Chapter 14

EP.14 Friend-3

The atmosphere inside the mansion had become even more chaotic.

Not only the main house, but even the annexes, which were far from the main house, were filled with a tense and disordered atmosphere.

[Back then, it was just the king, but now it's the emperor, right?]

<There's no choice. In the family, he's practically the emperor.>

Not just Reinhardt, but any noble family treats the head of the house with utmost respect when they visit.

This is not only to uphold the family's prestige but also to remind the family members who the head of the house is.

[But usually, doesn't the son come with him? Did he go separately?]

<They probably left together, but...>

"Master."

Before Leo could answer, the butler, Alfred, spoke first.

"Did you return with the head of the house?"

"Feeling a bit burdened, I teleported in!"

[Oh, you idiot.]

The sage, impressed by his confidence, acknowledged Leo as an idiot.

"Is that so? Then I'll relay that to the head of the house."

After saying that, Alfred shifted his gaze to Leo.

"Then, Leonardo, let's go see the head of the house together."

"Huh? Together?"

Usually, when the head of the house arrives, the servants and retainers gather separately to form a procession.

However, it was not common for a mere retainer to accompany the butler to greet the head of the house.

"Is it okay? Even if I go with you, Mr. Butler..."

"It's fine."

Alfred took out a small letter from his sleeve.

"The head of the house specifically wants to see you, Leonardo."

...Something feels ominous.

***

At the entrance of the mansion, people lined up to form a procession. The knights, holding flags and swords, waited for their master, as if to prove the sage's metaphor.

The order of the lineup was servants, retainers, knights, and then the family's high-ranking officials and blood relatives. However, there was a small exception to this rule.

[Oh, you've really hit the right note. This is the power of jokes...?]

<Shut up. I'm already feeling so much pressure.>

Being a young retainer standing next to the butler, a high-ranking official in the family, was nerve-wracking.

<...Why did I even crack a joke back then...>

If he had just maintained proper etiquette, things would have been much easier. His joke, intended to do his best, had become a source of trouble.

The evidence was clear in the glares from the retainers and knights.

The reason was probably that he, a mere retainer, was standing next to the butler.

[You chose the path of joke assassination. Tough it out, no matter what.]

He had no time to pay attention to the old man's words. The sound of a trumpet indicated that the head of the house was arriving.

"Everyone! Attention!!"

The knights, with a sense of discipline, aligned their steps.

Swish!

As the captain of the knights drew his sword, the other knights followed suit, raising their shining blades high. The scene seemed to highlight Reinhardt's status and value.

"It's been a while."

With those words, a man on a magnificent white horse led the knights into the mansion's garden. They, like the welcoming knights, seemed to have brought back Reinhardt's glory and pride from the expedition.

'Gladio Reinhardt...'

The head of the family and a knight with a 6-star aura.

One of the strongest in the kingdom.

"...You've come much earlier this time."

A woman stepped forward from the center of the welcoming knights.

She was neither a knight nor a warrior.

'Sirika Reinhardt.'

The only wife of the head of the house and the lady of the family.

'She's definitely younger, being in the past.'

While she had always taken good care of herself, seeing her from his past life still felt strange.

It made him realize anew that he was in the past.

"I heard there were many things happening in the family. I couldn't stay away from home for too long."

Gladio, dismounting from the white horse, looked at his companion. At the same time...

[That guy is looking this way?]

Leo, standing next to the butler, was also being looked at.

<Damn that newspaper...>

It was probably because of the newspaper, which clearly printed a face he didn't know where they got.

"Alfred, I heard you fainted. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, sir. In fact, I feel lighter after laughing for the first time in a while."

"Is that so? I'm a bit disappointed I didn't see it."

Then Gladio's gaze slowly turned to Leonardo.

"Are you the famous joke assassin?"

He had to hold back. If he acted out, he would face immediate execution, not just interrogation.

"...I'm called that, but I deny the nickname. Alfred is actually very upright."

He tried to maintain proper etiquette, smiled, and started a formal greeting.

"Retainer Leonardo, it is an honor to meet the head of the family, Gladio Reinhardt."

Leo bowed and lowered his head, delivering the appropriate greeting.

"...Oh, a traditional greeting. Did Alfred teach you that?"

"No, sir."

"Hmm, then who taught you?"

"While working as a mercenary, I sometimes needed to be polite. I learned a lot from the etiquette of the nobles I met in the past."

The sage, who had been nodding, asked.

[Is that true?]

<Is it true?>

In fact, it was closer to a lie.

