Chapter 5: Felter’s Father
The Bushmills Empire is located in lands rich with beastmen and demi-humans, abundant in nature. While not as resource-rich as Grand Sands, its territory, surrounded on both sides by deep mountains, forms a natural fortress that is difficult to attack even during wars. In the past, there was an incident called the “Beastman Hunt” that resulted in the mass enslavement of demi-humans, but during that time, many demi-humans fled to the Bushmills Empire, which took a protective stance toward them. Several mercenary groups and small nations attempted to invade Bushmills.
However, none of them could penetrate deep into the Bushmills Empire’s territory.
This was because of the Cairn Marquis Territory, which held lands in the mountain passes and served as the main gateway to the Bushmills Empire. The Cairn Marquis Territory, whose primary source of income came from hunting large magical beasts, possessed formidable knight orders and fortresses with high defensive capabilities, maintaining sufficient military strength even compared to other nations.
However, the most significant reason was said to be the Cairn Marquis House that governed the territory. Over the past hundred years, three generations of heads had succeeded one another, and each was both a first-class mage and had a militant personality.
The current head of the Cairn Marquis House, which had protected the territory as guardians of the Bushmills Empire for over a century, Ramsey-Cairn, was also the epitome of the militant faction, earning nicknames such as “The Lion of Bushmills” due to his distinctive golden mane-like hair.
That Ramsey had arrived in Wintervalley, accompanied by his wife and subordinates.
[SIDE: Ramsey]
Beautiful streets and lively, vibrant residents. Additionally, colorful and diverse daily goods, clothing, and food from various countries lined the shops.
The atmosphere of this town was vastly different from Bushmills.
“It’s been a while since I last came, but this is indeed a lively town. I barely see any soldiers, yet the town remains peaceful, that’s quite remarkable.”
As he muttered while surveying the streets, his wife Fior turned around. Her white dress suited her slender figure well. Fior swayed her short brown hair and looked up.
“Dear, you said the same thing last year, didn’t you?”
“Mm, did I?”
When he answered, Fior placed a finger to her lips and smiled wryly.
“Yes, you did. Now then, let’s look for Felter soon… Oh? Speak of the devil, isn’t that him over there…?”
Fior noticed something and looked toward the back of the main street. Following her gaze, he saw the figure of a large man with conspicuous golden hair. It was Felter. He seemed to have grown even larger since last year.
“…It looks like he’s been training properly.”
He couldn’t help but smile and mutter at the sight. Then Fior laughed in a troubled manner.
“Making that face again… You’ll end up being disliked by Felter too, you know?”
“Hmph. That’s far better than having my child grow up weak.”
He reflexively put on a tough front at Fior’s words. His third son, Felter’s younger brother, had been subjected to intense training to prepare him for academy enrollment, and as a result, he now runs away just from seeing my face.
It’s very sad.
In contrast, Felter can engage in head-on fistfights. His future looks promising.
“Perhaps it’s about time I’ll need to use magic.”
“Dear… even adults would need to be elite enough to become royal guards, wouldn’t they? I think it’s still too early for that child.”
“What are you saying? Men can suddenly experience growth spurts when you least expect it. Wahaha! I’m looking forward to it!”
Laughing heartily, he headed toward Felter waiting at the back of the main street. Perhaps because he was accompanied by ten royal guards, the residents’ gazes were gathering on them. Maybe it would have been better to leave them at the town inn with the other soldiers.
While thinking such thoughts as he approached Felter, he noticed that there seemed to be companions with him.
“Oh my…! Could that be Felter’s special someone?”
“Mm. Is he already at that age? No, I was married at fifteen myself.”
“She’s a very beautiful person. However, she looks a bit young, but if she’s fourteen or older, she can marry in any country…”
While wryly smiling at Fior’s hasty words, I looked up at Felter. Mm. Last year he was about the same height as me, but now he’s completely surpassed me. He must be over 180 centimeters tall. However, I probably haven’t lost in terms of body mass. It seems he still lacks sufficient muscle.
