About ten minutes later, the damaged items were restored to their original state, and the four of them could finally sit down and have a good talk.
The sofas in Weber's house were of the standard type, with one main sofa and two secondary sofas surrounding a rectangular coffee table on three sides. The host, Weber, and his "stepsister"—Lenice—claimed to be sitting on the long main sofa, while Shinji and Lorelai Jacob each occupied one side. In the middle of the coffee table were placed the freshly brewed black tea and snacks by mercury maid Kurumi, which added some petty bourgeois atmosphere to this old rental house, even though none of the four guests were petty bourgeois.
"Hmm..." Lorelaia picked up the teacup gracefully and took a sip. "Not bad."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Kurumi bowed, and her perfect response further improved Lorelaia's opinion of the maid and Kenneth.
"Even a self-disciplined puppet created with magic mercury can reach this level. It seems that Lord El-Melloi has gained a lot in the past three years. It won't be long before he can ascend to the 'crown'."
"It won't take long." Shinji confirmed, "Once the Lord publishes the results of his three years of research, his title will be undisputed."
"So the two results you recently published are just the beginning?" asked Lanis.
"Yes." Shinji nodded and said, "Although I don't know how many papers the Lord is going to publish, I am sure he wants to use the 'Grand Title' as a wedding gift for Miss Sora."
"Oh my." Lanis clapped her hands. "This is the most expensive and romantic wedding gift since the Clock Tower was built, right, brother?"
"Don't look at me." Weber said a little embarrassedly, "With my qualifications, I won't be able to reach the level of my teacher in another hundred years, no, two hundred years. I should be happy just to be rated as an 'opening position'."
"Ah, brother, I was just asking if this is the most romantic and expensive wedding gift. I'm not asking for your evaluation of rank."
Lanis smiled maliciously. In Weber's eyes, it seemed as if a pair of horns had grown on her head, a pair of wings on her back, and a wiggling tail behind her butt.
"Or is it that Brother is planning to use the 'crown' as a wedding gift to me, just like you? Damn, I'm not even an adult yet."
"... ... "Weber's stomach felt a little tingling - a little devil, definitely a little devil. Why would I be entangled by such a little devil? What a misfortune.
"... ... "The corners of Shinji's mouth twitched - this is too much, isn't she really only eight years old
"... ... " Lorelaia even began to doubt whether there was something wrong with her understanding of this only allied family.
"Oh, just a joke." Seeing that no one was talking, Lanis stuck out her tongue playfully.
Lorelaia felt even more uncomfortable.
Where is the family of magicians who were said to be not much inferior to Barthelmero? Where is the noble temperament that was said to be? Where is the model of traditional magicians that was said to be
Not to mention the two otakus, after all, they are not El-Melloi's direct descendants, but talents who joined later.
Lanis is the heiress of Archizolti, a branch of Archipolud, and can be considered to be of an orthodox origin. Why does she have such a personality? Is it because of her personality that she was given to Velvet to teach
It's impossible that the whole El-Melloi is like this, that would be too scary. Lord El-Melloi doesn't look like a person with personality problems, or is he just good at disguising himself
No one answered Lorelaia's doubts. Lanis was immersed in the pleasure of teasing people, while Shinji was worried about Weber - Lanis's unintentional words hit Weber's biggest pain point.
Waver met Shinji's concerned gaze and shook his head.
"I know very well that no matter how hard I try, I can never catch up with the geniuses. All I do is confirm the path that has been trodden by the geniuses. Even if I can use that knowledge to help others' talents flourish, I will always be third-rate. Only those around me will shine, and I will never be in the spotlight."
"But I will not be depressed because I have already enjoyed enough honor, and this honor is on credit. Therefore, I must become a person worthy of that honor. Although the order is reversed, I must prove that 'his' vision is not wrong."
This was the unspoken feeling of Weber.
The man's words still echo in my ears.
No, it is engraved on the soul.
This is what I said at that time.
—"You are my king. I swear to serve you and die for you. Please guide me forward and let me see the same dream as you."
What an immature and selfish statement.
Once upon a time, I longed to die with "him". I longed for him to allow me to die like his other subordinates, following the greatest overlord in the world, following the man who conquered half of the world at that time, and perhaps the closest to world conquest in human history, and die in battle together.
And the Overlord smiled brightly at this.
However, the death bestowed upon him was not a glorious one.
What replaced it was the mission entrusted by "him".
"... Live, Waver. Witness all this, and live to tell the world how your king lives, and how I, Iskandar, gallop.
The golden light gathered inside the young man.
That is a vow that will never be lost, and a light that will never fade.
"He's so willful and reckless, isn't he? In the final analysis, it was that guy who dragged people to death, and now when the time comes, he forces this thing on me. Does he know how much of a headache it will cause me? I can't stop complaining even if I spend the whole night, that idiot."
Weber Velvet complained in his heart more than once, but after complaining, he would raise his head, bid farewell to his boyhood, and step into a new and different youth.
I know very well what I want to do and what I can do.
Of course, this is a contradiction. Even if I accept my own nature, I still envy the brilliant talent. Whenever I see outstanding magic, my body is like being burned by the flames of resentment. Kenneth El-Melloi Archipelud, Barthamelo Lorelaya, and Lanis Archizorti, young geniuses fly in the sky so easily. The dazzling dream still remains in my soul - but dreams are always dreams.
It doesn’t matter if it’s just a dream. That’s what I think now.
It doesn’t matter if it’s just a dream. I can think like this now.
Although there are some unsatisfactory aspects, my life is very happy. I don't need, and it is not my place for others to make irresponsible comments.
Because I am a subject recognized by the greatest king in the world, King of Conquerors Iskandar. Even death cannot erase the bond between us.
One day, I will see the vast land of hot sand and the dream of the sea at the end of the world that the king described.
PS: The reason why I don't envy Shinji is very simple, because Shinji is seriously biased, and all his talents and skills are focused on combat. He pursues his own strength, and from the perspective of magic research, he is not as good as Weber.