"Isaaaaaaac!"
The sight of him running so excitedly was almost pitiful. Just how long had he been waiting for this moment?
Isaac let out a sigh, smacking his forehead with his palm before covering his face with his hand.
"That man truly likes you."
"Ugh, This is so embarrassing. There's no way that's my brother."
The Grandmaster chuckled slyly as she looked at Isaac, while Sharen, mirroring Isaac, covered her face and pretended not to see.
"You're finally here! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting? Now, I shall properly show you the greatness of Helmut—!"
With Alois, the so-called Madman of Helmut, dead, had this man stepped up to take his place?
Lohengrin charged forward, shoving aside infantry soldiers as he ran, his focus solely on Isaac as if nothing else existed.
However, the one who stopped him wasn't Isaac—it was an old warrior.
Sir Eisenwolf, the commander of the procession, stood in his way.
His warhorse snorted, looking down at Lohengrin. Eisenwolf, too, narrowed his eyes, gazing at the young Helmut with disapproval.
"Lohengrin Helmut, it has been a while."
"…Sir Eisenwolf."
Lohengrin, who had been brimming with excitement, suddenly calmed down. He bit his lip hard and tried to suppress the aura of hostility radiating from him.
"How utterly disrespectful. Has Helmut fallen this far?"
"N-no, sir."
In the military, rank and experience dictated hierarchy.
And no matter who Lohengrin was, he couldn't act recklessly in front of an old veteran nearing retirement.
With Arandel gone, Helmut could no longer get away with unchecked behavior.
"Join the ranks."
"Yes, sir."
With slumped shoulders, Lohengrin trudged into the ranks. Even so, his eyes darted around, searching for Isaac.
"Isaac, please, keep your head down. Don't let him come this way."
"Yeah, already doing that."
Isaac and Sharen both hunched over, keeping their heads low, pretending not to see Lohengrin.
"This is so humiliating."
Especially for Sharen, who was visibly irritated by her embarrassing older brother.
At moments like these, she truly seemed like a typical teenage girl.
Just then, a group extended their support to the shunned Lohengrin.
It was none other than the Blue Wave Society.
"Sir Lohengrin, come this way. I'll lend you a horse."
"Haha, what made you so excited that you came running like that?"
"With the eldest son of Helmut here, the northern reclamation should proceed smoothly."
The Blue Wave Society, a gathering of young nobles.
Naturally, Lohengrin, being of a similar age, was someone they were interested in. In fact, they already seemed to know each other.
"…Ah, I see."
Though, Lohengrin himself didn't appear particularly enthusiastic.
"Oho, now this is an interesting sight."
The Grandmaster's eyes curled into crescents as she observed the Blue Wave Society.
Among them, there was one man who remained silent while others welcomed Lohengrin.
It was none other than Reian of the Leviath House.
As the de facto leader of the Blue Wave Society, he didn't seem pleased with Lohengrin's addition.
Perhaps he feared that his own influence would wane.
"Isn't it amusing? Even among themselves, they squabble like this."
The Grandmaster laughed as she spoke, prompting Isaac to glance in that direction and smile wryly.
"They'll realize it soon enough."
Blue Wave Society or whatever else—
None of that would matter for long.
A few minutes later, the dispatched forces arrived at the northern front.
Though a temporary frontline, the prolonged standoff had left the barricades worn, the scent of blood thick in the air, and crows crying ominously overhead.
Shortly after, the woman serving as the temporary commander of the northern front, Liana Helmut, came out to greet them.
She was young, yet she had secured her position thanks to the weight of the Helmut name.
"…"
The moment Isaac saw her from a distance, he felt an indescribable sensation.
She hadn't changed at all.
Her red hair remained as beautiful as ever, her deep crimson eyes unwavering, and her expression was as rigid as a stone statue.
Above all, she possessed a beauty reminiscent of a rose.
With a command baton in hand, Liana approached Eisenwolf.
Dismounting his warhorse, Eisenwolf greeted her with a respectful nod.
"It has been a long time, Liana Helmut. You've grown even more beautiful."
