"Haha! So this is what Volten is like. It seems I was caught up in my own preconceptions!"
"Lord Rezalis, you weren't wrong. And it wasn't a bias either. The city used to be just as you imagined."
At Count Logan's response, Count Rezalis smiled in satisfaction.
He had spoken in case he had unknowingly made a mistake, but Count Logan naturally eased his worries.
"In that case, Count Logan, it makes you all the more impressive. The Volten I knew has changed so much in just half a year."
"I believe it's thanks to everyone's shared desire for change."
It had been half a year since he became the lord of Volten.
Thanks to the endless stream of visitors, Isaac had grown quite adept at navigating conversations between nobles.
If one were to compare it to swordplay, it was a kind of back-and-forth—tit for tat.
When one side praises, the other must return the favor.
Doing so without awkwardness or forced courtesy is the essence of noble conversation.
And in this area, Isaac had a certain natural talent, often leaving a good impression on visiting nobles.
"Ahem, but Lord Logan?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"You're of marriageable age, aren't you? Or rather, perhaps a bit past it by now?"
"Shamefully, you're right. I suppose I simply haven't found a suitable match yet."
Isaac tried to respond gracefully, but Rezalis didn't back down.
After all, this was precisely why he had come all the way to Volten.
"Hmph. I hear things, you know. Word is that all the noble ladies of the kingdom have been turned down by you."
"..."
"I even heard that you refused the Marquess of Polluren's daughter when they visited together last time."
"She was a lady far too good for someone like me."
"Hmm, I doubt she saw it that way."
With a faint smile, Rezalis clapped his hands lightly. A woman entered the room.
She was so elegantly dressed and graceful that she left a strong impression.
Though she seemed slightly tense, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks when she glanced at Isaac—clearly, she hadn't been forced to come.
"This is my daughter."
"Lord Rezalis."
"At least greet each other. My daughter's beauty is well-known, after all."
"I'm Chloe."
"I'm Isaac Logan."
Since it would have been rude to ignore her entirely, Isaac bowed his head politely.
But his expression wasn't exactly cheerful.
"Lord Rezalis, I sincerely appreciate the thought… but I already have someone I hold in my heart."
"Is it Liana Helmut?"
"..."
"Or perhaps Silverna Caldias? Or could it even be, the princess?"
The rumors had already spread far and wide, so Rezalis could make a reasonable guess without difficulty.
His daughter, standing beside him, didn't seem particularly fazed either.
"I didn't come here unaware. I'm not like the others, begging you to love only my daughter."
"..."
"Even as a concubine would be fine. Couldn't she at least have a place in the corner of your heart?"
"Lord Rezalis…"
"I'm a father too. I don't want to see my daughter live as a concubine, burdened with hard duties."
With that, he turned his gaze toward his daughter.
"She's the one who insisted. She said she fell for you at first sight during the last social gathering. Well, who wouldn't, I suppose…"
It was an offer with overwhelmingly favorable terms—
In essence, he wouldn't be held responsible for anything, only needed to accept her.
"I'm sorry."
Isaac bowed deeply and politely declined.
"I am a lowly man. I fear there's no more room left in my heart to hold anyone else."
Count Rezalis and his daughter both wore bitter expressions as they heard Isaac's refusal.
They had known the chances of rejection were high, given how many women had already been turned down.
But facing it directly still left a sting on the tongue.
"Click."
Count Rezalis clicked his tongue, then patted Isaac on the shoulder with a nod.
"It's because you're so steadfast that I find you even more admirable."
"..."
"Just be my drinking buddy, then. I'd like to maintain a long friendship with you."
"You'll always be welcome."
After Count Rezalis and his daughter left, Isaac stood in his bedroom, gazing out the window.
The mansion had once belonged to the former Baron of Volten, but now, six months later—
There was no trace or scent of the former owner left. Even the memories were fading.
***
Clunk!
"Have they gone back?"
The door opened, and in stepped the Grandmaster.
Arms crossed, her brow was furrowed with clear displeasure.
"They come offering women once a week at this rate. Anyone would think you're some lecherous noble obsessed with women."
"I'd rather welcome that kind of rumor."
That way, no one would come anymore.
He knew it sounded like the complaint of someone too well-off,
But in reverse, forcing more food on someone already full was its own kind of torture.
"Aren't you tired of it?"
At her subtle question, Isaac responded with a bitter smile.
"It's only been six months."
"I wasn't asking about the time."
"..."
A sharp question.
When it comes to waiting, how long it takes doesn't really matter.
The only thing that worries you is whether the person will ever come at all.
"I understand your resolve to live like this until someone returns, but…"
"..."
The Grandmaster slowly embraced him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder with a playful grin.
"Don't forget that the woman beside you is waiting too. I'm afraid my days of beauty might slip away while you're like this."
"You'll be just fine for at least another ten years. I've seen how stunning you'll remain until then."
