"Zero... What did you say?"
Since the earlier scuffle between Icaria and Elizabeth, the Patriarch decided to take this meeting as a truly formal one, addressing his son by his name.
His tone was a mix of bewilderment and uncertainty, hearing the words that confidently escaped Zero Ariad's mouth, who at this moment, in the midst of an undesirable atmosphere, just finished his breakfast comfortably as though this matter didn't possess grave indications.
Icaria, listening and processing with her auricular sense what Zero Ariad had said, had her gleaming golden eyes widened in disbelief. After all, whether those words were true or not wasn't her concern, but rather the fact that Zero Ariad admitted the deed that bore certain implications, which she could utilize for her advantage.
"You heard it right, Father, no... Patriarch. I killed them because of the treachery they had committed under someone's orders. It was also the reason why Olivia was late yesterday to inform you about my circumstances, because of what transpired specifically in this dining hall."
The Patriarch of Ariad's gaze pierced through his son's entire being, scrutinizing any hint of lies that were nonexistent. A curiosity dawned on him, "If you're telling the truth, then why did this place seem renewed? A battle ensuing in this dining hall would cause massive destruction that can not be repaired in a single day."
Woosh—
"Patriarch, I have the answer to your curiosity." A polite voice interjected, entering everyone's ears, where the butler of Elizabeth, Wilhelm Od Akad, appeared from one of the dining hall's doors. This time, he politely showed himself at the door's entrance instead of swiftly moving because the Patriarch hadn't called for him.
Meandering toward the Patriarch, Wilhelm presented himself in front of everyone, slightly bowing as he retrieved something from his planar pocket, which he soon handed to the Patriarch — it was a wooden brush that was carved with mysterious glyphs, possessing a sleeping undisturbed eye.
"What's this?" Aladan casually asked, receiving the artifact responsible for fixing yesterday's bloody mess. A moment or two later, its details flashed before his brown eyes.
[Brush of Restoration]
Description:
A brush of the forgotten world, cleaning up the messes of the ruined planes.
Category: [Artifact]
Rarity: [?]
Function: [Fading Irresponsibility]
Restores ruined objects using the Mana lingering in the atmosphere. The denser the Mana, the quicker it can restore the target objects.
Status: Useful
With an inquisitive look from the Patriarch, Wilhelm opened his mouth, "Patriarch, it's an artifact that the Young Master has brought with him upon receiving the Blessing of the Labyrinths. As you can see, Patriarch, it's because of its function that the impact of whatever transpired yesterday has been restored anew."
Processing what Wilhelm had said, Aladan cast his gaze to his son, "Zero, do you remember anything about this artifact?"
Zero Ariad shook his head, "No, Patriarch. When I awakened the Labyrinth System, such an artifact's already in my planar pocket."
Zero Ariad knew that the Patriarch asked to test his memory. After all, any object from the time of 'Calling' was for the subject's choice to bring.
"I see," Aladan muttered, giving back to Wilhelm the strange artifact without questioning why the latter was in possession of it.
Receiving it, Wilhelm added in all seriousness, "Patriarch, in regards to the case of the two Guardians, I swear in the Name of the Great Labyrinth that Emric and Racan who you have entrusted to provide safety in this house have committed treacherous deeds against Mistress Elizabeth. But thanks to Young Master's judgment, they have been taken care of."
Falling into contemplation and cold silence, letting out an expressive sigh after three seconds, Aladan, as the Patriarch of Ariad Household and not as a loving father, looked at Zero and Elizabeth:
"Tell me everything that's happened."
***
After Wilhelm excused himself, and upon hearing the fragmented story from Zero's mouth, a chilling and threatening atmosphere enveloped the entirety of the dining hall.
Aladan's gaze, with reserved expression, landed on his first wife, followed by his suffocating voice, "Icaria, what's the meaning of this?"
According to Zero Ariad's story, the battle that ensued in the dining hall transpired when he and his mother were peacefully savoring their breakfast without little Masha's presence.
The two Guardians, without equipping any defensive gear, were reckless, thinking that such a mission would be accomplished with ease. Little did the two know, Zero Ariad awakened as a Summoner, causing Emric and Racan to get caught off-guard by his summons.
