"Hm."
Temporary Nobles' Quarters
While the wails of nobles filled the air due to harsh training, Isaac stood alone, choosing his clothes.
'This is a bit disappointing.'
As someone invited to Caldias' dinner, he needed to dress appropriately.
However, none of the clothes Isaac had brought along seemed to suit their tastes.
'Maybe I should spend the waiting time writing instead.'
His fingers itched to pick up a pen, and his gaze repeatedly fell on his neatly placed manual on the desk.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Sir Isaac, I've brought it."
Jonathan's voice came from outside. When Isaac let him in, his eyes naturally went to the clothes draped over Jonathan's arm.
"I've brought what you asked for, but… are you sure it's alright to use my clothes? Most of them are just training wear or outfits for practice."
"Yes, that's exactly what I needed."
"Really? Haha! I'm glad I could help!"
Jonathan beamed, his face lighting up with pure joy. His childlike innocence made Isaac unconsciously smile in return.
'What an interesting guy.'
Isaac thought he was like a pure-hearted child—completely at odds with someone from Helmut.
"How's the lodging? Getting along with the others?"
Isaac asked while rummaging through the clothes. Jonathan answered eagerly, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"Everyone treats me well. It must be thanks to Helmut's name. They're all kind and good people—except for the loud snoring at night."
"Really? That must be tough."
"It's alright. Compared to being trained by my seniors, it's much more comfortable!"
"Yeah, I bet."
Back then, he probably couldn't even sleep properly, being beaten or forcibly kept awake.
"Haha, I'm glad I was sent here. To be honest, I was a bit worried at first, but Sir Isaac has treated me so well. I'm grateful."
"What have I even done for you?"
"No, really! I'm so thankful. That's why, when others badmouth the nobles they serve, I keep my mouth shut!"
"Is that so?"
This kid, at least he's loyal.
"Training is important as a knight of Helmut, but taking a break like this is also necessary, right? I'm sure my seniors sent me here with that in mind."
As Isaac listened to Jonathan's words, his fondness for the boy grew.
'....'
But then, a peculiar thought crossed his mind.
'The knights of Helmut.'
Isaac fundamentally disliked Helmut.
There was no need for an explanation—it was simply a given.
But he felt differently about Helmut's knights.
They were called the kingdom's finest.
Knighthood wasn't just about wielding a sword.
It required adherence to the ethics and moral standards of chivalry.
'Of course, the Helmut family itself is no better than a gang of thugs.'
But were even their knights so rotten to the core?
After all, they were under the leadership of Arandel, the head of the family.
"What do you think of this outfit? I've barely worn it."
"...."
No matter the reason, acts like bullying and harassing someone as a knight were unacceptable.
Especially the severe mistreatment Jonathan had endured—there could be no justification for such cruelty.
However.
Isaac found himself wondering.
If there had been a reason why they treated Jonathan so harshly…
What could that reason have been?
***
Dinner Time
The soft glow of surrounding candles illuminated the dinner table, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Due to the northern climate, fermented, salted, or dried foods were common sights, but hearty meats and warm soups were also prepared.
'Millie must be doing well.'
Isaac suddenly found himself missing Millie, the Helmut family's chef of the same age.
"You've been kept waiting after being invited." a voice called out.
It was Uldren, the head of the family, entering with his only daughter, Silverna.
Despite his massive frame, his footsteps were calm and quiet.
"I am Isaac Helmut. Thank you for inviting me to dinner tonight." Isaac said, greeting them with courtesy.
Uldren, however, lightly patted his shoulder, brushing it off.
"Alright, let's eat. I'm starving."
"No need to be so formal." Silverna added with a grin.
Isaac already knew—they weren't ones to stand on formality.
Still, a basic level of decorum was important, especially for a first impression. It was necessary to show respect.
"There's not much, but eat as much as you like." Uldren said, seated at the head of the long table. He made no pretense of formality as he gestured for Isaac to eat.
Grabbing a chunk of meat by the bone and tearing into it with his hands, Uldren's bold approach to eating resembled that of a wild barbarian who cared little for decorum.
Isaac followed suit, adapting to their way of dining.
When in Malidan Wall, it was only right to follow their customs.
Seeing this, Uldren smiled contentedly and asked Isaac a question.
"Why are you wearing a gambeson? Are you trying to make a point about today being tough?"
A gambeson was a padded garment made of layers of fabric, worn under armor to prevent chafing from the hard metal.
Silverna, who had been eating alongside them, also turned her gaze toward Isaac.
After wiping his mouth, Isaac smiled and replied.
"This is the front line, is it not?"
"Heh."
"Oh."
At his response, both father and daughter's lips curled into satisfied smiles.
Choosing to wear a gambeson instead of formal attire, even when invited to dinner by a Margrave, seemed to have left a favorable impression.
It was a good decision to borrow Jonathan's clothes. As someone who had never worn armor, Isaac naturally didn't own a gambeson either.
'Thanks, Jonathan.' Isaac thought, expressing his gratitude inwardly as he continued eating.
The conversation mostly revolved around questions from the father and daughter, with Isaac answering.
"Your motivational speech earlier was truly impressive. It felt less like it was directed at the nobles and more like it was meant for us." Uldren remarked.
