Leon was riding Hermes while his eyes closed. He wasn't sleeping or dozing off, he was investigating the philosopher's stone in his mana pool. The philosopher's stone wasn't a treasure which was forged of concocted. Nearly every world would have one philosopher's stone which was created while it was in the embryonic stage. Maybe one's knowledge and power were to reach to some extent, they might create a philosopher's stone, but Leon didn't know if there could be such a thing.
He was investigating the stone because after he got it he didn't have much time to examine it. He knew its basic functions and abilities but, he didn't know everything about it. He didn't think that the philosopher's stone was a merely a cauldron. He didn't think that he could learn all its abilities in a short time but, he still examine it when he found a bit of time. He could use his book of knowledge but he wanted try first and if he had no result, he planned to use his book of knowledge. He didn't want to overly attached to it.
After his examination, he opened his eyes and looked at Theo who was riding a horse beside him with Heinz and Cole.
"Theo how was your relationship with your father?"
Theo was surprised from a sudden question but answered bitterly
"He wasn't close to me. Probably, he is thinking me as a failure."
Leon didn't say anything
"Young master, you cured yourself and you're the firstborn of marquis household. Your return will change everything." Heinz said, Cole also nodded showing that he was also thinking the same.
Leon wasn't optimistic as they were.
"Aim for the best, prepare for the worst. Only with that you could be satisfied with the result."
"You are saying that my father wouldn't let me to become the next marquis?" asked Theo, his voice was higher than usual.
"I'm not saying that. I don't know your father and without sufficient knowledge, I can only assume the worst." Said Leon shaking his head.
"Besides you said that your brother raped a girl and killed her and her family, what was your father's reaction to that? Did he punished your brother?" Leon continued.
"He didn't. I presume that he didn't have heart to punish him. My brother was the only one who could be the next marquis."
"Is your father good lord? I mean does he care about his subjects?" Asked Leon.
"He isn't a benevolent lord but he wouldn't oppress the people in his fief. He is a normal lord." Answered Theo after a bit of thought.
"Your brother was your half-sibling right? Has his mother side power?"
"They are merchants, they don't have any political power in the circle of nobles, but they have a lot of money. "
"Money could be used to lure supporters from nobility for your brother, by the way I never asked but what is your brother's name?"
"His name is Casper. But I don't think nobles would support him for money. My brother is a stain for nobles in the circle. Even if they did, they wouldn't show their support on the surface."
Leon nodded. He wasn't a noble for a long time but he also knew that the nobles disdained to bother with commoners. They ruled over them but, good or bad they wouldn't bother them.
Leon continued to ask questions to know more about the situation while they were proceeding to the fief.
…
After going for days, they could see a city with wall surround it ahead of them. Leon knew this city was the center of the fief of Theo's father. Leon looked to Theo and he could see that he was showing anticipation on his face. Leon could understand his anticipation, Theo was deemed as a failure by his father and around him. He should be imagining the faces when he showed that he cured his inability.
After coming near to the gates, Leon could see some guards inspecting the people who was entering the city, but Theo didn't stop to wait in the line and advanced. This was noticed by the guards, just as one of them were going to warn them, he recognized Theo and his followers. He welcomed them with smile on his face. They didn't know Leon but they didn't stop him because he was with Theo and he was riding Hermes which was a griffon.
When they entered through the gate, Leon could see the city. When Leon asked the city's name Theo said it named after their surname which was Blazewing City. Leon knew that most of the nobles giving their surname to their respective cities, but Leon didn't want to do the same. Titanheart City wasn't a good name for him, so he planned to named Titan City which was more suitable.
Theo was talking about the city as they were going to mansion, Leon wasn't going to stroll around the city but he still listened. As they neared the mansion, Leon could see a young man who was looking like Theo but he had a few differences at the gate. Leon looked Theo and saw that his face hardened, from this Leon understood that the young man was his brother.
The young man walked towards them with carefree attitude but Leon could discern that he wasn't carefree as he was looked. His eyes were cold as he looked to Theo. When he came close enough;
"Brother, I didn't think you would come back to home. I thought you would escape far away and live your remaining days in leisure."
"Why should I escape, there is nothing to afraid here. It is my home."
Casper's eyes became colder but he hid it in a second, and he looked towards Leon,
"Brother you found a new dog huh."
Leon didn't cared how he was called, but Hermes could understand the human speech and cawed in a threatening manner. Leon patted his head to calm him down and looked at Casper. His look wasn't threatening or pressuring, he didn't put Casper on his eyes so his eyes was calm as a sea without a wind.
"Casper, There is no dog here. As for Leon, he is my guest. I don't need to remind you that you should be polite to the guests. You should be more like a noble."
"Hooo, My brother becoming more and more audacious huh. I don't know what happened to you while you were away but you shouldn't talk to the next marquis like that."
Casper's voice was low and threatening but Theo didn't step down.
"There is nothing decided." said with a smile on his face.
Casper's eyes became murderous from cold as he looked Theo, but didn't say anything just flung his arms and returned to the mansion with cold look on his face.
After Casper entered the mansion, Leon could see that Theo was exited even though he didn't want to show. Leon smiled thinking that although he only won a verbal confrontation, he became happy.
When they entered through the outer gate of mansion to the garden, Theo ordered the servants to prepare a room for Leon. Leon didn't want to sleep right away so he asked if he could enter the library.
"Okay, Cole can guide you there but there is some books that is forbidden to outsiders so..."
"I understand, there is no problem just say to the servants to take care of Hermes."
Leon interrupted him, understanding what he was going to say.