Chapter 169 – The Warmth Before The Storm
Chapter 169
The Warmth Before The Storm
Date : Day 16 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren remained frozen in his chair, Baron Guts Akela's letter still in his hand.
His eyes stayed fixed on the white paper, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Around the dining table, no one spoke.
Even Jackey had gone silent.
Though unlike everyone else—he was simply confused about why everyone had suddenly gone quiet.
His gaze shifted from Hyoren. To Elise. Then to Ina. He scratched his head. Then decided to shrug it off and started daydreaming while looking at the window.
Meanwhile, across the table. The implication of receiving a personal invitation from the ruler of Akela Barony was simply too much for others to process.
The first one to recover was Ina.
She slowly let out a breath before looking toward Hyoren.
“Hyoren... if you think you could skip attending... don't.”
Hyoren looked back at her. For a fleeting moment, the thought had actually crossed his mind.
What if I just ignored the letter?
Though the idea vanished almost immediately. It was nothing more than wishful thinking. He already knew he couldn't simply ignore a summons from the Lord of this Frontier Region.
He sighed.
“I know...”
Beside him, Elise finally released the breath she had been unconsciously holding.
“I never expected something like this...”
She turned toward Ina.
“Is the Freedom Party's report about the first floor really valuable enough for the lord to summon us?”
Ina furrowed her brows.
“Actually... I don't know.”
She slowly folded her arms.
“I think your report is definitely worthy of recognition… But not this early.”
Her amber eyes drifted toward the letter in Hyoren's hand.
“If this happened after you had submitted information about the fourth or fifth floor...”
She gave a small nod.
“Then maybe, yes. But after only the first floor...”
She slowly shook her head.
“I really don't know.”
Hyoren quietly placed the letter on the dining table. The room fell silent once again.
Then another question surfaced in his mind.
“So...”
He looked toward Ina.
“Why didn't Guild Master Fiona tell you anything?”
The instant Fiona's name was mentioned. Ina snapped.
“Guildmas?!”
Her voice rose several notches. Her cat ears shot upright. Even her tail stood stiff behind her.
“She can just go die!”
Everyone blinked in surprise.
Hyoren tilted his head.
“Huh? What's the problem, Ina?”
Ina let out an irritated groan. Her face clearly showed she had been holding this frustration in for days.
“That Guildmas… She disappeared five days ago!”
She suddenly sat up straighter and crossed her arms, perfectly imitating Fiona's usual posture.
“‘Ina. I got something to do. I'll leave the guild to you. Don't screw up.’”
Ina immediately dropped the imitation. She threw both hands into the air in exasperation.
“Then she just disappeared! No explanation! No proper instructions!”
She slammed her palm onto the table.
“That damn Guildmas is the reason I've been so exhausted! I've been handling all the paperwork! All the reports! All the adventurers! All the dungeon!”
She pointed accusingly toward the ceiling as if Fiona might somehow hear her.
“And that idiot is probably out there enjoying herself!”
She crossed her arms with an annoyed huff.
“I swear... sometimes I wish she would just disappear for good so I could officially take over as Guild Master!”
Silence followed her outburst. Then—Hyoren chuckled. Now everything finally made sense.
No wonder Ina had looked so exhausted lately. No wonder she had gone to sleep unusually early last night.
With Guild Master Fiona gone for the last five days—nearly the entire Adventurer's Guild operation had been resting squarely on Ina's shoulders.
***
Hyoren gave a slow nod.
The initial surprise had finally settled. There was no point dwelling on the invitation anymore.
Right now, there was something far more important.
Preparation.
“Okay.”
He looked around the table.
“So, for tonight's invitation to the Baron's castle... what should we prepare?”
Ina tapped a finger against the table as she thought.
“I think dressing properly should be enough.”
She looked at Hyoren.
“You have formal attire, right?”
Hyoren nodded.
“I do.”
He remembered buying one when they had dined at the luxury restaurant that catered primarily to nobles and wealthy merchants.
Back then, Elise had also explained that adventurers should always prepare at least one set of formal clothing. Sometimes wealthy clients requested private meetings. Sometimes nobles issued commissions.
To think—he would actually need it this soon.
Beside him, Elise nodded as well.
“I have several suitable dresses.”
She answered calmly.
After confirming the two of them have formal attire. Three pairs of eyes slowly turned toward Jackey.
The cat-clan beastkin was staring blankly into space, apparently lost in his own thoughts.
Only after noticing everyone looking at him did he snap back to reality.
“Huh? What is it, Big Bro?”
Hyoren couldn't help but chuckle.
