While Leven was caught up in a back-and-forth with the vassals of the Strauss family, Karnak and his companions remained at the Strauss manor as honored guests. The hospitality of the Strauss family was truly extravagant.0

Servants, carefully selected from among the finest, attended to their every need. They were given splendid chambers, served rare wines and delicacies. It was truly a treatment worthy of kings and emperors.0

And it wasn’t merely because they had saved the house. During the post-war cleanup, Karnak had deliberately exaggerated Leven Strauss’s role and made sure the world knew of it. He maintained that they had only assisted Leven in rescuing the Strauss family, rather than taking credit themselves.0

Of course, those within the Strauss family knew the truth. But regardless, who the world believed had saved the family was a matter of grave importance. If Leven Strauss was recognized as the hero of the day, it would at least spare the family’s honor from ruin.0

After all, it would mean the disaster caused by a member of the family had been resolved by another member of the same family. Karnak’s deeply noble consideration naturally left the Strauss family profoundly moved. Not only had they been saved, but their honor had been preserved as...0