13 - First Generation Basil Wolt
He was a wild man clad in furs—a barbarian.
With shaggy long hair and purple eyes, he was the ancestor of the Wolt family, overflowing with wildness.
He had been the third son of the Wolt family, who served as Robed Nobility in the royal capital.
However, as the First Generation who could not inherit the family estate, he established a pioneering village in the frontier to gain his independence.
It was the First Generation who broke away from the Robed Nobility of the Wolt family and cleared the untouched, wild forests of the frontier.
At the time, there were people called barbarians living near the territory. He was the man who took those people under his wing and created the beginning of the Wolt family.
Of course, the reason he sought independence was—.
"My first love was from a Baron's house. You need a certain status to get married, right? So, I thought if I could pioneer the land and become a Baronet, I'd go and bring her home..."
In the conference room, I, who had collapsed, was suddenly there.
Having heard the story of the First Generation, those around me had complex expressions, realizing that their origin was due to the First Generation's first love.
"So that's how it is? You fell in love with a woman, so you volunteered for the pioneering group, and just like that, you founded the Wolt family as local nobility? ...No wonder things were awkward even after you got married!"
The Second Generation spoke about the First Generation and his wife.
Apparently, the relationship between the couple had not been good in the beginning.
"When I went back to the royal capital, my first love had already married and moved away! Of course I'd be sad!"
The First Generation lunged at the Second Generation, but both of them refused to back down an inch, as if they both had their own grievances.
"Don't tell me the conditions of that family precept... were caused by that Alice-san?"
When the Third Generation asked, the First Generation looked a bit embarrassed.
"Hehe, I just said at a party that if I couldn't get married anyway, I'd set conditions and marry whoever could clear them. When I said it was the Wolt family precept, everyone backed off. Man, I never thought it would actually become a family precept. I was surprised someone was actually found, too."
As the First Generation spoke with a laugh, the Second Generation screamed.
(I wish he wouldn't scream, it drains my mana. Or rather, I didn't want to know that fact.)
"Youuuuu!! Do you have any idea how much I suffered because of that!? Everyone kept saying, 'Because it's the Wolt family precept!' Because of you, my marriage was delayed, and because you expanded the village without any plan, I had to deal with the aftermath... Aaaaaah!!"
As the Second Generation went frantic, I spoke to the Seventh Generation, who was nearby.
"Um, why am I here? Or rather, did something happen after I fainted?"
"U-um... actually, you see."
According to the Seventh Generation, it seemed the First Generation was the one who called this emergency meeting.
Apparently, upon hearing of the crisis facing the Lockwood family, he insisted that he wanted to help.
The Sixth Generation spoke to the First Generation.
"Sigh, but it's impossible. Lending Zelfie-sensei, the instructor, is out of the question. Are you telling us to waste the funds Novem spent by selling off the household furniture?"
At those words, the First Generation crossed his arms and made a troubled face.
"No, that's true. But you see, there's a girl who is the spitting image of my first love, and she's asking for help... You guys understand this feeling, right?"
However, the Fifth Generation remained calm.
"I cannot understand. We had no freedom in romance, and it was as if we married for the sake of the territory."
"What a cold bastard! Are you people even human!? Who the hell do you think you were born thanks to!"
As he said that, starting from the Second Generation—.
"Old lady."
"Mother."
"My mother."
"Mama."
"Mother."
"It is thanks to Mother."
(Wow... they actually agreed on something for once.)
"You brats!!!"
The First Generation screamed, but the Second Generation spoke coldly.
"I mean, how do you think I felt being told to help your first love while my old lady was right there? Besides, Novem-chan was angry."
"Eh, really?"
The Second Generation looked at me with a complicated expression.
"...I mean, look, that Aria girl shook Riel until he lost consciousness, right? She looked like she was about to cry."
(Ah, I can imagine that.)
It seemed they had confirmed the circumstances at home after carrying me back.
The ancestors seemed to have confirmed a fair amount of the situation there.
I imagined Novem being distraught. When she was a child, she was even more unreliable than she is now.
"Also, when you say 'help,' specifically what should be done?"
As I said that, the First Generation began explaining as if he had been waiting for me to ask.
"Actually, the people who stole the treasure are a band of bandits. They're hiding out in the abandoned mine ruins around Darion. So, we'll sneak in and take back the treasure, the 'Orb.' Will you do it?"
The First Generation glared at me as if telling me to do it, but the Second Generation and the others opposed him.
