Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Elder Council-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The way back from the Magic Tower was incomparably faster than the journey there.
No matter how fast a train could be, it couldn't surpass the instantaneous teleportation of a warp gate connecting spaces.
They could have taken the train, but since he had no particularly fond memories of it, they chose the warp gate instead.
Upon returning to the house, everyone looked at them with worried eyes.
And rightly so—their opponents had been the black mage Pentosa, who was wanted by royal decree, and the demon Jehard, who had been expelled from the house. It would have been stranger if they hadn't been worried.
The story had spread throughout the kingdom as a heroic tale. As the Hero Family, their legends were more than enough to captivate the masses.
Though the people involved themselves didn't seem all that pleased about it.
[Why the long face?]
The Sage floated around Leo and quietly asked.
[Even you can see where we're headed, right?]
The place he was heading to now was Gladio Reinhardt's room—the Family Head of House Reinhardt's quarters.
[What's wrong with that? You've been there before.]
[The situation back then was completely different.]
Back then, he had been young, and by his own standards, it hadn't been that big a deal. But now?
[Well... yeah, this isn't something they'll just let slide.]
Not only had he tagged along on personal leave to escort the lady, but he'd also thrown him into a fight with Pentosa. That wasn't something to brush off lightly.
Whether it was a reward or punishment, they were sure to call him in for some kind of reckoning.
[No father would let some outsider who kissed his daughter live.]
<...>
Leo, who could hardly look down on the man without pitying his own situation, simply turned his head away.
[Still, that Family Head seemed pretty flexible. Maybe you'll get off with just a few stabs?]
[...Even if the Family Head is flexible, those old fogeys won't be.]
In terms of position, the Family Head was the master of the house. It was his role to lead the family and uphold its prestige.
But the house also had an organization to keep even the Family Head in check if he strayed.
[This time, the Elder Council will be moving too.]
[...Those geezers exist in every era, huh. Old men who think they know everything just because they've lived a bit longer.]
<...>
It was true, but coming from the person it did, it felt awkward to nod or agree.
[Don't give me that look.]
[Ah, yes sir.]
With that, Leo averted his gaze from the ancient fossil—a living relic from a bygone era—who pitied the Elder Council's elders.
[So, what happens? Will they kick you out?]
[Honestly, aside from the hassle, it wouldn't mean much.]
Even the Elder Council, with their high status, posed little threat to Leonardo.
He had multiple aces up his sleeve, and he'd prepared hidden cards specifically for situations like this, so there was no issue.
[The Elder Council, huh. No different from a retirement home.]
[I always wonder why we only see eye-to-eye when we're talking behind their backs.]
[That's the whole point of backbiting.]
It was a wise response befitting his years. Insightful enough to earn immediate agreement.
[Anyway, good luck. Old men are all the same.]
Was agreeing here rude, or was objecting rude?
If there was a dilemma of the ages, this contradiction would surely claim first place.
As they bantered pointlessly like that, Leonardo arrived in front of the Family Head's room.
He began deep breathing.
To respond to what lay ahead in perfect condition, he needed to release even the subconscious tension.
"Pardon the intrusion."
With a knock, Leo faced the Family Head.
"You've come, Leonardo."
The Family Head sat in his chair, casually sipping tea. Beside him, Head Butler Alfred was brewing more tea with the same aroma.
"Lemon tea? Would you like a cup?"
"Yes, thank you. I'd be honored."
At those words, Head Butler Alfred personally poured tea into Leonardo's cup as well. The fresh, tangy lemon scent wafting up thickly eased the tension that even deep breaths hadn't fully released.
"I've heard the story. You went through quite a bit at the Magic Tower, but you're alright?"
"Thanks to the house's grace, I returned safely."
It was a tone markedly different from usual—sharp and polished, yet brimming with underlying confidence.
"Finding two of the Sage's legacies, plus a special magic permit... Even with the house's influence, that doesn't sound easy. But somehow, it makes sense because it's you."
They had only shelved the black mage's terrorist incident for now, but even the prior events were unprecedented in the Magic Tower or other houses.
"It was largely due to the graduate student who diligently honed herself at the Magic Tower."
He had given credit to Amery in front of the Magic Tower Lords too, which had freed him somewhat from the scrutiny.
"Ah, Miss Amery. Rios talked my ear off about her; the name stuck."
"I plan to properly thank her later."
"I should consider that too. I heard she went through a lot reining in Rios's antics while at the Magic Tower."
He could roughly imagine it. That Amery Esph treated Rios without reservation for good reason.
"How about the injuries from the Magic Tower terrorist incident? All healed?"
"I'm a knight of House Reinhardt, however lacking. I can't tarnish the house over something like that."
"Don't say you're lacking; that would be troubling. If it were true, half our knights would be out of a job."
Was that a way of saying excessive humility was mere pretense?
It wasn't wrong. If he boasted a bit, unless it was direct or branch Reinhardts, no knight in the house's employ could beat him—even all together.
"But in truth, I put the lady in danger, so I can't stand too proudly."
At those words, Gladio set down his empty cup with a sigh.
