66 - House Sarcly
We visited the estate of House Sarcly.
Normally, one would be surprised to see such a large mansion, but Clara and Monica were the only ones surprised.
I had been the heir to a territorial noble family.
Novem was the same.
Since we weren't limited by the constraints of the narrow Royal Capital, the Foxuz estate, Novem's family home, was actually larger than this one.
Aria also came from a former viscount family—a prestigious one—so she wasn't surprised.
Miranda-san and Shannon should have felt a sense of nostalgia, as it was their family home.
Thinking that, I looked at the two of them...
"Hmm, it feels even more subtle than before,"
Miranda-san said with a strained smile, while Shannon wore a look of disgust.
"Tch! Those people are still here. They should just marry off to some other place."
We passed through the estate gates and reached the entrance.
As expected of family, the response was quick, and our business was not questioned.
However, from inside the mansion—
"Why are those two coming back?! Father, it was decided that I would be the one to bring a son-in-law into this house, right!?"
"Don't be ridiculous! A servant isn't a fit partner for Sister! My lover is far better!"
The voices of women arguing could be heard.
Monica spoke up.
"Well, how should I put this... as expected of these girls' family home. Their temperaments are quite fierce."
She looked at Miranda-san and Shannon with a smirk.
Clara was looking around the mansion restlessly, unable to settle down.
"I've never been to a mansion like this... Um, I only know about etiquette and such from books?"
As Clara looked to Novem for help, the voice of the Third Generation came from the jewel.
"They're family, so isn't it fine not to worry about it? They're the ones who called us here. Besides, anyone who lays a hand on Clara-chan will be beaten to a pulp... by Riel."
Why me?! While I was thinking that, Aria spoke.
Perhaps because they had been on good terms in the past, she seemed to know the head of the house.
"Ralph-san will forgive you to some extent as long as you have the right spirit. Just greet him normally, and after that, it's best to stay quiet."
As Aria said this, Novem spoke worriedly.
"Aria-san, by any chance, regarding etiquette...?"
Aria averted her gaze from Novem.
"I learned it! But that was years ago! There's a lot I've forgotten!"
As Aria looked as if she were about to cry, Miranda-san said with a laugh.
"I told them I was bringing my adventurer companions, so you don't need to worry about etiquette. More importantly, Riel?"
When Miranda-san looked at me, I nodded and lifted a small leather case.
I had prepared the payment for the mansion we had cleared in Alamsars, along with the total amount of support they had provided up until now.
"Is it alright for me to hold this? Wouldn't it be better if you returned it yourself—"
"It's fine. It seems more interesting this way."
I tilted my head at Miranda-san's comment about it being "interesting," then held the case and waited for the entrance to open.
The arguing voices from inside the mansion fell silent, and when the door opened, a gentlemanly man with gray hair stood there.
He looked a bit tired, but I decided not to mention it.
Adjusting his suit, Ralph Sarcly looked at me. He was the father of both Miranda-san and Shannon.
It seemed he had not taken a second wife after losing his first.
Therefore, House Sarcly had four daughters who needed to find husbands.
"Forgive me. Now then, everyone... Mi, Miranda?"
"What is it, Father?"
Perhaps because their impressions were different from before, Ralph-san looked a bit bewildered as he looked at us.
And seeing Shannon standing normally...
"...Hey, why did you suddenly become so quiet?"
Seeing Shannon fidgeting, which didn't suit her, I couldn't help but say it.
"B-because, it's been a while since I've seen Father... Ow!"
When Miranda-san delivered a fist to Shannon, Ralph-san and the people behind him stood there blankly.
"What was that for!"
"Stop pretending to be sickly! You're fine on your own now, so show some strength!"
Since the sisters on this side were also becoming noisy, I spoke to Ralph-san.
"Um, I'm Riel, the one partying with Miranda-san. Ah, this is a souvenir."
I handed over some sweets sold in the Royal Capital, which had been selected by Miranda-san.
"A-ah, my apologies. I was surprised because the impression is so different from before. It won't do anything to keep making a scene at the entrance. You two, how long are you going to keep arguing?"
Helping the troubled Ralph-san, we stepped into the Sarcly mansion.
I saw two young women wearing dresses.
The girl with glasses, her black hair tied back in braids, was Doris Sarcly.
She wore a navy blue dress and glasses.
