'It was around this time. I'm certain.'
The flash that had streaked through Leo's mind.
The 'Elven Leaf,' a mystical herb that dramatically increased the mana of whoever consumed it.
In his previous life, he had only heard about it long after being appointed Fortress Commander.
The Head of House Metiller, who had taken the Valantes Domain at the time, had discovered a hundred-year-old 'Elven Leaf' in the 'Living Forest,' consumed it, and immediately risen into the ranks of the kingdom's greatest knights.
Of course, this was partly because he was already quite accomplished, but the herb had also helped tremendously.
'This time, I'll find it.'
Since it was within the Valantes Domain, someone who bore the Valantes name should naturally be the one to consume it.
Leo had completely forgotten about it even when recording the events of his previous life on parchment, but his conversation with Hans about mana had suddenly brought it back to mind.
'It's located at the altar of Biserk Temple.'
In truth, Leo knew quite a few other ways to obtain herbs.
This was merely a piece of fortunate information that had crossed his mind entirely by chance.
'Good. I'll find the 'Elven Leaf' first, then move on.'
***
The next day arrived.
Jamie had begun his confinement, and unlike on previous occasions, it was extremely strict this time.
It was so severe that even the Deputy Knight Commander stood guard outside his room.
Leo heard that barriers had also been placed around the windows through which Jamie might escape.
Although Magenta did not usually interfere much, it seemed that he, too, disapproved of Jamie's conduct.
This was good news for Leo.
Thinking back on his previous life, Magenta had neglected Jamie far too much.
This incident would prompt Magenta to try to rein Jamie in properly, so there was now a good chance Jamie would change without Leo having to exert himself.
And after Minatos told him what the confined Jamie was doing, Leo realized it would not remain a mere possibility.
Apparently, Jamie spent his time reading and exercising.
Leo did not know whether Jamie had come to his senses or intended to take revenge once his confinement ended, but either way, it was undoubtedly a positive change.
In the meantime, Minatos even learned that Magenta would leave for Rutoa Fortress in one week.
After hearing that, Leo had considered asking his father directly to let him go to Rutoa.
However, he did not bring it up because he knew full well that his father would refuse.
His father was bound to object, and there was no need to respond by stubbornly insisting.
Instead, Leo planned to finish his preparations during the period he had claimed he would spend training, then join them at Rutoa.
Finally, there was the information about the Death Knight that he had heard from Minatos.
Minatos might look like a child, but they were a Spirit who had lived for many years.
After hearing about the Death Knight's strength from Minatos, the only one who had actually seen it, Leo reached a conclusion.
'It would be a dangerous opponent even for Father.'
Nine times out of ten, the accompanying knights would probably be overwhelmed by its aura and faint before they could display their full abilities.
'I'm the only one who can help.'
But Leo was different.
He possessed tremendous mental fortitude, honed while traversing countless wars in his previous life.
He could also use the power of Minatos, who had fought it before.
Most importantly, the blacksmith whom he planned to ask to refine the Gray Troll Hide might even know the Death Knight's weakness.
Among the barbarians, the blacksmith was someone who had lived for a remarkably long time. In the kingdom, he would have been considered a sage.
And Leo suspected that he might know about the Death Knight because of a sentence Leo had read in a book.
[Yakilles Makanon, a warrior of the Tantra Tribe who defeated a Death Knight.]
After hearing about the Death Knight, Leo had once again searched through a book he had read before to learn more about it.
That was what he had found.
The person who had once defeated a Death Knight was not one of the kingdom's famous knights, but a warrior of the Tantra Tribe, whom they called barbarians.
'The method isn't written here......'
That blacksmith might know.
He might know how to defeat it.
'I have to subdue it...... because there's a high chance that thing is after me.'
"Young Master."
"What?"
Hans's call pulled Leo from his thoughts, and he answered.
He had finished training in House Valantes Swordsmanship and Akedos’s Swordsmanship at the training grounds and was now on his way to the rear garden of the Valantes Inner Castle.
"When do you plan to return after going to the 'Living Forest,' Young Master?"
