Chapter 324: Return (3)

The Kiehl Empire.

The Lionheart estate buzzed with activity from the early morning, thanks to the news that arrived the day prior from Aroth. Their son, Eugene Lionheart, was finally returning today after being away from the estate for several months. Now, his wanderlust was nothing unusual, which meant his sudden departures and arrivals were usually met with little concern... but this time was different. Cyan had returned a week earlier and had briefed them on the situation as requested by Eugene.

In Samar, Eugene had participated in a war between the indigenous tribes within the vast rainforest. During that conflict, Edmund Codreth, who was deemed the greatest black wizard of their time and the Staff of Incarceration, fell to Eugene.

In addition, the Demon Dragon Raizakia, a Duke of Helmuth, had also met his end at Eugene's hand.

Ancilla's eyes rolled back in shock, and Gilead collapsed in disbelief upon hearing the news. War? Edmund Codreth? Raizakia? Such were not things befitting a young man of only twenty-one years. Unfortunately, the surprises didn't stop there.

The Wise Sienna had returned to Aroth.

"Shouldn't we have gone to meet them?" asked Gion, the captain of the Third Division of the Black Lion Knights. He was biting his nails anxiously. Underneath the fluttering Lionheart flag, the head of the family, Gilead, stood in his uniform. Beside him, his wife, Ancilla, was all dressed up and desperately trying to cool her cold sweat with a fan.

"He asked us to wait at the mansion and not to go out to see him," Gilead answered. Sienna's return to Aroth and the subsequent announcement of Eugene as the successor had happened a week ago. Subsequently, the news spread across the continent in less than half a day.

Gilead wanted to visit Aroth as soon as he heard the news since it seemed like the right thing to do. The Lionheart family were descendants of the Great Vermouth, and the return of the Wise Sienna, a figure of legend, was reason enough for Gilead to pay his respects. But just as he was about to depart, a letter had arrived from Eugene in Aroth. The message was verbose, but it could be summarized as follows: Eugene understood how surprised he might be but asked Gilead not to rush to Aroth and to wait at the Lionheart estate instead.

[In a few days, we'll return to the Lionheart mansion together. Wouldn't it be better to host an event within the family at that time?]

Gilead agreed that it seemed like a better idea. Preparing in haste and going to Aroth for a rushed formal greeting seemed less desirable than properly preparing to welcome Lady Sienna.

As a result, the Lionheart estate was now busier than ever. The Black Lion Knights, tasked with guarding the Uklas Mountains, left only a small garrison at the castle while the rest rallied at the estate. Moreover, the scions of powerful collateral lines within the family had also flocked to the estate. As a result of the influx, the estate was filled with hundreds of people, not to mention over a hundred elves currently residing there. The elves had also emerged from the forest in their finest attire.

Never in the history of the Lionheart family, spanning hundreds of years since their founding ancestor, had so many people gathered at the main estate.

Indeed, they could have scaled the gathering to even grander proportions if they wished. News of such a grand convergence of their family had even drawn the eye of the Emperor of Kiehl. Emperor Straut II had indicated his intention to personally partake in the event, yet, Gilead had strived to respectfully convey his refusal. Although it couldn't be called an affair of the family, he argued, wouldn't the Wise Sienna be startled if His Majesty were to make a personal appearance?

Thankfully, the emperor did not seem too displeased with the refusal, perhaps thanks to the rumors that Sienna had almost submerged the royal palace of Aroth underwater.

—Then, do send Eugene Lionheart to the palace in a few days.

—If possible, along with the Wise Sienna.

Gilead pressed on his throbbing temples. The royal family of Kiehl had always paid particular attention to the Lionhearts, and Emperor Straut II was no exception. It was understandable; though the Lionhearts were a family belonging to the Kiehl Empire, it didn't mean the imperial family could freely manipulate them at will.

For centuries, the Lionhearts had maintained a knightly order that was as formidable as, if not more than, the empire's elite. There was no chance that they would dream of rebellion as the descendants of the Great Vermouth, but even still, the Lionhearts were simply too overwhelming and formidable in their military for the imperial family.

Thus, for centuries, the Lionhearts had contributed to the defense of Kiehl independently. The duty of guarding the southernmost Uklas Mountains was an age-old obligation of the Lionhearts, with all associated costs being funded not by the Empire's military budget but from the Lionheart's own coffers.

So far, this had been the nature of the relationship between the imperial family and the Lionhearts, but Emperor Straut II desired more. His ambitions were to claim the Lionhearts entirely for the imperial family, with the turbulent circumstances of the continent subtly bringing his desires to the fore.

