"Welcome, Sir Vector."
Leo rose from his seat to receive Baron Vector.
"Greetings, Second Young Master."
Leo felt a momentary sense of incongruity at the sight of Baron Vector prostrating himself as he offered his greeting.
'Was he always like this?'
Leo had not had any real contact with him in his previous life, so he had never known him well, but he had possessed a rough idea of his personality.
He had thought Vector was simply the same kind of man as his father, with a little more humanity mixed in.
"Please sit. What brings you here at this hour?"
Baron Vector rose and took a seat opposite Leo.
"Not long ago, I saw you at the training ground, Young Master."
At Baron Vector's words, Hans, who was preparing refreshments, glanced at Leo to gauge his reaction.
When Leo gave him a playful smile, Hans shook his head from side to side with an expression that looked ready to burst into tears.
If Leo admitted that he already knew, Hans would be put in an awkward position.
"Ah, I see. How embarrassing. To think that you saw my immature swordsmanship."
Hans let out a small sigh at Leo's answer and finished filling the teacup.
"Not at all, Young Master. It was truly outstanding. That is also why I came to see you at this late hour. There is something I wish to ask. Please forgive my discourtesy."
Leo smiled at Vector's words.
"It is not particularly late."
They had eaten dinner only a short while ago, so it was not particularly late.
"You said there was something you wished to ask?"
"Yes. The swordsmanship I saw you use was Dual-Wielding Swordsmanship. I also saw you use a Mana Sword."
Leo quietly nodded at Baron Vector's words.
'He saw it properly.'
Leo had used a Mana Sword during his swordsmanship training as well to maximize the effects of 3-Star training in the Mana Cultivation Method.
"Yes. That is correct."
"Could you tell me where you learned your swordsmanship and Mana Cultivation Method?"
At Vector's question, Leo lowered his posture slightly and rested both elbows on the desk.
"Did Father ask you?"
"Ah, no. That is not the case......."
'What do you mean, no? That's exactly what happened.'
Vector looked visibly flustered by Leo’s question.
"I learned from books. I cannot remember which book it was. I have read so many books, after all."
Vector nodded at the answer Leo had prepared in advance.
He appeared to have come here already thinking that was likely the case.
'Being a bookworm is helping me here.'
His relief was brief, as Baron Vector raised another concern.
"My lord is deeply worried. He fears that incorrect swordsmanship and an improper Mana Cultivation Method may harm your health, Young Master."
Of course, Leo had already considered all of that.
"There is no need to worry about that. I practiced the basic Mana Cultivation Method taught at the Academy. As for the swordsmanship, I simply sought out what I wanted and practiced it."
Watching Vector nod at the answers that flowed from him like water, Leo continued immediately.
"Ah, while learning swordsmanship recently, I found myself wanting to learn House Valantes Swordsmanship."
"That is an excellent idea. House Valantes Swordsmanship is exceptional. It is more balanced than any other swordsmanship I have ever seen......."
Vector, who had been speaking with enthusiasm, cleared his throat and bowed his head.
"Ahem, ahem...... My apologies."
He, too, had realized it while speaking.
His lord had almost no trust in Leo, who was both an illegitimate son and a bookworm.
Naturally, he would not hand over the House Valantes Swordsmanship Secret Manual.
"Please help me, Sir Vector."
"Me?"
"Yes. Please help me obtain the House Valantes Swordsmanship Secret Manual so that I may learn it."
"Ah......."
Watching Vector let out a low groan, Leo slowly spoke.
"You do not need to do much. Please tell Father exactly what you saw and thought of my skill, without adding or leaving anything out."
Vector had fallen silent at Leo's words, but he soon smiled as though something had occurred to him and nodded.
Considering Leo's skill, he no longer felt that it was completely impossible.
"I can certainly do that much, but will that alone be enough?"
"That will be enough. Now...... I have answered your question, so would you answer something I am curious about as well?"
Leo's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
Vector met his gaze and answered in bewilderment at Leo's unexpected words.
"Yes, yes...... Please ask me anything."
"Why did Father go to Talisha Castle this time?"
Vector hesitated for a moment at Leo's question.
Leo studied him closely, as though determined not to miss even the slightest movement of his pupils.
A long silence passed before Vector slowly spoke.
"He went to win over the barbarians."
Leo nodded at Baron Vector's words.
'Just as I thought.......'
His father had tried to win over the barbarians in his previous life as well.
He had met his end while carrying out that plan.
That had been the starting point of his house's downfall.
Moreover, it was also what had caused Leo to develop an aversion to the barbarians.
But he thought differently in this life.
'I need to bring them over to our side.'
He needed to secure the 'mysterious power' the barbarians possessed.
The special ability that only they could use would become a tremendous asset later.
"The Head of House is trying to win them over entirely because of you, Young Master."
Leo, who had been lost in thought, flinched at Vector's words.
'For my sake?'
Leo had known that his father was trying to win them over, but he had not known the reason.
He had simply assumed that his father knew about their special power as well.......
"With your imminent departure for Rutoa in mind...... he is trying to reduce the risk factors there."
Leo would not have believed it if anyone else had told him, but Vector's words were trustworthy.
After all, Vector was the only person to whom his father revealed his true thoughts.
Leo calmly pressed down the wave of emotion that threatened to wash over him and immediately set his mind to work.
'It'll be easier than I thought to bring up Exile and the House Valantes Swordsmanship Secret Manual.'
The family was scheduled to have breakfast together the next morning for the first time in a very long while.
Being family did not mean they always ate together.
His father in particular did not enjoy such gatherings, and this was the first one arranged since the meal on the day Leo regressed.
