Arandel's gaze fell on his two daughters.
His eldest, Liana, and his second daughter, Sharen.
It wasn't entirely unexpected that Liana would volunteer to go to the Malidan Wall. She was likely still worried about her husband, Isaac.
But as for Sharen, her motives were much harder to discern.
Sigh.
Arandel knew he wasn't a particularly good father.
Understanding his daughters' thoughts, especially compared to his sons, was always a challenge for him.
And Sharen Helmut, being a young and mischievous girl, made it even harder to judge her intentions.
"Sharen, why are you volunteering?"
At times like this, it was best to address the matter head-on.
All eyes turned to Sharen at Arandel's question. They were just as curious about why Sharen suddenly wanted to go to the Malidan Wall.
"Father." Sharen said, placing a hand on her chest and stepping forward.
Despite her youth, she was a Helmut.
By now, she was well-versed in proper etiquette.
"I made this decision because I believe it is something I must do."
"Explain your reasoning." Arandel demanded.
"Spare me unnecessary words." he warned, resting his chin on his hand. At his sharp remark, the confidence faded from Sharen's expression.
"My apologies, Father. I let my emotions get ahead of me." she said, her eyes trembling slightly.
Clearly nervous, Sharen began her explanation, brief and hurried, yet earnest.
"The Sword Festival is approaching. It's only natural that my brothers cannot go, and my sister Liana, must remain here to hold her position."
She paused to steady her breath.
"However, our youngest, Edel, cannot be sent either. Therefore, I believe it is appropriate for me, who at least has some ability with the Helmut sword, to go, even if I may be lacking."
"Hm."
The moment Arandel heard her reasoning, he knew Sharen was lying.
The fact that the mischievous and self-centered Sharen was using noble duty as an excuse made it clear she had an ulterior motive.
Still, there was no compelling reason to refuse her.
Arandel judged that Sharen's deployment was the most ideal solution.
She was not critical to the Sword Festival yet was strong enough to contribute meaningfully.
Additionally, he thought that sending the immature Sharen to the battlefield might help her grow.
"It is a great colony. Do not let your guard down. Show those gathered there the greatness of Helmut."
As soon as he granted permission, Sharen smiled brightly and bowed her head.
"I will show the world what Helmut's sword truly is."
For a moment, Arandel's face turned darkened, but no one noticed.
"Father! I—!"
Liana stepped forward, insisting that she should go instead. However, Arandel, now displeased by Sharen's earlier words, frowned and gestured for her to stop.
"Leave."
"..."
That was the end of it.
No one present could oppose the head of the house, Arandel.
With that, everyone left the room.
Arandel remained alone in his study, returning to his work.
Yet, Sharen's earlier declaration kept circling in his mind.
'I will show the world what Helmut's sword truly is.'
Helmut's sword.
Sigh.
A deep sigh escaped Arandel's lips, seemingly deepening the wrinkles on his face.
In a voice tinged with bitterness, he murmured to himself:
"Who among you truly wields the sword of Helmut?"
His whisper like a bitter sigh, dissipated like gray smoke, vanishing into the air.
***
Liana's steps were urgent.
She was rushing to find Sharen and ask her to immediately retract her decision to go to the Malidan Wall.
"Liana!"
As she walked along the second-floor corridor, a sharp voice full of irritation called out from behind her.
Her eldest brother, Lohengrin, stormed toward her, shouting.
"It's you, isn't it? You're the one who pushed Sharen to volunteer for this!"
"…What are you talking about?"
Though Lohengrin was a year older, Liana had long since discarded any sense of respect for him.
"Why else would Sharen volunteer to go to the Malidan Wall? It's supposed to be your responsibility!"
"…"
"You selfish wench. Are you that desperate to take the position of family head? Is it so unbearable to let your brother inherit it?"
"Hah, don't spew nonsense. How many times have I told you? I don't care about that position."
Liana tried to brush past him, but Lohengrin grabbed her shoulder.
Smack!
Liana swiftly slapped his hand away. Her murderous glare made him flinch momentarily.
But Lohengrin quickly regained his temper and snapped back.
"How did you manipulate Father?! He even overlooked the Roselixer incident!"
"Sigh."
Roselixer.
The Helmut family's elixir, capable of enhancing physical abilities.
Right after Isaac left, a vial of the elixir meant only for direct descendants went missing. Lohengrin had accused Liana of secretly giving it to Isaac and reported this to Arandel.
However, their father neither reacted strongly nor issued any punishment.
"Father must have realized it was one of your pathetic schemes."
After all, their father wasn't the type to be fooled by petty tricks.
"Well, since we're on the topic, Lohengrin, let me make something clear. Stop wasting your energy on pointless moves. Father already sees you as the heir, so don't expose your incompetence unnecessarily."
Liana's sharp, emotionless remark struck deep, making Lohengrin's face twist with anger.
"So that's your plan, huh? You want to steal the position of family head from me? Ha! Foolish. Let me make one thing clear, Liana—you have no chance of becoming the head."
"No, sigh…"
How was she supposed to deal with this idiot? She felt her patience, along with any remaining familial affection, fading.
"When the Sword Festival comes, Mother will return. She'll surely support me."
"…"
"And when I demonstrate my overwhelming skills compared to your pitiful swordsmanship, it'll all be over. You know our sparring record, don't you?"
A smug grin spread across Lohengrin's face.
37 matches. 31 wins, 6 losses.
His record against Liana was overwhelmingly in his favor. Although the number of matches seemed low for siblings, it was because Liana had intentionally avoided them.
