Chapter 213

213

Leo, who had been guided to the Zerdinger castle, attracted the attention of many people.

“That person over there is Young Master Leo?”

“Isn’t he the son of Lady Reina?”

“He’s supposed to have taken over from Master Ris as the Student Council President.”

“He’s the unprecedented Student Council President from the 1st Year.”

Rumors about Leo were rampant within the Zerdinger household.

In such a situation, Leo’s sudden visit took place.

It was only natural that all the people of Zerdinger would pay attention.

With that, Leo arrived at the study, following Giese. Giese offered him a guest sofa and sighed deeply as he sat on the upper seat.

“Recent events have left me rather frazzled. The impact of the loss of the Sword Saint has been significant.”

“Is there any special movement from Tartarus?”

When Celia asked with a tense expression, Giese shook his head.

“There isn’t much movement on the western front yet.”

The battle regions with Tartarus were spread all over the continent.

Of course, the main base where the demons gathered their forces existed separately, but its location remained unknown.

Certainly, that did not mean the frontline forces of Tartarus were weak.

“Well, now that Brother Ris has graduated, won’t Uncle have a little less work?”

“That is true. Fortunately, Ris has graduated.”

After chuckling, Giese turned to look at Leo.

“Shall we move on to the main topic?”

“What do you mean by inheritance?”

Leo asked with a quizzical look, to which Ris casually replied.

“You surely know that the direct line of Zerdinger holds considerable authority within the family?”

“Yes.”

“Though you might not have heard, you not only gain authority but also rights.”

“Rights?”

“Yes. You have the right to inherit a portion of the family’s wealth, which you can take with you when you eventually become independent.”

Zerdinger is a renowned hero family with a long history.

They have produced many heroes whose names are recorded in the Hero Record.

Not all of them, however, remained in the family.

Some established their own collateral branches independently.

At that time, they inherit a portion of the family’s assets.

Families of heroes expand their influence this way.

If a talented individual appears from a collateral branch, they are welcomed back to the main household, given key roles with privileges akin to the direct lineage, and are once again granted the right to inherit the family’s wealth.

Understanding this, Leo nodded.

“Well, the assets you’ll inherit will include your mother’s share.”

“Mother?”

“Correct. Sister Renia left the family, forsaking all her rights. The inheritance she was due to receive has now been designated for you.”

Giese smiled faintly.

“Don’t feel burdened. This is your right. I hope you can use this as a stepping stone for your future.”

*

“You’ve now officially become a member of the Zerdinger family.”

As Leo walked down the hallway with Celia, she grinned brightly.

“Uncle Giese said he would handle the complicated paperwork, so you’ll only need to review and sign later.”

“But what exactly is this inheritance? Is it money or land?”

“Exactly. And beyond that, you could become the owner of heirloom weapons that used to belong to the knights of past Zerdingers. Of course, these items are destined to return to the family armory, but barring any unforeseen events, they’re meant to stay with you for life.”

Celia proudly showed the rapier Flame Storm hanging at her waist. Originally owned by Reina, it was passed to her when Reina left Zerdinger.

“Once father returns, you’ll likely be allowed to enter the family armory?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll also be given a knight squad.”

“Knight squad?”

“Indeed. A squad that will follow you in the future.”

“Will you be among them?”

“Of course. Not official knights yet, but they are talented young people carefully chosen by the family.”

The squad destined to follow Celia in the future were currently undergoing rigorous training within the Zerdinger grounds. Niel, the eldest daughter of the Roda family, one of Zerdinger’s vassal families, and a third-year student at Lumeran, was one of these knights.

As Celia mentioned this, Leo nodded.

“Did they form the moment it was decided you’d be accepted into the direct lineage?”

“Guess so?”

“You didn’t seem interested in money or territory but perked up at the mention of the knight squad?”

“They’ll be my people.”

Leo shrugged.

During the Era of Catastrophe, it’s widely known that five Great Heroes restored peace to the world. However, without the contribution of the heroes in the slaying force, the conquest of Erebus would not have succeeded.

There were many heroes who fought alongside the Great Heroes against Tartarus before the final expedition.

And many of them fell in battle.

‘Their records should have been preserved in the Hero Record.’

Leo wore a faint, wistful smile.

The same applied to the present Silatuna purge.

“I can’t do anything alone.”

Whether it be comrades, subordinates, or disciples,

he needed allies to fight alongside him.

In this sense, Leo couldn’t help but feel a strong interest in the idea of his own knight squad.

In his past life, he’d had companions and disciples, but not subordinates.

‘Leading people has always been Lissinas’s responsibility.’

Recalling those days, Leo asked,

“Can I meet them now?”

At his question, Celia hesitated, then nodded.

