Introduction
Introduction
The guests invited to the summit weren't limited to Lee Ha-yul and his party.
There were branch-family members from each house, representatives of factions that cooperated on a clan level, and superhumans who'd formed personal ties.
Though they hadn't been present on the first day when the critical agenda items were discussed, they'd claimed their own places from the second day on.
And so, on the summit's final day...
The conversations filling the banquet hall were, naturally, all about the summit.
"Has the Association President's proxy not arrived yet?"
"Looks like he's planning to make an entrance at the very end. That makes sense, given his position. If he came in early, he'd just be pestered for no reason."
More precisely, they were about the person who'd convened this summit—Lee Ha-yul.
A man who'd been watching the entrance rubbed the corners of his eyes.
"My eyes are still burning. Days have passed, and I still can't quite believe it."
"I'm the same. But if that's how things are, what can we do?"
"It's just... unbelievable."
The friendly sparring on the first day.
Those sitting in the VIP seats at that time had been left speechless.
Because of the miracle Lee Ha-yul had demonstrated.
A summit hosted by the Three Great Families. And in that very place, he'd unfurled all three of their unique abilities.
If you only heard about it, you'd scoff and dismiss it. If it were printed in some article, you'd click your tongue and call it utter nonsense.
Rumors had left them half-doubting, but once you witnessed it right in front of your eyes, there was no room left for denial.
"There'll be big changes."
"Isn't that something anyone could say? The important thing is figuring out how those changes will play out."
"And if you can't ride the wave, you'll be swept aside."
Lee Ha-yul was an anomaly.
His growth rate and skill were already shocking, but beyond that, the unique abilities of the Three Great Families now resided in a single body.
Just as Baek Wol-seon had, the other parties were already thinking about the generations to come.
"Even managing to say a single word and leave an impression would be a success."
"Hmm, depending on what kind of impression it is, it might end up being a negative one."
"Don't go jinxing things."
No one bothered to hide their intentions.
Setting aside the Three Great Families who'd orchestrated the summit, everyone else attending through their connections was hoping to exchange even a brief word with Lee Ha-yul.
- Creeeak...
That was why every gaze in the hall snapped toward the entrance at once.
A figure stepped through the doors as they slowly parted to either side.
From head to toe, pure white—it was Lee Ha-yul.
"......"
The noise in the banquet hall subsided. Despite their hopes of leaving an impression, no one could easily move to act.
It was because of the overwhelming intensity he exuded.
An otherworldly appearance that made people of all ages, men and women alike, lose themselves in a daze without realizing it.
And behind that delicate, beautiful impression, the tightly accumulated skill he'd built up wafted out faintly, like an aura.
Those with dull qi sense swallowed hard for the first reason. Those with developed qi sense did so for the second.
"...Huh?"
A man who'd been struck silent by both reasons suddenly blinked.
"Why, what's the mat—"
The close superhuman friend beside him tilted his head at the man's reaction, then blinked in the exact same way.
- Step... step...
Light footsteps echoed through the banquet hall.
Not just one person, but several—as expected of Lee Ha-yul's party.
But there was an unfamiliar figure. A woman was sticking right beside Lee Ha-yul.
She was just slightly taller than him. Her snow-white hair was tied in a half-up style, and her clothing was a white, graceful garment with loose, flowing sleeves.
Her pure white eyes, shimmering with five colors, blinked.
In a world where innate talents existed, her distinct coloring and appearance fit right in.
Except, she resembled Lee Ha-yul beside her.
The man tilted his head again.
Her hair, her clothes, her impression, her face... their features were similar.
The winged garment draped behind Lee Ha-yul like a cloak rustled softly. As if it were a signal, mana extended from behind the woman's back.
- Whooosh...!
From the middle of the banquet hall, which had been bathed in warm light, a five-colored radiance spilled forth.
The light that had stretched out in all directions soon coalesced into a shape.
A pair of wings unfurled behind the woman's back. At the sight of that blatant innate talent rippling with its characteristic colors, the man's jaw dropped.
"...A fairy?"
As the mouths of those who hadn't known the situation fell open...
The fairy, Lee Seo-yul, squared her shoulders confidently and clung tightly to Lee Ha-yul.
"Papa."
At that single word, even the faint music that had been playing cut off abruptly for a moment.
* * *
Lee Seo-yul's true identity couldn't stay hidden forever.
Even if it were possible, I didn't want to hide it.
'Seo-yul isn't a child to be ashamed of.'
Her birth had been sudden, but she was now a fully accepted member of the family.
I wasn't happy about the situation where the child had to be subjected to perception-obstruction magic, practically forced on her, every time she went outside.
