Chapter 595

595.

Leo, his chin rested in his hand, gazed out at the landscape visible beyond the carriage window.

Unlike the perpetually freezing northern continent and the mostly desert-covered sweltering southern parts, the western continent was relatively distinct in its seasonal changes.

“It’s been a while since we’ve taken a family trip like this.”

Reina, seated across from Leo, smiled gently as she looked out the window.

“Are you alright?”

“About what?”

“You never really wanted to come to Zerdinger, did you?”

“That’s true.”

Reina leaned her head against the window, staring out at the familiar scenery of her youth. Her crimson eyes caught the sight of the giant castle walls of Zerdinger in the distance.

The illustrious hero family, Zerdinger.

There was a time when she bore that name with pride.

‘Those were brilliant times.’

She recalled being a Hero Candidate, when the world watched her with admiration. She was always at the top of her year at Lumeran Academy, graduating as the top student. She earned countless merits after graduation and was highly anticipated to make her name soon on the Hero Record.

But Reina never became a hero.

During a Hero Dungeon raid, she threw herself in place of a friend who was in mortal danger, sacrificing herself.

Though she barely returned to life, Reina lost her aura and became unable to fight.

Even after retiring, she could’ve stayed within the family. Even if she could no longer fight, the name Zerdinger wouldn’t fade.

But Reina left the family to live the life she wanted.

“It wasn’t because I was nostalgic about the past that I didn’t want to come to Zerdinger.”

Reina smiled faintly.

“I’m much happier now than I was back then, you know?”

She didn’t regret sacrificing herself for a friend. Nor did she regret leaving the family name behind.

“And I married the man I love.”

Reina rested her head on Deid’s shoulder beside her, looping her arm around him.

“And we had such a handsome son, too.”

“You two still get along so well.”

“Of course. Your parents will live a peaceful life together forever, isn’t that right, Deid?”

“Of course, Reina.”

Watching his parents still very much in love made Leo chuckle softly.

‘They’ll be like this forever, those two.’

When Leo shook his head, Reina added:

“I didn’t want to come back to the main house because of the Elder Council.”

She clicked her tongue.

“They’ll no doubt say something irritating about the old times again—it’s tiresome.”

‘Recalling now, didn’t the Elder Council try to arrange a political marriage between the current Emperor of Rodren and my mother?’

The Elder Council, a group solely focused on the prosperity of the Zerdinger family, wanted to use Reina as a political marriage tool. Despite losing her aura, Reina, being a direct descendant and renowned knight of the Zerdinger family, would have easily become the Empress if she wished.

“I think Deid is a much better husband than any emperor could ever be!”

“That’s embarrassing.”

Deid laughed awkwardly.

“In any case, now that you’ve gained such a high reputation, Leo?”

Reina smiled slyly.

“Now they’ll probably stop their nonsense. In fact, I might even tell them how close they came to ruining things by trying to marry me to the emperor back then.”

Birth of an unprecedented hero.

The heir of the Great Hero, acknowledged by the gods for saving the world.

Although technically the main character himself rather than just the heir, Reina couldn’t know that.

“Haha… The thought of how those old men must look now fills me with joy! Ohohoohooho!”

Seeing her laugh like a witch made Leo shake his head and glance out the window.

‘A couple.’

Regardless of whether they were his parents in this life—Leo was grateful to Deid and Reina.

As an orphan in his previous life, Leo had never known the warmth of parents until they made him aware of familial love and the joy of daily life.

‘These two… Their lives have shown me the worth of what we’ve accomplished.’

Leo looked at the two of them with a faint smile.

She noticed it.

‘Our son’s making that wise old man face again.’

She knew that sometimes her son looked at her with eyes that were hard to read.

‘That’s why teasing him isn’t fun anymore.’

Reina had earned the nickname “Flame Witch” not only for engulfing enemies in fire on the battlefield but also because of her occasional foul temper.

‘There’s no cuteness in our son since he never gets flustered.’

Muttering to herself, Reina suddenly remembered something and smiled.

“Speaking of which, Leo.”

“Yes.”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

It was the prime age for romantic feelings during one’s adolescence, especially with all the beautiful girls at Lumeran Academy.

‘Our son must have at least one girl he likes, right?’

“My girlfriend? There are many.”

“What?”

Leo’s reply made Reina gape at him.

“Are you going around seeing girl after girl? I didn’t raise you like that!”

“I mean, female friends. What were you thinking?”

“You’re playing tricks on your mom!”

Reina covered her face with her hands in despair.

“There are so many pretty friends, but you’re not dating? Study and practice are good, but you should try dating in school, don’t you think? There’s Chelsea from the LeWalyn family. And I remember there was this Chen Sia girl and another girl named Chloe during your summer break, they were cute, weren’t they?”

Reina began recalling Leo’s friends.

“Didn’t Ellen and Berga’s daughters have names like Lunia and Ar? And isn’t there Eiran from the Eresar family as well?”

Counting them on her fingers, Reina tilted her head.

“That makes them prime daughter-in-law candidates in my opinion. I want to see grandchildren soon, so I won’t scold even if you rush things.”

“Are you telling me to meddle with them?”

