Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Friend-3
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The atmosphere inside the mansion had grown even more chaotic.
Not only the main house, but even the annexes detached from it were buzzing with urgency and disorder.
[Back then it was like the king dropping by, but now it's on the level of the emperor himself?]
<그럴 수밖에요. 가문에선 진짜 황제나 다름 없을걸요.>
No matter the renowned house—be it House Reinhardt or any other—the arrival of the Family Head was never met with anything less than utmost respect.
This was partly to uphold the family's prestige, but also to remind every member who truly led the house.
[But don't they usually come with their son? Did he head off separately?]
[They probably left together. But coming back...]
"Young Master."
Before Leo could respond, Head Butler Alfred spoke first.
"Will you be returning with the Family Head?"
"Something felt burdensome, so I teleported in!"
[Ah, he really is an idiot.]
At that brazen declaration, even the Sage acknowledged the next Family Head as a fool.
"I see. Then I'll inform the Family Head accordingly."
With that, Alfred turned his gaze to Leo himself.
"Then, Leonardo, shall we go greet the Family Head together?"
"Pardon? Together?"
Typically, when welcoming the Family Head, squires gathered with squires, butlers with butlers, forming orderly lines.
But a mere squire standing beside the Head Butler to greet the Family Head was hardly commonplace.
"Is that alright? If I go with you, Head Butler..."
"It's fine."
Alfred pulled a small letter from his sleeve.
"The Family Head specifically said he wanted to see you himself, Leonardo."
...This felt ominous.
At the mansion's entrance, people lined up in formation. As if to prove the Sage's earlier metaphor apt, the knights stood ready with flags and swords, awaiting their lord.
The order was servants, squires, knights, and then family executives and blood relatives. But now, there was a slight exception to that rule.
[Whoa, you really lucked out lining up there. This is the power of jokes...?]
[Please shut up for a bit. I'm already stressed enough to go mad.]
A young squire standing next to a high-ranking family executive like the Head Butler.
[...Ha... Why did I go blabbing all those jokes back then...]
If he'd just stuck to proper etiquette, half the trouble would have been avoided. But no, he'd gone all out with jokes, and now it was ruining his life.
Even now, the squires and knights were glaring at Leo—that was proof enough.
The reason was obvious: a mere squire daring to stand beside the Head Butler.
[This is the joke killer you chose. Endure it with grit and malice.]
Leo no longer had time to heed the old man's words. The trumpets blared, signaling the Family Head's arrival.
"All present! Attention!!"
At the command, the knights snapped their feet together with disciplined precision.
Shing!
As the Knight Commander drew his sword, the other knights followed in unison. The sight of gleaming blades raised skyward seemed to embody House Reinhardt's prestige and glory.
"It's been a while."
With those words, a man on a splendid white steed led the knights into the mansion's garden. They, too, appeared to have returned from an expedition bearing House Reinhardt's honor and pride, much like the welcoming party.
'Gladio Reinhardt...'
The Family Head and a knight wielding 6th Circle Aura.
One of the kingdom's top ten powerhouses.
"...You've returned quite early this time."
Stepping forward from the center of the receiving knights was a woman.
She was neither a knight nor a warrior.
'Sirica Reinhardt.'
The Family Head's sole wife and the lady of the house.
'Since this is the past, she looks younger, of course.'
She had always taken good care of herself, so there wasn't much disconnect, but seeing her as she was in his previous life stirred strange feelings all the same.
It really drove home that this was the past.
"I heard there were many matters at the house. As Family Head, I couldn't stay away too long."
Dismounting his white steed, Gladio addressed his wife. And at the same time...
[That guy's looking this way?]
He glanced at Leo beside the Head Butler.
[Ha... That damned newspaper...]
The reason he recognized him was undoubtedly that newspaper. With a sketch of his face plastered boldly on it, it would be weirder if he didn't recognize him.
"Alfred, I heard you fainted. How's your health?"
"I'm fine, Family Head. In fact, it's been so long since I laughed that I feel lighter."
"Is that so? It's a pity I didn't witness it myself."
Gladio's gaze slowly shifted to Leonardo.
"Are you that famous joke killer?"
He had to hold it in. Causing a scene here wouldn't land him in an interrogation room—it'd be summary execution.
"...The rumors have been exaggerated, that's how it got that name. But I deny the title. Head Butler Alfred is perfectly fine, after all."
He observed maximum etiquette, smiling gently and beginning a formal greeting.
"Squire Leonardo. It is an honor to meet Family Head Gladio Reinhardt, lord of the house."
Leo bowed at the waist, dipping his head lightly, and delivered the proper words.
"...Oh, traditional etiquette. Did Alfred teach you?"
"No, Family Head."
"Hmm? Then who did?"
"As a mercenary, situations arose where refinement was needed. I drew much from the manners of nobles I encountered back then."
