TYHL 198

~Chapter 198~

Around the same time, at the Zebert Duke Estate.

“Hm. So, a man suspected of being the youngest fairy’s biological father.”

Liam murmured.

“And how our family should respond to this situation.”

A spacious inner chamber. At its center stood a round table, around which the family had gathered.

“From this moment, we’ll begin the emergency strategy meeting.”

Thus, the Zebert family council convened.

“We can just keep him confined in the mansion and follow whatever Ruby decides,” Khalid said quietly, sitting with one leg crossed. He had just returned after escorting Rubian to the outskirts.

“Con-finement? That’s easy!” Balok roared.

Before the old warrior, eyes blazing, could start listing the names of every restraint weapon imaginable, Khalid cut him off with a long sigh.

“…You’ve already heard it from Ruby, haven’t you? Why are you acting like this? We’re supposed to make it look like he’s being welcomed. Like that Casalian potato who’s been ‘staying’ in the imperial palace for weeks now.”

Ah. That one.

“Khalid’s right, Father,” Rosetta agreed.

“That way he won’t get any strange ideas and will stay put. We still don’t know his true intentions, and Ruby’s coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow. For now, we need to handle him carefully.”

Her tone was calm, yet unmistakably cold.

At that moment, Void—who had been quietly listening—raised his hand.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead, Void,” Liam allowed.

Void’s violet eyes slowly swept the room, then stopped on Khalid.

“This is a family meeting. Why is Khal here?”

His expression clearly showed his displeasure. Khalid didn’t even blink.

Rosetta smiled gently.

“Void, Khal is family too.”

“Huh?”

“Well… your mother plans to adopt him soon.”

“Huh?”

“Right, Khaa—”

Bang!

The man who had seemed unshakable shot to his feet, his displeasure obvious.

He looked like he wanted to snap back or pick a fight, but Rosetta left him no room to do so.

“…I’m busy. I need to feed the horses.”

As his broad back disappeared into the distance, Rosetta covered her mouth, delighted.

“How cute.”

“I have another question!” Void said quickly.

“Yes, Void. Very active participation,” Liam nodded.

“That mage who claims to be the biological father—can I insult him to his face? Biological or not. Just… the fact that he’s aiming for our Ruby makes my skin crawl.”

Liam nearly nodded without thinking. Naturally, Rosetta stepped in again.

“Void, Khalid just said we should make him seem roughly welcomed, didn’t he?”

“Then where am I supposed to unload this anxiety about losing my little sister?”

“Same here!” Balok shouted, pounding his chest.

“Void, you brat! First time you and your grandpa are on the same wavelength!”

“That’s a lie!”

“What did you say?”

“I mean—like it’s nice!”

“Bwahaha! You little punk! Anyway, I’ve got just the trick. Something I’ve wanted to use for ages whenever I felt like cursing the former emperor’s brat…”

Void’s ears perked up.

“…What is it?”

The two of them leaned together, whispering conspiratorially—strangely in sync.

“Hm. There’s actually not much left to discuss,” Rosetta said. “Everyone can just handle things their own way.”

Twisting a strand of her pink hair, she suddenly turned to Liam.

“By the way, Liam.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Have you finished your graduation thesis?”

“……”

Liam calmly adjusted his glasses with both hands.

“Mother. I’ve been wanting to say this, but during a family council, you must request the floor before speaking. Those are the rules. And since today is Friday, the chairperson is—”

Light flashed across his lenses.

“—me.”

Rosetta’s smile deepened beautifully as she rose in one fluid, elegant motion.

“W-why are you suddenly holding a bow—”

Sensing danger, Liam cautiously stepped back.

“Well… it just feels like the youngest fairy will be arriving soon…”

Whooosh. Two figures vanished into the distance.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” Balok muttered, dabbing at imaginary tears.

“Such a good first son… gone too soon…”

The mage arrived at the mansion alongside the Duke and Rubian.

And froze.

What is this… extravagant lineup of servants?

Against the backdrop of the grand estate, servants stood in neat rows. Word must have spread—everyone had come out to welcome him.

Why are they welcoming me? I’m a fake.

He kept repeating the same thought as he walked along in a daze.

Even though he told himself everything was going according to plan, unease crept in. He looked for a chance to escape—but the Duke was at his side, the young lady and the blue-haired knight beside him, and behind them stood a man radiating overwhelming pressure. Even glancing around felt risky.

That man behind us… is he a mage?

The magic felt dense.

Or is that the young lady’s magic…?

As a low-ranking mage, his sensing ability wasn’t very sharp.

“Well then, get some rest for now! I’m throwing a big birthday party tomorrow, so I’m insanely busy. Khalid, let’s go!”

Rubian said brightly, skipping into the mansion.

“Use whichever room you like. The staff will guide you,” the Duke added, steering him inside. The knights followed.

“Please, this way, Mage.”

Feeling strangely spellbound, the mage climbed the stairs. He barely had time to admire the grand lobby—

“Oh my, you must be.”

