Ch#54
"Well, anyway, since we have to meet the Emperor at least once to discuss your family registry issue."
Muttering that, not-Uncle but Dad stroked my head twice.
"So what about you, Father?"
Purple eyes fixed on Grandfather this time. Grandfather glared sullenly at the end of the letter.
'No way Gramps would go, even so.'
Since he fell ill, he seemed to hate standing before people.
"...? Our snot-nugget's going, so how could I not?"
But contrary to my expectation, Grandfather looked at me like 'why ask something so obvious?'
"Me too, me too! I'm going with Ruby too!"
"Yeah. Void kiddo, you come along too!"
"Yay, chance to show off my sword!"
Void joined in excitedly too.
"Excited, Ruby? It's a family picnic."
Rustle rustle. Dad messily rubbed my head.
I, the silver lion, pursed my lips and nodded.
If we all go together... well, it should be good, right?
Thus, the Jebeurt family's New Green Festival attendance was confirmed. First time in 10 years.
"Gasp. Then what about Mother, Father?"
"Journey's long, so Rose should rest at the castle. Just call Riam."
"Hng...."
Void looked a bit disappointed. But thinking Rosetta's health first, he nodded maturely.
"Is the Duchess very unwell?"
I cautiously asked, biting into a big cookie.
"Watching her always makes me nervous."
A voice laced with a long sigh followed.
'Aigoo....'
I thought she was just a bright, warm sunshine heroine, but she has the pitiful frail beauty keyword too? Is it still sequelae from the carriage accident?
'What kind of people are they?'
I vaguely recalled the two from the original story.
First, Riam Jebeurt. A sharp-minded, 15-year-old brainiac boy. Of course, Jebeurt-style, his swordsmanship was naturally top-notch too.
'In a word, civil and martial prodigy. Academy top-tier perfect son.'
Among them, Riam showed keen interest in monster studies. Probably grew into a renowned monster scholar.
'Still fledgling level now.'
Next, Rosetta Jebeurt.
Once dominated the empire's social scene—an elegant noblewoman and Leviathan's first love. Basically the Part 1 heroine of this novel.
Her descriptions were pure textbook heroine fare. Fairy-like looks, pink hair like sweet cotton candy, voice like a gentle spring breeze and so on....
'But how did those two first meet?'
Couldn't tell from the original, since they appeared already as lovers.
'Come to think, Rosetta was adopted into a noble family too.'
So what did she do before that?
Munching my cookie, I tried imagining, but nothing came clear.
'Anyway, unintentionally... got pushed back a bit.'
Meeting Rosetta.
Regrettable, but can't be helped!
If I meet Riam first, I'll get close and come back!
* * *
There was some leeway until the New Green Festival, but the Jebeurt family departed early to stay in Ipson.
Ipson was a northern territory under Count Camellan, vassal to the Jebeurt Duke family.
Since going anyway, head early to handle this and that business, or whatever.
Count Camellan had also requested knight forces to fortify the territory ahead of the festival.
"Have a safe trip!"
The Duke's Castle servants waved brightly with smiles.
"We'll be back!"
"Safe travels, Young Master Rubian!"
Hazel fixed my hair one more time as she greeted me. Having lost the draw straws, she'd sadly become the house-sitter.
'Thought she'd be super depressed.'
Good that she looks fine.
"If needed, I'll chase after..."
"Huh?"
"Eek! Even for a short time, I'll miss you!"
Hazel hugged me tight, so I couldn't ask more.
No way... she'll dig a tunnel or something to follow, right...?
I narrowed my eyes with utterly rational deduction.
The horse carrying Dad and me began moving slowly.
Not too far to Ipson, so no carriage needed. Behind me stretched the carriage with Void and Grandfather, and the knights' procession.
[Watch front. Keep distance.]
Of course, Khalid was with us too.
'Bad Khal. Only lifts the block when it suits him.'
At this point, reasonable suspicion dawned.
This isn't blocking—it's hearing and ignoring, aka hear-and-ignore?
'If he hadn't ignored the outpost mage info, I'd block him!'
Hmph.
I snapped my head around and recalled this New Green Festival's goal.
'Must meet the outpost mage.'
He was the final puzzle piece for completing the barrier. Plus, probably snag some decent blueprints at the festival too.
'Not going would be a loss!'
And a tiny bit excited. Spring festival!
"...Still weird."
Then, Dad holding the reins behind me muttered softly. I tilted my head slightly.
"What?"
"No monster traces at all."
Huh? Really? I looked around.
Come to think, he'd said something similar before departure.
"Your Grace, we scouted the Ipson route ahead—no monsters found at all."
"...No way. Right?"
"...No way, sir."
What exactly was their 'no way'?
"No way.... Probably not."
For some reason, inexplicable anxiety seeped from the low voice... why?
But Dad said no more, and I was fully captivated by the scenery ahead.
"Wow."
We arrived in Ipson around sunset.
"J-Jebeurt Duke family!"
The gate guard startled like he'd seen a beast and shouted.
Blue lion flag fluttering behind us. We passed straight through the main gate without pause, crossing Ipson's streets.
"Whoa. Steam rising all around."
"Volcanic zone. Famous for hot springs, lots of noble villas."
"Jebeurt has one too?"
"Of course."
Giant villa at a tourist spot—exciting! I sniffed the faint sulfur scent, peeking around from Uncle's cloak hem.
"Welcome, family head."
Butler Adolph, who'd gone ahead to prepare the villa, and the servants greeted us.
"Wow! Huge!"
"Big but shabby."
No, this rich uncle?
Way nicer than Count Camellan's place we passed!
"Been a while here! Hope Riam bro gets here quick!"
Void stretched long upon entering the villa lobby. Looked super familiar, like prowling the Duke's Castle—must come often.
"Wanted to see our Rose."
Grandfather muttered regretfully as he shed his heavy cloak.
Then, one of the lined-up servants asked,
"Family head, we've prepared the Jebeurt-owned hot spring—what shall we do?"
"Whoa! Bath time!"
My eyes sparkled unwittingly, and Grandfather laughed haa, bending down.
"Been a while, gotta loosen up! Our snot-nugget, wanna herbal medicinal soak with Gramps?"
"Mm, hate it!"
Kuhk. At my firm refusal, Gramps clutched his right chest and rolled on the floor. Ah, heart's on the left...
Void shook his head and stepped up.
"Heh. Grandpa, Ruby likes big bro more. Roob, rainbow hot spring with me!"
"Rainbow totally hate."
Ttahk. Young master despaired beside Grandfather too.
"..."
The watching servants' gazes naturally turned to the Duke removing his cloak.
Dad chuckled and scooped me up.
"You all lack caution. Ruby hates bathing with others."
Eh, as expected, stylish Dad...
"But by now, I should be fine. Ruby, can cover up, so with Dad..."
"Can I pick a room?"
I hopped down from Dad's arms and headed up the stairs.
Everyone casually spouts such nonsense!
Behind my bounding up the stairs, Grandfather and Void dusted themselves off and rose.
"But Ruby didn't cut me off..."
How much must she hate...
No response came from the statue-still Duke.
Gramps pityingly clapped the broad shoulder.
"Uh, what was it. Strength? muster some. Son."
"Cheer up, Father."
The Duke was glum.