During a previous disturbance at the Black Lion Castle, Gilead had been detained for several days for an inquiry at the imperial palace. He had also received overt criticism that the problems arose due to the excessive size of the Lionheart family. The emperor had demanded that all the Lionheart knights be incorporated directly under the imperial palace, and Gilead had spent days politely refusing....

'...Of course, they would covet. It's only a matter of course.'

Gilead thought of his adopted son, Eugene Lionheart. He had known it since Eugene was but a child, but the boy was exceptionally talented. He was such a remarkable boy that Gilead, for the first time in the family's history, had taken him in as an adopted son.

It had been more than worth it. The child had been born with too many gifts. He received recognition from the Holy Sword and became the successor to the Wise Sienna. Even the reclusive Demon King of Incarceration of Helmut was paying close attention to Eugene. Even if Eugene himself rejected the role of the patriarch, his name now represented the Lionhearts of the current age.

'While one might covet, one cannot simply possess. That child is not one to be tamed.'

Regardless of whatever promises the emperor of the Kiehl Empire might make, Eugene wouldn't pay them heed. It was this steadfastness that made Gilead anxious.

While he, Gilead, could appease the emperor, he feared Eugene would not. A wrong move could definitely turn the emperor into an adversary. Gilead fretted not only for the future of the Lionheart family but also for the potential hindrance the emperor might become to Eugene's future.

"Family head, are you not well?" Cyan cautiously asked from the side.

Ancilla, who had stopped fanning herself, turned her worried eyes towards Gilead. Noticing how stiff his own expression was, Gilead quickly shook his head, replying, "I'm fine. Seems like I was too nervous."

"If Ciel were here, she could have lightened the mood," Ancilla sighed, reminiscing about her daughter, who was not currently at the manor.

Carmen had left the manor with her disciple, Ciel, and her aide, Dezra, over six months ago. While Ancilla heard from them every month via letters, as a mother, she missed her daughter dearly. Perhaps her age was making her grow more sentimental.

"The last letter mentioned they are staying in Shimuin. It's... a nation I've visited in the past. It's an ideal place for a knight to undergo training," said Gilead.

Just as Aroth was known as the Kingdom of Wizards, Shimuin was called the Knight Kingdom. In this country, located in the middle of the southern sea, numerous fighting competitions were held every few months, drawing in countless freelance knights and mercenaries to test their skills.

"Patriarch! Sir Eugene Lionheart is approaching!" A knight near the front gate announced in a loud voice.

Gilead composed his stiff expression and straightened his posture. Ancilla also took a deep breath, making sure to compose herself with the grace and dignity befitting a noblewoman.

"Huff... huff... I can't... catch my breath...." Gerhard, who had been standing in the shadow due to nervousness and dizziness, leaned on Laman for support and came to stand beside Gilead. Despite having taken several medications, his heart refused to calm down.

"Calm down, Gerhard."

"You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself in front of your accomplished son, would you? Start with some deep breaths."

"I've done that several times already...." Gerhard continued his deep breathing while beating his chest. In the meantime, the manor's main gate began to slowly open.

Gilead raised his hand high. Following his gesture, the main gate began to open in unison with the motion of the knights of the White Lion, who raised the flag of Lionheart.

Thump, thump, thump.

The knights rolled their feet in rhythm. The music played by the family's band harmonized with the knights' footsteps. Hiding the overwhelming excitement in his heart, Gilead walked through the ranks of the knights.

The figures of Eugene, Sienna, and Kristina appeared through the wide-open main gate. Instead of approaching them immediately, Gilead halted midway, bowing his head towards Sienna.

"I thank you for gracing the Lionheart family with your presence, Wise Lady Sienna."

Waah!

The knights of Lionheart, the members of the main and the collateral lines, the servants of the main house, and even the elves united their voices into a triumphant cheer.

"The Saint of Light, Lady Kristina Rogeris," Gilead continued.

Waah!

A roar of applause ripped through the air once more. Kristina had previously been a guest at the Lionheart's banquet, but her presence incited just as much excitement as before.

"And — the Blood Lion of Lionheart." An even greater cheer erupted, surpassing that for Sienna. "The singular... Dragon Slayer of our time."

Had Carmen been present today, she would have been the one to speak these words. However, alas, she was absent. As such, Gilead had to swallow his embarrassment and announce the title himself.

It was necessary, after all. The Wise Sienna was a living legend. Kristina Rogeris was the Saint, a figure deserving of universal praise. However — this was the territory of the Lionhearts. In this place, and at this moment, the one who deserved the most praise and attention was not the Wise Sienna or the Saint. It was the young Hero who was leading the Lionheart clan into the future — or rather, the present.

Carmen had bestowed upon him the title of Blood Lion.

