Editor : Amethyst00



Students attending the Great Families Assembly began to gather one by one at the Lumeria City warp gate.

Students from the western part of the continent had all gathered in one place.

"Celia, aren't you stopping by Zerdinger?"

A fifth-year student from the Lordren Empire asked with a puzzled look.

"No. I plan to go directly to the Lewellin estate."

Celia, dressed in her white uniform, nodded her head.

This time, the Great Families Assembly was being held in the Lordren Empire.

And the one leading the conference was the Lewellin family.

Although Zerdinger and Lewellin were bitter rivals, both families were founding noble houses of Lordren.

Since their very existence was intertwined with Lordren from the beginning, it was only natural that Zerdinger would assist in the name of the Empire, even if the conference was held in Lewellin territory.

Hearing the two converse, Shasha covered her mouth with her white glove and smacked her lips.

"It's times like these that being the Crown Princess is frustrating."

Shasha was the next Empress of Lordren.

As royalty, the Lordren imperial family did not attend the Great Families Assembly.

It was also part of a system to maintain balance within human society.

Some noble houses were loyal to their own nations.

Typical examples were Zerdinger and Lewellin.

However, their relationship was slightly different from a normal master-servant bond.

While Lordren was ruled by the imperial family, the pillars supporting the empire were Zerdinger and Lewellin.

Though technically a subordinate relationship, it was, in some ways, horizontal.

On the other hand, there were families like Hergin that were not affiliated with any country.

They maintained their own independent power but never ascended to royalty.

Some noble houses had absolute loyalty to the royal authority they had sworn fealty to, while others opposed or even threatened the monarchy.

Heroes were transcendental beings with immense power, more than just leaders of the world.

Each one of them had the military power to start a war by themselves, and their very presence influenced the masses—naturally, their ideals diverged.

Thus, hero noble houses with great power also played a role in keeping the royalty and aristocracy in check when they overstepped.

Conversely, when heroes went out of control, the royal families restrained them.

They cooperated when needed and clashed at times.

That was why the Great Families Assembly needed to maintain its independence and why those who had ascended the throne were barred from participating.

Since it was a gathering of powerful figures from across the world, Shasha was understandably disappointed not to attend for the sake of expanding her worldview.

As she came to see them off, Shasha suddenly wore a puzzled expression.

"By the way, where's Senior Leo?"

At those words, Celia crossed her arms.

"He said he was busy and didn't come."

Leo was officially a king.

Therefore, he had no ties to the noble houses.

Hearing Celia's words, Chelsea glanced around furtively.

'He said he'd attend… Maybe not officially?'

Chelsea was concerned, knowing Leo had become the center of controversy at this Great Families Assembly.

With Shasha's send-off, the students from Lordren's noble families stepped onto the warp gate.

Lastly, Chelsea, Celia, Abad, and fifth-year Niel headed to the warp gate leading to the Lewellin estate.

bl

FLASH—

As the warp gate's light faded, a middle-aged woman wearing a cloak adorned with Lewellin's mage emblem appeared.

Behind her stood rows of mages belonging to the Lewellin family.

"Young Master, Miss—welcome back."

Abad gave a gentle smile as he looked at the mage politely greeting them.

"Lady Narien personally came to greet us? That's a surprise."

"A surprise? I'm offended! Of course, I must greet Young Master and Miss Chelsea personally, especially after such great achievements and your return to the family!"

When Chelsea earned the title "Wind Bird" and ascended to the status of hero, the Lewellin family was thrown into a frenzy.

Though Chelsea and Abad had been away at school, the Lewellin family had held a week-long celebration party with all the empire's key figures invited.

Another formal celebration would no doubt be held during the upcoming winter break.

"Ah, I still remember the days when Miss Chelsea was just a little girl… And now she's all grown up and a hero. I, Narien, am so moved I could cry… Hrk!"

As Narien turned her head and covered her mouth in emotion, Chelsea replied,

"I was just lucky, that's all."

"Lucky?! How could you possibly say such a thing about becoming a hero?!"

Seeing Narien's wide eyes, Chelsea just shook her head.

"Young Master Abad must also ascend to hero status soon. Otherwise, how will you stand next to Miss Chelsea?"

"Haha, it's not something that happens just because you want it."

Abad shrugged slightly.

After greetings were exchanged, Narien turned to Celia.

"Miss Celia Zerdinger. Welcome to Lewellin."

"Thank you for the hospitality, Lady Narien."

Celia returned the respectful bow with equal courtesy.

"I'd escort you myself, but knights from Zerdinger should be arriving soon to accompany you."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Narien's attitude toward Celia was impeccable.

Although, as a vassal of Lewellin, she might personally dislike Zerdinger, the two families were of equal rank. A vassal couldn't treat a direct daughter of a higher family carelessly.

However…

Narien's gaze toward Niel, standing behind Celia and bowing respectfully, was much colder.

Narien's sharp glare made Niel sweat nervously.

"Celia, Niel-sunbae, see you later."

"Bye."

Abad and Chelsea bid farewell and were escorted by Narien and Lewellin mages toward the family mansion.

As they disappeared from sight, Niel whimpered.

"Ahhh! What should I do, Lady Celia?"

"…Indeed. What should we do, Niel-unnie?"

"Who was that? She looked like she was going to kill Niel-sunbae."

