Book 1 Chapter 598
"Lywellin!"
"Absolutely unacceptable!"
"The Zerdinger bloodline mixing with those detestable Lywellins!"
Reina's statement caused the Elder Council to react with near convulsions.
Lywellin.
The greatest family of magical heroes in Lorden, and along with Zerdinger, the two pillars supporting the Empire.
Knights and mages have been rivals since the dawn of Aura and magic.
Because of this, Zerdinger and Lywellin, who have existed as the two pillars of Lorden for centuries, naturally became like oil and water.
'Come to think of it, Abad said that, didn't he? Celia and Chelsea get along fairly well.'
Even though they often bickered with each other, he said they got along well for direct descendants of Zerdinger and Lywellin.
That was the same for Celia and Abad.
'Well, they've been working together to get through the difficult times since the entrance exam.'
Among their peers, they were seen not as rivals, but as partners with their backs against each other.
'Besides, most of the Lywellin people I've met have been friendly to me.'
That was why Leo hadn't properly grasped the relationship between Zerdinger and Lywellin.
He had just thought of it as a strong rivalry.
'But looking at the Elder Council's reaction, it doesn't seem to be the case.'
Leo didn't know, but the collateral relatives of each family got along even worse.
While the disputes between direct descendants were about honor and who was the greatest heroic family in the Empire.
Disputes involving their own interests often arose among the collateral relatives.
The status of a Zerdinger collateral relative cannot be maintained simply by blood.
Only by proving one's worth as a knight can one gain the status of a collateral relative.
Once recognized as a collateral relative, there are many benefits to be gained.
As a result, collateral families worked hard to strengthen their power and maintain their collateral status in any way possible.
In the process, they clashed with collateral relatives of Lywellin in similar situations.
The clashes between Zerdinger and Lywellin could shake the foundations of the Lorden Empire, so they never escalated into disputes between direct families.
Furthermore, if the disputes intensified, Zerdinger and Lywellin would directly mediate the situation.
However, even so, frequent clashes were unavoidable.
'Come to think of it, they said there was a major clash between the collateral families of Zerdinger and Lywellin about 20 years ago, didn't they?'
In the process, some collateral families were ruined.
Among the Elder Knights of the Elder Council now, there are those who fought with Lywellin mages at that time.
As Leo was lost in thought, watching the Elder Council in an uproar.
"Reina Zerdinger! Are you abandoning your family for your own selfish desires and making an enemy of Zerdinger now!"
Eggerson shouted with an enraged face.
At his words, Reina's usually smiling face changed.
"Watch your words. I am not Reina Zerdinger, but Reina Flov. And do you think I'm doing this for my personal desires?"
"What?"
"How can the members of the Elder Council, who lead Zerdinger, be less aware of world affairs than I, who retired long ago?"
Reina's intimidating aura, with her red eyes flashing, made the Elder Knights flinch.
The aura of a knight who lost her Aura long ago overwhelmed those who were heroes or possessed comparable power.
Goo-ooh-
'The surrounding mana is reacting?'
Leo also looked at Reina with surprised eyes.
The surrounding mana reacted to the will of the knight who lost her Aura.
As a result, the surrounding temperature rapidly increased.
It was unbelievable for a knight who had lost her Aura.
"Stop."
At this point, Regas, who had been watching the situation, spoke.
"Reina. Although you have disowned the family, I do not believe you have forgotten Zerdinger."
"……"
"I hope you will speak your mind without hesitation for the sake of the family."
At his words, Reina's aura subsided and she spoke.
"Now is a chaotic era where Tartarus is moving and great heroes are reappearing in this world."
Reina looked at Leo.
"In such an era, the one who possesses abilities like the Hero of Genesis is Leo. Do you Elder Council members truly not understand what this means? As a hero, Leo is already a hero who carries the burden of the era."
Even in the long Heroic Era, there weren't many heroes who were considered to carry the burden of the era.
And it was only a matter of time before Leo would stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
The Elder Council was not unaware of this fact.
However, they tried to ignore it.
"Like the great heroes and the heroes of genesis, Leo will leave an immortal name. A heroic family should recognize this child's value and allow him to pursue his aspirations. If so, Zerdinger's fame will also increase."
"Ahem!"
"Ahem!"
At Reina's words, the Elder Knights showed their discomfort.
'Then the family's reputation will grow.'
'But is that all?'
Lorden is already a vast empire that occupies most of the western continent.
And Zerdinger has considerable vested interests within the Empire.
What can be gained from the fame acquired through Leo is only honor.
Unless the Lorden Empire pursues an expansionist policy, Zerdinger has no profit to gain.
'Besides, in the end, aren't only the direct descendants benefiting?'
Leo clicked his tongue, watching the elders' eyes darting around.
'Those who have a lot tend to ignore external crises.'
During the Age of Gods.
Countless royalty and nobles ignored the world's impending doom until the very moment the world was heading for destruction.
The price they had to pay to counter that disaster was too great.
By the time those who possessed the power to counter the world's crisis realized its seriousness, it was already too late.
'These people are the same.'
The Elder Council does not realize how dangerous this era is.
Great heroes have appeared, and the Demon Queen, who had threatened the world for thousands of years, has been vanquished.
Flames of disaster are igniting all over the world, and finally, fragments of Erebus have been resurrected.
