That night, a small festival was held at Percus Manor.
In fact, it felt more like a ‘banquet’ than a festival. It was merely an event where food and drinks were served to the guests visiting the manor.
It was a world where even commoners were treated with respect.
For the noble Percus Family, there was no need to mention it. Offering hospitality in the noble society was not an uncommon occurrence.
However, there was a specific reason why tonight’s banquet was called a ‘festival.’
It was due to the scale of the visitors.
On the day I returned, people from my hometown, connected by ties to me, would gather in groups. The numbers were enough to be called a ‘crowd’.
It was thanks to the Percus Family’s longstanding mingling with commoners.
From Mr. Hans of the smithy, the mischievous Ned, to his younger sister Mei, all sorts of people had come to see my face.
Even if Percus Manor was large, there was a limit to how many could fit.
When dozens to hundreds of people showed up, it was impossible for Percus Manor alone to accommodate them all. Therefore, on the days I returned, several long tables were set up in the manor courtyard.
With so many people laughing and chatting, a lively sound echoed throughout the yard.
It was a sight reminiscent of a festival.
Was such a grand welcome really necessary for just one son returning from home?
I often found myself questioning this, but I was also a person who couldn’t help but feel uplifted by the number of people welcoming me. Somehow, I found myself wandering around the courtyard, drinking the offered liquor.
In a corner of the yard, smoke was constantly rising.
The delicious smell of meat wafted through the air. Today’s menu featured a whole roasted pig, and it seemed that Liya, who managed the territory’s finances, had invested generously.
Or perhaps she was confident enough to extort that much from the Imperial Princess.
I ruffled the hair of the boy next to me, who was greedily devouring the pork.
He looked like a little rascal at first glance. His name was Ned, and beside him was a girl with a nervous expression.
Her name was Mei. She was Ned’s sister, but her nature was the complete opposite.
While Ned was outgoing and playful, Mei was quiet and timid.
Thus, Ned often claimed he had to protect his younger sister.
After their parents passed away during their childhood, the siblings found themselves almost as orphans. Their father, feeling pity for them, had hired Ned as a servant at the manor.
Even then, Ned courageously provided for his sister.
I had often wondered how they were doing since I left, but I was relieved to see they looked healthy every time I visited. With a teasing tone, I asked Ned.
“Ned, are you still training?”
“…O-Of course, Master!”
Ned swallowed the pork he was eating and jumped up, confidently proclaiming his dedication.
Usually, he addressed me with the honorific ‘Young Master.’ But whenever the topic of training came up, he transformed.
He often said he wanted to become a knight to protect his sister.
And since I was the closest individual to a knight in the Percus territory, it was only natural for him to regard me as his ‘master.’
In fact, I had even supervised his training a few times.
Fortunately, it seemed that he had the persistence to continue training.
While I internally felt proud of him, I had to maintain an expression of skepticism outwardly.
Training was a path that could easily unravel.
Even when exhausted, struggling, and feeling like giving up, the path always lay just beyond the point where one wanted to collapse.
I advised Ned to not give up.
“Ned, you know, unless you’re injured, there’s no reason to take a break from training. And a great knight…”
“Doesn’t lie, right?”
Since I had mentioned this several times already, Ned quickly grasped the implication.
I affectionately ruffled his hair again, signifying approval.
Ned chuckled and let out a laugh.
“Now I believe! I heard what you did, Young Master!”
At his shout, suddenly, a pin-drop silence fell over the crowd.
Dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward me. Mei, who had been clinging nervously next to Ned, jumped slightly.
There was just too much attention focused on me.
However, Ned, who was both oblivious and a blessing in his awfulness, asked me without hesitation.
“Is it true?! Did you, like, defeat the horned monster at the Hunting Festival with the great nobles participating, and also defeat the bad mage who was tormenting children?! And even rescue the Imperial Princess who was threatened by the Dark Cult? Wow…!”
It was no wonder Ned was so thrilled.
It sounded like deeds only heroes could do.
But behind those magnificent tales lay bloodstains that no one could see.
The opportunities I had left were now few.
The divine artifact I received as a reward from the royal family was the last hope.
After that, I wouldn’t be able to save my life even if I sold the entire Percus territory. I couldn’t help but wonder what reaction Ned would have if I spoke these words.
Of course, I would never say such a thing.
Ned was still young enough to dream a little longer.
I smiled ambiguously as always.
“Who knows? What’s the truth?”
The response actually came from elsewhere.
Senior Elsi, who had rushed over, boldly stood in front of me with her shoulders squared.