Besides, hadn't the situation changed from the past?
Even if the fact that Seo-yul was a fairy came to light, the Lee Ha-yul of today could rip out every last root of any petty nonsense aimed at her.
'So if I'm going to reveal it anyway, it's better to do it properly and let her be seen.'
Feeling the gazes landing on him, Lee Ha-yul turned his head to the side.
Seo-yul was blinking and looking around at her surroundings.
It was her first time at such an event, but she didn't seem nervous at all.
She looked so utterly adorable.
Lee Ha-yul didn't hold back the smile that rose naturally and beamed warmly.
Whether or not that smile drew even more stolen glances, he carefully activated the Confession Necklace.
[Terramor, can I ask you to look after Seo-yul during the banquet?]
- I shall assist the princess with my utmost effort.
Terramor, who'd been following behind Lee Seo-yul, bowed his head.
[And if something happens... please make good use of the shield and troops I gave you.]
- ...Yes, understood.
At the mention of 'shield,' Terramor's face grew slightly bitter, but he nodded in agreement.
Preferences aside, he'd already confirmed that the undead in question were not just useful—they possessed a shocking level of performance.
'If possible, I'd rather not borrow the power of undead, but...'
Things in the world rarely go as you wish. If his strength was lacking, using the hand of the undead was the correct choice.
[Thank you for understanding.]
Transmitting that thought, Lee Ha-yul expressed his gratitude once more.
Then, as he turned his head forward again, Seo-yul gently waved their intertwined hand.
"Papa, aren't you hungry?"
[Are you hungry, Seo-yul? Shall we have a light snack before we go greet people?]
When Lee Ha-yul asked back, Seo-yul slowly shook her head.
"No, I'm fine. I was just asking because I wondered how you were, Papa."
[Thank you for thinking of me.]
[Your daughter's consideration makes me so happy.]
[Papa is fine too.]
"......."
Lee Ha-yul, delighted by Seo-yul's consideration, smiled in a warm atmosphere.
But Lee Seo-yul narrowed her eyes slightly, then pressed her nose to Lee Ha-yul's neck.
[Seo-yul?]
"Sniff sniff..."
As he tilted his head at the ticklish sensation on his neck, Seo-yul's expression turned slightly sulky.
"You smell like milk."
[Ah... do I?]
"And Ellia's scent is really strong too."
[Is... is that so... Hmm. Then, shall we do our greetings first, and then eat at our leisure?]
Lee Ha-yul, who'd been rolling his innocent-looking eyes around, feigned ignorance and took Lee Seo-yul's hand.
Lee Seo-yul, who'd been pouting her lips, obediently followed his hand.
.
.
.
Holding Lee Seo-yul's hand, I went around to several places to offer greetings.
The first stop was the Calamity Flame family.
"My daughter shows up out of nowhere introducing some child as her granddaughter... Goodness, how startled I was."
[Ahaha...]
The greetings weren't difficult. That's because during last year's second-semester break, Hong Yeon-hwa had taken Lee Seo-yul and paid them a visit.
"Is it because she's a fairy? She's grown so much already."
Choi Ji-yeon shook her head while remarking on Hong Yeon-hwa's eccentric behavior, but she still welcomed Lee Seo-yul kindly.
Seo-yul, who'd been looking around wide-eyed, smiled brightly and bowed her head gracefully.
"I'm happy to see you again, ma'am."
"...I'm glad she takes after her son-in-law in this regard."
"What's that supposed to mean."
"I wonder..."
Hong Yeon-hwa pouted her lips, while Choi Ji-yeon gave her a sidelong glance.
At the heartwarming sight between them, Lee Ha-yul smiled awkwardly, then glanced to the side.
The head of the Calamity Flame family, Hong Jin-seon.
This was his first meeting with Lee Seo-yul.
As Lee Ha-yul tensed slightly, Hong Jin-seon read his reaction and shook his head as if to reassure him.
"I've no intention of quibbling with a decision my daughter's husband put such deep thought into."
Thankfully, Hong Jin-seon also welcomed Lee Seo-yul warmly.
Whether it was the Calamity Flame family's characteristic laissez-faire policy or the clan head's personal disposition, it was a welcome thing either way.
"Ha-yul, you still have other greetings to make, right?"
"Yes, I plan to do a quick round of greetings."
After finishing her bickering with Choi Ji-yeon, Hong Yeon-hwa, wearing a gentle smile, walked over briskly.
Hong Yeon-hwa wrapped her arms softly around Lee Ha-yul's waist. Without resisting, Lee Ha-yul leaned his body into her warm embrace.
