Book 1 Chapter 973
‘You seem to like it. That’s a relief.’
Ferena muttered to herself as she watched Karl, who was flustered, and Elkan, who kept talking to Karl.
Elkan was always dignified as the head of the family, but he became a doting father in front of his daughters.
‘By the way, Acting Head of Family?’
This was beyond extraordinary; it was unimaginable.
Especially since the Assembly of Noble Families was not simply about becoming a representative of a family.
The decisions made at the Assembly of Noble Families were the decisions of that family.
‘Kal Senior at such a position?’
Of course, it would be understandable if Kal were to become Eliza’s partner.
Eliza was the heir to Hergin.
If they were to marry, Kal would become the external master of Hergin.
The problem was that Eliza and Kal were still not a couple.
Although there was a scandal of the century being talked about, it was just that.
Elkan was going to entrust the position of Acting Head of Family to such an outsider.
‘It’s almost a declaration.’
A declaration that Karl Thomas was a member of the Hergin family.
‘So, should I call him brother-in-law now?’
As Ferena was contemplating Karl’s title.
“It is polite to accept what an elder gives you.”
“I’m a student, so alcohol is a bit difficult for now.”
“When I was a student at Rumen, I even snuck a drink or two. Are students these days boring, pretending to be model students from textbooks?”
Elkan had already taken out a bottle of liquor and was offering it to Karl.
It was a clear, potent spirit, a specialty enjoyed by the people of the Northern Continent.
“You drink well. If you’re a man of Hergin, you should be able to drink well. Indeed, indeed.”
Elkan smiled and enjoyed his private time with Karl.
Karl drank with Elkan, thinking that a mistake would mean death.
Eventually, after drinking until late at night, Karl was knocked out.
Ferena, who had been sipping milk between the two men, watched Karl being supported by Vincent as he headed to his bedroom on the second floor and said,
“Father. Have you completely approved of Sister and Kal Senior’s relationship?”
“As I said before, your sister isn’t the type to listen to me if I object.”
Elkan clicked his tongue and grumbled as he poured more liquor into his glass.
Despite having emptied several bottles of strong liquor, Elkan showed no signs of being drunk.
Of course, he reeked of alcohol.
“I’m surprised you approved so readily, especially since it’s the first time you’ve met him.”
Elkan chuckled at Ferena’s words.
“Do you think I would have come without any preparation?”
Elkan said, taking a sip of his drink.
“I had already completed all the preliminary investigations.”
It wouldn’t be difficult for the head of the Hergin family to investigate Karl.
“Apart from his background, there’s nothing to criticize about him. His background isn’t a major issue either. Our family isn’t in a position to be picky about backgrounds, is it?”
“That’s right. Besides, Kal Senior quickly rose to the position of hero.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered if he wasn’t a hero. His progress since entering Rumen was unusual.”
Elkan glanced at the building Karl had purchased.
He bought a building in Rumeria City in a short period of time with nothing to start with.
Furthermore, his administrative skills as the acting student council president.
“I am confident that he will be of great help to Eliza when she becomes the head of the family.”
Elkan recalled the story of the vision shown to him by the Fairy King earlier.
The absurd claim that Hresia would develop as much as Rumeria City.
But it didn’t feel like a completely outlandish story.
Karl’s abilities as an administrator were that exceptional.
“It’s important to make it a fait accompli before others try to interfere. Crucially.”
“Crucially?”
“It seems Karl has steadied Eliza several times when she wavered. He’s a top-tier candidate for a husband. He doesn’t seem like the type to stray either.”
“Could his exceptional abilities lead him to try and swallow the family whole?”
Ferena was well aware of Karl’s administrative skills.
“Meeting him in person, he has a broad mind, but his ambition doesn’t seem very grand. Moreover, his disposition is like that of a herbivore, so he wouldn’t be able to devour your sister, a carnivore.”
Elkan nodded, having assessed Karl’s character.
“He’s perfect as a son-in-law.”
“I thought you would either strongly oppose it or not easily approve it even if you did approve.”
