Chapter 166: Vacation (5)

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Carl typically joined his family for breakfast and dinner unless something special came up while staying at the mansion.

That was because the Count and Countess wished to dine with their sons who had returned after a long time.

“Haah, a vacation that started a week later than everyone else’s.”

Darius, who had returned the night before, let out a sigh with a tired face.

Due to graduation preparations, he had to stay in Bayern for a few more days than originally scheduled.

His mood hadn’t been great, as he had to leave again without much rest.

“You should’ve done it in advance. You’ve always crammed until the last minute.”

The only one who could nag at Darius to his face was the eldest brother, Carius.

Since he had no real rebuttal, Darius grumbled as he sliced roughly with his knife.

“It’s not like I’m joining a knight order or getting a job. I don’t get why graduation has to be so complicated.”

“It’s Bayern. The top academy of the Empire—of course the graduation review is strict.”

“You passed on your first try, didn’t you?”

“I thoroughly prepared from the start of the semester. Plus, I got preferential treatment since I was joining the Raging Flame.”

“I suffered more because of you. The professors wouldn’t stop nagging us to be at least half as good as Carius.”

“They even sent me a letter, begging me to talk some sense into you.”

At the warm conversation between the close-knit brothers, the rest of the family let out wry smiles.

It had been that way even before entering Bayern, and not much had changed even as they were about to graduate.

‘If anything, their individuality has become more pronounced.’

They were brothers full of character.

Carl looked at Carius and Darius with a small smile.

“Still, two of you graduating already. Once Carl’s done, that’ll be all.”

At Count Eos’ words, the two older brothers turned to Carl.

“Carl will do just fine.”

“If we’re only talking first-semester grades, he outperformed you, didn’t he?”

“I was shocked too. Never thought he’d make it into the top ten.”

Carius gave his younger brother a proud look.

It was the Academy where the Empire’s top prodigies gathered.

Amidst them, Carl had dominated the theory exams as valedictorian and scored excellently in practicals as well.

For the Leipzig Family, there could be no greater honor, so holding a banquet upon his return was only natural.

“I was just lucky.”

“No need to be modest. Just don’t overdo it.”

“Carl, your father still sees you as that sickly child bedridden with the plague.”

Darius chuckled as he said that.

Having watched Carl’s achievements firsthand at Bayern, it sounded absurd to him.

‘That fragile Young Master?’

Not even close.

Carl had completely cast off the remnants of his past.

At times, he even showed more boldness than himself.

“Try to understand. Your father was terribly worried. I barely stopped him from ordering Darius to report on you every day.”

“…Wife, must you say it like that?”

“It just shows how much you cared for Carl. I’m sure he knows.”

Still chewing, Carl nodded at the hand Carius gently patted his head with.

Even for someone who had once been an assassin, it was clear how much affection the Count and Countess of Leipzig had for Carl.

“Brother, when are you heading back to the knight order?”

“I think I’ve got two or three days to spare. Why?”

“Two or three days, huh. How about a patrol after the meal? It’s about time the demonic beasts get active again.”

“I’ve been concerned about that too. Good timing. Father, will that be alright?”

“I’ll assign some knights. Keep it to a reconnaissance level.”

“No need for knights. We’ll quietly go by ourselves. Carl, how about you?”

“I’ll go too.”

Carl nodded.

He had plans to visit NOX in the afternoon, but since they were still constructing the base, it wasn’t urgent.

Participating in the family patrol while he had time wasn’t a bad idea.

After finishing his meal, Carl returned to his room to check his gear.

He belted the Heavenly Thunder Sword given to him by Justice and wore light armor only on key areas for better mobility.

After completing his preparations, he went out to the mansion’s lobby to wait, and his brothers soon emerged.

Carius wore a similar outfit to Carl, while Darius came out carrying only a greatsword on his back without any armor.

“You should at least wear something.”

“No thanks, it gets in the way.”

“You won’t even notice if a stray spear or blade stabs you.”

Despite Carius’ scolding, Darius exuded confidence.

He was certain there was no way he’d get injured on a simple patrol.

‘A common type.’

Even among junior members, there were many who overestimated their own abilities.

Though most of them ended up badly.

What set Darius apart was that he had solid skills.

He was at least beyond the level of a junior member.

“Hyah!”

Mounting their horses, they galloped out of the mansion.

The Leipzig Family conducted quarterly patrols of the mountains and forests.

It was to monitor the activity and ecology of demonic beasts and prepare countermeasures.

Normally, skilled hunters or knights would accompany these patrols, but Carius and Darius were capable enough to not need them.

And once Carl was old enough, he often joined them on these patrols as well.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Since it was just past morning, the roads were quiet.

Without delay, they passed through and quickly left the estate.

“Hmph, this familiar air. I missed it.”

Taking a deep breath that puffed up his chest, Darius smiled broadly.

Among the three brothers, he was undoubtedly the most active outside the territory.

Under the pretext of gaining real combat experience, he would sneak out and sweep through demonic beast nests or dens alone.

