Book 1 Chapter 979
979.
Students attending the prestigious family meeting, one by one,
boarded the Lumeria City Warp Gate.
All students from the western continent were gathered in one place.
“Isn’t Celia stopping by Zerdinger?”
A fifth-year student from the Rodren Empire asked with a puzzled expression.
“No. I’m going straight to the Rwalin territory.”
Celia, dressed in a white uniform, nodded her head.
This prestigious family meeting was to be held in the Rodren Empire.
And the family leading the meeting was the Rwalin family.
Although Zerdinger and Rwalin were rivals, both families were founding contributors to Rodren.
As they shared their fate with Rodren from their very origin, it was natural for Zerdinger to assist for the honor of the Empire, even if the meeting was held in Rwalin’s territory.
Listening to their conversation, Sasha covered her mouth with a white folding fan, smacking her lips.
“At times like this, I regret being a Crown Princess.”
Sasha was the next Emperor of Rodren.
The imperial family of Rodren, being of imperial status, did not attend the prestigious family meeting.
This was also a system that maintained the balance of human society.
There were also families loyal to the nation they belonged to.
Representative examples are Zerdinger and Rwalin.
However, it was slightly different from a typical lord-vassal relationship.
While the Rodren imperial family governed Rodren, the main pillars supporting the empire were Zerdinger and Rwalin.
It was a lord-vassal relationship, but in some respects, it was a horizontal relationship.
On the other hand, there were also families like Hergin that did not belong to any nation.
They maintained independent power but did not ascend to the throne.
Or there were prestigious families that absolutely obeyed the monarchy they had sworn loyalty to, and conversely, there were also prestigious families that threatened the monarchy.
A hero is a transcendental being with immense power, even before being one who leads the world.
Each and every one of them possessed formidable power capable of starting a war, and thus their very existence could lead the masses, making their pursued directions diverse.
Consequently, powerful hero families had also played a role in checking the imperial and royal families from running wild.
Conversely, there were cases where the imperial and royal families suppressed heroes if they ran wild.
They cooperated when necessary and sometimes antagonized each other.
Therefore, the prestigious family meeting needed to maintain its unique independence, and that was why participation by those who had ascended to the throne was forbidden.
As it was a place where prominent figures from all over the world gathered, Sasha, who strongly wished to attend to broaden her horizons, couldn’t help but feel regret.
Sasha, who had come to see them off, suddenly wore a puzzled expression.
“But where is Leo Senior?”
At her words, Celia crossed her arms.
“He said he was busy and didn’t come.”
Leo’s official title was also King.
Therefore, he had no connection to the prestigious families.
Chelsea rolled her eyes this way and that at Celia’s words.
‘He said he’d attend… but not officially, right?’
Chelsea was concerned, as Leo had become the center of controversy at this prestigious family meeting.
With Sasha seeing them off, the students from Rodren’s prestigious families boarded the Warp Gate.
Finally, Chelsea, Celia, Abad.
And Niel, a fifth-year student, boarded the Warp Gate heading to the Rwalin territory.
***
Flash-
As the light from the Warp Gate faded, what appeared was a middle-aged woman draped in a cloak bearing the Rwalin mage crest.
Behind her, countless Rwalin mages were lined up.
“Young master, young lady. Welcome back.”
Abad smiled gently, looking at the female mage who bowed politely.
“It’s unexpected for Sir Narian to come out to greet us herself.”
“Unexpected? I’m hurt. Young master and Young Lady Chelsea have achieved such great results and returned to the family, of course, I must come out to greet you myself!”
When Chelsea earned the alias [Wind Bird] and ascended to the rank of hero, the Rwalin family was turned upside down.
Abad and Chelsea experienced the family’s celebration indirectly because they were at school, but Rwalin invited all influential figures of the empire and held a week-long celebration party.
It was clear that another official celebration party would be held once the semester ended and winter break began.
“Ah, the image of Young Lady Chelsea, who was so small, still lingers in my eyes, and now she has grown up and even attained the position of a hero… I, Narian, feel tears welling up with emotion. *Kuh-heuk!*”
Watching Narian cover her mouth and turn her head, Chelsea said.
