It was a somewhat embarrassing but heartfelt moment that passed.
Isaac and Silverna's drinking continued.
Before they knew it, the two were sharing drinks and laughing like old friends.
As always, when people drink, the conversation turns to the usual topics.
Since both Isaac and Silverna were part of the military, the topic naturally shifted in that direction.
"So what you're saying is… instead of just waiting, we should take the fight to them?"
"Yeah, exactly. There's no need to fight on their terms."
"Hmmm."
From Silverna's point of view—who had always adhered to the defensive strategy behind the wall—such a suggestion naturally drew skepticism.
"We're already prepared and waiting. Can't we just time it perfectly and hit them then?"
At the Wall of Malidan, they were always prepared to immediately respond to an attack from the beasts, so her response was understandable.
"And besides, isn't there no way for us to cross over in the first place?"
"Well… we could use those things that keep appearing in the North to ride over."
"Like last time? You do know how dangerous that was, right?"
"..."
Isaac clammed up.
Whether it was because of the alcohol or his growing anxiety, there was something different about him from usual.
Unlike his normally rational self who always tried to make the best decision, he seemed… desperate.
"I get why you're acting this way."
"..."
"Now that we can finally see the end, any mistake—or some unexpected move on their part—could ruin everything."
Silverna's words struck right at the heart of the matter. Isaac, especially after encountering that giant named Gaia, had grown increasingly tense.
Though he managed to defeat it in the end, the thought of such beings starting to invade the human world?
Terrifying.
So terrifying, in fact, that the word itself didn't seem enough.
"That's not the only reason."
There was bitterness in Isaac's voice as he ran his fingers over the beer mug.
"If we fight here, there'll be massive civilian casualties. They're not the kind of enemy we can fight without people getting hurt."
Silverna agreed with that, but she still had her reservations.
"But in the end, we still have no way of crossing over, right? The method we used last time is way too risky."
Unless Isaac could answer that, his idea was nothing more than wishful thinking.
'A way to cross over to the Abyss World.'
Isaac sighed, frustrated that no good solution had come to mind.
***
Isaac was planning to return to the Magic Tower to deal with the Subjugation transformation issue.
But a letter delivered through the princess brought different news: the Tower Master Legant and Liana were already heading to Evergard.
'The sword's not even finished yet…'
Watching the master smiths argue day in and day out—sometimes with anticipation, sometimes with dread—Isaac wasn't sure what to expect from the next sword.
Even when they reassured him not to worry, they still hurled insults at each other with spit flying.
He was so exhausted by now that it had been a while since he last visited the forge.
And then, there was something else weighing on his mind.
A beautifully packaged potion bottle sat on the table.
"This stuff is seriously rare, you know?!"
Sharen cradled the bottle in both hands like a delicate flower.
Her dramatic behavior didn't feel exaggerated at all—this was a valuable item.
'Helmut's Elixir, the Roselixir.'
A gift from Helmut to Isaac, along with the Jingol Steel.
"Why haven't you drunk it yet?! Hurry up, bottoms up!"
Despite Sharen's shouting, Isaac sat there, arms crossed, unmoving.
"Yaaawn."
At that moment, Silverna walked into the dining room in pajamas.
She was staying at Isaac's mansion since she had nowhere else to stay after coming from the North.
Having spent every day at the northern front, this was practically a vacation for her, and she had slept in a bit.
"What's that, a drink? I'm thirsty—"
"Hey! That's Isaac's!"
"So stingy…"
Not knowing it was the Roselixir, Silverna grumbled and walked off to get water.
Once she was gone, Sharen continued.
"You're using a sword made from the Jingol Steel, right?! You can't wield aura, but if you drink this, you might be able to!"
"..."
"Ugh, so frustrating! You can't even say the 'A' in Aura, and yet you're being so picky?! Look, Isaac! Crimson Flame Wave!"
She raised her hand and released a faint Crimson Flame Wave.
"Super cool, right? You can do it too—Aura!"
"Haaah, Sharen. My head hurts. Can you please quiet down a bit?"
Isaac finally spoke, and Sharen pouted her lips in response.
"Boo! Dummy! I brought it all the way here and you're just gawking at it!"
"What's going on?"
Silverna returned with her water and sat down. After Sharen explained what the potion was and what was happening, curiosity gleamed in Silverna's eyes.
"This is that Roselixir? The potion that supposedly gives you Helmut's strength and physique?"
"Yup!"
"That's a bit of a stretch."
Isaac firmly denied Sharen's enthusiastic claim.
"It doesn't just boost your physical abilities. More precisely, it refines the mana inside your body."
For someone like Helmut, who primarily uses Crimson Aura, the mana within must be dense and pure.
The Roselixir was a potion made for Crimson Aura warriors—and once they grew stronger, their physical capabilities naturally improved.
That's how the rumor started: 'Drink the Roselixir and become Helmut.'