"In the end, I'll prove myself with my abilities. But if you try any underhanded tricks—"
"Yes."
At that moment, Liana's cold, expressionless eyes widened slightly.
"You're right."
"…What are you talking about?"
A small smirk crept onto Liana's lips as if she had just realized something.
Then, she said:
"With Isaac gone, I don't need to hold back anymore."
"What?"
"Come to the training grounds, Lohengrin."
From her entire body, a crimson aura erupted. The vibrant, fiery energy left Lohengrin momentarily stunned.
"You've been playing around too much."
Liana brushed past him and headed for the training grounds.
***
"Ugh, gah?!"
Lohengrin couldn't even let out a proper scream.
Pathetically rolling backward, he became entangled in his own cape, unable to see clearly.
His greatsword was already out of his grasp, and his crimson aura had been shattered effortlessly, leaving him powerless.
The only consolation was this:
In the sprawling estate of their family, they had chosen the unused underground training hall for the duel.
Thanks to this, no one had witnessed his disgraceful defeat.
"Lohengrin."
A cold voice pierced the air.
The tone of someone who found her victory utterly inevitable, a fact that filled Lohengrin with shame.
In the duel just moments ago, he hadn't even managed to swing his sword properly. He had been utterly overwhelmed.
"If I had any ambition to become the family head, I would've taken it by force."
"…!"
"So don't bother provoking me."
With those words, Liana turned and walked away.
Lohengrin scrambled to his feet, shouting desperately.
"All this time! All this time, you were mocking me, weren't you?! Hiding such strength?!"
"Hah."
Liana paused for a moment, not turning her head as she muttered softly.
"It was because of Isaac."
"…What?"
"That's enough. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
With that, Liana added no more and continued walking away, leaving behind Lohengrin's anguished and bitter cries echoing in the hall.
"I am the eldest son! I will, I will become the family head!"
"I—I might not have realized it, but do you really think Father is unaware of your abilities?!"
"And yet Father will still choose me! Because I will follow in his footsteps and become the great Helmut!"
Liana clicked her tongue at his ranting.
Father knows everything?
"Of course he knows."
Arandel was not so foolish as to be unaware of the gap in skill between them.
However,
"That has nothing to do with it."
In Arandel's eyes, the difference in skill between Lohengrin and Liana was negligible.
He hesitated to choose Lohengrin simply because of his foolishness.
'Could anyone really earn Father's approval through swordsmanship alone?'
Emerging from the underground hall, Liana made her way through the first-floor hall, heading toward Sharen again.
"…"
A woman with dark brown skin, dressed in a chef's uniform, caught her eye as she bustled around.
"That must be Millie."
She remembered seeing Millie chatting with Isaac often.
They were the same age, and Liana vaguely recalled hearing that Isaac had given her a parting gift.
As Millie bustled about, she noticed Liana and hurriedly bowed her head.
"Good day, Lady Liana."
"…"
Liana received Millie's greeting with her usual expressionless demeanor.
Looking down at her for a moment, Liana nonchalantly spoke.
"Isaac gave you a gift, didn't he?"
"…Pardon?"
Caught off guard by the abrupt statement, Millie raised her head in confusion but quickly answered.
"Y-Yes! That's right. Sir Isaac painted my portrait."
"Can I see it?"
"Huh? Oh, of course!"
Millie guided Liana to the servants' quarters located outside the mansion.
Upon entering Millie's room, Liana briefly looked around.
A commoner by birth.
The same age as her.
A cheerful personality.
"She's similar to Isaac."
A woman who was the complete opposite of herself.
Was this the type of woman Isaac liked?
As Liana pondered silently, Millie brought the painting.
"Here it is. I never knew Sir Isaac had a talent for painting. He really is versatile." Millie said, openly praising Isaac.
Even though she knew the two would eventually divorce, Millie didn't want to criticize Isaac.
"Ah…"
The painting was truly remarkable.
It was a portrait of Millie.
Liana had no idea Isaac possessed such a talent.
"I…"
He had never drawn one for her.
Liana swallowed her words, turned around, and headed out.
"Thank you. It is impressive."
Without waiting for a reply, she left the room, her steps feeling somewhat heavy.
***
The next morning.
"Make sure you pack enough sweets. It'll be troublesome if we run out on the way."
Carriages lined up outside the Helmut estate, ready to depart for the Malidan Wall.
Among them, Sharen Helmut sat in the most luxurious carriage, leaning out the window and issuing instructions.
Unlike Isaac, who had only Jonathan by his side,
This time, a group of Helmut knights had been gathered to face the great colony of beasts.
"Hah, all this fuss just because of Isaac."
Though she said this, Sharen's eyes sparkled with excitement.
She looked like a child about to embark on an adventure.
It was clear to anyone that she saw the battlefield as a game.
"My lady…"
Sharen's personal maid, Kelsey, could only feel anxious.
She worried endlessly that Sharen might end up severely injured.
'It would've been nice if her other siblings were going along.'
Especially if Liana Helmut had been present, Kelsey felt she could've been at ease.
Kelsey busily packed the supplies into the luggage carriage, paying extra attention to seal Sharen's snacks properly.
In the dim interior of the carriage,
Something bulging under a white cloth caught her attention.
"What is this?"
Since Kelsey had been overseeing all the packing, she found it odd and lifted the cloth.
What she found underneath was—
"L-Lady Liana?!"
Liana Helmut was crouched there, her face flushed with embarrassment as she whispered a plea.
"P-pretend you didn't see me."