"Why? Because you want to learn swordsmanship as soon as possible?"
"No! I just think I'll be bored without you, Young Master."
"What do you mean, bored? Isn't it better when I'm gone? You won't have any work, and you can get plenty of rest."
"Come on...... I get restless when I'm not working. Hehe."
Leo let out a quiet chuckle at Hans's words.
"If you get restless, keep doing the exercises I taught you. Keep going until you're exhausted enough to fall asleep."
"Ah...... Those exercises again? You aren't trying to avoid teaching me swordsmanship, are you, Young Master?"
Leo had clearly taught him exercises that trained the fundamental muscles he needed before learning swordsmanship.
THUD—!
"Ow-."
Hans had been struck once for his needless whining, and his face crumpled miserably.
"If you work hard while I'm gone, I'll buy your first sword as a gift."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. For warriors who wield swords, their first sword holds tremendous significance."
When Leo emphasized the word 'warriors,' Hans seemed to forget his pain. His eyes gleamed as he exclaimed, 'Whoa......'
Then he spoke in an excited voice.
"Young Master. I would like a very ornate sword, please. The blade should be sharp, and the hilt should be engraved with elaborate patterns......"
"No. A wooden practice sword comes first. I'll buy you an extremely sturdy one. One that will never break."
"Ah......"
Leo let out a quiet chuckle at Hans's miserable expression.
Had they been walking like that for quite some time?
Leo and Hans arrived at the rear garden of the Valantes Inner Castle.
There, the Blood Axe Merchant Company had spread out all its wares in long rows.
"Have you arrived, Father?"
"Yes. So, you have come?"
Magenta, who had looked exceptionally excited, cleared his throat and schooled his expression at Leo's arrival.
'Why does it seem like Father enjoys looking at weapons more than seeing his son?'
Muttering inwardly, Leo swept his gaze across the rear garden.
'Hmm...... I can understand why.'
The Blood Axe Merchant Company's wares filled the rear garden.
There were so many that Leo wondered how on earth they had managed to carry them all.
"Young Master. Have you arrived?"
Vector, who stood beside Magenta, bowed with a good-natured smile.
It was a clear display of considerable favor.
Leo acknowledged his greeting with a slight bow of his head, then immediately searched for Exile.
"Young Master."
"Yes, Exile. You really went all out, didn't you?"
Since they had already met several times and were in front of the lord of the domain, Leo naturally addressed Exile as a subordinate.
Of course, Exile showed no sign of taking offense.
"I should have obtained permission beforehand. I apologize. Still, I thought it was only proper to show you everything we possess."
"No. It's fine, isn't it? Father seems pleased too."
Leo had expected them to come, talk, show a few weapons, and leave. He had never imagined they would put their weapons on display like this.
Exile seemed remarkably passionate.
Leaving the merchant company members to their preparations, Leo brought Exile over to Magenta.
'My job ends here.'
Leo then carefully slipped away.
From this point on, securing the contract was entirely up to Exile.
Leo could have helped further, but when he saw his father's smile, which was said to be as difficult to see as a dragon, there seemed to be no need.
"Young Master."
While Magenta and Exile had been talking for some time, Knight Commander Vector Leger quietly approached Leo.
"What is it?"
At Leo's question, Vector cast a wary glance toward Magenta before speaking quietly.
"The Head of House will soon leave for Rutoa Fortress. Were you aware?"
'Well, well...... Would you look at him?'
Leo smiled inwardly with satisfaction.
To think Vector would tell him something like this.
He appeared to trust Leo far more than when he had first visited Leo's room.
"No, this is the first I've heard of it. Why is he going?"
Vector answered Leo's question with a grave expression.
"You must not tell anyone about this."
"Yes. Who would I tell?"
Vector slowly spoke at Leo's reply.
"A Death Knight......"
"Vector."
The instant he uttered the single crucial term, Magenta called his name.
"Yes, My Lord."
"I am considering replacing all the swords of the Valantes Knights with their weapons. You, the Deputy Knight Commander, and the adjutants will have your armor replaced as well. What do you think?"