“I just got lucky.”
“Luck?! How can the position of a hero be attained by luck alone!”
Chelsea merely shook her head, looking at Narian, whose eyes were wide open.
“Young Master Abad should also quickly attain the position of a hero. Only then will you be able to face Young Lady Chelsea, won’t you?”
“Haha. That’s not something that happens just by wishing for it, is it?”
Abad shrugged slightly.
After exchanging greetings, Narian stood before Celia.
“Lady Celia Zerdinger. Welcome to Rwalin.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Sir Narian.”
Celia also politely returned Narian’s polite greeting.
“I would like to escort you myself, but soon, Zerdinger knights will arrive to escort you, Lady Celia.”
“Yes. I know.”
“Then, farewell.”
Narian’s attitude towards Celia was impeccable.
It was true that as a vassal family of Rwalin, they viewed Zerdinger with unfavorable eyes, but whatever the case, Zerdinger was a family of equal standing with Rwalin.
As a vassal, she could not treat a direct descendant of a superior family disrespectfully.
However…
*Glower-*
Her attitude towards Niel, who stood behind Celia and bowed politely, was quite fierce.
Niel dripped cold sweat, looking at Narian, who was glaring at her with wide eyes.
“Celia, Niel Senior. See you later.”
“Bye.”
Abad and Chelsea greeted the two and headed towards the Rwalin mansion, escorted by Narian and the Rwalin mages.
As they disappeared from sight, Niel whined.
“Oh! What should I do! Lady Celia.”
“…Indeed. What should we do, Sister Niel?”
“Who was that? She was glaring at Niel Senior so fiercely.”
“You’re also a Zerdinger by name; you should know a little about important figures in Rodren. Narian Rujia. She is the head of the Rujia family and Senior Machel’s mother.”
“Ah. Niel Senior’s future mother-in-law.”
“Young Master Leo. Don’t tease me.”
“Right. Sister Niel is extremely serious about this.”
Niel gave a resentful look, and Celia glared.
“No, but since when were you there?!”
“All along.”
Leo smiled faintly and replied, watching Celia ask in surprise.
Niel also gaped.
Then, instinctively checking herself reaching for her sword, she quickly removed her hand from it.
It was a habit born from grasping her sword first whenever she was surprised.
“Why did you come?”
Celia asked in confusion, and Leo shrugged.
“To attend the prestigious family meeting.”
“What?”
“I knew there were many factions dissatisfied with me, so I wanted to see for myself who was saying what.”
He had no desire for the throne.
He had no intention of reigning over anyone.
But Leo also had no intention of abandoning his duties as a king leading a nation.
He learned the attitude of a leader from Lysinas.
Among the leaders Leo knew, the greatest leader, no matter what anyone said, was Lysinas.
‘Lysinas would have acted like this. And I might be able to track down the traitors.’
Even among prestigious families that produced heroes, not everyone was upright and principled.
There were traitors even among heroes.
This was also an opportunity to catch the tails of such individuals.
At Leo’s words, Celia spoke in a reluctant voice.
“No. You can’t attend.”
Although he was recognized as a direct descendant of Zerdinger, officially, he was the King of the newly established Kingdom of Arhi.
It was impossible for Leo, who did not meet the participation requirements, to attend the prestigious family meeting.
“I’ve thought of something about that.”
“Are you plotting something strange again?”
Celia narrowed her eyes.
Looking at Celia, Leo merely smiled.
“Don’t smile like that.”
“Why?”
“You smile like a demon lord.”
Celia frowned and said, and Leo stroked his face.
“I just smiled, though? Do I look evil?”
“Yes. You look evil.”
Niel sighed deeply and said.
At that, Leo clicked his tongue.
‘I just smiled.’
***
Seated in the guest mansion office provided by the Rwalin family, Selde, the head of the Zerdinger family, was reading a report when he received news of his daughter’s arrival and showed a pleased expression.
A moment later.
As the door opened and Celia entered, Selde cocked his head.
“Leo? Did you come too?”
“Father. He says he wants to attend the prestigious family meeting.”
Celia said with a deep sigh.
