The atmosphere inside turned tense at the Blood Demon's words.
It was cold and taut, like a thread ready to snap at the slightest pull. In that heavy stillness, Veros finally opened his mouth.
"…Can you really save my daughter?"
Like a desperate man digging a well, Veros asked the question without realizing it.
The Blood Demon smiled gently, as if she had been waiting for that, and nodded.
"Of course. Why would I lie about something like this? The desperate wish to save one's own blood—it's beautiful. And relatable."
Her tone was soft and light, yet strangely, it carried a powerful sense of sincerity.
Maybe that's why Veros continued speaking without realizing it.
"What's the price…? If you even mention something like becoming one of your vassals, like Liana Helmut, I'll rip out your tongue on the spot."
Though mostly symbolic, Veros had witnessed Liana's trial with his own eyes.
If the Blood Demon dared ask for something like a curse that turned people into slaves of the transcendent beings, he was ready to draw his sword immediately.
"The price? It's simple."
Her words, so casually delivered, made Veros frown. Gelamius, who had been listening beside him, quickly added in a rush.
"It's true! She didn't ask me for anything too difficult either!"
Despite the reassurance, Veros couldn't relax at all.
What would the Blood Demon demand?
His eyes trembled with unease as she gave a chilling smile and spoke again.
"There's only one thing I want from you, Lord Veros."
And then, the words that slipped from her lips made Veros's entire body start to tremble.
"What? W-What did you just say?"
Though he had clearly heard her, he couldn't help but ask again.
It was that shocking. And yet, when compared to his daughter's life, perhaps it wasn't such a heavy price after all.
She wasn't threatening his loyalty to Princess Adeline.
She wasn't demanding betrayal of the kingdom either—it was more of a personal and familial insult.
Smiling sweetly at his reaction, the Blood Demon repeated herself with a sticky, yet clear voice.
"The price for saving your daughter… is your daughter's marriage."
***
The next day after arriving in Evergard.
Isaac, who had been tormented by Princess Clarice all day yesterday, was now up early and preparing to head into town after finishing his morning training.
"Still, it's lucky that you returned right in time, my lord."
"Hm?"
Karen, the maid, smiled as she helped Isaac with his clothes.
And then, she revealed a secret she had kept well until now.
"The wedding's in three days. You'll be attending, right, my lord?"
"It's already that soon? I guess my timing was pretty good."
"Hehe!"
Seeing Karen smile so brightly, Isaac also gave a small smile.
He had known since working here that she had a fiancé, and it seemed the wedding was finally happening.
"..."
He had told her multiple times to be careful and thoughtful about marriage, but now, with only three days left until the wedding, he didn't want to lecture a soon-to-be bride.
"Then I guess I should give you some time off. You can stop here for today and go rest. And don't worry about coming in for about a week."
"…Lord Logan."
At Isaac's generous offer, Karen frowned and put her hands on her hips.
"You're giving me time off just as I was finally about to earn my keep after months?"
"..."
"Every day you were gone was a vacation. I cleaned this place so much that there's literally nothing left to clean."
The place did indeed shine like a brand-new building.
"Now that I can finally serve you properly, you're giving me time off? That's just not right."
"Well, at least put more focus on your husband. That's important in a marriage."
"…Hearing that from you, my lord, it somehow feels more meaningful."
"Right?"
As Isaac grinned playfully, Karen handed him a black beret she had brought from somewhere and continued.
"Still, no. You're going to leave again soon anyway, right? I can rest then. Let me serve you this time."
"Hm, alright. Got it."
Isaac took the beret and put it on, though he asked while adjusting it,
"But why this? I don't usually wear hats."
"It's trending in town lately."
"..."
"Hurry up and wear it. If you keep walking around showing off that handsome face, I'll get blamed for not taking care of you properly."
"Ahem. Say that kind of thing to your husband."
As Isaac awkwardly adjusted the beret, Karen clasped her hands together and responded brightly.
"I tell him all the time! They say love makes you blind, and it's true, you know? Objectively, Lord Logan is handsome, but my husband? He makes my heart flutter—!"
"Okay, okay. Do you really want to say that to a divorced man?"
Isaac chuckled and walked past her. Karen followed him with a playful laugh.
"Will you be coming back for lunch?"
