Chapter 215

That evening.

In front of the warp gate stood a multitude of knights, arranged in perfect formation.

The atmosphere here was noticeably different from earlier that day when they welcomed Leo and Celia.

Moments later, a flash of light emanated from the warp gate.

Along with the light, a man with black hair and crimson eyes stepped into view.

His eyes glimmered like scarlet flames ready to ignite at any moment.

His face resembled a sculpture meticulously carved by an artist.

A man who could pass for a middle-aged gentleman carried himself with the dignity that dominated the crowd.

Thud— Thud—

As the man descended from the warp gate and headed toward the carriage, the knights knelt in unison with a sharp “Chack!”

The man gestured toward the kneeling knights with his hand.

With precise elegance, the knights resumed their original stances.

“Have you arrived, Brother?”

“Yes. Was there anything significant that happened while I was away?”

Giese politely greeted as the head of the Zerdinger family, Selde Zerdinger, asked with a solemn voice.

“Celia returned today.”

“Come to think of it, today was the end of term ceremony, wasn’t it?”

It was the day his adorable daughter would return home on vacation, a fact that Selde had completely forgotten.

He had been busily involved in round-the-clock meetings organized by the emperor in the capital to address the rapidly changing world situation.

Even with such a hectic schedule, Selde couldn’t help but think of himself as a negligent father, offering a wry smile as he boarded the carriage.

“And Leo also visited with Celia.”

Selde’s movement paused briefly.

After a moment of hesitation, he climbed back into the carriage.

Giese followed and boarded the carriage behind him.

“Leo… I see.”

The visit of his nephew, only known through stories, evoked an expression of intrigue on Selde’s face.

“And Ris?”

“Ris joined the Lumeran requested Hero Dungeon expedition after the graduation ceremony. He won’t be returning to the estate for a while.”

Giese’s response earned a nod from Selde.

“Preparations for the welcome party?”

“They are complete.”

“Good.”

Selde leaned back into the carriage and said,

“I’m looking forward to it.”

*

At the Zerdinger mansion’s party hall.

Important figures within the mansion had gathered, along with Leo, who stood beside Celia.

Leo surveyed the gathering.

There were numerous knights with formidable skills.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

“There are a lot of strong individuals here.”

At Leo’s comment, Celia proudly puffed her chest.

“Of course, we’re Zerdingers.”

As Celia brushed her hair back, Leo couldn’t help but smirk.

“Celia, congratulations on becoming a second-year student.”

“Is this the respected Leo Young Master? It’s a pleasure to meet you from the collateral branch of the family…”

People began to gather around Leo and Celia.

Today’s party was to celebrate Celia and Leo’s promotion to the second year, making them the main figures of the event.

Still, much of the attention was fixated on Leo.

Celia teasingly joked,

“You’re quite popular, aren’t you?”

Leo glanced at the teasing Celia and replied flatly,

“It’s not popularity. They’re all here with some kind of agenda.”

“An agenda?”

As Celia tilted her head curiously at Leo’s words, the entrance to the party hall started to stir with commotion.

There, Selde and Giese were entering the hall.

As Zerdinger vassals bowed respectfully, Selde spotted Leo and Celia and approached the two.

“Father!”

Celia, upon seeing her father, whom she hadn’t seen in a long while, smiled brightly.

Though Celia always behaved impeccably as the mainline of the heroic lineage, she was just like any other fifteen-year-old girl in front of her father.

With a small laugh, Selde patted his daughter on the head as she ran joyfully and embraced him with a bright smile.

“Kid. I’ve heard about your feats. I take pride in you.”

“That’s only natural for someone from the mainline family.”

After patting Celia’s head, Selde’s gaze turned to Leo.

“You must be Leo.”

“I meet the lord of the Zerdinger family.”

Selde regarded Leo, who greeted him respectfully with a bow.

Even though Leo was recognized as one of the Zerdinger family’s mainline relatives, today’s meeting marked the first time between the two.

And considering this was an official gathering under the observation of many, maintaining perfect etiquette was inevitable.

Celia observed Leo without a single flaw and silently marveled.

‘He seems like someone who doesn’t care much, but his etiquette is impeccable.’

Leo usually doesn’t adhere to strict formalities but rather presents himself casually.

Yet he was no mere amateur in royal protocol—his etiquette was perfect, even to Celia’s discerning eyes, who had lived her entire life under the scrutiny of a heroic lineage.

