LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 12 - Efforts and Longing
✦ Chapter 12 — Efforts and Longing ✦
「Translator – Creator」
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A week had passed since the nobles arrived at the Malideen Walls. It felt like a lot had transpired, but that was merely the beginning; the nobles were slowly acclimating to the North, while the Malideen Walls soldiers were finding their own ways to forge bonds with their new companions.
It was 4 in the morning and the sun had yet to rise.
Yawning as she slung her spear over her shoulder, Silverna finished her shift.
“Ugh, I’m beat.”
The arrival of the nobles hadn’t resulted in a lighter workload. If anything, the recent increase in beast horde activity meant they often had to be ready for action even after completing their night duty.
“My lady,” Anna, who had been on duty with her, popped out from among the other departing soldiers and approached Silverna.
“Anna, I was going to ask the cooks to make some soup before we turn in. Want some?”
“Actually, my lady… It’s about…”
Anna drew closer, lowering her voice so the other soldiers wouldn’t overhear.
“…Why haven’t you been wearing your binder lately? There are whispers among the soldiers about it, you know.”
“………………”
As if to confirm Anna’s words, Silverna could feel curious gazes lingering on her.
While the Malideen Walls soldiers were relatively discreet, the same couldn’t be said about the nobles; their blatant stares irked her, a strange sense of pride making her hold her head even higher.
“Is it that noticeable?”
Silverna glanced down at her chest.
As a woman, she knew it was often seen as an asset, but as a warrior who wielded a spear, it was nothing but a hindrance.
“Yes, very much so. What brought about this change of heart, my lady? You used to dislike it so much that you’d even wear a chest binder to sleep.”
“Well, about that…”
Silverna heaved a sigh and waited for the nearby soldiers to pass by before continuing.
“Someone told me… It’d be better if I got used to it.”
“Used to it?”
“He said I should get accustomed to my, well, chest, while wielding the spear. Because there might come a time when I won’t be able to use a chest binder anymore.”
“And why wouldn’t you be able to use it?”
“…Because they might get too big to bind, obviously.”
Anna stared at her, dumbfounded. Seeing her usually composed mistress blushing and averting her gaze was adorable.
‘Too big?!’
To the point even a chest binder wouldn’t contain them? Who in their right mind would say such a thing?! As if sensing her thoughts, Silverna mumbled, her cheeks still flushed, “Isaac said it.”
“Isaac?!” Anna exclaimed, baffled.
Of all the names Anna had expected, Isaac hadn’t even crossed her mind.
“He said I needed to accept the changes in my body. That he, too, had to give up his greatsword because of it.”
“What does that even have to with-! This is sexual harassment! We need to report this!”
“Anna, don’t be ridiculous. Isaac was only looking out for me.”
“But still…”
Anna was aware that Silverna had been spending a lot of time with Isaac lately. His insights into spearmanship that day on the training grounds were astounding, his knowledge deep and nuanced.
She’d even heard that some of the Malideen Walls soldiers had started seeking him out for advice, and that they were seeing noticeable improvements in their skills.
“Anyway, I don’t think what he said was entirely wrong. It’s not just about my chest getting bigger—there might be times when I can’t always wear a binder.”
“That makes sense, I suppose…”
“What if it snaps in the middle of a fight?”
“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to sew the buttons back on your shirts, my lady.”
“Right, so as I was saying-”
As they made their way back to their quarters, the sound of wind whistling across the training grounds caught their attention; they turned their heads in unison. There, in a dimly lit corner, stood Isaac, practicing his swordsmanship alone.
“Isaac?”
“He’s at it again.”
Anna elaborated on Silverna’s surprised murmur.
“He comes out here every day. Never misses morning training, either.”
“What about his duties?”
“He attends to those as well. But he’s also the last one to turn in every night. You wouldn’t believe how many candles he’s gone through this past week alone.”
Anna, in charge of keeping track of supplies, knew all too well.
“Even the soldiers are starting to talk. They say it’s motivating to see Helmund’s son-in-law working so hard.”
“…He certainly is something else.”
Anna watched Silverna staring at Isaac with an unreadable expression. A sudden, chilling thought occurred to her, and she quickly intervened.
“He’s a married man, my lady! Remember? And not just any married man – he’s Rianna Helmund’s husband! People will talk if you two are seen together too often!”
Their families were practically sworn enemies. The gossip mongers would have a field day if word got out that the Caldias heiress was getting cozy with the Helmund’s eldest daughter’s husband.
“I know, I know! It’s not like that, anyway. I’ve never even thought of him in that way. I just find his dedication admirable, that’s all.”
“O-of course, my lady! Of course!”
“Don’t worry about weird stuff.”
As they continued walking, Silverna called out with a wave of her hand.
“Hey, Isaac! Working hard, I see!”
Isaac, crouching and writing something down after laying his sword down, looked up sharply.
A small smile touched his lips as he raised a hand in greeting.
‘He is handsome, though.’
Anna had to admit it. Rhianna Helmund hadn’t chosen him without reason.
His sweat-drenched appearance held a strange allure, a stark contrast to the rugged, often grimy demeanor of the northern men.
“What’s he so intently writing?” Anna wondered aloud, her thoughts shifting elsewhere. Silverna leaned in, sharing her curiosity.
“Indeed.”
He’d suddenly stopped swinging his sword to jot something down; the two of them trotted over to Isaac.
“Hard at work from early in the morning.”
“Good morning,” Silverna and Anna greeted in unison.
Isaac offered a curt nod in return.
‘Are we interrupting?’
