Chapter 92: Meeting 3
"But the more I look at it, your talent is quite intriguing, my lord."
"I-is that so? Well, I do have some talent in magic, but I'm not sure if it's to the extent that Lord Levin suggests."
Uh-oh, this is not good. Somehow, these words sound familiar. I remember that Levin has a tendency to take on those he likes as disciples.
In the game, he had taken an interest in me because we both had the skill of "Meditation," and he was curious about someone with the title of a hero, so he taught me magic.
"Indeed, is that so, Jin? Would you like to become my disciple?"
It's over. I've been asked... As a commoner, I can't possibly refuse the invitation from Lord Levin, a duke and an important figure in the country.
"Lord Levin, Jin won't become anyone's disciple."
Just when I was struggling with Levin's response, Julius came to my rescue. Julius! You saved me; your timing is seriously impeccable!
"Ah, Julius-dono. Come to think of it, you mentioned that you were teaching him the sword, but you also said he wasn't your disciple."
"Yes, Jin-kun seems to dislike becoming someone's disciple."
"Hmm... I know there are people with that kind of personality occasionally, but Jin seems to be one of them. But it's frustrating not to be able to train someone with such talent."
Levin understood my personality, but he was still torn about whether to take me as his disciple. Thankfully, Levin is the kind of person who considers others, unlike some who would force someone to be their disciple in this game.
"Hmm... How about this, Jin? Would it be acceptable if I give you advice without making you my disciple? If you agree after hearing my advice, then you can try it!"
"…I understand. If I don't have to be your disciple, that's fine. However, I need to let you and Julius know that I'm an adventurer. So, I might not be able to give prior notice, and there may be times when I have to go far away."
"I understand. I know adventurers are free to move around. But even during your stay in the capital, I'd like you to listen to my advice. It's frustrating to have someone with such magical talent as you and do nothing with it. I won't let you slip away without trying!"
As Levin passionately spoke, someone approached him.
"Father, didn't you promise not to trouble Jin? Why are you shouting about him becoming a disciple?"
"Leon! Ah, you're back already… I even made arrangements to keep you here to talk to Jin…"
"So those people were the ones you arranged, Father? Sorry, Jin. Did Father cause you any trouble?"
The one who spoke kindly like that was Leon, the current head of the Magic Knight Order. I've spoken with him a few times as he watched Chloe's training, and he's someone I can casually talk to in the castle.
"Leon-san, you didn't cause me any trouble at all."
"I see. I wasn't planning to call you since you were here, but the king insisted... By the way, did Father ask the king for that too?"
"Of course, I asked the king because I sensed some hidden motives from Dolce."
"But still, if you're retired, wouldn't it be better to live quietly in the mountains?"
Levin stood tall and proud, but Leon muttered that under his breath. Despite their appearance of getting along as a family in front of Tiara, their relationship was not as good as it seemed.
That's because when Leon was a child, he was subjected to Levin's unreasonable training and forced to learn magic with all his might. While it certainly led him to become the head of the Magic Knight Order, he couldn't forget the nightmare he lived through. Even now, he secretly harbors thoughts of getting back at Levin someday, as it was written in the game's background information.
"Anyway, it's strange, Leon. You know about Jin and even asked him to be your disciple."
"I know Jin's personality better than Father does. And besides, I only asked him after he rejected Father."
For the past two months that I've been living in the castle, Leon had been asking me to be his disciple. But at that time, I wanted to focus on swordsmanship and refused, thinking that becoming a disciple might tie me down in this country.
"Hmph, you may not have been rejected, but I have the right to give advice. That means Jin chose me."
"Wha...! I didn't force anyone, and I certainly didn't do anything like that. But I do have the right to give advice."
For some reason, choosing Levin caused a quarrel between Leon and Levin. Hey, don't unleash your magic in a meeting room like this! The walls have cracks in them!
"Stop it!"
"Ugh!"
Leon and Levin, on the verge of a confrontation, fell silent when two women entered the room.
Staring at each other foolishly, the bickering father and son turned their heads toward the source of the voice and were surprised.
"Eileen, why are you here?"
"Linnea, what are you doing here?"
Levin and Leon mentioned the women's names and knelt on the spot when they received their glare.
Eileen, mentioned by Levin, is his wife, and Linnea, mentioned by Leon, is his wife.
Although this parent and child hate each other, they are so alike that they both seem to be under the thumb of their wives.
"We were told by the queen that you might cause trouble, so we were waiting to be called. Levin, did you think you could keep it a secret from me?"
"I-I didn't keep it a secret! I had business in the capital, remember?"
"Yes, that's what you said. But did you tell me about today's meeting? I didn't know until the queen told me."
"T-that's... well…"
Confronted by Eileen, Levin stammered, and Leon silently mouthed to Levin, "Serves you right."
In response, Linnea placed her hand on Leon's head.
"Leon, you're the head of the Magic Knight Order, aren't you? Why did you use magic for a quarrel with your father, causing trouble?"
"T-that's not what happened. I hadn't used magic 'yet.'"
"'Yet'? Then what was that just now?"
Linnea said that and directed Leon's gaze toward the charred area near the ceiling. Oh, that was the spot that caught fire when Leon used flames while glaring at Levin earlier.
After that, Leon and Levin were both taken to separate rooms by their wives and did not participate in the subsequent discussion.
"Jin-san, I'm sorry. It seems that we will need some more time to gather information about the Ragnia family."
After the meeting, when the nobles had left and I was the last one remaining, Zeff said so to me.
In the end, two things were decided at this meeting. One was to continue monitoring and investigating the Ragnia family, and the other was about what to do after dismantling the Ragnia family.
In the game, the Ragnia family was forgiven, but this time, there was no forgiveness; it was decided to dismantle the family
The consequences of dismantling the family were severe, including the execution of the former head and stepmother, who had caused various problems. Depending on the investigation, the children might also face the same fate.
"No need to apologize. I'm grateful that you're looking into it, so take all the time you need. Also, if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. I'll be staying in the capital for a while."
I said that to Zeff, then left the meeting room and returned to my room. I was exhausted from everything that had happened, so I decided to rest for a while until the princess returned home.
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