"…That was way too convincing, and now I'm offended."
The two of them chuckled.
Then, the Grandmaster planted a kiss on Isaac's neck and whispered softly:
"You carry the ears and tail of a wolf, my little wolf. Do you know what else comes with that?"
"..."
"Animals naturally have a time for mating. It's called a heat cycle—"
"Mu-myeong told me about that. Said if someone tries to use that as an excuse, I should just flat-out reject them."
"That hag! She never does her own job, yet somehow finds time to whisper nonsense to my disciple…"
Mu-myeong and the Grandmaster were currently responsible for training Volten's city guard.
Though Volten was once closely associated with nightlife, it now required strong martial force to maintain order.
The two masters were more than capable of training a force of over a hundred guards.
The Grandmaster slowly let go, her tone turning serious.
"I was joking, in part, but it's also my way of telling you not to worry too much."
"..."
"So what if no one comes? You've got your irresistibly charming master right here, haven't you?"
At her words, Isaac let out a faint smile.
***
"..."
At the Helmut estate.
Liana Helmut, having just returned from a short trip to Evergard, frowned deeply.
There was a massive stone blocking the mansion's entrance—a pressure stone.
Incidentally, this "Pressure Stone" had been granted the honorary title of Helmut Knight and was in charge of guarding the estate.
But now that very stone was standing in her way?
"What is the meaning of this?"
Liana's voice was low and heavy.
Over the past six months, she had been busy managing various affairs as the head of House Helmut, and fatigue lingered in her eyes.
Given her blessed Helmut physique, it was a clear sign of how exhausting her work had been.
Thanks to her, House Helmut had regained a measure of influence—not as much as before, perhaps, but enough to stand above most other noble houses.
"I asked you what you think you're doing."
Seeing the Nureumdol suddenly blocking her entry, irritation began to rise in Liana's voice.
"T-That is…"
Nureumdol, clearly nervous, clenched its fists and shouted with forced resolve.
"L-Liana! You are not allowed to enter the mansion!"
"…What?"
"B-By order of the head of house! You are not allowed to enter—hiiiii! P-Please put down the greatsword!"
By the time he realized it, Liana had already drawn her greatsword, and a crimson aura was billowing around her.
Just what in the world was going on?
She was just about to charge forward—
When Helmut's knights poured out from behind Nureumdol.
All of them had drawn greatswords, clad in armor, standing with grim determination as if heading out to hunt a beast.
They formed a wall around Nureumdol, clearly taking a hostile stance against Liana.
"..."
At this point, even Liana thought an explanation was in order. And just then, the Helmut direct descendants appeared behind the knights.
At the center of them stood the youngest—Edel Helmut.
"Sister, you've returned."
"Explain what's going on here, Edel."
"It's simple."
Edel shrugged and answered coldly.
"As long as you remain the head of House Helmut, we can't move forward."
"..."
"Even if you earned great merit in the final battle against the Transcendents… do you know what label still follows you?"
"Traitor."
Edel muttered the word quietly, shaking his head.
"You stormed the royal palace alone and tried to assassinate the princess. That's a stain that can't be erased, no matter how much you want it to be."
"At the time, I was under the influence of subjugation spell—"
"You know full well this isn't something that can be brushed aside that easily."
Assassination of a royal.
At the time, it was during the war, so things were glossed over.
But even if she was a subjugation vessel, attempting regicide was a crime that couldn't be forgiven.
"It's already been six months."
"No, Sister. It's only been six months."
"..."
"And if it was because of subjugation spell? Then you should've resisted it. You know what that means—it means you were weak. Incompetent."
Liana stared straight at Edel.
She briefly glanced at the eldest brother, Lohengrin, and the second brother, Armin.
Lohengrin looked visibly angry, while Armin kept glancing nervously at Liana, unable to meet her gaze.
Finally, Sharen stood proudly atop Nureumdol, looking down at them with an arrogant grin.
"So, Sister. We've already reached a decision among the direct descendants. You are no longer fit to lead House Helmut. I'll be taking over."
"..."
"Please leave."
There was a strange tenderness in Edel's final words.
As if reluctantly letting go of something precious, his tone was soft.
Liana's eyes slowly widened.
'Ah, I see.'
Had he heard her crying at night, missing him?
Had he seen how often she blankly stared toward the direction of Volten?
Or maybe he had simply seen through her foolish attempts to stay busy and forget everything.
Whatever it was—
Liana seemed to understand Edel's intent.
Clank.
She rested her greatsword on her shoulder.
Crimson aura surged around her, swirling protectively.
Taking a step forward, Liana asked:
"Can you handle it?"
Can you bring me to my knees?
Can you truly claim the seat of Head?
Can I trust you…
To let me go?
Liana stepped forward and swung her greatsword.
And Edel responded with a bitter smile.
"I'll try, Sister."
To set you free.