Book 1 Chapter 215
That evening.
Numerous knights were lined up in front of the warp gate.
The atmosphere was quite different from when Leo and Celia were greeted during the day.
A moment later, the warp gate flashed with light.
Along with it, a man with black hair and red eyes appeared.
His eyes were a fiery crimson, as if they could ignite at any moment.
His face was like a sculpture meticulously crafted by an artist.
The man, who could easily be called middle-aged and handsome, possessed an aura that overwhelmed the assembled crowd.
Thump- thump-
As the man descended from the warp gate and headed towards the carriage, the knights snapped to attention and knelt, offering the knight’s salute.
The man raised his hand to the knights.
Then, the knights regained their original posture with disciplined grace.
“You’ve arrived, brother.”
“Yes. Was there anything unusual with the family?”
As Jis gave a polite greeting, the head of the Zerdinjer family, Seld Zerdinjer, asked in a serious voice.
“Celia returned today.”
“Come to think of it, you mentioned today was the start of the break.”
It was the day his beloved daughter would return for the break, but Seld had completely forgotten.
He had been attending meetings hosted by the emperor day and night in the capital to respond to the rapidly changing world situation.
Seld had been incredibly busy, with no time to spare.
Even so, he boarded the carriage with a bitter smile, thinking of himself as a foolish father.
“And Leo also visited with Celia.”
Seld’s movements faltered.
Then he boarded the carriage again.
Jis followed and got into the carriage.
“Leo…”
Upon hearing of his nephew’s visit, of whom he had only heard stories, Seld’s expression turned intrigued.
“Where is Lis?”
“After the graduation ceremony, Lis went to tackle the Hero Dungeon at Lumern’s request. He won’t be able to return to the family for a while.”
Seld nodded at Jis’s words.
“Is the welcome party prepared?”
“It is all ready.”
“Good.”
Seld leaned back into the depths of the carriage and said,
“I’m looking forward to it.”
***
The party hall at Zerdinjer’s main castle.
Everyone holding important positions in the main castle had gathered, and Leo stood beside Celia.
Leo surveyed the faces of the people.
There were many knights with incredible skills.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
“There are so many skilled individuals.”
At Leo’s words, Celia puffed out her chest.
“Of course, we are Zerdinjer.”
As Leo watched Celia sweep her hair back and chuckled, someone spoke.
“Lady Celia. Congratulations on becoming a second-year student.”
“Are you Master Leo? It’s a pleasure to meet you, a member of the collateral branch family…”
People began to gather around Leo and Celia.
The stated purpose of today’s party was a celebration for Celia and Leo’s advancement to their second year.
As such, they were the main focus.
However, it was Leo who was drawing the most attention.
Celia covered her mouth and teased Leo,
“You’re quite popular, aren’t you?”
Leo replied indifferently as he looked at Celia’s teasing expression.
“Popularity. They’re all hanging around because they want something.”
“Want something?”
As Celia tilted her head at Leo’s words, the entrance to the party hall began to stir.
Seld and Jis were entering the hall.
While the Zerdinjer retainers offered their respects, Seld spotted Leo and Celia and moved towards them.
“Father!”
Celia beamed, seeing her father after so long.
Although always perfectly composed as a direct descendant of a renowned hero family, in front of her father, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl.
Seld chuckled as he saw his daughter run and embrace him with a bright smile, patting her head.
“My dear. I heard about your exploits. I am proud of you.”
“As a direct descendant of Zerdinjer, I’ve only done what is expected.”
After patting his daughter’s head, Seld’s gaze turned to Leo.
“So, you are Leo.”
“I greet the master of Zerdinjer.”
As Seld looked at him, Leo offered a polite bow.
Although Leo had been recognized as a direct descendant of the Zerdinjer family, today was the first time he and Seld had met.
Furthermore, it was a formal occasion with many people watching.
He had no choice but to observe perfect etiquette.
Celia marveled at Leo, who was flawless in his demeanor.
‘He doesn’t seem like it, but his etiquette is perfect.’
Leo usually didn’t show much formality.
Therefore, one might assume he had only learned the minimum etiquette required of a noble, but that wasn’t the case.
Leo’s etiquette was so perfect that even Celia, who had lived a rigorous life in a renowned hero family since childhood, was impressed.