"Impossible. A band of bandits... even that adventurer Zelfie would be in danger. Or rather, there's too little information, it's too dangerous."
The Third Generation agreed.
"I think it would be better to consult the knights or the soldiers of Darion. Or rather, isn't that a matter the lord should handle?"
The others said similar things.
As for the Seventh Generation, it seemed my safety was the top priority.
"To begin with, it's out of the question for Riel to subjugate bandits. There are restrictions on the use of magic, and on top of that, it's just Riel and Zelfie? Even if Novem says she'll come along, how much military force does that girl actually have?"
Since the enemy was a band of bandits, there would likely be several of them.
Against an unknown enemy, how much military force could we bring?
There were too many uncertain elements, and the ancestors opposed it.
"I want to help! I couldn't even convey my feelings! And now, Riel is being asked for help... this has to be fate!"
"No, it's just a misunderstanding."
When the Fourth Generation cut him off bluntly, the First Generation sat in his chair and slumped his shoulders. It was almost sad to watch, but I'd be in trouble if I were told to face a band of bandits.
I mean, the only time I've competed against a person was my match with Celes.
If asked whether I'd be useful or not, I think I wouldn't be.
However, the First Generation muttered softly here.
"That's right. My blood, after all. Even if we became a Count's house, the inside is the same."
Twitch... I felt like I heard a sound like that.
"No, my bad. I was a fool to expect anything from you. I had a faint hope that Riel, who supposedly has royal blood, might be different, but you're right... after all, you're my descendants. Your capabilities are limited."
Everyone was irritated by the First Generation's transparent provocation.
"Eh, um... e-everyone?"
"...I can do it. It's just that there's no merit."
When the Fourth Generation spoke, the Second Generation agreed.
"Don't lump me in with you. If we get serious, we could wipe out a bandit group or two in no time!"
The Third Generation also spoke while quietly seething.
"You're underestimating us. I've led soldiers as a lord to subjugate bandits, you know? The era is different from the First Generation's time."
Then, the First Generation provoked them further.
"It's fine. You can't do it anyway, right? You say you've experienced war, but basically, you just watched from the back and left it to your subordinates, didn't you? No, you're nobles, so I think that's fine. It would have been troublesome for others if you forced yourself to the front."
Hearing that, the Fifth Generation glared at the First Generation.
"Huh? We commanded from the front lines. Or rather, isn't Riel the one who's going to do the subjugation? Besides, I never said I couldn't do it."
The Sixth Generation was the same.
"Calling me a coward is offensive. However, this time Riel is the one doing the subjugation. I think it would be difficult as things are now. But I didn't say it was impossible."
The First Generation continued.
"I don't care. Don't try to intimidate me. Or rather, it's true that the weaker they are, the more they... Oops, I wasn't talking about you guys."
While saying he wasn't talking about them, he looked around at everyone with a smirk.
The Seventh Generation stood up from his chair and pointed a finger at the First Generation.
"Even if we wanted to do it, you're the one who won't lend a hand! You won't cooperate with Riel, yet you order him to help!?"
Then, the First Generation slammed his fist onto the table.
A loud thud echoed through the room, and everyone fell silent.
"If it's to help that Aria girl, I'll give my full support! I'll teach Riel how to apply the skills I possess! But only if he helps!"
Hearing that, the expressions of everyone who had been irritated returned to normal.
I was flustered watching that.
The First Generation also looked surprised, his eyes wide open. Then, the Fourth Generation began to take charge of the situation.
"Then, it's decided that the First Generation will lend a hand to Riel. Well, that finally solves one problem."
"...Eh?"
The First Generation was left behind by the flow of the situation. Meanwhile, the Third Generation turned a smile toward me.
"That's great, Riel. Now you can use the skill."
"Y-yes... u-um... what was that just now?"
When I asked about the situation from a moment ago, the Fifth Generation explained while saying he was tired.
"Well, he provoked us, so we used that to get a commitment from the First Generation. No matter how he feels, he's not the type to take back something he said in this place. Or rather, you're not such a weakling, are you, First Generation?"
"A man's word is his bond!"
Upon hearing that, everyone stood up from their chairs and returned to their respective rooms.
The Sixth Generation spoke to me about the future arrangements.
"Riel, once you wake up, get information from Aria. Also, make sure to ask the First Generation about the skill. You're going to be busy."
The ancestors returned to their rooms with laughs.
Only the First Generation and I remained.
"...U-um?"