“Do you have formal attire, Jackey?”
Jackey tilted his head. He thought for a few seconds. Then confidently shook his head.
“NOPE!”
Ina immediately facepalmed.
“Stupid little brother...”
She let out a long sigh.
“I'll give you the money. Go buy one after this. You're going to need it tonight.”
Jackey blinked. Still completely confused.
“Why do I need formal clothes, Big Sis?”
Ina slowly narrowed her eyes. Her hand quietly reached toward the teacup sitting in front of her.
Seeing that familiar movement. Jackey instantly sensed danger. He quickly raised both hands in surrender.
“OKAY! OKAY! Big Sis! I'll buy one after this!”
He nodded repeatedly.
Although he still didn't understand why everyone suddenly cared about clothes. Years of experience had taught him one important lesson. Defying his older sister was never worth it.
Hyoren couldn't help but laugh at the siblings' interaction.
After the laughter settled, he turned back toward Ina.
“Okay. Formal clothes. What about manners?”
He folded his arms.
“Anything we should be careful about?”
Ina gently set her teacup onto the table.
“Hm...”
She thought for a moment before answering.
“Adventurers aren't expected to know noble etiquette. So don't worry too much.”
She smiled faintly.
“Just act like you normally do, Hyoren. I think your usual way of speaking is perfectly fine. Just be respectful. And don't offend them.”
Then her gaze slowly shifted toward Jackey. Her expression immediately became stern.
“And you. You're going to keep your mouth shut. Sit still. And don't cause trouble.”
Jackey's head bobbed up and down immediately.
“YES!”
Elise nodded in agreement.
She tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.
“I understand. So... just be ourselves.”
Hyoren crossed his arms for a brief moment before nodding.
“Okay… Then we still have some free time.”
He glanced toward the window.
“We'll rest until around sixteen. Then we'll leave at seventeen. I'd rather arrive early than keep the Baron waiting.”
Everyone nodded.
With that, the discussion came to an end.
Ina stood from her chair. She lightly dusted off her skirt before straightening the Adventurer's Guild clerk uniform she was wearing.
“Okay, everyone. I still have work.”
She sighed.
“With Guildmas gone… I can't leave the guild for too long.”
She adjusted the collar of her uniform one last time.
“But I'll try to leave early today. I'll hand the remaining work over to Fern or Rinne or the others.”
Hyoren looked up at her.
“Should I walk you to the guild?”
Ina let out a small giggle.
“I appreciate the offer, Hyoren.”
She smiled warmly.
“But it's only a short walk.”
She gently reached out and touched his arm.
“Just focus on resting and preparing for tonight. Okay?”
Hyoren smiled and nodded.
“Okay, Ina. Have a safe trip.”
Ina leaned down slightly.
Before Hyoren could react—she gave his cheek a quick peck.
“Nyahaha.”
Then she turned around and walked toward the dining room entrance. Reaching the doorway, she stopped for a moment before looking back over her shoulder.
She raised one hand and waved cheerfully.
“See you later this afternoon!”
A moment later, her footsteps echoed softly through the hallway.
Not long after. The front door opened with a familiar creak. Then closed once again. Silence gradually returned to the manor.
***
Ina's brief gesture brought a gentle warmth back into the dining room. The heavy atmosphere left behind by the Baron's letter gradually eased, replaced once again by the familiar comfort of home.
Hyoren watched Ina disappear beyond the doorway before turning his attention back to those still seated around the table.
“Okay, everyone.”
He clapped his hands together once.
“We've got free time until this evening.”
His gaze shifted toward Elise.
“What are you going to do, Elise?”
Elise lightly tapped a finger against the tabletop as she thought.
“Hmm… I don't really have any plans.”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
“I think I'll just lounge around at home.”
Hyoren nodded.
“I see… A proper rest day is important.”
His dark eyes then moved toward Jackey.
“And you. I know you're going to the brothel.”
He pointed a finger toward the beastkin.
“But buy some decent formal clothes first.”
Jackey immediately saluted.
“Roger that, Big Bro! I DON'T WANT TO RECEIVE BIG SIS'S WRATH EITHER!”
Hyoren laughed.
“And don't forget. Be back before sixteen.”
Jackey gave another enthusiastic salute.
“YES, SIR!”
Without another word, he hurried out of the dining room. His hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway before the front door opened and closed shortly afterward.
Silence settled over the manor once again.
The summons from Baron Akela had brought an abrupt end to their carefree morning. The rest of the day no longer belonged entirely to them.
Even so, there were still several precious hours before they had to leave for the castle.