"Sir Eisenwolf, I'm relieved to see you in good health. I hereby officially transfer command to you."
"Hmm."
Liana had only been a temporary leader. It was only natural that the far more experienced Eisenwolf would take over as the supreme commander.
The first thing Eisenwolf did after assuming command was—
"Liana Helmut, now that you are the head of the family, you must not tarnish the name of Helmut."
Establishing discipline.
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm."
Eisenwolf made a displeased gesture with his chin, directing her attention to Lohengrin, who was standing among the Blue Wave Society's group.
Her red eyes slowly widened as she grasped the situation.
Clench.
Liana bit her lip and bowed her head in apology.
"My apologies, Sir Eisenwolf. It seems a member of my family has acted improperly. I will make sure to discipline them properly."
"Remember, this is the most critical time for Helmut. If you fail to maintain control, the prestige your father built will collapse in an instant."
"Thank you for your wise advice."
Eisenwolf stared at Liana for a moment before smirking and nodding.
"I'll be watching."
***
The dispatched forces quickly began taking positions along the temporary frontline.
It was called a temporary frontline for one reason only—
They had deliberately chosen not to advance.
Liana had enough strength to push further north, but doing so would stretch the front lines and delay the main force's arrival.
By conserving their strength and holding their ground, they were waiting for the right moment to strike decisively while fending off the beasts in the meantime.
As the commanders gathered for a strategy meeting,
Isaac, unfortunately, was not high-ranking enough to attend. Instead, he waited outside, setting up his tent.
"Isaac, wouldn't it be better to set up somewhere with more sunlight?"
Hearing Sharen chattering beside him, Isaac looked at her with an exasperated expression.
"You're not sleeping here."
"Why not? I want to sleep next to you. We used to do that all the time in the North."
"That was a special situation."
It had been when the main force had gone beyond the walls to subdue Bricalla. Back then, he had been sandwiched between Sharen and Jonathan while staying within the walls.
'I wonder how Jonathan is doing.'
Now that he thought about it, Sister Helia Bell, who was practically Jonathan's mother, had entrusted him with something to deliver—
"Lord Isaac!"
A rough embrace pulled Isaac forward unexpectedly.
Surprised at first, he then let out a small chuckle at the familiar, affectionate voice.
"Jonathan, how have you been?"
"Sir Isaac! Ahh! I've missed you so much! I've been doing very well! Every day, I train and push myself to be a knight worthy of the Helmut name—!"
"Helmut knights aren't supposed to be this loud."
Sharen grumbled from the side, but Jonathan ignored her, focusing entirely on Isaac with sheer excitement.
Isaac took the opportunity to pull out the item Sister Helia had given him.
"Here, Sister Helia asked me to give this to you."
"Sister Helia…?"
It was a rosary.
It was a rosary. The rosary, adorned with the symbol of the goddess Helia served, brought a lump to Jonathan's throat as he held back tears and hung it around his neck.
"I've been meaning to visit her… I kept saying I would, but I never did."
"Then come visit Evergrad sometime. I live there too—I'll let you stay at my place."
"As expected of Baron Logan!"
Jonathan grinned brightly, teasing as he changed the way he addressed him.
In the past, he had been an easy target for bullying, but now, seeing him like this, he seemed somewhat dignified.
Not only that, but despite the lingering scent of blood and the scattered corpses around them, he was managing to keep his composure.
"How's the war situation?"
"Don't even get me started. It's making me realize just how precious the Malidan Wall is—"
"Iiiisaaaac!"
"Ah, please."
Sharen covered her face, pretending not to see it. She seemed unwilling to witness her brother's embarrassing display.
"There's no way that guy shares my bloodline."
A murmur of discontent came from beside him, but Lohengrin showed no hesitation.
"You! Come out and draw your sword! I shall repay you for the humiliation and disgrace I suffered in the past!"
"...It's been a while."
"I'm sure you've improved since then. But Helmut marches like a giant. Your little tricks will be crushed beneath my feet in an instant."
