Chapter 101: The Girl Becomes…a Noble? (3)

Lee Han’s expression turned rotten, but the marquis just laughed cheerfully when he saw it.

He wasn’t playing around, he was sincere.

To elaborate…

“I want to adopt you as my son.”

He wasn’t trying to turn him into an adopted child like Levy, he wanted to turn him into a [Tristan], to give him the Tristan surname, which boasted hundreds of years of history. In other words, he wanted to give him the ‘qualification’ to be the successor of the head of the family.

“That isn’t all. You see, I don’t have any children right now, and there is no one among the guys in the collateral lines that is competent enough to inherit Tristan. Bale was the most suitable candidate, but he gave it all up when he joined the Knight Order. In other words, the moment you become my son, you’ll immediately become the first in line of succession! You can become Marquis Tristan! Where else can you get such an opportunity?”

Indeed, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The offer was sweet, dripping with honey with no strings attached, a mouthwatering offer that would make anyone’s heart waver. If Lee Han had even the slightest desire for power or honor, he definitely wouldn’t refuse it. But…

“No, I will sincerely decline.”

“…”

“Just in case you think I’m being sarcastic, I’ll say it again. I don’t want to accept that offer. Period.”

“…Aren’t you taking Tristan too lightly?”

“It’s more like the thought of calling you ‘father’ unironically is extremely funny.”

“…You putting it that way made it even more hurtful. Though I’m a nobleman, I’m still a human. Can’t you hold it back a little…?”

“I am holding back, or else you wouldn’t have been able to handle it.”

“…You are too much.”

The marquis’ expression turned gloomy.

Although he declared playfully, his decision of taking him as a son was something that he had carefully considered.

…What a shame, really. Well, I already guessed that it wouldn’t be so easy.

In fact, if Lee Han had accepted it, the marquis would actually treat him as his son.

This decision was something that would definitely give the elders and senior members of the family quite the shock. To put it into perspective, no matter how much he liked Lee Han personally, he was still a villain who had invaded the Tristan’s Mansion. How could he give Tristan’s name to such a person?

However, the marquis believed that his decision was an appropriate one.

I can entrust the family to someone like him…

Tristan was dubbed as a great noble, but they didn’t have any [mystical ability] unlike the other great noble families. It was said that their ancestors once possessed a magic bow that had some kind of mystical abilities, but that lineage was cut off a long time ago.

Perhaps that was why…

Tristan had experienced more than a few dozen crises in the past hundreds of years. There were times when a fool who couldn’t even become a great archer became the successor, and there were many cases where the collateral branches started a rebellion because the head of the family had no proof for the family’s ancestral title, such as a mystical ability or an achievement as a magic archer.

In fact, back when Jenimia was young, there were cases where the family’s prominent faction and senior faction fought and split in half, all because the position of the head was left empty for a moment. This sort of thing wouldn’t happen to Galahad or Lionel. After all, both families had their mystical abilities that could serve as the proof for their ‘absolute legitimacy’.

Hence why…

The only things that matter to Tristan are its name and power.

A potential to pass down the surname Tristan for hundreds of years to come, and an overwhelming power that can encompass the entire family. As long as one was able to meet those qualifications, whoever it was who took over Tristan’s name wouldn’t matter.

Some nobles would say that ‘blood’ was important, but that was just a bunch of bullshit.

After all, except for the royal family, most nobles’ blood was extremely diluted. There was no reason to put so much importance in such a thing.

But, if there were still punks who’d use blood as an excuse to stir up troubles…

I can just let him have a child with a woman from the collateral line.

Fortunately, Tristan’s blood possessed excellent characteristics. Perhaps it was because the first head of the family had a child with a fairy, but regardless of gender, once a Tristan conceived a child, they would have Tristan’s blood no matter what. As proof of that, they’d be born with red hair.

In other words, blood was a minor issue that could be easily resolved.

…Although, if someone had heard of this thought, they would’ve been staring at him dumbfoundedly.

Because no matter how one tried to look at it, he was going too far to just get a single knight to his side.

However, if he were to hear that, he would just answer it like this…

It’s worth it.

…This guy is a diamond, and you could still polish him even further.

Jenimia was confident he could win against him. Also, while it might cause him a bit of headache, if he wanted to, he could kill him no problem.

But that was just a story for ‘now’. What about later?