‘It’s worth all the trouble Lisinas put me through when I see this.’
Leo chuckled inwardly, recalling his old friend.
Thanks to Lisinas’s nagging, Leo had perfectly mastered the strict etiquette of the dragon race.
That experience allowed him to perform most etiquette perfectly.
‘Etiquette comes from one’s bearing anyway.’
Seld burst into laughter at Leo’s etiquette.
“You’re quite different from Reina.”
He added, recalling his younger sister, who was more boisterous than free-spirited.
“Feel free to call me ‘Uncle’.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
As Seld granted him permission to use a familiar term, everyone in the Zerdinjer household held their breath.
‘As expected, the family head intends to entrust Master Leo with a significant position in the family in the future.’
‘Damn it! If I had known, I should have voted against his acceptance as a direct descendant!’
Many attendees of the party were quickly recalculating.
Zerdinjer was not just any renowned hero family.
It was one of the two pillars supporting the Rodren Empire.
A family that influenced nearly fifty percent of the knights in the entire empire.
This meant that Zerdinjer wielded immense power.
In reality, the external status of the direct bloodline members of Zerdinjer was no lower than that of royalty in most kingdoms.
Within the Rodren Empire, simply being a direct descendant of Zerdinjer afforded them an unimaginably high level of treatment.
Therefore, collateral family members always yearned to gain recognition and obtain the status of a direct descendant.
When a new direct descendant appeared, the probability of becoming one decreased accordingly.
Thus, many had opposed Leo’s ascension to the position of a direct descendant.
However, Leo was now one of the key figures within Zerdinjer.
Furthermore, he was clearly protected by the family head and vice-head as their nephew.
Now, simply falling out of Leo’s favor could lead to a loss of power within the family.
After Seld, who had been conversing with Leo, departed, Celia asked with sparkling eyes,
“What did you think of my father?”
“He’s impressive.”
As the head of the Zerdinjer family, Seld was an impeccable individual.
He was a contender for the top-ranking knights Leo had ever seen in his life.
He was a man truly befitting the name of a hero.
As Leo spoke, Celia smiled confidently.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-
Jis tapped his wine glass, drawing everyone’s attention.
“The family head has something to say.”
At his words, everyone turned to Seld.
“I would like to thank everyone for attending the party today to celebrate my daughter and nephew’s advancement to their second year.”
Seld’s serious voice resonated throughout the party hall.
“As they are the future of our Zerdinjer family, I hope you will continue to support them in their future endeavors.”
As his concise words ended, the party attendees burst into applause.
Afterward, Leo had to greet numerous people.
Starting with the collateral family members of Zerdinjer, to many retainer families.
Although it was a party only for those connected to Zerdinjer, there were still a great many people.
‘If they invited other nobles, it would be truly chaotic.’
Shaking his head at the scale of Zerdinjer, Leo dealt with everyone perfectly.
‘Did my sister neglect etiquette herself but teach Leo thoroughly?’
Jis watched, impressed.
There was not a single flaw.
‘If there were external events, I would want to send them out as the face of the family along with Celia.’
Jis felt the urge to definitively establish Leo as a perfect Zerdinjer member in the eyes of others.
‘So that other families can’t even look at him. Especially Rwalin.’
Jis’s face contorted.
Normally, Rwalin would have no reason to covet the Zerdinjer bloodline.
However, Leo was different from a typical Zerdinjer.
All-class.
Furthermore, his abilities and talent as a mage were comparable to those of a knight.
Throughout Zerdinjer’s long history, Leo’s talent was among the most exceptional.
It wouldn’t be strange for Rwalin to covet such magical talent, regardless of their pride.
‘Especially the fact that that witch frequently asks about Leo is bothersome.’
The vice-head of Rwalin, who used to get into glaring contests with Jis whenever they met until last year, had recently softened her demeanor and frequently mentioned Leo.
‘Even the Imperial Family is showing interest in Leo.’
Ever since the fact that he was a Phoenix contractor became known, the Imperial Family had been showing an almost blatant interest in Leo.
‘Having too much talent is also a problem.’
Jis let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
“Vice-head.”
“What is it? Sir Terius.”
Jis looked at the person addressing him with a puzzled expression.