'If something like this could actually turn me into Helmut, Liana in her past life would've forced me to drink it ages ago.'
'If that's the case, then conversely—
The reason he hasn't taken it yet is:'
'…I just can't predict what kind of effect this will have on me.'
A potion, by its very nature, brings about a change in the body.
But Isaac doesn't handle mana—he wields 'spectral aura', a form of energy derived from the karma of his past life.
Having reached a considerable level of mastery, he had even earned the recognition of the 'Father of Sword Demons'.
'Too much is as bad as too little. Overdoing it could backfire.'
That's why Isaac was hesitant to take the Roselixir.
Even if he did eventually take it—
"I'll take it only after Grandmaster and Liana arrive. I want them to check it first."
"Aw, come on! You should surprise her with how much stronger you've become!"
"That's wise."
While Sharen seemed disappointed by Isaac's decision, Silverna nodded in agreement.
"You shouldn't just drink stuff like this recklessly. We've got something similar up north, it's called —Remtalin."
"Isn't that just alcohol?"
Remtalin was known as an extremely strong liquor.
"…Exactly. That's why you don't just drink it without thought."
Isaac gave her a deadpan look, as if to say, 'What even is this conversation?' Just then—
"Baron, the princess has arrived."
Karen, who had been tending to the garden, appeared with a message. And right behind her came Princess Clarice.
She looked visibly tired, with dark circles under her eyes.
"Oh, I see everyone's having a great time. Don't mind me—I'm just out here working for the citizens. As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters."
"…"
"But then again, you're all nobles, huh?"
"Have you been very busy lately?"
In response to Isaac's question, Clarice pointed a finger at him and nodded.
"Good question, Baron Logan."
"…"
"As you know, a large portion of my sister's people were purged, so we're dealing with some serious staff shortages right now."
About half of Princess Adeline's aides had been executed due to the blood demons. Naturally, things were chaotic internally.
"So now even the most trivial jobs are getting dumped on me, the princess. I came here to deliver a message to Baron Logan, but mostly I just wanted to see his handsome face for a bit of healing—"
She threw a sidelong glance at Silverna and gave a shrug.
"Looks like you're having a great time, huh? You've already conquered Helmut—are you aiming for Caldias next?"
"…Hah."
Isaac looked at Clarice, dumbfounded. Hoping Silverna would say something, he turned to her, and she tugged her pajamas off her shoulder a little and said:
"Isaac, three times was a bit much."
"Hey!"
"Isaac, you did it three times? Well, I guess it makes sense. You're a warrior, after all—must exercise a lot."
"That's not it!"
Sighing, Isaac got up from his seat. Clarice hadn't sat down because she'd only dropped by briefly—she had to leave soon.
Noticing his subtle signal, she smiled and followed him outside.
"Let's go. I came to let you know—it's about time they arrive from the Mage Tower."
"My sister's coming!"
Sharen shouted with excitement, running ahead.
"Yawn~ Have fun. I'll stay here."
Still in pajamas and not having eaten yet, Silverna decided to stay behind.
Isaac, standing at the door, turned and looked back at her with concern.
"Wear proper clothes."
"…"
"I don't want Liana getting any strange ideas when she arrives."
There was no reply.
***
At the main gate of Evergard.
Under the massive gates, Sharen and Clarice stood on either side of Isaac, chattering.
"I'm telling you, the moment she gets off, we should have her dance first!"
"Tell her to do a handstand and walk over!"
"Sigh… this is no laughing matter. The 'Subjugation' is serious business."
Their playful chatter was all about Liana. Since she had gained a Subjugation Contract, they wanted to test it in silly ways.
Of course, Isaac thought this was completely ridiculous.
"Why not?! I really wanna see her do the crab dance!"
"Pfft! Watching the head of House Helmut do a crab dance would be hilarious!"
"There she is."
Isaac steered the conversation away.
A carriage from the Mage Tower approached and stopped directly in front of them upon seeing Isaac and Clarice.
Liana was the first to hop out quickly.
"Huh? Wait—"
The Magic Tower's master, Legant, tried to stop her, but Liana's steps were unwavering.
Without a second thought for royal etiquette, she walked directly up to Isaac—
Grab!
She firmly seized Isaac's hand as he instinctively reached out to stop her.
"The handcuffs—"
Sharen muttered something about the missing handcuffs, but that wasn't important now.
Liana's arm slid around Isaac's waist, clinging tightly.
"W-Wait, stop!"
Isaac's panicked voice made her freeze on the spot.
"…So it really is true."
Liana smacked her lips, looking disappointed. Her method of verification was as bold as Sharen's or the Princess's.
[TL Note]
Hey guys,
I'm planning to release all the remaining chapters of this novel today or tomorrow.
The original site has been issuing DMCA strikes, and because of that, my Ko-fi page was also taken down, so I can't continue there anymore.