Elkan chuckled.
It was true that he was initially displeased.
No matter what anyone said, he was the one who stole his daughter’s heart.
But upon meeting him, he liked him more than he expected.
“Most importantly, this father has a dream.”
“A dream?”
“Yes. For that dream, I will quickly hand over the position of head of the family to your sister.”
Elkan had his name on the Hero Records and was regarded as an excellent head of the family.
However, Elkan had boasted since Eliza was young that his daughter would surpass him.
Ferena recalled his constantly delighted expression when talking about her as someone who would elevate the family further.
‘Could he be stepping down as head of the family early for the sake of the family?’
“It’s a secret from your sister. This father.”
“Father, even so, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for the family…”
“This father wants to retire early and spend his remaining years comfortably watching his grandchildren’s antics.”
“……”
“So, Ferena. Do you have a nice man you like?”
“I’m only a first-year student.”
“You may not know it yet because you’re young, but time passes faster than you think. This father wants many grandchildren. If you bring a good man like your sister, this father won’t object and will actively…”
“There isn’t anyone.”
“Tsk.”
Elkan clicked his tongue, looking at his second daughter who spoke resolutely.
Watching her father, Ferena let out a small sigh.
***
“Ugh… my stomach hurts.”
The next morning.
Karl came downstairs with difficulty, holding his stomach.
The aftermath of drinking until he lost consciousness yesterday was immense.
Fortunately, he didn’t have a splitting headache from the hangover.
‘Is it because it was good liquor?’
It was certainly high-quality liquor, as it was drunk by the head of the Hergin family.
Karl, who had struggled to get downstairs, widened his eyes.
Ferena was preparing breakfast.
“You’re awake, Kal Senior?”
“Um… Ferena. Is Elkan still here?”
“Father has already left. And you’ll be scolded if you don’t call him Father-in-law in front of him.”
Ferena shrugged.
“Father seems to have taken a great liking to you, Kal Senior.”
“Oh? That’s a relief.”
Karl smiled awkwardly.
Ferena offered Karl a seat.
“Sit down. Breakfast is all ready.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Karl smiled awkwardly and sat down.
Ferena placed a cup of tea on the table for Karl.
“It’s a drink that’s good for hangovers.”
“Thank you.”
Karl took a sip of the steaming hot drink.
Then, he felt his discomfort ease slightly.
“Wow, this is good?”
As he admired the warm tea and sipped it, Ferena began to eat.
Once his stomach felt somewhat better, Karl ate the food Ferena made and widened his eyes.
“What? Why is this so delicious?”
“That’s a rude reaction.”
Ferena said, opening her eyes slightly.
“Cooking is my hobby.”
“Oh? Unexpected?”
“Food is the most common way to poison someone, isn’t it?”
Karl, who was eating, froze.
He had momentarily forgotten that Ferena was a shadow aspirant.
Seeing Karl, Ferena giggled and said,
“Father told me to prepare thoroughly for the Assembly of Noble Families.”
“…Am I really allowed to go?”
“Since the head of Hergin has decided, no one in the family can object. Not even Sister.”
*Knock knock-*
Just then, a knock was heard at the door.
“Hmm?”
Karl, surprised by the unexpected visitor, got up from his seat.
“There shouldn’t be anyone coming at this hour.”
*Knock knock-* *Knock knock knock-* *Knock knock knock knock-* *Thump thump thump thump thump!* *Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!*
However, the polite knocking soon became more ferocious.
As Karl and Ferena flinched.
*Crack-*! *Boom-*!
The door was torn open and fell to the floor.
“Wh-what?!”
As Karl exclaimed in shock.
*Thump-*!
Someone entered the room.
“Eliza?”
“Sister?”
Karl and Ferena stared blankly at Eliza, who had a fierce expression.
“Ferena?”
Eliza’s momentum faltered for a moment.
She had come to Rumeria City as soon as it was morning upon hearing the news that Karl was on a date, but she was surprised to see Karl with her sister.
“Oh? Oh? Karl, was your date Ferena?”
