Chapter 56: The Sword Festival (3)

"Millie-!"

"Millieee-!"

The voice, though shouting right in front of her, sounded distant, like a murmur from afar.

In Millie's crimson eyes, she saw Isaac's tears—an unexpected sight.

It suddenly brought back memories of the moonlit nights they had spent together.

That night had been a late one.

Under the moonlit sky, with no one watching, he had been sweating profusely while gripping his greatsword.

There could be many reasons for training in secret, but in Isaac's case, it was incredibly simple.

He didn't want to look pathetic.

It wasn't about swinging the greatsword—it was about not wanting to be seen being overwhelmed by it.

To his family, such a sight would be disgraceful.

And so, he trained alone, swinging his sword late into the night.

Unfortunately, no matter how much he wielded the greatsword, he couldn't overcome the limits of his birth.

The overwhelming weight of talent that came from the Helmut bloodline was undeniable.

"Eat something before you continue."

A chef's morning starts early.

Millie, who woke before sunrise to prepare breakfast, naturally grew closer to Isaac.

Why was that?

For her to survive in the Helmut estate's kitchen as someone not just a commoner but from a small slum, she had to prove her diligence.

Perhaps that was why they shared an unspoken understanding.

Both of them were striving from dawn to overcome something insurmountable.

[Thank you again, Millie.]

"You were up late training yesterday too. Wouldn't it be better to rest a little today?"

It was a casual conversation under the moonlight.

The quiet late-night chats between them were one of the few moments of respite they could find in the Helmut estate.

[Rest? I have to keep at it. I have no talent for the sword.]

"Talent…"

Millie let out a bitter smile.

As someone who did have talent for cooking, she wondered—would things truly be different even if one had talent?

The head chef recognized her potential and brought her into the kitchen, but that didn't mean she was accepted by everyone.

Just as Isaac struggled under the pressure of the Helmut bloodline, Millie was barely surviving the cutthroat world of the kitchen.

"What do you like so much about the sword that you work this hard?"

They had become close enough to share honest thoughts.

At her question, Isaac hesitated for a moment before brushing it off with an embarrassed smile.

[I admired swordsmen. I wanted to become one myself. But more than that…]

[I want to stand beside her with confidence. I want to be able to stand proudly next to Liana.]

"But she's your wife."

[She is, but I don't deserve her. I'm the son-in-law of the Helmut family, yet I can't even properly wield a greatsword.]

Isaac pressed his calloused, blistered hands together.

To be honest…

If he had put in this much effort and still couldn't wield the sword properly, wouldn't that mean he simply lacked talent?

Yet, as he gazed up at the night sky, his eyes carried the innocent determination of a child reaching for the stars, despite knowing they were unreachable.

"Aren't you afraid?"

[Of what?]

Before she realized it, Millie's voice had taken on a sharper edge.

"Of working so hard, only to fail. In the end, isn't it proof that there are limits one simply can't overcome?"

[…]

"In my case… I know I have talent, but because of my background, no one will give me a chance."

[To be honest…]

Isaac hesitated for a moment before responding sheepishly.

[I've never really been afraid of that. But I have prepared myself for it.]

"Prepared…?"

[If, no matter how hard I try, I still end up as an unworthy man who can't stand beside my wife—]

His voice was calm.

But within that calmness, there was undeniable sorrow.

[Then I'll leave. Because that would be what's best for Liana.]

"...!"

Hearing those words, Millie was deeply shocked.

Despite all his effort, he wasn't doing it for himself.

"But, Isaac…"

[Hm?]

Would Liana really want that?

The question lingered on her tongue.

But in the end—

"No, it's nothing."

Millie shook her head, swallowing the unnecessary words.

Isaac and Liana.

It had only been six months since they got married.

***

Year One of Their Marriage

Rumors had begun circulating within the mansion that the two were going through a period of indifference.

Liana's gaze was different from before.

Even without words, her eyes used to hold a warmth that made it clear she cared.

Now, they were cold and composed.

There were even times when she didn't look at Isaac at all.

Ironically enough—

"…You don't have any injuries these days."

"Hm."

