The promised time was rapidly approaching.
The servants and members of the household wore tense expressions as they anxiously stared at the clock.
Well, the only servants I had were Lisa and Liu, but still.
"Brother, the meat will get cold! Should I reheat it?"
"Uh, uh…! That sounds good. Let's heat it up quickly!"
It dawned on me that this was the first time I was having guests at my mansion.
Perhaps that's why the young siblings seemed even more nervous.
And knowing it was my grandmother, they probably wanted everything to be perfect.
"It's getting really late…"
The clock now pointed to 12:30 PM.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this might be intentional.
I'm no psychologist, but something about this situation felt off.
"Oh dear, I'm running late."
Just then, the door to the mansion swung open.
In walked an elderly woman with snow-white hair, followed by dozens of wizards behind her.
'So, she's bringing out the big guns?'
The gray background adorned with flame patterns indicated that these were not just any mages; they were wizards raised by the elders.
She had claimed she would come alone yesterday, but today she had brought a small army.
'How blatant can you get? So, she did intend to arrive late.'
Why would she need soldiers to visit a mere vassal's mansion?
This was clearly an attempt to assert dominance right from the start—a tactic aimed at a fifteen-year-old like me.
"I'm sorry for being late. I had some places to stop by on the way."
"Welcome."
"Ha ha, you've grown so much since I last saw you! Shall I give my grandchild a hug?"
"Please have a seat. We've prepared a meal for you."
The woman's name was Matisa Kindl—Genedin's mother and my grandmother.
I opened my arms wide but chose to sit down instead of embracing Matisa as she approached.
She looked momentarily taken aback but quickly masked it with a smile.
"You've matured quite a bit. Time flies."
"You must be hungry; let's eat while we talk."
Matisa's gaze shifted toward the food laid out on the table.
After glancing over it briefly, she turned back to me with a warm tone.
"I'm not particularly hungry. You should eat instead; you're at an age where you need nourishment."
"My servants prepared this with great care. Please at least try some out of respect for their efforts."
"Ha ha… It seems only my grandchild thinks of me."
Despite her words, her expression revealed her displeasure clearly.
As Matisa turned away, one of the wizards behind her stepped forward and ladled some soup into his bowl.
He then returned to his place while chewing a piece of beef loudly as if to demonstrate its quality.
I couldn't help but furrow my brow at this absurd display.
"It seems they find it delicious. I appreciate your intentions."
Had the meat gone cold? Or was she worried about being poisoned?
Either way, it was rude behavior.
Etiquette isn't something reserved solely for subordinates; it applies to everyone involved in this interaction.
What I had just witnessed was a blatant lack of consideration from someone in her position as an elder.
'Now I understand why she came.'
The deliberate tardiness, bringing along wizards, and that recent display all pointed toward Matisa's intentions.
I could read her well enough; now it was time for me to respond accordingly.
"Lisa, it seems we're done with lunch; could you bring us some tea?"
"Yes, Master…"
Lisa hurried off toward the kitchen, her head bowed low.
From her expression, it seemed she had been holding back tears.
To such a young girl, it must have felt like her carefully prepared meal had been dismissed outright.
As Liu watched his sister with concern, Matisa asked with interest:
"You only have two servants? This mansion feels rather empty."
"It's fine."
"Would you like me to send over some more? I can pick out competent ones for you."
"No, I'll manage on my own."
"There are plenty of new servants available—around ten should do nicely?"
"Thank you for your offer, but I still don't need them."
"The mansion should be bustling with people. That's how vitality flows and good fortune comes about."
"Even if you send them over, I'll just send them back. I prefer to hire my own staff without interference."
It was painfully obvious that she intended to plant spies among my servants.
Yet despite this blatant pushiness, she seemed to regard me as nothing more than a fifteen-year-old boy.
Well, Jed's body is indeed fifteen years old—so perhaps that was understandable from her perspective.
"You're quite adamant in your refusals. It seems you're quite concerned about your grandmother," she said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"The hiring of servants is solely my prerogative."
"Oh dear… It seems you're not one to bend easily—just like any descendant of Arahhan."
"It seems like enough time has passed; perhaps it's time for us to get down to business?"
It was time to cast aside any pretense of politeness.
I had no time or energy to waste on games or theatrics when there were serious matters at hand.
As I dismissed Liu and Lisa from the room, Matisa chuckled softly.
"It looks like we might actually have a decent conversation here. You all can leave now."
"Yes, we'll return immediately if called upon."
"Good, good. Just don't go picking fights outside."
Don't pick fights? What kind of confidence is that?
No matter how well-trained those soldiers were, they couldn't stand against true mages from the Magic Guild.
Even if they outnumbered us in sheer numbers, skill levels made all the difference in battle.
'Are those guys also fifth-circle mages? Just lowly soldiers?'
It could all just be bravado—a subtle hint that I wasn't safe here.
But if these were indeed genuine fifth-circle mages accompanying her, then their strength far exceeded my expectations regarding the elders' capabilities.
"It seems we're left with just the two of us now."
Once those words left Matisa's lips, an icy atmosphere enveloped the mansion.
Whether it was just my imagination or not—I could sense faint hostility emanating from her presence.
