LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 7 - Silent Contemplation
✦ Chapter 7 – Silent Contemplation ✦
「Translator – Creator」
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
Writing had consumed him until late in the evening, and by now, it was well past dinner time.
“Whew.”
He could feel a slight headache coming on from the intense concentration, but the sense of accomplishment outweighed any discomfort.
Isaac opened the window, letting the cool air wash over him. Despite it being April, the wind carried a biting chill that stung his cheeks.
“Whoa.”
He quickly caught a paper that almost took flight with the breeze. As he did so, his gaze fell upon a rose-emblazoned vial resting on the desk. The Rosericer that Roengrin, his eldest brother-in-law, had given him before he’d left.
It was said that consuming this Helmund elixir would enhance one’s physical abilities. However, such elixirs often put a strain on the body. Only those with blessed bloodlines could imbibe them without suffering adverse effects.
‘Well, it’s diluted anyway.’
As he pondered whether to give it a try…
*Knock, knock, knock.*
A knock sounded at the door.
After gathering and organizing the papers he had been writing on, Isaac opened the door.
Standing there was Silverna Caldias, her striking, snow-white hair immediately drawing his attention.
“Pleased to meet you again, I’m Silverna.”
“Isaac Helmund.”
‘Her hair is short.’
In his past life, her hair had cascaded down to her waist; now it barely reached her shoulders.
“Your welcome earlier was quite memorable. I could sense the spirit of Caldias in it.”
“I apologize for my rudeness. I was simply eager to witness the famed Helmund Greatsword technique.”
“Then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. As a mere son-in-law, I’m not privy to such techniques, nor am I qualified to wield the Greatsword.”
“My apologies, then. I have indeed been remiss.”
Their eyes met, both their faces adorned with polite smiles that did little to conceal the undercurrent of tension.
If their earlier exchange had been stripped of pleasantries, it would’ve boiled down to this:
‘I was pretty pissed off back there on the Wall.’
‘And you expect me to apologize?’
‘I’m only being polite because you bested me.’
‘So you are a pipsqueak.’
Silverna’s smile remained firmly in place as she was about to speak, but—
“Let’s drop the pretenses, Silverna Caldias.”
Isaac’s words caused Silverna’s smile to waver and crumble. For a fleeting moment, her face was blank with surprise. Then, a slow grin spread across her lips, her eyes gleaming with competitive fire.
“You’re more astute than you look. I was beginning to worry that I’d get wrinkles from all this forced smiling.”
“You were the one who initiated this charade back on the Wall.”
“Anna told me that acting respectful would be more infuriating than being openly hostile.”
‘Anna?’
Isaac’s gaze shifted past Silverna to the petite woman standing by the door. Anna bowed her head respectfully.
‘So that’s Anna…’
Silvernia’s dearest friend, a maid who learned the spear and enlisted with her. Tragically, Anna died when the Malideen Walls fell in Isaac’s past life.
“I heard you charmed Rihanna… Your face is nice, but there’s more to you, isn’t there?”
A knowing smirk played on Silverna’s lips.
“You’re quite eloquent, aren’t you? Perhaps the tongue that charmed the Blood Rose could grace us with a motivational speech tomorrow?”
“A motivational speech?”
“Most of the dispatched nobles have arrived. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be conducting basic training and assigning them to different units. I thought a rousing speech about teamwork would be appropriate.”
“And you want me to do it?”
“You’re a Helmund, aren’t you? Even a pipsqueak like you should command enough authority to keep them in line.”
“Well, alright.”
Isaac readily agreed. An interesting idea had sprung to mind.
Perhaps his easy acceptance had piqued her suspicions because Silverna added, her gaze unwavering, “My father will be in attendance as well. I suggest you make it memorable.”
“Got it. Is that all you have to say?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to rest. My journey has left me quite weary.”
The truth was, he was less concerned about fatigue and more eager to get back to his writing.
He would have plenty of time to impart his knowledge to Silverna. It was still two months until the Sword Festival; a slight delay wouldn’t hurt.
As Silverna retreated towards the door, seemingly surprised by his dismissal…
“Hey, listen.”
She paused, then leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice to a whisper.
“So, does Rianna Helmund… you know… act all cute and lovey-dovey with you?”
“………………”
With a look asking what kind of question that was, Silvernia hurriedly added in embarrassment.
