Chapter 20: Banquet (3)

Upon arriving at the dining hall, all the Stroke family members and guests were already seated. Foden looked at me entering the entrance and said.

“A bit late. Sit quickly.”

“Yes.”

I found an empty seat at the long table and sat. Next to my younger brother Riddle, and across sat Chesa.

Chesa, suddenly meeting eyes with me, slightly hardened her expression and averted her gaze. 

I thought I wouldn’t see her face again until visiting the Utland family, so it was a bit awkward for me too.

The dining hall’s air was truly subtle.

Siblings who had despised me until now wore somewhat uncomfortable expressions, while adults like Foden and Ebel seemed to send proud gazes my way.

In that complex atmosphere, Elvio opened the conversation.

“I watched our prospective son-in-law’s duel well. Truly splendid performance. I’m simply envious of having such a son.”

“Haha! Elvio, your eye for picking Aiden as your daughter’s marriage partner was remarkable too. As a father, I failed to recognize my son’s potential—rather shameful.”

Elvio and Foden, heads of both families, lavishly praised each other’s faces.

“Well, when I designated Aiden as Chesa’s partner, many found it puzzling. Now that choice is reevaluated—quite satisfying.”

“Isn’t it all your foresight?”

Foresight my foot.

The clear reason he bypassed Litton, likely to become grand duke heir, and arranged marriage with Aiden.

All because of mother’s bloodline.

No particular mention in original or setting book, but Aiden’s mother Nevia is definitely not ordinary fairy mixed-blood. Must have high fairy… high elf blood with mysterious powers.

To explain the basis for this speculation, go back nearly 20 years.

At that time, Croa Kingdom sought improved relations with great forest fairies, arranging marriage between vassal Stroke duchy’s heir and a lady under fairy authority. 

Naturally, that lady is Aiden’s mother Nevia Lilu Arieldi. 

As a bride selected for diplomacy, even mixed-blood, she clearly carried high fairy blood.

Side note: this marriage alliance became nominal in just months.

After Foden and Nevia’s marriage, massive magic crystal mines discovered on great forest-kingdom border, ownership disputes worsened relations again despite slight recovery.

Foden, chatting with Elvio, glanced at me and subtly coughed.

“Ahem. You might have guessed, but I called you here today to resolve past conflicts.”

“Conflicts… what do you mean?”

At my question, Foden spoke gravely.

“Litton.”

Litton, called by father, looked at me with an expression like biting a bug. Seeing his face stained with humiliation felt refreshing.

But momentarily.

Soon he smiled bitterly and, surprisingly, bowed his head to me.

“Sorry for everything until now.”

As expected.

From the atmosphere, he must have been scolded by father Foden.

With my victory over Julio, pretext to send me to Refilord border vanished, so alternative: reconcile us.

As grand duke prospering the family, conflict between heir eldest and talented second son isn’t desired; Litton, no fool, realized need to win my heart.

The regretting side bows first.

In their eyes now, I’m top stock with potential to grow into Continent’s Twelve Heroes-level powerhouse. 

Losing such talent over personal feelings isn’t wise for duchy heir.

I replied indifferently.

“Don’t really care.”

“…What.”

At that, Litton, trembling in humiliation, snapped his head up. Unexpected answer—he blankly looked at me.

“Didn’t hear? I don’t care, grand prince.”

“Th-thank you. Hope we can build good relations from now.”

Seeing that, Foden smiled.

Honestly, Litton’s actions were irritating, but seeing Chesa’s beauty across, his jealousy isn’t incomprehensible. 

Above all, knowing Litton dies in less than 4 years, pity outweighs irritation.

More important: great-uncle Ebel.

<Ebel Stroke>

[Level:53/54]

[Stamina:17][Strength:20][Agility:13]

[Mana:14][Spirit:11][Sense:08]

[Divinity:03]

[Traits: Sword Sovereign(S+), Will of Severe Cold(A) +3 others]

[Skills: Stroke Blunt Sword Art·Extreme(S), Croa Guardian Sword Art·Extreme(A), Stroke Energy Method(B+), Duchy Brawling(B) +5 others]

[Description: Age 67, human. Member of current Continent’s Twelve Heroes, renowned as one of northern strongest knights.]

Stats living up to Twelve Heroes name.

Only difference from main story Ebel Stroke sheet: strength 1 lower. Natural with age, but growth already ended at this point.

First caught eye: Sword Sovereign(S+) trait. Evolution of Sword Genius(A) given only to masters freely wielding heavy blunt sword strikes. Compatible: Sword Demon(S+) specialized in variable swordplay, balanced Sword Saint(S+) etc.

