Apparently, when you reach a certain age, you receive hand-downs from the older generations. It’s the same with roles.

***

I’m currently outside with Dad, specifically in the veranda where we could see the royal capital’s streets and buildings. It’s quite nice that this mansion is located on a hill next to the royal palace.

I could see the Drukade anchored next to the Palace. And when I use my telescope magic, I could see that the dwarves are loading and unloading stuff from the ship. It must be the things they sold and traded with. I’m glad that I don’t have to do anything specific for that side.

On the other hand, the girls and mom are busy preparing for the coming wedding. Princess Thema is with them. They’re currently somewhere in the streets of the royal capital with the organizer.

“So, Key, I’ve finished sample designs for the ship you wanted. I don’t really know what they’re going to be made of so I created several of them with different assumptions.”

“Oh right, I forgot to tell you the specifics.”

“Also, your mom asked me if we can have our own house. So when this project is done, can I ask for one?”

Well that’s unexpected.

“I can, but why?”

“Well, to be honest, it was my suggestion. But your mother told me to ask from you instead of just getting one from a different household.”

“I understand, but really, why?”

Dad takes a sip off the dwarven liquor from his glass. He leaned on his chair and looked at the blueprints he made.

“I’m thinking of spending my retirement here, but I don’t really know if it’s right that I’m staying under your roof. I mean, you’ll be making your own family soon. Wouldn’t that be weird?”

“No, not at all. Rather, I’d prefer it that you and mom would stay with me. Not only that you fill the rooms of the mansion, you guys are helping me with my financial management. You saw the tabs right? I haven’t gotten back what I spent yet.”

When I pointed it out, he lets out a laugh and agreed.

“Well that is true, but I’d prefer it that your mom and I can have some quality time together. I still have to make up with her.”

“I… understand. But, for now, can you guys remain under my roof? At least until this ordeal with the gods is done?”

“Ah, that. I don’t really understand but if it means your mother or me getting hurt, I’ll follow.”

Before dad arrived into this world, I asked Viscount Balerishk to keep the Temples off my family. I don’t know how he’s doing it but I’m indebted to him for his help.

“Thanks, dad, but for now, I need your help. Our family has become bigger, I can’t protect them myself.”

“Of course, I’m still your dad. Even if you’re the strongest, someone still needs to have your back.”

While drinking his liquor, he hurriedly puts the glass on the table and picks out something from his pocket. After that, he shows me a letter with a green wax seal on it. I’ve never seen a green seal before but I know it’s something related to commoners.

“That reminds me, I have something that you might be interested to.”

He said so with a big smile on his face.

***

The contents of the letter were something I didn’t really expect. Rather, than business or something of the sort, it was actually an invitation for an entertainment lounge.

It was apparently an invitation for a Boxing Match Tournament between commoners, and dad got ahold of one because apparently, one of the participants is someone related to us. He didn’t say who but he was told we’re close.

It doesn’t ring a bell but I’m very interested to know who.

Since the girls were busy and absent in the mansion, I decided to go with dad in incognito. We didn’t even use the luxurious carriage and just went on horses.

As a means of protection, I just had a sentinel core follow me. I don’t have to control it with magic so it’s quite convenient to have it with me.

After we got out of the walls of the Noble’s District, we immediately headed towards the commoner’s area.

The place itself was crowded with civilians, but luckily, everyone was civilized enough to keep the main road clear at all times so it was relatively easy to tread through the busy street.

“I think this is the place.”

“How did you know?”

“I had a little stroll around the capital since I had nothing to do so I got to know the place a bit.”

“A ‘little’ huh…”

It seems dad is still as adventurous as ever. This is why mom gets angry at him most of the time.

We went to a nearby stable to hide our horses. The parking fee is 5 coppers for an hour per horse apparently. I didn’t have coppers on me so dad paid it himself. He knows the place.

“How many times have you come here?”

“About 4 times now. I mean, I only come here if he has a match.”

And out of nowhere, the large building beside us shook from the loud roar of the people inside it. I guess this is the place where the match is being held. It’s quite lively.

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“We better hurry! We might miss his fight.”