“No! I mean, the Rihanna Helmund I know wouldn’t do anything like romance!”
“She doesn’t.”
“Then how does she address you? Husband? Dear? Honey?”
“Isaac.”
“……………”
Their eyes met once more, a silent exchange passing between them.
Nodding in understanding, Silverna turned and left his room.
“See, Anna? There’s no way that woman’s smitten with him!”
“It seems romance has a way of defying expectations.”
Their voices faded down the hallway. A faint smile touched Isaac’s lips as he picked up his quill and returned to his writing.
𓇘
The following morning, a vast assembly of soldiers gathered on the training grounds. Every warrior stationed at the Malideen Walls, save those on critical duty, stood in precise formation; their tightly packed formation resembled a thick shield.
Their grandeur was indescribable, and the pride in knowing these soldiers protected the Kingdom was immense.
“That Lord Isaac will give a motivational speech… If it were me, I’d be too nervous to even stand up there.”
Jonathan’s gaze darted around nervously. Whether it was due to the cold or his anxiety, Isaac couldn’t tell. Isaac sighed and gave him a light thump on the back.
“Stay still. Stop fidgeting.”
“Y-yes, M’Lord! Sorry!”
They were standing amongst the ranks of dispatched nobles. Unlike the disciplined soldiers of Malideen Walls, these nobles looked about as coordinated as a flock of startled geese. Despite their lack of real-world experience, they were all promising prospects with acknowledged potential.
“Oh wow, th-that’s Ulderan Caldias.”
Jonathan’s remark drew Isaac’s gaze sideways.
A man, even more imposing than Arandel, the Helmund family head, strode towards them. His white hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and a well-groomed beard framed his stern face.
Ulderan Caldias. The Giant of the North.
Following close behind him was his only daughter, Silverna.
With Ulderan seated in the chair behind the podium, the ceremony began.
The ceremony began the moment Ulderan settled into the chair on the platform; the proceedings followed a predictable pattern — saluting the flag, singing the anthem, reciting their oaths.
And finally…
“Next, we have an encouraging word from the representative of the noble Helmund family, Isaac Helmund.”
It was time for the motivational speech. Unsurprisingly, the gazes directed at Isaac were not favorable.
The disciplined Malideen Walls soldiers looked at him with cold, silent stares.
As members of Caldias, they naturally viewed Helmund with disdain.
And it wasn’t just the Malideen Walls soldiers.
The dispatched nobles grumbled openly amongst themselves.
“Oh, for god’s sake.”
“Are they serious? Trying to boost morale by sending up a Helmund?”
“He has black hair?”
“The Caldias have truly lost it.”
“They’re intentionally trying to demoralize us.”
The Helmunds might’ve been a prestigious family, but these nobles also hailed from distinguished lineages; they were hardly impressed by this commoner son-in-law being presented as a representative, and their resentment towards both Isaac and the Caldias for this perceived slight was palpable.
Their glares and murmurs seemed to propel Isaac towards the platform.
‘It feels heavy.’
Countless soldiers and nobles filled his vision.
But their scrutiny paled in comparison to the weight of Ulderan Caldias’s gaze, a force that felt as if it could crush him where he stood.
‘Equal to Arandel.’
While Arandel might’ve held a slight edge in public perception, and likely in reality as well…
…depending on their condition that day, either could emerge victorious; they were truly equals in strength.
A purple gem lay on the podium.
Isaac moved closer to the gem, enchanted to amplify his voice.
Bringing it close to his lips, he began his speech, his first words devoid of any pleasantries.
“Warriors, be great.”
A simple, concise statement, shorn of any flowery introductions.
But it was more than enough to capture their attention.
“Follow your true calling.”
Those words…
“Warriors, simply be great.”
They belonged to the first patriarch of the Caldias, Wolfdrun Caldias, the Margrave who had overseen the construction of the Malideen Walls; the Helmund representative had just dared to invoke the words that were practically the Caldias family motto.
“As I journeyed here, I found myself questioning the true meaning behind those words: ‘be great.’ After all, to be great is somewhat abstract, don’t you think?”
An oppressive aura descended upon the training grounds, a tangible pressure that emanated from every corner. It was most intense behind him, where Ulderan stood, his presence a suffocating wave that threatened to pierce Isaac’s heart if he showed even a sliver of weakness.
Helmund, how dare they belittle our creed?