‘This shows how effective Lissinas’ relentless drills were.’

Leo recalled his old friend Lissinas with a smirk.

Thanks to Lissinas’ rigorous training, Leo had mastered the exacting protocols of dragon society, enabling him to flawlessly utilize standard courtesy.

‘Etiquette stems from one’s bearing in the end.’

On watching Leo’s immaculate protocol, Selde chuckled.

“You’re very different from Leina.”

Selde added with a grin, recalling his free-spirited, almost boisterous younger sister.

“Just call me ‘Uncle.'”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Upon seeing the head of the house granting Leo such a familiar title, the mansion members collectively held their breath.

‘The head of the house must be planning to assign Leo to an important position in the family.’

‘d*mn! If only I knew we’d be in this situation, I would’ve voted against accepting him as the mainline sooner!’

The many attendees at the party quickly started strategizing.

The Zerdinger family wasn’t just a simple heroic lineage; they were one of the two great pillars supporting the Rodren Empire.

A family that could sway nearly half of the knights within the empire.

This was tantamount to recognizing the Zerdingers’ monumental influence.

The external status of the Zerdinger direct bloodline was such that it was as high as—or even higher than—royalty of smaller kingdoms.

Within the Rodren Empire, being directly from the Zerdinger family alone granted unfathomable privileges.

For this reason, collateral relatives in the Zerdinger family always strived to be accepted into the mainline.

Each new addition to the mainline increased the chances of their exclusion.

Hence, Leo had faced numerous attempts to suppress him when the opportunity arose to join the mainline.

But now, Leo had become one of the key members of the Zerdinger family.

Additionally, as the nephew of both the head and vice-head of the family, his position was now undeniably protected.

To fall out of his favor now meant to distance oneself from the family’s power structure.

As Selde walked away after speaking with Leo, Celia asked him excitedly,

“How was our father?”

“He’s an incredible person.”

Selde was an exemplary figure as the master of the Zerdinger family.

Among the knights he had encountered from the time of his birth, few could be counted among the top.

Truly, a man deserving of the title of a hero in every sense.

With a confident smile upon hearing her father’s praise from Leo, Celia stood proudly.

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

Giese tapped on his wine glass, drawing everyone’s attention.

“The head wishes to say a few words.”

With those words, all eyes turned to Selde.

“Today, I want to thank all of you for participating in this party celebrating the promotion of my daughter and nephew to their second year.”

Selde’s dignified voice echoed through the entire hall.

“I hope you’ll continue to support them, as they represent the future of the Zerdinger family.”

The audience erupted with applause as his simple yet profound words came to a close.

Following the toast, Leo had to greet countless people.

From collateral relatives of the Zerdinger family to many vassal families.

Though the party was exclusive to individuals connected to the Zerdinger family, there were many attendees.

‘If we had invited other noble families, the event would’ve truly been chaotic.’

Even while shaking his head at the sheer size of the Zerdinger family, Leo perfectly interacted with every visitor.

‘Did Miss have been so meticulous about Leo’s etiquette despite ignoring her own?’

Watching this flawless interaction, Giese couldn’t help but be impressed.

There was no flaw in anything he did.

‘He could serve as the face of the family alongside Celia during external events.’

To Giese, marking Leo as a definitive Zerdinger publicly was important.

‘He should not belong to another noble house. Especially not LeWalyn.’

Giese’s expression tightened.

Ordinarily, the Zerdinger lineage would not catch the attention of LeWalyn.

However, Leo wasn’t your ordinary Zerdinger.

All classes.

Moreover, his talent and abilities as a wizard rivaled any knight.

Throughout the long history of the Zerdingers, Leo’s talents ranked among the very top.

Such wizardry talents would inevitably attract even the face-saving pretenses of LeWalyn.

‘Particularly that witch’s frequent inquiries about Leo bother me.’

Until last year, LeWalyn’s vice-head would engage in glaring contests whenever they met, but now her demeanor was gentler, and she often referenced stories related to Leo.

‘Even the royal family showed interest in Leo.’

Since it was revealed that he was a contractor of the Phoenix, interest from the royal family towards Leo hadn’t just grown—but had become almost overt.

‘His capabilities truly are a mixed blessing.’

As Giese chuckled wryly and shook his head, someone addressed him.

