Ch.173173. Brother, Let’s Go for a Walk Together.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes, the food was delicious.”

After finishing the meal, I had a private audience with Baron Byron.

As I sat there awkwardly, I heard a hearty laugh near my ear.

“Haha, I held back during dinner, but that monster wave incident was truly remarkable.”

“…I apologize for not reporting properly.”

“Pedericks told me everything. Restoring the territory comes first. But how did you come to build those defense formations?”

“Isn’t the Forest of Death itself extremely dangerous?”

“Indeed, that’s why Lake Territory has so few residents.”

“I built the defense formations with the profits from the Pale Fruit. Safety is the top priority when managing a territory.”

Baron Byron’s expression became quite intrigued.

When I first met him, his face would turn red and blue as if about to explode, but now he seems… gentle?

I can barely even remember my first impression of him now.

“His Imperial Majesty personally sent me a letter.”

“T-The Emperor?”

“Naturally, he’s curious about how you stopped the monster wave. I replied that I would send word once Lake Territory is fully restored, so don’t worry.”

“But I don’t have much to say besides the defense formations…”

“Even just learning how you built those formations would increase our chances of stopping monster waves that could strike any territory at any time.”

Is that really so?

The Imperial family might prepare for monster waves, but would other territories prepare for such unlikely disasters?

It’s difficult without the certainty I had.

You need substantial manpower and money to make it possible.

Besides.

Even if both conditions are met, few nobles would pour resources and money into defense formations.

Of course, I can’t speak for nobles who are overly sensitive about security.

“I’m not sure if other nobles would follow suit even if I explained the defense formations to His Imperial Majesty.”

“Whatever decisions they make, they’ll bear the consequences themselves. You needn’t worry about it.”

“I understand. Once this matter is concluded, I’ll return to Lake Territory and prepare for a visit to the Imperial Palace.”

Baron Byron continued with a still-burdensome gaze.

“By the way, you’re having your coming-of-age ceremony in Lake Territory rather than Alphonse Territory?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Any particular reason?”

In truth, I have no intention of returning to Alphonse Territory, so I’m trying to buy time by holding the ceremony in Lake Territory.

However, I can’t tell him the truth.

I quickly racked my brain for an answer to Baron Byron’s question.

“If Alphonse Territory is where I was born, then Lake Territory is where I was reborn, in my opinion.”

“So you want to hold your ceremony there?”

“Additionally, while the knights and mercenaries showed great spirit in stopping the monster wave, the villagers also helped tremendously when building the defense formations. I want to celebrate with them watching.”

After my lengthy speech, Baron Byron nodded as if he found my reasoning sound.

“Yes, holding the ceremony there isn’t a bad idea.”

“Thank you for your permission.”

“But once you come of age, don’t you have any woman you fancy yet?”

“…Actually, I visited Alphonse Territory because of that. Sister Miria should be the priority.”

“If the family had followed tradition, Leonard wouldn’t have been married first.”

“Wasn’t Brother Leonard a special case?”

Baron Byron’s eyebrows twitched, perhaps recalling the incident between Leonard and Seri Familia.

“Yes, come to think of it, Leonard was a special case.”

“It seems Pedericks the butler has made good preparations this time, so I think you can trust him.”

“It would be wonderful if things go well. The candidate families he selected are quite decent.”

I smiled faintly at the mention of Miria Alphonse’s potential husband candidates.

“The husband candidates will arrive at Alphonse Territory tomorrow. But Pedericks mentioned that you and Mother won’t be attending?”

“We can’t put unnecessary pressure on Miria Alphonse.”

He puts subtle pressure on me even before my coming-of-age ceremony begins, but is Baron Byron also a “daughter-fool”?

Even though he might think of her as a troublemaker in the family, she’s still his daughter?

No wonder he sent Miria Alphonse to Lake Territory without complaint when she asked…

There’s someone even worse than me right here.

“Then I’ll judge whether they’re good men or scoundrels in your stead.”

“Haha, yes. As a former scoundrel yourself, you should have a keen eye for such men.”