Back when he was less experienced, he got hurt often and was scolded a lot, but once he grew stronger, he could plan flawless crimes.

“Let’s go!”

Thus, more familiar with the terrain around the Leipzig estate than anyone, Darius led his brothers from the front at full gallop.

Outside the estate was the dense Nore Forest, connected to the Amos Mountains beyond.

Just because it was outside the territory didn’t mean it was uninhabited.

Many people lived there—small villages, hunter outposts, and more.

They too were citizens of the Empire and fell under the protection of the Leipzig Family.

“Been about half a year, hasn’t it?”

“The last time was at the start of the year.”

At the edge of Nore Forest, there was a small village.

With just over 200 residents, it was a small settlement often used by Leipzig as a forward base for reconnaissance.

Creaaak.

As they approached, the closed wooden palisade opened, and the guards stationed at the entrance came out.

“Ah, Lord Darius.”

“Lord Carius and Lord Carlos are here as well.”

Thanks to previous visits, the soldiers immediately recognized the three brothers of the Leipzig Family.

Darius, who was leading at the front, asked with a puzzled expression upon seeing them.

“Why is the entrance closed? Isn’t this the usual time for work?”

“Ah.”

The soldier awkwardly glanced behind him and answered.

“An herbalist reportedly found traces of demonic beasts nearby. That was just an hour ago, so we’ve been maintaining alert status.”

“Already?”

Darius furrowed his brow.

It was about the right season for activity.

Still, during favorable seasons like this, demonic beasts usually hunted stray prey in the wild and didn’t come down near residences.

Unlike monsters, demonic beasts had higher intelligence and avoided encroaching on human territory unless in harsh environments like winter.

They knew if a subjugation force were formed, their nests could be wiped out.

“Please, come inside for now.”

“No need. We’re here for reconnaissance. Just tell us the location.”

“If you go northwest from here, there should be a marker a little past the ridge.”

“Alright, don’t worry too much. We came thinking they’d start appearing around now.”

“The village patrol was also about to head out.”

“No, stay and protect the village. Demonic beasts might target empty homes.”

Reconnaissance from their side would be sufficient.

As the soldier nodded and stepped back, Darius turned his horse to face his brothers.

“You heard that, right?”

“Yeah. Didn’t expect demonic beasts to come this far already.”

“Good thing we came today.”

As Carl responded, he spread his sensory energy wide and scanned deeper into the forest.

Sure enough, he could detect the presence of demonic beasts moving in groups.

‘That much is manageable.’

Even without his intervention, Carius and Darius could easily handle that number.

“Let’s go. Ah, take the horse for me.”

“Yes.”

Horses weren’t ideal for moving through the forest.

So they all dismounted and began moving on foot.

If they wished, they could run faster than horses anyway.

“Carl, you’re an adult now. I trust you’ll handle your share.”

“Don’t worry. I’m more than capable.”

“Good, that’s the Leipzig way. Honestly, if you just perform like you did in Bayern, that’s enough. You’ve built plenty of experience by now.”

This wasn’t Carl’s first reconnaissance or hunt.

In the past, other knights or his brothers would protect him, but now, as a swordsman, he had to carry his own weight without anyone guarding his back.

“This must be the spot.”

About ten minutes after heading northwest, Darius, who was leading, spotted a stick planted atop a tree.

A quick search of the ground nearby revealed clearly unusual footprints.

“There’s more than one.”

“Looks like at least double digits.”

“What’s the matter, scared, brother?”

“As if.”

At Darius’ provocation, Carius chuckled and lightly tapped the sword at his waist.

“Since we’re here, how about a contest? Whoever takes down the most if we run into them?”

“Can I join in too?”

“Carl as well?”

“Carl’s a grown man now. He’s more than qualified to join the bet.”

“…What are you implying?”

At Darius’ meaningful words, Carius narrowed his eyes.

Darius shrugged as if it was obvious.

“You didn’t know? Carl’s in that kind of relationship with the princess of the Kingdom of Alforam.”

“…What.”

Carius turned to look at Carl in shock.

Behind him, Darius grinned mischievously at his younger brother.

“If you’re thinking of denying it, don’t bother. I’ve already confirmed all the rumors going around inside Bayern.”

“…Haha.”

Carl let out a bitter chuckle.

It was a punch out of nowhere.

‘Well, I guess it was inevitable.’

During the first semester’s “Understanding of Combat” siege exercise, the photo of him standing beside Laysis became a hot topic inside Bayern.

It practically confirmed the rumor that he and Laysis were in a close relationship.

Even Darius wouldn’t ignore anything involving his younger brother.

“A princess from a foreign kingdom. So, is Carl going to be a son-in-law there?”

“No, from what I heard, the princess wants to defect to the Empire. Seems things are complicated over there.”

“That was the woman we saw back then, right? Carl, that’s great news.”

The two brothers spoke to Carl as if it were already a settled matter.

“Haha… yeah…”

Having given up on arguing, Carl just shook his head with a wry smile.

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