The Marquis Ignat Manor was a structure of truly staggering scale.
Even though Ren was frequently blessed with the opportunity to behold the Imperial Castle in the capital, this residence was in a league of its own as a private mansion. Seeing it in person, he could find no other words to describe it.
Ren could see the Marquis Ignat family’s private guards standing at their posts before the massive main gate. As he drew closer, they shifted into a subtle, defensive stance. It was possible they had been given a description of his features, but they were far too disciplined to make a definitive judgment before confirming his identity. They were exemplary gatekeepers.
To Ren’s eyes, the guards seemed to grow slightly restless as he approached. When he came within ten meils of the gate, one of the soldiers spoke up.
"Pardon me, but may I ask your name?"
"I’m Ren Ash—"
Ren started to introduce himself, but he stopped short. Words alone carried little weight here. After all, the only formal invitation he had received for this trip was specifically for the Gardiknight. Though he had groomed himself meticulously to avoid any disrespect, without proof, he was just a boy—at best, perhaps a young nobleman from a minor house.
Then he remembered.
Ren had tucked something away in his pocket for just such an occasion. As he reached into his coat, the guards before him swallowed hard. It wasn't out of thirst or hunger; they were tensing in anticipation of what he was about to produce. They weren't expecting a weapon, but the sheer weight of the situation made them brace themselves.
"My apologies. Please, look at this."
He produced a jet-black card—the old invitation.
It had been years since Edgar, acting as Marquis Ignat’s representative, had left that card with Ren at the Clausel estate. The guard took the invitation, his eyes widening as certainty took hold. The other guards instinctively shifted their positions, crowding in to catch a glimpse of the card.
"...There’s no mistake."
"Yes. It’s the one we were told Master Edgar prepared."
"So this is the one from the rumors..."
The guards gazed at the invitation with an almost reverent solemnity before eventually regaining their professional composure.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In the garden, both girls harbored a quiet, intense desire to be the first to stand by Ren’s side.
Licia and Ren had recently begun addressing each other more intimately, and the shift in their relationship had left Fiona feeling a sharp sense of urgency. She knew she couldn't afford to fall behind.
Some time had passed, and the two were still talking in the garden. Perhaps due to the presence of magic tools, the air remained comfortably warm despite the season. While Lezard was receiving formal hospitality inside the manor, this time alone was equally crucial for the girls.
"Young Ladies, Master Ren Ashton has arrived," an Ignat family attendant announced, hurrying toward them.
The two girls, who had been resting in terrace chairs, nodded in unison. The attendant bowed and quickly withdrew, and both girls stood up at the exact same moment.
Ren would likely be escorted here by Edgar soon. To greet him, both girls stepped forward with their right feet simultaneously. They paused, turning to face each other.
"…………"
"…………"
They had crossed paths many times before, and neither needed to be told how beautiful the other was. In that silence, they simply reconfirmed just how charming their rival appeared today. After a long moment, they both let out a soft breath.
The atmosphere felt nostalgic—reminiscent of the night they first met at a party in the Imperial Capital. Just as it had back then, the platinum feather hair ornament and the necklace of star agate swayed with their movements.
For a heartbeat, the attendant felt a flicker of tension in the air. However, both girls were careful to respect each other's feelings and positions. They had not forgotten the bond they had discussed back in the dormitory.
"Would you be so kind as to yield today—" Fiona began.
"I won't yield him to you," Licia cut in.
"—I-I hadn't finished my sentence yet!"
It wasn't that they intended to treat Ren like an object to be handed over. Neither of them would ever use such crude phrasing. Licia had simply been so on edge in the face of such a formidable rival that she had jumped to conclusions.
"I meant yielding the chance to thank him! I promised him a long time ago that I would serve him tea at this manor...!"
"O-Oh, I'm sorry! You meant that!"
The tension suddenly drained from their bodies. They resumed their walk to meet Ren, their pace a bit more synchronized now.
"Honestly," Fiona sighed, her tone that of a girl her age. It wasn't a sigh of bitterness, but a cute, playful pout. Licia, surprised by the misunderstanding, had let her guard down and spoken more casually than usual. Neither realized that they were interacting with more natural ease than ever before.
Watching from a distance, the attendant couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming sight.
The girls took a final breath, exchanging words to settle the moment.
"I won't lose, you know," Licia said, her voice resonant with a firm, newfound conviction.
"I won't lose either. Definitely," Fiona replied. She was usually the one to defer to others, but she stood her ground without hesitation.
Was this a renewal of the declaration of war from years ago? Or simply a statement of intent? Either way, their feelings had remained steadfast for a long time. They were where they were today because they had continued to move forward, however slowly.
Then, the voice of the person they were waiting for reached them.
"Sorry I’m late—huh?"
Ren, led by Edgar, looked at their faces and paused. Unlike usual, their cheeks were flushed, and they seemed a bit restless.
"Both of you are quite red. Are you feeling all right?"
The two girls felt a complicated mix of emotions that Ren hadn't noticed the subtext, but they didn't hold it against him. They simply accepted it as part of his charm.
