Chapter 128. For My Daughter’s Sake
The day after returning from the Verlia Kingdom.
Today, I discuss our plans with Isis and the others.
"Wait, so you couldn’t get info on the next relic?"
"Yeah. They said they’re still narrowing it down."
"So, the relic hunt’s on hold for now? Are we free to do whatever?"
"Ah, sorry. The relic hunt’s on hold, but we still have somewhere to go. We need to head to the Nova Earldom first."
"The Nova Earldom? Isis’s family’s territory, right? Southwest of the Verlia Kingdom?"
"Yep. It’s west of where we found Methis."
"What’re we going there for?"
"The Nova family’s been gathering relic info too. Might be new leads. Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve been back."
"So, next stop’s the Nova Earldom. What’s the quickest way there?"
"Hmm… south from the capital? We could go west from where Methis was, but we’d have to cut through a monster-infested forest."
"Yeah, better not take unnecessary risks."
"Hey, Isis."
"What’s up, Celia?"
"By the time we reach the Nova Earldom, won’t it be close to year’s end?"
""""Ah.""""
"How long from the capital to the Nova Earldom?"
"About two weeks by your carriage…"
It’s late November now. We’d arrive around mid-December.
And after that, snow’ll make travel tough.
"We’ve gotta attend the coming-of-age ceremony after New Year’s too. You guys have one, right?"
"Yep. Me and Franco."
"I’m next year."
Ah, Celia’s 14, right?
Her petite frame makes her seem younger.
"For us, it’s me, Shakti, and Lydia."
"That’s about it for close acquaintances, huh?"
"Lydia? Another girl?"
"What d’ya mean, ‘another’?"
Now that I think about it, the hero party hasn’t met Lydia yet.
"She’s a knight in the royal guard. Daughter of the Diran family, and she’s been getting stronger lately. Pure strength-wise, she might be the strongest in Elmbarn."
"‘Pure strength-wise’…? A girl?"
"Yep. A girl."
"What, some giantess?"
She looks like a busty beauty, but saying that’d open a can of worms, so I’ll keep quiet.
"If you stick around Elmbarn, you’ll meet her eventually. Anyway, what’s the coming-of-age ceremony like in Verlia?"
"Same as Elmbarn, no? In a lord’s city, the lord gives a ‘gracious’ speech, then the party starts."
"Isis, you’re attending the Nova Earldom’s ceremony, right?"
"Yep. Of course."
"What about Franco? If your dad’s a minister, don’t you have a house in the capital?"
"I’m good. Haven’t been home in ages. Don’t ask why. I’ll attend the ceremony with Isis in the Nova Earldom."
"Oh… okay."
Seems there’s a big rift between Franco and his family.
The fact that Isis and the others don’t pry means they’re leaving it to him.
At least unless he asks for help.
"Uh… so once we reach the Nova Earldom, we’ll split up. Let’s take a break after New Year’s."
"Sounds good. But I’ll stay in Elmbarn. Come pick me up a few days into the new year."
"You sure? Not spending time with family?"
"It’s fine. Dad and my brother are annoying."
"Mind if I do the same, Jun?"
"Sure, no problem. But, Baltohart, you’re okay with this?"
"Indeed. My son… Alois nags me too. ‘Stop drinking so much,’ ‘settle down at home,’ etc. Let an old retiree live his remaining years in peace."
"Alois cares about family."
"Exactly. A good family."
"That’s called overprotectiveness."
"Hmph. So, what about you all?"
"I’m staying with Isis."
"Me too. If that’s okay, Jun?"
"Yeah, sure."
Come to think of it, I haven’t heard about Celia’s family.
I know she’s from a small merchant family.
Maybe I’ll ask later.
"Hey hey, Isis!"
"What, Ai?"
"Let’s spar while we’re in Elmbarn! Baltohart too!"
"Sure." "I accept, Ai."
"Oh, mind if I join? Baltohart, if you could spare some time to train the royal guard, I’d appreciate it."
"Of course. Though I can only teach swordsmen."
"That’s plenty."
Training under a Sword Saint’ll be a great experience.
"Alright, so we’re heading to the Nova Earldom from the capital."