"W-was I tricked...?"
Watching the First Generation look truly regretful, I was curious about what the situation was like in reality.
"Well then, shall I explain the skill?"
After everyone had returned to their rooms, I was taken to the First Generation's room.
The room seemed to be the mansion where the First Generation had lived. To me, it felt more like a shack.
"Yes. Um, basically, there's only one skill per person, right? About the application..."
I asked the First Generation for an explanation of the skill.
"Originally, it's one skill. In a state where it's sealed in an Orb, you can only use the basic method of any skill other than your own. Unless the individual has talent, it's only to that extent. In your case, I'll be the one teaching you."
It seemed that as long as it remained an Orb, the user couldn't draw out the skill's full performance.
However, it seemed a Jewel Orb was different.
"You know my skill, right?"
"That it was Full Over."
The First Generation's skill, Full Over, was simple, but for that reason, it was an effective skill.
"In terms of performance, it's a ten to twenty percent increase in ability. Just think of it as becoming ten to twenty percent stronger."
"Yes."
Then, the First Generation spoke about his own skill, but he seemed to understand that he couldn't face a band of bandits with just that.
Even if he's a relic, he was once a lord, so he likely felt that it was indeed dangerous.
And yet, he was trying to help a descendant who looked exactly like his first love.
"There's an application of that called [Limit Burst]. It's a skill that performs body reinforcement beyond the limit and, uh... fights while recovering."
"Fights while recovering?"
"Yeah, I don't know the details, but normally if you overwork your body beyond the limit, it breaks."
When the First Generation said 'normally it breaks,' it made it seem as if the First Generation himself wasn't normal.
(Well, I mean... he doesn't look like a normal person.)
The barbarian-style First Generation glared at me.
"You were thinking something weird just now, weren't you?"
"N-no, not at all!"
"Now, continuing the explanation, I'll have you use that reinforcement skill that exceeds the limit. However, the amount your body can withstand is roughly... about three minutes?"
"Eh, isn't that a crucial point!? Please don't say 'roughly three minutes' so vaguely!"
A usage limit was placed on the skill.
The reason seemed to be that my body would no longer be able to withstand it.
"Listen, if you use this skill on yourself, it's reinforcement, but if you use it on an injured person, it's an excellent tool that speeds up the complete healing of injuries. Because it even reinforces recovery power!"
It was certainly an amazing skill.
It was simple, but thinking about it, the performance was extraordinary.
"Now then, try using the skill."
"...Um, how?"
And so, the special training between the First Generation and me was carried out.
When I woke up, the ceiling of the rented house was before my eyes.
As I got up from the bed, my body movements felt sluggish.
Nearby, Novem was nursing me.
"Riel-sama!?"
"Novem... how many days have passed since I collapsed?"
Right now, I wanted as much time as possible.
"It will soon be morning. I won't say a full day, but you were unconscious for nearly that long. I was truly worried."
"Sorry about that. Also, Aria Lockwood-san, was it... please call her. Zelfie-san as well. They haven't headed out to deal with the bandits, have they?"
I thought Lockwood-san and Zelfie-san were still in town.
Based on the reaction at the cafe, I thought Zelfie-san wasn't keen on it.
Even that tomboyish young lady wouldn't challenge a band of bandits alone.
"...Riel-sama, subjugating bandits is the lord's job. Or the vigilante group should handle it."
As if she understood what I wanted to say, Novem spoke with a serious expression, trying to stop me.
But I had my reasons.
(It's also a chance to be recognized by the First Generation. Besides...)
"She's a good girl, isn't she, Novem-chan. She properly understands that it's the lord's job. Now then, Riel... from here on, it's a field we're experts in."
The Third Generation spoke to me.
Yes, as a lord, the subjugation of bandits is a major source of worry.
The successive heads—especially from the Third Generation onwards—had been plagued by such problems.
"Novem, this is my decision. Sorry, but I'm going to help recover the Orb from the bandits. Can you wait for me at home?"
"I cannot do that. If you are to lend a hand, I will help as well. But we don't even know the scale of the bandits."
Yes, we didn't know.
The scale, the equipment, and the strength—.
Then, I just have to investigate.
"First, let's investigate the bandits. We've already located their hideout, so they don't seem to be a significant group. We also need to find out why the lord isn't heading out for the subjugation. There's a lot to do."
I spoke to Novem.
"Novem, lend me your strength... Besides, this is a 'war' we can win."
Hearing that, Novem nodded silently.