Inside the building, I was welcomed by the strong smell of sweat and alcohol. The place was crowded and everyone seems to be having so much fun. The place has a bar, table, and in the center of it was a ring, a boxing ring to be exact. The one silver entrance fee doesn’t feel worth it at all with this stench. But it seems people are too happy to notice it.

“Clear the way!”

Out of nowhere, someone shouted and the people begun to move and make a path for a group of people to pass through from the ring-side. They’re carrying a guy on a stretcher, probably last match’s fighter.

“Man, it sure is getting heated here today.”

“With this smell, I think that’s everyday here, dad.”

After the defeated fighter has been carried out of the building, the bell starts ringing and everyone gathered around the ring again.

Since there are quite a lot of people here, it would be too conspicuous to have my sentinel float above me so I decided to hide it in my hood while simultaneously deploying a mid-rank invisible barrier around me and dad. I’m lucky enough that the guy on the stretcher got everyone’s attention before they noticed my sentinel.

I should’ve done this earlier before the smell stuck unto our clothes though…

But even if I say that, this place got too cramped and it’s hard to stand even with my cane because it gets kicked around. Dad probably noticed so he grabbed my arm and put it around his shoulder to carry my weight a bit.

“You alright, champ?”

“Yeah, thanks dad.”

Looking at the ring two fighters climb the stage which riled up the crowd into cheering. These two seem popular.

Then a guy with a large belly holding a wooden mug filled with foaming beer climbs the stage. Looking at his dirty, yet fancy looking clothes, he seems to be the announcer here.

“Everyone, are you all ready for the main event!?”

““YEAH!!!””

“We have witnessed him rise up to the ranks! We have seen him best and break the bones of his opponents! And for four weeks, he defended his title as the best fighter in the ring!”

“ORBAS! ORBAS! ORBAS! ORBAS!”

“From the black corner, I give you, the walking fortress, ORRRBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASS!!!!”

Man, the crowd here sure is lively. I can barely hear anything now from their cheering.

And after taking off his overcoat, the guy named Orbas raises his fists while responding to the crowd’s cheering with a roar. I have to admit, his stage presence is impressive with a body that looks like it could bend steel bars with just an arm.

“And on the white corner, we have seen his speed, his lightning fast footsteps, and his thundering punches that made him rise to the top, the untouchable, Sanjeet!”

Upon hearing that name, my jaw dropped as I see the man in white hood shows his face that was literally chiseled to the point that I hardly recognized the former Sanjeet that I know. His face may have become more many and hard than before, but his thick eyebrow remained the same.

“What the hell? Why is that guy there?”

“Well it happened a few months ago back in the Duchy Capital. He kind of got invited into a boxing match in the adventurer’s guild and things got somewhat professional after he got into more fights.”

“I understand, but why is his face like that?!”

“That I don’t know.”

We watch Sanjeet fight in a “professional” boxing match, but it doesn’t feel like it. Rather, the crowd here is too noisy and disorganized it feels like a back-alley match.

The fight didn’t take long. Rather, despite the fact that Sanjeet is faster than Obras, Obras was relatively stronger and more durable with a lot of stamina. Despite having hit so much, Sanjeet’s punches never really hurt Obras. And when Obras finally fought back, it only took him a few swings to knockdown Sanjeet as we could see how his punches explode in the room.

In short, Sanjeet got K.O’ed…

***

“Oh, Key, you were here?”

“I should be the one asking that.”

We are now outside the building. Since Sanjeet lost from a jab to his jaw, he was basically weak and has bare any left to be awake. On the other hand, Dretter is here trying to be a chiropractor, snapping his jaw back into place.

Father is still inside the building watching the other fights though.

“Why are you guys here? I mean, aren’t you supposed to be my family’s escort?”

“I’m sorry, but your father said we didn’t need to. Your fiancée’s grandfather told the same thing too when we came to the royal capital. Honestly, I’m still a little bitter about being told that I’m incomparable to the knights here.”

Oh, his ego is hurt… Still, that doesn’t explain why he’s participating in boxing.

“I understand, but why are you playing around here?”

“Oh, this? I’m just making some extra money—wait! By the way, did you know that Amly is pregnant?”