“Of course. They’re likely at the training ground where the knight apprentices stay. Shall we go?”

“Alright.”

Following Celia, he made his way to the place where Zerdinger’s apprentice knights trained, located beside the main house.

It was a place where teenagers around Leo and Celia’s age practiced swordsmanship.

Many people trained here to become Zerdinger knights.

Their origins varied:

Collateral lines of Zerdinger.

Vassal families.

Children from other families hoping to become Zerdinger knights.

And talented orphans raised by the Zerdinger-run orphanage.

Of these, those who stood out received comprehensive support from Zerdinger.

Some even became first-year students at Lumeran.

Entering the training grounds, a knight stationed at the entrance spotted Celia and snapped to attention.

“Miss Celia!”

“Thank you for your hard work. Let’s go, Leo.”

Celia smiled and entered the training area.

Since she, too, had trained here from a young age, she moved about with ease and familiarity.

“Haah! Haah!”

“Swing your swords a hundred more times!”

“Understood!”

To the loud voice of the mentor, the students replied in unison.

Sensing the spirit of their training, Leo murmured to himself,

“They’re all working hard.”

“Indeed.”

Celia puffed out her chest proudly.

These were the future of the Zerdinger family. Despite varying ranks, they had spent their childhoods training and growing together. In Celia’s eyes, they were a source of pride and respect.

As the two of them observed the students from a short distance within the training ground, the mentor noticed Celia and smiled warmly.

“Celia!”

“Aha, so you’ve returned, Miss.”

“Hello? Master Zerkor.”

“Celia!”

“Celia’s back!”

“Wow, Celia!”

Realizing Celia’s presence, the students halted their practice and called out to her brightly.

“You brats! Who said you could stop? That’s another hundred swings!”

“EEK!”

The students screamed at Master Zerkor’s command, causing Celia to giggle.

“Master Zerkor, by the way, who might this gentleman be?”

“The news hasn’t reached the training grounds yet. This is Leo Flove, my cousin.”

“Oh, so this is…”

Zerkor’s eyes lit up as he bowed his head respectfully to Leo.

“My name is Zerkor Juner. Is Lady Reina doing well?”

“You know my mother?”

“I was her knight.”

Zerkor gave a wry smile before politely saying,

At seeing Zerkor, Leo couldn’t help but smile faintly in return.

“I’m too healthy, that’s the trouble.”

“Is that so.”

As Zerkor happily smiled, he asked,

“But what brings you to the training grounds?”

“Leo’s curious about his knight squad.”

Celia crossed her arms and grinned.

“I see.”

Nodding, Zerkor then shouted to the students,

“Everyone halt!”

At his command, the swinging swords stopped.

“Everyone, line up.”

The students immediately lined up neatly at the command.

“Those I call out will step forward.”

Zerkor called out five students.

“Everyone else is dismissed for today.”

“Huh?”

“Master Leo has come to see you.”

Hearing this from Zerkor, the students began whispering among themselves.

“Is that Master Leo?”

“Isn’t that exactly how he looked in the newspaper?”

“Wow, he’s handsome!”

Surrounded by the curious gazes of the trainees, Leo scratched his cheek.

‘There’s no real need to arrange such a noisy meeting.’

The knights designated as Leo’s approached him.

Leo’s knight squad consisted of three boys and two girls.

“Your squad also has five members?”

“Mine has thirty.”

“Why is there such a difference in number?”

Celia grinned.

“At first, I also had five, same as Brother Ris. From now on, you’ll have to grow your squad yourself.”

“I see.”

These trainees directly from the main house were sure to be exceptional talents.

Even if being assigned a knight squad was a privilege for the direct lineage, one couldn’t recklessly divert high-level future talents away from the household.

‘They’ve given me the core, so now it’s up to me to grow my own squad. Huh?’

Smiling faintly, Leo appraised his knights.

‘Not bad at all.’

When Leo turned his attention to his knights, the five stood with tense expressions and shouted.

“Master Leo! Nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you!”

As the girl on the far left enthusiastically called out, the other four echoed her.

Seeing this, Leo asked Zerkor,

“Can I take these kids with me?”

“These are your knights, Master Leo. Take them wherever you wish.”

Nodding at Zerkor’s words, Leo said,

“Let’s hold a get-together or something.”

At this, his knights started glancing cautiously around.

They also stole furtive glances at the trainees behind them.

‘What’s going on?’

Leo looked puzzled and asked,

“Don’t you want to go?”

“Not at all, Master. We will follow.”

The girl who seemed to be the leader said quickly.

Nodding, Leo turned to Celia.

“Is there a rest area in the training facility?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

Leo walked with his knights toward the lounge.

And silently murmured to himself,

‘There’s something here.’

Noticing the hesitant way his knights were following him, Leo narrowed his eyes.