Then, a booming voice echoed from the second floor.
"Bwahaha! Now this is a masterpiece! To witness such a spectacle in my twilight years! Ah, youth is truly the best!"
While the maids shrieked in surprise, the family members sighed and turned.
A bald, blue-tinted elderly man leaned against the second-floor balcony.
Shirone stared blankly.
The man's massive frame and bulging arms made him look like Rian's ultimate evolved form.
This was Rian's grandfather—Ozent Clump.
"Grandfather!"
Reina stood up, her face brightening as if she had just received divine reinforcement.
With just her and Rian, persuading the cold black-haired Head had seemed impossible—but now?
'It's over. If it's Grandfather…'
Ignoring his daughter's expression, Bishop spoke.
"You've arrived, Father. Reina said it would take you a few more days."
"Kehehe! My old friend ran off with a young lass, so I came back early. Still, this place is as lively as ever. Ah, youth truly is wonderful."
"This is hardly a joyous occasion. The family's dignity has been dragged through the mud."
"Is that so? Watching from above, it seems everyone has much to say. Whether our dignity is truly tarnished… perhaps we should hear all sides before deciding?"
Reina internally cheered, 'Grandfather is the best!'
Though Clump had passed the title of Head to his son, his authority as a state-recognized Third-Class Swordsman remained formidable.
Encouraged, Reina stood.
"I'll speak first. Though I only met Shirone yesterday, he struck me as intelligent and talented. Moreover, as a contracted worker, he fulfilled all his duties and was set to leave the family today. Given these circumstances, it's hard to believe Shirone harbored ill intent toward Rian, nor do I think he has tarnished our family's honor."
To maintain her confident demeanor, she sat back down gracefully.
Of course, she had only balanced the scales—the tide had not yet turned.
True to his fair-minded nature, Clump also gave the opposition a chance to speak.
"And what does our second grandson think?"
Rai answered in his usual cold tone.
"I dislike that boy."
The declaration from the family's most promising member swayed the servants' opinions once more.
"But I don't care enough to get involved. It's none of my business."
Bishop pressed further.
"What do you mean? You dislike him, yet you don't care?"
"Exactly. I dislike him, but I won't lie and say I care. I don't, so I won't interfere. Whoever Rian befriends, I just want this matter settled so I can return to the royal palace."
Reina clicked her tongue.
Though her younger brother, he was self-centered to the bone.
But this time, his personality might just work in Rian's favor.
Clump chuckled like a boy.
Seeing each family member's unique character brought him joy—this was the strength of Ozent's dual bloodlines.
"Then lastly, let us hear from the Deputy Butler, who has observed Shirone the longest."
As Temuran stepped forward, Louis shot him a sidelong glance.
A silent reminder—know whose side you're on.
Family could say whatever they wished, but for a servant, the employer's will was paramount.
"For the past year and six months, Shirone has flawlessly carried out every task I assigned him."
Louis's brow furrowed.
All he had to do was say one word—just one. And yet he couldn't. No wonder he's stuck as a deputy butler forever.
"Did you know they were friends?"
"I knew the young master often spent time with him, but I wasn't aware they considered each other friends. However, if I may offer my humble opinion—if Shirone had been a reckless child without discernment, he wouldn't have been able to organize ten thousand books in the first place."
Shirone's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Temuran to view him that way.
Head Butler Louis stepped forward, his voice laced with suppressed anger.
"Are you taking his side now?"
Temuran, ever composed, shook his head.
"No. I, too, was shocked to learn that Shirone—a mere contract worker—was friends with the young master. But as a deputy butler, I only relay the facts."
The situation was becoming clear.
Bishop was the only one pushing for Shirone's punishment. Even as the family head, Clump couldn't ignore the opinions of his household. After all, the head existed for the family.
As tension drained from Rian's shoulders, Shirone's expression also lightened—until—
"I cannot accept this."
Clump delivered his final verdict.
"Father!"
"Grandfather!"
Bishop and Rian shouted simultaneously, their tones polar opposites.
"I understand the two of you acknowledge each other as friends. But that ends here. If this continues, rumors will spread, and our political enemies will seize the opportunity. It won't be good for Rian's future. Consider this a fond memory and part ways now."
