

That's why she decided to follow Anna's advice. The name of the strategy? "We're Just Friends."

[Milady, do you know how Lady Liana got close to Sir Isaac? It was by rowing a boat together and bonding over time.]

[You're already in a much better position. You fought alongside him, risking your life. Friends become lovers, lovers become spouses—it's the natural flow of things.]

[You need to stay close. You've already gifted him a sword, so you hold the upper hand here. Keep giving him presents so that, when the time comes, he'll find it hard to refuse you.]

[The moment he gets divorced, you snatch him up immediately!]

Anna, who had learned about romance from novels, had a rather aggressive approach.

But surprisingly, Silverna found it quite appealing.

'Last time at the infirmary, I got weak…'

She had felt like an intruder between Isaac and Liana and ended up leaving in a hurry.

But Liana was gone now.

With that weight off her heart, Silverna smiled warmly and made a suggestion.

"I'm off duty today. Want to grab a beer?"

The casual offer made Isaac's expression relax.

"Sounds good. I actually had something I wanted to discuss with you."

"A discussion?"

Isaac shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"I have a theory I've been thinking about."

"A theory?"

"Look, if increasing internal mana is too difficult, then what if we instead—"

Before they knew it, they had completely immersed themselves in conversation, exchanging ideas.

Laughing and chatting as they walked side by side, the two made an unexpectedly well-matched pair.

***

A few days later.

The Helmut estate, which had been quiet and solemn, was now buzzing with a lighter atmosphere.

Residents from nearby villages had set up tents and stalls in preparation for the festival.

From royalty to commoners, everyone came to watch the Sword Festival.

Certain nobles received invitations and were accommodated at Helmut's mansion,

But even those without invitations were free to enjoy the festival.

The Sword Festival was an event open to outsiders.

In Helmut, the Sword Festival was a serious affair, but for the nearby villages, it was a once-in-four-years celebration where they could indulge to their heart's content.

As a result, the road leading to the estate was already lined with stalls, and some tourists had arrived early to enjoy the festivities.

Arandel permitted all of it.

Some argued that it might undermine the weight of the Sword Festival, but their confidence was unwavering—if such minor matters could be seen as flaws, that was the critic's problem, not theirs.

Moreover, it was their duty to showcase Helmut's swordsmanship to as many people as possible. Accepting the festival's role as a grand attraction was simply part of that mission.

When they arrived at the estate, Liana and Sharen stepped down from the carriage.

"Yaaawn! My body feels stiff."

Sharen stretched, twisting her body side to side while deliberately avoiding looking at Liana.

Her father's punishment would come soon, and she didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.

"Sh-should we go greet them?"

"Yes, my lady."

Feigning casual conversation with Kelsey, Sharen nudged Liana forward.

Hurry up and go, her gaze urged, and Liana reluctantly began walking inside.

"Siiiiister!"

A voice she hadn't heard in nearly a month.

Sharen's expression twisted as she turned toward the source of the voice, while Liana's calm eyes widened.

"Sister! You've finally returned!"

A tall, handsome man.

Helmut's third son, Alois, greeted Liana with a bright smile.

"I'm here too, you know." Sharen muttered, pouting as she pointed to herself.

But Alois' attention was entirely fixed on Liana.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere? If you had told me, I would have gone with you! You must have suffered so much!"

"...."

"I went through a lot too."

"Father is very angry. But don't worry! I've come up with a perfect excuse for you!"

"Has Mother returned?"

"I got hurt too, you know."

"Yes! She's back!"

Sharen, who kept mumbling complaints beside them, had already been pushed to the background.

Sighing, she grumbled and walked ahead into the estate with Kelsey.

"I see. So she's back."

"The timing is perfect. Father is currently welcoming the guests Mother brought. If you memorize the scenario I've prepared and follow it—"

"Guests?"

"Yes! They're from Blackson, apparently?"

"...."

Liana's eyes wavered for a brief moment.

Without hesitation, she turned back toward the carriage and grabbed her greatsword, Ragnavel.

"Sister?"

She moved toward the estate immediately.

"Ah, right. I almost forgot."

Just in case.

Woosh!

Her greatsword traced an arc through the air.

With its scabbard still on, it was closer to a blunt weapon than a blade.

Crack!

Alois' legs shattered instantly.

"GWAAAAAAH!"

A terrible scream rang out as he collapsed to his knees, unable to even muster the strength to reinforce his body with mana.

"Guh…! S-Sister?! What are you—?!"

"Just in case you try to run."

"Wh-what?! Ghhhk! W-what are you talking about?!"

"You said you prepared an excuse for me to give Father, right?"

Liana walked past her writhing brother, heading toward the estate.

"You'd better have an equally good excuse… for why you tried to harm my husband."

Alois could only writhe in pain, as the weight of her quiet warning echoed in his ears.