Chapter 110: Meeting at Dawn

“Ahem, it seems I’ve made quite a spectacle of myself.”

Leian Reeves said as he awkwardly dusted the dirt off his body—thanks to him rolling around the ground for a bit.

He entered the tent in an unsteady gait, pretending nothing had happened, and introduced himself.

“Greetings, Dame Blood Rose of Helmont. I am Leian Reeves, the young lord of the Reeves Family.”

“Yes.”

Rianna nodded expressionlessly at Leian’s greeting.

Looking at her, one wouldn’t expect that she was the same woman who had just flared up at Lohengrin and unleashed her Crimson Essence on him.

“I’ve actually met you a few times before. Do you remember me?”

“You attended my wedding.”

“Indeed! As expected of Lady Rianna, even your memory is impressive!”

She actually didn’t remember him.

Back then, she had sent invitations to the Reeves Family, so she simply assumed he had attended.

After all, nobles tended to attend the weddings of other great nobles.

If it wasn’t to curry favor, then it was to foster relationships among the nobility.

It was also an appropriate atmosphere for nobles of marriageable age to make eye contact.

“Unfortunately, things have turned out this way. Well, that’s probably part of the Goddess’ Will.”

“Yes.”

Rianna continued to let out brief answers.

It wasn’t because she disliked him or was in a bad mood.

If anything, she had no thoughts about him at all.

She had no reason to pay attention to him, nor to show any interest in him, that was why she didn’t say anything in particular.

“Women are often compared to flowers. Befitting your title, Blood Rose, I expect you to bloom most beautifully on the battlefield.”

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, on the other side…

Leian Reeves had a sister named Marlin.

He was more than familiar with such conversations; one could say that he was extremely experienced with it.

A battle between spear and shield!

Sharen, who had been watching blankly from the side, widened her eyes and took out snacks from her bosom.

Crunch, crunch.

“If you ever find yourself in danger on the battlefield, please call for Leian Reeves. This humble self would run to you even if one leg were cut off.”

“Yes.”

But in the end, it was the spear that wavered a little while the shield remained steadfast.

Amazing!

If only Isaac is here to see this!

Crunch, crunch!

Next day, early in the morning.

As usual, Isaac woke up early and was swinging his sword.

The tachi in both his hands…

Especially White Snow—which was made of Argentite—felt unusually cold.

Does it know it’s close to home?

The earring Silverna made for him was also emitting the same fierce chill.

Lately, he often felt that White Snow and the earring were resonating with each other.

Hence why he started holding White Snow in his left hand, because he wore the earring on his left ear.

He thought that it was more fitting this way.

“Hoo.”

Amidst the sound of the dawn air being cut, an old man’s low exclaim of admiration sneaked in.

It was the commander-in-chief, Eisenwolf, clad in armor, standing on the side.

When Isaac bowed his head to greet him, Eisenwolf approached and asked.

“Is that the swordsmanship used by those Transcendent Race?”

“…It’s similar, but different. I’ve modified it to fit my body.”

“…Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Eisenwolf.”

Eisenwolf offered his hand for a handshake.

Isaac respectfully grasped it.

“I am Isaac Logan. I’ve heard much about you.”

“Princess Adeline told me that I should seek as much help as I could from you, Baron Logan.”

“Please, the princess is exaggerating. I just have a meager insight of the Transcendent Race compared to others.”

“Strictly speaking, we came here to subjugate the Demonic Beasts and reclaim the North. It isn’t certain yet if the Transcendent Race is involved in the current situation.”

“…Because we haven’t received any reports from the Malidean Wall, huh?”

Since the wall disappeared overnight, everything surrounding it was shrouded in mystery.

But Isaac was certain.

“The Transcendent Race is involved. No one else could pull off such an out-of-the-world feat.”

“Hoo… Do you have evidence for that claim?”

“It’s a phenomenon that transcends common sense. Only the Transcendent Race could ever pull such a thing off.”

“Using the process of elimination, you think they’re the culprit, huh?”

“That’s right.”

Eisenwolf’s expression hardened. It seemed like he didn’t find his answer satisfying.

But, even Isaac found it difficult to explain the extent of the Transcendent Race’s power, as they were beings that defied common sense.

“My position is that of a commander. It’s hard for me to accept such an opinion.”

“I understand.”

“However, I will personally engrave your opinion in my heart.”

Isaac’s eyes widened. That answer was enough for him, so he bowed his head without saying anything else.

At that moment…

“Ah.”

A familiar woman appeared before them.

Rianna Helmont.

Carrying her greatsword at this wee hour, it seemed she was about to do morning exercises.

