"So you're that strong? Say, how about we have a little match and test each other?"
Nero continues to act as if we didn't know each other. With that said, he appears to be seriously asking for a match. He knew I was an adventurer, but clearly, he didn't know what my rank was. He didn't ask for it, he was only interested in making out with me after all...
"Stop it, Nero. Don't start a fight with our guest now..."
Baron Heldrick chastised him, but he didn't seem to care, and he merely shrugged his shoulders in response.
"I didn't know the person you were talking about was an elf? Isn't that an important detail to be left out?"
"Hump... You remain quiet."
After sternly dealing with Nero, the Baron let out a tired sigh. Evidently, he doesn't seem to treat Nero the same way as his older sons. It might look unfair, but I can somewhat understand that the fault is also in Nero.
While his two older brothers have a decent reputation in the town and their household, Nero's reputation had been put on the ground because of his antics.
"I'm sorry for that terrible display, Eria," the Baron apologized.
Although he says that, he didn't seem genuine at all. Even so, the fact that he apologized for something so simple still makes him a decent enough person. Nobles usually have too much pride to do anything similar.
"Now then, let me tell you why I called you here today."
Nero scoffed, his two older brothers, on the other hand, suddenly became serious. You can clearly see the difference in their personalities just by observing them like this.
"I'll be coming to the Royal capital to see his highness. I'll be leaving my territory to the three of you."
"That's rare... What happened?" the eldest son asked.
"I have not been informed yet, but something seems to have happened, and most minor and major lords are being summoned to the capital. Since they're waiting for us to get there before they reveal anything, it might be something controversial."
"I see... Don't worry, father, I'll do my best while you're away."
"Umu, we'll take care of any trouble that comes..."
The two brothers reassured him. With a confident smile, he nodded to them.
"There's been a number of strong monsters spawning in this territory, so if any troublesome ones come, you can rely on Eria here."
How troublesome...
"Can we really?"
The two brothers still seem doubtful, so their father reassured them in return. Nero simply didn't care, and he doesn't seem to be listening to the conversation at all. Or so I thought...
"Come on, if any strong monsters appear, I'll take care of it myself," he interjected.
"Do what you want... but if a monster you can't defeat appears, partner up with the guild and with Eria here."
"We'll do that..."
Nero merely stared doubtfully at me, so one of his brothers answers in his stead.
"I trust we can rely on you, Eria?" Baron Heldrick directly asked me this time.
Again... how bothersome...
Should I just leave this town now? Perhaps I can go to the capital...? Fin is there too... Surprising him could be fun.
No, the distance is too long, so I need some preparations. I'll settle here for now... I'm still having fun tackling quests with Erika's group and teaching Log swordsmanship after all.
"I'll do what I can..." I said with a sigh.
"Good..."
That marked the end of our small meeting. Then, as if the person was waiting for the exact time...
"Can I enter?" the voice resounded with a light knocking on the door.
"It's fine, you can enter," Baron Heldrick replied with a louder voice than usual so the other person could hear.
"Sabrina!" the second son shouted, excitedly greeting Sabrina who came out of the door.
"Dear!"
Sabrina leaps towards his arms, prompting him to catch and hug her. The gentle and graceful demeanor of Sabrina was nowhere to be found, instead, they were replaced by a charming and innocent-like attitude.
"You haven't come here for so long..."
"But I've only been away for a week..."
Like a dense NTR protagonist, the second son laughs off the genuine feelings of Sabrina. Even his father showed a sad expression after witnessing his nonchalant behavior.
"Why don't you spend a bit of time with her?" he said.
"Father, now that you're going away, I need to spend even more time with my work."
"You're not staying?" Sabrina worriedly asked.
"I'm sorry, but like I said, I still have more work to do in the merchant's guild."
"But...!"
"We'll spend some time together when I get back."
"Do you really need to stay there all the time? Why don't you come home here at night to rest?"
"It's necessary, it's more efficient that way."
He seem like a good guy, but it's sad that he pays more attention to his job than Sabrina... How can he? When she's so charming and pretty?
"Hm... Fine... But while you're still here, why don't we have tea in the garden together? I'll send you off later too."
"Umu, let's do that."
The two of them leaves as soon as the Baron gave them the permission to. Soon, the oldest son followed, and I also excused myself after. I didn't pay attention to Nero, and I left without saying a word to him.
Just before I leave the mansion, I was greeted by the knights. They expressed their gratitude, which was a bit overwhelming to me, and before I knew it, I was happily chatting with them.
"Sorry about that, my father still had something to say to me so I couldn't come right away."
I was just about to leave after spending time with the knights, but I was stopped again by Nero.
"Say, let's have a little talk in my room," he said with the smallest hint of a grin.