Book 1 Chapter 213

Leo, guided to the Zerdinger Castle, attracted the attention of many.

"Is that young master Leo?"

"The son of Lady Reina…?"

"I heard he became student council president after young master Liss."

"A first-year student council president, unprecedented."

Rumors about Leo were rampant within Zerdinger.

In such a situation, Leo's sudden visit occurred.

It was natural for everyone in Zerdinger to be interested.

Thus, with everyone in Zerdinger paying attention, Leo followed Jis to the office.

Jis offered him a guest sofa and sat in the seat of honor, letting out a deep sigh.

"I've been busy with various things lately. The return of the Sword Saint had a significant impact."

"Are there any special movements from Tartarus?"

Celia asked with a tense expression, and Jis shook his head.

"There's no particular movement on the western front yet."

The battle zones with Tartarus were located throughout the continent.

Of course, their main base, where the demons' entire force was concentrated, was separate, but its location was unknown.

However, that did not mean the forces on the front lines with Tartarus were weak.

"Still, now that brother Liss has graduated, won't uncle's work decrease a bit?"

"That's right. It's fortunate that Liss graduated at just the right time."

Jis, who had been smiling playfully, looked at Leo.

"Shall we get to the main point then?"

"What do you mean by inheritance?"

Leo asked with a puzzled look, and Liss replied as if it were nothing.

"You know that direct descendants of Zerdinger have considerable authority within the family, right?"

"Yes."

"I was going to tell you when you visited the family, but you actually gain not only authority but also 'rights'."

"Rights?"

"Yes. The right to inherit a portion of the family's assets. You can take it with you when you become independent in the future."

Zerdinger has a long history as a heroic noble family.

As such, it has produced many heroes whose names are on the Hero Record.

Not all of them stayed with the family.

Some become independent from the family and establish branch families.

At that time, they inherit a portion of the family's assets.

Heroic noble families expand their influence in this way.

When another capable person appears in that branch family, they are appointed to a major position in the main castle and receive treatment equivalent to that of a direct descendant, gaining the right to inherit assets again.

Leo nodded after hearing Jis's words.

"Well, the family assets you will receive will include your mother's as well."

"Mother?"

"Yes. My sister gave up all her rights as a member of the Zerdinger family and left. The assets that were scheduled to be inherited by my sister at that time will now be received by you."

Jis said with a smile.

"Don't feel burdened. This is your right. I hope you use it as a stepping stone for your leap forward."

***

"You're a proper member of the Zerdinger family now too, aren't you?"

Celia smiled brightly as she walked down the hallway with Leo.

"Uncle Jis said he'd take care of the complicated paperwork, so you just need to check and sign later."

"But what exactly is this inheritance? Money or land?"

"Yes. Besides that, you might become the owner of heirloom-class weapons used by past Zerdinger knights. Well, they are destined to return to the family's armory later, but unless something unusual happens, they are items you will have for a lifetime."

Celia proudly showed the rapier, Flame Storm, at her waist.

It was originally a sword used by Reina, but Celia began using it when Reina left Zerdinger.

"I think it will go into the family armory when Father comes."

"I see."

"And you'll be given a knight order too."

"A knight order?"

"Yes. A knight order that will follow you in the future."

"You have one too?"

"Of course. They aren't official knights, but they are chosen promising individuals from the family."

The knight order that would follow Celia in the future was training diligently in Zerdinger.

Niel, the eldest daughter of the Roda family, one of Zerdinger's vassal families, and a third-year student at Lumern, was also one of the members of the knight order to be given to Celia.

Leo nodded at Celia's words.

"It must have been formed the moment it was decided you would be accepted as a direct descendant of the family."

"Really?"

"You weren't very interested in money, territory, or weapons, but you're interested in the mention of a knight order?"

"Because they say they are 'my people.' I can't help but be interested."

Leo shrugged his shoulders.

During the Age of Calamity.

It is known that five great heroes brought peace back to the world.

However, the expeditionary force would not have succeeded in defeating Erebus without the heroes who fought alongside them.

Although only five embarked on the final expedition, countless heroes fought against Tartarus alongside the great heroes before that.

Many of them lost their lives on the battlefield and fell.

'It's a shame their records aren't in the Hero Record.'

Leo gave a bitter smile.

The Silatuna subjugation was also like that.

'I can't do anything alone.'

Whether they were comrades, subordinates, or disciples.

He needed people to fight with.

In that sense, Leo couldn't help but be greatly interested in the mention of his own knight order.

In his past life, he had comrades and disciples, but no subordinates.

'Leading people was always Lissina's role.'

Recalling old times, Leo asked,

"Can I meet them now?"

At his question, Celia paused and then nodded.

