Book 1 Chapter 213

213

Leo, guided to Zerdlinger Castle, received the attention of many.

"Is that Young Master Leo?"

"The son of Lady Reina…?"

"It's said he followed Young Master Lis and became the student council president."

"An unprecedented first-year student council president."

Rumors about Leo were rampant within Zerdlinger.

In such a situation, Leo's sudden visit took place.

It was natural for everyone in Zerdlinger to show interest.

As everyone in Zerdlinger watched, Leo followed Zis and arrived at the office.

Zis, who had offered the guest sofa, sat in the main seat and let out a deep sigh.

"Recently, I've been swamped with various matters. The Sword Saint's passing has had a huge impact."

"Are there any special movements in Tartarus?"

When Celia asked with a tense expression, Zis shook his head.

"There are no particular movements on the Western Front yet."

The battle zones with Tartarus are located throughout the continent.

Of course, there was a separate stronghold where the demon tribe's forces were fully gathered, but its location was unknown.

Of course, that didn't mean that the forces on the front lines with Tartarus were weak in any way.

"Still, since Brother Lis graduated, won't Uncle have a little less work?"

"That's right. It's a relief Lis graduated just in time."

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

"Shall we get to the main point then?"

"What exactly does 'inheritance' mean?"

When Leo asked with a puzzled expression, Lis spoke as if it were nothing.

"You know that the direct lineage of Zerdlinger holds considerable authority within the family, don't you?"

"Yes."

"It was a story I would tell you when you visited the family, but in fact, not only authority but also 'rights' are granted."

"Rights?"

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

Zerdlinger, as a renowned hero family, has a long history.

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

Not all of them remained in the family.

They sometimes leave the family and establish collateral branch families.

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

The renowned hero families expand their influence in this way.

If a capable person appears again from that collateral family, they once again assume key positions in the main household, receive treatment equivalent to the direct lineage, and gain the right to inherit assets once more.

Leo, having listened to Zis, nodded.

"Well, among the family assets you'll receive, your mother's share will also be included."

"My mother?"

"Yes. My sister, as a member of the Zerdlinger family, renounced all rights and left. The assets that were supposed to be inherited by my sister at that time will now be received by you."

Zis said with a faint smile.

"Don't feel burdened. This is your right. I hope you'll use it as a stepping stone to your growth."

***

"So you're also a proper member of the Zerdlinger family now, aren't you?"

Walking down the corridor with Leo, Celia smiled brightly.

"Uncle Zis said to leave the complicated paperwork to him, so you just need to check and sign later."

"But what exactly are these assets? Is it money or land?"

"That's right. Besides that, you could become the owner of heirloom-grade armaments used by Zerdlinger's knights of previous generations. Well, these are destined to return to the family armory later, but unless something unusual happens, they are items you'll keep for life."

Celia proudly showed her rapier, Flame Storm, which was at her hip.

Originally, it was a sword used by Reina, but when Reina left Zerdlinger, Celia came to use it.

"It'll probably go into the family armory when Father comes."

"I see."

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

"A knight order?"

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

"Do you have one too?"

"Of course. They aren't official knights, but they are promising individuals carefully selected by the family."

The knight order that would follow Celia in the future was training with blood, sweat, and tears in Zerdlinger.

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

At Celia's words, Leo nodded.

"They were probably formed the moment it was decided that you would be accepted as a direct descendant of the family, weren't they?"

"Really?"

"You didn't seem to have much interest in money, territory, or armaments, but you're interested in the word 'knight order'?"

"You said they're 'my people'. I can't help but be interested."

Leo shrugged.

During the Age of Calamity.

It is known that peace was restored to the world by five great heroes.

But the subjugation force also would not have succeeded in subjugating Erebus if there hadn't been heroes fighting alongside them.

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

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

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

Leo smiled bitterly.

The subjugation of Silatuna this time was also like that.

'I can't do anything alone.'

Whether they were companions, subordinates, or disciples.

He needed people to fight alongside him.

In that sense, Leo couldn't help but feel great interest in the term "his knight order."

In his previous life, he had companions and disciples, but he had no subordinates.

'Leading people was always Lysinas's role.'

Recalling old memories, Leo asked.

"Can I meet them now?"

At that question, Celia paused then nodded.

"Of course. They're probably in the training ground where the knight trainees stay. Want to go?"

"Yeah."

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

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

Many people here train to become Zerdlinger knights.

Their backgrounds were also diverse.

Collateral relatives of Zerdlinger.