No, rather, what about ‘tomorrow’?

He’s considerably more stable than when we met the other day. Seriously, no matter how young he is, how could his growth be so frightening? Hahaha.

I’m really, really looking forward to it.

This guy…

Could probably reach it…

Just like that young brave gladiator.

Just like that fanatical priest.

Just like that dull woman.

He believed that the young knight in front of him could reach that realm.

Aura User…

The realm that he had given up on. In a way, this was his way of giving up the opportunity.

He wanted to see the man he recognized reach that realm from up close no matter what. Some might say that it was a vicarious satisfaction, but so what?

After all, was it not the privilege of adults to have expectations towards young people?

I really, really want to see it…

For now, just sowing seeds like this is enough.

Besides…

He’s the kind of guy who’s fun to have around…

Satisfying his desires wasn’t the only reason why he wanted to make him his son. He was a young man who wouldn’t bore him no matter how many times he looked at him. In fact, he actually didn’t even think about the pros and cons of his decision to make him his son.

Even now, he was having so much fun.

“That’s too bad then. But, can you teach my knights how to walk on air? I’ll pay you, don’t worry.”

“Finally, you revealed your true purpose! Why would I teach my skills to people who aren’t my disciples?! Especially when they aren’t even the members of the Knight Order I belong to!”

“I see. Well, ignore me then. I’m just mumbling to myself, but… If I add up the value of the door, buildings, bricks, marbles, and statues that a certain rascal destroyed, it would cost three thousand Great Power gold coins. Considering how there are dwarven-made things among them, the cost of the repairs would probably be even higher… Hm, maybe I should catch that rascal and punish him…”

“…”

“But what punishment should I give him?”

“…Do you want me to teach them a way to walk without leaving footprints in the snow while I’m at it? It’s called ‘No Trace In The Snow.”

“Hahaha!”

See? He’s a fun guy to watch!

The marquis let out a cheerful laugh.

At the same time, he wondered. Perhaps, this was what it felt like to have a playful son.

“…What a wicked old man.”

Lee Han was exhausted.

Talking to a snake-like politician tired him more than fighting and swinging a sword, although it was mentally exhausting, not physically.

Either way, it’s exhausting.

At that moment…

“Don’t you need to attend the ceremony?”

As he was washing his face to relieve his fatigue, he muttered to himself, and for a moment, a small tremble appeared in the space.

It was subtler than the trembling of a branch shaking in the wind, and it was extremely easy for a normal person to not notice it, but…

That wasn’t the case for Lee Han.

“Eavesdropping is a bad habit. You’ll get seriously hurt if you get caught.”

He gave out that advice, or rather, teaching since he was an instructor. As soon as he was done giving that advice…

“…Yes, but I don’t think there’s anyone other than you who’d notice that we’re hiding here.”

Two figures emerged from the shadows.

When he finished washing his face, Lee Han turned to look at the two familiar guys, the two cadets.

Roen and Jack.

The two main characters faced Lee Han with bitter smiles—Jack was scratching his cheek as he did.

“And here I thought I hid well this time…”

“You did, but why did your hiding skills develop faster than your swordsmanship? Are you finally trying to change your career into an assassin now?”

“…Of course not. It’s just, I’m too talented at it. My hiding skills improve on their own without me practicing it…”

“That’s a detestable answer if I had heard one.”

Not only is this punk not as noticeable as the others, he’s also not as fun.

“…Haha.”

As Lee Han’s accusing glare poured towards him, Jack lowered his eyes. Then, Lee Han turned his fierce glare back to the black-haired guy on the side.

“And here I thought you’re someone who’d just sit on a chair and watch. Why are you running around like a dog in the field? It doesn’t suit your appearance.”

“I’m not the type to just sit still.”

“That’s a disease, you know?”

“…Did the Marquis also notice that we were here?”

“Of course, that old man’s intuition is probably better than mine. He probably noticed it long before me, he just pretended not to.”

“…”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“…You declined his offer, Instructor. Honestly, I believe his reputation isn’t bad.”

“Well, yeah, he isn’t bad.”

“Then why did you decline? He would be a good sponsor for you.”

“Why are you so curious about other people’s business…?”

“Am I not your disciple? This level of curiosity is still acceptable.”

“Look at you?”