A breathtaking beauty approached with a smile.

“I-I greet the Duchess—”

“Formalities? No need. You’re Ruby’s real… something, after all.”

“Um, but why are you polishing arrows—”

“Oh, it’s just a hobby.”

Rosetta scrunched her nose playfully and suddenly aimed.

“Like this!”

Whoosh—thunk!

“Eek!”

“I shoot them around the house sometimes. It’s great for stress relief. You feel the same, don’t you, Mage?”

Who shoots arrows indoors?!

“N-no, I mean—why at people—?!”

“What? People? Do I look that uncouth? I was aiming at the decoration behind you.”

She pulled the string again.

The mage bolted. The arrowhead followed.

“Eek!”

“Hm? Why does my arrow keep chasing you? Want to be pierced?”

He wanted to shout it’s your arrow, but fear locked his throat.

“Sometimes they do fly at people by accident… but surely you can dodge, right? Our Ruby dodges with her eyes closed. You’re a mage too, after all.”

For a moment, he genuinely wondered if not being able to dodge made him the strange one.

The maids giggled. “Oh my, Lady Rosetta.”

Before becoming a living target, he sprinted up the nearest stairs.

Behind him came a gentle voice.

“Then, do rest well!”

Something’s… wrong.

That duchess is not sane.

As he searched for an escape route—

“Grandfather, this is a score I’ve been into lately.”

A low voice echoed down the corridor, followed by a gruff one.

“First art books, then poetry, now music? Hmph! Let me see!”

“These notes confuse me.”

A grandfather and grandson walked toward him, heads bent over the same sheet.

“Tut. Your musical sense still doesn’t beat mine! This is do-re—”

The old man lifted his eyelids just enough to glare at the stiff mage.

“Mi!”

“…What?”

“Mi! I said mi!”

“Ah! Mi!”

The second young master echoed him, staring straight ahead. Then Balok casually pointed at the mage.

“Well now. Looks like that’s the mage suspected of being our Ruby’s real father!”

The young master glanced at the sheet.

“Mi!”

“Real father!”

“……”

Why did this feel like being insulted to his face?

Caught in an endless loop of do-re-mi and real father, something welled up painfully in his chest. He bit his lip and fled to the third floor.

There must be bedrooms here…

It was dark. He seemed to be alone.

“Who goes there?”

Footsteps approached. A low voice.

A pale face emerged in the dim light. Cold, gleaming glasses.

The man pushed them up—

with his middle finger.

Something felt off, but the mage bowed politely.

“I was told I could use any room. I’ll stay on this floor.”

“Oh. I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you!”

Finally…

A normal person.

Black hair. Purple eyes.

Ah.

Liam Zebert.

He’d heard he was eccentric, but compared to the others, he was practically sane.

They walked.

And walked.

And walked.

“Um… when do we arrive—”

“Well… maybe the day after tomorrow?”

“What?!”

Enough.

Pointing at the nearest door, he shouted,

“I’ll just take this room!”

Bang.

“…Oh.”

He froze.

Inside were mounted beasts and grotesque specimens lining the walls.

“M-monsters—”

“Oh, you found my lab. Thank you for escorting me back—”

“Eek! S-spare me!”

Whoooosh.

Left behind, Liam blinked slowly.

“When someone thanks you, why do you run?”

Adjusting his glasses with care.

“Unlucky fellow.”

Definitely an enemy.

Panting, the mage finally fled to the stables.

I’ll sleep here instead!

Then he stopped.

In the distance stood a beautiful white horse.

And beside it, a man devotedly brushing it.

The mage approached cautiously.

“Um, excuse me—”

“You look like a horse thief.”

It was the dark blue–haired knight from earlier.

Khalid… right?

“Not a horse thief!”

“Then why are you staring at Khal?”

“……”

A grown man referring to himself in third person.

The mage felt dizzy.

Is everyone here insane?

“I-I’ll be going—”

“Correct.”

Did he just hear my thoughts?!

“Aaaah! Rats?!”

The air rippled violently, and a swarm of black rats poured out.

He fled again.

Sniff.

I want to go home.

In the wide training grounds, he collapsed beneath a stump, wiping away tears.

“Rough time, huh? This house has a pretty high entry barrier.”

He flinched.

What now.

Looking up, he saw a man with an eyepatch, chewing on grass, oddly friendly.

“I joined later too. Got my fair share of hazing.”

He introduced himself as Allen.

“I didn’t even want to join anything…”

Being dragged here and called a father wasn’t his choice.

Still, knowing someone else had survived this place was oddly comforting.

“See that maid over there?”

Allen nodded toward the entrance.

“Yes…”

A broad-shouldered woman in a maid’s uniform worked diligently.

“Hazel. Very kind type. Go explain your situation. She’ll treat you well.”

“Th-thank you.”

As the mage stood, a sense of relief washed over him.

At least the servants are kind.

So he never noticed—

The silent exchange of glances between a former mercenary and a current one.

Prey incoming.

Got it.

A wordless handoff between professionals of the same trade.