Chapter 51: Leaving the North

Clack.

Galenia opened the door and stepped into the office. She was the only person in this household who could enter Arandel's office without knocking.

Arandel stood silently with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window.

His eyes were fixed on the street stalls set up by the procession from the nearby village.

Despite the two corpses that had been in the room just moments ago, the servants had worked diligently to clean up the scene, leaving behind only the lingering scent of roses.

Galenia walked across the carpet with light steps and stood behind Arandel. She smiled softly and spoke.

"Liana has grown far more than I expected."

"...."

Arandel said nothing, but the greatsword resting on his desk—the one he had just used—was already an answer in itself.

Though her skill was still nowhere near Arandel's, the fact that she had managed to put a dent in his greatsword was proof that she had improved significantly.

"I heard you chose Lohengrin as your successor. Do you still have no intention of changing your mind?"

"...."

"I know why you made Lohengrin your heir. It's because of Liana, isn't it? But Liana has already broken things off with Isaac."

"...."

"Now all you have to do is find her another match, someone suitable for the family."

Galenia's voice quickened.

It was anxiety.

Her eyes were filled with fear and unease as she waited for Arandel to say what she wanted to hear.

"Make Liana the head of the family. And… and—"

She cautiously reached for Arandel's hand.

The moment her fingers touched his thick hands, still clasped behind his back, her face flushed red.

"Let's leave."

"...."

"If Liana becomes the head, you won't have to worry about Helmut anymore. And that commoner son-in-law, the biggest stain on the family, is leaving anyway."

Her voice trembled with emotion. She tightened her grip on his hands and spoke urgently.

"Is it because of the Sword Festival? Because Liana, as a married woman, can't participate? What does that matter? It's just a festival! The successor is ultimately your decision!"

She clasped Arandel's hands with both of hers.

A trembling plea, filled with warmth.

"If Lohengrin becomes the head, will you even be able to leave this estate? You won't! Because it won't be the great Helmut you envisioned!"

So—

"Please, make Liana the head of the family."

Galenia leaned her forehead against his back, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded.

"You need to survive. That's the most important thing right now."

"...."

"Make Liana the head, and come with me. There must be a way to save you. They know how to wield mystical powers and are skilled in medicine."

A short sigh.

Arandel finally turned to look down at his wife.

"Will you do that? Please, I beg you."

His wife pleaded.

But Arandel, unfazed as ever, responded with a question.

"Do you really think those mere beings can save me?"

"They can! I saw it myself in Blackson! They are… they are something beyond human! They use a different kind of magic— They use sorcery, different from magic!"

"And how do you know about them?"

"You don't have to worry. I haven't told them about your condition. They don't even know that we need them."

In reality, it was the opposite. Galenia had manipulated the situation to make the Transcendent Clan desire Arandel instead.

"Let's go, please. Once the Sword Festival is over… we can leave Helmut in a carriage. We can see the flowers, the moon, go on a trip together—just like a picnic. And then—"

A faint smile spread across her lips as she imagined that future.

"We'll become Transcendents. Their sorcery is different from magic; it can heal your illness."

Although they had killed the two envoys, it had instead become a good opportunity to show Arandel's authority. It made them realize just how much they needed someone like Arandel, making them even more unwilling to give up.

Arandel could tell that Galenia had orchestrated all of this.

How deeply she had been involved, how many years she had been laying these plans—

It made him feel strangely distant.

"I refuse."

With that, Arandel shattered all of Galenia's efforts in an instant.

***

Click, clack!

Click, clack!

Even the sound of footsteps alone created an unusual tension within the mansion.

The lady of the house, Galenia, had reddened eyes, but she paid no mind to them.

The passing servants bowed their heads and watched her warily as she walked by.

For Galenia, who was usually nothing but kind, to be in such a state—this was an emergency for the servants.

Those who passed her quickly informed the others, warning them to be cautious.

Galenia made her way outside the mansion.

Following the scent of sweat lingering between the fully bloomed roses, she found Lohengrin wielding a greatsword.

"Mother?"

Lohengrin set down his sword and wiped his sweat.

Having seen Liana and Arandel, he had been training harder than usual.

"Is something wrong? Your eyes—"

"My son."

Galenia clenched her fists and looked at Lohengrin.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Mother?"

"Do whatever it takes to become the family head."

It was the first time Lohengrin had ever heard such a strong declaration. His body tensed instinctively.

"Become the family head. By any means necessary."

"Mother, actually—"

"I already know. I know what you're worried about. It's Liana's true strength, isn't it?"

Lohengrin fell silent.

Even before Liana had left, she had utterly crushed him in battle.

Now that she had returned and was crossing swords with Arandel, his confidence had only dwindled further.

"It doesn't matter. You can do it. Use whatever means necessary. You are the true heir. You must be the head of the Helmut family."

"Mother…!"

Lohengrin looked at Galenia with an overwhelmed expression.

Clenching his fists, he nodded firmly.

"I will surely—no matter what—become the eldest son that lives up to your expectations."

No matter what it took, he would become the head of the family.

A certain man naturally came to mind.

The one who could be called Liana's weakness.

"My son."