They approached him together.
"It’s nothing."
"Yes. Nothing at all."
The two sighed in perfect unison—a sigh that carried a trace of frustration at their own hesitation, and a lingering wish that he might one day understand.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The group moved to a banquet hall prepared by Ulysses.
According to Fiona, she had no memory of a party ever being held within the mansion itself. In the past, Ulysses had always arranged other venues out of concern for her health, and he generally disliked inviting outsiders into his private home. Consequently, a dedicated guest facility had been built on the estate grounds, separate from the main residence.
As for why such a rare event was being held now...
"Hahaha! I haven't done this since before I inherited the estate from my father!" Ulysses declared with a beaming smile.
"Master, it seems the wait was well worth it," Edgar remarked.
"Indeed! Hosting a party at home was always such a chore, but today is more fun than I can describe!"
For the Clausel family, who were still technically lower-ranking nobility, this was a significant and somewhat daunting occasion. Fortunately, they had grown accustomed to Ulysses’s boisterous personality.
The hall was lavishly decorated, filled with rare furnishings and a level of prestige that eclipsed any party they had attended previously. The conduct of the servants was in a league of its own.
"I am honored to be invited by Marquis Ignat," Lezard said graciously.
"Haha! Honestly, Viscount Clausel, you’re as formal as ever."
The hospitality continued for several hours. It was a special occasion that not only Ulysses, Fiona, and Edgar, but the entire household had been eagerly anticipating. Though Ren and the Clausels were nervous at first, the tension soon melted away into warm conversation.
Time flew by. The light streaming through the large windows shifted from the golden hue of late afternoon to the deep shadows of dusk.
"Viscount Clausel," Ulysses said as the gathering began to wind down. "If you’re up for it, I’d like to discuss that business venture we were talking about earlier."
"Are you sure? I would be grateful, but... the sun is already setting."
"Oh, don't worry about my household." The efficiency of the Ignat family was beyond reproach. "Why don't you all stay the night?"
"Stay the night? You mean, here at the manor?"
"Yes. It would please me and the servants alike. Please, stay. We’ll send word to your inn from our side."
Lezard was taken aback by the sudden proposal. However, it had its merits. Since Lezard and Ulysses lived in different regions, their communication was usually limited to letters or expensive magic ship travel. They worked closely together, and time spent talking face-to-face was worth its weight in gold. Staying would yield real practical benefits.
"For the continued prosperity of both our houses, what do you say?"
"My, Master," Edgar interjected smoothly. "You said you wanted to show the Clausels hospitality, and yet you jump straight into business talk?"
"It’s better hospitality if they stay the night, so don't be pedantic, Edgar."
"Oh, my apologies."
It was a clearly rehearsed exchange. If Ulysses had intended to have them stay from the start, he would have notified them earlier, but the conversation had been so lively today that he had decided to extend the invitation on a whim.
When Lezard glanced at Ren and Licia, they both nodded immediately. Nearby, Fiona was happily clasping her hands, a bright smile on her face.
"Marquis Ignat, I would be honored to join you for a drink later as well," Lezard replied, accepting the offer.
The decision was unanimous.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
As evening fell and before dinner was served, the group moved to Ulysses’s office—the same room Chronoa and Radius had visited previously. At the adults' request, Ren joined them to listen in; they felt it would be a good lesson for the boy who would one day inherit his family’s responsibilities.
"Excuse me," Edgar said, entering in the middle of their talk. He handed Ulysses a bundle of papers tied with string and then promptly withdrew.
"The report on the Old City," Ulysses noted.
"Ah, is it that time already?" Lezard asked.
The Old City was a name Ren had heard several times since yesterday. It was the area Licia had passed on her way back with Sera.
"Lord Ulysses, has something happened in the Old City?"
"Nothing major. Just a routine report." Seeing Ren’s interest, Ulysses turned to him. "Did you know about the Old City as well, Ren?"
"Yes. I’ve heard about it before, and it came up during my talk at the Ministry of Mysteries. Licia also mentioned passing by there yesterday."
"Ah, you spoke with that Lab Head, didn't you? Didn't he mention it? That the area is strictly managed."
"He did, which is why I’ve been curious about it."
"Then this will be simple. We conduct periodic security patrols in the Old City, and this report covers the findings." Ulysses skimmed the papers. "Just as I thought."
Either the contents matched his expectations perfectly, or he was merely skimming to stay engaged with his guests.
"That reaction again, I see," Ulysses muttered.
"Was something strange found?" Ren asked.
"Oh no, it’s happened many times before. According to the Ministry’s investigation, it’s just light emitted by submerged magic tools reacting to something. We’ve checked to make sure they aren't danger signals; apparently, it’s just a sign that they’re still functioning."
Reports were sent to Ulysses as a precaution. It was also nearly time to dispatch another patrol, but Ulysses chose to focus on the present company for now.
However, Ren let out a small, intrigued sound. "The Old City..."
Ulysses noticed his fascination and made a casual suggestion.
"If it piques your interest, would you care to pay the place a visit?"