After confirming Felter’s physical development, the corner of my mouth lifted.
“It seems your training is still insufficient, but can you defeat me this year? Felter.”
“That’s your opening greeting…? Rest assured. Today I’ll make you want to hand over the position of head of house.”
“…Heh! Hahaha! Interesting!”
I laughed heartily at Felter’s words. As expected, Felter has a promising future. This courage and boldness are befitting of a lord.
As I was satisfied with Felter’s growth, Fior stood beside me.
“Dear, you’re in front of his friends. Everyone, I’m sorry about this. I’m Fior, Felter’s mother. This is Felter’s father and also a marquis of the Bushmills Empire, Ramsey-Cairn. You’re Prince Rocks of the Verted Kingdom, aren’t you? It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
When Fior asked this, the red-haired man nodded and answered first. Oh, come to think of it, I recognize this face. It’s Kilbegan’s son.
“It’s been a while. Lord Ramsey, madam. Thanks to you, I’ve been living healthily. Today, my father is also scheduled to arrive in town soon, so I was waiting here accompanying Felter. If it’s alright, please meet with my father as well.”
Rocks gave quite a proper greeting. Fior also seemed genuinely impressed.
“My, you’ve become very admirable. It would be good if Felter could also give such greetings… So, who is that lady…?”
After the brief greeting with Rocks, Fior turned her gaze toward the girl standing next to Felter with an excited expression. She had seemed eager to ask about her relationship with Felter for a while now.
The black-haired girl straightened her posture and turned around when Fior addressed her.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am a teacher at Fidic Academy, Aoi-Kōnominato. I teach Felter-kun about body enhancement magic and applications of various elemental magics.”
The girl politely said this and bowed her head. Even Fior blinked in surprise at this.
“A teacher? You look very young… You must be quite talented.”
She replied with confusion, and Fior suddenly had a look of realization.
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“Oh? If you’re Aoi-san, could you be the rumored senior teacher…?”
At those words, I also turned my gaze to Aoi again. She’s a petite woman who looks even younger than Felter, but could she possibly be that formidable mage called the academy’s witch?
“Yes. I don’t know what the rumors say, but I’m grateful to have been welcomed as a senior teacher.”
Aoi spoke words of humility as if it were nothing special. She really doesn’t look like such a mage at all.
Smiling wryly at this, Rocks spoke up.
“She’s the highest-class mage I know. She uses magic that defies common sense. After all, she completely defeated Felter even in body enhancement.”
“…What? Felter did? You don’t mean he lost in hand-to-hand combat, do you?”
My voice came out hard despite myself. If he was such a weakling that he’d lose to a woman, I’d need to make him take a leave of absence and retrain him. As I was thinking such things, Felter let out a shallow breath.
“Sorry, but even you wouldn’t be able to win, father. She’s undoubtedly the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
When Felter said this, Fior’s eyes widened.
I felt strong indignation at Felter’s clear declaration that she was stronger than anyone. Not only toward myself, but wasn’t he frustrated about losing to such a petite woman?
And I was also angry that he thought Aoi was stronger than me, his father.
“…This cannot go unheard.”
With the anger welling up inside me as it was, I crossed my arms and looked down at Aoi.
[SIDE: Aoi]
Because Rocks and Felter had said unnecessary things, the peaceful atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Ramsey, who looked like a smaller, more stern version of Felter, was glaring at me. Despite wearing light armor made mainly of leather, his muscular build was clearly visible.
He looks like a professional wrestler, I thought to myself as I met Ramsey’s gaze.
“…What is it?”
When I asked this, Ramsey crossed his arms and gave me a suspicious look.
“No, I found it very hard to believe. I apologize, but I’d be convinced if you were using magic to change your appearance and falsify your age.”
At those words, Fior frowned.
