"Big Sis?"
Sharen called out hesitantly, her voice trembling.
She was so taken aback that she doubted the scene unfolding before her eyes was real.
Logically speaking…
Why would Liana be here?
"Sharen, you've arrived."
But the moment those words left her lips, Sharen's body froze.
That was definitely Liana Helmut.
That unmistakable, chilling killing intent that only her sister could emanate filled the room.
'Kelsey, help me!'
She shot a desperate look at her maid, pleading for help, but Kelsey could only lower her head, unable to do anything else.
"B-Big Sis? How did you get here?"
"Does that really matter right now?"
"Of course it matters! If Father finds out you're here, he'll be furious!"
"True, I suppose."
Liana nodded her head.
"But I don't really care."
Her expression was one of genuine indifference.
It was so unlike her usual self, who always seemed wary of Arandel's scrutiny.
What is this?
Sharen found herself even more confused.
It was as if Liana was deliberately provoking their father's wrath.
"Sharen."
Whatever the case may be, one thing was clear: her sister was very angry.
'Why should I be scared of her?!'
Trying to regain her composure, Sharen straightened her back and decided to act as she usually did around her sister.
"What's the matter, Big Sis? If you came all the way here, you must have a good reason, right?!"
"Ah, my lady—"
"Kelsey, stay out of this. I'm here at the Malidan Wall as a representative of the Helmut. But you—you're ignoring our father's orders by being here! I have every right to—"
"Did you enjoy the time you spent with Isaac?"
"B-Big Sis…"
At that, Sharen immediately shrank back, her shoulders drooping as she fidgeted awkwardly.
"You know, Sharen. Isaac is my husband."
"…"
She wanted to add "for now," but Liana's terrifying aura silenced her.
"To outsiders, it might look like a brother-in-law and sister-in-law simply getting along."
Liana began approaching slowly, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
"But I know what kind of feelings you harbor."
"B-Big Sis?"
Now on the verge of tears, Sharen looked up at Liana, her eyes brimming with fear.
"Don't do it, Sharen."
Liana gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Sharen's cheek, speaking in a bittersweet tone.
"I don't want to see Isaac suffer because of Helmut anymore."
"B..ig Sis?"
It was only when she got closer that Sharen finally understood the emotions in her sister's eyes.
"Let's put an end to this."
Deep regret.
Yet at the same time, an unwillingness to completely let go.
"Let him go."
Because that was how much she loved him.
"…Big Sis."
At this point, Sharen could only feel overwhelmed.
The question Kelsey had been too curious yet too afraid to ask.
The reason her sister defied their father's strict orders to be here.
"Why are you here?"
To that, Liana responded with nothing but a bitter smile, offering no further explanation.
***
"…I know."
"Pardon?"
"I said I know."
"…What are you talking about?"
"It's nothing. It's really not a big deal. Just act like a friend."
"Are you talking to yourself?"
Anna looked at Silverna, who kept muttering to herself, and was clearly confused.
'What's going on with her?'
"This isn't like me. Yeah, let's not make things awkward."
Though it was unlike Silverna's usual self, Anna's curiosity didn't last long—her confusion was quickly answered.
"You idiot! How can you handle Crimson Descent like that and still call yourself a knight of Helmut?"
"I-I'm sorry!"
"…"
The next morning, in the training grounds.
Sharen scolded Jonathan harshly as she watched him wield Crimson Descent poorly.
Meanwhile, Isaac sat nearby, diligently taking notes while watching the two of them. The sight of him holding a pen and jotting things down in a notebook had become so commonplace it felt entirely natural.
Was he researching Helmut's sword techniques? He was intently focused on writing down Sharen's explanations about Crimson Descent.
"Ahem, Isaac?"
Silverna awkwardly approached him.
"Oh, Silverna."
Isaac greeted her and Anna briefly. Before Silverna could say anything, hesitating as if struggling to find the right words, Isaac spoke first.
"Do you have a hair tie by any chance? My hair's grown longer than I expected."
"Now that you mention it, it really has."
Isaac's hair nearly brushed his shoulders at the back. Anna reached into her belongings and handed him a spare hair tie.
"Do you know how to tie it?"
"Well, sort of."
In his past life, he often locked himself in his study to write. Whenever his hair grew long, he would tie it back in a simple ponytail.
As Isaac neatly tied his hair, Silverna, looking down at him, suddenly yelled with a flustered expression.
"You—you—you want to die?!"
"…Why?"
"Milady?"
"If you tie your hair like that—!"
Silverna, her face flushed, looked as though she wanted to say something but quickly bit her lip and held back.
"Go see the blacksmith! He's expecting you."
"Oh, the thing you mentioned yesterday!"
Relieved, Isaac quickly got up and headed toward the smithy without noticing the gazes of Silverna and Anna lingering on his back.
***
The Malidan smithy was located at the furthest edge inside the fortress walls. Due to the noise and unpleasant odors, it had been pushed to an out-of-the-way corner, but it remained one of the most critical facilities at the front lines.
It was also known as the warmest place in the northern region.
"You're the type to make women cry."
"Pardon?"
The moment he stepped inside, Isaac was greeted by the gruff comment of the blacksmith, leaving him visibly bewildered.
The blacksmith clicked his tongue while brandishing his hammer.
