Book 1 Chapter 979

Students attending the Noble Family Conference, one by one.

They stepped onto the warp gate to Lumaria City.

All students from the Western Continent were gathered in one place.

"Is Celia not stopping by Zerdiger?"

A fifth-year student from the Loderen Empire asked with a puzzled look.

"No. I'm planning to go directly to the Rualin territory."

Celia, dressed in a white uniform, nodded.

This Noble Family Conference was being held in the Loderen Empire.

And the Rualin family was leading the conference.

Zerdiger and Rualin were old rivals, but both were founding families of Loderen.

Destined to be with Loderen from birth, it was natural for Zerdiger to help for the sake of the empire's honor, even if the event was held in Rualin's territory.

As she listened to their conversation, Shasha covered her mouth with a white glove and licked her lips.

"It's a shame to be in the position of a crown princess at times like these."

Shasha was the next empress of Loderen.

As members of the royal family, the Loderen imperial family did not attend the Noble Family Conference.

This was also a system to maintain the balance of human society.

There were families loyal to the country they belonged to.

Zerdiger and Rualin were prime examples.

However, it was slightly different from the usual lord-vassal relationship.

While the Loderen imperial family ruled Loderen, Zerdiger and Rualin were the pillars supporting the empire.

Although it was a lord-vassal relationship, in some ways it was a horizontal relationship.

On the other hand, there were also families like Hergin that did not belong to any country.

They maintained their own power without ascending to the throne.

Or there were noble families that absolutely obeyed the ruling power they swore allegiance to, and conversely, there were noble families that threatened the ruling power.

Heroes, before being leaders of the world, were transcendent beings with immense power.

As individuals possessing formidable military strength capable of starting wars, their pursuits varied as they could lead the masses simply by their existence.

As a result, the hero noble families, possessing great power, also played a role in checking the excesses of royalty and nobility.

Conversely, when heroes went berserk, the imperial and royal families suppressed them.

They cooperated when needed and sometimes opposed each other.

That's why the Noble Family Conference needed to maintain its own independence, and that's why the participation of those who had ascended to the throne was prohibited.

As a place where prominent figures from all over the world gathered, Shasha, who strongly desired to attend to broaden her horizons, couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Shasha, who had come to see them off, suddenly wore a puzzled expression.

"By the way, where is Leo-senpai?"

At that remark, Celia crossed her arms.

"He said he was busy and didn't come."

Leo also officially held the title of king.

Therefore, he had no connection to noble families.

Hearing Celia's words, Chelsea rolled her eyes.

'He said he would attend… I guess it's not officially then.'

Chelsea was concerned, as Leo had become a controversial figure at this Noble Family Conference.

Thus, with Shasha's farewell, the students from Loderen's noble families boarded the warp gate.

Finally, Chelsea, Celia, and Abad.

And fifth-year student Niel boarded the warp gate heading to Rualin's territory.

***

Flash-

As the light of the warp gate subsided, a middle-aged woman wearing a cloak with Rualin's mage emblem appeared.

Behind her, countless Rualin mages were lined up.

"Young master, young lady. Welcome back."

Abad smiled gently at the female mage who greeted them respectfully.

"It's unexpected for Lord Narian to come out to greet us himself."

"Unexpected? I'm disappointed. Young master and Lady Chelsea have achieved great success and returned to the family, so of course, I should greet you myself!"

When Chelsea acquired the epithet "Gale Bird" and ascended to the rank of hero, the Rualin family was thrown into a frenzy.

Abad and Chelsea indirectly experienced the family's celebration at school, but Rualin even invited prominent figures from the empire and held a week-long celebration party.

It was certain that another official celebration party would be held at the end of the semester during winter break.

"Ah, I still see the image of the young Lady Chelsea, who was so small, and now she has grown up and reached the position of hero… This Narian is so moved that tears are about to flow. Sob!"

Seeing Narian covering her mouth and turning away, Chelsea said,

"It was just luck."

"Luck? How can the position of a hero be achieved by luck alone!"

Seeing Narian glare at her, Chelsea just shook her head.

"Young Master Abad should also ascend to the position of hero as soon as possible. That way, you'll be able to face Lady Chelsea, won't you?"

"Haha, it's not something that happens just because you want it to."

Abad shrugged his shoulders slightly.

After exchanging greetings, Narian stood before Celia.

"Lady Celia Zerdiger. Welcome to Rualin."

"Thank you for the warm welcome. Lord Narian."

Celia responded politely to Narian's respectful greeting.

"I would like to escort you, but Rualin knights will soon arrive to escort Lady Celia."

"Yes. I am aware."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Narian's demeanor towards Celia was impeccable.

Although Zerdiger, as a subordinate family of Rualin, was viewed unfavorably, Zerdiger was a family of equal standing to Rualin regardless.

As a vassal, one could not carelessly treat the direct descendant of a higher-ranking family.

However…

Hmph-!

Narian's attitude shifted dramatically as he looked at Niel, who stood respectfully behind Celia and bowed.

Niel, sweating profusely, met Narian's glare.

"Celia, Niel-senpai. I'll see you later."

"Goodbye."

Abad and Chelsea said goodbye to them and headed to the Rualin mansion under the escort of Narian and Rualin mages.

As they disappeared from sight, Niel wailed.

"Ah! What should we do! Lady Celia."

"…What should we do, Niel-unnie."

"Who was that? They were glaring at Niel-senpai so fiercely."

"You're from Zerdiger, so you should know a little about the important figures of Loderen. Narian Ruzia. She is the head of the Ruzia family and the mother of Machel-senpai."

"Ah. Niel-senpai's future mother-in-law."

"Leo-doryeon, please don't tease me."

"Yes, Niel-unnie is very serious."

Niel gave Celia a resentful look, and Celia rolled her eyes.

