Ch.7979. Camilla’s Companion

“If you’re a knight, draw your sword. I’ll test if you’re worthy of Camilla.”

Gilbert inwardly sighed as he looked at the head of the Tristitia family who was staring at him with wide eyes. He had no idea how things had gotten so complicated.

The atmosphere had seemed fine when he first visited the Tristitia mansion, but somehow, before he knew it, he found himself facing Count Tristitia in the training grounds.

That wasn’t all.

Looking around, the Count’s three sons were also glaring at Gilbert with fire in their eyes. As if suggesting they would have stepped up if their father hadn’t, they repeatedly gripped and released their sword handles.

The reason was obvious.

Though he claimed not to understand, Gilbert knew exactly why things had turned out this way.

“Go Gilbert! You can do it!”

Camilla’s cheerful voice of encouragement, with her fists clenched, echoed through the silent training grounds.

The pressure emanating from the Count and his three sons intensified. It wasn’t just his imagination that there was a hint of killing intent strong enough to make his hair stand on end.

Gilbert steeled himself at this dire situation.

It was already an inevitable confrontation.

Backing down now would likely result in even worse consequences.

Having decided to give it his all, Gilbert took a deep breath and slowly drew his sword.

“Fighting! Gilbert!”

Gilbert clicked his tongue at Camilla, who continued to add fuel to the fire. Her encouragement was truly not helping in the slightest.

***

This had all started a few hours before Gilbert’s duel with Count Tristitia, precisely when he had just arrived at the Rigidus territory.

Originally, Gilbert had planned to use the warp magic circle immediately upon arriving at Rigidus. Although there was still time before the main scenario would begin, he wanted to prevent any unexpected variables.

After the Academy raid incident in the Resistance part, the invasion of the Sigurdians—commonly known as the “Barbarian Warrior” part—always proceeded after a formal declaration of war.

Though the Empire called them uncivilized barbarians, the Sigurdians were a people who valued honor and combat above all else. As descendants of those once called great heroes, they strictly prohibited any actions that would tarnish their ancestors’ honor.

Even if this world wasn’t game-based but reality, it was still influenced by game systems because of Gilbert. As long as he was the main subject progressing the main scenario, it was clear that the scenario would proceed after their declaration of war.

Since no contact had come from the Lithuania territory yet, Gilbert had judged that there was still time.

But the unexpected variable appeared from an unexpected place. It was Camilla who stopped Gilbert from using the warp magic circle right away. This tomboy lady had forcefully invited Gilbert to the Tristitia mansion, and due to her insistence, Gilbert had no choice but to visit.

“Welcome, young lady. The Count and young masters are waiting for you.”

“Ah! It’s been a while, Delmont!”

As they got out of the carriage that had arrived at the mansion, a white-haired head butler greeted them. Gilbert quickly observed the butler called Delmont as he stepped out of the carriage.

So this aspect is similar to the game after all.

Gilbert inwardly nodded as he observed the head butler who exuded an unusual aura.

Delmont was one of the high-tier companion characters that could be recruited in Tactical Combat when one established a friendly relationship with the Tristitia family.

His name was Delmont Pavlov. A man who had once been saved by Count Tristitia and became his head butler, he was formerly known as “The Incarnation of the Battlefield,” one of the most formidable warriors of his time.

Though past his prime with declining skills, he still possessed a solid physique and experience gained from countless battlefields.

“By the way, who is this person with you…?”

“Gilbert! Gilbert Lion Heart. He’s my close friend!”

“Pardon my rudeness, Sir Gilbert. I am Delmont, the head butler of the Tristitia family.”

Delmont bowed politely. It was unexpected that Gilbert, once known as a scoundrel, had come here, but since Camilla had introduced him as a close friend for the first time, he didn’t show his surprise.

“It’s an honor to meet the one once called ‘The Incarnation of the Battlefield.’ I’ll be in your care for this short visit.”

“As a friend of the young lady, you are an important guest of the Tristitia family. I will serve you to the best of my ability.”

Delmont found it hard to believe that the young knight before him was the notorious scoundrel of the Count’s family. The aura he emanated and his disciplined demeanor were that of the divine knight who had recently caused a stir throughout the Empire.

I must be getting old indeed.

Feeling inwardly pleased at the future of the Empire that was beginning to surpass the level of mere cadets, he guided the two to the reception room.

As if to prove its status as a prominent knight family of the Infractus Empire, the interior of the Tristitia mansion was decorated in a linear and somewhat rigid style. Instead of the usual luxury items, it displayed artifacts once used by knights who had dominated their era, and even the paintings on the walls mostly depicted sword stances like those in fencing manuals.