Biting her lip as if she had just heard an absurd story, Icaria didn't try to defend herself against the truth but rather pointed out something that sounded like a lie, "He's lying."
"What do you mean?" Aladan's brown eyes squinted.
"Your son's lying! Haven't you heard the rumors!? Emric and Racan died fighting against the mercenaries!"
Icaria practically admitted that she was behind the attempted murder. But it was something obvious considering the current atmosphere and circumstances. Instead, she tried to divert Aladan's attention to something else.
Hearing her, a chilling chuckle escaped Zero's mouth, "Lying, you say? Rumors are rumors.
"Ha– this is funny. The Matriarch of the Household believed such rumors. Sigh. I thought such a thing was just the way of the commoners." For some reason, Zero Ariad's tone sounded so infuriating.
Hearing the two murky sides of the story, Aladan's head throbbed as he couldn't help but inwardly mutter, 'If I could only asked for the Dragonblood to be here.' One of the Seven Races, Dragonblood, had a racial ability that could precisely tell a person's truth.
There were many questions unanswered flowing through his head. However, Aladan raised his right hand, stopping the sparks. Looking at Icaria, and remembering her transgressions, he said, "I will visit the Main House."
Aladan realized that the truth behind the two Guardians' deaths was ambiguous. Because Wilhelm, the butler, had sworn in the Name of the Great Labyrinth, it could be said that Zero Ariad was truly the one who brought judgment toward Emric and Racan. But the "rumors" that Icaria was speaking of were somewhat bothering him.
Nonetheless, setting aside the truth of the story, Aladan had just learned that the two Guardians he had entrusted to guard his second wife, to protect this home with all they had, were in fact subservient to his first wife — who could be considered as the embodiment of hostility against the inhabitants of this house.
In other words, it could be said that the two Guardians were two ticking time bombs and Icaria's words were its final catalyst to explode. Considering the previous circumstances of treachery, Zero Ariad's awakening from his deep slumber could be considered to be the last stimulation for the catalyst.
'Since when...'
Aladan contemplated, unable to precisely pinpoint the time of peculiarity of his two supposedly loyal Guardians. It was his oversight as the Patriarch.
Maybe he was too focused on the matters in the Northern Endaira. Maybe he was too focused to the point that it turned out to be his subconscious mechanism to temporarily forget the pain of hoping for his son to wake up.
But such a thing didn't matter, only the best outcome possible did.
'It's my fault! And I have to take responsibility for it!'
"Patriarch..." Zero Ariad's voice gathered everyone's attention, sending the Patriarch back from his reverie. His mother was silent all this time, observing her son's demeanor and realizing how much he had grown from wherever he was sent during his 'Calling.'
"It seems abrupt, but I have a request."
Letting out a sigh, Aladan responded in anticipation, "What is it, Zero?"
On the other hand, Icaria, whose expression gradually turned pale, knowing what was about to come after this visitation, waited for the young man's words as she clenched her fists resting on her lap. Elizabeth, however, had a proud and dignified expression as she watched her son present himself in front of authority.
But the latter's expression was quickly transformed into dread.
"Please banish me from the family."
***
"What?!"
"M–my son!?"
Almost at the same time, strong reactions erupted within the perimeters of the dining hall. Icaria was caught off guard because before coming into this house, she had never expected such circumstances to unfold, more so coming from the mouth of the one stigmatized to be abandoned by the Seven Deities.
Being an Angel-borne, encompassed by the teachings of the Dominion of Dea, worshipping the Goddess of Light, she was an ardent believer of the Divine Abandonment doctrine. If not for her love for her husband, as well as the agreement between the two families that such personal beliefs unhindered the tie of marriage, she would greatly despise Zero Ariad's existence.
After at least thirty seconds of absorbing what he said, Aladan queried, seeing the resolute expression from his son, "Zero, do you have any idea about what you just said? Banishment from the family must always be reasonable and not out of whim. It cannot be carried out just because someone wanted to leave the family."
"Aladan!" Elizabeth's quivering voice echoed. With every attention on her direction, she continued, "Are you saying you'll permit your son to leave if there's enough justification!?"