A series of major events where the fate of the world was uncertain if Leo hadn't existed.
However, most people were unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Because the crisis ended without them knowing.
'And now, even the god who was said to have disappeared has revealed himself.'
For those who fought directly against Erebus, this was a chilling crisis.
However, for those who heard about it only as stories in peaceful places, it might have seemed like a hopeful miracle.
'Even after the Heroic Era, there have been several world crises.'
Not just the return of disasters.
There have been countless times the world has fallen into great chaos due to the stirrings of Tartarus.
Each time, great heroes saved the world.
Perhaps, like the end of the Age of Gods.
'Could it be that those who hold power see these events not as signs of crisis, but as the complete end of the disaster?'
"We know that Leo Flov is great. But a chaotic era? That's an overthought."
Eggerson said.
"Calm down, Reina Flov. Don't be upset if Leo Flov receives little this time. If your son dedicates himself to Zerdinger, he will naturally receive many things from the family."
"That's right, Reina. We are not discriminating against you and your son. Aren't we of the same blood?"
"If a Zerdinger descendant goes to Lywellin, they will be pointed at for abandoning the family out of greed for wealth."
"In the first place, the abilities of All Class belong to Zerdinger. Leaking the blood of the manifested one outside is a great loss in itself."
The elders changed their approach to persuading Leo and Reina.
"It's not good for a child to receive too large a territory at such a young age. Since he is still young, it's not too late to receive territory after graduation."
At those words, Reina showed a frustrated expression.
"We don't know when a disaster will strike the world, but do the elders value the family more than the world?!"
"The world's disaster is just your idea. Even if a world disaster strikes, making a fuss from now on is just a waste of unnecessary power. When the crisis strikes, we can unite with many heroic families and repel it. As we have always done."
"What will happen to those who die after the crisis strikes? We are a knightly family before being a heroic family, aren't we? Aren't we beings who protect the weak?"
"Reina Flov."
Eggerson smiled.
"Did you lose your Aura by saying such dreamlike things, and are you still dreaming?"
*Crunch*
Reina's grip tightened.
Regas, who had been watching her, spoke.
"It seems to have gotten too heated, so I will temporarily suspend the meeting."
At his words, the Elder Knights looked at Regas and then nodded, leaving the Elder's Hall.
"Leo."
"Yes."
"Marry Chelsea."
"Shouldn't that also depend on the opinions of Chelsea and Lywellin?"
Leo replied indifferently and helped Reina sit down.
At the same time, Reina covered her mouth with her hand.
"Cough- cough-"
As Reina began to cough violently, Leo sent his mana to her.
After a while, Reina, who had calmed down somewhat, removed her hand from her mouth.
"I pushed myself."
The cost of using her aura was great.
Leo took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from her hand as she gave a bitter smile.
"Our son is so filial."
As Reina patted Leo's head, Regas approached.
"You were amazing, it was like seeing you from the old days."
"If it were me in the old days, I would have drawn my sword already."
Regas smiled bitterly at Reina's answer.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of help."
"That's the role of the High Elder."
That's the role of the High Elder.
A judge who strictly maintains neutrality and mediates family disputes.
The High Elder possesses unchecked power to punish those who commit wrongdoing.
However, it is power that cannot be used under normal circumstances.
Because it can only judge those who commit a crime, regardless of their status.
A necessary position for great families like Zerdinger.
"I am proud of such a father."
In great families, strategic marriages are obligatory.
The obligation of one who enjoys many benefits as a Zerdinger.
A knight would be exempt from this obligation, but Reina was not a knight, so she had no choice but to bear the obligation.
However, Reina defied the family's wishes and was driven out of the family as a punishment.
At that time, Regas must have wanted to protect Reina.
In reality, Regas had the power to protect Reina.
But Regas chose to uphold the family's law.
To some, he might appear as a cold-blooded person who chose family over his daughter, but Reina knew.
That Regas cried tears of blood more than anyone when she left the family.
"Father, you sacrificed yourself for the family, didn't you?"
"……"
"I am proud of such a father."
At his words, Regas smiled bitterly and opened his mouth.
"Reina, I also cannot tolerate sending Leo to the Lywellin family. So don't use that to threaten the elders."
"Are you speaking as Leo's grandfather? Or as someone from Zerdinger?"
"Both," he said indifferently.
Regas's face contorted.
"What is Zerdinger lacking that we have to send our direct descendant as a live-in son-in-law? Are you going to commit the unfilial act of hearing that the witch says Zerdinger can't even manage its own family and has to send its direct descendant as a live-in son-in-law! Instead, that child Chelsea should marry into our family!"
Recalling the former head of the Lywellin family, just like himself, Regas showed an expression of disgust.
"Then Father, please persuade the Elder Council to give Leo a territory befitting him."
"That would be impossible."
"Lywellin would hardly marry its direct descendant to a Zerdinger direct descendant who inherited a worthless land."
"Actually, if that child were to marry into the family in the current situation, it would be a disgrace to the family as well."
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"Therefore, Leo."
Regas took out a small paper bag from his pocket.
"This is the first and last gift from your grandfather."
"Thank you."
Leo received the paper bag with a puzzled expression.
"There is no problem in giving away family territory, but there is no problem at all in bequeathing my private property to my grandson."