Looking at Celia, Selde let out a hollow laugh.
“How do you intend to attend? You won’t be able to participate with your status, will you?”
“I was thinking of hiding my identity and attending as Celia’s attendant.”
“What?!”
“Hmm… but if it gets out that you attended as an attendant…”
“Father, wait a moment. Are you really going to attend as my attendant?”
“I was thinking about it?”
“Do it! You must do it! Alright? No. For this occasion, to avoid suspicion for the remaining week, start being my attendant today!”
Celia’s eyes sparkled, and she tightly held Leo’s hand.
Looking at Celia, Leo wore an incredulous expression.
“You’re still holding a grudge about me being your maid, aren’t you?”
“Do you think I’d forget that humiliating incident?!”
Celia glared with wide eyes.
Looking at Celia, Leo shook his head.
“Alright, then, Leo. Would you go and make a cup of tea?”
Leo let out a hollow laugh, watching Celia sweep her hair back, but he obediently followed the instruction.
“Hmm. Even so, hiding your identity…”
“Father. Don’t worry. It will absolutely not be discovered.”
Celia smiled brightly.
Excited by the fact that Leo would be her attendant, Celia hummed a tune.
‘Thinking of hearing ‘young lady’ from Leo makes me feel good somehow?’
Selde, who burst into laughter watching Celia giggle, scrutinized the documents with serious eyes.
“By the way, you seem very busy preparing for the prestigious family meeting.”
“Hmm. Since Rwalin is hosting this one, I’m not particularly busy.”
“Despite that, you seem to be looking at the documents quite seriously? Did something happen?”
“This, you mean?”
At Celia’s question, Selde’s serious expression softened, and he gave a slight wry smile.
Just then, Leo entered the room, pushing a refreshments cart.
He poured black tea and first placed it on Selde’s desk.
“It is a tea bestowed by His Majesty the King of Arhi; I don’t know how to act.”
“Please just think of it as a nephew serving tea to his uncle.”
“Hoo-hoot. I understand.”
Celia took a sip of tea and narrowed her eyes.
“The tea tastes a bit astringent?”
At that, Leo wore an incredulous expression.
Celia smiled faintly and then took another sip of tea.
“Celia. Would you take a look?”
Selde said then.
Celia, who was drinking tea, wore a puzzled expression.
“Those are the documents of your husband candidates.”
“Phoo-heup! Cough! Cough!”
Celia unintentionally spit out the tea she was drinking.
“What’s wrong?”
“Cough. Cough. Keh-heck!”
Leo smiled faintly and said, looking at Celia who couldn’t speak due to choking.
“Uncle. Forgive my presumption in saying this, but the young lady…”
*Stomp-*!
Celia stomped on Leo’s foot with her heel where Selde couldn’t see.
“I, I was surprised that you brought that up so suddenly.”
“Hmm… It is sudden. But isn’t it time for you to think about a partner now?”
“Ye-yes, I suppose so.”
“Anyway, take a look. I’ve carefully chosen the ones who seem decent.”
“I, I’ll take a look.”
Celia received the documents from Selde.
“Father. I just remembered something, so Leo and I will go somewhere.”
Then she dragged Leo out of the room.
“Young lady. Should we go visit Abad?”
“You…”
“Huh?”
“If you utter a single word about Abad and I having an engagement promise before I bring it up, you and I are truly dead.”
“…”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“No. I know you’re very flustered… but I wonder if you shouldn’t be a little more careful.”
“What?”
Leo silently pointed behind Celia.
Celia turned around, and her face hardened.
There, a beautiful girl with black hair and red eyes was covering her mouth, her eyes wide open.
She was none other than the daughter of her Uncle Gis, her little uncle.
In other words, she was Leo and Celia’s other cousin.
“E-Emira…”
“Oh my god! Sister Celia. Are you dating Abad?”
“No. We’re not dating…”
“To Dad… No, to Uncle, quickly…!”
Celia ran to Emira and covered her mouth.
Celia, having subdued the struggling Emira, said.
“F-first, let’s go to my room.”
“We haven’t been assigned a room yet?”
“Then just go anywhere!”