Anna wondered if they were bothering him, as his response was somewhat lukewarm.
“What are you working on? Let me see,” Silverna, ever the embodiment of the North’s straightforward nature, didn’t hesitate to peer over his shoulder.
“A swordsmanship manual?”
Isaac didn’t object. In fact, he was curious to hear her thoughts.
“Hmm?”
“…………”
Anna, standing beside her, stole glances at the contents of the notebook.
Elegant handwriting paired with detailed illustrations provided comprehensive explanations. As they flipped through the pages, they came across notes on areas of improvement, revisions meticulously documented.
“Are you writing this yourself?”
When Anna asked if he was writing a new manual rather than using an existing one, Isaac nodded.
Yeah, that’s right.”
“But you’re… Helmund?”
Anna asked carefully, questioning if it was okay for Helmund’s son-in-law to use a different weapon. Isaac laughed sheepishly.
“I can’t wield Helmund’s greatsword. I’m naturally lacking in physical strength.”
“Right, of course.”
It was a given that Isaac, a commoner, wouldn’t possess the physical capabilities to match those born with Helmund blood to wield the greatwrod.
“But Isaac,” amidst the forming awkwardness, Silverna, still focused on the manual, asked without looking away. “What kind of sword are you assuming for this?”
“………….”
“It’s not the Helmund greatsword, and it doesn’t seem to be an ordinary two-handed sword either. It looks like you’re handling it with one hand, but there’s no shield involved.”
Her observation was spot on.
Even just from skimming through the pages, she’d picked up on the nuances of his swordsmanship. Isaac grinned in amusement. She was as sharp as ever.
“Yes, the sword I’m planning to use is… rare in the kingdom. It’s the one my master uses.”
“Master?”
“I can’t go into detail, but yes.”
Isaac intentionally shifted the topic. Silverna and Anna were intrigued, but it seemed Isaac had no intention of elaborating.
‘If you know how to handle a sword, Grandmaster. I always wanted to be like you.’
There were two influential figures in Isaac’s life concerning swords.
Rianna Helmund, who, during their time together as ferryman and passenger, had instilled in him a yearning for the sword.
And the Grandmaster, who had reassured him that this was the right path after watching him train multiple times.
“We’re about to go to the cook and ask for some soup. Would you like to join us, Isaac?”
Anna deliberately changed the subject to prevent the mood from getting awkward.
“Sure, let’s do that! I have some cheese I stashed away; I’ll ask them to add it in too.”
Silverna playfully tugged Isaac along, and he followed, feigning reluctance.
As they walked, she added with a warm smile, “And by the way, if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to help.”
Silverna knew, perhaps better than most, what kind of treatment Isaac might’ve faced in Helmund, unable to wield their signature weapon.
Isaac, touched by her words, nodded in gratitude. “Thank you,” he said sincerely.
Trailing behind the two, watching their easy camaraderie, a worried thought took root in Anna’s mind.
‘It can’t be, right?’
No, it couldn’t be. Not even her mistress would…
‘No way.’
He was a married man, after all.
🎕
The woman with long black hair cascading down her shoulders, her wolf ears perked atop her head, carried a crescent moon-like sword over her shoulder as she spoke.
“Call me the Grandmaster.”
Her sudden declaration left the disciples standing before her confused.
“The Grandmaster?”
“We’ve been calling you Master just fine till now.”
“Have a change of heart or something?”
All her disciples were of notable skill. Among them, she pointed to Isaac, who leaned on a cane.
“Because of him, my standing is at risk. It’s because you all keep going to him for lessons.”
None could dispute it. Though he couldn’t wield a sword, Isaac was more adept in martial arts than any other.
Thus, their Master declared herself ‘the Grandmaster.’
With all her disciples sent away, leaving only the two of them.
The Grandmaster, perched by the window, took a sip from her drink and laughed.
Isaac apologized to her, feeling remorseful.
‘I apologize. It seems I’ve overstepped and caused you unnecessary concern.’
[Hmm? What are you talking about?]
The Grandmaster responded with a chuckle.
[Don’t misunderstand. I mentioned it because there are disciples whose pride is hurt by learning from you.]
‘……………’
[Child, your talent is very special. Perhaps that’s why the heavens took your leg.]
‘Grandmaster, the reason I’m pushing myself so hard is—’
[Yes, I know. You want to create a sword you can wield even with one leg.]
But as the Grandmaster spoke, there was a hint of pity in her eyes for Isaac.
[It’s impossible. No matter how hard you try, you’ll collapse helplessly when you face real swordsmen.]
Isaac clenched the cane tightly in his hand. He resented his leg that wouldn’t move properly.
[Child.]
The Grandmaster offered no consolation. She merely spoke the blunt truth.
[It’s unfortunate.]
‘Grandmaster…’
[If only fate had intervened a bit sooner.]
The Grandmaster did not look at Isaac, merely sipping her drink while gazing at the distant, round moon, lost in her own solitude.
“Attention!”
At the call from Silverna, Isaac’s eyes snapped open.
Awakening from his slumber, Isaac swiftly arose from his bed like a seasoned soldier and stepped out of his room.
In the hallway, he saw Silverna in armor, gathering the nobles.
“Gather at the drill ground, armed, in ten minutes!”
The urgency in her voice and actions made it clear that this was no ordinary drill; the unusually long night of Malideen Walls was about to begin.
END of CHAPTER
тяαηѕℓαтσя’ѕ ησтєѕ :-
Are the white walkers finally attacking?
Also, please let it be a harem. We already got three potential waifus!!!
☩
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