Our trip home moves smoothly and without incident.
We encounter no bandits or other kinds of obstacles in our path as we traverse the roads and head to our destination. This doesn't surprise me, however, considering how much prestige the flag of a Knight Household possesses.
It's more than enough to ward off any lowlife who may be getting the wrong idea when they see our carriage. Knights are already feared as it is, but a Household is even more dangerous.
Most criminals would not want to get involved with us.
Since Knights are also chivalric, strong believers in concepts like justice and honor, they are bound to mete out severe punishments on any unlawful person they encounter. Even without an entourage, the Aditi Household crest on the flapping sheet is sufficient for anyone with a brain.
We also do not encounter any traps made by the Minor Families.
After the striking impression I must have given them when defeating that Cadre 2 Magivore, I'm certain that they do not wish to waste their efforts and resources on me. Throwing all of them my way will be useless, and it would simply be expending their very limited strength.
These people have very little going for them, but one thing they know how to do well is scheme.
Since they are so crafty, they ought to recognize that their current approach is useless.
As long as I have my D Grade Armament, coupled with the Aditi Household Martial Technique, there's really no physical danger they can throw my way that I can't handle.
This means they'll have to be more creative.
And so, after four days of smooth sailing, we finally arrived home—about three days earlier than expected. The gates open up for me, and my carriage proceeds in with majesty. Naturally, the servants welcome me, and I greet them respectfully.
However, not even five minutes after entering the Estate, I quickly spot something.
—Another Carriage.
This Carriage has a sleek black design, with golden lines that stretch around its edges like embroidery, giving it a very cool, grand design. The horses are white, with strong builds and pristine manes. Something seems rather familiar with this carriage, but I can't place my hands on it.
However, one thing I do know is that our Aditi Household has a guest.
A very important one.
'Now that I think about it, the entire compound looks far more organized than before. It's almost like my Coming-of-Age Ceremony all over again…' As I think this, Leon approaches me and bows with utmost regard.
"Welcome back, Young Master." His voice calmly radiates maturity and competence, and I nod while glancing at him—acknowledging his presence.
He also proceeds to greet Uncle Damon, who quietly remains beside me and grunts in response.
I'm certain my uncle is even more exhausted than I am and would want nothing more than to relax his frail body. Unfortunately, due to the strained relationship he has with my father, he won't be able to spend the night here.
I could definitely use my authority to ensure he does, but that would be going too far.
It would probably hit my father's bottom line and spark some aggression, which I do not want to incur from him at this moment.
Our current game is more than enough for me at the moment.
After I disembark from the carriage, Leon instructs the servants to come and pack my luggage in my room. My Potions and the coins I plan to keep for myself are mixed in with the other luggage, so they are rather inconspicuous. I simply tell them to treat every luggage as fragile, so they are extra careful with the transportation.
As for my Armament, I proudly wear it on my waist, allowing the subtle mist oozing out to reflect in the eyes of everyone observing.
Since I am in the Aditi Estate now, parading such a thing isn't a bad thing.
In fact, it is rather beneficial to me.
As the servants take care of the luggage, my siblings proceed to me, giggling and hugging me as if they were little children. Selicia is thirteen and Craig is eleven. They are still young, but looking at the way they act around me, it's almost as though they are toddlers.
I smile at the sight.
"What do you take me for? Of course, I brought souvenirs for you two!" I tell them this after they kept pestering me about their souvenirs from the Academy City.
"YAYYY!" They get even more excited, but I slowly shake my head and chuckle at their immaturity.
I turn to Leon, who has been silent all this time, keeping a straight face at all times.
How professional.
"It seems we have a distinguished guest over today. Who is it?" I ask him.
Unfortunately, he shakes his head.
"I apologize, Young Master… but I have no idea who it is. He is apparently someone the Lord knew in his younger days, but other than that… I have no clue."
"Hmm…" I rub my fingers on my chin as I contemplate the matter. "Could it be…?"