"But when did you get there?!"

"I've been here for a while."

Seeing Celia ask in shock, Leo replied with a smile.

Niel's mouth also opened and closed.

Then, realizing he had instinctively reached for his sword, he quickly pulled his hand away.

It was a habit to grab his sword first when surprised.

"Why are you here?"

Celia asked in confusion, and Leo shrugged.

"I came to attend the Noble Family Conference."

"What?"

"I know there are many factions who hold grudges against me, so I want to see directly who is saying what."

He had no ambition for the throne.

He had no intention of ruling over anyone.

However, Leo had no intention of abandoning his duty as a king leading a nation.

He learned the attitude of a leader who leads others from Lisinas.

The greatest leader Leo knew, no matter who said otherwise, was Lisinas.

'Lisinas would have acted like this. And perhaps I could find traitors.'

Not all noble families that produced heroes are upright and principled.

There are traitors even among heroes.

It was also an opportunity to catch the tails of such people.

At Leo's words, Celia said with a reluctant voice,

"No, you can't attend."

Although he was recognized as a direct descendant of Zerdiger, he was officially the king of the newly established Archi Kingdom.

It was impossible for Leo, who did not meet the participation requirements, to attend the Noble Family Conference.

"I have something in mind for that."

"Are you planning something strange again?"

Celia narrowed her eyes.

Leo just smiled at Celia.

"Don't smile like that."

"Why?"

"You're smiling like the Demon King."

Celia said with a frown, and Leo stroked his face.

"I was just smiling? Does it look evil?"

"Yes, it looks evil."

Niel sighed and said.

Leo clicked his tongue.

'I was just smiling.'

***

Celth, the head of the Zerdiger family, who was sitting in the study of the guest mansion provided by the Rualin family and reading a report, showed a pleased expression at the news of his daughter's arrival.

A moment later.

Celth looked at Celia, who entered after the door opened, and tilted his head.

"Leo? You came too?"

"Father. She says she's going to attend the Noble Family Conference."

Celia said with a sigh.

Celth chuckled at Celia's words.

"How are you going to attend? You can't participate with your status."

"I was thinking of attending as Celia's attendant, hiding my identity."

"What?!"

"Well… but if it gets out that you attended as an attendant…"

"Father, hold on a moment. Are you really going to attend as my attendant?"

"I was thinking about it?"

"Do it! You must do it! Understood? No, take this opportunity and be my attendant from today so you don't arouse suspicion for the remaining week!"

Celia's eyes sparkled, and she tightly grasped Leo's hand.

Leo looked at Celia with a bewildered expression.

"Are you still holding onto the humiliation of being my maid?"

"Do you think I'll forget that humiliating event?!"

Celia glared.

Leo shook his head, looking at Celia.

"Well then, Leo, would you go make a cup of tea?"

Leo chuckled as Celia pushed her hair back, but he obediently followed her instructions.

"Hmm, even so, hiding your identity…"

"Father, don't worry. She won't be found out at all."

Celia smiled sweetly.

Excited that Leo would be her attendant, Celia hummed a tune.

'It feels good to think of Leo calling me 'young lady'?'

Celth, who burst into laughter watching Celia giggle, examined the documents with a serious gaze.

"By the way, you seem very busy preparing for the Noble Family Conference."

"Well, since Rualin is hosting this time, I don't have much to do."

"Even so, you seem to be looking at documents so seriously? Did something happen?"

"Are you talking about this?"

In response to Celia's question, Celth relaxed his serious expression and gave a slight wry smile.

Just then, Leo entered the room with a tea cart.

He poured black tea and placed it on Celth's desk.

"This is tea from the King of Archi, so I don't know where to put myself."

"Just think of it as your nephew serving tea to his uncle."

"Heh heh. Understood."

After sipping the tea, Celia's eyes fluttered open.

"The tea tastes a little astringent?"

At that remark, Leo looked bewildered.

Celia smiled and sipped the tea again.

"Celia, would you take a look?"

Then Celth said.

Celia, who was drinking tea, looked puzzled.

"These are the documents of your potential husbands."

"Puuuht! Cough! Cough!"

Celia involuntarily spat out the tea she was drinking.

"What's wrong?"

"Cough. Cough. Haaack!"

Leo, smiling faintly, said as Celia choked and couldn't speak.

"Uncle. It's presumptuous to say, but the young lady…"

Thwack-!

Celia stomped on Leo's foot with her heel from where Celth couldn't see.

"I… I was just surprised you brought it up so suddenly."

"Hmm… it is sudden. But isn't it time you thought about a partner?"

"Th-that's true."

"In any case, take a look. I've picked out the best ones."

"I-I'll take a look."

Celia received the documents handed to her by Celth.

"Father. I just remembered something, so Leo and I are going somewhere."

Then she pulled Leo and left the room.

"Young lady. Shall we go see Abad?"

"You…"

"Huh?"

"If you breathe a word about Abad and I being engaged before I say anything, it's going to be you die and I die."

"…"

"Why aren't you answering?"

"No, I understand you're very flustered… but I think you need to be a little more careful."

"What?"

Leo pointed behind Celia without a word.

When Celia turned around, her face stiffened.

There, a beautiful girl with black hair and red eyes stood with her eyes wide open, covering her mouth.

She was none other than Jiz's daughter, her younger uncle.

In other words, another cousin of Leo and Celia.

"E-Emira…"

"Oh my! Celia-unnie. Are you dating Abad-ssi?"

"No, we're not dating…"

"To Father… no, to Uncle, quickly…!"

Celia rushed to Emira and covered her mouth.

Celia, who had subdued the struggling Emira, said,

"L-Let's go to my room first."

"We haven't been assigned rooms yet."

"Then let's go anywhere!"