Yet still—I felt neither fear nor tension in this moment.
'There's nothing I can do here anyway.'
With the priest's mark still weighing heavily on me and under orders from the Emperor—it made things even more complicated.
Even if I attempted something reckless like assassination—the 'Immortal Gambler' would surely intervene on my behalf!
As the mask slipped away and tension filled the air—I remained calm and collected.
"Let's discuss what brought you here today."
"Ha ha ha! Yes indeed! Let's stop wasting each other's time."
"What do you want?"
"I'm here to persuade you—though if that fails, threats may follow."
Matisa flashed a sardonic smile as she spoke those words.
Now that she had dropped her facade—it felt much easier for me too; there was no need for formalities anymore.
"Neither persuasion nor threats will work on me."
"Ha ha ha! You truly are bold! The rumors about your courage have been circulating quite a bit lately—quite bothersome indeed."
"..."
"I don't know why they sent you off to such a young age—but now that you've become vassal lord—you ought to understand certain things."
Matisa crossed her legs and leaned back casually in her chair—a posture radiating arrogance as she raised her chin slightly.
"Do you wish to become head of your family?"
"Well… maybe."
"There's an old saying: 'Dream big.' But foolish dreams can put your life at risk without realizing it! Those who lack education and means often find life unbearable without even dreams!"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"But not you! You carry Arahhan's bloodline and have an opportunity for a comfortable life ahead! So stop acting like those who lack everything and abandon those foolish dreams right here!"
"What if I refuse?"
"Then… You'll find yourself losing even this chance in a most miserable manner."
This wasn't persuasion; this was outright intimidation!
I stared directly into Matisa's menacing glare as she revealed herself without pretense—like an old serpent ready to strike!
While part of me wanted nothing more than to chase her away—it wasn't my best option right now; rather it was merely second-best...
'If only I could roast her alive...'
The elders were figures I couldn't afford to ignore completely.
With already significant gaps between myself and my siblings—if even these elders turned against me—the scales would tip further against me!
Amidst this thinly veiled threat disguised as persuasion—I decided it was time for me to seize an opportunity instead...
"Do you support First Lord Ron?"
"Historically speaking—the eldest son has always had higher chances of becoming head."
"So what does supporting First Lord Ron mean for you?"
"That's none of your concern."
These elders were akin to parasites clinging onto Arahhan—a powerful family name without any interest in surpassing even emperors—they only desired more gold and greater power!
Ultimately—if I wanted their support—I'd need something tangible in return...
"I don't know what promises First Lord Ron made—but if I become head—I'll double whatever he offers!"
Ha ha ha!
Suddenly Matisa burst into laughter so loud that soldiers waiting outside rushed in alarm!
Yet amidst all this commotion—she couldn't stop laughing!
She cackled like a madwoman until tears welled up in her eyes!
"Matisa! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine… My grandson just said something amusing! Don't come inside until called!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Matisa wiped away tears from her eyes with a tissue before looking at me with mockery laced across her features:
"Ahead? The seventh lord thinks he can become head?"
"Is what I'm saying really that funny?"
"It is hilarious! It's so funny I can't hold back!"
"The eldest son has historically had better odds—but remember—the current head wasn't even an eldest son!"
"And so what? Do you think Rondo will surpass Arahhan? You've only just unlocked your mana!"
"I'm capable enough!"
Matisa dropped her laughter and adopted a serious expression instead.
Her icy glare pierced through me like daggers as she spoke again:
"The reason Genedin became head despite not being firstborn—is because I stood by his side! The bloodline may try hard to ignore this fact—but those who receive support from elders always end up as heads! I'm living proof of that history!"
"So why did you support him? You could have backed an eldest son instead!"
"All five children were born from me—but Genedin showed exceptional promise among them all."
"And that's your reasoning?"
"A strong head ensures stability within our family's power! We merely assist those with superior bloodlines into positions of leadership."
Hearing all this made things clearer than ever before...
In essence—if Rondo becomes stronger than Arahhan—that's all that matters right?
Elders won't oppose prevailing trends—it felt almost simple enough for me...
"There's no need for concern regarding elders then; once I've grown stronger—they'll come around willingly."
Ha ha… "Among seven grandchildren—not one surpasses Rondo! Your recent achievements in unlocking your mana and holding off Imperial forces are commendable—but harboring foolish dreams will lead only towards demise!"
True enough; Rondo Arahhan remains significantly stronger than myself right now...
What I needed most wasn't talent—it was simply time for growth...
With Temud's spirit alongside 'The Great Mage's Blessing'—no one could keep pace with my ascent...
I maintained eye contact with Matisa while offering up a light smile:
"The advantage held by eldest sons arises merely because they were born first—they've simply had more time than others! So please grant me some time too; let's keep things fair."
Ha ha… "Why should I do that when I've already decided upon an answer?"
"Because you arrived thirty minutes late today."
"…What?"
"If you don't make any moves against me—I won't pose any threats toward First Lord Ron either."
"A threat? You think you're capable?"
"I merely ask for patience while observing events unfold calmly; cutting down potential blooms before they blossom is unwise after all…"
Matisa regarded me with intrigue sparkling in her eyes as our conversation continued...