Book 1 Chapter 215
215
That evening.
Numerous knights were lined up in front of the warp gate.
The atmosphere was distinctly different from when Leo and Celia were welcomed during the day.
A moment later, a flash of light burst from the warp gate.
With it, a man with black hair and red eyes appeared.
His eyes were a brilliant crimson, as if they could burst into flames at any moment.
His face was like a sculpture meticulously carved by an artist.
The man, worthy of being called a handsome middle-aged man, exuded an aura that overwhelmed the entire gathering.
Thud- Thud-
As the man descended from the warp gate and headed towards the carriage, the knights knelt with a crisp sound, performing the knight's salute.
The man raised a hand to the knights.
Then, the knights neatly returned to their original positions.
“You have arrived, brother.”
“Yes. Was there anything unusual at the family estate?”
As Zis politely greeted him, Zeld Gerdinger, the head of the Gerdinger family, asked in a solemn voice.
“Celia returned today.”
“Now that you mention it, today was the last day of school, wasn’t it?”
It was the day his beloved daughter returned for the holidays, but Zeld had completely forgotten.
Recently, he had been participating in emperor-hosted meetings day and night in the capital to respond to rapidly changing world affairs.
Zeld had been incredibly busy.
Even so, he thought of himself as an incapable father, gave a bitter smile, and got into the carriage.
“And Leo also visited with Celia.”
Zeld’s movement paused.
Then he got into the carriage again.
Zis followed behind him, getting into the carriage.
“Leo, you say…”
Zeld showed an intrigued expression at the visit of his nephew, whom he had only heard about in stories.
“What about Rhys?”
“Rhys went to conquer the Hero Dungeon at Lumen's request after the graduation ceremony. He won't be able to return to the family for a while.”
Zeld nodded at Zis’s words.
“Are the welcome party preparations ready?”
“Everything is ready.”
“Good.”
Zeld leaned deep into the carriage and said.
“I'm looking forward to it.”
***
The party hall of the Gerdinger main estate.
With all those holding important positions in the main estate gathered, Leo also stood next to Celia.
Leo observed the faces of the people.
There were many knights of impressive skill.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
“There are many incredibly skilled people.”
Celia puffed out her chest at Leo’s words.
“Of course, this is Gerdinger.”
It was when Leo chuckled, watching Celia brush her hair back.
“Lady Celia. Congratulations on becoming a second-year student.”
“Is this Sir Leo? It's a pleasure to meet you, from the branch family…”
People gathered around Leo and Celia.
The official purpose of today’s party was to celebrate Celia and Leo’s promotion to second-year students.
As such, they were the protagonists.
But the focus of everyone’s attention was Leo.
Celia covered her mouth and teased Leo.
“Popular, aren't we?”
Watching Celia tease him, Leo said indifferently.
“Popularity. Everyone is just lingering because they want something.”
“Want something?”
It was when Celia tilted her head at Leo’s words.
The entrance to the party hall began to grow noisy.
There, Zeld and Zis were entering the party hall.
As the Gerdinger retainers saluted, Zeld spotted Leo and Celia and walked towards them.
“Father!”
Celia smiled brightly, seeing her father after a long time.
Celia, always perfect in her conduct as a direct descendant of a distinguished hero family, was just a fifteen-year-old girl in front of her father.
Zeld chuckled, seeing his daughter run up and embrace him with a bright smile, and patted her head.
“You rascal. I heard about your exploits. I’m proud of you.”
“I merely did what was expected as a direct descendant of Gerdinger, didn’t I?”
Zeld’s gaze, after patting his daughter's head, turned to Leo.
“You must be Leo.”
“I greet the master of Gerdinger.”
As Zeld looked at him, Leo bowed politely.
Even though Leo had been recognized as a direct descendant of the Gerdinger family, Leo and Zeld met for the first time today.
Moreover, it was a public occasion with many people watching.
He had no choice but to observe perfect etiquette.
Celia clicked her tongue, watching Leo, who showed not the slightest flaw.
‘He always seems indifferent, but his etiquette is flawless.’
Leo usually showed little formality.
So, one might assume he only knew the minimum etiquette as a noble, but that wasn’t the case.
Leo’s etiquette was perfect, even in Celia’s eyes, who had lived a demanding life in a distinguished hero family since childhood.
