Chapter 20

The Teisei Marquis family's residence is in a Japanese style. The Teisei Marquis family is a clan of warriors, known for their simplicity, strength, and the ability to protect people from monsters with their swords.

Just as one would imagine from the image of a warrior, the Teisei Marquis family's residence is built in a Japanese style. The mansion, with its rows of buildings, seems to have transported one back to the Heian period, and it would not be strange to call it a palace, given its vast size and magnificent architecture.

Of course, in the modern world, where both science and magic are necessary for strict security, it goes without saying that surveillance cameras, infrared sensors, and magic detection devices are installed in hidden places.

Moreover, while they are known for their simplicity and strength, the Marquis family is also skilled in political intrigue, which is something that high-ranking nobles know.

Formality is necessary, but there is no family that is solely focused on martial arts and does not involve itself in politics. A family that boasts of being solely focused on martial arts will be devoured to the bone.

The world is a harsh place. Holding power, maintaining wealth, and possessing military strength are not just matters of principle.

The world of politics is a dark place inhabited by demons. Behind the facade of simplicity and strength, there is also a cunning political force. This is the Teisei Marquis family.

In the main residence of the Teisei Marquis family, a large number of people were gathered in one of the grand halls. The hall, which could accommodate several dozen tatami mats, was used only for significant discussions and was rarely used.

At the head of the hall, Teisei Ouga sat cross-legged, with Hayashi Yoshitsune beside him. Along the wall, the family's elite, with swords at their waists, sat with stern faces.

Facing them were a man in a suit and a small child, with men carrying swords lined up behind them.

"You fool!"

The man in the suit's face was red with anger, as red as his fiery hair. He was shouting at the child sitting next to him.

His physique was over 190 cm tall, and his muscles bulged under his suit, making it look as if it might burst. His face was rough and violent, giving the impression that he would start a fight just by being touched.

"You put the daughters of the Teisei Marquis family and the Hayashi Earl family in danger, you moron!"

"Ugh!"

In his anger, he struck the small boy's cheek hard. The boy, hit with full force, flew and fell, sliding on the tatami.

However, seeing the man's enraged expression not subside, the boy, despite his wobbly stance, bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry, Father."

Victory, his voice mixed with tears, answered. His cheek was swollen, and the skin, rubbed against the tatami, was bruised and bleeding, a painful sight.

The man called Father was Sohoku Enraku, the head of the Sohoku Duke family. Despite his rough and careless appearance, he was the top of the Sohoku Duke family and a highly skilled magician known for his ability to control fire.

The fiery red hair, which seemed to reflect his personality, did not lose its angry expression, and he continued to shout.

"You're not apologizing to me! You should apologize to Teisei and Hayashi!"

"Yes, I'm very sorry."

Victory, trembling, prostrated himself on the tatami, performing a dogeza. It was the apology of a young child, only nine years old, and he was crying.

It would not have been strange for someone to say that it was enough, but Teisei Ouga remained calm, not changing his expression. Hayashi Yoshitsune, on the other hand, looked sympathetic but did not utter a word of forgiveness.

Seeing this, Enraku straightened his posture and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry. It was my failure to educate him. I never thought that this foolish son would use a summoned creature for play."

The guards of the Duke family, sitting behind him, were slightly surprised by the head of the family's apology. It was rare for the head of the family to bow in apology. Accepting the apology, Ouga finally spoke.

"Regarding this incident, I understand that it cannot be brushed aside. What do you intend to do to make amends?"

"Frankly, I want to disown this foolish son, exile him, and offer my apologies."

At Enraku's words, Victory's face turned pale, and his body trembled. However, Enraku continued.

"But, he is only nine years old. Moreover, the summoned creature went out of control due to his subordinates. It seems he only wanted to see the summoned creature, and it was unfair to blame the failure of his subordinates on such a young child. Don't you think so, Yoshitsune?"

"Yes, that's true. However, a mere warning is not enough for us to accept."

Three days had passed since the Stone Golem incident. The incident, where the Stone Golem went out of control, was caused by Victory's insistence on seeing a summoned creature, and his subordinates summoned it from a magic gemstone. Due to their lack of experience in controlling summoned creatures, it went out of control.

It was a tragic incident. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the injured were healed by Miharu, so there were no serious problems. However, it could have resulted in deaths, and the victims were the eldest daughter of the Teisei Marquis family and the daughter of the Hayashi Earl family, a healer. Therefore, Enraku canceled all his schedules and came to apologize.