It would have been an intensely uncomfortable occasion for Leo before his regression, but now he could hardly wait for the family breakfast the next morning.
'I'll settle everything tomorrow.'
***
The next day arrived.
Leo rose with a great stretch, then sat down cross-legged.
He began his 3-Star cultivation at once, rotating his Mana Circle.
'It's almost complete.'
Except when Leo was asleep, his Mana Circle was always moving diligently.
Thanks to that, it seemed he would complete the 3-Star stage before long.
After activating his Mana Circle, Leo rose and immediately summoned Minatos.
'Minatos.'
-Did you sleep well?
'Yeah. Did you sleep well?'
-Yes. I slept very well! What shall we do today?
Minatos's smile made the morning pleasant, and Leo smiled in return.
'Follow the Knight Commander, Baron Vector Leger.'
-Yes. That is very easy.
Watching Minatos bow stylishly at the waist after giving such a neat, no-nonsense answer, Leo spoke with a satisfied expression.
'Good. I'm counting on you from this moment on.'
-Yes. But you know this, right? The farther apart we are, the greater our mana consumption becomes.
'Yeah, I know. Ah, to be precise, follow Baron Vector until you hear him talking with Father, then come straight back. That'll be enough.'
Vector's pupils had shifted uneasily the day before when Leo asked why Magenta had gone to Talisha Castle.
'He's definitely hiding something.'
The old Leo would not have noticed, but there had clearly been something more.
He had seen that kind of look countless times, and those who wore it had always been hiding something from him.
-Yes. I will listen carefully, remember every word, and tell you everything.
'Good. I'm counting on you.'
-All right! I'll be off!
Leo watched Minatos bow once more and softly fade away, then rose from his seat.
He immediately began preparing for the day.
A short while later, Leo headed toward the dining room for breakfast.
"Young Master, are you worried about something?"
Hans, walking beside him, asked tentatively.
"I'm always worried about something."
"What is it? Please tell me."
"You?"
Leo gave him a suspicious look. Hans exhaled with a long HAA- and spoke.
"Young Master. That look in your eyes......."
"That's right. I have a feeling you'd go around telling everyone what's troubling me."
"Young Master, what kind of person do you think I am? I know how to keep a secret."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Hmm...... Fine. What I'm worried about is......."
Leo trailed off and slowly leaned his face toward Hans's ear.
Hans's brow furrowed as he focused with all his might, but.......
"Ah...... never mind. I'll tell you next time."
Hans's shoulders sagged as though all the strength had left him, and he followed Leo, who was walking ahead.
"Young Master, if you keep everything bottled up inside, you will make yourself ill. Please get it off your chest and tell me. Is that not why I am here?"
"Actually, I don't have any worries like that. I'm too happy right now."
Leo smiled pleasantly and patted him on the shoulder.
They soon reached the dining room, and Leo opened the door and stepped inside.
As he entered, a heavy atmosphere pressed down on his shoulders.
His father sat at the head of the table.
Jamie's seat was empty, as expected, while his mother gave Leo a bright smile when she saw him enter.
"Did you rest comfortably last night?"
After greeting them, Leo took his seat.
He swept his gaze over the table laden with a lavish feast, then looked at Magenta and spoke.
"Father."
Magenta and Aria stopped what they were doing at Leo's call.
They were surprised by Leo's sudden action, as he had never spoken unless someone addressed him first.
"Speak."
Magenta paused for a moment, then resumed cutting his steak as he answered.
"I went into town yesterday and met the Head Merchant of an arms merchant company."
"And?"
"I would like you to meet the Head Merchant."
At Leo's words, Aria looked anxiously between father and son, while Magenta slowly set down his utensils and stared at Leo.
His gaze carried a heavy chill.
"Why?"
There was even a trace of anger in his voice.
But Leo did not falter in the slightest.
"I mentioned him because his company is worth your time and he is a man who may prove helpful to you. If I have offended you, please forgive me."
It was an apology for his wrongdoing, but a confident one devoid of servility.
"......Which merchant company?"
"It is called the Blood Axe Merchant Company, and its Head Merchant is a Half-Dwarf of mixed Dwarven and human blood. Moreover, it trades in weapons he forges himself."
A faint gleam of interest appeared in Magenta's eyes at Leo's words.
'My prediction was right.'
Seeing Magenta's interest, Leo continued with confidence.
"It is a newly established merchant company, and this is its first time in the Valantes Domain. I told the Head Merchant that I would meet him again in a week to arrange an appointment. What should I do?"
"Leo...... Your father is a busy man."
Aria spoke as though gently admonishing him, but Magenta slowly raised a hand to stop her.
"Tell him I will see him in three days. I do not expect to be in the domain a week from now."
Leo bowed his head and answered his father, who spoke dryly and returned his attention to his meal.
"Yes, I understand."
Leo heard his mother sigh in relief as the family prepared to resume eating.
"You said you wished to learn House Valantes Swordsmanship, did you not?"
Magenta tossed out the remark.
'He told Father already? That was fast.'
Leo had spoken with Vector only the previous evening, yet his father already knew.
It occurred to him that Baron Vector Leger might have wanted him to learn House Valantes Swordsmanship.
'Good. Let's settle everything cleanly while I have the chance.'
Leo slowly spoke.
"Yes, I wish to learn it. I carry the blood of House Valantes as well."
Without so much as glancing at Leo, Magenta continued cutting his meat as he answered.
"Come to the training ground this afternoon."
"Why? What are you planning to do?"
Aria asked with a worried expression.
But Magenta looked at Leo rather than Aria and gave his answer.
"I will personally determine whether you are qualified to learn House Valantes Swordsmanship."