“…Father.”

“It’s okay to be ashamed of your past. It’s proof that your present is honorable.”

“I’ll take those wise words to heart…”

As I raised my reddened face, Baron Byron adjusted his posture, perhaps wanting to change the subject.

“By the way, what happened to Leonard in Lake Territory?”

“Brother Leonard?”

“Yes. He seems to have changed a lot after visiting Lake Territory.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. As I wrote in my letter, Brother Leonard helped me restore Lake Territory.”

Baron Byron continued with a suspicious look.

“I’ve heard that Leonard has been disciplining the knights since returning from Lake Territory.”

“Disciplining the knights… I still don’t understand what you mean.”

“He’s been selecting skilled knights and challenging them to duels.”

This crazy fool…

He should be hiding his skills for the future, but he’s going around having duels?

No wonder he looked guilty during dinner earlier.

I need to properly release the Thousand Origin energy on him again, even if I have to clear my schedule for it.

Though flustered, I managed to hide my expression and scratched my head.

“Haha! The knights in Lake Territory are very disciplined, so perhaps he learned something from them.”

“I think there’s a clear difference between learning something and improving one’s skills.”

“Regarding improved skills, I wouldn’t know. I’m not skilled enough to teach anyone.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

I dealt with Jason Alphonse and his cronies, but Baron Byron hasn’t accurately gauged my abilities.

Of course, the same goes for Evander Alphonse.

In particular, there was a definite reason for hiding my abilities from Evander Alphonse, even if not from Baron Byron.

When facing an enemy, nothing is more frightening than not knowing their true capabilities.

That’s why I never showed off…

I thought Leonard would understand this basic concept without me having to tell him…

I was a fool to trust an idiot.

I gritted my teeth.

“Didn’t Brother Leonard always have more talent for swordsmanship than me?”

“Well, he did when you were young.”

“Plus, now that he’s competing with Brother Evander for succession rights, he must be training diligently in swordsmanship that he had neglected.”

Baron Byron’s gaze remained suspicious.

However, he clicked his tongue, perhaps having nothing more to probe.

“Anyway, you’re still not interested in becoming the family head?”

How many times is he going to ask this…

Why does he ask if I’m interested in becoming the family head every time we meet?

Though irritation welled up in my chest, I casually raised the corners of my mouth.

“I still have no interest in becoming the family head, and I never will.”

“Very well. I’ve said all I needed to say, so you may go.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

I bowed respectfully to Baron Byron and left the reception room.

And immediately headed straight for Leonard’s study.

“Brother, let’s go for a walk.”

I knocked and opened the door with a brazen smile, causing Leonard to flinch.

“Oh, I’m not feeling well today.”

“Fresh air is good for your health, especially at times like this.”

“Even so, right now is a bit…”

“Then shall I release the Thousand Origin energy here in your study?”

Leonard jumped to his feet, apparently dreading the embarrassment of being beaten here.

Then, with slumped shoulders, he followed me out.

“Where are we going?”

“Let’s go to the forest where there are fewer eyes. Oh, and you should bring a few wooden swords.”

“…Fine.”

Upon reaching the forest, Leonard threw three or four wooden swords on the ground and knelt.

“I don’t know what misunderstanding there is, but I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Has your skill improved greatly? Judging by how you’ve been showing off to the knights?”

“This is unfair! I tried to go easy on them, but the knights just kept collapsing!”

“Oh? You must have improved a lot. Then let’s have a duel, it’s been a while.”

“Would you listen to me?!”

I silently picked up a wooden sword that Leonard had thrown on the ground.

“If you don’t pick up a sword, you’ll just get beaten one-sidedly.”

“Haaa…”

Knowing he’d get hit less if he fought back, Leonard squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again.

Then he grabbed a wooden sword from the ground and narrowed his brows.

“…Don’t underestimate me, I’ve improved too, you bastard!!”

Leonard Alphonse charged at me without hesitation.

Sure enough, his screams echoed through the forest just moments later.