I sharply glance at my exhausted uncle and sigh.
I already asked Uncle Damon, but even he has no idea who this person could be. Honestly, as helpful as my uncle is in some affairs, he isn't fully abreast with all the affairs of the Kingdom. Still, he should know a lot more than I do at this point in time.
Without any conclusive answer, I once again look at the black carriage in the distance.
'I have a bad feeling about this…' Despite thinking this, I say nothing about my current state of mind. Even though I know it's useless, I also ask my siblings if they have a clue
As expected, they do not.
They are more interested in the Armament with me and keep begging me to let them wield it. I try to explain how dangerous Armaments are to those who are inexperienced, but these people only get more excited with every word I utter.
Now, I'm beginning to wish I had just continued hiding the Armament.
Once the servants are done with the luggage, I bid farewell to my Uncle, who uses the ride to return home. There's a chance he could encounter danger on his way back, which is why I have left countermeasures with him as well.
But if the Minor Families know what's good for them, they won't make a move.
At least, not yet.
But I can't be so sure anymore. It seems like the style of the Aditi members is to rush in doing things, which means I can't be the one taking it slow. As such, even after returning to my room and feeling the temptation to relax on my bed, I refuse to indulge myself.
Honestly, even though it is expected that I greet my parents after returning, no one would blame me for immediately retiring to my room after such an exhausting trip. This is one of the reasons why Leon didn't suggest I see my parents, and no one also spoke about my parents, despite the usual tradition of them sending someone to greet me, as a subtle invitation to see them.
I could take this at face value and simply take my time before seeing them, but this bad feeling I have been getting has only grown worse.
The unknown visitor is likely to be with my parents at the moment.
Yet, why haven't they made some effort to make me see them, so I can at least welcome such a prestigious person? Even if their choice could be out of consideration, I find it very suspicious.
Rather than resting, I should check out who this visitor is.
And so, after hurriedly freshening up, I rush to the reception area of our large manor and make my presence known before proceeding inside.
Just as I suspected, my father and mother are inside entertaining the visitor.
And… just as I feared… the visitor is someone I recognize.
With silver gray hair that flutters with grandness, and a beard that firmly matches, his blood red eyes contain hints of darkness. Despite being a man in his fifties, his hefty build surpasses even my father's, and a domineering aura radiates from him where he sits. Two large swords rest on the wall right next to his seat, and his outfit resembles a traveler's coat, even with his cloak hung on a rack relatively close to the entrance.
This man… I know him too well.
His name is Jerome Sirius, and he was my Master in my past life.
Despite his overpowering presence, he has a heroic aura that spreads warmth around him. And despite having a thunderous voice that can rattle bones and cause the flesh to tremble, he has a tender side as well.
My Master, whom I spent several years with—honing my abilities and polishing my skills.
I should have known.
'Father, so you ended up resorting to this move in the end…' I pause while taking in the entire sight in the room, watching as everyone's eyes fall on me.
It's already clear what is happening here.
My father has brought Sir Jerome Sirius to somehow convince me to become a Knight, or to drag me off to the Knight Academy if I refuse to comply. The worst-case scenario will arise if he has somehow convinced him to take me to his private manor.
But my Master has high standards, so that is probably not the case that he would accept me before I prove myself somewhat, which is why the Knight Academy is the most sensible option.
'This isn't good…'
To think my father cooked up another scheme the moment I left the Estate.
This man just won't give up.
I already knew my parents would be like this, but seeing them continuously get in my way is a little disheartening. It seems I can't catch a break at all.
'But…' A confident smile forms on my face despite how nervous I am, and I bravely step forward without hesitation in steps. '… Don't think I'm going to back down because of this.'
I greet everyone in the room, especially focusing on the old man.
"I greet you, Sir Jerome Sirius… also called the Twin-Bladed Silver Giant." I smile softly, bowing respectfully as I address him.