Hyoren had no intention of wasting them.
After six grueling days inside the dungeon, his body needed rest. More importantly—his mind did too.
Sometimes, the best way to prepare for the next challenge wasn't training. It was simply allowing yourself to recover.
With that thought in mind, Hyoren quietly left the dining room.
He made his way toward the reception room on the first floor. Despite living in the manor for some time now, the room still felt unnecessarily spacious for an adventurer party like theirs.
Originally, it had been little more than an empty reception hall.
Over the past few weeks, however, they had slowly begun changing it. Together with Ina and Elise, they had purchased several additional chairs. A large wooden desk. And four bookshelves.
The room had gradually become a mixture of a reception room, a small library, and a writing room.
The bookshelves, however, were still mostly empty. Only a modest collection of books occupied them.
Hyoren stopped before the shelves.
He folded his arms while quietly scanning the titles.
What should I read today...?
His eyes settled on the first bookshelf.
History?
This entire shelf belonged to him.
There were books detailing the Genesis of the World. Although, calling this history book wasn't entirely accurate. The book leaned more toward theology than historical records. Still, Hyoren had bought it anyway.
His gaze wandered to other titles. There were books describing the origins of each deity. The history of the Church of Luminara. The Church of Noctynara. And the others.
Another book about the rise of the Four Great Nations. The conflicts between them before the Demon Army's invasion. And countless other historical accounts.
Hyoren smiled faintly.
Even back on Earth, he had always been a curious student. That habit hadn't changed after coming to this world.
Even as a gamer, he had loved reading every piece of lore he could find. He was the type to search every hidden corner. Read every forgotten journal.
And piece together the mysteries of a world one fragment at a time.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the second bookshelf.
This section had a completely different atmosphere. Herbology. Nature. Alchemy. Books identifying medicinal herbs. Poisonous plants. Flowers capable of surviving harsh climates. Guides on cultivating rare herbs.
There were even books dedicated to brewing poisons, ranging from basic mixtures to advanced toxins. Her newest skill, Poison Mastery, she really planned to study poison more deeply.
Mixed among them were travel guides showcasing beautiful landscapes scattered throughout the continent.
Hyoren couldn't help but smile.
This shelf reflected Elise perfectly…
It was practical. Knowledgeable. Yet quietly appreciative of nature's beauty.
His eyes wandered to the third bookshelf.
Unlike the others—this one was almost entirely fiction. Novels. Collections of short stories. Adventure tales.
But most of all—Romance stories.
Stories about heroes rescuing princesses. Nobles eloping with commoners. Heartwarming family stories. Lighthearted slice-of-life tales. And plenty of dramatic romances.
Hyoren chuckled to himself. There was no need to guess who had chosen those books.
This shelf practically screamed Ina. She longed for love and family… and it reflected in her choice of books…
Finally, his gaze reached the fourth bookshelf.
It was by far the emptiest. Only two lonely books rested upon it. Monster Ecology. Dungeon Knowledge. They simply hadn't had enough time to expand that collection yet.
Most of the dungeon knowledge they needed could still be obtained directly from Ina.
Originally—they had planned for this shelf to become Jackey's section. Unfortunately, books and Jackey mixed about as well as water and oil.
So the idea had quietly been abandoned.
Instead, the shelf had been repurposed into a place for practical knowledge about adventurers, monsters, and dungeons, waiting to be filled as the Freedom Party continued their journey.
***
Hyoren's gaze lingered on the bookshelves for another moment.
After carefully scanning the titles, he finally made his choice. He reached out and pulled a thick volume from the history section.
With the book tucked beneath one arm, he walked toward one of the cushioned armchairs they had recently purchased for the room. The chair sat beside a large window, allowing the morning silver rays to spill softly across its wooden armrests.
Hyoren lowered himself into the seat and let out a quiet breath.
The book rested comfortably on his lap.
Kingdom of Altaria History — 644th Edition.
It was a hefty volume.
The thick white pages and sturdy leather cover gave it the appearance of an academic textbook rather than something meant for casual reading.
From what Dandi had explained to him, it was commonly used to educate noble children.
Inside were records of the kingdom's founding. Its governmental structure. The noble hierarchy. Major historical events. Important reforms. The current political landscape.
The book was revised every few years, or whenever a new king ascended the throne, ensuring the information remained current.
The fact that it had already reached its six hundred and forty-fourth edition spoke volumes about the kingdom's long and well-preserved history.
Hyoren gently brushed his fingers across the cover.
“I'll finally meet a noble from this world for the first time...”