"The knights will be delighted. Thank you very much, My Lord."
A bright smile spread across Vector's face.
He was a warrior too, after all.
"Good. Let us do that. From now on, the Valantes Knights will purchase their weapons from the Blood Axe Merchant Company."
Once winter arrived, the ordinary men of the Valantes Domain would be incorporated into the standing army, increasing its numbers and naturally driving up the demand for weapons.
Their weapons were a little more expensive than those sold elsewhere, but their quality was far superior.
If finances allowed, they were good enough to make one want to cast aside the existing merchant company and trade with them instead.
"Exile."
Exile, who had been clasping Magenta's hand in both of his as he bowed, raised his head at Leo's call.
"Yes, Young Master."
"The Valantes Knights are the finest in the kingdom. Once word spreads that we use your weapons, your merchant company will probably grow at a frightening pace."
"Yes. Of course. Naturally. I was already planning to run the forge even harder once we return."
Leo raised the corners of his mouth in a small smile before speaking.
"If your merchant company grows, what would you think about offering House Valantes a discount on weapons in our future dealings?"
At Leo's words, the corner of Magenta's mouth twitched, and he turned his head to one side.
There were things he could not say because of his position as Count and his title as the greatest knight, and his son was boldly making one such demand in his place.
Exile answered Leo's proposal without a moment's hesitation.
"If the merchant company grows, we should certainly do that. It will all be thanks to the Valantes Knights. In return, I hope you will use our merchant company's weapons for the common soldiers as well."
As soon as Exile finished speaking, Magenta answered without even drawing breath.
"Of course we will."
***
Exile headed to Magenta's office to discuss the remaining details of the contract.
Afterward, Vector came over and explained in greater detail why Leo's father was going to Rutoa.
But it made little impression on Leo.
He had already heard all of it through Minatos.
Leo told Exile to come to his room after the contract was complete, then went to see his mother.
"Your father came to see me yesterday."
Aria's eyes curved into crescents.
Simply seeing her son filled her with contentment.
That was especially true when she considered Leo's recent actions.
"Father did?"
Leo, on the other hand, looked slightly surprised by what Aria had said.
Although she was a lady of the house, she was not treated as one.
She even had to be mindful of others when meeting her own son, and most of the time, she knew nothing about what happened in the Valantes Domain.
Yet his father had personally visited his mother's room.
It was a very welcome change.
"Did you say you were going to the 'Living Forest' to train?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"All right. You must have thought it through. I believe you will do well."
Leo bowed his head at his mother's words.
"Thank you."
"However, I have one concern."
"What is it?"
A faint shadow of worry settled over Aria's face.
"I am worried that your relationship with Jamie might worsen."
Leo gave his mother a small smile.
"Please do not worry. I did not do it because I hate my brother."
Aria had also heard that Leo had set fire to Jamie's room and caused chaos.
She had wanted to visit her son out of concern, but she could not because she was mindful of Magenta's reaction.
However, what Magenta had personally come and told her allowed her to set down a heavy burden of worry.
And now that she had met Leo, even the little worry that remained disappeared.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"I plan to go tomorrow."
"What? Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Now that I have made my decision, I should act on it immediately."
There was no need to delay it day after day.
His preparations were already complete.
Of course, everything would only be perfect once he met Exile shortly and received the sword.
"Then......"
Aria trailed off and removed the necklace she was wearing.
It had a pitch-black cord, and a round, sky-blue jewel was set in the pendant.
"Take this."
"What is it?"
Leo accepted the necklace from his mother with a puzzled expression.
"I spent a long time wondering whether I should give this to you...... but now that you have received the power of House Rayner and can command Spirits...... that is the Token of House Rayner."
It was something Leo could not possibly have received in his previous life.
He had been unable to command Spirits, had not known that his mother was the last heir of House Rayner, and above all, had been unable to see his mother after being appointed Fortress Commander.
But things were different now.
Leo was now an exceptionally dependable son in Aria's eyes.
So dependable that she believed she could entrust him with the legacy of her House.
That aside......
"How do I use this?"