At that moment, Chen Xia poked her head out from behind Eliza.
Eliza’s eyes widened.
“Xia! When did you follow me? I distinctly told you not to!”
“But it looked like fun.”
Chen Xia entered with a bright smile.
Seeing that reaction, Karl scratched his cheek.
“Ah. Speaking of which, I told Eliza I was going on a date. There must be all sorts of strange rumors at school.”
Eliza faltered at his nonchalant reaction.
Seeing Eliza, Ferena said,
“I’m sorry, Sister. I pretended to be you and called Kal Senior.”
“Why on earth…?”
Eliza asked, looking confused.
Seeing Eliza, Ferena replied,
“Father came to meet Kal Senior yesterday.”
“What?!”
Eliza looked surprised.
“What did Father say to him?”
She had no intention of obeying if her father objected, but that didn’t mean her family’s opinion wasn’t important.
Seeing Eliza tense up, Ferena said,
“He said he approves of your relationship. He said your judgment of people is trustworthy.”
“Oh, congratulations, Eliza.”
“Hmm hmm.”
Chen Xia clapped her hands and said, and Eliza coughed and put on an indifferent expression.
But her face clearly showed joy.
Seeing that, Karl said,
“My father-in-law said.”
“You call my father father-in-law? It’s a hundred years too early.”
Eliza scoffed at Karl’s words.
Seeing Eliza, Karl smiled slyly and said,
“My father-in-law told me to call him that.”
“What?!”
“Wow, this is definitely a fait accompli.”
Chen Xia exclaimed in admiration.
“Anyway, my father-in-law told me to represent the Hergin family at the Assembly of Noble Families.”
The situation far exceeded her expectations, and Eliza’s mind momentarily froze.
Chen Xia’s eyes also widened.
“This is beyond a fait accompli; we can consider it family already.”
***
Early in the morning.
Leo looked at Mel, who had come to his room, with a puzzled expression.
“Assembly of Noble Families?”
“Yes. It is a rather large-scale event.”
“Come to think of it, I think Celia mentioned it. Is it being held in the Rhodren Empire this time?”
“Yes.”
“But why the Assembly of Noble Families? It doesn’t seem to have much to do with me?”
Noble families are families that consistently produce heroes or individuals of equivalent strength.
The Flob family is a noble family of a border kingdom.
Although they have become royalty of the new kingdom of Arhi, their history is too short to be called a noble family.
Furthermore, royalty is not eligible to attend the Assembly of Noble Families.
They are, quite literally, another independent force of heroes.
Of course, Leo is also of the Zerdinger bloodline, but if Celia has the right to participate, it wouldn’t be Leo’s turn.
Mel said, seeing Leo’s puzzled expression.
“There have been several families showing unsettling movements recently, prior to the Assembly of Noble Families.”
“Unsettling movements?”
Leo clicked his tongue.
“Are those unsettling movements directed at me?”
“Yes, specifically at the Arhi Kingdom, though.”
“As expected, politics is fundamentally incompatible with me.”
Leo sighed lightly and muttered.
“Should I make an heir soon as well?”
Leo grumbled with a look of annoyance and glanced at Mel, who was chuckling.
“Mel.”
“Yes?”
Mel looked flustered as Leo stared at him.
“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”
Leo said, seeing Mel ask cautiously with a slightly tense expression.
“Do you want to be the second king of the Arhi Kingdom in my place?”
“I am quite busy with my lordly duties as well.”
Leo licked his lips as if disappointed by that answer.
Mel let out a deep sigh.
Leo chuckled at Mel’s reaction.
“What on earth are you thinking? Such a brazen little thing.”
“Lord Leo.”
“Why?”
“If Leo is mistaken, I’d like to point out that I am at an age where having several children would not be unusual.”
“Was that so?”
Mel’s expression momentarily became choked up at the nonchalant reaction.
“Or should I act truly brazenly?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can handle that, so I’d appreciate it if you refrained.”
Leo apologized with a troubled expression.
Nevertheless, Mel continued to glare at Leo with a sulky expression for a while.