38. Preparing the Birthday Banquet (4)

I went outside the mansion to greet the delegation.

The wide yard of my mansion. The carriage transporting the ice crystals and the horses of the knights escorting the delegation entered together.

Soon, the people from the delegation approached me. The vassals of the Frontier Count’s family and the knights of the White Night Knights lined up in front of me.

“We greet the son of the Lion Grand Duke!”

The delegation raised one arm to their chest. They all knelt before me.

“I commend you for your hard work.”

I had already become the formal successor of the Frontier Count’s family at the winter military parade. Therefore, the delegation’s attitude towards me was extremely respectful.

I gave them some time to organize their luggage. Then, I took them to the mansion’s dining room and treated them to a meal.

The mansion’s chef put in quite a bit of effort for the delegation. While eating, I exchanged simple conversations with the delegation.

Although it was a simple conversation, it was a conversation between the Frontier Count’s delegation and its formal successor. It was a considerably elegant and high-level conversation that conformed to aristocratic etiquette.

When the atmosphere was quite ripe.

A familiar vassal who I often saw at the Frontier Count’s mansion. He, sitting closest to me at the table, spoke once again as the representative of the delegation.

“You are still as dignified as ever. I heard that you are continuing your studies well at Pantheon.”

“That’s an overstatement, Lord Mason.”

He was different from the Essenmund noble who spouted sweet talk at the military parade. This viscount named Mason had been assisting Wilhelm by his side for a long time.

In other words, he was one of Essenmund’s housekeepers. He was a loyal subject of Wilhelm who had further developed Essenmund after the great war with the demons.

‘Aylin told me that he has a very upright personality and is very meticulous in his work.’

In other words, he was Wilhelm’s right-hand man. He was definitely not an easy person to deal with.

Perhaps that’s why his gaze was sharp as he examined me momentarily.

‘He’s probably checking if what happened at the military parade was just acting.’

He briefly scanned my attire with his eyes. My hair and face, neatly arranged after waking up in the morning. And the family’s uniform, tailored directly by the Otto family, was perfect.

Mason nodded with a very satisfied expression.

“You are perfect. The nobles of the Imperial Capital subtly look down on the people of Essenmund as country bumpkins. But if they were to see Count Yulian-nim’s handsome appearance, they would never think that way. Rather, I think they would deeply regret not having arranged a marriage between the Count and their daughters in advance. Hehe.”

“I see. But don’t worry. I won’t allow them to dare to look down on our people of Essenmund as country bumpkins. I will act accordingly from now on.”

Mason’s eyes changed to an interested expression for a moment.

“Indeed. Count-nim’s determination seems extraordinary. This proposal for Count-nim to directly take on the role of representative of the delegation at His Majesty’s birthday banquet. In fact, there was a lot of talk about that proposal at the Frontier Count’s residence.”

It wasn’t just an ordinary birthday banquet. Delegations representing high-ranking nobles and feudal lords would come to the Imperial Capital and offer tributes to the Emperor with sincerity.

In other words, it was also a place to confirm the unwavering loyalty between the Emperor and his vassals.

“In fact, that’s why taking on the role of representative of the delegation is significant. It is literally a place to confirm the loyalty of the Essenmund territory on behalf of Frontier Count-nim. So, Frontier Count-nim…”

Mason trailed off for a moment, but I seemed to know what he meant.

A delegation representing a feudal lord is no different from the feudal lord’s will itself.

So, perhaps my idea of representing the delegation could be just a young master’s whim who hasn’t abandoned his reckless habits.

‘Wilhelm probably wanted to directly confirm my thoughts through this loyal subject.’

Mason was lost in thought for a moment, but soon put on a bright expression.

“But it’s the same as at the last military parade. I can feel the truth from Count-nim’s upright demeanor, just like now. And the fact that Count-nim is working hard on studies and training at Pantheon after the start of the semester. I have already received a report about that.”

