“Uh, Selian? What’s suddenly going on…?”
“Ho ho. I kept the guest waiting, didn’t I?”
I was about to ask Selian what the situation was, but at that moment Lucas entered the dining room.
However, Lucas, upon entering the dining room, didn’t say anything when he saw Selian sitting in the very spot where he had been sitting only yesterday. Instead, he smiled cheerfully, as if amused.
Then he sat down calmly in his usual spot, opposite me and beside Selian.
“Well, let’s have our meal then.”
Even though Luke hadn’t descended yet, Selian announced the beginning of the breakfast as if everyone was present.
“Uh… Selian? Mr. Luke hasn’t come down yet, right?”
“Oh, big brother is just out for a while. There’s been an urgent matter at one of our business locations, so he left early this morning. You must have missed him.”
The heir to a noble family certainly lives a busy life.
But if Selian is now the head of the house, does it even matter that she’s the first daughter?
“So, Selian, when do you think would be a good time for the formal succession ceremony?”
In the middle of the meal, Lucas spoke to Selian. Judging from his words, the position of the head of the house seems to have indeed shifted to Selian.
“I’m busy during the academy term, so apart from a few important matters I’ll ask you about, Father, could you continue to manage the house? We’ll do the formal succession either during the vacation or after graduation.”
“Why not come back to the house for good now? Once you’ve reached the rank of Sword Master, your academy studies aren’t really that relevant anymore, are they?”
“…That’s not possible. I’m not only learning swordsmanship at the academy.”
… ? Did I just mishear something?
“Anything you need, we’ll support you. In fact, now that it’s effectively your house, mentioning support doesn’t even make sense. Ho ho. Who would oppose a Sword Master becoming the head of our house? Really, who would dare?”
Again, like confirmation for me, the title of Sword Master was mentioned.
Is this Sword Master Lucas is referring to really the one I’m thinking of?
If it is who I think it is, there are only eight Sword Masters in the entire continent, and all of them are much older than Selian, belonging to senior generations of swordsmen.
Of course, reaching the rank of Sword Master isn’t just about being good with a sword, nor is it something one can suddenly achieve through a momentary enlightenment. Still, this is sudden…
Our gap, which wasn’t small to begin with, feels even wider now. I feel I might have to reach the level I did when I borrowed future power to be a match for her.
“Then, I leave it to you.”
After finishing her meal, Selian put down her utensils and said.
“What’s this about ‘leaving it to me?’ I’m continuing what I normally do anyway. Rest assured, I won’t forget what we discussed.”
While it seems odd that a Sword Master would take over the role so casually, I have no standing to interfere in family affairs.
After leaving the dining room, Selian and I headed towards her room.
“Did you really become a Sword Master?”
The moment we entered her room, I asked Selian the question that had been troubling me.
“Yes. I gained some insight while practicing last evening. When I told Father, he immediately transferred the headship to me.”
Not the night, but the evening—meaning after our conversation ended, right away. This is another reminder of Selian’s monstrous capabilities.
“So now there are nine Sword Masters in the continent?”
“It’s technically true, but… I don’t plan to make it public.”
“Huh? Why? If people know you’re a Sword Master, everyone would be shocked and things would go wild…”
Especially now, as the war with the demons is escalating, this could be a prime opportunity to gain fame.
“That would just cause unnecessary trouble.”
“But doesn’t it tempt you? The fame, the status?”
Had it been me, I’d have announced it immediately. The benefits of such a reputation would far outweigh the inconvenience.
“…I have priorities beyond that.”
Yet, Selian merely looked at me calmly and spoke.
Of course, unlike me who has no background, Selian, with the Deretia family’s resources and wealth, has enough money and honor. It makes sense her values are different.
“Whatever. If that’s your call, Selian, I’ll keep quiet. So this will be our little secret?”
Though everyone in the Deretia family probably knows by now, among Selian’s academy peers, I’m likely the only one who knows about her status as a Sword Master.
“Our little secret… Ho ho… Yes, our little secret.”
Selian chuckled softly, delighted by something.
If she finds keeping this a secret beneficial, I should be careful not to slip up.
“By the way, I forgot to decline Mr. Lucas’ proposal.”
I was too distracted with the shocking news about her being a Sword Master that I completely forgot I intended to bring up this topic during breakfast.
No need to worry. I already discussed it with Father, so El will not be troubled with any more talk of engagement.”
“Hmm… Does Father feel any inconvenience over this?”
“Yes. And even if he does, as long as I’m here…”
“Uh?”
“…As long as I’m here, there’s no need to insist on a hero. It’d be nice if we had one, but it’s not essential…”
For a moment, I thought Selian was saying something blasphemous.
Still, a Sword Master isn’t inferior to a hero in importance.
“Anyways, if I want to return today, I should start getting ready to leave soon.”
“Ah… Now that you mention it, I forgot to show you the materials related to the hero. I’ve been so busy with other things…”
Considering all the shocking news that started yesterday, it’s understandable I forgot.
“Nah. I forgot as well. Doesn’t matter. We can visit again, surely you’ll invite me?”
“Of course not! El is always welcome. I’ll let Father know you can visit anytime.”
“In that case, I’ll have to delay meeting Mr. Luke.”
“…Big Brother will likely be hard to see. The business he’s taking over is very busy…”
Given the size of the Deretia family, it makes sense the operations keeping the family running would be demanding.
“I see? So being a noble isn’t all roses, I guess. If I’d known about this, I would’ve visited earlier… But with urgent matters, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Yes. So don’t worry about Brother.”
With that, Selian quickly packed my bag for me and called the butler to discuss something.
“Alright. The carriage is ready, so let’s go?”
“So soon? I haven’t even greeted your father.”
“It’s fine. I’m the head of the house, after all. You can go ahead and leave. We’ll just be late if you linger…”
“Nah, that’s rude. We should at least say goodbye.”
“…Just a moment.”
Selian gestured to the butler standing behind her and discussed something.
When Selian finished speaking, the butler immediately left.
“Alright, then let’s go downstairs. I’ve arranged for Father to come by carriage, so we’ll say our goodbyes quickly and depart.”
…Now that she’s a head of the house, she’s become decisive. Or maybe just bossier.
In the courtyard, luckily, Lucas greeted us with a pleasant smile, showing no signs of being offended.
“Well, go safely. Though who would dare threaten a Sword Master, eh? Ho ho!”
“Thank you for having me. I’ll visit again. Until then, stay well.”
While Lucas greeted us and I bid my farewells, Selian kept glancing towards the distance, seemingly searching for something.
“Alright, come on. Father, we’re leaving.”
Selian shoved me into the carriage, offering an offhand farewell to Lucas.
“Ho? That carriage over there… Ow!”
I was about to mention the carriage in the distance, wondering if it might be Luke returning, but Selian suddenly pushed me forcefully, causing me to tumble into the carriage.
“Goodbye!”
Bang!
The carriage door slammed shut, as if it might break.
“But that carriage—”
“Auntie! Please depart immediately!”
“Selian?”
I called her name seeing her loudly shouting at the driver through the window connecting to the driver’s seat.
“…I forgot I had some urgent matters at the academy. I need to get back as soon as possible…”
Only after confirming that the carriage started moving did Selian finally seem to relax.
If it was that urgent, why didn’t you say so earlier…