But, seeing that she was here, near Isaac’s tent, it wasn’t hard to tell she had other intentions instead.

“Hmm, this old man should get going. My knees can’t stand the cold of the dawn.”

Your thighs look twice as thick as mine, though.

“Try not to make a commotion. On the battlefield, even ten minutes of sleep is precious to the soldiers.”

“Thank you.”

After receiving Rianna’s thanks, the robust old veteran tactfully departed.

Leaving the man and woman, the two people with a somewhat awkward relationship, to face each other.

“I greet Helmont’s Family Head.”

It was Isaac who greeted her first.

He thought of doing the same thing as yesterday, but Rianna’s lips protruded slightly at his greeting.

Then, without beating around the bush she…

“Duel.”

Made that proposal.

“Do it with me.”

“…”

At that, Isaac slowly sheathed his swords.

Rianna had warned Lohengrin so sternly yesterday not to engage in duels.

So, it was a little funny to see her asking for one like this.

But, it was probably because she knew that she came secretly at dawn.

After all, she was well aware that Isaac’s training started this early in the morning.

No further conversation ensued between them after that.

They just stood facing each other, keeping their distance.

After bowing their heads to show respect to each other, they took their stances.

Rianna drew Ragnavel, her greatsword that carried a great sense of intimidation just by existing.

Swish!

Seeing this, Isaac pulled his right foot slightly and swept the ground.

The cold snow of the North rose instead of dust, and their breath turned into fog in the air.

Isaac made the first move.

The moment I give up the offensive, my chance of victory will disappear.

In the first place, I can’t win against her in a contest of strength.

Hovering Wings. The Iai drawn from both sides that resembled the flapping of a bird’s wings.

Isaac’s first strike flew, cutting even the wind.

Clang!

However, Ragnavel blocked it with ease, not budging even an inch.

Behind the greatsword, a pair of red eyes stared at him without blinking.

Boom!

The moment the greatsword and the tachi made contact, the latter was pushed back.

She didn’t even let out any Crimson Essence.

But if Isaac didn’t retreat at that moment, he’d be rolling on the ground right now, pushed back by the force.

Their distance widened again.

Still wearing her expressionless face, Rianna readied her greatsword and stepped forward.

Thud!

With a leap that crushed the ground beneath her, she closed the distance in the blink of an eye.

If it’s Helmont—

Isaac already read the trajectory of her sword.

Helmont’s greatsword tended to emphasize power.

Hence why they’d unconsciously assume postures and trajectories where they could apply their power in the most effective way.

Clang!

Ragnavel slid past Isaac’s two tachi that he held diagonally.

Got her.

He brilliantly deflected her strike, but the impact was strong enough to make his hands tingle. Regardless, it was still impressive for him to only get this much damage after receiving Rianna’s strike.

Just as he was about to unleash his counterattack…

“…!”

He noticed that she was holding the greatsword with only her right arm.

Which meant her left arm was free, and sure enough, she swung towards him with it.

This was when the Crimson Essence she had been hiding revealed itself.

Taking the shape of a Demonic Beast’s hand, it approached him at a tremendous speed.

It was the first time he had seen such a technique—even back in his previous life, he had never seen it.

A technique that was so unlike Helmont, which prided everything in their greatswords.

Whoosh!

“…!”

The Crimson Essence stretched out as if to grab Isaac’s nape, but stopped before it touched him.

Just like that, the duel was decided.

“I lost.”

As Isaac lowered his sword and acknowledged his defeat, Rianna calmly withdrew her Crimson Essence and nodded.

“I wanted to show you, Isaa—No, Baron Logan.”

“Show me?”

“Yes.”

It seemed like she was unsure how to address him, but…

What she wanted to say to him was clear.

“You are someone who managed to read Helmont completely like a book.”

“…”

“Had I simply swung my greatsword just now, I would’ve been the one in trouble as you’ve read its trajectory.”

“…”

“I want to show you that. The current Helmont is different. It has changed and will continue to change.”

At that, Isaac’s eyes widened.

Rianna, having sheathed her greatsword, bowed deeply at him, showing her respect.

“Also, thank you for opening my eyes.”

She didn’t mean it for just this duel, for just this moment.

She was showing her gratitude to him, as he had shown Helmont the way to break the mold that stood in their path and move forward.

“Can we meet here tomorrow too?”

Her words sounded formal, as if she was writing a letter, and to that, Isaac nodded with a gentle smile.

“It’s 0:1. Tomorrow will be different.”

At his response, the corners of Rianna’s lips turned up slightly.