His dark eyes remained fixed on the title.
“I should at least understand them a little beforehand.”
It was simply how he approached things.
Whether it was surviving inside the Forest of No Return. Exploring a dungeon. Or now meeting the ruler of Akela Barony.
Hyoren always preferred to prepare himself before stepping into the unknown. Being caught off guard had never suited him.
“Elise already told me a little about this kingdom… And about the Four Great Nations under the Aethellgard Concord.”
He smiled wryly.
“But honestly... I still know almost nothing about them.”
His thumb slowly lifted the front cover.
The fresh scent of ink and paper drifted faintly from the pages.
“Good timing. If I'm going to live here from now on… I should start understanding this kingdom better.”
With that quiet resolve, Hyoren settled deeper into the armchair.
The silence of the room was broken only by the soft rustle of paper as Hyoren turned the first page and began to read.
***
Hyoren opened the first page and slowly began reading.
The crisp white paper gave a faint rustle each time he turned a page. The room remained quiet.
His eyes moved line by line.
“So... this kingdom was founded 2195 years ago...”
His brows lifted slightly.
“1171 years before the Aethellgard Concord was signed...”
He continued reading.
“And even before Demon God Gidol first appeared… So this kingdom is far older than I thought.”
Hyoren nodded to himself. That alone was already an interesting piece of information.
He flipped to the next section.
“Huh… It was founded by Champion Altaria and Saint Seraphina. Both of them were Luminara's Favored, right...”
Those two titles weren't unfamiliar to him anymore. They referred to individuals who had received Divine Protection directly from the Sun-Queen herself.
His curiosity only deepened. He continued reading.
“Before the Kingdom of Altaria was founded... there were five human nations...”
His eyes slowly scanned the page.
All of them constantly fought one another for centuries.
The Kingdom of Qwentinus. Known for having many followers of Noctynara.
The Kingdom of Valor. A powerful coastal nation famous for its navy.
The Kingdom of Stalingter. Renowned for its disciplined military.
The Kingdom of Realence. The breadbasket of humanity, producing vast quantities of grain.
And lastly–the mountainous Kingdom of Derelitium.
Hyoren suddenly stopped reading.
“Wait a minute...”
His finger rested on one particular line.
“Qwentinus… Isn't that one of the Duke Houses of the current kingdom? The ruler of the City of Darkness?”
He quietly filed the thought away before continuing.
The following pages described the rise of Champion Altaria and Saint Seraphina.
Unable to bear watching humans wage endless wars against itself, the two joined forces.
One kingdom after another. One battlefield after another.
They united the fractured human nations beneath a single banner.
Thus—the Kingdom of Altaria was born. Champion Altaria ascended as its first King. Saint Seraphina became its first Queen.
Hyoren slowly nodded.
“So that's how it happened...”
He turned another page.
The former kingdoms did not disappear. Instead, they were incorporated into the new kingdom. Their ruling families became the first Dukes serving beneath the royal family.
“I see… So that's why Qwentinus became a Duke House.”
Everything was beginning to connect. He continued reading.
“The noble hierarchy...”
His eyes drifted across the neatly organized chart.
“King. Duke. Marquis. Count. Viscount. Baron. Baronet. Knight.”
Hyoren smiled faintly.
“It really is similar to medieval Europe.”
The familiar structure made it easier for him to remember.
Turning another page, he reached the section introducing the current Duke Houses.
“Huh?”
He blinked.
“The current dukes were called The Hexagon Witency… There were six Dukes now?”
He quickly counted again.
Originally, there had only been the five great houses descended from the ancient kingdoms. Yet, a sixth name appeared.
Added roughly six hundred years ago.
“So... nobility can actually climb the ranks.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“But...”
His eyes skimmed further down the page.
“It only happened once. What exactly did they do to earn a Dukedom?”
Curiosity piqued, Hyoren continued reading.
The newest ducal house was House Grifenwerks. Unlike the others, it had not descended from one of the ancient kingdoms.
Originally, it had been nothing more than a wealthy merchant house.
Over generations, its influence steadily expanded. Its commercial network spread across the kingdom. Its contributions continued to grow.
Step by step. It was elevated through the ranks of nobility. Eventually, it attained the title of Duke.
Hyoren let out a small chuckle.
“So this family basically bought their way into the nobility...”
He smiled to himself.
“I wonder how many gold or even platinum coins they had to spend before reaching Duke.”
Even as the joke left his mouth, he doubted money alone had been enough.
No kingdom would grant one of its highest noble titles simply because someone was wealthy. There must be more to the story.