The Sage, tilting his head at the response, asked:
[For real?]
[You think?]
The truth was closer to a lie.
This etiquette was what he'd learned directly from Alfred as a squire in his previous life. Mercenary work left no room for such niceties.
"Hmph... I see. Understood."
This time, his gaze turned to the other relatives.
"It's been a while, Father. I hope you've been well."
The first to greet him was the eldest son, Rios Reinhardt.
"Yes, we set off together just thirty minutes ago, but if it's been a while, then so be it."
But strictly speaking, the problem was that Rios had also returned from the expedition.
"Greetings, Father."
Next was the eldest daughter, Ariasfil Reinhardt. Unlike her brother Rios, her greeting was cool and precise.
"You've grown quite a bit in these four months, Arias. Have you been well in my absence?"
Was it his imagination? Her eyes flicked toward Leonardo for a moment before returning to Gladio as she replied.
"Yes. I was able to have some rather enjoyable training."
Gladio didn't show it, but he regarded his daughter with evident surprise.
"That's unexpected. You always used to say 'average'."
"It really was enjoyable."
After the reunion with his children, greetings among the main house relatives began.
"Did the expedition go well, Family Head?"
Bowing at the knee, Chris Reinhardt greeted her brother.
"It's been a while, Chris. I heard you brought in a fine squire."
Once more, the gazes of House Reinhardt turned to Leo. This was beyond fear—it was sheer pressure.
"More than fine, Family Head. I was going to write a letter, but this works out perfectly. Shall we discuss it slowly over dinner?"
"Good idea."
The Family Head looked around at the relatives.
"Then let's have a light dinner. Everyone, follow me."
At the Family Head's words, the Reinhardt relatives followed in response.
[...Ah, finally, one worry down...]
"Ah, and."
Gladio, turning to leave, reignited Leo's tension.
"I'd like you to join us."
"...Pardon?"
"I've heard many intriguing things have happened since you arrived. Isn't it best to hear directly from the source?"
[...Looks like you're marked.]
He hated to admit it, but the Sage was right this time.
Dishes piled up one after another across the vast, long tablecloth.
Foods neither his current nor past life had easily seen or tasted were arrayed all at once.
The total cost of the meal alone probably matched—or exceeded—the value of the luggage Leo had brought.
[Whoa... They live up to the name. Reinhardt.]
Seated at the table, Leo maintained a soft smile while inwardly swallowing his unease.
[Please keep it down from now on. This feels like a test.]
[A test? What kind?]
[A test of me, the person in question.]
Bringing a mere squire to a family dinner wasn't just for a casual meal—especially not at the Family Head's command.
[So how do I pass?]
[Well, by doing well.]
[That's obvious. Be specific...]
[If there was a formula, they'd hand out a test paper instead.]
It might seem cheeky, but it was the truth. In his previous life, Gladio had vetted people this way.
"Dig in lightly for now. Sorry there's not much prepared."
"Not at all. This is plenty. Any more and the table legs might snap before we eat."
He tossed in a light joke to ease the mood. It wouldn't sway things much, but it helped calm his own nerves.
"Kh... Hnng...!"
Behind him, one pained old butler struggled. To suppress laughter threatening to burst out, Alfred desperately clamped his mouth shut.
"It actually works..."
"The joke killer indeed..."
...Damn this loose tongue.
"...Alfred, go rest in your room for a bit. Dinner may run long tonight."
Head Butler Alfred bowed and exited the dining hall. The laughter echoing faintly afterward was surely Leo's imagination.
"I heard my daughter owes you much."
As Leo cut a small piece of steak and ate it, Gladio began his questioning.
"Not at all. If anything, thanks to Lady Ariasfil, I learned many of my own shortcomings."
It wasn't flattery or lies—it was sincere, straight from the heart.
Both in this life and the last, he'd learned countless things from her.
"Is that so? I'm grateful you think that way."
"The gratitude is mine."
Gently swirling his wine, Gladio took a sip and asked.
"Hmm... Where are you from?"
"From a village called Doron, at the eastern edge."
"First time hearing of it."
"That's fine. Not just you, Family Head—even folks beyond the hills from Doron barely know its name or location."
Gladio offered a kindly smile at the witty reply.
From there, questions and answers continued alongside the meal.
About his first meeting with Ariasfil,
About the battle with the Balrog,
About life as a squire,
About Mana Physical Training,
The longer the conversation went, the deeper Gladio's interest grew.
"Is there anything lacking in the explanation?"
"Well... This might not befit a formal setting, but may I ask now? I'm too curious to hold back."
"If it's that intriguing, it's an honor to answer. What is it?"
He'd answered well so far. The mood had softened, so it probably wouldn't be too tough a question...
"What do you think of my daughter?"
It was.
Very tough.