Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

Christian’s words were spot on.

Perhaps because he had experienced the filth of the world too directly, he was quite familiar with these vile deeds.

As such, even the adults listening didn’t dismiss his concerns as mere childish fantasies.

“If they intend to do it, let them try. The name Worden won’t be shaken by just such rumors, and we aren’t stupid enough to sit idly by and let it happen either.”

Liana replied calmly to Christian’s words.

It might have come off as arrogance at first glance, but since the words were spoken by Liana Worden, they were taken as a matter of course.

Christian, too, could only nod in agreement as he thought of the two mothers’ family.

Since the marriage was founded on interests between families, neither the Viscount Miles’s family nor the Marquis Ferda’s family would want the Count Worden’s family to lose power.

“Of course, I also trust in our family’s strength. But that doesn’t mean we should give our enemies a pretext to attack us. Even minor issues could drain our family’s resources, and if such matters repeat, the damage will accumulate.”

However, Christian didn’t back down. He held his head high, meeting Liana’s gaze confidently.

Both made valid points. Thus, no one present dared to claim either was wrong, and amid this tedious standoff, Ketn spoke up.

“I understand your intention. I also agree with the young master. Monster subjugation, yes. If it’s necessary for the family, it must be done.”

Ketn, who seemed as if he would never bend his will, showed some willingness to compromise on the issue of monster subjugation.

As a member of the Worden family, which he had safeguarded into his seventies, he also didn’t wish for any significant blemishes.

Before continuing his statement, Ketn sought permission by bowing slightly to Liana and Neria.

Seeing the aged knight’s initiative, Liana couldn’t easily refuse and grappled internally for a moment.

But ultimately, it seemed she came to a conclusion about what would be more beneficial, and she nodded slightly in agreement, as did Neria.

With their consent, Ketn smiled and spoke to Christian.

“The monster subjugation will be carried out with the Flamme Guard, centered on Sir Garcia, and the knights stationed in the mansion for maintaining security.”

At Ketn’s decision, Garcia’s face lit up as if he had forgotten all his previous hardships.

“Thank you, Sir Ketn!”

“Your thanks are misdirected. And since you’re departing under the family’s name, you must take responsibility and ensure the subjugation is completed flawlessly. No losses will be tolerated.”

With Liana and Neria’s approval, Ketn and Garcia shook hands, burning with determination. Watching them fondly, Christian smiled and remarked.

“Wow, it’s nice to see. When family members join hands, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Let’s do well together.”

“…….”

“…….”

“Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Christian’s bewilderment was short-lived as Garcia and Ketn spoke simultaneously.

“No, you can’t.”

“It’s not allowed.”

“……didn’t you agree to the subjugation party being dispatched? We can’t be left out of family affairs!”

Startled by the decision to exclude him, Christian looked to Neria and Liana. But both mothers, without hesitation, firmly refused.

“Absolutely not!”

“We decided to dispatch Sir Garcia to prevent providing a pretext, as you mentioned. Your input was reflected in this process, clearly fulfilling your part.”

“No, from the start, we expressed our will to participate in the subjugation party. Our intentions were not reflected in this decision at all!”

Despite his mothers’ staunch opposition, Christian stood resolute, and the observing Aira did the same.

“Mother. Christian is right. If we just sit back and watch because it’s dangerous, who’s going to fight for us?”

“What?”

“Sitting above others isn’t just a comfortable position to give orders from; it’s a heavy responsibility to safeguard the lives of those who follow you.”

Aira sneaked a glance at Christian and smiled faintly. Christian awkwardly cleared his throat and looked away as if his face had grown hot.

“If I don’t shed blood for them, they won’t shed blood for me. This subjugation will prove I have the right to stand above them.”

Aira quietly looked towards Liana.

Until now, she had never expressed her opinions while making eye contact, but now was different.

The child who used to watch her mother’s mood had disappeared, replaced by a fully grown individual.

Thus, Liana found herself unable to respond. It was because she felt an unfamiliar emotion, both strange and proud, as she looked at Aira, who seemed unfamiliar yet admirable.

“There’s no need to worry too much. Aira has become quite accustomed to body activation. Even if she’s thrown into a group of monsters, she would be able to protect herself.”

Sneaking in between the mother and daughter, Christian interjected with his words.

“…?

“Ha, just hearing that makes me feel reassured. So, body activation…? It really happened?”

Liana quickly turned her head, disbelief evident in her expression. Aira, who seemed uneasy, was delighted by Liana’s attention and for the first time, smiled brightly with her chest puffed out.

“Yes. I am now a fully-fledged knight.”

“… How did you do it?”

The sheer incredulity seemed to calm Liana Worden down, prompting her to ask. To her question, Christian replied with a mysterious smile.

“Well, isn’t that thanks to my genius teachings?”

Then, he clapped his hands together and began to rub his palms enthusiastically as he continued speaking.

“If you renew the contract now, I can offer you a discount. Oh, you’ll be generous with the performance bonus, right?”