Blackie genuinely thought that his decision was strange. If he had just accepted the marquis’ offer, he could’ve risen to become the representative noble of the kingdom’s royalists—a major faction in this country.

Is it really because he doesn’t want to call Marquis Jenimia ‘father’…? No way, right?

To that question…

“You guessed it, that’s the reason.”

“…”

Lee Han answered lightly, leaving Roen speechless.

…Is that really all?

“You think too much.”

Lee Han then proceeded to give advice that wasn’t really advice to his disciple who was a regressor in name but a fool compared to his age.

“There’s just no point. I’m at the age when I should be married and have children, why the hell would I get a parent instead? I’m not at the age when I could just ask them for pocket money or act cute around them.”

“Being a child of the marquis doesn’t only revolve around receiving pocket money from him, though…”

“For you, maybe, for me, it’s like that. Besides, one shouldn’t look for a family for such a materialistic reason. What’s important to a family isn’t money or power.”

“Then, what is?”

“Loyalty and responsibility.”

“…”

He answered without hesitation, prompting Roen to open his eyes wide.

Ignoring his reaction, Lee Han…

“That’s what’s important to a family. A husband and wife should fulfill each other’s duty, and so should the children. At the same time, they all have the responsibility to maintain their relationship as family. There was a reason why people who joined a family for materialistic reasons had similar ends, and they had to live through misfortunes… Well, there are exceptions, of course, but you get what I’m trying to say here.”

“…”

“With that in mind, the marquis and I aren’t in a relationship that would be suitable for a family. I don’t need parents, and the marquis isn’t looking for a child either. He just happened to take an interest in me and wished to raise me. His feelings towards me are more like ones you’d have towards a puppy or a cat.”

Lee Han knew that the marquis didn’t make that offer because he was particularly fond of him. He was just being greedy for the power he possessed or something similar to that.

But he didn’t feel bad about it.

Because this meant the marquis had recognized his ability.

‘A scholar dies for the confidant. Someone would be wide for someone who recognized them.’ There was that kind of saying.

…The problem here was that Lee Han wasn’t someone who was hungry for recognition.

If he was, or if he was someone who was tired of the world, he might have fallen head first to the marquis’ offer.

It would still be strange to live as that man’s son while acting cute with him, though.

He let out a wry smile, thinking that just imagining the scene already made his teeth chatter.

Towards him who was like that, Roen…

“…I don’t think that’s the case at all, Instructor.”

“What?”

“You’re not a puppy or a cat, you’re either a lion or a bear.”

“…”

“On top of it, you’re the kind of lion or bear that would make people wonder whether you’d tear them apart when you grow up or not.”

Made fun of him with his arrogant mouth, in which, Lee Han…

“…Do you want me to hit you with the Arhat Divine Fist?”

“…I don’t know what it is, so I will have to refuse.”

“I refuse your refusal.”

Held out his fist.

“They must have had a fun time eavesdropping.”

The marquis expressed regret as if he had not been able to ask everything because of the eavesdroppers. In fact, there was something that he had been curious about to death.

That was why he got into the carriage while chewing on his regret.

“Hmm?”

But, he paused for a moment when he noticed a note stuck in the gap on the door.

“Is there a problem, Your Excellency?”

“…No. More importantly, was there anyone who came near the carriage?”

“How could it be? There are so many soldiers guarding it.”

“I see.”

“Is there something wrong, Your Excellency?”

“No, hahaha!”

“??”

He got into the carriage with a hearty laugh, and the man who seemed to be his butler could only tilt his head.

However, he didn’t bother to resolve the butler’s curiosity. He was too busy wallowing in delight over the fact that someone had easily broken through his soldiers’ defenses and delivered this note.

The one thing he had been curious about was the fact that the commotion at his mansion was buried so quietly. And now, he finally got to satisfy his curiosity.

It was because the knight he tried to adopt as a son was…

“Heh, you rascal. A dangerous person is already keeping an eye on you! Hahaha!”

Although no name was written in the note, the dragon seal stamped on the red candle wax revealed the identity of the sender.

And on that note…

[He’s mine. Do not covet him.]

…a strong warning was written.

However, the marquis just shook his head.

And…

“Your Highness, only a powerful monarch can give orders to me, or rather to Tristan… And you…are not yet qualified to do so.”

Tear-!

Tore up the note with a heartless smile.