Chapter 138 : The Unworthy of the Worthiness (Part 2)

The next day, at the end of the afternoon. The news finally arrived about Rei and the others were being invited to the Duke's household.

They rode in two carriages. Rei, Alicia, Raven, and Hiba sat together in one carriage, while the rest of them were in the other.

It was a nerve-wracking ride for Alicia and Hiba, who were sitting side by side with these two serious looking people.

Raven was wearing all black clothes, a simple suit with necktie and looking a bit fancy.

Meanwhile, they were wearing their usual clothes. Even Rei still looked the same during their first meeting. He's still wearing his long sleeved coat, his beast helmet, and armored glove.

While on their way, the silence between the two who were arguing last time just made the atmosphere heavier.

But the silence was over after they arrived at the front gate where Duke's Household was located.

When the carriage stopped, they were greeted by an elegant old butler.

"We welcome you, Sir Raven."

The butler spoke when all of them got out of their carriage, while Raven was standing in front of them.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, Heisman." Raven spoke with a smile.

"You look pretty skinny compared to the last time you were here, sir Raven." Heisman spoke while bowing his head.

"Well, the workload increased as the situation got dire." Raven sighed.

"That is true....although, may I dare ask, who are these ladies and gentlemen?" Heisman spoke in such a formal way towards them, despite the differences in status.

"These are the people who want to meet Duke Vincent." Raven spoke as he stepped aside, "Especially this young man." to introduce Rei, who stood right behind him.

"....." Heisman slowly observed him with his keen eyes, "I see. It seems you brought someone with an extraordinary talent." Heisman spoke.

"...?!" Rei was surprised to hear what he said, 'Did he notice? Despite hiding my presence and aura? Who is this Heisman.' Rei thought.

Heisman could feel his gaze as he simply smiled, "My apologies for trying to assess you, I am just a servant who works for the Duke and I wouldn't want someone unworthy to meet him."

Rei could tell the weight of his words, "Do not worry about it...since I'm used to people assessing my capability."

"I understand."

"But at least you didn't try to look down on me first." Rei spoke, "Since..." As the atmosphere around him become heavier.

"I hate people who look down on me the most." Rei spoke, releasing such intense pressure that was enough to make Heisman flinch for a moment.

"Then I apologize for the discomfort." Heisman bowed his head slightly to apologize and tried to remain calm, "but... May I ask about your name?"

"My name is Crimson." Rei spoke.

Heisman widened his eyes, "I see..." he slowly closed his eyes and lifted his head.

"I apologize again for making you all wait. Come, and make yourself at home." Heisman stood straight and finally began to escort them inside.

Finally the first hurdle was over, they decided to follow the butler from behind. On their way, they were greeted with such a lavish and luxurious hallway, but despite that when they look closely, they look old.

Like an antique.

But Rei only looked forward and observed the back of this old butler before him.

'His observing skill is quite amazing, a veteran? Maybe a former general?' Rei guessed many things about the real identity of this old butler.

But it didn't take long for them to arrive in front of a single door.

"We are here." Heisman muttered then he began to knock the door announce their arrival.

"Master, excuse me, the guests are here." Heisman spoke through the door and waited for the respond.

"..."

There was a short pause, "Come on in." Before he was finally given the permission from the person inside.

Heisman turned around to them, "Well then...sir Raven and sir Crimson, you can come in now." Heisman spoke.

"Wait, what about the others?" Rei asked.

"Since the one who wants to meet my master is only sir Crimson, I'm afraid you all must wait in the waiting room." Heisman spoke politely.

"Don't worry Crimson-san, we are okay, we will be waiting for you." Alicia spoke with a reassuring smile.

Rei glanced at her and nodded, "Thanks."

"Then...I'll go first." He said before Heisman nodded and opened the door.

*CREAK*

Raven and Rei walked into the room together, they were greeted with a room filled with bookshelves all over the wall.

After that they stood right in front of the man who sit there in his office desk. He who was titled as the Duke of the North.

