"Hah, how curious. Indeed, I once tried to wield a sword using my tail."
"You said that was an embarrassing part of your past, didn't you?"
The two of them shared a drink, engaged in conversation.
Stories—some belonging to the past, others to the future—flowed between them for a long while.
The Grandmaster took a sip and chuckled bitterly, nodding.
"I never intended to deny it, but having this conversation makes it impossible not to believe in regression."
Isaac poured another drink into the Grandmaster's cup.
Simply voicing the secret he had carried in his heart brought him a sense of relief.
"So, the knowledge of swordsmanship you possess was accumulated during the era when you were known as the Silent Sword?"
"That's right. Grandmaster, you always called me a child who chased the stars."
"...."
The Grandmaster let out a bitter chuckle, laughing helplessly.
"And that was why you shone so beautifully, was it not?"
"…Pardon?"
"I mean, the stars reflected in your eyes. It was mesmerizing."
"...."
The idea that he had been acknowledged simply for chasing the stars—
Isaac felt a mix of embarrassment and pride.
The Grandmaster had often lamented the loss of his legs, speaking wistfully of what could have been.
Every time she did, Isaac couldn't help but doubt himself.
Would he have truly become a master worthy of such expectations if his legs had been intact?
It feels nice.
Being recognized like this—there was no way it wouldn't feel good. There was even a pleasant buzz settling in.
"I've given it some thought."
The Grandmaster smacked her lips and looked at Isaac.
Her expression seemed relieved, as if an intricate knot had finally unraveled.
"I took on many disciples, yet never spoke of my past."
"That's true."
Not only that, but she also didn't involve herself much in wars.
In fact, she was somewhat passive. Even when a blade was held to our necks at one point, she calmly accepted it, unlike others.
"I think the me of that era had grown disillusioned."
"Disillusioned… with what?"
"With humanity."
In that moment, a memory of walking through the streets of Volten at night surfaced.
When the frenzied humans of Volten rushed forward, the Grandmaster had tried to stop them, tears in her eyes.
[Stop.]
[If you continue, won't it seem as if their words were right all along?]
At the time, things had been too urgent to dwell on those words.
But looking back now, they should not have been brushed aside so easily.
"That must be why I chose seclusion—to take in disciples and simply wait for the day I would die."
"...."
"There could be no other reason for me to take on so many students."
It was her own statement, making it difficult for Isaac to argue.
In truth, despite Princess Clarice's request, the Grandmaster had refused to join the kingdom's forces.
And they had followed her decision without question.
Back then, I found it a strange choice.
So this was the hidden story behind it all.
"But this time, you changed something."
A crescent-shaped smile formed on the Grandmaster's lips.
"I chose to believe in you."
She slowly raised her glass, clinking it against Isaac's.
"And stand on the side of humanity."
Declaration of Participation in the Impending War Against the Transcendent Race.
Isaac stared blankly at the Grandmaster before breaking into a bright smile and bowing his head.
"Thank you."
***
"...."
Sharen gazed absentmindedly at the sky.
It had been about a month since the Volten incident. She had been staying at Isaac's mansion in Evergard during that time.
A lot had happened.
For one, all marriage proposals for Isaac had stopped. The massacre in Volten was deemed excessive, leading to growing notoriety around him.
While the claims weren't entirely wrong, the issue lay in the method of resolution.
Isaac didn't feel particularly wronged by it. He simply remarked that anyone who hadn't witnessed the madness firsthand would say the same.
Rumors spread that Baron Logan had a cruel disposition, and as a result, Isaac's once-rising reputation had falter a bit.
'It's already been three months since Isaac left Helmut.'
Muttering to herself, Sharen sat absentmindedly on a chair. To be honest, she was bored.
She trained in swordsmanship every day, but that was no different from her daily routine. Despite the warnings that the Transcendent Race would declare war soon, things seemed surprisingly peaceful.
"What if it's all a lie?"
Maybe these so-called Transcendents were nothing more than imaginary creatures!
Of course, Sharen knew better.
It was just wishful thinking.
After all, she had fought against the Transcendent Race herself.
"Hmm-hmm."
Humming to herself, Sharen shook her head from side to side.
The capital had plenty of bakeries, making it a delightful place for a sweet tooth like her. Though, since she was relying on Isaac for an allowance, she had to restrain herself when indulging.
"Oh, right!"
Suddenly, she jumped to her feet and hurried inside the mansion.