The unprecedented ordination of a sacred priest of Zedin. And the placement of the golden wings, and the subsequent activities. The fact that I recently ranked first in the power evaluation of the golden wings had already been reported to the Frontier Count’s territory.

Mason glanced at Uriel, who was attending the meal.

“This is not flattery or adulation for Count-nim. Frontier Count-nim and I have directly confirmed Uriel-kyung’s report. His Excellency is also proud of Count Yulian-nim.”

A loyal subject and housekeeper of the Frontier Count’s territory. Then, he would have connections with the people of the Imperial Capital in his own way.

If Uriel’s report wasn’t a lie. This meticulous vassal would have already completed the cross-verification.

“It seems that there was no falsehood in that report at all.”

And finally, he directly confirmed my true intentions at this meeting.

“It will be a good opportunity to boast about the formal successor of the Frontier Count’s territory in front of His Majesty and the nobles. Hehe.”

In other words, I was qualified enough to be entrusted with the role of representative of the delegation.

‘He’s a picky person. But it’s worth it to have worked hard at Pantheon all this time.’

It seemed that Mason’s cautious qualification verification was completed. As if to prove that fact. A notification window popped up in the system.

——-

「Living as Reinhardt’s Successor」

* Qualification Verification as Formal Successor

: You have passed the meticulous qualification verification of Viscount Mason, a loyal subject of the Reinhardt family.

* Acquired Reward

+ 50GP / 150MP

——-

Following that, Mason and my conversation moved on to the next topic.

***

Viscount Mason’s expression became more serious than before.

“And Count Yulian-nim. You should have already received a letter through Roberto, the butler of this mansion. About the recent situation in Essenmund and the Eternal Permafrost.”

“I know. It seems that His Excellency is very worried because of that.”

At my words, the eyes of the knights who were attending the meal changed.

Elite knights belonging to the White Night Knights. They didn’t even bring up the story during mealtime.

I said to them.

“And if possible, I would like to hear the facts directly from the members of the White Night Knights.”

“I understand. Count Yulian-nim. I, Roth, will tell you.”

A knight named Roth reported the current state of the war in Essenmund to me once again.

From a month ago, the movements of the Chaotic Gate and the Eternal Permafrost were unusual.

Not only the number of gates forming in that vicinity, but also the grade, had increased. Gates that were gradually being territorialized were also confirmed.

In other words, more demons threatening Essenmund were appearing.

“Our White Night Knights and the Essenmund army are the best in the continent. So far, we have been preventing the demons from rampaging without major damage. However, as the demonic power near the Eternal Permafrost has strengthened… the occurrence of sudden gates forming within Essenmund has also become more frequent. The damage from that is gradually accumulating.”

It certainly meant that Islan was heading towards its end. The only fortunate thing was that the Eternal Permafrost was near the Frontier Count’s territory.

As long as Grand Master Wilhelm Frontier Count and the White Night Knights, and the elite soldiers of Essenmund were there, the north of Islan would remain intact for a while.

‘Since it’s my base. That place must never collapse.’

Of course, in the bad ending of Demon King’s Massacre, Essenmund was not an exception and was destroyed. But I was going to prevent that in the future.

And Uriel’s expression changed seriously after hearing Roth’s words.

Uriel, a member of the White Night Knights and a 5th Circle Aura user. If it wasn’t for the reckless Yulian’s intentions, she would have been out there defeating demons with those knights.

‘Even if I let her use the Royah Hall’s training grounds. I can’t let a member of the White Night Knights play around at an academy.’

So, I told Wilhelm Frontier Count through the last letter. I conveyed my intention that there was no need to attach a bodyguard to me anymore.

“And I heard that Count-nim said that he would send Uriel back to our White Night. His Excellency ordered us to confirm that as well.”

“That’s right, Lord Roth. The White Night Knights are in need of even one Aura user. Wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?”

