The Return of the Prodigal Son (1)
[A new scenario note has been assigned!]
Take 1. El Dante Street (Day/Outside). The residents of the territory welcome Ferdinand. They notice Leonardo among the group, causing a stir in the crowd.
Resident 1: "(Whispering) It's him! That scoundrel is back!"
Resident 2: "(Mocking) Looks like the back-alley gambling dens are about to come alive again."
Take 2. Ertinez Castle Corridor (Day/Inside). The Count of Ertinez receives news from a knight.
Count Ertinez: "You found Leonardo?"
Knight 1: "Yes. He's on his way here with the young lord. And there is one more thing to report… the young master has a companion."
Count of Ertinez: "A companion?"
Main Characters: Leonardo, Count Ertinez
Scenario Clear Condition: [The Count of Ertinez and Leonardo's party successfully complete their audience without incident.]
It's nice to see the scenario notes again after such a long time. It's a sign that the days filled only with hardships have finally ended, making the word 'intermission' sound fitting.
'Well, I've gained a lot for all the struggles, though.'
[Accessing Personal Information]
Rank – Supporting Character (Scenario Weight: 30.01%)
Role – Informant Isaac
Script – [Once the innkeeper of Sinistra, he lost his inn in a fire and joined Leonardo on his journey.]
[A secretive informant and a suspiciously skilled jack-of-all-trades. Claims to be Leonardo's close friend and companion.]
[Meets with Count Ertinez to argue that Leonardo is no longer a scoundrel.]
Dialogue – "If I may be so bold, might I say a word?"
!
As I looked at my information screen and saw my proper name inscribed there, I felt a surge of mixed emotions. My role now held a weight of 30%, and that was something to be glad about.
I skimmed through the scenario notes and the script, comparing them. At the very least, it seemed like I'd have my share of scenes up until the meeting with Count Ertinez. That was reassuring. I wasn't sure how the count would react to his wayward son returning after over a month, suddenly bringing two companions with him. And there was one more noteworthy detail…
'The
An underworld presence here in El Dante, where the count resides—well, isn't that convenient?
If I want to secure my position as an informant in the shadows, I'll need to act fast. I had a feeling things were about to get busy again. For me, at least, this was a good thing. Ever since I left Sinistra, I'd felt useless.
As I gazed at the castle growing closer, deep in thought, Ferdinand, leading the procession, raised his hand in a precise gesture, bringing us to a halt. A guard at the castle gate called out.
"Halt! Please cooperate with the inspection procedure before entering the castle."
Ferdinand, as if it were finally time for the truth to be revealed, sent Leonardo in first. After he entered the room, I was also led to a small, cell-like space within the inspection area.
"Make yourself comfortable."
With that, the priest pulled out a rod with a fist-sized metal ball attached to it from a jar in the corner. Another priest was reciting scripture non-stop in one corner of the small room, as if performing an exorcism. The priest swung his arm, and cold droplets of water splattered onto my face.
It turned out that this 'inspection procedure' was actually just enduring holy water being sprinkled from all directions. Each time the cold water touched me, I tried hard to avoid reacting, focusing my thoughts elsewhere. Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about how the holy water sprinkler above me looked alarmingly like a mace. If I flinched even a little, would they slam that thing down on my head?
It seemed that psychological pressure was part of the process, too, as the priest kept sprinkling water and said things like:
"Did you know? In the past, people couldn't believe that holy water alone could be effective, so they'd break the skin and pour the water on. For a person, it would heal the skin; for something else, it would dissolve it… It was certainly more effective that way."
Isn't it a bit much to say something like that while swinging a menacing, metal-ball-tipped rod over my head?
"Very well. Since Lord Leonardo has vouched for your identity, you are free to go. Welcome to El Dante."
'I feel uneasy.'
As I stepped out of the dark, grim inspection area and entered within the city walls, the full view of the city finally unfolded before me.
A land where the lord himself resides is usually heavily fortified. I had thought Sinistra was quite a bustling town, but El Dante was easily three or four times its size. Flags hanging from the city walls fluttered in the wind, displaying the emblem of House Ertinez: a white flower held by a swooping swallow on a blue background. Baron Roald, who had approached at some point, commented as he passed by.
"Isn't it beautiful? El Dante is a land with deep roots. If Sinistra is a city embracing the sea, then El Dante is a city sprawled across hills and gorges, like swallows building nests on cliffs."
"The term nest fits perfectly."
