Chapter 66

EP.66 Senate - 1

The return to the tower was much faster than the journey there.

No matter how fast a train might be, it couldn't surpass the instantaneous teleportation of a warp gate.

Although he could have taken the train, he chose the warp gate because he had no particularly pleasant memories of the train.

When he returned to the family estate, everyone was looking at him with worried eyes.

After all, the opponent was Jentos, a black mage with a bounty on his head, and a man who had been expelled from the family. It would have been stranger if they weren't worried.

This story had even become a heroic tale that spread throughout the kingdom. As a family of heroes, the legend was enough to enhance their prestige.

However, the people involved themselves were not particularly pleased.

***

"Why are you so gloomy?"

The sage floated around Leo and asked softly.

"Then what is there to smile about? Look where we're going."

The place he was heading to was Gladio Reinhardt's room, the head of the Reinhardt family.

"Why? You've been there before."

"The situation is different now."

Back then, he was young and didn't cause much of a commotion. But now, things are different.

"Yeah... It's not something to be taken lightly."

Not only did he follow the young lady on a personal vacation, but he also faced Jentos. It wasn't something to be brushed off easily.

Whether it's for compensation or punishment, someone will come to hold him accountable.

"There's no father who would let a stranger who kissed his daughter live."

"..."

Given that Leo himself was in a precarious situation, he just turned his head.

"But that head of the family seems flexible. Maybe he'll let it slide with a few slaps?"

"...Even if the head is flexible, the old guard won't be."

The head of the family is the master of the estate, leading and maintaining the family's status.

However, there is also an organization in place to prevent the head from going astray.

"This time, the Senate will also get involved."

"...There are always such people in every era. Old men who think they know everything just because they've lived a bit longer."

"..."

It's a true statement, but it feels strange to nod or agree when said by a person.

"Don't look at me with that expression."

"Ah, yes."

Saying this, Leo turned his gaze away from the living fossil of ancient times who looked down on the Senate.

"Then what will happen? Will you be expelled?"

"Actually, apart from the hassle, it's meaningless."

Even the Senate, with its high status, wasn't particularly threatening to Leonardo.

He had various advantages and had prepared hidden cards for such situations, so there was no problem.

"The Senate, what else? It's no different from an old folks' home."

"Why do we only understand each other when we gossip?"

"That's the essence of gossip."

A wise answer based on experience. It was a seasoned interpretation that could be acknowledged upon hearing.

"Anyway, do your best. After all, old people are all the same."

Is it rude to agree here, or is it rude to raise objections?

If there's a great dilemma, this contradiction would surely take the top spot.

While having such trivial conversations, Leonardo arrived in front of the head's room.

He started to take deep breaths.

To be fully prepared, he needed to release even the tension in his subconscious.

"I will announce myself."

With a knock, Leo faced the head.

"You've come, Leonardo."

The head was sitting, casually sipping tea. Alfred, the butler, was brewing a fragrant tea beside him.

"Would you like a cup of lemon tea?"

"Yes, thank you."

At this, Alfred personally poured tea into Leonardo's cup. The fresh scent of lemon, rising strongly, helped to ease the tension that deep breathing couldn't resolve.

"I've heard the story. You've experienced many things at the tower, but are you alright?"

"Thanks to the family's grace, I was able to return safely."

His tone was different from usual, very composed yet hiding confidence beneath.

"You found two legacies of the sage and even obtained a special magic permit. Even with the family's support, it doesn't seem easy... But I can understand it just because it's you."

The black mage's terror incident was just buried, but even the events before that were unprecedented, both at the tower and in other families.

"The diligence of the tower's students greatly contributed to my success."

By giving credit to Ameri, he was able to free himself from some of the attention.

"Ameri, huh? Lios talked about her so much that I remember her well."

"I plan to properly thank her later."

"I'll have to consider that too. I heard that you helped a lot by calming Lios during your time at the tower."

I can imagine. The reason Ameri Esp treats Lios so informally is probably because of this.

"How are the injuries from the terror incident at the tower? Are you alright?"

"I may be lacking, but I am a knight of Reinhardt. I can't disgrace the family over such a matter."

"It would be troublesome if you said you were lacking. If that were true, half the knights would lose their jobs."

Excessive modesty is a form of deception, perhaps.

It might not be a wrong statement. If he were to say it with a bit of arrogance, it would be impossible for all the knights working in the family, except for the direct or collateral lines of Reinhardt, to defeat him.

"But since you actually put the young lady in danger, you can't be so confident."

At this, Gladio put down his empty cup and sighed.

"...I'm sorry. To be honest, I was relieved to hear your words, but I feel ashamed."

If it weren't for the strong scent of lemon, he might have been tense. This was the beginning of the main topic.

"The Senate plans to hold a hearing on you. They believe you are also responsible for the black mage and Jentos."

On the surface, it sounds unreasonable. In fact, the main suppressor of the incident was Leonardo, so it wouldn't be strange to give him an award.