The lord who reigned this territory that had been protecting this land for so long.

"Welcome, it's been a while...Raven."

The man who's called as The Head of the Sigebehrt family—Vincent Van Sigeberht.

This man had a mustache and long black hair tied on the back with silver lines on it which showed his old age.

"Indeed...it's been a while, Master Vincent." Raven answered him with such nostalgic looks.

Besides Vincent, stood a young man who have the same look as his father Vincent himself, with the same black color hair and dark gray color eyes. He seemed to be of the same age as Rei, his name is...

Gilbert Fei Sigebehrt.

"You look tired as usual." Vincent commented the same words just like Heisman did.

"Well my workload seems more than usual because of your request, my lord." Raven spoke.

Vincent smiled, "Heh, as usual your rudeness still the same."

Then Vincent's eyes shifted towards the young man standing beside Raven.

"So...you are the one whose name is Crimson?"

"Yes, my lord." Rei replied.

"I heard a lot about your deed 7 years ago, it is such an amazing feat." Vincent throw a compliment at him.

Rei remained calm as usual, "It's nothing, my lord, compared to your deed protecting this land for such a long time is more honorable compared to mine." But instead he spoke politely towards him and replied him with another compliments.

Raven was surprised when he heard him being polite like that.

"Ohhh, I heard from my friend that you're quite a rude person...but to think you are acting this humble in person." Vincent commented about his previous behavior.

"My apologies, I couldn't control my emotion during that time, but I was merely speaking my mind, so I understand that I may come off as rude." Rei still replied him politely.

"Hmmmm....that is true, it is understandable to be angry since this is regarding someone's lives."

"But I must thank you for saving our precious adventurers and defeating one of the Three Great Evil." Vincent spoke.

"Thank you for your words my lord, but I must refuse your thankful words because defeating one the Three Great Evil was my goal from the start." Rei answered.

Vincent wasn't surprised to hear that, as if he had expected that, "I see, so our purpose is aligned with your goal."

"Yes, so it was simply a coincidence that I was there with them." Rei simply responded him like that.

And, Vincent noticed it, "Heh, so you noticed...that I suspected that you followed our adventurers."

"Of course, that's why I answered it first to erase sir lord's suspicions towards me." Rei spoke, as they started a mind game on their own.

'Good decision.' Vincent thought while looking at him.

"I see, even so...I heard you want to have an audience with me? So? What is it do you want from me?" Vincent then finally decided to get into the main topic.

But Rei remained calm before him, "Then, I shall be straight...I want you to allow me to participate in your fights against the Three Great Evil."

Vincent then rubbed his chin while thinking about what he said, "Hmmmm...if you want to participate, you can join without a problem, since getting help from someone like you would help us do what we want."

"That is true...but what I mean is something else."

"Hmm? Then what is it?" Vincent asked as he was curious.

"I want to be at the front line and of course at the top front." Rei answered him.

Vincent widened his eyes and smiled, "Such brave words, but what makes you think that you can have that position."

"I know you did something unbelievable in the past, but this is a different matter...since regarding about this expedition is related to our tradition and longed wish, and it is something that needs to be settled by us Sigebehrt."

"I know that."

"Then if you know it—"

"But I must be at the front line." Rei stubbornly answered him again.

Vincent's smile turned into a frown as he was upset by his stubbornness. "Like I said...I cannot allow you, it is our problem and my family tradition to put an end to this cursed land."

"So what? I must be at the front line...or else many people will die at this rate." Rei spoke.

Vincent then took a short pause, "Why do you think we would be defeated? Do you think we are weak and need someone like you to protect us?"

"I did not say that."

*BAM*

Vincent then slammed his fist on the table, "Then?! What are you trying to imply?!"

But Rei just stood there and looking straight towards his eyes, "It's not because you are all weak..."

"Then?"

Then Rei looked straight at him which made Vincent shudder for a moment.

"It's because I am the strongest here." Rei stated boldly, something that he had never said before.

From his words itself, it's filled with weight and how serious he was about it.