It was Pierce Terius, a member of the Phoenix Knights, the family head’s knight order.
“I have something important to discuss regarding Master Leo.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Master Leo’s knight order.”
At his words, Jis chuckled.
‘As expected, it’s that matter.’
Jis was also in charge of overseeing the Zerdinjer family’s trainees.
Therefore, he was aware that in the late spring of this year, the trainees with top scores had avoided being selected for Leo’s knight order.
He also understood that many now regretted not joining Leo’s knight order.
‘I heard that there are quite a few trainees these days who are trying to get a spot in Leo’s knight order.’
Pierce’s son was also among them, possessing top-tier skills as a trainee.
“The matter of Leo’s knight order was already concluded in the spring, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, of course it was. However, Vice-head, the current skill level of Master Leo’s knight order is significantly lacking compared to Master Leo’s reputation.”
“Hmm.”
Jis crossed his arms and looked towards Leo.
What appeared to be trainees were gathering around Leo.
They were likely trying to catch his eye.
However, Leo’s expression was indifferent.
‘Leo seems to have already made up his mind.’
Jis chuckled.
‘For Leo, the ones who chose him would be more precious than those with superior skills.’
“That’s not something for me to decide; it seems to be Leo’s decision.”
At his words, Pierce’s eyes lit up and he said,
“Then may I speak directly to Master Leo about it?”
“As Sir Terius sees fit.”
“Yes.”
Pierce headed towards Leo with a meaningful expression.
“Master Leo. I am Pierce Terius, a member of the Phoenix Knights.”
“Hello, Sir Terius.”
Leo looked at the large knight who had suddenly approached him with a puzzled expression.
“I have something to say to Master Leo.”
“What is it?”
“Master Leo, as a direct descendant of the Zerdinjer family, you are the fourth in the line of succession, following Master Lis, Lady Celia, and Lady Emira. You are the face of Zerdinjer.”
The succession order of Zerdinjer heirs was currently as follows:
Lis and Celia, children of the family head Seld.
Emira, Jis’s daughter.
And Leo.
Although his surname was not Zerdinjer, as the nephew of the family head, he was fourth in the line of succession.
Furthermore, Emira was frail and did not pursue the path of a knight.
The practical succession order made Leo third.
Of course, Leo was unlikely to become the family head, but even so, the line of succession held significant meaning.
“However.”
“Master Leo is an impeccable person as a successor to Zerdinjer. But… there are not enough knights following Master Leo.”
Seeing Pierce bring up such a direct topic, Leo curved his lips upwards.
“What is it you wish to say?”
“I recommend that you select knights befitting Master Leo. This is not just Master Leo’s issue, but a matter concerning the prestige of the Zerdinjer family, so I speak out of concern.”
At Pierce’s words, Celia frowned.
However, those around them all agreed with Pierce’s statement.
‘Indeed, Leo’s current knight order lacks skill. But still, that’s something Leo should decide, not something to be discussed publicly.’
The current discussion was tantamount to pressuring Leo for the sake of the family’s prestige.
Celia glanced at Jis.
Jis was watching the situation intently, as if he would let Leo handle it as he saw fit.
‘Father won’t step in for this.’
Celia looked at Leo.
‘What will you do, Leo?’
As everyone’s attention was on him, Leo smiled.
“I like my knights.”
“Yes. Since those children chose Master Leo, it’s understandable that you are fond of them. However, you should still select skilled individuals.”
“My knights are sufficiently skilled.”
Leo chuckled.
At his words, Pierce wore a bitter smile.
“You say that because Master Leo hasn’t seen the other trainees yet…”
“All five of them are scheduled to enter Lumern.”
“……”
For a moment, everyone in the party hall doubted their ears.
Only a very small number of Zerdinjer knight trainees could enter Lumern.
And all five of them were going to enter Lumern?
Moreover, everyone knew that Leo’s knight order ranked in the middle tier among the trainees.
By all appearances, Leo’s statement was absurd.
But only one person.
Celia was different.
‘…Given his nature, he’s capable of pulling this off.’
Celia, who knew her cousin’s abilities better than anyone, thought that Leo could do it.
Leo was a person who, if he said he would do something, would do it.
‘Of course, they’ll taste hell.’
Celia sighed deeply with a look of pity.