We visited the House Cerclie estate.
Normally, you'd be impressed upon seeing such a grand estate, but the only ones showing any surprise were Clara and Monica.
I was once an heir to a Landed Nobility household.
Novem was the same.
With no constraint as narrow as the Royal Capital, when it came to estates, House Foxes—Novem's family—was actually larger.
Aria hailed from a former viscount family—a prestigious house—so she wasn't surprised either.
Miranda and Shannon, on the other hand, should have felt nostalgia, given this was their childhood home.
But when I looked at the two of them...
"Hmm, it feels even more awkward than before."
Miranda let out a bitter laugh while Shannon pulled a sour face.
"Tch! Those two are here, aren't they? If only they'd marry off to someone, anywhere."
We passed through the estate gates and made our way to the entrance.
As expected, being family, the process was swift—no questions about our purpose or anything like that.
But from inside the estate—
"Why are those two coming back?! Father, it was already decided that I would be the one to bring a husband into this family!"
"Don't be ridiculous! My sister's partner is not going to be some servant! My boyfriend is so much better!"
We could hear two women arguing.
Monica remarked, "Well, I suppose... this is indeed the girls' family home. What a fierce temperament."
She said it with a grin, looking at Miranda and Shannon.
Clara was glancing around the estate, looking uneasy.
"I've never been to a mansion like this... Um, I only know about etiquette from books and theory?"
Seeing Clara appeal to Novem for help, the Third Generation's voice came from the Jewel.
"Isn't it fine not to worry, since they're family? They're the ones who called us here. Besides, anyone who lays a hand on Clara—I'll beat them up. ...Lyle will, I mean."
It's me! While I was reacting to that, Aria spoke up.
Perhaps because they'd been on good terms before, she seemed to know the current head of the opposing household.
"Ralph will be somewhat forgiving if you're sincere about it. Just greet him properly, then stay quiet and you'll be fine."
Hearing Aria say such things, Novem asked with concern.
"Aria, what about your knowledge of etiquette?"
Aria averted her eyes from Novem.
"I learned it! But that was years ago! There's plenty I've forgotten by now."
Seeing Aria on the verge of tears, Miranda said with a laugh.
"I already told them we're bringing fellow adventurers, so you don't need to worry about etiquette. More importantly, Lyle?"
When Miranda looked at me, I nodded and held up the small leather case.
This contained the payment for the estate I had settled in Aramsass, along with the total amount of support I had received up to now.
"Should I really be holding on to this? Wouldn't it be better if I returned it myself—"
"It's fine. It'll be more interesting this way."
When Miranda said "interesting," I tilted my head but held the case and waited for the entrance to open.
The arguing voices from inside the estate fell silent, and when the door opened, a grey-haired gentleman stood there.
He looked a little weary, but I decided not to mention that.
The man,[Ralph Cerclie], straightened his suit and looked at me. He was the father of both Miranda and Shannon.
Since losing his wife, he had not remarried.
Because of this, House Cerclie needed to take in sons-in-law through all four sisters.
"My apologies. Now then, everyone... Mi-Miranda?"
"What is it, Father?"
Perhaps because she looked so different from before, Ralph seemed somewhat bewildered upon seeing us.
And there was also Shannon, standing there as though nothing were wrong...
"...Hey, since when did you become so well-behaved?"
I couldn't help but mutter that upon seeing Shannon fidgeting—something so unlike her.
"W-well, it's been so long since I last saw Father... Ouch!"
When Miranda drove her fist into Shannon, Ralph and the people standing behind him were left dumbfounded.
"What are you doing?!"
"Don't keep playing the invalid! You're fine on your own now, so start showing some backbone."
The sisters were getting on each other's nerves, so I spoke to Ralph.
"Um, I'm Lyle, and I'm in a party with Miranda. Ah, and here's a little something for you."
I handed over sweets from the Royal Capital, selected on Miranda's recommendation.
"Ah, oh, my apologies. The difference from before was so striking, I was quite taken aback. Arguing at the entrance won't get us anywhere. You two—how long are you going to keep this up?"
As I helped the somewhat flustered Ralph, we stepped into the House Cerclie estate.
I spotted two young women in dresses.
The bespectacled girl with black hair pulled back into a braid at the nape of her neck was[Doris Cerclie].