Vincent knew that from the moment he saw him and that also made the others become alert because he intentionally letting his aura leak at the moment.

*SWOOSH*

And made them took an action.

*CLINK*

Raven immediately pulled his sword from his sheath and pointed it towards Rei's neck, Heisman pulled a knife and aimed it on Rei's back and even Vincent's son pulled out his sword from his waist.

They all aimed at Rei together as they thought Rei was gonna start a fight here but Vincent lifted his hand.

"Stop, lower your weapons."

"But, my lord!—" They were completely on alert the moment he said that. It was as if he was showing a moment of hostility.

But for Vincent, it was more than just arrogance or showing off his dominating aura within this room.

'I am certain...that this man is stronger than anyone here.' Vincent thought.

"Just lower your weapon, he was just stating it. Gilbert, Heisman, it's rude to do that to our guest." Vincent tried to talk to them before this situation could turn bad.

Rei didn't even flinch nor move, he just stood there without a word.

They eventually lowered their weapons just like Vincent wanted.

"My apologies, we are just being alert by your words." Vincent apologized.

Rei slowly pulled his aura away, "That's okay, everyone would be alert with someone who hides his face." He replied.

'I don't think it's about that.' They all thought the same.

"Well I know it is such an unreasonable request after all, so to be fair and to prove our trust, how about I reveal myself." Rei spoke.

"...?!" Vincent were surprised by what he said. 'Crimson's....face? The man who had hide his face and went missing for 7 years yet no one knows how does he looks.'

'Finally going to show his face to prove our trust?!' Vincent couldn't help to gulp his dry saliva, as he couldn't help to be curious of it.

"Are you sure?" But Vincent asked him to be sure whether it's fine for him to show his face.

"Didn't I say to prove our trust? Besides, it's also my way to apologize for my rude behavior just now." Rei replied to him.

"I-i see..."

"But as long as you don't share what I look like and keep it for our trust, we can have a deal." Rei explained.

Vincent had a second thought, 'Indeed, we do need help from outside, but letting an outsider take the frontline and the glory is unreasonable.'

'But...our family's long life wish to dispose this curse...I...must not waver.'

"I promise you...that I won't ever share your secret and I assure you the people here will do the same." Vincent spoke.

They all simply nodded and accepted his order.

"Well I've already seen it, so it won't change anything." Raven spoke while sheathing his sword.

Then Rei revealed his face in front of them by taking his helmet off.

Although Raven didn't give much reaction compared to before, the others were more confused and shocked than he was.

Vincent widened his eyes as he couldn't believe what he had seen.

A young man who seemed to be the same age as his own son yet his body was much bigger and taller than he was.

He could mistake him as an adult man.

"Let me ask you...how old are you?" Vincent decided to ask.

"Hmmm, currently I'm 15 this year." Rei answered.

It shocked him even more, 'He is the same age as...'

'...me?' Gilbert thought the same, since he's the same age as he was, he's more shocked than his father.

'To think another child like him exists...I guess this world has gone mad.' Vincent thought.

'Just like her...but...' Vincent had yet another second thought.

"But...I don't think this is enough." Vincent spoke out.

"...?! What? Why?" Rei asked since he was quite annoyed.

Vincent didn't waver and continue to answer him, "Even if you reveal your identity, you are someone without a name to yourself and not only that, hiding your identity to this point."

"So I am not sure that you are the strongest here without a prove, and I doubt that you can resolve this problem." Vincent still had his doubts.

Rei remembered one words, 'Seeing is believing and believing is knowing...huh...but....'

"I see, then could you tell me the reason?" Rei asked.

Vincent immediately answered, "Because it was simple, I know you are someone famous and you are also one of the renowned adventurers who saved the Elf Kingdom."

"But....that was 7 years ago."

"Since that much time had passed and because you went missing, your name was almost forgotten by many people, so it is impossible to trust you, someone who had unknown origin." Vincent made his point.

Rei didn't say anything and just stood there, until he smiled towards him.