Reina felt conflicted—disappointed, yet understanding.
Family matters come first. Above all else.
Their relatives were active in society, and Rian, especially, had his public examinations ahead. Eliminating vulnerabilities was their duty as nobles.
Saving his life was already a mercy.
But Rian thought differently.
Clump met his grandson's blazing glare with an amused smile.
'You've grown quite the spirit, Rian.'
Of course, he understood the boy's heart. But too many lives were at stake.
The fact that no one opposed Clump's decision spoke volumes.
"Shirone, what say you? I'm grateful you taught my foolish grandson friendship, but can you let him go now? A noble and a commoner being friends… it's no easy path."
After a pause, Shirone answered.
"I can't do that."
The unexpected reply made even Reina and Lai's expressions waver. But no one was more stunned than Rian.
"Sh-Shirone?"
"If I'm a hindrance to Rian, I'll never see him again. But that doesn't mean we weren't friends. Rian and I are friends. If you acknowledge that, I'll obey whatever you ask."
Rian's eyes burned.
'I'm ashamed.'
A part of him had been relieved just knowing Shirone survived.
'I was the one who lacked trust.'
Shirone understood—abandoning a friend was abandoning oneself.
'This isn't negotiable. Right, Shirone?'
Rian raised his sword and shouted:
"Then I declare—"
Reina's face paled.
'Don't do it.'
Unlike Shirone, Rian's impulsiveness always led to disaster.
Her fears proved right.
Before anyone could react, Rian plunged his sword into the marble floor. As the family stared in shock, he dropped to one knee.
"From this moment, I, Rian Ozient, third son of House Ozient, swear to become Shirone's blade!"
"You idiot!" Bishop roared, forgetting decorum. Even if sincere, this wasn't a child's game.
Reina gaped. "Did you just… make a Knight's Vow?"
A Knight's Vow.
An unbreakable oath—binding oneself as a sword for another. In the cutthroat world of nobility, this alone was sacred, for a knight's honor was their life—and their house's legacy.
Once in a lifetime. And Rian had given it to Shirone.
Bishop was aghast. Renouncing the vow was impossible. Even attempting it would brand Rian a fool forever.
"Rian, what have you done?!"
Shirone looked equally stunned, but Rian only grinned.
"Did you think I'd live without seeing my best friend? Now they can't separate us."
As he pulled his sword free, his family wore expressions he'd never seen before.
'Master… this time, I might've gone too far.'
Yet it felt exhilarating.
"Hmm." Clump stroked his beard, deep in thought.
He hadn't expected this level of audacity—but oddly, it pleased him. The boy took after him.
'Well, if you're going to be reckless, you might as well go all out.'
Masking his pride, Clump spoke gravely.
"Rian, if you'd become his blade, does that mean the boy is worthy?"
"Beyond worthy."
"Then answer me—is it due to his excellence, or your inadequacy?"
Rian pondered.
Is Shirone exceptional, or am I lacking? Why ask this?
His answer came firm:
"A sword doesn't judge. It only protects."
"Kuk." Clump smirked.
'Good. At least he grasps the basics.'
A sword doesn't think. It cuts where its master wills—swift and sharp.
"Eloquent, for someone whose swordsmanship is rubbish. I pity your friend, stuck with a blade like you."
Rian's eyes flashed. "Grandfather!"
But the tension had vanished. There was no undoing this—and frankly, everyone was too exhausted to care.
Clump, ever decisive, ended it.
"Enough. It's settled. Help your master up. Shirone, my grandson's unpolished, but he won't fail you. Take care of him."
Shirone bowed. Refusing would insult the Ozient name.
"Thank you for your mercy."
"Mercy? He forced my hand. Anyway, your contract's over, yes? Weren't you returning home?"
"Yes. My parents are waiting."
"You must miss them. But now that you've sworn lifelong friendship, leaving like this would be abrupt. Head Butler!"
"Yes, my lord."
"Dispatch Shirone's carriage immediately—to fetch his parents."
"At once."
The butler left swiftly. The matter was beyond even the family head now.
Nobles truly are incomprehensible, Louis mused.
