In a dimly lit room, exquisitely furnished, and immensely protected through the aid of several Magic Tools and barriers, a man was busy sorting through documents and writing in correspondence.


    The middle-aged man didn’t get very long hours of rest, so, even when a majority of the Royal Capital was asleep, he was busy at work.


    He had slight bags under his eyes, but that didn’t diminish his charming looks. His regal face, his blond hair, and his cleanly cut beard were all evidence of his noble heritage.


    The immense focus he gave his work was a testament to the outstanding dedication he had toward the duties bestowed upon him.


    He would have kept at this work for the next few hours before getting a brief moment of rest.


    ‘I still need to meet the King tomorrow… and then there’s that discussion…’


    There was a lot to do, so he had to be as quick and urate as possible.


    The Eastern Kingdom depended on him!


    Amid his work, a sharp knock was heard, disrupting the man’s focus.


    ‘What now?’ Slightly irritated, he red at the door whence the noise came from.


    “Come in.”


    A heavily armored man entered the exquisite room, bowing to the man who sat behind his desk.


    “What’s the matter?” He asked impatiently.


    “Milord! We have an intruder!”


    This made him even more aggravated by the intrusion.


    As he had told his guards several times, they were not to interrupt his evening sessions unless it was something absolutely unavoidable.


    ‘Couldn’t they have just captured the intruder and waited till morning before reporting this?’


    Still, as a Noble—especially one of high standing in society—he had learned the ability of self-control.


    Still keeping a straight face, he confronted the Guard on the matter that seemed so urgent that it couldn’t wait.


    “W-well… the thing is…”


    The Noble waited patiently for the excuse of his Guard.


    “… The intruder…”


    *************************


    Once he heard who the intruder was—or, at least who he imed to be—the blond man left his office in an instant.


    He rushed out of the room and swiftly made for the ce where said person was.


    His guard stuck close to him and made sure he was always ahead. This was for protection, so the noble couldn’tin.


    Once they descended the stairs and reached the entrance of therge manor, the Guard opened the door and led his master outside—to the vastpound.


    What met the man’s sight was a formation of guards that epassed one individual.


    Their des were sheathed, and they were ready to strike if the intruder made any suspicious movements.


    Mages were also present—though they were a small distance away from the guards.


    They had their Spells—both defensive and offensive—ready.


    However, despite all this, the one who stood at the center remained unfazed.


    It was at this moment that the Nobleman got a good look at him.


    The intruder also stared back.


    As they looked at each other, a sense of familiarity blossomed, and both individuals instantly came to an understanding.


    “Lower your weapons, everyone!” He ordered.


    The Guards instantly obeyed, though their expressions showed reluctance.


    The Nobleman left the safe distance he had from the intruder and began drawing nearer.


    As he stepped foot on thepound ground, the other person also began moving closer.


    No one stopped his advance.


    They simply watched in both curiosity and caution.


    Once the onlookers looked more closely, though, they noticed a resemnce. It was so uncanny that the men wondered why they hadn’t noticed until now.


    Both men—young and old—now came close to each other, about only a few inches from touching.


    “It’s been a while…” The first to speak was, of course, the young man.


    The older fellow was still quite surprised.


    Their blond hair fluttered as the wind howled, and they stared at each other with their simrly shiny eyes.


    “So, you’re finally back…” The man’s parted lips finally brought forth words.


    A second of silence enveloped the two of them… and then they broke into smiles.


    “… Father.”


    The man’s smile broadened upon hearing those words from his son.


    “… It’s good to see you again, Jared.”


    ****************************


    Damien Leonard Alphonse Sereth, one of the Kingdom’s four Dukes, and the most important man in administrative affairs—second only to the King.


    This man was none other than my father.


    Usually, many kids would be proud and boastful of the fact that their father was someone extremely valuable to the nation, but I didn’t really have such emotions.


    For one, I never really knew him.


    He was always working in the Royal Capital, so I never got much of a chance to interact with him.


    Again, a lot of kids would bear resentment toward their parent for not properly giving them attention. But, I didn’t view things that way.


    His work was indispensable to the Eastern Kingdom.


    There was no way I would be selfish enough not to understand that.


    Perhaps it was because I was someone very simr in my past life—so dedicated to Magic that I didn’t pay much heed to much else.


    The Leonard family was only able to stay relevant because of his efforts, as well as those before him.


    But focusing more on administrative affairs, our family proved to be immensely useful to the Eastern Kingdom… even if we hadn’t produced a single Magic User in over two centuries.


    How could I resent such a man?


    Even at the moment, seated directly before him, I felt nothing butradeship and understanding toward him.


    “I can see you’ve been quite upied, father.” I smiled, looking in the direction of his office desk and the numerous documents he had to take care of.


    We were currently in the lounge area of the very same room, which I already surmised to be his private office.


    This Manor was the Leonard Household’s stronghold within the Capital.


    While it wasn’t as huge and luxurious as the one back home, it was worthy to be called a Ducal residence.


    My father was the one who spent most of his time here, but there was enough room to upy the whole family if we chose to move to this ce.


    “Oh, that… well, the Kingdom has been encountering quite the number of issues. And after a report came in yesterday, things got busier…” Damien Leonard said with a tired smile.


    He was most likely referring to the assault on the Western Border.


    ‘Good thing he’s up to speed. Now, then… I should seize this chance!’