Chapter 213
As Leo was guided into the Zerdinger castle, he drew the attention of many.
“Is that Young Master Leo?”
“The son of Lady Reina…?”
“I heard he became the student council president after Young Master Rhys.”
“A first-year president—unprecedented, isn’t it?”
Rumors about Leo were already circulating widely within the Zerdinger estate.
So his sudden visit naturally piqued everyone’s interest.
With all eyes on him, Leo followed Gis to the office.
After offering Leo the guest sofa, Gis took the main seat and let out a deep sigh.
“A lot’s been happening lately. The Sword Star’s passing has had a major impact.”
“Is there unusual movement from Tartarus?”
Celia asked with a tense expression, but Gis shook his head.
“There’s nothing particular on the western front yet.”
The battlefronts against Tartarus were spread across the continent.
Of course, there was a separate base where the demon forces were most concentrated, but its exact location remained unknown.
Still, that didn’t mean the battlefronts with Tartarus were weak in any way.
“But now that Brother Rhys has graduated, hasn’t that lightened your load a bit, Uncle?”
“True. It’s good timing that Rhys graduated.”
Gis chuckled jokingly and turned to Leo.
“Well then, shall we get to the point?”
“What do you mean by inheritance?”
Leo asked with a puzzled face, and Gis spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“You know that being a direct descendant of Zerdinger comes with significant authority in the family, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, beyond authority, you also gain certain ‘rights.’”
“Rights?”
“Yes. The right to inherit part of the family’s assets. You’ll take them when you eventually become independent.”
As a prestigious Heroic House, Zerdinger had a long history.
It had produced many heroes whose names were engraved in the Hero Record.
Not all of them remained with the main family.
Some branched off to form collateral lines after becoming independent.
At that time, they received a portion of the family’s assets.
This is how Heroic Houses expanded their influence.
If someone from a collateral line proved capable, they would be given key roles back at the main estate, treated nearly as direct descendants, and would again earn the right to inherit assets.
Leo nodded at Gis’s explanation.
“Well, part of what you’ll receive includes your mother’s share.”
“My mother’s?”
“Yes. Your mother, as a member of the Zerdinger family, renounced all her rights when she left. The inheritance she was meant to receive will now go to you.”
Gis smiled.
“Don’t feel pressured. This is your right. I hope you can use it as a stepping stone.”
—
“So, you’re officially part of the Zerdinger family now, huh?”
Walking down the hall with Leo, Celia beamed.
“Uncle Gis said he’d handle all the paperwork. You’ll just need to check and sign later.”
“But what exactly does this inheritance include? Money? Land?”
“Exactly. Also, you might become the owner of heirloom-grade equipment once used by past Zerdinger knights. Though such items usually return to the family arsenal eventually, you’ll likely keep them for life unless something unusual happens.”
Celia proudly showed off the rapier at her waist—[Flame Storm].
Originally Reina’s sword, Celia inherited it when Reina left the family.
“Once Father returns, he’ll probably take you to the family armory.”
“I see.”
“And you’ll also be given a knight order.”
“A knight order?”
“Yes. A knight order that will serve you in the future.”
“You have one too?”
“Of course. They’re not official knights yet, but the family carefully selects promising talents.”
The knights that would eventually follow Celia were currently training hard within Zerdinger.
Among them was Niel of the Loda family—one of Zerdinger’s vassal houses and a third-year at Lumene—slated to become one of Celia’s knights.
At her explanation, Leo nodded.
“They probably formed mine the moment they decided to accept me as a direct descendant.”
“Exactly.”
“You didn’t care much about money, land, or weapons, but you’re interested in the knight order?”
“They’re *my people,* after all. How could I not be?”
Leo shrugged.
During the Age of Calamity—
Peace was said to have been restored by five great heroes.
But without the others who fought alongside them, the campaign against Erebos wouldn’t have succeeded.
Only five left for the final expedition, but before that, countless heroes fought by their side against Tartarus.
Many of them fell on the battlefield.
‘It’s a shame their names never made it into the Hero Record.’
Leo gave a bitter smile.
The Sillatna campaign had been the same.
‘I can’t do anything alone.’
Whether they’re comrades, subordinates, or disciples—
He needed people to fight alongside him.
That’s why Leo couldn’t help but take interest in the idea of having his own knight order.
In his past life, he had comrades and disciples—but never subordinates.
‘That role always belonged to Lysinas.’
Thinking back, Leo asked,
“Can I meet them now?”
Celia paused, then nodded.