Reference: field ultimate is Sword God(Ex). But unobtainable normally, can’t even see until part 4—so aside.

Explanation: + after grade doesn’t mean superior performance to others. + is mark for character’s core traits/skills.

Literally ‘title’.

Good example: my Harmony Method(C+). Lower grade than Alsigima or Stroke methods, but firmly central in my body, overtaking the two—so +.

I asked Ebel.

“Surely you wouldn’t say you forgot the promise right before the duel, great-uncle?”

“Ahem! As a northern knight, can’t break a promise. So what do you want from me?”

“Struggle Seal. Transfer ownership to me.”

“!!”

“….!”

Hearing me, not only Ebel but everyone in the dining hall was greatly surprised. Except one: Elvio looked at me with interested eyes.

Struggle Seal is honor symbol directly issued by Struggle Church to Twelve Heroes.

Special identification magic on the seal—itself proof of identity; transferring to another after agreement means the transferor guarantees backing whatever the recipient does with Twelve Heroes’ honor.

Modern terms: endorsement.

Unable to watch, Foden interjected.

“Aiden. Isn’t that excessive even so? Surely you know the item’s importance!”

Hearing that, I naturally chuckled.

“Excessive? Attaching an elite knight-level opponent to a fatty who held a sword just four months ago and telling him to win—isn’t that also excessive?”

“That is…”

Sarcastic, Foden instantly became mute. He condoned Litton’s rampage to demote me—mouth shut even with 100.

“You boldly asserted I couldn’t beat Sir Bass, great-uncle. But I won contrary to expectations. Time to pay the price.”

At my urging, Ebel sighed.

“…No choice. Promise is promise. For formal transfer, need separate signature to Struggle Church—will take time until Struggle Seal fully in your hands.”

Unexpected harvest—smile naturally spread.

Honestly poked without expectation, but he accepts.

After my commotion, dinner proceeded in awkward atmosphere. Feeling slight eyes, I quickly emptied my bowl and quietly stood.

Exiting the dining hall, Chesa chased and spoke to me.

“Aiden. I’ll accept yesterday’s proposal. Whatever—making a clan or anything, I’ll follow you.”

“Uh… yeah?”

I replied dazedly. Unknown what change overnight, but faster decision than imagined.

Suddenly shadow cast on her face.

“But my father won’t allow me leaving the territory.”

“Until bearing a child, right?”

“How do you know that?”

Only close kin or some closest aides know Elvio is into eugenics and trial-error. Even old friend Foden doesn’t know this flaw—so surprising for her that I do.

“Fine if good. I’ll handle that problem. I have one card to negotiate with His Grace.”

“………”

Story flowing too smoothly, Chesa looked as if possessed by a ghost. I grinned at her.

“Then see you at your house in a month.”

Much to prepare before throwing the gauntlet. Preparations to receive Chesa from Utland family, of course, and must-do before leaving duchy. For this, I began full action that day onward.

***

Duchy capital Ricrol outskirts forest.

Searching hard with Linia, I found the target ruins entrance after half a day.

Piles of dirt around clearly exposed stone door. Traces of Estriel digging while searching ruins.

Seeing this, Linia widened eyes.

“Wh-what is this?”

“Ancient ruins from magic empire era called Phoenix Spirit Tomb.”

Reason here naturally: secure Phoenix Heart in advance.

Plan to find protagonist Ephio and feed him the heart earlier than original.

Considered eating it myself, but Phoenix Heart decisively influences Ephio’s growth direction in original. Twisting original history too much too early erases my future knowledge advantage. Need to gain as much benefit as possible while appropriately controlling variables within predictable range.

“Young master. One question.”

“Tell while walking.”

“Been thinking, but recently you seem completely changed. Suddenly showing extraordinary sword talent, knowing herbs never heard or seen, often giving incomprehensible orders…”

“Better when I was a wastrel?”

“No! Of course now is much better looking and reliable. Surely other family thinks so too.”

“………”

“But maturing so suddenly, as long-time personal maid, a bit worried. If something bottled up, don’t hesitate—tell me. I’m entrusted with you by Lady Nevia.”

Almost teared up.

Linia was the only one with goodwill toward pre-possession Aiden. Others would just rejoice at wastrel reforming, but she, watching Aiden long, must feel strong dissonance.

With such a loyal subordinate right beside, why did Aiden become a wastrel.

…Personal sentiments aside, my bold actions clearly appear strange to others.

Don’t care if clueless strangers find me weird, but can’t have future recruits thinking that.

And method to justify my actions—prepared in advance.

“I’ll tell only you, like family, in advance Linia.

Actually, the day His Grace hit my head—after that, I had prophetic dreams.”

“Pr-prophetic dreams?”