Chapter 80

It had been three days since then, and the carriage carrying us left Rodnea.

We retraced the path we had taken to the academy, and after seven days, I finally returned to the Ramploque territory after two years.

When I got off the carriage in front of the mansion, I was greeted by familiar faces.

"Welcome back, Seika."

"…I'm back, Luft. The atmosphere seems to have changed a bit, doesn't it?"

I smiled and said this, and Luft, who is nineteen this year, laughed awkwardly.

"Really? Maybe I've developed a bit of the dignity expected of the next lord."

"A little."

"Seika… hasn’t changed much, has she? You’ve grown taller, though."

Well, after living this long, it’s not like my inner self would change now.

"Can I meet your fiancée?"

I asked casually, and Luft answered with a wry smile.

"Unfortunately, I don’t think she’ll be coming here for a while. You know, we have that guest staying here…"

"That’s a shame. I wanted to greet my future sister-in-law."

"Maybe another time."

Then I turned my gaze to the tall middle-aged man standing beside Luft.

"Hey, Edith. Thanks for coming to greet me despite being so busy. I appreciate it."

"Not at all. Welcome back, Master Seika. You’ve grown so much in my absence."

The tall man bowed politely.

Edith is a freed slave who serves the Ramploque family.

A man with chestnut hair and a mustache, he has a rather expressionless face, but he is quite capable and is entrusted with almost all the management of the Ramploque territory. Blaze can focus on his research largely thanks to Edith.

Despite this, he must be quite busy…

"Is everything okay with your work?"

"I’ve left it to my subordinates. I made a bit of an effort, but I wanted to welcome you personally."

He answered in a formal tone.

Edith has always been like this, treating everyone the same, which makes him a well-liked person in the mansion.

Although, I doubt he came here just for me.

"By the way, is Seika alone?"

"Huh? Oh, everyone can come down."

I turned my head and called out to the carriage.

Perhaps they had been hesitating, but with this signal, they began to come out of the carriage one by one.

"Lord Luft… It’s been a while…"

"Yes, it’s Iefa. You’ve grown so much, I was surprised."

"Thank you…"

"Iefa, here."

"Y-Yes."

Then Iefa looked up at Edith and smiled shyly.

"Um… I’m back, Father."

"Ah."

Edith nodded briefly.

"Still the same, I see?"

"Yes, I’m fine."

"Has Seika been a bother to you?"

"Um… probably not?"

Iefa looked at me, and I answered for her.

"Iefa has been doing well. Her grades at the academy are good too. I’m proud of her as a master."

"Your praise is too much for a daughter, but it’s good to hear. I sent her with confidence."

After saying this, Edith fell silent.

He is capable in his work but awkward as a father, somewhat similar to Blaze.

Well, let’s leave this father and daughter alone for now.

I turned back to Luft and pointed to the red-haired girl standing stiffly nearby.

"Brother Luft, this is Amy. She’s…"

"Ah, she’s the one."

Luft turned to Amy and extended his hand with a gentle smile.

"Nice to meet you. I am Luft Ramploque, the next head of the Ramploque family. Welcome to our territory from Rodnea."

"Thank you… for inviting me…"

Amy awkwardly shook his hand. She seemed completely different from her usual self.

Luft continued with a friendly smile.

"How do you find it? Compared to Rodnea, is it more of a countryside?"

"Um, a little… quite a bit, maybe?"

"Hehe, no wonder Seika didn’t want to come back. I’ve been to the capital a few times, but not to Rodnea. Could you tell me about the academy and the city during dinner? Seika only writes about her grades and achievements in her letters, not much about daily life."

"Well, there’s not much to write about."

Then I pointed to Mabel, who was standing stiffly beside Amy.

"Here, this is Mabel, the daughter of the Clayne baron. Did you read the letter?"

"Of course. Nice to meet you. It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Mabel."

Luft bowed to Mabel in a noble manner.

"Actually, I’ve already greeted your uncle at a conference. If you have the chance to meet him, could you pass on my regards?"

"…!"

Mabel nodded silently, looked around nervously, and then hurriedly returned a similar bow.

Mabel…

She said she was fine with etiquette, but she’s clearly not used to it… I kind of expected that, though.

At that moment, Amy poked me on the arm and whispered.

"Hey, is this guy your older brother?"

"Yes."

"He doesn’t look much like you."

"Is that a roundabout way of calling me stupid?"

"It just feels like a noble. I’m not being mean or anything."

Amy said this without any ill intent.

Two years ago, it wasn’t like this. Young people change so quickly.

I sighed and called out to Luft.

