There was no prestigious family as resilient to misfortune as the Hohenberc Family.
Despite facing numerous hardships like failed investments and betrayal from vassals, the Hohenberc Family managed to survive until the very end.
Surely this time they would go under.
No matter how many dragons were unleashed, it would be impossible.
It was a string of misfortunes that permitted not even a glimmer of hope.
Yet, the Hohenberc Family pulled off a miraculous resurgence, leading even divine fortune into their grasp during a precarious situation.
Just like heroes are born in times of crisis, exceptional talents emerged whenever they faced tragic downfall.
One might say it was fitting for a family that produced founding heroes.
Despite the desperate misfortunes, the prominent family representing the East survived solely through ‘child farming.’
“Please let Edan be safe….”
Otto von Hohenberc, the head of the Hohenberc Family, always started his day with a heavy sigh.
What could he be doing now?
Was he perhaps facing hardship?
The middle-aged man expressed his loving paternal concern as he anxiously awaited news of Edan, fearing his second son might vanish just like the first.
“Lord, the weather has turned quite chilly.”
“Where could I possibly find sleep….”
Despite the rapid drop in temperature, Otto wandered the garden, hoping to shake off his worries. His troubled steps often continued until dawn.
The old butler approached, showing his concern.
Otto shook his head with a bitter smile.
“How can I sleep peacefully? Just thinking about Edan, who must be suffering because of his useless father, weighs heavily on my heart.”
Since losing his first wife, he lived only for his children. He had sworn to his wife that he would protect their family no matter what.
But what was the result?
His first son was missing.
His second son was busy representing the family in the Imperial City.
Every time he looked at the empty table, he cursed his own incompetence. He felt a deep sense of guilt for his family being scattered because of his own weakness.
“Haah… it reminds me of three years ago. Back then, I just waited helplessly. I seem to lack any capacity for growth.”
“……”
The head of the Hohenberc Family clasped his hands behind his back and raised his head.
Regret and lamentation welled up together, a flood of complicated emotions.
Perhaps it was the sorrow of a mediocre man with extraordinary geniuses as children. Each time he watched them excel, he felt joy yet also shame. As an ordinary man, he felt he would only hinder them.
“Could it be that Edan was also chosen by the Holy Sword like Max…? That would truly be shocking.”
“I was just as surprised when I heard the news.”
Edanant’s tales swiftly spread across the territories, eventually reaching the Countship of Hohenberg.
He already knew that his first son was a user of the Holy Sword.
After all, he was the prophesied hero chosen to protect the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom.
But—
To think his second son had also been chosen by the Holy Sword….
Perhaps leaving the Holy Sword Aldebaran was a final backup plan. Otto cautiously speculated on the intentions of his missing first son.
“Isn’t it astounding? Two extraordinary geniuses born from an ordinary man. I truly don’t understand the reason. There were no Holy Sword users among our ancestors…”
While the Hohenberc Family had produced many talents, there had never been a user of the Holy Sword. They were entirely unrelated to the Holy Kingdom’s precious Sword of Extermination.
How could such a miracle occur?
Otto swallowed hard, contemplating the mystery of miracles.
“Many families have sent engagement proposals. With Edan’s exploits known, interest in the Hohenberc Family has surged.”
“Had it been an engagement for Edan, I would have happily accepted, but… this is truly ludicrous.”
The incoming flood of proposals felt akin to a torrential downpour, cautiously asking the head of the Hohenberc Family about remarriage.
Women, including those who had divorced their husbands, as well as young ladies of suitable age, had begun to fervently propose. Otto pressed his temples, showing his exasperation.
“Families envy the fame of Max and Edan. They must be hoping to seize the talents you have bestowed upon them.”
“What a joke. Where could I find such a carefree ordinary man in this world?”
His children had all grown up; what talk of remarriage was this?
Otto immediately rejected the blatant proposals, as they would only stir up unnecessary trouble.
He turned away while recalling his departed wife.
“Head of the household!”
As he pondered whether to head to his bedroom, the family’s knight, Elliot, rushed in with a letter in hand.
“What’s going on?”
“Edan is… returning!”
It seemed that their fervent hopes had finally reached the Earth Mother.