Tears welled up in Galenia's eyes as she pulled Lohengrin into an embrace.

Even though he was drenched in sweat, she didn't care in the slightest.

"Ah, my son."

Caressing his head, Galenia let out a bitter sigh, as if cutting away a part of herself.

"I truly love you."

However—

If someone asked her whom she loved more,

She would answer, Arandel.

"Do whatever it takes."

So throw yourself at Liana with all your might.

And be shattered.

To the point where you can never become the family head.

Utterly.

***

Bubble, bubble. Bubble, bubble.

In the Helmut mansion's kitchen,

Chef Millie was diligently simmering a large pot of broth, stirring it with a wooden ladle.

But this wasn't just any ordinary broth.

It was made from premium cuts—ox tailbones, knee bones, and rib bones.

Not only that, but medicinal herbs, known for their health benefits, had also been placed inside a mesh pouch and were being boiled together.

"Hehe."

A perfect meal for his return from the North.

It must have been cold there, so Millie intended to prepare the best stew to warm him up.

She had already arranged for the finest cuts of meat, ensuring they would be delivered fresh on the very day the stew was to be made.

"Whew, you're working hard. I'm heading out first."

"Yes, head chef. You worked hard today."

Even as the night grew late and the kitchen staff left one by one, Millie continued stirring the ladle.

She wiped her sweat with a towel, careful not to let even a drop fall into the pot.

Creak.

The door opened quietly, almost secretively.

"Did you forget something—?"

Millie thought the head chef had returned.

But upon seeing the visitor, her expression stiffened.

"L-Lady Galenia."

She quickly set down the ladle and greeted Galenia.

She had, of course, heard the rumors that Galenia was in a foul mood today.

Perhaps that was why.

Millie couldn't even lift her head out of nervousness.

Thud.

A small purple pouch was placed on the kitchen floor.

It was small enough to be concealed in one hand.

Millie's eyes widened as she quickly looked up.

She knew all too well what this was.

"...!"

"When I give the signal, put this in Isaac's meal."

"My lady, that is—!"

"You must do it. It's the only way to control Liana."

"But—"

"You talk too much."

Galenia's gaze, filled with chilling murderous intent, bore down on Millie.

"If you get kicked out of here, who will take care of your family?"

"...!"

Millie's body trembled violently.

Fear and dread swallowed her as she gulped.

Images of her family flashed through her mind.

"It's fine. There's nothing to worry about."

Having already seized control of Millie's heart, Galenia comforted her with a twisted smile.

"You've done it before, haven't you?"

Click, clack.

Click, clack.

The sound of Galenia's departing footsteps echoed.

Left alone, Millie clenched her eyes shut.

But in her ears, she could still hear the screams from four years ago.

[Isaac! Isaac—!]

She had never known that woman could cry so desperately. Tears like rubies fell from those eyes she had thought were as cold as blood. The cries that tore through her throat must have been born from a desperate hope to bring him back to consciousness.

[Save him! Why! Why is this happening!]

She had repeated those words countless times.

And each time, the doctors and mages had given the same response.

[W-We don't know. The symptoms aren't much different from a common cold, but for some reason—]

[Magic doesn't work either. Magic is only effective for external injuries—]

[Isaac—!]

A heart-wrenching scream.

A voice torn apart from pleading.

The piercing screams. The desperate pleas.

And.

The one who had caused it all—herself.

***

"Achoo!"

"What, do you have a cold?"

Isaac sniffled and shook his head.

"No, it's not a cold. My nose just suddenly felt itchy."

"Be careful. You're leaving now, and if you get sick on the way, people in the North will think everyone here just walks around with colds."

At Silverna's words, Isaac let out a small chuckle.

A cold, huh.

'Come to think of it, she kept telling me to be careful.'

[She said to be careful of catching a cold!]

[Be careful?]

[Ah, no! Take care!]

Even when she relayed her message through Sharen, she had told him to be careful of catching a cold, handing him warm tea and a towel.

[Take care of yourself, Isaac.]

Even before leaving the north, Liana had added one last reminder to be careful of catching a cold.

'If I catch a cold after all that warning, I won't be able to say a word even if they call me an idiot.'

Rubbing his hands together, he turned to look at the carriage.

It was the same one he had arrived in, and Jonathan was busy loading the luggage.

"Well, there's no need for a dramatic farewell, right?"

When he said that to Silverna standing beside him, she gave him a firm slap on the back and nodded.

"Yeah, I'll be following soon anyway."

After all, they would meet again at the Sword Festival. There was no need for a long farewell.

"Sir Isaac! We're ready to depart!"

"Alright, let's go."

As he moved to board the carriage, the cheers of the northerners rang out from behind.

"Thank you for everythingggg!"

"We'll never forget that dayyyy!"

"Come visit anytime! You're always welcome, Sir Isaac!"

"Next time you come, I'll show you some spear techniques that'll blow your mind!"

The soldiers of Malidan sent him off with enthusiastic farewells.

Selene pinched Uldren's side as he sent them a glare as if telling him to hurry up and leave.

And at the very front—

"Take care, Isaac!"

Silverna waved with a bright smile.

As they bid him farewell.

Isaac set off once again, heading back to Helmut.