"What do you think Rudy?" Dad said as we went through the gate to the city. My honest opinion is that the architecture reminds me of medieval Germany but I can hardly tell him that. Regardless, it was quite a beautiful place and the lack of human waste on the roads was a plus in my mind.
"It's fine." I replied blandly. Of course, while it was beautiful I couldn't exactly call it stunning. I had seen all sorts of beautiful places in my last life. This one was only one of many that I had seen.
"That's it? I wasn't expecting a grand reaction but come on! Give me something better than that!" Dad whined like a child as we rode through the town on horseback to the castle. To be completely honest neither dad nor I particularly enjoyed the form of travel.
Not only was it slow but it was also uncomfortable, I would much rather run than have ridden a horse but at times things like these were necessary. If I were to give a comparison that fits my last life it would be similar to being forced to arrive at a rich person's party in a fancy sports car.
I for one didn't want to drive or even own one of the cars however if I didn't have at least one to show off and a dozen more to brag about I would be thought of as poor and laughed at. Of course, that attitude didn't last when I became famous as a demon of greed when I destroyed a nation's economy to take it over and became the richest man alive but the point still stands.
"No." I refused dad's complaints without hesitation. Sulking slightly dad flashed a warrant that was sent to us to gain access to the castle. Entering through the gate we got off the horse and gave it to a nearby worker and walked the rest of the way since horses weren't allowed to be ridden in the castle for sanitary reasons.
"I've got a few things to do so why don't you put all our stuff away? Just ask somebody where you're supposed to go." Dad said casually before walking off. We'll probably be forced to stay here for a day or two since it takes about half the day to get from Buena village to Roa alone.
Getting the location of our room from a nearby servant I made my way through the halls filled with clearly expensive decorations. I don't know the exact value of them in this world but they would be worth a pretty penny in my last one.
Regardless, it's surprising that somebody so powerful could be here. Just going off their battle aura they are a step or two better than my dad though he could probably give her a good fight if it came down to it.
There are a few other decently strong people but they couldn't compare to dad let alone whoever that woman is. She seems to be from the beast race going off her ears but I can't see her figure completely with mana sense.
Oddly enough there is another type of mana where one of her eyes should be. It's very clearly foreign yet somehow it draws in her mana and turns it into the mana wavelength it needs. It perfectly fits the description of a Demon Eye from Laplace.
In any case, I doubt I'll have to meet her anytime soon. Even if I need to watch over dad I'll be doing it from the comfort of my temporary bed by using my ridiculously heightened senses to listen in on him.
If push came to shove and dad did incredibly badly I would find a way to help him but I doubt it'd be necessary. As dumb as dad is, he was trained to be the head of a noble family, he should be able to give a report at the very least.
Entering the room that has been allotted to us I placed our bags on the floor. The room itself was nice however it felt extremely overbearing considering the expensive items dotting the room.
Due to the importance of our report, we were given a guest room usually reserved for nobles and the like which meant our room was luxurious only to show off wealth. Personally, I hated it but logically I understood the reasoning.
Either way, it was the room we were given so I better get unpacking.
SoA|
At a long rectangular table, Paul and six other men sat on the two sides, all of them looking over at the man at the head of the table as well as the two people on his sides.
At the head of the table was Sarous Boreas Greyrat while at his sides were two of his children Philip Boreas Greyrat and the next head of the house James Boreas Greyrat. Paul got along with Philip but James was another story.
James was the type to use everything as he pleased before throwing them away without hesitation. Paul may not be a saint but he didn't sink low enough to think that kind of thing was morally correct.
"Thank you all for coming on short notice but let's cut to the chase. As much as I would love to continue with formalities, we have a serious issue at hand." Philip began with narrowed eyes, his hands crossed as he looked at them seriously.
"As you all should be aware a large mana outburst occurred a few days ago near your territories. Tell us what happened without a single lie." James demanded from them, making Paul click his tongue quietly.
He had hoped that the kid had matured a little since he last saw him but it seems like that was too good to be true. At least Philip turned out alright. Hell, he even heard that Philip got a feisty babe as a wife!
"We couldn't find anything at Balune village." Another lord of a territory said briefly with all the other heads of the village following suit quickly in order to save their own hides. If they actually found something then losing their territory is the least of the problems.
"And you Paul?" Philip questioned seriously. Even old man Sarous, who hadn't said a word, looked at him seriously. Since he missed the chance to say nothing happened because he was thinking of Philip's wife he was now getting questioned. Great, just great.
"I went to where the mana was the strongest but I couldn't find anything there." Paul said seriously, lying as best he could. Luckily his time as an adventurer had given him some practice and his time as a skirt chaser gave him even more.
"I see. You're all free to spend the night but send a detailed report before you leave. Paul, come with me." Philip said, dismissing the meeting as a whole. James couldn't care less about them and Sarous was testing his kids.
Standing up everyone left the room with sighs of relief while Paul followed Philip with thousands of thoughts racing through his mind. He was a confident man but even he felt like he fucked up right now.
"Take a seat, Paul." Philip said with a serious look on his face that didn't fit his usual gentle attitude. Taking a seat across from him Paul looked at him as seriously as he possibly could to hopefully hide how nervous he was.
He hadn't even been this nervous since… well since whatever his son did a few days ago but before that, it had been years! Even when dungeon dived nearly once a week he never was this nervous!
Is this what making a family does to you? He wasn't worried about himself, he was worried for his wife and child at home. Oh and the hot maid waiting for him at home. Now that he thought about it wasn't his kid spending time with her to keep him away? It sure felt like it.
"So what's up with this private meeting? Is it your way to make the other guys jealous?" Paul joked to hopefully lighten the tense atmosphere and his own nerves. If his time as an adventurer taught him anything it was that while being nervous can sometimes save your life it's best to get rid of that burden as soon as possible.
"Paul this is serious!" Philip shouted, his hand slamming into the table. For the first time since the meeting began Paul could tell just how stressed his cousin was. "With how much mana was released we think that the Demon God was released." Philip revealed tiredly, resting his head on his shaky hands.
"The Demon God?" Paul muttered in shock. While all the other members of the upper portion of the Seven World Powers were doubted to exist the Demon God was definitely real, his war couldn't have been faked after all.
And they're saying that he had gotten released from whatever seal the seven heroes used on him all those centuries ago. That was a big deal, to the point where if that even spread as a rumor Fitoa may lose over half its population.
"That's right. That's why you have to tell me what you know. Please, Paul." Philip begged Paul. Between his family and his cousin who would he choose? No matter who he chose he'd have to betray the other. But…
"I can't." Paul replied quietly yet in a tone full of determination. Even if it meant he would be hated by the world he wouldn't betray his family. He owed that much to them at least for how much of a jerk he was in the past.
He wouldn't betray them, not again.