"But the family and tradition don't work that way. You have to accept it."

"Even if I tried to persuade them, I couldn't change the Senate's opinion."

"No, it's fine. I sensed it wouldn't be an easy matter to resolve."

Saying this, Leo sipped the lemon tea. The warm sweetness of the lemon was refreshing, sometimes more so than cold juice.

"Then when is the hearing?"

"Although it's sudden, the Senate didn't allow any time for preparation."

In Gladio's hand was a black tube. Opening the cap, he took out a piece of parchment. Leonardo, with his knowledge of magic, immediately recognized what it was.

"A scroll."

It was a scroll containing a teleportation spell.

"There is no warp gate to the Senate. This scroll is the only way to get there."

The Senate is a gathering place of old heroes beyond Reinhardt's veil, known only to a few, even if one is a knight of Reinhardt.

"Then should I leave immediately?"

"...You're confident. You don't hesitate."

"I judged that worrying wouldn't solve the problem."

At this, the head chuckled. It was a relieved smile, not a sneer, thinking that his worry was unnecessary.

"Then let's start right away. Alfred, please."

Alfred, holding the scroll, unfolded it with his white-gloved hand.

"I will begin, Leonardo."

Light flowed from the scroll's pattern. The light and colors were similar to what one would see in a warp gate.

However, since it was a scroll designed for transportation, he didn't expect a gentle teleportation.

Zing

A strange sound accompanied the light enveloping his body. The sensation of being thrown in all directions, as if his body was flipped, was not just a lack of consideration but seemed to be intentionally tormenting him.

"Ouch..."

Thud

He landed on a soft yet cold snowfield. The impact was cushioned, but the occasional ice particles brushing against his skin were irritating.

"It's gotten chilly, but... is it already snowing this much?"

Not only the landing spot but the entire area was covered in snow. Considering the change in seasons, it was indeed unusual, as the sage had mentioned.

"The path to the Senate is always like this. I didn't expect to be thrown so far, though..."

The area where the Senate is located is sealed, making it impossible to find or leave easily.

The surroundings are always snowy, making movement and rest difficult.

"Shouldn't you have worn thicker clothes if you knew this?"

"I can endure this much."

It was better than being electrocuted. With a bit of fire and wind magic, he could even create a makeshift heater.

"Then..."

Leo subtly looked in the opposite direction. There, in a direction that didn't match the snowy landscape, was an elderly man in a high-quality, dignified butler's uniform.

"It seems you already expected this, Leonardo."

When Alfred removed his gloves, his scarred hands were revealed. They were in a condition that couldn't be achieved by mere tea service or cleaning, and in terms of quantity, they outnumbered Leonardo's.

"...That old man isn't just a butler..."

Alfred Sebastian, the butler

Formerly a 6-star retired knight of the Reinhardt family.

"If I had ignored those hands, I would have died long ago."

"I'm embarrassed. I always wear gloves to avoid causing trouble to others."

His hands were firmly clenched. In that moment, he was certain.

If his head had been in those hands, his skull would have been crushed instantly, and if that fist had hit his head, there would be no trace left.

"In such a situation, it's more polite not to hide, right?"

His pride as a fighter was etched in his scars.

"...Are we fighting from the start?"

Perhaps startled by the sudden combat situation, the sage asked in a slightly off tone.

"I expected it."

The head's concern and similar situations before the regression were indicators.

"...They're trying to humble me under the pretense of a test."

The first knight called to the Senate undergoes a kind of test.

Those without qualifications are not allowed to step into the Senate. The test is meant to show that one must overcome a trial to prove their worth.

Usually, the test would involve surviving the harsh cold and forest to reach the Senate.

"Special treatment is a bit much..."

Leonardo, who had long surpassed the level of a regular knight, seemed to be given special measures.

"...Are you going to fight? For you..."

"Am I crazy?"

The sage's eyes were colder than a snowstorm, but this was the most sensible approach. A direct confrontation with a 6-star fighter was more reckless than facing Jentos.

Reaching the core level meant not only a vast amount of aura but also mastery in combat sense, skill, and experience.

"The most sensible approach is to fight him off and then run into the forest."

They underestimated his knowledge of the area. By using this to his advantage, he could gain a better position for escape and response.

"It's not a difficult situation. I have more advantages than I thought."

Alfred prepared his staff and initiated the prelude to battle.

"Leonardo, it's not polite to just attack, so let's set a condition."

The old butler smiled lightly.

"If you can land a single successful hit on me, I'll keep the kiss with Ariasfil a secret from the head..."

Clang!!

"...Hey... you..."

All the plans he had just made were canceled. The current situation was very unfavorable to him.

"...I'll end this quickly."

Before his words were even finished, Leo launched a surprise attack, gripping his sword with both hands. The sword's attack was effortlessly deflected by the fist's defense.

"...You know this is ugly, right?"

Who cares. He was focused on the battle. His sword didn't need such pride.

Leo's sword was filled with determination.

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