She looked quite puffed up. It seemed even she wouldn’t be able to hide her joy at receiving praise like that.
A hint of unease settled in my gaze. Senior Elsi’s mouth was more threatening than a ticking time bomb.
Especially in terms of social reputation.
It seemed that Senior Elsi’s declaration of ‘my lord’ had not reached this countryside yet, but if such a situation were to repeat, it would be problematic.
I surely wanted to avoid being called trash in my hometown where my family was still residing.
Whether she knew of my feelings or not, Senior Elsi confidently placed her hands on her hips.
“Master… Ah, no! Sir I-an has accomplished great deeds. Can you believe the Emperor even awarded him a divine artifact? Especially that Guildford, that pitiful old man…”
Senior Elsi, who had aimed to flaunt her impressive speech style, faltered.
She had realized that the atmosphere around us had grown frosty.
It was understandable; anyone would feel that way encountering her crude remarks for the first time, given her doll-like appearance. To be honest, I felt the same way.
However, the reason Senior Elsi hesitated was because of the startled expression on my father’s face as he looked at her.
She quickly cleared her throat a few times and continued in a more refined tone.
“That pitiful old man, when he betrayed us and hit us in the back… Ah, no, when he was betraying us, he single-handedly dealt with that monkey’s… no, that baby monkey’s neck! Not to mention, that ridiculous thick skull was completely destroyed… no, he handled every last bit of that corpse too!”
The term ‘brutality’ didn’t quite seem like a compliment no matter how I thought about it, but I decided not to point it out on purpose.
With the audience’s eyes sparkling with interest, it was something I can only put aside.
I sighed deeply and shook my head. Senior Elsi, unfazed by my expression of annoyance, wrapped her arms around me.
And like a pet displaying affection toward its owner, she rubbed her head against me.
Her soft cheeks felt pleasant.
A sweet voice spilled from her lips.
“Y-You really are my master… so cool…”
It seemed that her finding it impressive that I crushed a corpse stuck with her.
That complicated sentiment was still hard to grasp.
However, as Senior Elsi clung to me, I felt a chilling gaze from somewhere.
There stood a tall middle-aged man, crossing his arms and staring at me.
It was Raymond.
Only then did I remember that we were in a place with more than dozens of spectators.
I hadn’t noticed this because Senior Elsi had been so actively clinging to me lately, but there was an inappropriate manner for noble men and women in their prime.
It wouldn’t be strange for anyone to misinterpret us as lovers.
In fact, the curious glances from my hometown people grew increasingly strange.
Just as I was about to detach myself from Senior Elsi in surprise.
With a loud smack, a shovel wedged itself between Senior Elsi and me.
Senior Elsi and I instinctively created distance from each other. Her dazed eyes turned toward the woman holding the shovel.
There stood Liya, sporting a mischievous smile.
“…Lady Rainelle, you still haven’t formally proposed yet. No matter how special the bond, please refrain in such a setting.”
The glint in Senior Elsi’s eyes grew sharp.
If it were her nature, it wouldn’t have been strange for her to lash out with a flurry of curses, but she scanned my expression first.
That was the end of it.
After a moment of hesitation, Senior Elsi turned away sullenly.
“Uh, uh… yes.”
The lonely way Senior Elsi turned back looked particularly pitiful.
As I briefly stared in pity, I glanced at Liya.
Liya was merely snickering lightly with a haughty expression.
I had no choice but to ask her, perplexed.
“…Why are you holding a shovel?”
“Because I need a pit to put in some charcoal firewood. Do you think roasting a pig is a mere task?”
I was about to sarcastically suggest that such chores could be given to laborers, but I shook my head.
I realized that shoveling was the only means for Liya to relieve her mental stress.
Liya let out a deep sigh and wiped her sweat with her sleeve.
Her damp hair sparkled as it revealed a glossy cream color. If she were to be presented anywhere, there would be men lining up to claim her, but her troublesome nature was the problem.
And today, Liya began to flaunt that nature to its fullest.
“Ned, don’t get your hopes too high. Rumor is always mixed with exaggeration.”
Ned leapt back as if to say that couldn’t be true.
In his eyes was a desperation not to lose the hero of his childhood.
“…B-But that noble lady just definitely!”
“Do you believe that? Lady Rainelle is close friends with our brother, and she might have said that because she’s visiting her hometown.”
Liya tossed her hair back with a pout.