Her drooping eyes looked at us suspiciously.
And the other girl, with deep green hair wearing a yellow dress, was Lucy Sarcly.
Her long hair reached down to her back, and her impression was similar to Miranda-san's.
Her gaze was fixed on Miranda-san and Shannon.
"To think you'd come back now..."
I could tell we weren't welcome, but Ralph-san spoke.
"Doris, Lucy... you two don't need to attend to the guests. Withdraw."
When Ralph-san said that, the two of them glared at us before leaving for the depths of the mansion.
Seeing this, the Fourth Generation spoke.
"They have that 'young ladies of the Court Nobility' feel, don't they?"
The Fifth Generation agreed.
"They're probably worried about their own futures now that their sisters have returned. They're desperate to secure their livelihood, though in a different sense than territorial lords."
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"I cannot forgive the fact that Mireia married into this and things have become like this!"
The Seventh Generation—
"Court Nobility are always like this. In my era, a considerable number of them were purged. To be summoned and come here, honestly..."
He said something scary.
(Come to think of it, he did say he was a consultant. I've heard it was a pretty brutal era...)
However, the Second Generation couldn't keep up.
"Court Nobility, huh... I only met some during the handover. I had to meet the Emperor and swear loyalty... and I was made to wait for over ten days just for that."
The Fourth Generation spoke.
"You're made to wait if you don't have connections here. What about bribes? If you had to wait ten days, wouldn't it have been better to just hand over some money?"
The Fifth Generation agreed.
"That would be far more efficient. Well, the environment that permits it is a problem, though."
The Second Generation muttered.
"...I didn't even have that kind of money."
While being reminded that he had truly struggled, I was led into the mansion, where Miranda-san and I were to attend to Ralph-san.
We sat on the sofa drinking tea, but I couldn't taste it.
"...In other words, this is not a betrothal gift? Is that really true?"
"Y-yes."
It had been decided that I would return the funds spent up until now by selling the mansion in Alamsars.
When I offered the gold coins in the case to Ralph-san, Miranda-san—
"That's a betrothal gift."
She had just said that.
From there, I was subjected to a relentless barrage of questions from Ralph-san, and the misunderstanding had only just been cleared up.
The Second Generation spoke.
"This girl is scary."
The Sixth Generation said.
"Isn't it just a bit of playfulness!"
Internally, I thought it was more than just "a bit"! While I was thinking that, Miranda-san asked Ralph-san.
Her expression was serious, unlike before.
"So, why did you summon us now, after all this time?"
Facing a daughter who gave a different impression than before, I felt very awkward as Ralph-san's gaze kept flickering toward me.
The Third Generation spoke.
"Maybe he thinks you ate his daughter? You know, many girls change when they're with a man."
The Fifth Generation was exasperated.
"Worried about the daughters he kicked out? I wonder about that."
Ralph-san let out a sigh and spoke.
"...It is a fact that I kicked you two out. I have no intention of denying it. But at the same time, there was a reason."
Saying that, Ralph-san called my name.
"Riel Walt... the former heir of House Walt, correct? I've had the rumors from Darion and Alamsars investigated."
A bit of tension mixed into the voices coming from the jewel.
It was the Sixth Generation.
"Hmm. Robed nobility, was it? I suppose a viscount would have some connections."
How would the opponent move against me?
While I was thinking that, Miranda-san spoke to Ralph-san.
"...Even if it's you, Father, if you lay a hand on my companions... especially Riel, I'll get serious."
Even receiving the provocative gaze of his daughter, Ralph-san's expression did not change.
Rather, he was smiling.
"I didn't think you'd say such a thing. You can rest easy. Our House Sarcly is also a house with ties to House Walt. I, and you as well, have the blood of House Walt flowing in us. Though it was a long time ago."
Miranda-san was surprised to hear that, but since I already knew, I continued drinking my tea without changing my expression.
Awkward.
"What I am concerned about is that a member of House Walt approached you and Shannon."
When I reacted, Ralph-san glared at me.
"Riel-kun, may I ask one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Did you approach Miranda and Shannon acting on the wishes of your family home?"
Hearing the question directed at me, the Seventh Generation gave me advice.
"Answer honestly, Riel. The opponent already has information. He likely grasps to some extent that you were kicked out of your house and what your situation has been until now."
I gripped the jewel once, then answered.