From what Gilbert remembered, all of these depicted outstanding knights produced by the Tristitia family, making it evident at a glance how exceptional the family was at producing knights.

“Count, I have brought Lady Camilla and her friend.”

“Friend, you say?”

As the reception room door opened, Count Tristitia was visible in the most prominent seat. Though he had risen to the position of Count, the impressive muscles of his arms hidden beneath his clothes suggested he hadn’t neglected his training.

His overall features were sharp and thick, and his three sons sitting nearby resembled him. At first glance, they appeared quite different from the delicate Camilla, but upon closer inspection, there were subtle similarities.

“Excuse my intrusion. I apologize for visiting without prior notice. I am Gilbert Lion Heart.”

“Well, well. Has William’s scoundrel changed so much? I’ve lived long enough to see everything.”

Count Tristitia was as straightforward as he looked. Being close friends with Gilbert’s father, the Count of Lithuania, he looked at Gilbert with interested eyes.

It was unexpected even for him that the son of his friend, who had been causing headaches until recently, had come to visit. Moreover, the aura emanating from the one once called a scoundrel was surprisingly composed and serene, which was astonishing.

Having seen Gilbert in the Lithuania territory a few years ago, Count Tristitia couldn’t help but be surprised by how completely different he seemed now.

He had wondered what tricks Gilbert had used to be granted knighthood, but it seemed that in his absence, a dog had transformed into a tiger.

“It’s been a while. Five years, was it? You’re quite different from back then.”

What kind of setting is this now?

Gilbert broke into a cold sweat at the Count’s words, which suggested he had met Gilbert before. He had merely inserted the Golden Sun custom character, but it seemed some strange setting had been attached to this side as well.

Thinking about it, it made sense that Count Tristitia, being close friends with the Count of Lithuania, had seen Gilbert before. However, hearing it so suddenly was enough to make even Gilbert flustered.

“You flatter me.”

“To think I’d live to see that insolent boy showing manners. I truly didn’t expect this. Forgive my late introduction. These are my sons.”

The Count laughed heartily and introduced his three sons to Gilbert one by one. Though their sharp gazes were concerning, Gilbert pretended not to notice for now.

“Dad! Aren’t you paying too little attention to me when I’ve just arrived?”

“Oh my! My daughter! Come into your father’s arms!”

The atmosphere of Count Tristitia, who had been jovial yet dignified until just now, became incredibly frivolous. Gilbert knew he was an extreme daughter-doting father, but seeing him flip like a pancake was still hard to get used to.

However, Gilbert was tactful enough not to show it. It was obvious that if he were to point it out here, he would get involved in troublesome matters.

“Dad… I’m not a child anymore.”

“Camilla?”

Count Tristitia, who had been waiting with open arms for Camilla to embrace him, was taken aback by her aloof attitude. His daughter, who had hugged him without hesitation before going to the Academy, had suddenly changed.

Clearing his throat to hide his agitation, the Count looked at his precious daughter.

“Ahem. Yes, your father was being silly in front of a guest.”

“By the way, Dad. I’m going to Lithuania with Gilbert.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said I’m going to Lithuania with Gilbert!”

Looking at Camilla, who spoke with a bright smile, Count Tristitia closed his eyes. He had always known such a day would come, but he had never once thought it would be now.

He should have noticed when Camilla, who had never invited a friend before, brought a man as a guest.

Count Tristitia glared at Gilbert with sharp eyes.

He had thought the scoundrel had reformed, but the reality was different. He never dreamed that he would come back as an even worse rogue.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, suddenly receiving intense gazes from the four men, was bewildered by the sudden change in the situation. He had wondered why the Count’s three sons were glaring at him, and now he understood the reason.

The three sons, who adored their younger sister terribly, were apparently wary of the man their youngest sibling had brought home. The problem was that Camilla’s recent statement had lit the fuse.

Even Count Tristitia, who had been pleased to see his friend’s son grow up, now looked at Gilbert as if he were a rogue trying to steal his precious daughter.

Gilbert’s eyes met with the main culprit who had created this situation. Camilla, interpreting Gilbert’s gaze in her own way, made a V-sign with her hand and grinned broadly, as if to say “Well done!”

This gesture seemed to cause further misunderstanding, as the intense gazes began to mix with killing intent. Sensing that the situation was deteriorating beyond control, Gilbert quickly tried to open his mouth to salvage the situation, but Count Tristitia was faster.

“We need to discuss this situation in detail.”

Is he really planning to have a conversation?

Gilbert couldn’t help but sigh at the intense pressure emanating from the Count.

Somehow, whenever he got involved with Camilla, things never seemed to go smoothly.