Vassal families.

Children from other families who hoped to become Zerdlinger knights.

And even talented children from the orphanages operated by the Zerdlinger family.

Those who stood out among them received full support from Zerdlinger.

Among them, there were even trainees who became students at Lumern.

As they entered the training ground, the knight at the entrance spotted Celia and snapped to attention with precision!

"Greetings, Lady Celia!"

"Thank you for your hard work. Let's go, Leo."

Celia smiled faintly and entered the training ground.

Celia too, having trained here since childhood, moved inside as if familiar with the place.

"Haa! Haa!"

"One hundred more swings!"

"Yes, sir!"

At the instructor's booming voice, the trainees answered energetically.

Feeling the intensity of the training, Leo muttered.

"Everyone's working hard."

"Aren't they?"

Celia, as if proud, puffed out her chest.

These were indeed the future of the Zerdlinger family.

Although their statuses were different, as they had trained together through thick and thin since childhood, they were a source of pride and honor for Celia.

As the two of them were watching the trainees from a distance in the training ground.

"Lady Celia?"

The instructor, having spotted Celia, showed a joyful expression.

"Lady, you've returned."

"Have you been well? Instructor Zerko."

"Lady Celia?"

"It's Lady Celia!"

"Woooaah! Lady~"

Other trainees also stopped their training, made bright expressions, and greeted Celia warmly.

"You rascals! Who said you could stop swinging your arms? One hundred more swings added!"

"EEK!"

At Instructor Zerko's stern command, the trainees shrieked.

Watching that, Celia chuckled.

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

"It seems the news hasn't reached the training ground yet. This is Leo Plov! My cousin."

"Ah, so this is…"

Zerko's eyes sparkled as he looked at Leo, then he bowed his head.

"I am Zerko Junere, Young Master Leo. Is Lady Reina doing well?"

"You know my mother?"

"Because I was a knight in Lady Reina's order."

Zerko gave a bitter smile and spoke politely to Leo.

Seeing such a Zerko, Leo smiled faintly.

"She's so healthy, it's almost a problem."

"I see."

Zerko, who had been smiling happily, asked.

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

"Leo said he's curious about his knight order."

Celia, with her arms crossed, smiled sweetly and said.

"I see."

Zerko, who had nodded, shouted to the trainees.

"Everyone stop!"

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

"Everyone, line up."

The trainees, in perfect order, snapped into a line!

"The trainees whose names I call out now, come forward."

Zerko called out the names of five trainees.

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

"Huh?"

"Young Master Leo has come to meet you."

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

Their gazes uniformly turned toward Leo, who was standing next to Celia.

"Is that Young Master Leo?"

"Now that I think about it, it's the same face I saw in the newspaper."

"Wow, he's a handsome young man."

While receiving the trainees' curious gazes all at once, Leo scratched his cheek.

'They didn't have to arrange the meeting in such a noisy way.'

They, Leo's knights, approached Leo.

The knight order consisted of three boys and two girls.

"Is your knight order five people too?"

"I have thirty."

"Why is there such a difference in numbers?"

Celia smiled faintly.

"My start was also with five. Brother Lis's too. From now on, you have to cultivate them yourself."

"I see."

If they were trainees of the main castle, they were undoubtedly highly talented individuals.

Even if a knight order was a right granted to the direct lineage, they couldn't carelessly squander future high-quality personnel.

'So, they've provided the framework, and I have to raise them into my own knight order?'

Leo, who let out a small laugh, scanned his knight order.

'That wouldn't be bad.'

When Leo looked at them, the five of them shouted with tense expressions.

"Young Master Leo! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you!"

When the girl standing furthest to the left, looking very disciplined, shouted, the other four also repeated her words in unison.

Watching them, Leo asked Zerko.

"Can I take these children with me?"

"They are Young Master Leo's knights. You may do as you please."

At Zerko's words, Leo, who had nodded, said.

"Shall we have an informal meeting?"

At his words, Leo's knights began to subtly exchange glances.

And then they casually glanced at the trainees behind them.

'What is it?'

Leo said with a puzzled expression.

"Don't you want to?"

"Ah, no. We will follow."

The girl who seemed to be the leader said hastily.

At that, Leo, who had nodded, said to Celia.

"Is there a rest area in the training ground?"

"Of course. Follow me."

Leo took his knights and headed to the rest area.

And he muttered to himself.

'Something's up.'

Watching the knights who followed him somewhat hesitantly, Leo narrowed his eyes.