As a result, Isaac's body was in better shape than usual.

"I suppose so."

But his expression was worse than ever.

Liana had never been particularly expressive, but now that her affection had completely disappeared, he was clearly displeased.

"Well, I'll just have to keep working hard."

From Millie's perspective, Isaac had improved a lot over the past year.

The greatsword, once a weapon he struggled to even lift, was now something he could wield.

But it was like wearing clothes that didn't quite fit.

At some point, he hit a plateau, unable to progress further.

Like a boatman who had rowed against the current for too long, he had finally reached his limit.

"I'll go get some snacks."

Millie stepped inside to fetch the potatoes she had steamed for him.

As she wrapped the hot potatoes in a towel in the kitchen, tragedy struck.

"My lady?!"

Galenia Helmut approached her in secret, handing her a small pouch.

"Put this in Isaac's breakfast tomorrow."

"This is…?"

A gaze that implied there was no need to ask.

Millie stiffened, trembling in fear.

Galenia gently stroked her shoulder, whispering in a comforting tone.

"There's nothing to worry about. Just think of it as medicine. A remedy to keep House Helmut healthy."

"…!"

"It won't kill him. That would be troublesome for me as well. So, trust me."

Millie squeezed her eyes shut.

For the first time in her life, she gathered her courage.

"B-but—!"

"Millie Marceau, a filthy little girl from the back alleys of Volten."

"…!"

"Did you really think you got to work in House Helmut just because the head chef took a liking to you?"

She was being crushed.

By status.

By blood.

By hierarchy.

By society itself.

An absolute power, overwhelmingly above her, was now pressing her down.

"We only took in a rat from Volten for moments like these."

"Ah…"

"This isn't just a matter of conscience. Your life, your family's lives, and Isaac's—all of them are on the scale."

Family?

"In Volten, isn't it easy to get someone to draw a knife for just a few coins?"

"Why… Why my family?!"

"You learned my secret. Just now."

"Ah."

The lady of House Helmut had ordered the elimination of her own son-in-law.

From the moment Millie had heard that, her life was no longer her own.

Before she knew it,

She had taken the violet pouch into her hands.

And she nodded.

***

Two Weeks Later

Having recovered somewhat, Isaac was back to swinging his sword.

However, due to the time he had spent bedridden, even lifting the greatsword had become difficult again.

"Haa… Haa…"

Eventually, he let go of the weapon, gasping for breath as he looked around.

"Millie?"

By now, Millie would usually have come to see him.

"Millie? Hm? Is today her day off?"

He searched the kitchen, but there was no sign of her.

In the end, he stepped back outside.

"Hic."

Hiding beneath the kitchen storage shelf, Millie suppressed her sobs and swallowed her tears.

She still couldn't forget Liana's cries when Isaac fell unconscious from his sudden illness.

She couldn't bear to see Isaac, who never once suspected her as the cause.

And so, she had been avoiding him for a while.

Time passed, and though the guilt weighing on her heart never lessened,

Enough time had passed for her to at least hide it from showing.

Thud.

Years later.

On the outside, she acted as if she had moved on,

But inside, Millie had already been broken beyond repair.

And once again, a violet pouch was placed before her.

She had only one choice.

***

"Millie—! Please! Please, wake up!"

While everyone in the banquet hall rushed toward the convulsing Galenia Helmut,

Only Isaac remained by Millie's side.

Was it a final flash of memories before death?

Millie's mind retraced her past, leaping from one moment to another,

Until it arrived at this very moment.

As always,

The two of them were left alone in the grand mansion.

"What happened?! What did you eat, Millie?!"

The tears he had never shed despite all the oppression and suffering

Now fell in heavy drops down her cheeks.

Desperate to save her, Isaac frantically turned toward the crowd, shouting,

"A doctor! No—! A mage!"

The physicians and mages were already tending to Galenia.

Clenching his jaw, Isaac tried to rise to his feet, but Millie grasped his wrist.

Her touch, so feeble that it barely had any strength, sent a chill of fear through him.

"Millie, don't worry. I'll be back soon—!"