Huh?

“What?”

After a strong crack resounded from his jaw after Dretter fixed it, Sanjeet stands while stretching his body as if he didn’t drop a huge bomb just now.

“Yeah, Amly’s pregnant.”

“Whoa! Congratulations man!”

When I congratulated him, all of a sudden, he freezes and looked at me as if I just insulted him.

“Dude…”

“Did I say something weird?”

“First of all, I am not the father. Second, she is my benefactor. She and her family saved me when I arrived in this world. And most importantly, third, I wouldn’t look at her like that! She looks like a minor for heaven’s sake.”

“No need to get angry…”

He got pissed to the point of actually pocking my chest really hard. Like, his finger is hard as heck and it hurts.

“Anyway, who’s the father?”

When I asked him that, he looks to the side while scratching the back of his head.

“That’s the thing, she wouldn’t say it.”

“Why so?”

“I have a hunch that it’s probably a noble, then again, the only noble I’m aware of that’s close to us is you. Then again, we’re not always together so she might’ve had a secret boyfriend or something.”

If it’s a noble, I might be able to do something, but if it’s a total nobody to me, then I wouldn’t be able to help even if I want to. However—

“Say, did she say anything about continuing her service under my wing?”

Sanjeet tries to remember something while looking at Drekker.

“I don’t remember anything about that, but I do remember her liking the job since the pay is good.”

Then that settles it. I like Amly. I’d prefer to see my friend have a safe birth rather than have the thought bugging the back of my head the whole time.

“I want you to tell her to come here in the Royal Capital until she gives birth.”

“Say what?”

He seems surprised, even Drekker as well who barely makes a sound...

“Why are you surprised?”

“No, no, no, I understand what you’re trying to say, but why?”

“She’s my friend? I mean, she’s under the name of Chardelier, even if she’s just my employee, her life is still my responsibility during the times she’s weak.”

Though I say that, Sanjeet and Drekker seem unconvinced. Wait…

“Are you guys thinking that I might be the father?”

“Well… the possibility might be next to impossible, but the way you acted just now was really suspicious.”

“If I was just like other nobles, you could have been beheaded for slanderous accusations towards a Marquis you know.”

“Oh right, you’re one of the Marquisate now huh…”

While he said that, Drekker drops on one knee to show his respect and submission. Seeing that, Sanjeet followed suit. This isn’t really the place for this…

“I appreciate the gesture, but it’s alright.”

“No, I’m afraid I can’t be too casual anymore, especially in public.”

When he pointed that out, I took a look around. There are a lot of people looking at us.

It’s probably not a good idea to reveal my identity in this place, but Sanjeet and Drekker already bowed. I might as well look the part or I might damage the reputation these two guys presented to everyone.

“I am humbled by your servitude. Be at ease and stand.”

While I said my line, the two of then lowered their head with a nod and stood up.

Slowly, I took off my overcoat and showed my face to everyone. As my Sentinel Core floated and reshaped itself into a Chardelier Emblem, the people recognize my identity and hurriedly bowed to me.

“Resume your activities. I was never here.”

After I said so, the people were slightly confused. I kind of assumed they understood so they’re just looking at each other with puzzled expressions.

Honestly, I can feel my act breaking. I can barely hold my cringe so I hid my face with my coat again and walked into the stable.

Shortly, everyone stood up and continued with what they were doing. Some are still giving me glances, but it’s merely curious stares.

“Well, that aside, I’ll be paying for the expenses.”

“Even if you do that, I don’t think Amly is willing to leave her family in their farm.”

“I see… wait, that’s actually perfect!”

“Why?”

“Cherry wanted a place to cultivate some plants. I don’t know what they are but said she’d like to have her own land to grow them.”

“So?”

“I’ll buy their farm. That way, she and her family can come here and have a safe birth. And if possible, I’d like every one of my Knight Order to be present in my wedding.”

When I said so, Drekker and Sanjeet froze with their eyes about to explode from shock.

“DUDE! That’s going too far!”

“No, it’s not, especially now that I can become that child’s Godfather.”

I’ve always wanted to be a Godfather!

-End of Chapter-