In the dining hall, two people were engaged in conversation over tea—Isaac and Princess Clarice.
"As per Isaac's intelligence, investigating nobles with disabled children has indeed revealed some peculiarities."
"Just as the Bellingwaltz mercenaries said. They're luring nobles with the promise of healing or physical enhancement through sorcery."
"Exactly. Adeline has been preparing thoroughly behind the scenes."
Sharen quietly approached and grabbed onto Isaac's back.
The conversation was momentarily interrupted, but neither of them reprimanded her.
"Bored, are you?"
"No, more like—"
Without answering, she grabbed a snack from the untouched tray and popped it into her mouth.
She happily grinned as she chewed.
"If you're not eating, give it to me."
Isaac glanced at Clarice.
She casually put one into her mouth, then nudged the rest toward him, silently permitting him to take them.
Sharen took the snacks and strolled outside.
Isaac briefly followed her with his gaze before turning back to Clarice and continuing their discussion.
"As expected, Princess, Adeline's influence is steadily growing, just as you intended."
"Right? All I have to do is feed her information, and she handles everything so efficiently."
Clarice chuckled, clearly enjoying the convenience of it.
At that moment, a startled voice rang from the dining hall entrance.
"W-Wait! W-Wait a second?!"
Sharen, holding a plate of pastries, was backing away in surprise.
Following behind her, a mature and elegant beauty entered the room.
Adeline Seraphia Legardia.
The First Princess
"Your Highness?!"
"Sister?!"
The two, startled, sprang to their feet. Adeline smiled gently and greeted them.
"It's been a while, Baron Logan. You should show your face more often."
Isaac started to kneel on one knee out of courtesy, but Clarice grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"I came here on purpose because I knew you'd try to make a move on Isaac, Sister."
"Oh my, you have no reservations about what you say, do you?"
Princess Adeline took a seat in one of the remaining chairs.
Unintentionally, two princesses had ended up visiting Isaac's mansion.
"The recent Volten incident was quite impressive. I never knew Baron Logan had such a side to him."
"I acted as the situation demanded. If I hadn't, I would have been the one to die."
The rioters, intoxicated by drugs, had shown no hesitation in committing murder.
"I have plenty of swords adorned with jewels, but I think it would be nice to have at least one slaughtering blade, stained with blood."
Princess Adeline rested her chin on her hand and gazed deeply at Isaac.
Between their locked eyes, a slender hand swiftly inserted itself.
"Hey, hey, hey! No way! Isaac is busy! He has something important to take care of this time too!"
"…Something to take care of?"
Isaac frowned slightly and looked at Clarice, who awkwardly laughed as if she had made a slip of the tongue.
"Haha… ha."
"So, you came here to ask me for something? No wonder you started with such unnecessary preamble."
"See? This is how she is. She has no sense of people's emotions and only thinks in calculations."
"…Ahem."
Clarice let out an awkward cough.
Then, as if something irritated her, she snapped at Adeline.
"Then why are you here?! I have something really important to discuss with Isaac right now!"
"I'm here for an important conversation with you."
Adeline's gaze turned calm.
Her eyes were like a tranquil lake, a mesmerizing allure that made one want to rest within them.
"I came to tell you that you don't need to sacrifice yourself."
"..."
"Baron Logan and many other nobles are doing their part. Even the kingdom's military strength, once skewed in favor of Helmut, is naturally finding balance."
"..."
"The North is solid, the South is fierce, and the Central region remains lofty. The kingdom is ready and waiting for them to come."
"..."
"In fact, it's almost a shame that they haven't come yet."
Princess Adeline shrugged her shoulders.
"So, Clarice, if you reconsider—"
"The Transcendent Race is shrouded in too many mysteries, and that's what makes me uneasy."
Clarice's voice trembled slightly.
"They are a race found nowhere else on the continent, yet they have their own culture, history, and traditions. They must have built them over a long time, just as we did."
The unknown.
Clarice, who was inclined toward gathering information, analyzing, and calculating, felt deeply concerned.
There could be something out there, something unknown to her.
"Just as we have Arandel, they might have something of their own."
"Clarice."
"So, Isaac."
Princess Adeline called her name, but Clarice pretended not to hear, turning her gaze toward Isaac instead.
With a faint smile, she spoke carefully.
"My… marriage has been arranged."
"...!"
"Would you escort me to my groom?"
*
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[TLN]
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