"My family home has nothing to do with it. I was kicked out, after all."
Miranda-san spoke.
"Father, asking that when you already know..."
Ralph-san sighed.
"I know. But I can't settle down unless I do this. You met her a few years ago, didn't you? Celes Walt."
At the name I heard the moment I tried to set down my cup, I looked up in surprise.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"Do not be shaken, Riel."
I pretended to be calm, but the opponent seemed to understand my emotions.
Then, he told us the reason why he had kicked out Miranda-san and Shannon.
"It was from that time. An offer came from House Walt saying they wanted to provide your education. No, to be precise, they probably took a liking to you. They were moving to summon you under some pretext."
Education meant sending the sons or daughters of one noble house to be raised in another.
Within one's own family, affection grows. In some cases, it is done so that they can be trained by that house.
The Fifth Generation spoke.
"...Isn't that strange? Why would an argument like 'Hand them over because we'll educate them' be accepted?"
The Seventh Generation spoke.
"Even in my era, there were many houses that requested training from House Walt, but we could never say we would provide training to them."
I asked about that.
"Did my family home say they would educate them?"
Ralph-san drank his tea before answering my question.
"The current Royal Capital is like this, but the movements of House Walt in particular have been quite strange. Around the time you, the heir, were kicked out, many houses began saying they would stop their associations. Even before that, their actions were..."
From what I heard, House Walt had been becoming strange since around the time I was under house arrest in my room.
Then, Ralph-san spoke.
"House Walt, as territorial nobility, is a house excellent in both literary and military arts. If I could send my daughters to a place like that for training... just as I was thinking that, a letter arrived saying they would let my daughters undergo training."
Ralph-san said he immediately gave up on sending them for training due to the impossible response.
However, the ancestors who were listening to Ralph-san's explanation—
Starting from the Second Generation, they spoke.
"Excellent... I wonder if my hardships were rewarded?"
"I'm sure the military part is thanks to my activity! Me, who cleaned up after that blockhead!"
"Then the literary part is probably me? It was quite a struggle, you know!"
"Excellent, huh. Well, in this world, if you survive, you can be called excellent. Though it's different now."
"That's true... it's different now."
"I-it's not my fault! That stupid son of mine!!!"
I cleared my throat and asked.
"Did you send Miranda-san to Alamsars because you didn't want to send her for training?"
Miranda-san sent a suspicious gaze to Ralph-san.
"I never heard anything about that."
Ralph-san spoke to us with a serious expression.
"...Ever since a girl named Celes came to the Royal Capital a few years ago, things have been strange. Unreasonable demands that would have been impossible until now have been granted. There were even houses that deliberately approached House Walt, when normally they would keep their distance."
If they can escape from a problematic house, they will, even if they are nobles.
There are cases where they cannot escape, but basically, they would take a response of keeping their distance.
Ralph-san spoke.
"I've worked in the Royal Palace for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen such a thing. Moreover, when I said I had sent Miranda and Shannon out of the house, they seemed to lose interest. After that, they stopped calling."
Miranda-san spoke.
"...It certainly felt like something was going on, but so what? What's the reason for summoning us this time? Isn't it bad that Shannon and I are here?"
Based on the flow of the current conversation, it was indeed bad that we were here.
We should have fled from the Royal Capital—no, from the country—immediately.
(If that person... if Celes comes, there's nothing I can do)
Twice.
I had experienced growth twice, but I couldn't imagine being able to win against Celes.
I remembered the overwhelming difference in power.
Ralph-san's expression became tired.
Unlike the serious conversation until now, he explained the circumstances.
"...Did you hear Doris and Lucy's argument?"
Miranda-san laughed through her nose.
"Marriage with an opponent whose status is too different? How stupid. One of them should just give up."
Since Miranda-san had already been effectively kicked out of the house, Ralph-san likely couldn't accept her bringing in a son-in-law.
He had declined the invitation from House Walt and didn't seem to intend to bring Miranda-san back into the house.
"You're not telling me or Shannon to come back, are you?"
"Do you think I could bring in a son-in-law from a house of equal status after doing that? I understand that I cannot do that, and your lives are your own... do as you please. However, if you'll listen to my opinion, Riel-kun is a bit..."
The voice of the Third Generation was heard.
"Riel-kun is a bit! You got called out, Riel."
He was laughing as if it were interesting.