She wore a dark navy dress and had glasses on.
Her downward-cast eyes regarded us with open suspicion.
And the other girl, with deep green hair and a yellow dress, was[Lucy Cerclie].
Her long hair reached down her back, and she bore a resemblance to Miranda.
She, too, was looking at Miranda and Shannon.
"Coming back now, of all times..."
It was clear they weren't welcome, but Ralph spoke up.
"Doris, Lucy... you don't need to entertain our guests. Step back."
At Ralph's words, the two glared at us before retreating deeper into the estate.
Seeing this, the Fourth Generation remarked.
"Quite the Court Nobility young ladies, aren't they?"
The Fifth Generation agreed.
"They're worried about their own futures now that their sister has returned. Unlike Landed Nobility, they have to fight for every scrap they get."
The Sixth Generation said.
"Mireia married off and ended up in this situation—I find that unforgivable."
The Seventh Generation—
"This is what Court Nobility are like. In my time, a good number of them were purged. To be called here and see this... simply..."
He said something frightening.
(Come to think of it, didn't he mention being an advisor? I'd heard things were rough, but...)
However, the Second Generation seemed unable to follow.
"Court Nobility, is it... I only met them when the succession was being handed over. Meeting with His Majesty and swearing loyalty... only to be made to wait over ten days."
The Fourth Generation said.
"You need connections here, or you'll be made to wait. What about bribes? If it's a matter of ten days' wait, wouldn't it have been worth paying a bit?"
The Fifth Generation was of the same opinion.
"That would be far more efficient. Though the fact that such an environment is tolerated is a problem."
The Second Generation muttered.
"...I didn't have that kind of money."
Realizing just how much hardship he had truly endured, I was led into the estate and sat down with Miranda to receive Ralph over tea.
We sat on the sofa drinking black tea, but I couldn't taste a thing.
"So, this is not a betrothal gift, then? Is that really true?"
"Y-yes."
I had sold the estate in Aramsass and agreed to return the funds that had been invested.
When I presented Ralph with the case full of gold coins, Miranda—
"That's the betrothal gift."
She actually said that.
After that, Ralph peppered me with calm questions, and only then was the misunderstanding cleared up.
The Second Generation said.
"This girl is scary."
The Sixth Generation—
"It was just a bit of fun, wasn't it!"
Inside, I was thinking it was more than just a bit! When Miranda asked Ralph a question.
Unlike before, her expression was serious.
"So, why did you call us back now?"
With a daughter before him who looked so different from what he remembered, Ralph kept glancing at me, which made me extremely uncomfortable.
The Third Generation said.
"He's probably thinking you ate his daughter, you know. Men can change a woman, after all."
The Fifth Generation was exasperated.
"Worried about a daughter he threw out? I wonder about that."
Ralph sighed and spoke.
"...It's true that I drove the two of you out. I won't deny that. But there was a reason as well."
Saying that, Ralph called my name.
"[Lyle Walt]... former heir to House Walt, correct? I've looked into the rumors about Darion and Aramsass."
There was a slight tension in the voice from the Jewel.
The Sixth Generation.
"Hmm. Clerical Nobility, was it? With a viscount title, there would naturally be some history."
How would he act toward me?
While I was thinking about that, Miranda spoke to Ralph.
"...Even if you're my father, if you—or anyone—makes a move against my companions... especially against Lyle, I'll get serious."
Even receiving such a provocative look from his daughter, Ralph's expression didn't change.
If anything, he was smiling.
"I never thought you'd say something like that. Rest assured. My House Cerclie has ties to House Walt as well. Both I and you carry the blood of House Walt. Though that was a long time ago."
Miranda was surprised to hear this, but I already knew, so I drank my tea without changing expression.
Awkward.
"What concerns me is that someone from House Walt approached you and Shannon."
When I reacted to that, Ralph fixed me with a sharp look.
"Lyle, may I ask you one thing?"
"Of course."
"Did you approach Miranda and Shannon on behalf of your family?"
When I heard that question aimed at me, the Seventh Generation offered advice.
"Answer honestly, Lyle. The other party already has information. He knows you were cast out of the house, and he likely has a good idea of what your situation has been."
I gripped the Jewel once, then answered.
"My family has nothing to do with it. After all, I was thrown out."
Miranda said.
"Father, you already know that—asking such a question is..."
