Back Home Safe and Sound
The party had begun.
The victory celebration unfolded in a lively, uproarious atmosphere. Whole pigs and cows were roasted to perfection, and piles of troll meat—considered a rare delicacy—towered high. Barrels of northern honey wine, a regional specialty, were carted in, ensuring everyone got their fair share.
"Meat! Wow, this is incredible!"
"Right? Northern troll meat is tender and juicy, bursting with flavor. And no matter how long you cook it, it never gets tough."
"Ooh…."
Steak that stayed eternally fresh and at medium-rare. This was truly legendary meat.
Lawrence dunked a massive chunk into special sauce and tore into it heartily. Juices exploded in his mouth, accompanied by a rich, savory aroma. To savor a steak like this—something even Earth couldn't offer—in the harsh northern wilds? It almost made all his past hardships worthwhile.
"Mmm! Perfect!"
"You'll get fat if you just eat meat, you know?"
"Nah, growing boys need to eat big. It'll all turn to muscle anyway."
"R-Really?"
Loria shot him a mild scolding, but her eyes lit up at the mention of height. Objectively, she wasn't short, but sandwiched between Leila and Lawrence, she looked like the baby of the group. Sensing her subtle concern, Lawrence tore off more meat for his sister.
"Eat up and grow tall~."
"I'm the big sister here!"
"Hey, having fun without me? Loria! Cheers!"
Leila suddenly swooped in, offering Loria some honey wine. Lawrence snatched the cup mid-handover.
"Whoa there, we're still minors. We'd get censored."
"Oh? Really? But a little shouldn't hurt, right?"
"Nope. Here, drink something else instead."
"Sweet! I'll grab some. Wait here!"
Leila dashed off again, and this time Lake approached. Having returned safely from his mission with the duke, he beamed with pride. Sitting beside Lawrence, he spoke warmly.
"Mind if I drop the formalities? Dad told me. You healed my sister."
"Go ahead. You're a year older than me anyway, Young Lord Lake."
"Thanks. Call me bro, Lawrence."
"Will do. No injuries?"
Lake nodded, then tentatively poked Lawrence's arm. He gasped in admiration. Cursed and bedridden for so long, Lake's face fell into gloom.
"I barely contributed on the mission. Lost too much muscle—couldn't muster any strength. But you? You'd pass for a warrior, not a mage. Impressive."
"Haha, mages like me don't need to study."
"I'd love to train with you. Mind sharing your secrets? How'd you build muscle like that?"
Another muscle fanatic? Lawrence gave a quick rundown. The two dove into a deep chat about muscle-building techniques. Loria watched them fondly, a small smile playing on her lips.
'Good kids.'
They bickered daily, but Lawrence's talents bordered on miraculous. Even the family would have to acknowledge him now. Mana road or no, he'd become a great mage.
"What did the duke say in his evaluation?"
"My old man? Probably sang your praises sky-high."
"Ah, Lady Leila."
"Lady? We're friends now. Ooh, look at that smooth skin. Can I touch?"
Loria nodded dazedly, only for her cheeks to be kneaded like dough. She nearly flung a spell at her giggling brother—a minor hiccup.
As Lawrence and the others reveled, one figure caught his eye.
'Why's that guy looking so glum?'
Freya, captain of the Phoenix Magic Corps, nursed her honey wine alone in a corner by a small campfire, lost in thought. Something was clearly bothering her. Lawrence excused himself and approached.
"What're you doing out here by yourself?"
"Ah, Young Lord."
"Everyone's partying, but you've got a lot on your mind, huh?"
"Indeed. Heading back to the tower soon—what to research next, how to handle you… And…."
Freya hesitated, then confessed her suspicions. It involved Media.
"Lady Media made me an offer, but my memory's fuzzy on it—why I agreed. I've been piecing it together."
"Hm… Honestly, the duchess doesn't think much of me."
Freya nodded silently. Who'd look kindly on a bastard son, even a direct heir? Her resentment would only grow after his successful mission.
"I know she ordered you to eliminate me."
"…."
"Think about it, Captain. Why pull in a neutral party like you?"