"...Sorry. Shamefully, hearing you say that put me at ease."
If not for the strong lemon scent, it might have tensed him up. This was where the real talk began.
"The Elder Council plans to hold a hearing on you. They've judged you share responsibility for the black mage and demon."
Simply put, it was absurd. In truth, since Leo had done most of the work suppressing them, a reward wouldn't be out of place.
[But houses and traditions don't work that way. Have to accept it.]
[You think the Magic Tower's rotten? Turns out everything's rotten all over.]
[The world always shows less than we hope for.]
For example, the Sage—the pioneer of magic who slew a dragon single-handedly and gathered spirits to purify an island—being the narcissistic old geezer next to him who spewed curses.
"No matter how I tried to persuade them, I couldn't change the elders' minds."
"No, it's fine. I had a feeling it wouldn't be that simple."
With that, Leo sipped his lemon tea. The sweet, warm lemon was sometimes more refreshing than cold juice.
"So, when's the hearing?"
"Abruptly, I'm afraid. The Elder Council wouldn't even grant time to prepare."
In Gladio's hand was a black tube. Opening the lid revealed a single sheet of parchment, which Leo, familiar with magic seals, immediately recognized.
"A scroll."
One storing a teleportation spell, at that.
"There's no warp gate to the Elder Council. This scroll is the only way."
The Elder Council gathered in a place beyond House Reinhardt's veil, known only to a select few—even among its knights.
"Then we head out right away?"
"...You've got guts. No hesitation."
"Just decided it's not a problem pondering will solve."
At that, the Family Head let out a chuckle. Not mockery, but a relieved smile realizing his worries were unfounded.
"Then let's begin. I leave it to you, Alfred."
Alfred took the scroll and unfurled it with gloved hands.
"Here we go, Leonardo."
Light poured from the scroll's runes. No different from a warp gate in glow and hue.
But as a transport scroll, it wasn't gentle.
Geeng
A strange hum accompanied the light enveloping his body. A flipping sensation like being hurled every which way—not inconsiderate, but deliberately tormenting.
"Ugh..."
Thud
He landed in soft, cold snow. It cushioned the impact, but occasional ice granules scraped his skin.
[Colder, sure... but snow this heavy already?]
Not just the landing spot—the entire area was blanketed. Unusual for the season, as the Sage noted.
[The path to the Elder Council is always like this. Didn't expect to be dumped this far out, though...]
The Elder Council's region was barrier-sealed, hard to find or leave.
The constant northern snowfall made travel and rest arduous.
[Knew this, why not wear thicker clothes?]
[This is tolerable enough.]
Better than lightning burns, anyway. A bit of fire and wind magic could improvise a heater.
"Well then..."
Leo glanced opposite. There stood an elderly man in fine, dignified butler attire clashing with the snowy expanse.
"Seems you've already guessed, Leonardo."
As Alfred removed his gloves, scarred hands emerged—far beyond what tea service or cleaning could cause, more numerous than Leo's own.
[...That old man's no ordinary butler...]
Head Butler Alfred Sebastian
Former 6-star retired knight of House Reinhardt.
"If you'd stayed calm seeing these hands, you'd have died long ago."
"Embarrassing. I usually glove them to avoid troubling others."
His fists clenched tight. In that instant, Leo was certain.
If his head were in that grip, his skull would shatter. A punch to the head? No face left.
"In this situation, hiding them would be the real discourtesy, no?"
His scars bore the pride of a fighter.
[...Fighting right from the start?]
Startled by the sudden battleground, the Sage's tone was off.
[Expected it.]
The Family Head's visible worry was one clue; similar had happened before regression.
[...They'll rough me up under the guise of a test.]
First-time knights summoned to the Elder Council faced a trial.
The unqualified weren't even allowed entry. Prove worth by overcoming the ordeal.
Usually, surviving the harsh cold and forest to reach them.
[...Special treatment, huh.]
Leonardo had long surpassed ordinary knights, hence the special measure.
[You gonna fight? For you...]
[Am I crazy?]
The Sage's eyes chilled colder than the blizzard, but it was wisest. A frontal fight with a 6-star fighter was more reckless than against Jehard.
Reaching that core meant mastery in aura quantity, combat sense, skill, and experience.
[Smartest is to spar lightly then flee into the forest.]
They mistook him for ignorant of the terrain. Exploit that to seize advantageous spots for escape and counter.
[Not a tough spot. I've got more advantages than expected.]
Alfred readied a right hook, opening hostilities.
"Leonardo. Just trading blows lacks manners, so let's add a condition."
The old butler smiled lightly.
"Land one hit on me, and I'll keep your kiss with Lady Ariasfil from the Family Head..."
Clang!!
[...Hey... you...]
Prior plans canceled. Current situation heavily disadvantaged him.
"...I'll end this quick."
Leo, who had ambushed mid-sentence, gripped his sword two-handed. The strike bounced harmlessly off the fist's guard.
[You know this looks pathetic?]
Who cared? Focus on the fight. His sword needed no such pride.
Leo's blade held only resolve.