Ralph sighed.
"I know. But if I don't do this, I can't settle my nerves. You met her some years ago, didn't you? Celeste Walt."
Hearing that name at the very moment I was about to set down my cup, I was startled and looked up.
The Sixth Generation said.
"Don't lose your composure, Lyle."
I tried to maintain my calm, but it seemed the other party understood my emotions all the same.
And then he spoke of the reason Miranda and Shannon had been driven out.
"It started from that time. House Walt put forward a proposal to take over your education. No, to be precise, they had taken a liking to you. They were making moves to summon you under some pretext."
Education in this context meant sending one's children to another noble household to be raised and trained.
Family could become emotionally involved. In some cases, it was done so that one's house could have the other's expertise train their child.
The Fifth Generation said.
"...Doesn't that seem odd? How can a demand like 'send him to us because we'll educate him' be acceptable?"
The Seventh Generation said.
"In my time, there were many families that requested training from House Walt, but to have House Walt offer to train someone from their own side—that was unthinkable."
I followed up on that point.
"Was it my family that offered to provide education?"
Ralph sipped his black tea before answering my question.
"Just as with the current Royal Capital, House Walt's movements have been peculiar. Around the time they expelled you, the heir, many families began cutting ties with them. Their behavior before that, too..."
As it turned out, House Walt had been acting strangely ever since I'd been confined to my room.
And then Ralph spoke.
"As a Landed Nobility house, House Walt has excelled in both literary and martial pursuits. Even I would have sent my daughter there for training if the opportunity arose... That was precisely when a letter came offering to train her."
Ralph explained that such an unreasonable proposition had immediately made him give up on the idea of sending her.
But our ancestors, listening to Ralph's explanation—
Going from the Second Generation onward:
"Excellence... My efforts were rewarded, then?"
"The martial prowess was definitely my doing! Me, the one who cleaned up after that big-headed fool!"
"Then the literary side must have been me? It was quite a lot of trouble, you know."
"Excellence, eh. Well, in this world, you can call anyone 'excellent' as long as they survive. Things are different now, though."
"That's right... things are different now."
"I-it wasn't my fault! That useless son of mine!"
I cleared my throat and then asked.
"Was it because you didn't want to send Miranda away for training that you sent her to Aramsass?"
Miranda sent a suspicious glance toward Ralph.
"He never told me that."
Ralph addressed us with a serious expression.
"...A few years ago, after a girl named Celeste came to the Royal Capital, things started going wrong. There were unreasonable demands that would have been unthinkable before. There were even families that went out of their way to approach House Walt, when normally they'd keep their distance."
When a family became problematic, you avoided them if you could—that was the way of nobility.
There were times when avoidance was impossible, but the general response would be to maintain distance.
Ralph continued.
"I've worked in the Royal Palace for a long time, but even I had never seen anything like this. And when they were told Miranda and Shannon had left the house, they seemed to lose interest. After that, we stopped being contacted."
Miranda said.
"...I suppose something was going on, but so what? Why call us back now? Isn't it problematic for me and Shannon to be here?"
Judging from the conversation so far, our being here was indeed problematic.
We should flee the Royal Capital—no, the country—at once.
(If she comes... if Celeste comes, there's nothing I can do.)
Twice now.
I had experienced growth twice, yet I couldn't even imagine being able to defeat Celeste.
I remembered all too well the overwhelming difference in power.
Ralph's expression turned weary.
Unlike the serious conversation up to this point, he explained the circumstances.
"...Did you hear the argument between Doris and Lucy?"
Miranda scoffed.
"Marrying someone vastly above their station? Ridiculous. If one of them would just give up..."
Given that Miranda had effectively been expelled from the household, Ralph likely couldn't accept the idea of her bringing in a husband either.
He had already refused House Walt's invitation and showed no intention of bringing Miranda back.
"You're not going to ask me and Shannon to come back, are you?"
"If I did that and brought in a husband from an equal house? I understand that's impossible. This is your life now... do as you please. But, if you'll hear my opinion—Lyle is a bit..."
The Third Generation's voice came through.
"'Lyle is a bit...' You've been told, Lyle."
He was laughing, clearly amused.
The Seventh Generation shouted.
"What's wrong with Lyle, you Court Nobility rat?!"
(Calm down, Grandfather.)