This etiquette was something he had learned from Alfred in his past life while working as a retainer. He didn't have the luxury to learn etiquette while being a mercenary.

"Hmm... I see. I understand."

His gaze then turned to the other family members.

"It's been a while. Father. Are you well?"

The first to greet him was his eldest son, Lios Reinhardt.

"Yes, we only left 30 minutes ago, but it feels like a long time."

However, Lios had also been on the expedition, which was the problem.

"Hello, Father."

Next, his eldest daughter, Ariasfil Reinhardt, greeted him. Unlike her brother, her greeting was cold and formal.

"You've grown quite a bit in four months, Arias. Did you enjoy your time away?"

At that moment, it seemed like her gaze flickered towards Leonardo. Then she looked back at Gladio and answered.

"Yes, I had a rather enjoyable training period."

Gladio, though he didn't show it, looked at his daughter with surprise.

"Surprising. You always used to say 'average.'"

"It was truly enjoyable."

After the reunion with his children, it was time for the family members in the main house to greet him.

"Did the expedition go well, sir?"

Kneeling, Chris Reinhardt greeted his older brother.

"It's been a while, Chris. I heard you brought a good retainer."

The family's attention turned back to Leo. This was not just nerve-wracking but also frightening.

"He's more than good, sir. I was planning to write a letter, but it's good timing. Let's talk over dinner."

"Good idea."

The head of the family looked at the surrounding family members.

"Let's have a light dinner. Everyone, follow me."

The family members followed him in response.

<...Ah, finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief...>

"And."

Gladio, who was turning to leave, made Leo tense up again.

"I'd like you to come along, too."

"...Yes?"

"I heard many interesting things have happened since you arrived. It's better to hear it from the main character, isn't it?"

[...It seems you're in trouble.]

He didn't want to admit it, but the sage was right this time.

***

Across the long and wide table, food was piled up.

In this life or the previous one, these were dishes he rarely saw or ate.

He was sure that the total cost of the food alone would be equal to, if not more than, the value of the luggage he brought.

[Hey... You're living up to your name, Reinhardt.]

Sitting at the table, Leo maintained a soft smile while suppressing a bitter feeling inside.

<From now on, please speak less. It seems like a test.>

[What kind of test?]

<A test about me as a person.>

Bringing a mere retainer to the family's dinner table was not just for a meal.

Especially if the head of the family ordered it.

[Then how do I pass?]

<Just do well.>

[That's obvious, but... be more specific.]

<If there were specific criteria, they would give you a test paper.>

It might seem rude, but it was the truth. At least in his past life, Gladio had used this method to evaluate people.

"Let's start with a light dish. I'm sorry there's not much."

"No, it's more than enough. If there were too much, the table legs might break before we even started eating."

Leo threw a light joke to ease the tension. It didn't have a big impact, but it helped him relax.

"K... K...!"

At that moment, an old butler waiting behind seemed to be in pain. Alfred struggled to suppress a laugh that threatened to burst out.

"This is really working..."

"Indeed, the joke assassin..."

...Ah, this guy's mouth is really loose.

"...Alfred, go rest in your room for a while. The dinner might be long tonight."

Alfred bowed and left the dining room. The laughter that followed was probably just his imagination.

"I heard my daughter has been very grateful to you."

As Leo cut a small piece of steak and put it in his mouth, Gladio started his questions.

"Grateful? That's not true. I've learned a lot from Lady Ariasfil."

It was a sincere response, not a lie or flattery.

In this life or the previous one, he had learned countless things from her.

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that."

"I'm the one who should be grateful."

Gladio, swirling his wine, asked as he took a sip.

"Hmm... Where are you from?"

"I come from a village called Doron in the far east."

"I've never heard of it."

"It's fine. Not only you, but most people don't even know the name or location of the villages beyond the mountains in front of Doron."

Gladio smiled kindly at the witty response.

The questions and answers continued throughout the meal.

About his first meeting with Ariasfil,

The battle with the Balrogs,

His life as a retainer,

Information about mana cultivation techniques,

The more the conversation went on, the more Gladio's interest deepened.

"Is there anything I missed in my explanation?"

"Hmm... This might be a bit inappropriate to ask here, but can I ask now? I'm really curious and can't hold it in."

"If you're that interested, it's an honor for me to answer. What's your question?"

So far, he had answered well. The situation had eased, so it wouldn't be a difficult question...

"What do you think of my daughter?"

It was a difficult question. Very difficult.

<+--|-|--+>