"Of course. They're probably in the training hall where the knight trainees stay. Do you want to go?"

"Yes."

Guided by Celia, they headed to the place next to the main castle where Zerdinger's apprentice knights trained.

It was a place where boys and girls of Leo and Celia's age practiced swordsmanship.

Many people trained here to become Zerdinger knights.

Their origins were diverse.

Zerdinger's collateral relatives.

Vassal families.

Children from other families who wished to become Zerdinger knights.

And talented children from orphanages run by the Zerdinger family.

Those who showed exceptional talent received full support from Zerdinger.

Among them were trainees who became students at Lumern.

As they entered the training hall, a knight at the entrance spotted Celia and snapped to attention with a salute.

"Greetings, Miss Celia!"

"You're working hard. Let's go, Leo."

Celia smiled and walked into the training hall.

Celia, who had been training here since she was young, moved inside as if familiar.

"Haap! Haap!"

"One hundred more swings!"

"Yes!"

The trainees responded vigorously to the instructor's booming voice.

Feeling the fervor of training, Leo muttered,

"Everyone's working hard."

"Right?"

Celia puffed out her chest proudly.

These were the future of the Zerdinger family.

Although their status was different, they had trained together since childhood, so for Celia, they were a source of pride and honor.

As the two watched the trainees from a short distance away from the training hall.

"Miss Celia?"

The instructor spotted Celia and smiled with delight.

"Welcome back, Miss."

"Are you well? Instructor Zerco."

"Miss Celia?"

"It's Miss Celia!"

"Waaah! Miss~"

The other trainees also stopped training and called out to Celia with bright smiles.

"You brats! Who said you could stop swinging? One hundred more swings!"

"Eek!"

The trainees shrieked at Instructor Zerco's stern command.

Celia chuckled at their reaction.

"By the way, Miss Celia, who is the person next to you…?"

"It seems the news hasn't reached the training hall yet. This is Leo Flob! He's my cousin."

"Ah, so this is…"

Zerco's eyes lit up as he looked at Leo, then he bowed his head.

"I am Zerco Junes, young master Leo. Is Lady Reina doing well?"

"Do you know my mother?"

"I was one of Lady Reina's knights."

Zerco said politely to Leo with a wry smile.

Leo smiled at Zerco.

"She's too healthy, that's the problem."

"I see."

Zerco, who was smiling happily, asked,

"But what brings you to the training hall…?"

"Leo was curious about his knight order."

Celia said with a sweet smile, her arms crossed.

"I see."

Zerco nodded and shouted to the trainees.

"Everyone, stop!"

At his words, the trainees who were swinging their swords stopped.

"Everyone, fall in line."

The trainees lined up uniformly with a crisp sound.

"The trainees I call out now, please step forward."

Zerco called out five trainees.

"You are to finish your training today and rest."

"Huh?"

"Young master Leo has come to meet you."

At Zerco's words, the entire group of trainees began to murmur.

Their gazes were all directed at Leo standing next to Celia.

"Is that young master Leo?"

"Now that I think about it, he looks exactly like the one I saw in the newspaper."

"Wow, he's a handsome guy."

As Leo received the curious glances of the trainees, he scratched his cheek.

'I wish they didn't have to arrange the meeting so noisily.'

His knights approached Leo.

The knight order consisted of three boys and two girls.

"Your knight order also has five people?"

"I have thirty."

"Why is there such a difference in numbers?"

Celia smiled.

"I started with five too. Brother Liss did too. From now on, you have to nurture them yourself."

"I see."

They were undoubtedly outstanding talents if they were trainees at the main castle.

Even if a knight order was a right given to direct descendants, they couldn't carelessly leak future high-caliber personnel.

'They've provided the foundation, so I have to nurture my own knight order, is that it?'

Leo chuckled and scanned his knight order.

'That wouldn't be bad either.'

As Leo looked at them, the five tensed up and shouted.

"Young master Leo! Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you!"

The girl standing on the far left, with a very disciplined demeanor, shouted, and the other four echoed her.

Seeing their demeanor, Leo asked Zerco,

"Can I take these children with me?"

"They are young master Leo's knights. You can do as you please."

Zerco nodded, and Leo said,

"Shall we have an informal meeting?"

At his words, Leo's knights began to glance around nervously.

Then they peeked-peeked at the trainees behind them.

'What is it?'

Leo said with a puzzled expression.

"You don't want to?"

"Ah, no. We will obey."

The girl who appeared to be the leader said urgently.

Leo nodded and said to Celia,

"Is there a lounge in the training hall?"

"Of course. Follow me."

Leo led his knights to the lounge.

And he muttered inwardly,

'Something is going on.'

Seeing his knights following him with a hint of hesitation, Leo narrowed his eyes.