Shirone and Rian returned to their room.
From kneeling at dawn to now—nearly noon—time had blurred.
"Haha! Did you see their faces? Like they'd swallowed fire!"
"But… are you sure about the Knight's Vow? Wasn't that too much?"
Rian's face turned serious.
"Shirone, I didn't vow because we're friends. You're different from my brother. You pull people in. I'm staking my life on you."
The sincerity was palpable. Flustered, Shirone deflected with a joke.
"Hah! No pressure. But if you're protecting me, you'll need to improve a lot."
Rian winced. "Ouch. I know. Still, your nerve back there—how weren't you scared?"
"I've got a trick."
Shirone explained his "cliff-jumping" mindset—focusing only on the present.
Rian blinked. "You… jumped off a cliff? Are you stupid?"
"Not literally! It's about not fearing the future until it happens!"
"But jumping means death. Think again."
"Ugh! The point is—sometimes you have to leap!"
"Oh! Then I'd jump for you. That's what knights do."
Shirone stared.
Total opposite of me.
Before he could dwell on it, the door creaked open.
Reina peeked in, waving. Shirone flushed instantly.
"Hi~! Things got tense over there, so I defected!"
"Get out. Men are talking."
Shirone hastily intervened. "Rian! She helped us!"
Rian grumbled but held his tongue.
Reina smirked. "That vow was bold. I'm impressed."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Hehe, caught me~! But listen—Father's considering sending you to Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy."
Rian froze. "What?! Without asking me? And what about Shirone?!"
"Well… that's the thing. They're thinking of sending you both."
Shirone jolted. Why me?
Rian cut in. "Shirone's not going. He's going to be a mage."
Reina's eyes bulged. "A mage?! You lost to a mage with a sword?! Pathetic!"
"Shut up! He's a genius! He'd outshine even Lai!"
"Oh? That much, you say?"
Rian wasn't the type to belittle others, even if they were enemies, so Shirone stood out to him.
"N-No, not at all! How could I possibly…?"
Feeling Rian's gaze on him, Shirone lowered his head, unsure where to look.
Rian found Shirone's lack of confidence frustrating. With that timid attitude, no girl would ever approach him.
Reina gave a small nod.
"Alright. I'll put in a word for you. But there'll probably be a condition—you'll have to enroll in the swordsmanship academy. My father exploits weaknesses ruthlessly."
"Tch! Whatever. I'll think about it."
In any case, if it was for his lord, Shirone wouldn't hesitate—whether it was the swordsmanship academy or even the military.
'Actually, it's important for me too.'
As an aspiring mage, he couldn't protect Shirone with just a sword.
A knock sounded, and a butler entered.
"Young Master Shirone, your family has just arrived. They are to be escorted to the mansion, but the family head has ordered that if you wish to greet them personally, I am to guide you."
Rian slapped his knee in excitement.
"Oh! Shirone's parents? What do you wanna do, Shirone?"
The answer was obvious.
Shirone's eyes were already fixed on the distant mansion gates, and he was practically bouncing in place.
Reina smiled.
"Hehe, go bring them in, Shirone. Our family will be waiting in the drawing room. Please guide him."
"Understood, my lady."
Shirone followed the butler out of the mansion.
"This way, please. The steps are steep, so be careful."
The butler's sudden change in attitude—from cold indifference to excessive politeness—made Shirone uncomfortable.
"Uh, you don't have to act so formally. It's not like I've suddenly become a noble."
"No! Please, don't say such things! My head would roll if I treated you improperly!"
Shirone, who had once risked his life for a book, understood the butler's fear better than anyone.
"Even if you make a mistake, I won't report it, so relax."
Relief flickered in the butler's eyes, but he still couldn't fully let go of his tension.
Either way, Shirone had no more attention to spare. No—he couldn't spare any.
At the end of the grand avenue, a carriage bearing the Ozent family crest had arrived.
The moment he saw his parents' faces, his vision blurred. Memories of nights spent in the library, enduring humiliation and exhaustion, flashed before him like a kaleidoscope—until tears finally spilled over.
Ignoring the butler's shouts, Shirone sprinted toward the gates.
"Mom! Dad!"