Chapter 48

With the start of summer vacation—

I, along with Lola, headed to the residence of the Luminary Marquis.

To be precise, it wasn't the mansion in the capital but the true family home in the Luminary territory. It was the place my father had designated for our first meeting in ten years.

The place where I was born and raised—

The place where I was expelled from.

The distance from the capital to the Luminary Marquis's territory is considerable, but the journey is simple thanks to the 'Transfer Array.' This device allows instantaneous travel between buildings equipped with transfer arrays.

"The Luminary Marquis has informed me of the situation. Please come in."

When Lola and I arrived at the building housing the transfer array in the capital, the administrator readily led us to the inner chambers. Using the transfer array isn't that easy. Each activation consumes a large amount of magic power and has high maintenance costs. Only the great nobles and those with official permission can use it. In other words, my father, the Luminary Marquis, is one of those who can use it freely.

"Have you used a transfer array before, Lola?"

"Yes, I have. We used it for the water quality survey, right?"

That's right. We were teleported near Lake Biharnu and then walked to the site.

"But that was with everyone from the academy. This is the first time I'm using it on a personal level... I feel like, 'Can I really use this?'"

Most commoners don't have the opportunity to use it...

The administrator opened the door with a creak. Inside, a large circle was drawn on the floor, with complex magical runes inscribed in concentric circles.

"Please, this way to the transfer array."

The administrator walked to a bookshelf against the wall and took out a book, flipping through it to check the contents.

"This is the book for the Luminary Marquis's territory."

"Thank you."

I checked the contents of the book he handed me and placed it in the center of the transfer array. This book determines the destination.

"I will activate it now. Please be careful not to leave the transfer array."

The administrator touched the control panel. The sound of gears turning echoed around the room, and the transfer array at our feet began to glow blue.

As the light intensified and the room turned bluish-white—

Suddenly, the light disappeared.

We were in a room almost identical to the one we just left, with a transfer array on the floor and bookshelves against the walls. However, the layout was different, and there was no administrator. The book we placed in the center of the array was also gone.

It was a similar but different room.

"It seems we've arrived."

I opened the door and moved to the next room. The administrator there, different from the one in the capital, stood up from his chair and bowed deeply upon seeing me.

"Master Alberto Luminary, welcome."

...I can feel the difference in treatment...

This is the Luminary Marquis's territory, and I am Alberto Luminary—my father's instructions must have reached here.

A man approached me from a corner of the room. He wore a white shirt with a black vest and black trousers, probably in his mid-twenties. He was a rather unassuming figure.

He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed to me with perfect etiquette.

"Nice to meet you, Master Alberto. I am Sebastian, the butler of the Luminary family. I have been instructed by the Luminary Marquis to escort you."

He tilted his head in confusion.

"I was informed that you would be bringing a companion, but who is this?"

"It's Lola! P-please be kind to me!"

Lola answered, stammering and visibly tense.

"Likewise. Please let me know if you need anything, Lady Lola."

Sebastian bowed politely to Lola as well.

"Shall we proceed? This way. A carriage is waiting for us."

With that, Sebastian walked confidently ahead.

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We boarded the carriage and headed for my family home. The scenery of the capital city of Luminary was visible through the carriage window. Although smaller in scale compared to the capital, it was the center of the marquisate and had many commercial facilities, showing significant development. Many people were bustling about on the streets.

Next to me, Lola sat stiffly, her hands clasped tightly on her thighs.

"...What's wrong?"

"Ah, um...! This is my first time riding in a carriage! Is my posture correct!?"

"Just sit normally."

I pointed to the carriage window.

"Why don't you look at the scenery?"

"Isn't looking around a breach of etiquette!?"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"O-Okay!"

Lola turned her head to look at the scenery, moving like a rusty gear. ...It's understandable that she's nervous. She's a commoner stepping into the world of nobility. I should let her relax more.

"Sebastian."

"Yes?"

When I called his name, Sebastian, who had been silent like a clam, smiled.

"I apologize if I'm mistaken, but I don't know you. Have you been serving the Luminary family for the past ten years?"

"No."

Sebastian shook his head.

"I have been in service for only a week."

"...A week...?"

"Yes. At the request of the master, he wanted to rejuvenate the staff. He has been replacing the older staff members with newer ones over the past few years."

The master—Luminary Marquis, my father.

"Is that so? So, almost everyone has been fired...?"

"To be frank, yes. However, they were given generous severance packages, and he has offered to help them find new jobs if they wish."

At least my father is fulfilling his basic obligations.

The dismissal of the long-serving staff.

Sebastian, the butler hired a week ago.

I had a suspicion.

"...Can you tell me if the master announced this policy after returning from the capital?"

"Yes, that's correct."

I sighed inwardly.

As I suspected.

After returning from the capital—meaning after meeting me.

This is a policy for my benefit.

Compared to my talented younger brother Allenzia, I was considered dull and a laughingstock in the family. Even the servants mocked me behind my back.

Yes, even the servants.

Knowing this, my father dismissed the long-serving staff.

For what reason?

For me.

Now that Allenzia is dead, I am the only heir of the Luminary family. If I were to be displeased, there would be no future for them.

So, my father took the initiative to remove any elements that might upset me.

The only heir in the world versus replaceable long-serving staff.

The choice was obvious.

Indeed, meeting the servants who laughed at me would have been burdensome. I had been thinking about how to handle it, but—

I didn't expect them to be fired.

The speed of this decision reflects my father's resolve.

In other words, he is determined to bring me back, no matter what.

"...Ah, Alberto! I can see a big castle!"

Lola's voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked at the scenery she was pointing at and said,

"That's it. That's my family home."

"Family home!? Home!? Castle!?"

Lola turned around with a serious expression and exclaimed in surprise.

Yes—

Through the carriage window, I could see my family home, the 'castle' of the Luminary Marquis.

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