“Second Lord.”

“What is it, Sir Terris?”

Upon seeing the person addressing him, Giese wore a puzzled expression.

Pierce Terris, one of the members of the Phoenix Knights, the elite bodyguard of the head of the family.

“Sir, there’s something urgent to discuss regarding Master Leo.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about Master Leo’s knights.”

Hearing this, Giese chuckled.

‘Is it that matter?’

Giese was in charge of overseeing all the family’s trainees.

Thus, he already knew about how, at the end of spring this year, when Leo’s knights were selected, many top trainees had avoided becoming part of his knight brigade.

He also knew many now regretted this decision.

‘Recently, I heard there are quite a few young people among the trainees who are vying for a place in Leo’s knight brigade.’

Pierce’s son was one such ambitious trainee, with top-tier skills.

“Wasn’t the selection for Leo’s knight brigade settled last spring?”

“Of course it did end, sir. However, sir, the current level of Master Leo’s knights falls far short of his renown.”

“Hmm.”

Giese crossed his arms and looked at Leo.

The trainees, who seemed like students, were swarming around Leo, trying to impress him.

However, Leo’s expression remained indifferent.

‘It looks like Leo has already made up his mind.’

Giese chuckled.

‘To Leo, the ones who chose him over raw talent may be more precious.’

“This isn’t something I should decide but something Master Leo should decide, I believe.”

Upon hearing this, Pierce lit up with excitement.

“In that case, is it permissible for me to directly discuss this matter with Master Leo?”

“Sir Terris, do as you see fit.”

“Yes, sir.”

With a meaningful expression, Pierce approached Leo.

“Master Leo, I am Pierce Terris, a member of the Phoenix Knights.”

“Hello, Sir Terris.”

Leo looked at the large knight who had approached him unexpectedly and tilted his head in confusion.

“I have something to discuss with Master Leo.”

“What is it?”

“Master Leo is part of the main lineage of the Zerdinger family, the fourth in line after Lord Ris, Celia, and Miss Emira. You are a symbol of Zerdinger family itself.”

The current lineage of successors for the Zerdinger house is structured as follows:

Ris and Celia, who are the children of Lord Selde.

Emira, the daughter of Giese.

And Leo.

Though Leo does not bear the Zerdinger name, as the nephew to the head of the family, he holds the fourth place in the succession line.

Moreover, given Miss Emira’s fragile health, which has kept her from becoming a knight, Leo practically ranks third in the succession.

Although Leo would not become the head of the family, the succession order still held significant value.

“However—”

“Master Leo, though you are an exceptional successor, I feel the knights who follow you lack the necessary quality.”

Pierce boldly stated his opinions, and Leo slightly curled up the corners of his mouth.

“And what exactly do you suggest?”

“I recommend choosing knights who are worthy of Master Leo. This isn’t just about Master Leo—it’s a matter of honor for the Zerdinger family, and I offer this advice with deep concern.”

At Pierce’s words, Celia frowned.

‘Sure, Leo’s current knights lack sufficient skill. But this is something Leo should decide—not something for public scrutiny.’

Celia glanced at Giese.

Giese seemed content to let Leo handle the situation himself, observing quietly.

‘If Father isn’t stepping in, neither will I.’

Celia turned her gaze back to Leo.

‘What will you do, Leo?’

Watching all eyes in the room on him, Leo smiled.

“I’m quite satisfied with my knights.”

“Yes, they did choose Master Leo, that much is undeniable. But even so, selecting individuals with more ability is necessary.”

“My knights are quite capable.”

Leo smirked at that.

In response, Pierce grimaced.

“Master Leo, you must be saying this because you haven’t yet seen the other trainees…”

“They’re all expected to be admitted into Lumeran very soon.”

“…”

At that, everyone in the hall stared in disbelief at their own ears.

Even among the many trainees of the Zerdinger house, only a select few are admitted into Lumeran.

And all five of Leo’s knights?

Let alone their middling grades among the trainees, to say all five were heading there seemed outright absurd.

Only one person, however, wasn’t entirely skeptical.

Celia wasn’t.

‘This guy could probably make even that happen.’

Given his cousin’s known capabilities, Celia believed Leo could pull it off.

After all, if Leo set his mind to something, he made it happen.

‘Of course, they’re in for a living hell, but…’

Celia watched with a sympathetic smile and sighed deeply.