"Helmut sends a guy like you and expects me to make a sword? Lady Silverna is asking for a bit much."
"Despite that, I am still a guest. Shouldn't you show some courtesy?"
"A blacksmith's work is driven by stubbornness and pride. Shouldn't I at least have the right to decide who wields the weapon I make?"
"You don't seem to care much about money."
"That's why my wife keeps nagging me."
The blacksmith laughed heartily. Despite the northern chill, he wore a sleeveless shirt, his arms bearing clear scars from burns and cuts.
"Regardless, since Silverna asked, I trust you'll craft my sword."
"Tch. I guess I have to."
A slight smile tugged at the corners of the blacksmith's mouth.
Blacksmiths like him often had terrible personalities but unmatched skill. They treated their weapons as works of art and took great pride in creating masterpieces, no matter who wielded them.
As a member of the Caldias frontlines, this blacksmith's expertise was unquestionable. Living on the frontlines, there hadn't been a single day when he wasn't hammering away.
The apprentices behind him, each brimming with confidence, also carried an air of mastery.
"I brought a blueprint."
When Isaac pulled out the blueprint, the blacksmith snatched it up with a sneer.
"Hah! You're telling me to make a sword based on some amateur's drawing—!"
The blacksmith's tongue, which had been wagging freely, suddenly stopped.
Even the apprentices paused their hammering, watching him curiously as if they had never seen him react like this before.
The blacksmith stared at the blueprint for a long time, then slowly raised his head to look at Isaac. His gaze, once casual, now carried a heavy seriousness.
"…Did you come up with this?"
"Not entirely on my own. I received advice from several people."
For a swordsman, a sword was an indispensable tool. Choosing a good sword was also part of a swordsman's skill.
In his past life, Isaac didn't only study swordsmanship. In fact, while studying swordsmanship, he naturally became knowledgeable about weapons like swords.
In his previous life, he sought the teachings and advice of countless blacksmiths about swords.
"This is an unusual design."
"Technically, it's not a sword. It's called a do."
[TLN: The word 도 (do) refers to a single-edged blade or sword, like a saber, dao, or katana and commonly referred to as a Hwando or "military sword," used as a sidearm for the Korean soldier well into the 19th century.]
"A do? Hmm, that's unique. It's similar to your Pearlsun but different."
Isaac gave a bitter smile.
That was because this weapon originated from the transcendent races.
"You won't be able to block effectively with this. It's lightweight, but with a blade this thin, it's not suitable for strength-based clashes."
"That's exactly why I'm using it—because I lack the strength."
He confessed honestly, acknowledging his own limits.
"Won't it break easily during combat?"
"If it breaks, doesn't that mean the blacksmith didn't do their job well?"
"Heh."
"That's why I entrusted it to the best blacksmith I could find. But if you're not confident, I can leave."
"How childish and petty."
The blacksmith clenched his fist with a smirk.
"And I'm quite a petty man myself."
Having lived as a blacksmith for a long time and never shying away from challenges, he had reached the position he was in today.
"Just wait. I'll need a few trials and errors to get it right."
"Sounds good."
Since there was still some time before the Great Colony ended, Isaac was willing to cooperate as much as possible to help the blacksmith create his sword.
Just as the blacksmith was about to head back to the forge with the blueprint in hand, he paused and asked one last question.
"By the way… I heard you're from Helmut?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I doubt Helmut would allow someone to use anything but a greatsword."
Isaac chuckled at the question.
"The purpose of a sword is to cut, isn't it?"
"Hmm?"
"The moment I hold a greatsword, it's no longer a sword to me—it's just dead weight."
"…"
"I need a sword."
Isaac's firm declaration made the blacksmith pause for a moment before stepping forward and extending his hand for a handshake.
"My name's Antonio. I'll be the one to give you a true sword, so you might as well remember my name."
"I'm Isaac."
***
Back at the training grounds.
"Hey, you idiot! Can't even do this?! This is basic stuff!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
Jonathan was close to tears under Sharen's strict guidance, while Anna quietly ask a question to Silverna.
"My lady, what's wrong?"
"Anna."
Silverna hesitated, her lips quivering, before finally sighing and confessing.
"You were right."
"My lady?"
"I think… I think I like him."
"…!"
Anna's eyes widened as she quickly scanned her surroundings.
Sharen and Jonathan were too focused on their own tasks to pay attention, and the only person within sight was a maid whose face was hidden by a mask.
Judging the distance to be safe, Anna leaned in and whispered.
"My lady, you must never tell anyone about this. Understand?"
"I know… That's why I told you and no one else."
"Ah, fine. But my lady, he's already married. And he's from Helmut. Love may be noble, but it has ruined many people's lives, you know."
"I know."
Silverna's shoulders slumped. Anna hugged her tightly, gently patting her back.
"My poor lady. What are we going to do with you?"
"Anna… Am I strange?"
"No, my lady. How could anyone control their feelings when they fall in love? It's just… just-"
Anna hesitated before answering with a sigh, tears welling in her own eyes.
"You're just a little too late, that's all."
It felt as though a heavy stone had settled in both their hearts.
Thankfully, Silverna had the rest of the day off.
She could spend the time sorting out her feelings.
"Sigh, the heavens can be so cruel."
The first snow that fell on the lady's heart…
Of all things, had to be sleet.