While I was thinking that, Ralph spoke.
"He seems earnest enough, but... raising that many women on an adventurer's income—wouldn't that be difficult? It may be a man's dream, but having my daughters taken by a man who's actually built a harem is a bit..."
I had to agree.
The Seventh Generation said.
"...Indeed. That's what Lyle looks like now."
The Second Generation said.
"He could support them, though. For better or worse, he is exceptional."
"for better or worse" had a thorn in it, I felt.
"Who I choose is my business. So, what's the real reason we're here? Don't tell me you want me to stop those two idiots Doris and Lucy from fighting?"
Ralph looked at Miranda and said something along the lines of "You used to be so much cuter..." with a pained expression.
I felt his gaze on me sharpen.
"No, I do want to dissuade them, but before that, they've gone and done something."
Ralph explained.
"A knight barged into our estate on work-related business. Those two overheard the conversation. A squad is to be dispatched to Geoni Village in our direct territory. There aren't enough troops, so they've decided to recruit Volunteer Soldiers as well. This was before the official announcement."
As it turned out, a[Hippogriff]had taken up residence near Geoni Village.
It was a monster with the head and forelegs of an eagle and the body and hind legs of a horse.
Being able to fly made it a troublesome creature.
To make matters worse, it seemed to have attracted other monsters in the area as well.
I asked out of curiosity.
"Doesn't the Royal Capital have ample knights and soldiers?"
The Royal Capital was not a place where adventurers could easily live.
Such places generally had well-established knight orders and standing armies.
Ralph answered.
"The Hippogriff is one issue, but the knight order has been dispatched repeatedly of late. They're short-handed. The next group to be sent will be centered on a Ten-Rider Captain."
A Ten-Rider Captain was, in military terms, a leader of knights. Depending on the scale, they could also serve as a deputy.
However, given the opponent this time, it felt somewhat inadequate.
The Sixth Generation said.
"...That might be it."
The Fifth Generation seemed to agree.
"Reducing their numbers? In the current Royal Capital? I heard they were short-handed, but... no, the shortage is in knights."
While I was listening to the Fifth Generation's muttering, the Second Generation spat out.
"Hah! I'm sure the Royal Capital folks think a tiny village like that is expendable."
Wondering whether there was a hidden meaning behind his words, Ralph continued.
"The two people those girls wish to marry volunteered upon hearing about it. No, more accurately, they were made to volunteer. It's too late to rescind now. If possible, I'd like you to protect them—they were dragged into this against their will."
That was the request Ralph had made of us.
Miranda said.
"You want us to protect them? By going to fight the monsters?"
I, too, had found that puzzling.
He was probably in a position where he couldn't simply back out, but why did we need to help? For Ralph, it would be more convenient if they simply weren't there.
(When I think about it like that, I start to feel like something dark is forming inside me.)
"...The servant[Bread]is a hard worker.[Marcus]is a family-minded young man. Both of them are fine young men—it would be a waste to let them die because of Doris and Lucy's selfishness."
Miranda said.
"It sounds like they're guaranteed to fail!"
Ralph said.
"Yes. All they need to do is run back. Would you accept this commission... Lyle? I can prepare up to one hundred gold coins. If possible, I'd also like you to take my two daughters with you."
Ralph was looking at me, not Miranda.
Miranda said.
"Commissioning Lyle... and telling us to leave me and Shannon behind?"
The Fourth Generation said.
"Leave the daughters behind, he says? Isn't this a pretty dangerous commission?"
—Watching Ralph's testing gaze, I couldn't help but wonder if he was hiding something.
The Second Generation said.
"I hate these people. They have that 'if a small village gets wiped out, so be it' attitude. Unbelievable. It really makes my blood boil."
Having been the lord of a small village himself, the Second Generation clearly had strong feelings about this.
And the Third Generation said.
"And we're supposed to just leave it be? If the Second Generation is fine with that, I'll advise Lyle to refuse too, but..."
The Second Generation—
"Damn it! Lyle, you decide!"
The Second Generation, looking frustrated, seemed to want me to take on the commission after all.
A small village, wiped out.
Hearing such words and Ralph's testing gaze—
I spoke.
"...I'll accept. However, Miranda and Shannon are my companions—my party members—so I'll be bringing them with me."
And so I decided to accept the commission.