“Of course. They’re probably at the training grounds where the knight trainees stay. Want to go?”
“Yeah.”
Guided by Celia, Leo headed to the Zerdinger training area beside the main estate where the knight apprentices trained.
It was a place where boys and girls Leo and Celia’s age honed their swordsmanship.
Trainees came from many backgrounds:
Collateral branches of Zerdinger,
Vassal houses,
Children from other families aspiring to become Zerdinger knights,
And even gifted children raised in Zerdinger-run orphanages.
Among them, those who showed promise received full support from the family.
Some even made it into Lumene as admitted students.
As they entered the training ground, the knight at the entrance snapped to attention upon seeing Celia.
“Lady Celia!”
“Thank you for your work. Let’s go, Leo.”
Celia smiled as she walked inside with familiarity—she herself had trained here from a young age.
“Hyah! Hyah!”
“One hundred more swings!”
“Yes, sir!”
At the instructor’s booming voice, the trainees answered with energy.
Feeling the heat of the training, Leo murmured,
“They’re really working hard.”
“Right?”
Celia puffed out her chest proudly.
These were the future of the Zerdinger family.
Despite their varying backgrounds, they had trained together since childhood. To Celia, they were her pride.
While Leo and Celia observed from a short distance, the instructor spotted her.
“Lady Celia?”
“Welcome back, my lady.”
“Have you been well, Instructor Jerco?”
“Lady Celia?”
“It’s Lady Celia!”
“Wooooow! Milady~”
The other trainees also paused and greeted her with bright faces.
“Who told you to stop swinging?! One hundred more!”
“Eek!”
At Instructor Jerco’s scolding, the trainees screamed in dismay.
Celia giggled.
“By the way, my lady, who’s that beside you…?”
“Looks like the news hasn’t reached the training ground yet. This is Leo Plov—my cousin.”
“Ah, so this is…”
Jerco’s eyes sparkled as he bowed his head respectfully.
“I’m Jerco Juner, Young Master Leo. How is Lady Reina?”
“You know my mother?”
“I served in her knight order.”
Jerco gave a bitter smile and greeted Leo formally.
Leo smiled in return.
“She’s too healthy for her own good.”
“I see.”
Jerco smiled joyfully, then asked,
“What brings you to the training ground?”
“Leo’s curious about his knight order.”
Celia said with a smirk, arms crossed.
“I see.”
Nodding, Jerco shouted to the trainees.
“Everyone, stop!”
The trainees halted their sword swings.
“Line up!”
They lined up in perfect formation.
“The following trainees, step forward when your name is called.”
Jerco called out five names.
“You’ll end training early today.”
“Huh?”
“Young Master Leo came to meet you.”
The whole group of trainees began murmuring.
All eyes turned to Leo standing next to Celia.
“That’s Young Master Leo?”
“Looks just like the guy in the newspaper.”
“Wow, he’s so handsome.”
While being stared at with curiosity, Leo scratched his cheek.
‘They didn’t have to make the introduction so dramatic.’
The five designated trainees stepped forward to meet their new master.
Three boys and two girls made up his knight order.
“Only five in your order?”
“I’ve got thirty.”
“Why the huge gap?”
Celia smiled.
“I started with five too. So did Rhys. From here on, you’ll grow your own.”
“I see.”
Since these were trainees from the main estate, they were undoubtedly top-class.
Even though knight orders were a direct descendant’s right, they couldn’t just give away high-level future personnel recklessly.
‘They’ve given me the framework—now I have to develop it into my own.’
Leo chuckled quietly as he looked over his knights.
‘Not a bad idea.’
As Leo looked at them, the five nervously shouted in unison.
“Young Master Leo! It’s an honor to meet you!”
“An honor, sir!”
Prompted by the girl furthest left, the rest echoed her greeting with stiff discipline.
Leo turned to Jerco.
“Can I take them with me?”
“They’re your knights, Young Master Leo. You’re free to do as you wish.”
Leo nodded and said,
“Should we have a little meeting?”
At those words, his knights began glancing around nervously.
They kept stealing glances behind them at the other trainees.
‘What’s this about?’
Leo tilted his head.
“You don’t want to?”
“N-No, sir! We’ll follow!”
The girl who seemed to be the leader responded quickly.
Leo nodded and turned to Celia.
“Is there a lounge at the training ground?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
Leo led his knights toward the lounge.
And quietly thought to himself:
‘Something’s going on here.’
Watching his knights trail after him hesitantly, Leo narrowed his eyes.