"It was a personal reflection. If it came off as disrespectful, I apologize, but I hoped the other nobles would share my sentiments." Isaac replied.
"It's different from Helmut, isn't it? Our ways are rougher, which might have been a bit overwhelming."
"On the contrary, I feel more at ease here. To be honest, the customs and etiquette over there were somewhat suffocating."
"How did you meet Liana?"
"I was a ferryman. While chatting with her as I ferried her across the river, well, one thing led to another and we ended up getting married before I knew it."
As the meal progressed and the conversation deepened, Uldren leaned forward as if unable to contain his curiosity.
"So, you seem well-versed in the spear techniques of Caldias."
Taking a sip of the strong liquor Anna had poured him, Isaac nodded.
"I have a broad interest in various martial arts. Caldias' spear techniques, in particular, never fail to amaze me, whether from reading books or observing practitioners."
After a brief pause, he continued.
"Those who have mastered the spear techniques of Caldias always exhibit an incredibly high 'minimum standard.' They are individuals whose basic skills can always be counted on."
"Haha! That's right. Our spear techniques aren't ordinary." Uldren exclaimed.
"You have a keen eye." Silverna added with a pleased smile.
Watching their satisfied expressions, Isaac allowed himself a wry smile inwardly.
'Indeed, the spear techniques of Caldias are extraordinary.'
This was an undeniable truth.
'But you must evolve beyond this.'
The spear techniques of Caldias were designed to elevate ordinary individuals to greatness.
However,
If they were to stop here, they would never escape their destined downfall.
To avoid the future death that awaited them,
'I will help you.'
He vowed to make their spear techniques several times greater than they were now.
Because they were not mere ordinary people.
Born into an extraordinary position,
They had to become even greater.
Like Helmut.
***
At the break of dawn.
Recently, Liana had been spending her days in a rather sluggish manner.
Her haggard appearance and rough, dry hair stood out.
Though Helmut were rarely prone to illness, even the servants worried she might be unwell given her visibly poor condition.
Nevertheless, she stepped out of the mansion for personal training.
"Huff! Huff!"
"Haaahp!"
Several of her siblings were already engrossed in their training, but strangely, Liana had no desire to hold a sword.
'This is the first time I've felt like this.'
Lethargy.
It was the perfect word to describe her current state.
Perhaps that's why, instead of heading to the training grounds, she deliberately moved toward the garden.
As she wandered through the rose garden, not yet in bloom, she spotted—
"Ah."
A single purple lilac.
At the sight of it, a gentle memory of lilac-scented days naturally surfaced in Liana's mind.
It was shortly after their wedding.
[Lia, come here.]
An empty garden.
Isaac called her playfully, raising a finger to his lips in a "shh" gesture.
[Look at this. Isn't it blooming beautifully?]
Pointing to the lilacs, Isaac smiled.
Liana, on the other hand, frowned.
'What are the gardeners even doing?'
Liana, displeased by the presence of non-roses in the flower bed, immediately sought to summon a gardener, but—
[I planted them. I asked the gardeners to turn a blind eye for a while.]
'…You planted this?'
Furrowing her brows, she glared at Isaac, silently questioning his actions.
In response, he chuckled mischievously and said,
[Lia, this flower is me.]
'You?'
[Lilacs bloom faster than the roses of Helmut, and by the time the roses bloom, these flowers will have withered.]
'…'
[The world might see me as a nobody, a man who shamelessly married into a noble house. They might think I'm just trying to exploit the Helmut name to live a better life.]
Liana was aware of this.
While some celebrated their union as a romantic tale, many others didn't see it that way.
[But Lia.]
With a soft smile, Isaac gently took her hand.
Their hands touched, and their wedding rings brushed together.
[Helmut doesn't matter to me. I married you, Lia, not for the name but for you.]
[I'll remain by your side, even if Helmut disappears. Like this lilac, blooming alone before the roses have a chance.]
Slowly, Liana turned her head.
The lilacs reflected in her eyes now felt precious.
'…'
At the time, unsure of what to say, she simply stayed silent.
Isaac then chuckled and whispered softly,
[There's one more secret about lilacs. Want to know?]
"…I want to know."
Playfully smirking, Isaac gestured for her to come closer.
Glancing around to ensure no one else was nearby, Liana leaned in.
Isaac whispered conspiratorially into her ear.
[The purple lilac's flower language is "first love."]
'…'
[Oh? Lia, are you embarrassed? Are you trying to hide it right now?]
His radiant smile as he teased her resurfaced in her mind.
Instinctively, she reached out, only for his image to vanish.
Left before her was nothing but the lone lilac, brushing against her fingertips.
"Ah."
At that moment.
At those words.
At that smile.
In truth, her heart had raced too much to say anything.
Sensing her silence, Isaac had gently embraced her, a gesture sweeter than any floral fragrance.
Held in his arms, she had unknowingly let a small smile bloom, making her feel like a young girl again.
His embrace, which made her want to abandon everything, was now—
"Ah, Isaac."
Longing.
Her legs gave out, and she sank to her knees.
Though she tried to hold back,
Her crimson eyes soon overflowed with tears, blurring her vision.
No matter how much she cried.
He was already gone.
And yet, the lone lilac that remained,
Spoke quietly of how that time was no mere fleeting dream.