"You're also from Zerdinger, so you should at least know major figures in Lordren. That's Narien Lugia—head of the Lugia family and Marcel-sunbae's mother."

"Ah, so she's Niel-sunbae's future mother-in-law."

"Lord Leo, please don't tease."

"Yeah. Niel-sunbae is seriously worried."

Niel glared bitterly, and Celia rolled her eyes.

"Wait—how long have you been there?!"

"Since earlier."

Leo responded with a smile, unfazed by Celia's outburst.

Niel's mouth opened and closed in shock.

Then, instinctively placing her hand on her sword, she quickly yanked it away, startled by her own reflex.

"Why are you here?"

Celia asked in a flustered voice. Leo shrugged.

"To attend the Great Families Assembly."

"What?"

"There are many factions opposed to me—I want to see who says what, with my own eyes."

He had no desire to claim a throne.

Nor to rule over others.

But Leo had no intention of abandoning his duty as a king.

He learned leadership from Lysinas.

To Leo, the greatest leader of all time was undeniably Lysinas.

'Lysinas would've acted like this. And I might be able to identify the traitors.'

Even noble families that produced heroes weren't all upright.

There were traitors among heroes too.

This was a good opportunity to sniff them out.

Celia replied with an exasperated voice.

"No. You can't attend."

Though acknowledged as a direct Zerdinger, Leo was officially the king of the newly formed Kingdom of Arhi.

He didn't meet the criteria to participate in the Great Families Assembly.

"If that's the issue, I have an idea."

"What weird scheme are you plotting again?"

Celia narrowed her eyes.

Leo just smiled.

"Don't smile like that."

"Why not?"

"You look like a demon lord."

Celia frowned, and Leo touched his face.

"I was just smiling. Do I really look evil?"

"Yes. You look evil."

Niel sighed heavily.

Leo clicked his tongue.

'I was just smiling, though.'

bl

Selde, the head of the Zerdinger family, sat in the guest house office lent by the Lewellin family, reviewing reports. When he heard his daughter had arrived, his face lit up with joy.

Moments later…

The door opened, and Celia walked in. Selde tilted his head.

"Leo? You came too?"

"Father. He says he's attending the Great Families Assembly."

Celia sighed deeply.

Selde gave a dry chuckle.

"How will you attend? You don't meet the criteria."

"I was thinking I'd go as Celia's attendant, keeping my identity hidden."

"What?!"

"Even so… if it gets out that you attended in disguise…"

"Father, wait. Are you seriously going to be my attendant?"

"I was thinking about it."

"Do it! You have to! No, actually—start serving me from today so no one gets suspicious!"

Celia's eyes sparkled as she gripped Leo's hand.

Leo looked baffled.

"You're still holding a grudge about when you served as my maid?"

"You think I'd forget such humiliation?!"

Celia glared.

Leo shook his head.

"Well then, Leo, would you kindly make us some tea?"

Celia brushed her hair back. Leo chuckled but complied.

"Hm. Still, hiding your identity…"

"Don't worry, Father. No one will find out."

Celia beamed with joy.

Excited that Leo would be serving her, she hummed a tune.

'Just thinking about Leo calling me "milady" makes me feel great.'

As she giggled, Selde smiled too, then turned serious and looked at some documents.

"By the way, you must be busy preparing for the Great Families Assembly."

"Not really. It's hosted by Lewellin, so I don't have much to do."

"You say that, but you're reviewing papers so seriously… Did something happen?"

"This?"

Selde relaxed his serious expression and smiled faintly.

Just then, Leo entered with a tea trolley.

He poured the tea and set it on Selde's desk.

"Being served tea by the King of Arhi—I don't know how to feel about that."

"Just think of it as your nephew serving tea to his uncle."

"Haha, alright."

Celia sipped her tea, half-lidded.

"Tastes a little bitter."

Leo gave her a blank stare.

Celia smiled and sipped again.

"Celia, would you take a look at this?"

Selde said.

Celia looked puzzled.

"Your potential marriage candidates."

Pfft! Cough, cough!

She spat out her tea.

"What's wrong?"

Cough, cough, hack!

As Celia choked, Leo smiled.

"Pardon me, Uncle, but Milady…"

STOMP—

Celia stomped Leo's foot where her father couldn't see.

"I-I was just surprised by the sudden topic!"

"Well, it is a bit sudden. But isn't it time you considered your partner?"

"Y-yes, I suppose."

"Anyway, take a look. I picked only the most promising ones."

"F-fine. I'll have a look."

Celia took the documents.

"Father, something came up. I'm going somewhere with Leo."

She then dragged Leo out.

"Milady, shall I fetch Abad?"

"You…"

"Hmm?"

"If you mention anything about me and Abad being engaged before I do, we're both dead. Got it?"

"…"

"Why aren't you answering?"

"I mean, I get that you're shocked, but maybe… you should be a bit more cautious?"

"What?"

Leo pointed behind her. Celia turned around—and her face froze. There stood a beautiful girl with black hair and red eyes, covering her mouth in shock.

She was none other than their cousin—Amira, daughter of Uncle Zeiss.

"A-Amira…"

"Oh my! Sister Celia, you're dating Abad?"

"No. We're not dating…"

"I must tell Father—no, Uncle—immediately…!"

Celia dashed to Amira and clamped her hand over her mouth. As Amira struggled, Celia said,

"L-let's go to my room first."

"We haven't even been assigned rooms yet."

"Then anywhere's fine!"