"Magister Jallana Maitis... Could it be, 'Maitis the Rending Void'!?"
Upon hearing the old woman's name, Rest's eyes went wide.
'Maitis the Rending Void' was one of the longest-serving court magicians, having served the Kingdom of Aiwood for at least seventy years.
When it came to barrier arts, she was said to surpass even the sage Academy Headmaster Verroid.
She was known for a legendary tale from a past war with a neighboring country, where she had encased an entire fortress in a barrier and held out for a full month without losing a single soldier.
A master of barrier arts that completely severed space—hence her epithet, 'the Rending Void.' "It is an honor to meet a legendary-level magician. My name is Rest Clover."
"Hmph... You're pretty good at flattering an old woman, aren't you? I don't hate a silver-tongued brat."
It seemed the first impression had gone well.
Maitis tapped her staff against the ground and snorted.
"I'd heard you were his son, so I wondered what you'd be like... but you're quite promising, aren't you? Nothing at all like his father!"
"Ugh..."
Maitis struck Lucas with her staff once more.
Lucas's face flushed red with humiliation, but knowing the difference in their standing, he said nothing and endured in silence.
"Maitis has agreed to erect the barrier for the demon realm. Lord Eberun will be assisting her."
"Oh, is that so?"
At Andrew's words, Rest breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been terrified that this father of his would be the one handling something as important as barrier construction.
Lucas would only be assisting. If the barrier was being erected by Maitis, the greatest barrier specialist there was, then at least he could rest easy.
"I'm bringing this fellow along because the old woman tends to need all sorts of help, and he's got nothing better to do."
Maitis prodded Lucas's shin with her staff in a deliberate, spiteful manner.
"I hear this man spent years neglecting you, did he not? Seeing the son he'd given up on turn out so splendidly—his stomach must be in knots! How satisfying!"
"Ugh... gguh..."
Lucas's expression twisted furiously at Maitis's witch-like cackling. It seemed she had hit the nail on the head.
(Now I know why this man is here... it's the Guide being spiteful, isn't it...)
He had thought it was uncharacteristically insensitive of Andrew, but that explanation made perfect sense.
"I'm leaving all the miscellaneous errands to this fellow, so feel free to use him however you like! He's just an honorary viscount, after all. And on top of that, he's a declining house with no heir to speak of! Don't hold back—give him whatever treatment you want, and the old woman will approve!"
"Much appreciated... Thank you for your consideration."
Rest smiled wryly at Maitis's remarkably colorful personality, and for the first time in his life, he felt a twinge of sympathy toward his toxic father, Lucas.
No matter how terrible a father he had been... seeing him cower like this was almost pitiful.
(Well, I suppose he reaps what he sows... If only he'd at least extended a hand when Mother fell ill.)
When his mother had fallen ill with a disease that healing magic could not remedy, Rest had desperately searched for a cure.
He had asked Lucas for financial help through a maid who had been his mother's friend, but Lucas had coldly refused.
(Not that I intend to dredge up the past. Even if he'd given me the money for medicine, it might only have prolonged her suffering.)
Still... there was no mercy to be found in a man like that.
Rest was not a saint. He couldn't very well throw a lifeline to a damned soul.
"Well then, shall we get going? Show me to the barrier installation points."
"Of course... Lord Eberun, the luggage is over there, if you would be so kind."
"What—me!?"
"Yes, of course."
Rest smiled brightly and told his stunned father: "In the demon realm, you'll need to conserve your mana, so please carry everything on your back—no magic allowed, all right?"
"Wh—!"
Lucas floundered like a fish, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
And so, as a small measure of revenge, Rest had Lucas carry the heaviest loads.