"Oh? I'm surprised you know who I am." He strokes his beard, impressed. "Did Luther tell you about me already?"
"Not at all, sir. I'm simply a studious person, and I have especially been catching up on history. I read about your exploits in the Northern mountains and your battles to reclaim our lost territory. Even the clash of the Green Shade Desert…" I continue to list information that I only know due to my close interaction with this man in my past life.
Naturally, he is stunned by my wealth of knowledge, and of course… very impressed.
My parents are also surprised, but they do well to hide their shock.
"Luther, you have quite the impressive son!" My old Master beams with delight and laughs thunderously.
"Haha! Is that so? Thank you, Sir Jerome…"
My father coats his bitterness with a forced smile, even proceeding to laugh with the old man.
I quickly stifle my amused laugh while watching this.
'Father, you're simply too young and inexperienced compared to me…' I think to myself as I observe the scene before me. 'Of all the people you have chosen to use against me, you chose the man who would eventually be my Master. The one man who was more like a father to me than you…'
Despite Sir Jerome's tough exterior, he isn't a man lacking in compassion.
He is a very kind man.
In my past life, he would constantly look for ways to make me push myself less and rest.
He would often encourage me to take care of my body and not try so hard. At some point, he even tried to subtly let me know of my lack of talent, asking me if there was any other thing I was interested in.
But I had dedicated my whole life to the way of the sword.
I had no answer for him.
In the end, despite him desiring more for me, he couldn't help but powerlessly watch me train, even against his instructions. I often sneaked out to train in secret, disregarding his considerations. Still, due to the agreement he made with my father, he still had to train me to the best of his abilities.
Without him, I wouldn't even be half the warrior I was in my past life.
It's also because of him that I was able to fully master the Aditi Household's Martial Technique.
Needless to say, this man made quite the impact on my past life.
That is why I know…
'Your plans won't succeed, father. I know this man like the back of my hand. Even though he kept many secrets until his death, I was close enough to gain many insights from him, including a lot of information about his life.'
As long as I impress him sufficiently, I am sure to get in his good graces.
Once I do that, wouldn't it be too difficult for him to use forceful means to make me a Knight?
"You should join us in our discourse, Javier!" My old Master suggests enthusiastically, much to the chagrin of my father. Sir Jerome notices my father's change in expression quite quickly and addresses it.
"Ah, my apologies. I should have asked for permission from the Head of Household."
"No, come on… It's fine, Sir Jerome. We aren't strangers, after all."
"Then why do you keep calling me Sir?"
"How could I not? Hahaha!"
In the end, I am invited into their midst.
'A man impressed with knowledge will not encourage others to abandon it…' I chuckle internally, having my seat amongst these people as I make myself comfortable. Despite being the youngest here, I am actually older than everyone present if I add in my age from my past life.
I feel no awkwardness at all.
'Looks like I was a little too anxious…' After spending some time with them, I quickly realized a few things. 'It seems it hasn't been very long since Master arrived, and Father hasn't had the opportunity to introduce my problematic aspects to him.'
In essence, I was correct not to waste any time and approach them. As a result, I have made the best first impression on my old Master.
What a relief!
Despite being an old man with very little interest and influence in the political scene of this Kingdom, my old Master is actually a formidable figure—a hero among heroes in the Randalorion Kingdom.
In fact, to this day, I find it surprising that my father knows a man of his caliber.
Not only did he serve as a Commander in the past, but he also had one of the most prestigious positions in the Kingdom.
He was a member of the Royal Knights—an elite group that directly serves the Royal Family.
Even though he is retired now, he was an excellent Knight in the past.
This is a great man!
'He was an exceptional Master to me. I'm certain… he'll be an even better fit for Selicia!'
Without holding back at all, I insert myself into many conversations, weaving my way into topics until I finally become an integral part of the conversation.
Once I achieve this, I finally begin to reveal my true intentions and directly face my old Master.