""""Got it!""""
"Ah, sorry, Jun. Once we reach the Nova Earldom, there’s one more place I wanna go. Can you come?"
"Huh? Sure, where?"
"Ryuban, a town in the Nova Earldom. My uncle’s the magistrate there."
"Isis’s uncle? So…?"
"My other son. Theo Nova… a fool, honestly."
"Grandpa says that, but I love Uncle Theo. He’s fun. You’ll get along, Jun. Grandpa’s actually proud of him."
"Am not!"
But he doesn’t seem entirely against the idea.
"Anyway, let’s go."
We teleport to the capital, then take a carriage to the Nova Earldom.
We travel till dusk, teleport back to the castle, then return to our progress point the next day.
Repeating this, we luck out with no snow and make good time, arriving in Novaalec, the Nova Earldom’s capital, a day early.
"This is my home."
"Huh. Gives a different vibe from the capital’s mansion."
"Really?"
The capital’s mansion felt like any other noble’s.
But this? The Nova family’s produced the most Holy Knight captains in history.
The mansion exudes dignity.
"Come on in, everyone."
""""Welcome home.""""
Like in the capital, the Nova family’s staff greets us.
They must’ve prepared fast after getting word.
"Is Dad out?"
Sounds like he’s hoping he is.
He mentioned being overprotected, but he doesn’t seem to dislike him.
The current Nova family head—Alois Nova, I think?
"Alois-sama and Mikhail-sama are here. They’ll arrive shortly…"
A butler answers Isis.
Then, the sound of someone sprinting at breakneck speed echoes.
"""Aaaaaaaiiiisiiis!"""
"Ugh, here they come."
A burly man charges from the second floor, followed by an 18-year-old-ish guy.
A bearded dude sprinting tearfully is… something.
This must be Isis’s dad, Alois.
Looks nothing like him.
"Isis! Are you hurt anywhere?!"
"I’m fine, calm down, Dad."
Wow, he’s loved.
Almost excessively.
The staff seems used to this, unfazed.
"Isis! Glad you’re safe!"
"Yep. I’m back, Bro."
That’s Mikhail Nova, Isis’s brother.
At first glance, he seems gentle, but his clothes hide a toned physique.
Being Baltohart’s grandson and Isis’s brother, he’s clearly trained.
"Hey, I’m here too. More importantly, we have guests. Welcome them properly."
"Ah, glad you’re safe too, Dad. Not drinking too much?"
"Welcome back, Grandpa."
"Yeah, I’m back, Mikhail. Alois, stop calling me ‘Dad’ in public."
"Childhood habit. Hard to break. So, guests? Hmm…"
Finally, introductions.
I didn’t wanna interrupt their reunion, but glad we weren’t ignored.
"Nice to meet you, I’m—woah!"
"Tch, dodged."
He tried to punch me mid-greeting.
Deja vu?
"Dad! Stop!"
"Oi, dumbass! What’re you doing?!"
"What? This guy’s clearly after Isis too. Gotta kill him now. Right, Mikhail?"
"True. Safer that way."
"No no no! Hear us out first!"
[Master’s family’s scary. I’m getting nervous.]
Me too. Within minutes of meeting.
Do all fathers with daughters turn out like this?
"Same as ever, Alois, Mikhail."
"Same as ever…? Wait, Franco, did you—?"
"I couldn’t dodge."
Seriously? A heads-up would’ve been nice.
But attacking just ’cause I came home with your daughter? Harsh.
"You’re lucky Jun dodged. Hitting him would’ve caused an international incident… Well, the others wouldn’t have stayed quiet either…"
"International incident?"
"Others…?"
The murderous aura’s intense. Especially Hati.
Please don’t turn into a wolf here.
"T-This pressure…"
"They’re no ordinary folks, Dad…"
Alois and Mikhail are shaken.
I’d be terrified on the receiving end.
If I’d been hit, a fight might’ve broken out.
"Ahhh… Everyone, relax. Ahem Nice to meet you, I’m Jun Elmbarn, the Demon Prince of Elmbarn. I’ve been accompanying Isis as an adventurer for quests. Pleasure."