"I-Isaac…"

The pleading tone in her voice made him suppress his instinct to call for a doctor and instead grasp her hand.

"Yes, Millie. I'm here. So—"

"I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?! Hold on, I'll—"

"I'm truly… truly sorry."

As thick tears streamed down Millie's eyes,

Isaac suddenly realized something was very wrong.

The way she so naturally accepted her death.

The eerie sense of detachment in her demeanor.

"Hic… Only now—"

"Millie, please. Don't give up. I'll—"

"Even apologizing… is something I feel guilty for."

"Stop it! Whatever you have to say! You can tell me later! Just don't give up now!"

Her vision blurred.

His voice, thick with tears, trembled with desperation.

"I'm sorry."

"There's something I wanted to show you. I won't let Helmut control me anymore. I wanted… to show you my proudest self… the me who overcomes and moves forward…"

Millie's trembling fingers brushed against Isaac's cheek.

Her unsteady hand, as fragile as a dying flame.

Isaac placed his hand over hers.

"I forgive you, okay? Millie, whatever you did, it doesn't matter. So please—!"

Gently.

Her eyelids closed.

Like a withered flower, her hand fell away.

"Ah—"

Even so,

She managed a faint smile.

"I'm relieved."

Satisfied with Isaac's words of forgiveness,

She closed her eyes for the last time.

"…Millie? Millie—!"

Her name echoed through the vast banquet hall.

In the grand estate.

Under a dawn where only the starlight reached.

Their dreams had been different, but their struggles had been the same.

They had leaned on, comforted, encouraged, and scolded each other as they walked forward together.

The only thing they had ever wanted from each other was one simple thing.

Sometime in the Distant Future.

When we face each other again—

I hoped we wouldn't be crying.

I hoped we wouldn't be worrying.

I hoped we would be smiling.

I simply wanted to see you smile.

That was all.

***

The Next Day.

By the time the sun had risen, Millie's room was already empty.

When Isaac arrived there belatedly, not a single trace of her remained.

It was proof of how swiftly unpleasant incidents from the Sword Festival were dealt with.

Galenia was safe.

She had suffered some distress at first, but unlike Millie, she was ultimately unharmed.

In fact, she even declared that she would not hold Millie accountable for attempting to assassinate her in an effort to protect the festival.

Many nobles praised Galenia's generosity.

Many nobles exalted her as a saint.

Many nobles hailed her as the noblest among nobles.

The only thing left in Isaac's hands—

Was a portrait of Millie, one he had drawn for her long ago.

It had been placed in his room.

She must have left it there before attending the banquet.

"..."

On the back of the frame, a letter from Millie had been tucked away.

Isaac had already read it.

She had written about how Galenia had sought to harm him.

That her own family—and her life—had been held hostage.

That her family had disappeared, swept away by the Volten Revolution.

That she was sorry she could only apologize in this way.

"..."

Inside the letter was also the very poison that Galenia had given her.

Millie must have tried to kill Galenia by any means necessary.

But since she used a different poison instead of the one Galenia provided,

It meant that she had always been preparing for the moment when this day might come.

Yet in the end, her death only served to elevate Galenia even further.

Thud.

Isaac gently placed the portrait on his desk, treasuring it.

Then he stepped out of his room.

He went straight to find Clarice.

She was in the garden, surrounded by blooming roses.

Having heard reports of how Isaac had wept so bitterly the night before,

Clarice looked at him with concern and asked,

"Are you alri—"

"Galenia Helmut."

But there were no traces of tears left in Isaac's eyes.

"The mistress of House Helmut is a traitor."

With the help of a trusted friend, he had reached the truth.

"And I am certain—she has already become a Transcendent."

"…Do you have proof?"

Millie had taken a lethal poison that should have killed her within one or two minutes.

Yet Galenia, despite consuming the same poison, had survived without any special treatment.

And as far as Isaac knew.

Such monstrous beings could only be…

The Transcendents.

"…That is a rather compelling argument."

"I have Millie's letter."

Even if the world scorned you,

You did so much for me.

So don't worry.

If possible, I hope you'll watch over me.

My dear friend.