‘Seeing this, I guess being tormented by Lysinas was worth it.’
Leo chuckled inwardly, recalling his old friend.
Thanks to Lysinas’s nagging, Leo had perfectly mastered the dragons’ demanding etiquette.
Thanks to that experience, he could perform most etiquette perfectly.
‘Etiquette, after all, comes from one’s demeanor.’
Zeld burst out laughing at Leo’s etiquette.
“You’re completely different from Reina.”
Zeld added, recalling his free-spirited, even fiery, younger sister.
“Feel free to call me big uncle.”
“Yes, big uncle.”
Everyone in Gerdinger held their breath, seeing Zeld permit such a familiar address.
‘As expected, the Master intends to entrust Sir Leo with an important position in the family in the future.’
‘Damn it! If I had known this, I shouldn't have cast a dissenting vote when he was accepted as a direct descendant!’
Many attendees at the party quickly thought.
Gerdinger is not just a distinguished hero family.
It is one of the two pillars supporting the Rodlen Empire.
A family that influences nearly half of all knights throughout the empire.
That meant Gerdinger held immense power.
In fact, the external status of Gerdinger's direct blood relatives was often higher, not lower, than that of royalty in most kingdoms.
Within the Rodlen Empire, merely being a direct descendant of Gerdinger granted unimaginable treatment.
Therefore, branch family members always yearned to be recognized and gain the status of a direct descendant.
When a new direct descendant emerged, the probability of others becoming one decreased.
For that reason, many had kept Leo in check when he ascended to the position of direct descendant.
But Leo was now one of the key figures within Gerdinger.
Moreover, he was clearly protected as a nephew by the Head and the Deputy Head.
Now, merely falling out of favor with Leo could lead to alienation from family power.
When Zeld finished talking to Leo and left, Celia asked with sparkling eyes.
“How’s our father?”
“He's impressive.”
As the master of the Gerdinger family, Zeld was a man beyond reproach.
One of the top knights Leo had ever seen since birth.
He was, quite literally, a man worthy of the name hero.
It was when Celia smiled confidently, hearing Leo's words.
Ding-dong-ding-dong-
Zis tapped a wine glass, drawing everyone's attention.
“The Master wishes to say a few words.”
At that, everyone looked at Zeld.
“I want to thank everyone for attending this celebration of my daughter and nephew’s promotion to second-year students today.”
Zeld’s solemn voice resonated throughout the party hall.
“As these two are the future of our Gerdinger family, I hope you will continue to support them so they can keep showing excellent performance.”
After the simple words, the attendees burst into applause.
Afterward, Leo had to greet countless people.
From the branch relatives of Gerdinger to many retainer families.
It was a party where only those connected to Gerdinger were invited, yet there were still numerous people.
‘If other nobles were invited, it would be truly chaotic.’
Shaking his head at the scale of Gerdinger, Leo still perfectly interacted with everyone.
‘Did my sister neglect her own etiquette but meticulously teach Leo?’
Zis watched this, impressed.
There was no fault to be found anywhere.
‘I’d even want to send him and Celia as the family’s public faces for external events.’
Zis genuinely wanted to publicly declare Leo a perfect Gerdinger person.
‘So that other families, especially Ruwalin, wouldn't even dare to look at him.’
Zis's face twisted.
Normally, the Ruwalin family wouldn't covet the Gerdinger bloodline.
But Leo was different from the typical Gerdinger.
All-class.
Moreover, his abilities and talents as a mage were comparable to those of a knight.
Throughout Gerdinger’s long history, Leo’s talent was among the few to stand out.
With such magical talent, it would be no surprise if Ruwalin coveted him, regardless of reputation or anything else.
‘Especially the fact that that witch frequently asks about Leo bothers me.’
Until last year, the Deputy Head of Ruwalin, who would engage in a staring contest upon meeting, had recently softened her attitude and frequently brought up Leo.
‘The Imperial Family is also showing interest in Leo.’
Since the fact of him being the Phoenix contractor became known, the Imperial Family had shown interest in Leo to an extent that could be called blatant.
‘Even having too much ability can be a problem.’
It was when Zis let out a wry laugh and shook his head.
“Deputy Head.”
“What is it? Sir Terias.”