"Th-The Demon Prince of Elmbarn?"
"With Isis?"
"Indeed. Jun is the genuine article. Let’s sit and talk. This way."
"Thanks."
While calming the still-tense group, Baltohart leads us inside.
After explaining everything, Alois finally seems convinced.
"I see… Jun-sama, my deepest apologies for earlier."
"Really sorry, Jun. Dad’s always been like this. Should’ve warned you."
"Fool of a son… My sincerest apologies, Jun-sama."
"Honestly, Dad. Pick your battles."
"Hey! Mikhail! You agreed too!"
"Huh? Don’t recall."
"Hahaha…"
Mikhail’s got quite the personality.
Boldly playing dumb and pinning it all on his dad…
For the record, I remember too.
"Ahem Jun-sama, please stay tonight. We’ll hold a grand feast in your honor. Hey."
"Understood. Leave it to us."
"Alois, where’s Emma and Fleur?"
"At a tea party with vassals’ wives. They’ll be back soon."
"Uh… Emma and Fleur are…?"
"Emma’s my grandma, Fleur’s my mom."
Baltohart’s wife and Alois’s wife.
A tea party, huh.
Very noble-like.
"Alois-sama, Lady Emma and Lady Fleur have returned."
"Good. Bring them here."
"At once."
We chat over tea until the two ladies arrive.
They come straight here without changing.
"We’re back." "I’m home, dear."
"Welcome back, Mom, Fleur."
"I told you to stop calling me ‘Mom’ in public, idiot."
"That face doesn’t suit ‘Mom,’ I tell ya."
Harsh.
Seems the women rule here too.
Emma, Baltohart’s age, carries dignity rather than grace.
Fleur looks much younger than her late 30s. A blonde beauty like Isis.
"So? These are our guests?"
"My, quite the handsome one. Finally got a lover, Isis?"
"""No."""
"Nope."
Alois, Mikhail, and Franco instantly deny the ‘lover’ theory.
Which is true, but still.
"No? Then how about me? Giggle"
"Eh?!"
"Mom!" "Hey, Fleur!"
"Not a bad idea. What about me, young man?"
"Ehh?!"
"Grandma?!"
"Whoa, Emma…"
I don’t dislike older women, but Emma’s way out of my range.
Plus, they’re both married.
"Chuckle Just kidding."
"Isis, still so easy to tease. Now, introduce our guests?"
"Ah, right…"
Quite the intense ladies.
I bet they’d get along with my mom, Eliza, and big sis Alize.
Isis introduces everyone.
When she mentions Alois’s punch attempt, Emma and Fleur smack his head, knocking him out.
"Guhhh… What was that for…?"
"My line, idiot."
"Do you realize what could’ve happened if you’d actually hit him?!"
Yeah, international incident aside, the others would’ve killed him…
Which’d mean war…
"Deepest apologies, Jun-sama."
"Please forgive us, Jun-sama."
"It’s fine… He didn’t land the hit, and you’ve apologized. No hard feelings."
"Honestly… Even His Majesty couldn’t cover for you next time."
"Hm? Did something happen before?"
"Yes. Alois once punched Prince Elric."
""""What?""""
"He tried to forcibly take Isis as his wife… So Alois punched him… Thanks to His Majesty’s mercy, it was smoothed over, and Prince Elric’s marriage proposal was denied."
"Hmph! Prince Elric couldn’t make Isis happy! Obviously!"
Whoa…
He punched his own prince for his daughter’s sake?
That’s… admirable.
And from the looks of it, Prince Elric hasn’t given up.
"That’s… impressive."
"Well… We all agree Isis shouldn’t marry Prince Elric."
"True. I fell for him again when he punched the prince."
"Bwahaha! Right?!"
"Doesn’t excuse today, idiot."
"Are you even sorry?"
"Yes… Sorry…"
But seriously, that’s amazing.
Punching a prince for your daughter?
Not many could do that.
"Anyway, tonight’s a feast. Enjoy yourselves."
"Thank you."
The Nova family’s great.
The staff, too—fitting for such a household.
The feast was a blast.
Now I’m looking forward to meeting Isis’s uncle in the next town.