"Anyway, I want to put my luggage down. Can you show everyone to their rooms, brother?"

"Sure. This way."

We entrusted the luggage to the maids and servants, and Luft led the way into the mansion grounds.

I walked beside him and asked.

"Are the rooms in the annex?"

"No, they’ll be in the mansion. The annex already has guests. You know, that…"

"Ah…"

At that moment—

"Seika!!!"

A voice I didn’t want to hear rang out.

"Ugh…"

I stopped in my tracks.

Frowning, I looked in the direction of the voice—sure enough, there was my second brother.

"Finally, you’re back! Ha, I’ve been waiting for this day!"

Grai, standing in the courtyard, said this with a smug smile.

I replied with a strained smile.

"Hey, brother… I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. You’ve grown a lot… in a short time."

Two years ago, he was about the same height as Luft, but now he’s clearly taller.

Moreover, he seems to have been trained in the military, as his build is much more muscular.

He must have been practicing, as he was holding a practice sword and was slightly sweaty.

You’ve changed a lot too…

"…I’m glad you’re doing well. Is military life enjoyable?"

"Yeah, it’s great."

Surprisingly, Grai agreed, despite how much he used to hate it.

"I never thought I’d fit in so well. Sitting at a desk is boring; it’s much more fun to swing a sword until you vomit and cast spells without thinking. It’s better than going to the academy. Seika, I should thank you. But… I haven’t forgotten the humiliation you caused me!"

Grai pointed the practice sword at me.

"Let’s have a match, Seika!!"

"…Huh?"

"I’ve been waiting for this day! Today is the day to clear that humiliation!!"

As I stood there in shock, an elderly man standing beside Grai tried to dissuade him.

"Master! You can’t do this! Even if you are a noble who should fight for the country, you can’t challenge a child who doesn’t know martial arts!"

"Shut up! Don’t call me ‘Master’! I’ve endured hellish training for this day, don’t get in my way!"

Grai retorted.

I don’t know who this man is, but he seems to be from the military, maybe a subordinate.

Grai didn’t just come home for a visit; he’s here as part of his military duties, leading a unit.

I had heard from Luft in a letter that Grai is now in charge of a squad.

He was originally assigned to a relative’s unit, so his treatment was probably good, but his rapid promotion is likely due to his talent. Leading a squad requires not only sword and magic skills but also military strategy and the ability to inspire and motivate rough soldiers.

Thinking back, he used to hang out with some shady people in the city. Maybe he was suited for this after all…

At that moment, Amy poked me on the arm again.

"Hey, is that your second brother?"

"Yes."

"He used to bully you and Iefa, and you beat him up before coming to the academy, right?"

"Right. Now he’s a squad leader in the Imperial Army."

"…A military man challenging a student to a sword fight? What is he thinking?"

"Well, it’s unreasonable, but that’s just the kind of person he is."

"Hmph."

Amy huffed and stepped forward.

Then she looked at Grai and declared.

"Hey, you! Fight me instead of Seika!"

"Wh-What, Amy?"

I was taken aback by her sudden action.

Grai, too, looked at Amy with a "Huh?" expression.

Then he turned back to me and said.

"Hey, Seika. Who is this?"

"She’s my classmate…"

"Hey, isn’t it embarrassing for a swordsman to challenge a civilian to a fight?"

Amy continued without hesitation.

"I’ll be your opponent! It’s normal to have a proxy in a duel, right?"

Grai waved her off with a dismissive gesture.

"A student can’t be my opponent. I didn’t call for you, so get out of the way."

"But Seika is a student too! Besides, I’m not the kind of person who can be pushed around by a noble!"

"Look, that’s enough…"

"Hey, Grai, brother. How about it? As a proxy. Amy is definitely a better swordsman than me."

"Compared to you, who barely holds a sword?"

"If you can beat her, I’ll fight you too."

"Hmm… That’s a good point."

Grai looked at Amy and said.

"Alright, kid. Get your sword ready."

"Ready? No, give me a practice sword."

"Too much trouble. Draw that fancy one on your hip."

Grai pointed the tip of his practice sword at Amy’s mithril staff-sword.

"You’re better with that, right?"

"Are you suggesting a real sword duel?"

"It’s the same if we stop short. But if you come at me with the intent to kill, I won’t hold back. Sometimes people die in military training even with practice swords."

"…I see."

Amy slowly drew her staff-sword.

"But that’s common among adventurers too."

"Adventurers…? Whatever. Lauren! Be the judge, by order of the squad leader!"

"Master… I have no choice. Miss, please be careful not to hurt the young lady. And no magic is allowed in this duel. Both sides,