Otto’s eyes widened in delight at Elliot’s announcement.
“Is it true! Edan is coming back!”
What father wouldn’t rejoice at the return of his son?
Hair that had been sparsely growing like weeds in a barren land stood up as if in excitement over the intense joy.
“It would be wonderful if he brought back a lovely bride from the Imperial City. Perhaps I’m growing old, but I want some cute grandchildren.”
“How did you know? Saint Zebeline, Lady Ludmilla, and Lady Elizaveta are coming with him!”
“What?”
“The First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom and the Second and Third Princesses of the Valtarian Imperial Family!”
The son who had left the family was returning with the Saintess and Princesses in tow.
How should he process this?
The bewildered head of the household eventually gave up thinking.
When happiness surpasses all bounds, it often turns into trouble. The news that the beautiful Saintess and Princesses representing the Holy Kingdom and Imperial Family were coming was like a thunderclap to the head of the household who had been leading a pastoral life.
“Ugh!”
“L-Lord!”
A gasp escaped him as the head of the Hohenberc Family staggered.
The butler and knight rushed to support the fainting head of the household.
*
Hadn’t she already visited the Marquisate of Hohenberg twice?
There was no need to be nervous.
It was just a trip to refresh her mood.
The sudden choice of the destination ‘Marquisate of Hohenberg’ was just a simple coincidence.
Rudmilla murmured to herself as she had been mulling over it since the night before. But it seemed to have zero effect, as her whole body radiated anxiety.
“W-What’s going on, sister? Is there a war or something?!”
Elizaveta screamed.
A staggering number of over fifty knights were mobilized, transporting an amazing amount of cargo. Elizaveta could hardly contain her disbelief at the sight of the knights sweating while carrying it all.
She saw luxurious treasures and clothing.
There were even all sorts of precious herbs dealt with by the Imperial Family.
Were they already planning to exchange gifts? No, isn’t this a bit excessive?!
Speechless at her sister’s oddly enthusiastic demeanor.
“I’ve received a lot of assistance from Edanant until now. So I’m planning to pay back the Hohenberc Family.”
“……”
Was she intending to use a flood of goods to win over her father-in-law’s heart?
How petty.
It was a shallow scheme even nouveau riche people wouldn’t dare attempt.
Elizaveta wanted to stop her fiercely determined sister, but ultimately gave up. More than half of the cargo had already been moved to the transport.
With only a heavy sigh to show.
“…Saintess?”
“Lady Rudmilla.”
As the royal knights, hastily summoned, finished the logistics transport, the Holy Kingdom’s holy knights showed up with heavy loads.
At that moment, Rudmilla and Zebeline met each other on the narrow bridge.
“Where are you going, Saintess?”
“I’m planning to visit areas neglected in faith to spread the teachings of the Earth Mother.”
“Then you must be mistaken about the platform. This train is headed for the Marquisate of Hohenberg.”
“No, it’s correct.”
The Red Dragon of the Empire, who claimed travel as an excuse.
The White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom, who claimed the mission of spreading the faith.
It was truly a breathtaking confrontation.
Had the Emperor and the Holy Mother seen the current spectacle, they would have let out heavy sighs.
The royal knights and holy knights mobilized for logistics exchanged nods. They seemed to feel a shared sentiment that transcended their nationalities.
“Edan!”
“Yo-! Please explain!”
Next, Edanant arrived alongside Rue.
Then came sharp cries from Zebeline and Rudmilla.
Why is she here?
As the Saintess and the Princess glared simultaneously, they condemned the playboy.
“Since everyone was heading to the Marquisate of Hohenberg, it was only natural for us to accompany you. We are going to the Marquisate for travel and mission, aren’t we?”
Edanant couldn’t refuse their proposal to accompany them to the Marquisate of Hohenberg.
There was no way to argue against such a justified claim.
Given that the Saintess and Princesses were going.
A powder keg ready to explode was about to erupt in sequence. However, even knowing that, he found it impossible to avoid it. It seemed to be the fate bestowed upon the Hohenberc Family.
“Rue.”
“Yup!”
Near the brink of despair, Edanant called out to Rue, who was laden with a travel bag.
At the same time, Edanant hoisted a sack containing 500 jelly candies onto his shoulder.
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