The power of the Helmut name held weight everywhere—even in a remote village like this.
'Though perhaps it's more infamy than fame.'
Scandalous rumors spread fast, and House Helmut was no exception.
"W-We're so sorryyy!"
The same men who had been openly hostile moments ago were now groveling on their knees.
Isaac looked down at Petri, the man bowing his head.
"Why the hostility earlier? We'd never even met, yet you cursed at me outright."
The villagers who had gathered turned pale, sighing as if they already foresaw the consequences of offending Helmut's entourage.
"M-My apologies! This fool had… a terrible night yesterday! P-Please spare him, and we'll be eternally grateful!"
"..."
The excuse was flimsy.
Petri peeked up nervously before bowing again, pleading his case.
"I-I have a lover! A woman I love dearly! But last night… I saw her bringing another man into her home!"
A tragic tale—yet the villagers erupted in mockery.
"Hah! Petri, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
"A lover?! Since when do you have a woman?!"
"He's lying! Cut his head off right now!"
The sudden betrayal was baffling. Even Isaac and his companions were taken aback.
Just moments ago, the villagers had stood united in Petri's defense. But the mention of a woman made them turn on him instantly.
'Ah. Of course.'
Men naturally strutted when trying to impress a woman.
Now, Isaac understood why this village had so many young men—and why they were all so meticulously groomed.
Leaning toward the Grand Master, he whispered:
"Master, I think there's a particular woman in this village."
"Hmm, I see your thoughts went there too. You mean there's a enchantress, right?"
She nodded, having already guessed.
"If you turned into a woman, you'd be just like her."
"..."
"Am I wrong?"
"Very."
The Grand Master crossed her arms and muttered:
"Doesn't feel that way to me."
***
They decided to have lunch at Petri's house instead of the tavern.
The temperamental hunter had insisted—offering to cook venison as an apology.
His sturdy log cabin stood at the village outskirts.
The interior was as modest as expected. Sharen wasted no time commenting.
"Tiny. Like a storage shed. Should've just eaten at the tavern. Smells like a bachelor's den—like Lohengrin's room."
"..."
Petri flinched. The jab had clearly stung.
"Eating here will give even a Helmut stomach cramps. Isaac, let's just go back to the tavern."
"…Are you cursed by the Subjugation?"
"Huh? No?"
As they waited around the wooden table, Isaac glanced around.
"You said you hunted a deer?"
"Y-Yes! That's right!"
"Where are the antlers or hide?"
"...Eh?"
Petri froze, but Isaac pressed on calmly.
"Meat's good, but hides and antlers sell for coin. Yet I don't see any."
"Ah… W-Well, I gifted them."
"Gifted?"
"To my lover. The one I mentioned."
Sharen cut in again.
"People said you don't have a lover!"
"N-No! It's true! They're just jealous! Her name's Scarlet—she lives north of here, in a cozy cabin with a red roof. Easy to spot!"
The Grand Master grinned, ears perking up.
"Well, as you may know, we're just passing through. So even if you vent here, no one's going to gossip about a love affair… Come now, tell us everything."
The Grandmaster smirked, clearly excited about the romantic drama, her ears and tail perking up.
"Not interested."
Liana remained silent—uncharacteristically so, given the sunju influence.
"Feed Isaac."
"…When the food comes."
"Really? Then I'll eat slowly."
No, she just didn't care about village gossip.
Under the Grand Master's eager prodding, Petri slumped and confessed.
"W-Well… She's… pursued by many men. Most in this village are in love with her."
Suddenly, the eyes of the three women turned to Isaac.
"…Why are you looking at me?"
Isaac snapped, unusually sharp, and the women awkwardly turned their heads away.
"But she loves me! She said so herself!"
"Tch."
The Grand Master lost interest, reaching for the food.
"Let's just eat. I hoped for something juicier, but this is just sad."
"Loser!"
"L-Loser?!"
At this point, it was clear—Liana was under the subjugation influence.
"So that's why everyone was glaring when Isaac showed up in the village? I was pretty angry about that."
Her icy tone made Petri turn pale. He stammered out a reply.
"Y-Yes! With his striking looks, we feared he might catch Scarlet's eye…!"
"Isaac doesn't take interest in women so easily."
Liana's voice was sharp, almost warning.
"Understand? Don't underestimate him. He's not that kind of man."
"Y-Yes! My apologies!"
"Say it again. Isaac doesn't just notice any woman. Only special ones."
"Ah, so Sir Isaac only—!"
"Alright, enough."
Isaac, red-faced, shoved food into Liana's mouth to shut her up.
Chewing obediently, Liana's expression had shifted—from reserved to something almost brazen.
'She's getting too comfortable with this.'
"Isaac, I finished."
"...You're acting shameless."
"Aaah."
He fed her again, but Liana kept her eyes closed, mouth open like a baby bird.
"The sister I used to know is falling apart."
Sharen muttered awkwardly, but Liana ignored her. Hiding her feelings was impossible now.
Then—
A commotion erupted outside.
Men's voices clamored, and a peculiar fragrance seeped through the window.
The door swung open.
A woman stood there.
Her features resembled Sharen's, but she exuded an unnatural, intoxicating maturity.
"Ugh."
"That smell…"
Sharen and Liana grimaced at the overpowering scent.
But their disgust was drowned out by Petri's shout.
"S-Scarlet! What brings you here?!"
'So that's Scarlet.'
She was striking, yes—but Isaac's eyes flicked to Liana.
Noticing his gaze, Liana locked eyes with him and asked:
"Who's prettier?"
"Since when do you ask things like this?"
"I've… always wondered."
I see.
Isaac didn't answer.
Scarlet's charms, which had ensnared the village men, did nothing for him.
"I came to thank you for the antlers and hide."
She stepped inside smoothly. The crowd outside confirmed her popularity.
"Oh, you're eating? My apologies. But these guests…?"
"T-They're guests! Scarlett, would you like to join us?!"
Petri, completely ignoring the others in favor of his crush, hastily invited Scarlett to the table.
Scarlett approached with a smile and began to speak.
"The familiars obey their master's—"
CRUNCH!
A blade pierced into her mouth, cutting her off, and blood poured out as her eyes widened.
Isaac, who'd stabbed her, glared coldly.
"You've been staring at Liana since you walked in."
"...!"
"If you can't even hide your gaze, you won't survive this harsh world."
The Grand Master cackled, amused.
"S-Scarleeeet!"
At Petri's scream, villagers rushed in—only to freeze at the sight of the sword in Scarlet's mouth.
But then—
Her palm split open, forming a mouth that rasped:
"Liana must be taken—NOW—!"
"Oh-ho!"
SLASH!
The Grand Master's blade severed Scarlet's wrist. The disembodied hand hit the floor.
Isaac yanked Liana close, covering her ears.
"We should leave."
"Hold her tight. They're desperate to take your ex-wife."
"Mmphf!"
Sharen, mouth full, blasted the men at the door with a Crimson Blaze.
Experience had honed her reflexes.
Isaac kept Liana shielded, murmuring:
"Lia, talk. Don't listen to the noise outside."
If she focused on speaking, she'd hear less of the chaos.
"B-Being this close… my heart's pounding so hard…"
Her breath scorched Isaac's neck as she gazed up.
"I love you. Really love you."
"..."
"I… I can't hold back. I love you, Isaac. Love you. Love you."
Her whispers burned against his skin.
Isaac regretted his decision.
This role… probably shouldn't have been mine.