"...You seem to be in good health."
"Someone, please, just kill him already."
Sharen's desperate plea went unheard.
"Come forth! Your attitude will eventually bow before my greatsword, and the true Helmut shall—"
"Have you gotten closer to the Blue Wave Society?"
"Hmm? What do those worthless vermin have to do with anything? How could a tiger lower itself to mingle among stray dogs?"
"That does sound like Helmut."
At Isaac's muttered comment, Sharen frowned and pouted.
"That's not Helmut."
"But what do those worthless Blue Wave Society guys have to do—Ah?"
Lohengrin smirked as if he had just realized something.
"I see."
"Shut up, please."
"Sharen! Watch your tone when speaking to your brother!"
"Crimson Flame Wave!"
"Hhrrmmph!"
The clash between the two siblings erupted in an instant. It was too sudden to react properly, but Sharen's Crimson Flame Wave was overwhelmed and dissipated by Lohengrin's attack.
"You've become somewhat capable, but you still have a long way to go."
"Tsk."
Looking smug, Lohengrin shifted the conversation back to the previous topic.
"You're concerned about the Blue Wave Society because of Liana, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
"I know. There are plenty of guys among them who have their eyes on Liana. Why? Do you still care about her because she was once your wife?"
"No, that's not—"
"Liana is already at a marriageable age. Even though she's divorced, she's still a Helmut. Suitors will line up, and as the head of the family, she can't remain single for long. She needs an heir."
"..."
"I'd wager that quite a few nobles here are already setting their sights on her—"
"There you are."
A short, emotionless voice cut through the air.
Everyone's gaze turned toward her at once—Liana had finished her meeting and now stood behind Lohengrin with an indifferent expression.
"Lohengrin, I need to ask you something about what Sir Eisenwolf said earlier. Come with me."
"...Understood."
"Remember that this is an official setting."
"…Understood, my lord."
Lohengrin gritted his teeth.
He knew he was about to get an earful.
After all, he had already been reprimanded by Eisenwolf.
As Lohengrin stepped aside, the former husband and wife found themselves facing each other.
Isaac awkwardly smiled and was about to greet her first—
"It's been a—"
"Sharen, you come with us too. Even though you're in a state of seclusion, you're still a Helmut. You'll act as part of the Helmut family on this front."
"Huh? No way…"
"Sharen."
Just hearing her name called in that calm voice made Sharen pout and reluctantly nod.
"Yes, my lord."
With that, she left Isaac's side and stood next to Liana.
And finally, Liana looked at Isaac and, in a tone devoid of emotion, said—
"It has been a while, Baron Logan."
That was all.
Isaac was slightly taken aback.
But soon, he gave a wry smile and bowed his head.
"It is an honor to meet the head of Helmut."
***
"Damn it, because of you, I got dragged here too!"
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
"Did you just call your brother 'you'?"
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
"Then act like a real brother!"
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
…What?
What is this noise?
The bickering of Lohengrin and Sharen, who were following behind, was completely drowned out by the sound.
And then Liana realized—
It was the pounding of her own heart.
Isaac Logan.
It had been a long time since she last saw him.
Sometimes…
No, to be honest, quite often.
If she were truly honest, at least once a day—
She thought of her ex-husband.
And because of that, she believed she would be able to face him again without feeling shaken.
They were strangers now.
It was only right to act accordingly and keep her distance.
And on the surface, Liana had done exactly that.
But—
Did I look strange?
Her heart burned with anxiety.
It's been so long… I got too nervous.
Her eyes trembled slightly.
More than when she stood before a beasts.
More than anything, this moment felt terrifying.
It had only been six months.
But Isaac's appearance had changed subtly.
His once slender frame had gained some muscle, broadening his shoulders slightly.
His previously unkempt ponytail was now neatly trimmed, exuding refinement.
The marks of hardship on his face gave him an air of quiet strength and mystery.
What the hell…?
To be honest, Liana was flustered.
The ex-husband she hadn't seen in so long—
'How did he get so handsome?!'
He was just too good-looking.