Two days later, Gerhard Lionheart arrived from distant Gidol. Although only a single knight, Gordon, had been sent to escort Eugene; this time, the Patriarch’s own younger brother, Gion, had personally accompanied Gerhard to the main estate.

This fact caused Gerhard to feel immense pressure. The only times he had been to the main estate were for the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony twenty years ago and the Patriarch’s succession ceremony; following that, there had been no further visits to the capital city, let alone the main estate. 

‘...So Eugene really won this year’s Bloodline Continuation Ceremony?’

My son did that? Truly? Gerhard was currently suspecting that he might be in the middle of a dream. Or else, maybe all of this was a prank meant to make fun of him. 

But what reason would they have to do that? What on earth could cause the main family of the Lionheart clan, the direct descendants of the Great Vermouth, to summon the patriarch of a small collateral family out in the remote countryside, just to play this sort of prank on him.

However, he simply couldn’t accept it so easily. When Gion had first arrived at his doorstep, he had been so surprised that he almost passed out. He was even more surprised when he saw the luxurious carriage waiting outside, flying the unmistakable banner of the courageous Lionheart. Even after hearing...