“That doesn’t make sense. Our brother was merely a mid-tier student at the Academy not long ago. How could someone like him be a supernova that shakes the continent in just a few months? Heh heh…”
Liya, who had chuckled with a mockery, suddenly let out a loud shout.
“…Don’t be ridiculous!”
At that, Liya’s golden eyes began to glare at me fiercely. I sighed and avoided her gaze.
Another round of scolding was about to begin.
Perhaps she was still frustrated that we hadn’t gotten much time together alone that afternoon.
“It’s dangerous! Logically, they’re all monsters mentioned in myths, from mages to the Dark Cult! So why does our brother have to get involved in such things?!”
However, Ned didn’t seem inclined to back down.
The little boy stuttered as he offered a weak excuse.
“B-But it could be real! Young Master has been training steadily since the past…”
“…Sigh, Ned.”
It was a voice filled with sympathy.
Liya grimaced as she dealt the final blow to Ned.
“Unfortunately, there are walls that can’t be overcome with effort… and our brother doesn’t have that kind of talent. Do you understand? He would only barely reach ‘Expert’ with countless efforts!”
Unable to argue against those words, Ned felt defeated.
Finally, Liya smiled satisfied and turned to me.
“Did you understand, brother? From now on, don’t get involved in unnecessarily dangerous events, and let’s spend time as we ought to…”
However, as Liya’s voice trailed off, the clattering of horses’ hooves echoed through the night at Percus Manor.
At first, it was faint, but the sound was growing clearer and more distinct. It was clear someone was arriving.
However, the banquet had already been going on for some time.
No matter how hard I thought, no one came to mind who hadn’t yet arrived. That was why Liya’s and my gaze both turned toward the epicenter.
There, a mysterious figure cloaked in a hood rode closer.
Each movement was accompanied by the sharp sound of metal, hinting at his armed status.
He was at least a knight.
In the tense atmosphere of the yard, several gazes crossed in mid-air.
Myself, Celin, Senior Elsi, the Virgin Saint, and Ceria included.
None could guess who it was.
Raymond showed no reaction either; instead, he silently stared at me, as if waiting to see what I would do.
The horse stopped in front of the manor.
It was clear that he had come here.
The hometown folk, who rarely saw a knight in their rural territory, felt a bit anxious. If they saw a mysterious knight wearing a hood, it would be similar for anyone.
Just as I placed my hand on my waist and took a step forward.
A blue trajectory cleaved through the world like the Milky Way.
There was no time to react. The sudden strike, like a phantom, vanished. But the aftershocks were evident.
A sword-like wind blasted out, shaking everything around.
Some people screamed and fell to the ground. The black ground, marked with lines, was blasted apart. Amidst the mixed sound of dust storming around, I gritted my teeth.
The Dark Cult?
The opponent was at least an Expert. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have exhibited the same power just moments ago.
As I steeled myself and was about to draw my sword at that moment.
“…Master!”
With a cheerful voice, the hood was removed.
The woman who appeared was incredibly beautiful. It felt as if the darkened vision had brightened a little.
The knight, distinguished by her striking blue hair, excitedly approached me.
“I-I did it just like you said! I might not have mastered the technique, but I think I understand the concept!”
I was taken aback.
Holding my hands with both of hers, the knight who expressed her gratitude looked familiar. After a moment, I recalled her name.
The daughter of the Rufemyon family protecting the Imperial Princess.
Realizing the atmosphere had turned strange, she stepped back, startled.
Clearing her throat, she respectfully bowed her head.
“I am Lady Airen Rufemyon of the Imperial Royal Guard. I apologize for causing a disturbance during your celebration.”
I was not the only one who was left speechless by the sequence of events.
Even Liya, who was usually so confident, stared at Lady Airen with a blank face.
Lady Airen Rufemyon of the Imperial Royal Guard.
It was unmistakable; the skill she displayed earlier was on a level far beyond ordinary. Not to mention, she belonged to the renowned Imperial Royal Guard.
Above all, the surname ‘Rufemyon.’
“The Blue Wolf of the East…”
Someone whispered that title, which represented one of the five noble families of the Empire.
The Rufemyon family, which protected the east of the Empire.
Now, one of their members suddenly called me ‘master’ and was bowing respectfully to me.
Few could accept this as reality.
Not just Liya and Ned, even I found it hard to believe.
The atmosphere quickly turned awkward, and Lady Airen appeared to be flustered. After hesitating for a while, she seemed to realize what was happening, and suddenly, she bowed her head deeply again.
“I-I just arrived as per your instructions! Master!”
In that small rural territory, an unimaginable force had gathered.