The Seventh Generation shouted.
"What is the problem with Riel, you court rat!!"
(Grandfather, please calm down)
While I was thinking that, Ralph-san spoke.
"He seems serious, but... um, wouldn't it be difficult for an adventurer to support that number of women? It might be a man's dream, but it's a bit much to have my daughters taken by a man who is actually building a harem."
I thought so too.
The Seventh Generation spoke.
"...True. Current Riel does look like that."
The Second Generation spoke.
"He can support them. For better or worse, he is excellent."
I felt a thorn in the "for better or worse" part.
"It's my business who I choose, isn't it? So, what's the main point? Do you want me to stop those two idiots, Doris and Lucy?"
Ralph-san looked at Miranda-san sadly, as if thinking, "She used to be so much cuter..."
I felt the gaze directed at me sharpen.
"No, I want them to give up, but before that, they've already messed up."
Ralph-san explained.
"There was a knight who forced his way into the house regarding work. It seems the two of them overheard the conversation. A knight order is to be dispatched to Gioni Village in the direct territory. It was decided to recruit volunteers because there weren't enough men. This was before it was made public."
From what I heard, a Hippogriff had settled near Gioni Village.
It was a monster with the head and forelegs of an eagle, and the body and hindlegs of a horse.
Since it could fly in the sky, it was a troublesome monster.
Incidentally, it seemed to be leading the surrounding monsters along with it.
I asked out of curiosity.
"Aren't the knight orders and soldiers in the Royal Capital sufficient?"
The Royal Capital was a place where adventurers found it hard to live.
In such places, the knight orders and soldiers were usually well-established.
Ralph-san spoke.
"The Hippogriff is one thing, but recently, the dispatch of knight orders has been continuous. We're short-handed. The group to be sent out this time is decided to be centered around a Ten-Knight Captain."
A Ten-Knight Captain, in terms of military officers, was a leader for the knights. Depending on the scale, they could be a lieutenant.
However, considering the opponent this time, it felt a bit insufficient.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"...It might be that."
The Fifth Generation also seemed to agree.
"Downsizing? In the current Royal Capital? I heard they were short-handed... no, it's the knights they're short of."
While listening to the Fifth Generation's muttering, the Second Generation spoke as if spitting the words out.
"Hah! To the people of the Royal Capital, a small village is probably just that much."
While I wondered if there was a hidden meaning, Ralph-san spoke.
"The people those two wish to marry volunteered after hearing the story. No, it would be more correct to say they were made to volunteer. It's too late to cancel now. If possible, I want you to protect them, as they've been dragged into this."
That was the request Ralph-san asked of us.
Miranda-san spoke.
"Protect them? You're going to defeat monsters, right?"
I also found it strange.
They were likely in a position where they couldn't run away now, but why was there a need to help them? From Ralph-san's perspective, it should be more convenient if they weren't there.
(Thinking about this makes me feel like things are turning dark)
"...The servant Bread works hard. Marcus is a young man who cares for his family. Both are young men too precious to let die because of Doris and Lucy's selfishness."
Miranda-san spoke.
"It sounds like failure is already guaranteed!"
Ralph-san spoke.
"Yes, so it's fine as long as they just run back. Can you take this request... Riel-kun? I'll prepare up to a hundred gold coins. If possible, I'd like you to leave the two daughters behind."
Ralph-san was looking at me, not Miranda-san.
Miranda-san spoke.
"A request to Riel... and moreover, leave me and Shannon behind?"
The Fourth Generation spoke.
"Leave the daughters behind, huh. Isn't this a considerably dangerous request?"
—Seeing Ralph-san's testing gaze, I couldn't help but think that he was hiding something.
The Second Generation spoke.
"I hate these people. It feels like they don't care if a small village is wiped out. I can't stand this. It really makes me angry."
The Second Generation, who had been the lord of a small village, seemed to have strong feelings about it.
Then, the Third Generation spoke.
"And you're just going to leave it? If the Second Generation is fine with that, I'll tell Riel to refuse..."
The Second Generation—
"Damn it! Riel, you decide!"
The frustrated Second Generation seemed to want me to participate.
A small village being wiped out.
Hearing such a story, and Ralph-san's testing gaze—
I spoke.
"...I'll accept. However, since Miranda-san and Shannon are my companions and party members, I'll be taking them along."
I decided to accept this request.