Chapter 25 – I’ve Returned in Good Health
#1
The party began.
The celebration of victory was held in a cheerful and boisterous atmosphere.
Large pigs and cows were roasted whole, and mountains of troll meat, considered a delicacy, were piled up.
The barrels of honey wine, a specialty of the North, were brought out to be shared with everyone.
“Meat! Wow, this is amazing!”
“Isn’t it? Northern trolls have tender, juicy meat that just drips with flavour. And no matter how long you cook it, it doesn’t get tough.”
“Ohhh…”
A steak that never cools down and stays at a perfect medium-rare.
This truly was a magnificent piece of meat.
Lawrence dipped a large chunk of meat into a special sauce and took a big bite.
The burst of juices and the fragrant aroma of the meat filled his senses.
To think he was tasting a steak like this in the harsh Northern lands, something he had never experienced even on Earth.
He even felt that all his hardships had been worth it just for this taste.
“Hmm! Just as I thought!”
“If you only eat meat, you’re going to get fat, you know?”
“Hey, you have to eat a lot when you’re growing. It’ll all turn into height!”
“R-Really?”
Loria gave a slight scolding, but her eyes lit up at the mention of height.
Objectively, Loria wasn’t short, but standing between Leila and Lawrence made her look like the youngest.
Seeing that it seemed to bother her a bit, Lawrence tore off a piece of meat for his sister.
“Eat a lot and grow taller~.”
“I’m your older sister!”
“What’s this? Having fun, are we? Loria! Cheers!”
Leila suddenly appeared, holding a mug of honey wine out to Loria.
Lawrence intercepted her glass and said,
“Ahem, we’re still minors. This could get us censored.”
“Huh? Really? But a little bit should be fine, right?”
“Nope. You can have something else instead.”
“Alright. Then I’ll get something else. Wait for me!”
Leila disappeared again, and this time Lake approached.
Following the Grand Duke, he seemed proud to have completed his mission safely and returned.
He sat next to Lawrence and spoke to him in a friendly tone.
“Can I speak informally? I heard from Father that you healed my sister.”
“Feel free. You’re a year older than me, Lord Lake.”
“Alright, thanks. Call me Big Brother, then.”
“Sure thing. Did you get hurt at all?”
Lake nodded, then lightly touched Lawrence’s bicep.
He couldn’t help but be impressed.
Having been bedridden for so long due to his curse, Lake’s expression became a bit sombre.
“I couldn’t do much on the mission. I’ve lost a lot of muscle, so I didn’t have much strength. Meanwhile, you look like a warrior rather than a mage. It’s incredible.”
“Haha, it’s because I don’t have to study.”
“If I could, I’d love to train with you. Can you teach me how you built those muscles?”
Another muscle enthusiast?
Lawrence gave him a simple explanation.
The two engaged in an in-depth conversation about building muscle.
Watching them, Loria chuckled softly.
‘How admirable.’
They teased and bickered every day, but Lawrence’s abilities went beyond amazing—bordering on miraculous.
Even the family would have no choice but to recognize him now.
Even without a Mana Core, Lawrence seemed destined to become a truly remarkable mage.
“I wonder what evaluation the Grand Duke would give.”
“My dad? He must have written an epic review.”
“Oh, Lady Leila.”
“Just ‘Leila’ is fine. Wow, look at how smooth your skin is. Mind if I touch it a bit?”
Loria nodded, a bit bewildered, and soon her cheeks were being gently squished and stretched.
Seeing this, her younger brother almost cast a spell on her, but it was a minor incident.
While Lawrence and everyone else were enjoying themselves, he noticed someone.
‘Why is she sitting there so glumly?’
He spotted Freya, the head of the Phoenix Mage Corps, quietly sipping honey wine in a corner.
She sat absentmindedly by a small campfire.
She was clearly deep in thought.
Lawrence excused himself from everyone else and walked over to her.
“What are you doing here alone?”
“Oh, my lord.”
“Everyone’s celebrating, but it seems you have a lot on your mind.”
“Indeed. I was contemplating what research I should pursue back at the Magic Tower and how I should interact with you, my lord. And…”
Freya hesitated, then voiced a growing doubt.
It was related to Medeia.
“The lady proposed something, but I can’t seem to clearly recall that part, nor understand why I accepted.”
“Hmm… To be frank, the Duchess doesn’t think highly of me.”
Freya nodded silently.
Who among the main line would favour Lawrence, a son born out of wedlock?
If he returned successfully from this mission, that animosity would likely intensify.
“I also know that she gave orders to get rid of me.”
“……”
“Think carefully, Freya. Why would she drag you, a neutral party, into this?”
“Perhaps she plans to sever ties.”
It wasn’t a difficult assumption.
Freya’s eyes trembled slightly.
Lawrence handed her a piece of perfectly roasted meat and said,
“I’ll see you at the Magic Tower. I’ll keep my promise about the research.”
“Thank you.”
Her research might contribute to artifact creation.
Knowledge grows wider through various exchanges.
Freya’s research would undoubtedly have a great impact on Lawrence as well.
Freya, deep in thought again as she held the meat, didn’t notice as Lawrence quietly stepped away.