"Hmm, I'm heading to the blacksmith's, so I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. Just prepare dinner."
"Understood!"
She hummed as she walked, clearly happy just to be working again.
Watching her, Isaac added a final word before heading out.
"And thank you."
"Huh? For what—?"
"Millie. There wasn't a speck of dust. You took care of it, didn't you?"
Even though he hadn't been able to visit for some time, Millie's gravestone was clean, and the flowers placed in front of it were still fresh.
Karen scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"I wasn't the only one. Princess Clarice also tended to it, and Sister Bell came by from time to time too."
"Sister Bell?"
Wasn't she like a mother figure to Jonathan?
"Yes, Sir Jonathan came by last time and praised you a lot, said you were his benefactor."
"I see… Jonathan."
For a moment, Isaac's expression hardened as the Blood Demon came to mind, but now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
"I should thank them all."
Saying so, Isaac stepped out of his estate.
He had to check the forge, thank the nun, and look for a wedding gift for Karen.
It was busier than expected—but that made it all the more peaceful.
Basking in the warm sunlight, Isaac gave a small smile.
***
Evergard's Forge.
Since Princess Clarice had informed them in advance, the blacksmiths were expecting Isaac's visit.
But instead of warmly welcoming him, they gave him sour looks of disapproval.
It made sense—the one responsible for this attitude was Antonio, the blacksmith from the North.
The blacksmiths here were being asked to lend their facilities to someone from a backwater region, which clashed with both their pride and their attachment to their tools.
However, those displeased gazes soon turned to the sword Isaac presented: Baekseol.
"Hmm."
"You made this?"
"It's light. Ridiculously so."
He had to silence them with skill.
Even though the blade was worn and dull now, its unique shape and chilling elegance compelled the blacksmiths to recognize its craftsmanship.
"I'll leave the sword here. Can I trust you to take care of it?"
Their eyes sparkled.
Leaving it here meant they'd have the chance to examine and analyze it closely.
"Ahem! Well—of course!"
"Do as you please!"
"You'll need another sword in the meantime, right? Take anything you like from over there."
Smiling at their unexpectedly cute reaction, Isaac chose a sword.
It was a stubby blade that didn't suit the style he normally used, but he figured he wouldn't be needing a weapon for a while.
Just for minimal self-defense.
Thinking that, he stepped outside—
Where a completely unexpected man was waiting for him.
"Baron Logan."
"Sir Veros?"
Captain of the Royal Guard and one of Princess Adeline's most loyal knights.
His massive build and solid frame made him look every bit the princess's shield.
"Her Highness told me you reinterpreted the Royal Guard Swordsmanship."
"…I did."
Isaac knew Veros's pride must've taken a hit, so he hesitated—but instead, Veros handed him a piece of glossy leather.
"A trophy from a hunt of a creature called a basilisk. Tough as steel, and its beautiful shine makes it prized. Many nobles wanted it, but I reserved it as a gift for Her Highness's wedding."
"…"
"Make boots out of it, and they won't wear down. Make gloves, and they'll protect your hands from blades."
As Isaac took the material in a daze, Veros bowed deeply and made a request.
"Please teach the Royal Guard, Baron Logan."
A direct and daring request.
Veros was willing to swallow his pride if it meant protecting his liege.
'So the rumors were true.'
They said Princess Adeline had a keen eye for people—and Isaac could now feel the truth of it.
He nodded.
***
"Hm?"
A northern lunch.
Margrave Uldren, Lord of the Frontier, furrowed his brow as he watched Reian Leviath dining with the young nobles of the Blue Wave Society.
Having just returned from the Mage Tower, Reian had immediately requested to meet with the blacksmith Antonio and visit the Frost Silver Mine.
Of course, Uldren had rejected it at first—but after being badgered by his daughter Silverna with Isaac's letter in hand, he finally caved.
"Why are you still here?"
Uldren approached and asked, causing Reian to jump up in surprise.
"Loyalty!"
"No need for formalities. We see each other every day."
Waving him down, Uldren pressed further.
"Weren't you supposed to head to Evergard? I heard you were departing with Antonio."
"Ah, well—"
Reian hesitated awkwardly, not wanting to provoke the Margrave by lying, so he answered honestly.
"Lady Silverna… insisted on going herself, so I gave up my spot."
"…That darn daughter of mine."