Whether Choi Ji-yeon and the other Calamity Flame family members wore awkward expressions or not, Hong Yeon-hwa tidied up Lee Ha-yul's hair.
"I also have to meet with some of the elders and people briefly. If I finish first, I'll wait with the others."
That's how it had been throughout the summit.
Hong Yeon-hwa was the successor to the family, and there were many times at a summit full of key figures when she had to hold her place.
"Yes, understood."
Lee Ha-yul nodded.
Hong Yeon-hwa, with a soft smile, told him to do well and gave him a brief peck on the lips.
At the natural display of affection, Lee Ha-yul smiled bashfully and briskly stepped back out of her arms.
Watching from behind, Choi Ji-yeon wore a slightly bemused expression.
"To think a person could change so much because of one son-in-law..."
So much so that even that Calamity Flame was made meek.
'...Hmm, truly, there's heaven-sent luck like no other.'
Choi Ji-yeon inwardly offered her gratitude for that meeting once again.
.
.
.
The second place we visited was the Taesan family.
"Junior."
As we walked over briskly, Lee Ji-yeon greeted us with a smile.
Beside her, the Chonggwalju Lee Seon-hyeong gave a gracious smile and offered a greeting, and from the rear, Lee Sang-gun, the Pure Life Pillar who was acting as an escort, also bowed his head.
[And where is Clan Head Lee Ji-ah...?]
But the head of the family, Lee Ji-ah, wasn't there.
When I sensed through Observation, Lee Ji-ah was in her personal VIP quarters.
When asked about it, Lee Ji-yeon shrugged.
"The clan head said she was feeling unwell and retired early."
[Is that allowed?]
"Well, the banquet on the final day is voluntary attendance. And besides, in the clan head's absence, I'm here as her proxy, after all."
[Ah, I see.]
While Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin were still successors, Lee Ji-yeon was already the official proxy for the clan head.
A position that formally exercises the clan head's authority in her absence.
So things were fine even with the clan head away.
The burden that placed on Lee Ji-yeon must be considerable, but...
'She seems okay.'
Even after casually observing her condition, I didn't sense any sign that she was seriously struggling.
That was a relief, at least.
Nodding internally, Lee Ha-yul introduced Lee Seo-yul.
"Miss Seo-yul, I haven't had a chance to see your face much since arriving here. Have you been keeping warm and well?"
"Thank you for your concern. It was fine as long as I dressed properly."
Of course, Lee Ji-yeon and Lee Seo-yul were already acquainted.
Though Seo-yul showed a slightly sulky side around others, she got along reasonably well with Lee Ji-yeon.
The one who really needed a proper introduction was the Chonggwalju, Lee Seon-hyeong.
With a clearly surprised expression, Lee Seon-hyeong opened his mouth.
"I never imagined you'd have a daughter, let alone that your daughter would be a fairy."
[Ahaha... various circumstances overlapped, and that's how it turned out...]
As Lee Ha-yul let out an awkward laugh, Lee Seon-hyeong nodded with a benevolent smile.
"So this is how I find out the reason the proxy clan head was searching for information on fairies."
[Yes... there were some things I was curious about regarding my child. So I asked Senior Lee Ji-yeon for help.]
"I understand. Places with as much information on fairies as the Taesan family are rare, after all."
The Taesan Protected Area, which safeguards all sorts of special materials, medicinal ingredients, plants, and monsters, contains sections where fairies reside as well.
"Ahem, so when you come to visit next time, I think I could go into the protected area with you."
[Yes, thank you for agreeing to such a burdensome request.]
"Oh, it's nothing at all..."
Lee Ha-yul smiled brightly and expressed his thanks.
It was a smile so radiant and beautiful that the whole area seemed to warm gently.
Lee Ji-yeon, who had been blankly staring at it, belatedly let out a dry cough and subtly averted her gaze.
"...Mm."
Watching that scene from behind, Lee Seon-hyeong hid a complicated expression.
'The fact that the withdrawn young lady has changed is something I'd welcome with both hands, but...'
The opponent who'd brought about that change, and towards whom she seemed to harbor affection, was far too strong.
And her rivals were just as strong, not losing out to the successor of Taesan.
While inwardly happy about this meeting, Lee Seon-hyeong couldn't help but keep worrying about Lee Ji-yeon.
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.
.
The next place we headed to was the Changhae family.
"Superhuman Lee Ha-yul, might I borrow a moment of your time?"
"I apologize for imposing on you like this again. It won't take long."
[Eep.]
Having just finished introducing Lee Seo-yul, Lee Ha-yul flinched his shoulders.
He'd been summoned again by his father-in-law and mother-in-law.