The entire city, surrounded by solid walls and fortified by dense mountain ranges, was like a safe nest built for House Ertinez. Beyond the bustling streets that stretched endlessly, the castle of House Ertinez stood at the northernmost end of El Dante, encircled by tall spires visible from almost anywhere in the city, gazing down upon their land. Unlike the newly-born, still blank canvas of Sinistra, which was being shaped piece by piece, this stage had everything properly in place at just the right time.
While I quietly took in the sights of the city, Leonardo and Vittorio approached me, trailing along.
"How was it?"
"The water was cold… it still feels like it's lingering on my forehead."
I rubbed his forehead playfully, and he chuckled softly.
"And you, Leo?"
"Nothing much happened. They seemed to recognize me, though. When they saw my wounds healing from the holy water, they let me through right away."
"I see."
Just then, I noticed a group looking in our direction, whispering as they watched us. They muttered things like 'scoundrel' and questioned his appearance, their glances anything but friendly. It was a glimpse into the reputation of the original 'Leonardo.'
Up to this point, it was a classic setup in a 'disgraced noble' storyline. The worse the reputation, the greater the satisfaction when it eventually gets turned around.
Leonardo, with his sharp hearing, had probably already picked up on what people were saying about the body he now inhabited. Unlike Sinistra, where no one recognized him, it would be hard to escape the eyes of others here. Curious about his state, I glanced over, but he wore a rather calm expression, likely unfazed because he knew they weren't really talking about him.
'Still, it can't be pleasant.'
Who would feel good hearing such sharp remarks piling up like that? I nudged him gently, giving him a slight smile.
"Popular, aren't we? I knew you had a colourful past, young master, but seeing it firsthand is beyond expectations. Here I thought I could trust you to handle things. Was I tricked?"
It was a joke I could make only because none of their insults could actually reach him. He blinked and chuckled faintly.
"Isaac…"
His response was so drawn out it almost sounded like 'Isaac' in a playful, complaining tone.
"What? Am I wrong?"
"You know you're not."
He moved closer, lowering his voice.
"You're the only one here who knows."
It wasn't hard to guess what he left unsaid—that he was, in fact, Leovald. Yes, I'm the only one here who knows.
"Ahem!"
Out of nowhere, Baron Roald cleared his throat loudly, as if wanting to say something, and I turned to look back. But the baron was busy fussing with his beard, pretending to be engrossed in looking off into the distance.
Before I could question it, Vittorio gently tugged at my sleeve. When I bent down to meet his gaze, I noticed his cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Just now…"
"Hm?"
"Did he say your name?"
The child glanced cautiously between me and Leonardo. Knowing that it wasn't only Leonardo who had waited so long for this, I lifted him up, holding him close, and whispered so only he could hear.
"Yes. That's my name. You're the second person I'm telling."
His small, thin arms wrapped warmly around my neck. "So, it's Isaac," he whispered softly near my ear, sending a ticklish warmth that made my whole body tremble.
Amused by the vibration he felt through our contact, Vittorio laughed. I tickled his side in response, making him kick his feet reflexively. Perhaps this looked precarious; Leonardo quickly moved in and supported my back from behind, murmuring, "Careful."
"Ahem! Ahem, ahem!"
Then Baron Roald cleared his throat loudly once again. The sound was so resonant that even Ferdinand, who was at the very front of the procession, turned to look.
"Do you need water, my lord? I can share mine."
"…I'm fine, so there's no need to worry, Young Count."
The baron muttered.
"You really have no sense when it comes to this sort of thing…"
Not hearing him, I subtly pulled Leonardo along, and he glanced back and forth before whispering in response.
"The baron just called the young count clueless."
"Why such a sudden personal attack?"
"Who knows."
As I cast my gaze at Ferdinand, who had been unexpectedly criticized, he happened to turn around just then, pointing directly at the three of us.
"Once we arrive at the castle, Leonardo, you'd better be prepared to grovel to father. And as for your friend…"
"Oh, you can just call me Isaac."
I still wasn't used to saying my name.
"Isaac. My younger brother has greatly indebted himself to you, so it's only right that he should repay you by accompanying us to see our father."
"Of course, I'll comply. But I'm a bit worried about whether I'm worthy to be in such company."
"It's only natural. If Leonardo has truly regained his senses thanks to you, that would be the greatest miracle of all. It seems friendship really is something remarkable."
"Haha, I'm glad you see it that way."
Baron Roald, who had been watching the exchange, shook his beard and interjected.
"Oh dear God, why do I have to face such trials in my old age…"
I tapped Leonardo lightly.
"What did he say this time?"
"I don't understand it. The baron seems to be having a tough time."
"Oh dear."
What a pity.