“You’re a child, aren’t you?”

Reina looked incredulous.

Observing her demeanor, Leo frowned.

“Why don’t you react at all? You’re so cold.”

“Mother, how old are you?”

“In my heart, I’m forever 17.”

“That’s disgraceful, you know?”

“You impudent mouth of yours!”

Though Reina smiled as she pinched Leo’s cheek, veins visibly appeared on her forehead.

And while enjoying this rare time with family,

The Flove family’s carriage arrived at the main gate of the Zerdinger castle.

*

As the carriage door opened, the first sight was the Zerdinger knights lined up along both sides, leaving a path like a road in the center.

Leo narrowed his eyes upon seeing this.

Even if Reina once renounced the family’s name, her visit as a former direct descendant warranted respect. It wasn’t unusual that many people had come to greet her.

But…

‘There’s not a single person of Zerdinger bloodline here.’

Dark hair, crimson eyes – none of those characteristics were visible in anyone present.

Moreover, the knights lined up were all exuding sharp and hostile auras.

Anyone could tell the atmosphere was far from welcoming.

If Leo had come alone, there likely wouldn’t be a problem.

However, Deid and Reina were with him, and they were practically civilians.

Reina, a former knight, might still be able to handle the sharp auras even without her aura, but Deid could not.

They wouldn’t attack, but it would certainly affect his complexion.

‘Of course, she left the family by marrying father.’

Reina didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms, but the blatant hostility caught her by surprise, as it did Leo.

The family head-in-waiting, Ris and Celia, didn’t oppose Leo due to his high reputation, but that didn’t mean all was well.

‘Even within the Zerdinger family, there were those who found it distasteful when I suddenly earned the title of a direct descendant.’

Reina had said she would have a word with the Elder Council.

Though she achieved great deeds as a hero, she likely worried her young son wouldn’t be treated fairly and decided to come along.

After all, the Zerdinger family had a long history as a hero lineage.

The intertwined interests within the family were also as complex.

If it were any other time, he might have turned a blind eye to such things.

But if it involved Deid and Reina, it was a different matter.

Snap.

Leo stepped out of the carriage.

The knights immediately focused their eyes on him.

Thud!

“Ah?!”

“Choke?”

The moment Leo took a step, an overwhelming aura engulfed the knights.

‘You want to play this game? Welcome.’

The sharp auras dissipated instantly.

The knights’ faces turned pale.

Some were even staggering.

If it were only Leo, there wouldn’t be much of an issue.

However, Deid and Reina who disembarked after him might have been affected.

Seeing this, Deid momentarily made a puzzled expression.

Understanding the situation after stepping out of the carriage alongside Deid, Reina slightly narrowed her eyes.

“The welcoming knights… they’re Elder Council knights.”

Looking at the emblem embroidered on the knights’ shoulders, Reina softly clicked her tongue and looked at Leo.

“Father, Mother, let’s go.”

At Leo’s words, Deid nodded.

Thud! Thud!

Knights who couldn’t withstand Leo fell to their knees one after another.

Seeing this, Deid’s face stiffened slightly.

He might not know the full situation, but he understood there was an invisible battle between Leo and the knights.

Thud.

Eventually, the three from the Flove family stood in front of the mansion.

After a moment,

Creeak!

The massive mansion doors opened, and a robust-looking old man, trailed by what seemed to be elders, stepped out.

Recognizing the old man’s face, Reina murmured softly.

“Father.”

Upon hearing this, Deid put on a tense expression.

With an emotionless gaze, Leo looked at his maternal grandfather, the former head of the Zerdinger family.

Regas Zerdinger spoke.

“I see you didn’t like the Elder Council’s greeting.”

Regas’ gaze briefly swept over to Deid and Reina before finally landing on Leo.

“I guess you weren’t pleased by what we threw at you, Leo Zerdinger.”

Hearing this, Reina’s eyes stirred while Deid furrowed his brow.

Calling Leo ‘Zerdinger’ by name.

It was as good as denying Leo’s actual parents.

Though he was recognized as a direct descendant, his surname hadn’t changed.

Leo smirked at Regas’ words.

“Your welcome was a mess.”

“How dare you speak such nonsense to the elders of the clan!”

One of the elders behind Regas burst out in frustration.

Leo smoothly ignored him and said,

“Besides, I didn’t dodge. It was just that the Elder Council’s knights were weak.”

“You brat!”

“And decisively,”

Leo shrugged nonchalantly.

“My name is Leo Flove, isn’t it? Former head Regas Zerdinger.”

The old hero, known as the ‘Heart of Flames,’ Regas stared directly at Leo’s crimson eyes, and a sly smile crept onto his face.

“As expected.”

Regas stroked his beard.

“It seems you’ve given birth to a monster, Reina.”

“Isn’t ‘monster’ a bit harsh for a grandchild? And where in the world do you find a grandfather who tests their grandchild on their first meeting?”

As Reina grumbled, Regas erupted in laughter.

“I just missed you! To see how much that talkative Leo Flove has grown! You truly are impressive!”

With a joyous laugh, Regas grinned slyly.

“Welcome to Zerdinger.”