"So what do I need to do to prove it that I am the strongest here? And to prove that I am trustworthy for you." Rei asked with such calm looks on his face.

Vincent looked nervous at this point, as he thought he had grasped the situation to refuse his request.

'But...why do I feel nervous?' Vincent shook his head, "Well how about getting a recommendation?"

"A recommendation?"

"Yes, a recommendation from someone that have high status, to prove that you are someone that could lead the frontline and claiming yourself to be the strongest." Vincent explained.

"Hmmmm...so until I am recommended by someone with a higher status than yours, you would probably accept my offer?"

"You could say that." Vincent smiled as he thought he had win,

'But...do you think there's someone who could recommend  you? Since I am still the Duke, unless it was a King...then I can't let you.' Vincent thought.

But Rei just smiled as if he expected this and that made Vincent widened his eyes, "I know you would say that, so...I came prepared since this is definitely an emergency call like [she] said."

"Huh? What are you—?"

Rei suddenly slipped his hand into thin air, where he pulled out a scroll from his [Inventory].

"That's?!—"

Then without further ado, Rei opened the scroll and...

*SHING*

The scroll shined.

'That's a [Magic Scroll]?! What is he doing?!' Vincent immediately recognized of what scroll is that.

*SWOOSH*

Until a giant portal showed up right behind Rei.

"...?!"

It alerted them once again.

"What are you doing Crimson?!" Raven shouted in slight panic. 'A [Teleportation] magic?!'

His actions this whole time had been confusing them the most, since they saw him as a dangerous person the moment he stepped into this room.

And this one...is the most confusing yet.

Until...

.

.

.

.

.

"Ara~ is it time already?~"

A voice of a woman came out from the portal.

"...?!" They were surprised after hearing it.

"This kid sure is troublesome, but well…, he is our disciple after all." Then followed by a man's voice.

'Who?—huh?!—' Vincent asked himself as he widened his eyes once again.

When two people emerged from the portal, revealing a familiar face.

And that made Vincent even more shocked.

"T-they are..."

A woman with a mature and curved body, and her hair which looked like a mane and bright red in color as if it was made out from a flame and beside her was the male who's none other than a dwarf wearing an armor and a tall helmet with a horn on its sides.

All of them were taken by surprise with the sudden appearance of these two people. Meanwhile, Rei still remained calm.

"C-crimson...who are these people?" Raven asked as he had never seen them in his entire life. 'But their presence...is enough is enough to suffocate me.'

"You fool!" Except, one person.

"You all must kneel!" It was Vincent who shouted first.

"They are the most important people, even more than me!" Vincent spoke as he immediately ran forward from his table and knelt before them.

"W-we welcome you, [The King of Dragons, Ignia]-sama and [The King of Dwarfs, Doldain]-sama."

"....?!" Immediately, they hurried to kneel down before them just like Vincent, except Rei who's just standing beside them.

The situation had been reversed.

"So, what do you need, my disciple~?" Ignia asked with a smile.

Rei who had no background had revealed himself, a young man who came back after 7 years of seclusion, had become the disciple of two powerful beings in the North.

"Well, they said I need recommendations to be able to participate into the expedition.'

'So I would like you Master...to tell them that I needed to finish my test just like you wanted, before it gets ugly." Rei spoke with a small smile in this situation.

His words sounded like a threat to them, of course they were aware that they couldn't defeat him.

But now he's bringing these two, the chances of rejecting him.

Become 0%

"Hmmmm~ that's true, even if you told them that you are my disciple, who wouldn't believe it.'

'Now, I understand, why you needed a [Teleportation Scroll]." Ignia spoke.

"How clever! As expected of my disciple!" Doldain grinned.

"Hey! He is also my disciple, you know!" Ignia replied while putting her hands to her hips.

The two powerful beings were now arguing with themselves, meanwhile the rest of them couldn't utter any words, too shocked to process what's going on.

Meanwhile the person who caused this mess, was still standing and waiting for his answer.

"So, do you hear that? My lord, can you reconsider it?"

To be continued...