Strax and Jason headed towards the Baroness's mansion. Along the way, they began conversing about the Duchy of Vorah.
"I see. So things really escalated like that," said Strax as he listened to Jason's account, which was delivered without displaying any positive emotion.
"The Vorah Academy is in a complicated situation," remarked Strax, and Jason nodded. "The Vorah Swordsmen have been increasing every year. However, it's been challenging for them to be hired by the Kingdom's forces. It seems like the Grand Duke is being suppressed by the King," agreed Jason as they walked.
"But that's strange. Why would Uncle Aldric take such action? I understand my father isn't a legitimate son and only rose due to his ability, but he's still royalty, isn't he?" queried Strax.
"It's hard to say. Despite being more active in recent years, it seems Your Majesty is truly at odds with the Patriarch," explained Jason.
"And my brothers?" asked Strax, though he didn't really want to know. Information would never be wasted, and Jason supported him, even without knowing the reason.
"Hmm... Virgil and Dominic have gained seats at the table," said Jason, and Strax's eyes widened in surprise. "Those two arrogant idiots? Please, what did my father see in them? They are failures," remarked Strax, and this time it was Jason who was surprised.
"Young Master, Virgil and Dominic reached Master Rank at only twenty-two," commented Jason. "However, I agree with Young Master. Those two shouldn't be in such high positions. Even Xenovia took time to rise through the ranks of the Hierarchy," he added, leaving Strax unsure of what to think.
"Those two... awakened their weapons? No, it's not possible. They probably were helped by some fortunate encounter. These guys are complete idiots. Their existence already disgusts me. They're not capable of success," reflected Strax.
"Furthermore, I doubt their behavior would be tolerated... unless... they really have exceeded expectations... Well, if Father has such low expectations, they've probably been met," he concluded.
"It looks like we've arrived," said Strax, bringing his thoughts back to reality as they reached the entrance of the Baroness's Mansion.
Strax looked at the house, with several lights turned off. That was... strange.
"She doesn't like leaving the lights off at night. Beatrice would never do that," commented Strax, his memories still clear about the time he lived peacefully with Beatrice resonating in his head, and he remembered something: Beatrice hated the dark.
"Jason, you have a storage ring, right?" asked Strax, and Jason nodded. "Well, yes? I mean, all knights have one. We usually carry spare equipment in them," explained Jason.
"Give me a sword," requested Strax, with a smile, and Jason looked at him. "No way," he replied, completely breaking the mood of the place.
"Huh?" questioned Strax, expecting a response. "You're useless, Young Master. I'm by your side. You don't need a sword," explained Jason.
"You bastard! Stop acting like a dog! Am I your owner? Then do what I'm telling you!" he almost let his thoughts show on his face, but quickly calmed down.
"I'm cultivating," explained Strax, and Jason once again stared at him as if he were lying.
"Young Master, I know you'd like to look cool in front of the Baroness, but please, I'm your knight. It's okay to rely on me, alright?" said Jason, with a smile. Strax turned red with anger.
"Just give me the sword, and I'll show you what I know," demanded Strax, and Jason, still wary, only agreed upon seeing the determined face of the man in front of him.
"Please... don't cut the Baroness's wall like you did in your room when you were eleven... that was troublesome," he thought as he drew the sword from the ring.
It wasn't a bad sword. In fact, it was of very good quality, despite being categorized as a One Star sword.
Upon seeing the sword, Strax's eyes lit up. He wanted to feel what it was like to fight. He had only killed spiders... he would love to kill some bigger creatures to gain more XP...
"Just give it already!" ordered Strax, and Jason tossed the sword. "God, what am I doing? It'll be alright if I stop when necessary," he thought.
[You obtained your first One Star weapon, you have begun to create part of your legacy, your story has begun to be written.]
"Huh? Despite being a Harem System... you're also quite the capable evolution system, now being activated by obtaining an item...," he momentarily denied what that could be and began entering the mansion. The lights were really having issues, most of them broken. He approached the entrance, and the kinds of lamps were on the floor, completely destroyed.
"Still think it's a daydream?" he whispered to Jason, who saw the small glass shards of the magic lamp.
"Let's go," said Strax, starting to enter the mansion, and saw a rather complicated scene. The floor was stained with blood in the main hall.
"Damn," he muttered, and Jason approached the small puddle of blood. "This happened some time ago. The blood is completely cold now," explained Jason as he examined the blood.
"Whatever did this, it's badly injured," concluded Jason, and Strax trembled slightly. Unfortunately for him, time froze again.
[Main Mission started - Save the Baroness, Beatrice Von Steinhardt] [Reward: Beatrice.] [Time: As soon as possible, if delayed, Beatrice's death will be the punishment.]
"Now you're back to being a Harem System? Damn, let's do this!" he shouted internally and stood up, looking at the stairs that had bloodstains.
"Jason, do you trust me?" asked Strax, and Jason looked heavily at him. It's not that he didn't trust... it's just that Strax was weak, at least in his eyes. Nevertheless, he decided to nod and agree with the question. "Prove to me that you're not a failure, Young Master," he said in his thoughts.
"Alright, search this floor. I'll go up and see what happened on the second floor," decided Strax, and with the sword in his hand, he began to climb the stairs.
"Strax, you're no longer a failure," he thought, to himself.