Zis looked puzzled at the person speaking to him.
Pierce Terias, a member of the Phoenix Knights, the Master’s knight order.
“I have something urgent to discuss regarding Sir Leo.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Sir Leo’s knight order.”
At that, Zis chuckled.
‘So it’s that topic, as expected.’
Zis also oversaw the Gerdinger family's trainees.
As such, he knew that in late spring of this year, when Leo's knight order was being selected, the top-ranked trainees had avoided joining.
He also realized that many now regretted not having joined Leo's knight order.
‘I heard that quite a few trainees lately are aiming for a spot in Leo’s knight order.’
Pierce's son was also a trainee with above-average skill among them.
“You know that the matter of Leo’s knight order was already settled in spring, don't you?”
“Yes, it was settled, of course. But Deputy Head, the skill of Sir Leo’s knight order currently falls short of Sir Leo’s reputation.”
“Hmm.”
Zis crossed his arms and looked towards Leo.
Those who appeared to be trainees gathered around Leo.
It was probably to make an impression somehow.
But Leo’s face, in fact, was indifferent.
‘Leo seems to have already made up his mind.’
Zis chuckled.
‘For Leo, the children who chose him would be more precious than the skilled ones.’
“That sounds like a decision for Leo to make, not for me.”
At that, Pierce's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“Then may I speak directly to Sir Leo about it?”
“Do as you please, Sir Terias.”
“Yes.”
Pierce made a meaningful expression and headed towards Leo.
“Sir Leo. I am Pierce Terias, a member of the Phoenix Knights.”
“Hello, Sir Terias.”
Leo looked puzzled at the large knight who suddenly approached him.
“I have something to say to Sir Leo.”
“What is it?”
“Sir Leo, as a direct descendant of the Gerdinger family, you are also fourth in the line of succession, following Sir Rhys, Lady Celia, and Lady Emira. You are a figurehead of Gerdinger.”
The Gerdinger succession order was currently as follows:
Rhys and Celia, children of the Master Zeld.
Emira, Zis’s daughter.
And Leo.
Although his surname is not Gerdinger, as the Master’s nephew, he is fourth in the line of succession.
Furthermore, Emira is frail and does not follow the path of a knight.
In practical terms, Leo is third in the line of succession.
Of course, Leo is unlikely to become the Master, but even so, the line of succession holds deep meaning.
“And?”
“Sir Leo is a suitable successor for Gerdinger. However… I believe the knights who follow Sir Leo are insufficient.”
Leo curled the corners of his mouth, seeing Pierce bring up the matter so overtly.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I recommend that you choose knights worthy of Sir Leo. This is not just Sir Leo’s issue, but a matter concerning the prestige of the Gerdinger family, and I say this out of concern.”
Celia frowned at Pierce’s words.
But everyone around agreed with Pierce.
‘Indeed, Leo’s knight order is currently lacking in skill. But still, that’s Leo’s decision to make, not something to discuss publicly like this.’
This conversation was tantamount to pressuring Leo by invoking the family’s prestige.
Celia glanced at Zis.
Zis was intently watching the situation, as if he would let Leo do as he pleased.
‘Father won’t step in on this.’
Celia looked at Leo.
‘What will you do, Leo?’
With everyone’s attention on him, Leo smiled.
“I like my knights just fine.”
“Yes. Since those children chose Sir Leo, it's unavoidable that you feel attached to them. But even so, you should still select skilled children.”
“My knights are skilled enough.”
Leo chuckled.
At that, Pierce gave a bitter smile.
“Sir Leo can only say such things because you haven’t yet seen the other trainees…”
“All five of them are going to enroll in Lumen right away, actually.”
“…”
For a moment, everyone in the party hall doubted their ears.
Only a very small number of Gerdinger knight trainees could enroll in Lumen.
But all five of them would enroll in Lumen?
Moreover, everyone knew that Leo’s knight order was made up of trainees with middle-tier grades.
By all accounts, Leo’s words were preposterous.
But one person was different.
Celia was different.
‘…If it's him, he'd more than accomplish it.’
Celia, who knew her cousin’s abilities better than anyone, thought that Leo could do it.
Leo was someone who would do what he said.
‘Of course, they’ll taste hell, though.’
Celia made a regretful expression and let out a deep sigh.