Tomorrow, he would send out the carrier pigeon, and his report would be delivered.
Once he returned, things were bound to get interesting.
#2
Montemer Family
Finally, the assessments from each of the Northern families had arrived.
As expected, the Montemer family’s assessment was rated at the highest level.
Reports praised their achievements, both large and small, as befitting a family renowned for its magical prowess.
Edward read through each report, waiting for the final carrier pigeon.
Flap-flap—
The pigeon seemed to be drawn by mana, almost as if it were being pulled in.
The letter unfurled smoothly into Edward’s hand.
‘I wonder what evaluation Grand Duke Lancel Gaudi has given my son and daughter.’
Edward slowly began to read the letter.
Inside, there were evaluations regarding Loria, Lawrence, the Phoenix Mage Corps, and the Algeras Knights.
The letter contained both concerning elements and notable highlights.
‘The Algeras have betrayed us, and Lawrence has sworn an eternal friendship with the Gaudi household…’
A slight smile appeared on Edward’s lips.
He had waited a long time.
Many things would change from now on.
‘Anis, your wish is finally starting to come true.’
As the curse of protection weighed upon fate and life, the time had finally come to correct the distortion.
With a burst—
The letter burned away in blue mana flames.
Edward glanced at the passing clouds, pondering the time ahead.
Should preparations be made more swiftly?
He saw with clarity what was coming.
He also realized there wasn’t much time left.
He awaited the arrival of his son and daughter.
He would surely impose further trials upon them.
‘Keep growing, endlessly.’
His gaze lingered, fixed on the distant horizon.
A few days later.
Today was a truly glorious day, for it was the day when everyone who had journeyed to the North would return.
Since each had traveled varying distances, their arrival times differed, yet tradition held that everyone gathered at the Montemer estate on this day.
Those who arrived early would be resting, while those still some distance away were hurrying to arrive.
The group that had traveled farthest was, unsurprisingly, Lawrence’s party, which had gone to the Gaudi household.
Medeia, after soothing those who had arrived, waited anxiously for them.
“Do you think he might have perished?”
“Even if he survived, did he really accomplish anything?”
“Stop the idle talk.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The frivolous voices of those who hoped Lawrence had met a bad end.
After silencing their chatter, Medeia continued to watch the entrance to the Grand Training Hall.
Would her wishes be fulfilled?
She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, enduring the tedious wait.
“The group that went to the Gaudi family for the subjugation battle has returned!”
At last, the ones she had awaited arrived.
Everyone held their breath.
In the distance, flags began to appear.
The banners, bearing the emblems of Montemer and Gaudi, fluttered proudly as they approached with imposing dignity.
The one holding the flag was none other than an eleven-year-old child with crimson eyes.
It was Lawrence Montemer.
He wore the fur-lined cloak symbolizing the Grand Duke of the North and carried their flag.
“What, what is that!?”
“Impossible—!”
The heads of the noble families, who had gathered to witness the results of the subjugation, gasped in astonishment.
What could the young master possibly be carrying?
A proud smile, a slightly taller frame.
Most of all, the fact that he wore the Gaudi household’s cloak and held the Grand Duke’s banner was utterly shocking.
“That cloak, it’s certainly the Grand Duke’s, isn’t it?”
“Yes, without a doubt. The lingering mana and the shimmering fur—though black, it shines with a silver hue. That cloak is his very symbol.”
“How could this…?”
Among them, the one most shocked was Medeia.
Her hands trembled, and her pupils dilated.
How could that worthless child…
“What on earth did he do to deserve this…!”
Standing boldly before the onlookers, Lawrence and his party presented themselves.
The Algeras Knights were nowhere to be seen, but that was not the immediate focus.
Lawrence’s clear voice echoed through the Grand Training Hall.
“Lawrence Montemer, along with the Mage Corps under my command and Loria Montemer, has returned safely from the subjugation battle.”
“Well done.”
Rumble—
Edward’s voice resonated like the roar of celebratory fireworks.
While many grimaced at the sound, Lawrence alone kept his smile.
Then, someone voiced their curiosity.
“However, where are the Algeras Knights?”
“Indeed. Without them, the return isn’t entirely complete, is it?”
“You didn’t abandon the knights, did you?”
Clearly, they were trying to find any fault possible.
Without saying a word, Lawrence turned to Edward.
No need to draw this out; a declaration from the family head would suffice.
Perhaps spurred by Lawrence’s bold gaze, Edward rose and spoke with a voice filled with mana.
Rumble—
The very atmosphere began to vibrate once more.
“Hear me.”
“…”
“The Algeras Knights, along with their captain, Demian, sought to become Death Knights by forging a pact with dark wizards. Lawrence, Loria, and the Phoenix Mage Corps aided the Grand Duke in thwarting this.”
“What… unbelievable!”
“This has been attested by the Grand Duke, with his heart and mana as witness. If any doubt remains, go directly to Grand Duke Lancel Gaudi.”
No one dared to object.
As Lawrence watched Edward’s resolute declaration, he felt, for the first time, that his father was truly fulfilling his role.
In contrast, Medeia’s face was contorted beyond recognition.
“We have returned in good health.”
Lawrence’s smile shone brighter than ever.
—
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