Unfazed by their glares, sharp as the icy wind that whipped across the training grounds, Isaac continued.
“What does it mean to be great? I pondered this question endlessly. Does it mean protecting the Kingdom from demon beasts, guarding this Wall with your life?”
“Does it mean wielding a mighty greatsword, decimating enemies with a single blow? Does it mean upholding honor and righteousness, vanquishing injustice wherever it may lurk? Or perhaps it means swaying hearts and minds with eloquence, forcing your enemies to submit?”
“Ah, but of course, all of those are great deeds. Undeniably great.”
The dispatched nobles glared at Isaac, their expressions laced with annoyance; their gazes screamed at him to read the room, to just shut up already.
The tension in the air was so thick it felt suffocating. The training grounds were no longer ruled by the cold of the north, but by the scorching heat of their rage.
“However, I’ve come to a realization.”
“True greatness…lies in its ability to elevate even the most ordinary to extraordinary heights.”
Isaac’s voice rang out, his words imbued with conviction as he clenched his fist.
“Those born into noble birth, blessed by the divine from birth, exalting themselves for merely being born into a great position.”
“True greatness lies not in inheriting a prestigious lineage but in uplifting others, in empowering the ordinary to achieve extraordinary feats! That is something truly worthy of awe and reverence.”
The atmosphere shifted. An odd stillness settled over the training grounds.
Those born into positions of power, destined for greatness… the Helmunds were the epitome of that very concept. Their inherent might, their physical prowess, could only be described as divine blessings.
“And it is here, on this day, in this very place, that I have witnessed such greatness. And I believe it is a sight all of you should behold.”
Isaac snatched a spear from the display rack below the podium, hoisting it high as he exclaimed,
“This! This is true greatness! The very same greatness that rests in your hands!”
The soldiers’ gazes instinctively fell upon the spears they held.
The stunned expressions on their faces were devoid of anger, their earlier fury seemingly forgotten.
Isaac smiled faintly and continued, his voice rising in power, “If someone asks me, ‘What does it mean to pursue the way of the martial arts?’ I will tell them this!”
“Look to the North! Look upon that towering Wall! Behold the spears of Caldias, the most formidable force on this continent!”
The evaluation of Caldias’s spear in society was pretty straightforward.
It adhered to basics, was universal, and easy to learn.
It was a style designed for the sparsely populated North, accessible to any soldier willing to master it.
And for that very reason, it was often disregarded. It was a style anyone could learn, after all.
Even the margrave’s own daughter had picked up a spear and enlisted in the army alongside her maid. It spoke volumes about the accessibility, yet perceived simplicity, of the Caldias style.
‘I may be called the Silent Sword, a man who could never properly wield a sword…’
But as the Silent Sword, a scholar who had dedicated his life to mastering the written word, he could say this with absolute certainty—
“When it comes to the precision and artistry of combat… nothing surpasses the Caldias spear style.”
“You, who wield the spears of Caldias, who uphold the legacy of Wolfdrun, are all great warriors!”
“I know this to be true: Not even a thousand swords could ever hope to break the spirit of a single, unyielding spear!”
“And I also know this: Even if your throats are cut, your hearts pierced, you will never yield, you will never retreat!”
He knew it because he had seen it with his own eyes.
Silverna herself, the woman who had borne the weight of their sacrifices, who had cast aside her own name to live and breathe the Caldias way… she had told him of their unwavering courage.
“To the valiant guardians of the Malideen front lines…”
Isaac’s voice softened, a solemn reverence filling his tone as he continued.
“With gratitude for your unyielding devotion.”
And a gentle smile spread across Isaac’s lips.
“And to honor this significant moment, already having fulfilled their duty and now resting in this land, let us—.”
Slowly.
He closed his eyes.
“Observe a moment of silent contemplation.”
As Isaac bowed his head.
The Malideen Walls guardians bowed their heads in unison.
‘Thank you…’
Years from now.
These very soldiers would hold the line against the beast horde; they would defy the expectations of the Kingdom’s strategists, who believed the Wall would crumble in mere days, and defend it for an entire month without reinforcements.
To these brave souls standing before him…
‘I’m grateful… Truly grateful for this opportunity to express my gratitude.’
You defended our land. You held the line.
Your valor was truly remarkable.
Though greatly delayed.…
Accept my heartfelt…
Gratitude.
END of CHAPTER
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