“Dear, that way of speaking is rude.”
Fior admonished him, but Ramsey showed no signs of backing down.
“Magic, no matter how talented one might be, takes at least ten years to reach the advanced level. And that’s for just one element. According to rumors that have reached even our country, Aoi-dono can use advanced-level magic or higher in all elements. I had imagined a veteran magic user like Principal Glen.”
But that’s not how it looks. Without saying it to the end, his eyes conveyed that message. I let out a light sigh and shook my head from side to side.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no problem if you don’t acknowledge my abilities. If you can trust the capabilities of Fidic Academy’s faculty, there should be no hindrance to taking lectures at the academy.”
When I answered this, Ramsey tilted his head from side to side and cracked his neck.
“No, that won’t do. My interest has now turned to confirming your abilities. Surely you won’t refuse? Unless you’re afraid of defeat, that is.”
At Ramsey’s words, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh like a breath.
“Did I say something funny?”
Ramsey looked at me as if he’d seen something interesting and muttered. I honestly nodded and smiled at this.
“No, you use the same kind of provocation as your son, so I thought you really are father and son.”
When I said this, Ramsey looked deflated and blinked.
“…Regardless of ability, you seem to have more than your share of courage.”
With an exasperated, confused expression, he said this, then raised his face and laughed.
“Good! Then, on the day of the cultural festival, I’ll fight both Felter and Aoi-dono! Wahaha! I’m looking forward to it!”
Saying this, Ramsey nodded with satisfaction by himself. Seeing this, Fior elegantly placed a hand to her cheek in trouble.
“Oh my… it’s turned out this way again this year. I’m sorry. If it’s alright, could you please humor my husband…?”
“You’re not going to stop him…?”
I replied in exasperation to Fior’s line. I had thought she seemed like a sensible person, but apparently she’s too lenient with her husband.
Just then, the lively voices of the main street suddenly quieted. Wondering what was happening, I turned around to see a group walking from the distance. At the front was a man with conspicuous red hair.
“Oh, Marquis Ramsey! You’re quite early! Hahaha. It’s been quite a while.”
Laughing cheerfully, Middleton and Lea walked over with their royal guards. Ramsey nodded in response to being addressed.
“Lord Kilbegan, it’s been a while. Good to see you’re doing well.”
Ramsey surprisingly returned the greeting without changing his attitude even when facing the king of another country. I suppose that’s how it is for a marquis of a great nation. Neither Middleton nor Lea seemed to mind.
“Hahaha. You haven’t changed, Marquis Ramsey. So, you’ve already gotten acquainted with Aoi-dono. You’re fortunate.”
“Mm, so this young lady is indeed the rumored senior teacher. She’s far too young. I was being somewhat skeptical.”
“Fufu, if you keep looking at her with such eyes, you’ll be in for a shock. Well, I was the same way though.”
Middleton conversed and laughed with Ramsey. Watching this from the side, Lea exchanged light greetings with Fior.
“You look well, Fior-san.”
“You also look well… By the way, your son seems to have grown quite a bit, could you tell me the secret? As you know, our marquis house is a lineage that only produces warriors…”
“You mean Rocks? Well… that’s probably thanks to Aoi-sensei’s guidance. Regardless of whether they’re royalty or nobility, she’s someone who sincerely faces her students…”
Before I knew it, it had become a situation like a neighborhood gossip session. At this sight, memories of the past suddenly came back. Even among parents, there were various power plays and strange factional disputes. I don’t think it’s the same in this world, but I’m not good with that kind of atmosphere. Since I can only manage a superficial smile, it would be better to leave early.
Glancing sideways at Rocks and Felter who were waiting silently, I bowed my head lightly.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”
When I greeted them and tried to leave, Rocks looked at me with reproachful eyes.
“That’s unfair.”
“I shouldn’t interfere with family time.”
After such an exchange, I waved to both of them and departed.
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