"Mother... calm down. I have my reasons, so listen to me first." Zero Ariad consoled his mother, tightly holding her left hand. After a moment, in the midst of the silence of the Angel-borne, Zero Ariad opened his mouth:
"Mother, first of all, do you also value greatly the title of nobility? If that's not the case, then whether I am to be banished or not changes nothing."
Contemplating her son's words, even though she had yet to fully understand his reasoning, Elizabeth reluctantly shook her head in response to his question.
Nodding to his mother, Zero Ariad addressed the Patriarch, "Secondly, Patriarch, after my banishment, let me become a mercenary and hire me to become this house's protection. It will change nothing for my Mother's side since I'll be able to stay here.
"In addition, it will be impossible to hide my existence from the eyes of nobility forever. But it's not my existence that's needed to be hidden but rather my identity, isn't it? Those nobles wouldn't be able to do anything if I'm just a hired mercenary working in this house.
"Furthermore, I have no desire in the position of the Patriarch. I don't care about my five other siblings."
For some reason, Icaria's frustration soared upon hearing this young man disregard her children's existence, as though they wouldn't be worth his attention even by a second.
On a different note, Aladan fell into contemplation. After several seconds, he queried in consideration, "Zero, your suggestion's indeed doable. But even as a child, before you began the 'Calling,' you are aware of the noble's banquet's frequent occurrence. There'll come a time that your identity will be exposed, in one way or another."
Noble's Banquet – the gathering of the noble circles, not solely to celebrate a noble household's son's or daughter's coming of age, but rather to flaunt the achievement of the family upon a successful labyrinth expedition.
In this era of constant labyrinth exploration, such achievements were vital in keeping one's nexus of connection in the noble world.
"You're right, Patriarch. But..."
'I can trust my Father with this, but that'll be too suspicious after abruptly behaving this way.' Zero Ariad thought, being reminded of his light's remark:
— "Zero, your Father has a great friend."
After some thoughtful consideration, he continued, "I'll take responsibility for it."
After several minutes, the discussion between the Patriarch and his fifth child, with the all-silent two wives as witnesses, who also seemed powerless to do any interruption in the midst of this ridiculous stubbornness, ended with the following conditions:
[1] Zero Ariad will be banished from the Ariad Household but with the condition of him becoming a "Mercenary" to protect this house and its inhabitants.
Reasoning behind this condition [1] – Zero Ariad, under the testament of Wilhelm Od Akad, who had sworn in the Name of the Great Labyrinth, was able to eliminate the two Guardians who had committed treachery, thus proving his monstrous strength.
[2] Zero Ariad will be stripped of his title as a Young Master of the Ariad Household. Hence losing his benefits and authority of being a noble.
Reasoning behind this condition [2] – To avoid any future major backslash when his identity has been exposed.
[3] Zero Ariad will be given a fair amount of Labyrin Coins, a part of his wealth as the previous Young Master of the Ariad Household.
Reasoning behind this condition [3] – A noble tradition that would signify a complete cut of ties of the subject to his family.
[4] Zero Ariad will be sent to the Labyrinthos Academia as a son of a commoner, without any connections to the Ariad Household. Every admission fee will be funded by the Ariad Household.
Reasoning behind this condition [4] – A compensation for the misshapen that transpired in the Branch House. The insistence of the former Young Master, Zero Ariad.
If there was one thing that Zero Ariad had etched in his mind before waking up in this world, it was that the Patriarch, observed under Her gaze, who seemed to love everyone equally in his bloodline, was someone competitive-blooded borne from the trait of Ariad ancestors.
Competition was always open, to the point that he could turn a blind eye to the siblings threatening each other. It was like a dual persona of a loving father and a cold-blooded Patriarch.
***
After everything was arranged, Aladan was dawned with realization as his gaze focused on his son.
On the one hand, several maids were wrapping up the gathering, securing the kitchenware, and furnishing the table. On the other hand, Icaria and Elizabeth stood up from their seats, both with the turmoil of thoughts they could hardly contain.
"Zero, your circumstances of being in deep slumber isn't a justification I can accept because it'll make me look like a hypocritical Father, who waited a long time for his son to wake up just to banish him through the same reason."
"Oh, a justification? I thought you'd never ask, Patriarch."
It happened in almost an instant.
Slap—!