Christian’s behavior, characteristic of a swindler, made Liana Worden’s expression grow utterly cold.

“Sir Garcia. Verify right now whether this body activation was truly successful.”

“… Son, don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

Neria thought her son appeared rather disgraceful for the first time.

***

“Re-really, the mana reservoir…”

Garcia, who had been Aira’s swordsmanship teacher, groaned while holding Aira’s hand.

The disbelief over how the mana reservoir settled in the heart seemed overshadowed by amazement at how it had been created in such a short period.

Garcia’s trembling eyes darted back and forth between Aira and Christian, seemingly at a loss. It had been less than a month since she left his training. Could it be that he was hindering her growth?

“How is this possible?”

Garcia’s desperate gaze sought an answer, but Christian only shrugged silently. It was Aira who answered Garcia instead of Christian.

“Though Christian’s help was indeed there, Sir Garcia’s teaching was significant. Enlightenment often comes unexpectedly from a small part, and for me, that was Christian.”

“My lady…”

Garcia was moved to tears by Aira’s considerate words.

Although Christian had not insisted on keeping the forced opening of her mana reservoir a secret, it wasn’t something that could be spoken of openly.

Aira understood this well and chose not to disclose the fact.

‘In the end, my efforts were insufficient…’

Christian mentioned that although he had created the mana reservoir, he had simply given a little push. He credited Aira with 90% of the effort and the ingredients’ effectiveness.

However, Aira did not deny that others’ help contributed to her current accomplishments. Therefore, she continued to follow Christian’s rigorous training earnestly.

She wanted to be proud of her current self, to not feel ashamed.

“I’m still lacking, but I think I can protect myself. It’s my first real battle, but it was something I had to face eventually—it just happened to be this time.”

“…”

Faced with her daughter’s confident demeanor, Liana Worden’s emotions were complicated.

All along, everything that had been holding Aira back had finally been resolved, and the sense of defeat that had weighed on her both physically and mentally disappeared completely.

The red eyes that boldly stared straight at herself now shone like a finely crafted jewel.

‘However…’

On the other hand, worry also loomed large.

Liana’s gaze shifted past Aira to focus on Christian, who was sitting beside her, pouting with a disgruntled expression.

‘Could this really be a good change?’

When he first proposed the deal to her, it was merely a small amusement.

When the duel with Sir Garcia concluded, it was out of pure curiosity.

But now things were different. It was neither amusement nor curiosity.

‘How truly terrifying it is.’

It was fear—a fear of the unknown that she couldn’t comprehend, a dread of someone accomplishing things beyond her expectations. It was as if an invisible blade was aimed at her throat.

She withdrew her gaze from Christian and looked at Aira once more.

Aira had grown so strong in body and spirit that it was now impossible to find traces of her former self. She still couldn’t decide if it was the right choice to allow her to be with Christian.

“What do you think about this matter?”

“Hmm.”

Liana asked Neria Worden, who wore a peculiar expression. Neria, who had been wearing a sullen face, responded.

“Certainly, as a mother, I cannot allow it. But it’s not a mother that’s needed in this moment, right? As the lady of this household… I believe the children’s words are correct.”

“Permitting as the lady of the household, I see.”

To send one’s children to a dangerous place as a parent was not the mark of a qualified parent.

However, as the lady of a household rather than a mother, sending those children was not a wrong decision either.

Even though all the successors were absent, it was not feasible to send just one person. No matter how loyal the knights were, they would inevitably feel closer to those who had bled alongside them.

“It seems your head is not always in the clouds.”

“At least when it comes to the children.”

Liana contemplated how she could benefit the family and Aira. She alternated her gaze between Christian and Aira.

“Christian Worden, Aira Worden. You two shall aid Sir Garcia in subduing the monsters that have appeared near Flamme.”

Garcia, who inwardly feared he might hear a refusal, clenched his fists in excitement, and even Ketn nodded in partial agreement.

During all this, Christian stood smugly with his arms crossed, as if this was only expected.

“Your child never cease to surprise me.”

“My little one does tend to play pranks, doesn’t he?”

Hearing something resembling a compliment, Neria raised her nose in pride. It seemed the mother and child were incredibly alike.

“More importantly, doesn’t Aira seem much brighter now? Right?”

“……”

Just as Neria mentioned, Aira was smiling beside Christian.

Could she really be a child who could laugh so freely and brightly?

Liana was taken aback by this unexpected side of Aira.

“But, will it be alright? That is…”

Neria’s question snapped her back. Since Neria usually said whatever she wanted without restraint, Liana found herself tense, focusing on what would come next.

“Seeing as you want to renew the contract, he’ll also come to collect his allowance…”

Neria pointed at Liana’s wrist. Liana followed the direction pointed by Neria’s fingers with her gaze.

“……”

There, instead of an expensive piece of jewelry she always wore, a modest-looking bracelet shyly encircled her wrist.