The world hailed him as the Hero.

From today onwards, he would bear another title.

'Dragon Slayer.'

Oooooh!

Everyone bearing the Lionheart's name cried out in awe.

A Dragon Slayer!

What a resounding title! Even during the war three hundred years ago, no human had ever been dubbed a Dragon Slayer. Throughout history, the title of Dragon Slayer was only ever used to describe the Demon King of Destruction and Demon King of Incarceration, who had slaughtered numerous dragons during the warring era.

It was a given that humans could not slay dragons. Dragons were not beings that could be hunted by humans. This was an absolute truth accepted by all.

However, a human had managed to kill a dragon.

And not just any dragon, either. The only corrupted dragon — the infamous Demon Dragon Raizakia, a monster that even their great ancestor Vermouth had failed to slay. A descendant of Lionheart living in this era had succeeded in vanquishing the fiend.

"The Dragon... Slayer...!" Eugene stuttered while quivering.

The death of Raizakia was not a secret kept within the Lionheart clan. He never had any intention of hiding it. In fact, he had even contemplated making use of Raizakia's corpse as a trophy. Consequently, news of Raizakia's death had spread beyond the Lionheart family and into the world.

But.... But! To be called a Dragon Slayer! What about the Blood Lion? Eugene doubted his ears and eyes. The fact that Lord Gilead, and not Carmen Lionheart, had uttered those words filled him with disbelief.

"Blood Lion!"

"Dragon Slayer!"

Echoing cries of hundreds filled the air. Eugene felt a faint ripple of dizziness.

Blood Lion and Dragon Slayer — both were titles Eugene didn't want to hear. Why did he need such petrifying, cringy titles?

[It's still better than the Stupid Hamel, no?] Mer teased while suppressing a chuckle from within the cloak. Eugene yearned to grab and place a good smack on the annoying creature's head right then, but he refrained... because he somewhat agreed with Mer's jest.

The Stupid Hamel.

Eugene, the Blood Lion.

Eugene, the Dragon Slayer.

Upon reflection, they didn't seem all that bad. Somewhat prestigious, even. With a smirk, Eugene stood tall and proud amidst the booming applause.

Before arriving at the family manor, Sienna had been briefed by Eugene and Mer about the current state of the Lionheart family.

The man standing proudly at the front would be the head of the family, Gilead Lionheart. He was Eugene's adopted father. The lady by his side would be his wife, Ancilla.

'And that man... is Eugene's biological father, Gerhard?'

She saw a middle-aged man with beads of cold sweat cascading down his face. Save for his ash-colored hair and golden eyes, he bore little resemblance to Eugene. There was no hint of vigor on his creased face, and despite being a descendant of Vermouth, his physique did not reflect any martial prowess.

'This is even better.'

She could tell that the family head was formidable just by his visage. But on the other hand, what about Gerhard? He was sweating profusely from nervousness, and he seemed relatively approachable. Perhaps he was someone she could bond with over a single round of drinks.

"Thank you for your grand welcome, head of the Lionhearts," Sienna began with a warm smile. She slowly surveyed her surroundings.

Indeed, the hundreds of knights were worthy descendants of Vermouth. The Lionheart banner fluttered in the high winds, and looking at it, Sienna was reminded of a long-ago memory.

This was not her first visit to the Lionheart estate. Hundreds of years ago, when Vermouth... had passed away, Sienna had paid a visit in a black mourning dress. She had stood in front of Vermouth's coffin alongside Molon and Anise. She had seen Vermouth's lifeless face through the opening in the coffin, and together with Molon, she had wept.

After the service, they carried the coffin and moved to the Black Lion Castle in the Uklas Mountains. They had laid Vermouth's coffin in a tomb he had prepared in advance within the sanctuary there.

"Who would've thought I'd return like this?" Sienna chuckled bitterly as she stirred her distant memories. A bit further off, in the middle of the garden, stood a statue of Vermouth.

A little distance away stood a statue of Hamel — the one she had taken care of to avoid breaking during the underground tomb battle in the desert. It stood next to Vermouth's statue.

Without realizing it, Sienna found herself clutching her chest at the sight. Her nose twitched, and her heart pounded. She barely managed to hold back the tears.

"Sienna."

The quiet murmur of a small voice.

Away from the knights, among the elves, stood an elf with dull green hair and a scar on his cheek — Signard. Upon seeing him, Sienna could no longer hold back her tears.

Stumbling slightly, she walked toward Signard. The knights of Lionheart didn't obstruct her path. They stepped aside and allowed her passage. Signard, too, with a face on the brink of tears, moved toward Sienna.

"Elder brother." Weeping, Sienna embraced Signard.