"Maybe to cut loose ends."
An easy guess. Freya's eyes trembled faintly. Lawrence offered her a perfectly grilled cut.
"See you at the tower. I'll keep my research promise."
"Thank you."
Her knowledge might aid artifact crafting. Wisdom expanded through exchange, after all. It'd surely benefit him too.
Freya took the meat and sank back into thought. Lawrence left quietly.
Tomorrow, he'd send a messenger bird. Reports would flood in. Things would get interesting back home.
Montemer Family Estate.
Evaluations from the northern houses had finally arrived.
Montemer's was predictably top-tier. As a magical powerhouse, their letters detailed contributions large and small.
Edward reviewed them all, awaiting the final bird.
Flap-flap-.
Drawn by mana, the messenger swooped in. The scroll unfurled into Edward's hand.
'Wonder what Lancel thought of my son and daughter.'
He read slowly. Evaluations of Loria and Lawrence, Phoenix Corps, and Alzeras Knights.
Some lines furrowed his brow; others stood out.
'Alzeras betrayed us, and Lawrence swore eternal friendship with the duke's house….'
Edward's lips curved faintly. He'd waited long. Great changes loomed.
'Anis, your wish is finally coming true.'
As the guardian's curse crushed fate and life, the time to right the twists had come.
Whoosh-.
The letter burned to ash in blue mana flames. Edward eyed the drifting clouds, gauging time.
Prepare faster? The future sharpened into focus. Less time than expected.
He awaited his children. More trials awaited them.
'Keep growing without end.'
His gaze stretched endlessly beyond the horizon.
Days passed.
Today was glorious: the northern expedition's return. Arrival times varied by distance, but tradition gathered all at Montemer.
Early birds rested; stragglers hurried.
The longest route? Lawrence's group to Gaudie.
Media soothed the early arrivals, anxiously awaiting.
"Think he's dead?"
"Even if not, did he pull it off?"
"Don't get ahead of yourselves."
"Yes, Mother."
Foolish hopes for Lawrence's failure. Media hushed them, eyes fixed on the Grand Training Ground entrance.
Would her wishes come true? She gripped her skirt, enduring the tedium.
"The Gaudie expedition has returned from the subjugation!"
They'd arrived. Breath held.
A flag emerged: Montemer and Gaudie emblems fluttering proudly.
Held by an eleven-year-old with crimson eyes. Lawrence Montemer.
Adorned in the duke's furred cloak—northern symbol—and their banner.
"Th-That's…?!"
"No way-!"
House leaders, gathered for results, gaped. What had that kid brought back?!
Confident smile, slightly taller frame. But the duke's cloak and Gaudie banner? Shocking.
"That's definitely the duke's cloak, right?"
"Yes. The mana aura, the glossy fur shining silver-black. His signature."
"How in the world…."
Media recoiled most. Hands shaking, pupils dilating.
Why… that trash?!
"What the hell did he do…?!"
Lawrence and company stood tall under stares. No Alzeras Knights, but who cared?
His clear voice rang out.
"Lawrence Montemer and subordinate mages, alongside Loria Montemer, have completed the subjugation and returned safely."
"Well done."
Rumble-.
Edward's mana-laced voice boomed like fireworks. Faces soured, but Lawrence grinned.
Then, a challenge.
"But where's the Alzeras Knight Order?"
"True. Without them, it's not a full return."
"They didn't abandon the knights, did they?"
Grasping at straws. Lawrence glanced at Edward wordlessly.
No need to drag it; the patriarch would declare.
Urged by his bold eyes, Edward rose, voice thundering.
Rumble-.
The air vibrated anew.
"Hear this."
"…."
"Alzeras Knights and Captain Damian contracted with a warlock to become Death Knights. Lawrence, Loria, and Phoenix Corps aided the duke in stopping them."
"Impossible…!"
"The duke stakes his heart and mana on this testimony. Doubters, go ask Lancel himself."
No rebuttals possible. Lawrence felt paternal pride for the first time.
Media's face twisted beyond recognition.
"Welcome back safe and healthy."
Lawrence's smile shone brighter than ever.