Yami and Miharu were not present. The two, especially Miharu, might have been moved by Victory's apology and forgiven him. However, since it was an incident that could have resulted in deaths, it could not be easily forgiven, so Ouga and Yoshitsune decided to handle the situation.

"I'm grateful! I'm relieved to hear that. I didn't want to exile my own son."

Covering his face with his hands as if he were crying, Enraku bowed deeply again, showing his gratitude. Yoshitsune, who had been exiled from the Hayashi family, relaxed his face, understanding the situation. After all, Victory was only nine years old, and if he could apologize properly, it was enough. Yoshitsune showed a kind face.

Miharu was unharmed, and in fact, she had rushed to fight the Stone Golem despite being able to escape. She was still a strong-willed daughter, and he was proud of her, but he also wished she would take better care of herself.

However, Teisei Ouga looked at him with cold eyes and did not say a word. Seeing this, Enraku removed his hand from his face and signaled to his subordinate behind him.

The subordinate brought a sturdy silver trunk and placed it between the three, then opened it with a click.

"Mr. Sohoku, what is this?"

Raising an eyebrow, Ouga looked inside and asked Enraku. Enraku slapped his thigh and, with a bold smile, offered the trunk to Ouga and the others.

"This is an apology for the incident. I decided on this on my own, but I also thought it would help prevent such incidents in the future."

The opened trunk contained a paulownia box wrapped in shock-absorbing material. No, inside the paulownia box were rubies and emeralds.

These gems were proof of magic, with the ruby containing fire and the emerald containing wind.

"I want to offer the ruby, which contains the fire-summoned creature Salamander, to Mr. Teisei, and the emerald, which contains the wind-summoned creature Griffin, to Mr. Hayashi as an apology."

"Magic gems! This, this must be worth an astronomical amount! I can't accept it!"

Yoshitsune, who worked at the Magic Ministry, knew the value and rarity of these gems and was shocked. The magic gems were worth at least 30 billion.

Even though Miharu's life was in danger, this was too much. Yoshitsune tried to return them, but Enraku extended his large, glove-like hand to stop him.

"Please accept them. Your children are that important. Honestly, this is not enough to make up for it."

If it were a different era, Enraku, who could have been called a fierce general, showed his boldness with a grin.

"These magic gems will be useful in dangerous situations like this. Even if you sell them, they are for the apology, so don't worry. If you give them to your daughter, it will reduce the danger, don't you think?"

Miharu might take risks in the future. If she had these gems, she might be saved in a critical moment, Yoshitsune thought, but if she carried them all the time, she might be kidnapped.

"You can give them to her only when entering a dungeon. It will give you peace of mind as a guard, Mr. Yoshitsune."

As if reading Yoshitsune's mind, Enraku deepened his smile and offered the gems. Honestly, his heart wavered and he hesitated. These gems would be an excellent guard for the beloved Miharu. More than anything, his wife and child were important to him.

Seeing his hesitation, Ouga exhaled slightly and spoke to Yoshitsune.

"Mr. Yoshitsune, it's fine to accept them. I'll pay you twice the market value of these gems in cash, tax-free, of course."

Ouga and Enraku's gazes met, and it seemed as if sparks flew. The tension in the air was palpable, but Enraku soon relaxed and exhaled.

"Phew. Alright, I understand. Then I'll prepare 100 billion. Give me a week."

"Alright, though reluctantly, I'll accept that."

100 billion, an astronomical amount that ordinary people could neither see nor touch, was casually discussed and handled by the two men.

Their attitude clearly showed that they were high-ranking nobles, causing Yoshitsune to break into a cold sweat.

"Then, let's call it a day. It's good, it's good. Victory, you must reflect on your actions!"

Enraku laughed heartily and struck Victory's cheek. With a loud crack, Victory was thrown to the floor again.

"Yes, I'm very sorry!"

Victory, with a bloody nose and a broken tooth, apologized.

Sohoku Enraku, a highly skilled fire user and the head of the Sohoku Duke family, was known for his bold and generous nature.

Thus, the Stone Golem incident ended, causing significant damage to the Sohoku family.

This scene revealed the character of Teisei Ouga, the head of the noble and martial Teisei family, and Sohoku Enraku, a bold and generous man.

Of course, this was the public face.

After all, when Enraku returned home, his face was deeply smiling and in high spirits. The smile was not the same bold one from before but a cunning one.