“That’s right. However, Count Yulian-nim is the formal successor of the Reinhardt family… His Excellency is very worried.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m now skilled enough to protect my own body.”

So, I mentioned that fact directly in the letter. The fact that my level had reached the 3rd Circle. And that I could already use the essence of the Lionheart Sword Style Chapter 1, White Night.

Uriel would have reported that fact together, so there was no need to doubt the truth. But as expected, my grandfather’s overprotection was severe.

“So, we were told to directly confirm that fact as well. Please forgive the rudeness. Can you spare some time after the meal…”

“No. It’s not rude. And I can confirm that much right now. I’ll summon Mana for a moment. Will you confirm it?”

Interest flickered across Roth’s face for a moment. The knight’s orderly gaze, which hadn’t relaxed even after arriving at this mansion.

Roth was no less skilled than the combat instructors of Derren or the Mitter instructors of the Golden Wings.

My heightened senses tell me. Roth was clearly an Aura Expert of the 6th Circle, beyond a 5th Circle Aura user.

“If that is Count-nim’s wish, I understand.”

He bowed politely. I focused all my senses on myself. A torrent of Mana quickly passing through the Mana Road.

Soon, the Mana concentrated in the Mana Heart was refined and created a magnificent 3rd Rotation. I met Roth’s gaze.

Through my inner light and the Mana subtly emitted from my body, Roth confirmed my level.

“Without a doubt… it’s the 3rd Circle. No… is it really the 3rd Circle?”

He said in surprise. The other knights next to Roth, and Uriel, also looked at me in surprise. Roth continued.

“The refined Mana is at a level that cannot be felt in a typical 3rd Circle. The pressure of that Mana alone is comparable to the 4th Circle.”

At Roth’s words, Viscount Mason’s eyes widened.

“I am a commoner who cannot use Mana. But if Lord Roth says that…”

“That’s right, Mason-nim. At this level, he would have been more than capable of using the essence of Chapter 1, White Night.”

“Oh, that’s really welcome news. The Reinhardt family, a family of martial arts. The fact that the only successor of that Reinhardt has improved his skills. It is a blessing for Essenmund as well.”

Since he, an elite knight of White Night and an Aura Expert, had confirmed it. Wilhelm Frontier Count wouldn’t be able to oppose Uriel’s return to her original position. Mason nodded as if he understood.

Roth continued.

“Of course, Uriel-kyung, who is of a similar age, is already a 5th Circle Aura user. But Count Yulian-nim certainly received Mana Promotion this winter. So, it means that it has only been two months since he awakened Mana. Considering that Aura users of White Night like Uriel grabbed wooden swords at the same time as they took their first steps. Frankly, the current growth rate is unbelievable.”

“Indeed… it means that blood cannot be deceived. He is the one who inherited the blood of Wilhelm-jeonha and Agnes-nim.”

“That’s right. His Excellency will definitely be very pleased.”

Mason let out a sigh. Following that, the eyes of Roth and Mason were momentarily filled with awe.

As loyal subjects of Wilhelm, they must have been angry every day watching the reckless successor. But it was different now. What I had done since the possession. It was enough to buy their surprise.

But I couldn’t be satisfied.

‘Even so, I’m still only at the 3rd Circle. I have to be able to use Aura at least before the summer vacation.’

Using Aura.

That was a level that someone with a talent for swords like Uriel could only reach after training from infancy. It meant that it would take nearly 20 years.

But I only had about half a year left. The weight of what I had to do in the future became even more real in front of them.

But I said calmly.

“It’s nothing special. I’m just at a similar level to my second-year classmates. More than that, you must have had a hard time coming all the way here from Essenmund. Shouldn’t you all rest quickly for the remaining day?”

I gave the delegation a break. And I directly checked the ice crystals that the delegation had brought.

I spent the weekend busily like that.

A new week that had changed again. I headed to Cecilia’s workshop from Monday morning.