That thought lingered in the back of his mind as he quietly turned the next page.
***
The quiet rustling of paper was the only sound inside the reception room.
Hyoren had become completely absorbed in the history book resting on his lap. Suddenly—the reception room door slowly opened.
He looked up from the page.
“Oh. Elise?”
Elise stepped inside carrying a polished silver tray. A porcelain teapot rested neatly upon it alongside two teacups and a small plate piled with freshly baked cookies.
A sweet buttery aroma drifted through the room almost immediately.
Seeing Hyoren quietly reading in the armchair, she smiled. Without saying anything, she walked toward the small table between the two reading chairs.
The silver tray made a soft clink as she carefully set it down.
She then lowered herself into the armchair opposite Hyoren.
“I baked some cookies just now.”
She smiled proudly.
“And I brought some refreshments to accompany your reading. Fufu.”
Hyoren's eyes drifted toward the plate.
The cookies were still warm. Their surface had turned a light golden brown, and a faint trail of steam still rose from them.
The sweet smell alone was enough to make him hungry.
He smiled at Elise.
“Thank you, Elise. I appreciate it.”
He gently set the book across his lap. Reaching over, he picked up one of the cookies.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Woah… It is delicious.”
Elise instinctively tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear. A faint blush slowly crept onto her cheeks.
“Thanks… Lena helped a lot… But I baked these myself. It was my first time, so I hoped they'd at least be edible...”
Hyoren picked up another cookie. He took another bite before smiling.
“No… Really, Elise. It is delicious.”
The praise only made Elise's face redden further.
Unable to think of a response, she quietly reached for the teapot.
She poured tea into both cups. The fragrant aroma of freshly brewed tea soon mingled with the scent of butter filling the room.
Elise picked up her own cup and took a slow sip. Only after hiding behind it did her embarrassment gradually begin to fade.
Once she had calmed down, her emerald eyes wandered toward the thick book resting on Hyoren's lap.
“What are you reading, Hyoren?”
Hyoren lifted the cover slightly so she could read the title.
“This one.”
Elise's emerald eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Hoo… You wanted to learn more about the nobility before meeting one.”
She giggled softly.
“Typical Hyoren. Fufufu.”
Hyoren scratched his cheek.
“Yeah… I feel naked if I don't study beforehand.”
He laughed awkwardly.
Elise simply smiled. She knew that expression well.
Whenever Hyoren became interested in something—he preferred to understand it thoroughly before taking the first step.
Seeing she wasn't asking anything else, Hyoren returned his attention to the book.
He flipped to the next section.
The Hexagon Witency.
Or, as most citizens simply called it—The Hexagon.
His eyes slowly moved across the page.
It held six permanent seats within the Altarian Parliament. Each Duke possessed veto authority.
For the remaining seats of parliament were occupied by royal bureaucrats, rotating high nobility such as Marquises and Counts, alongside representatives from the military, Adventurer's Guild, churches, and merchant organizations.
In this kingdom, The King and Royal Family still possessed the greatest authority.
Even so, the crown was not completely absolute. Major matters still required parliamentary approval.
Hyoren’s eyes drifted.
I see… So the kingdom's political system is closer to a constitutional monarchy than I expected...
He quietly turned another page.
The next chapter explained the distinction between Court Nobles and Ruling Nobles.
Counts and every rank above them always governed territories.
Lower-ranking nobles, however, often served directly beneath the Royal Family or another high noble instead of administering land themselves.
Baronets or Knights. Neither possessed territories of their own.
Hyoren continued flipping through the pages until a familiar name caught his attention.
Akela Barony.
Compared to the Great Duke Houses, the entry was surprisingly brief. Though that wasn't particularly strange. A frontier barony occupied only a small section in a textbook intended to educate noble children.
He continued reading.
The Akela Barony served as one of the kingdom's frontier territories.
Its primary responsibility was containing the Forest of No Return. By maintaining constant pressure on the monsters residing within, especially the Shadowden Collective’s Warlock—the Goblin King.
It also served as one of Altaria's border territories facing the Theriarchic Union.
Hyoren nodded.
Elise already explained about this before…
Then his eyes landed on a short note printed in bold.
Declined promotion to Viscount on multiple occasions.
Official reason: House Akela considered itself unworthy.
Presumed reason: Managing the frontier already demanded their full attention. Advancement to Viscount or above would require greater involvement in the capital's politics.
“Huh?”
Hyoren blinked.
Across from him, Elise gently placed her teacup onto its saucer. She tilted her head. Her silver hair cascaded neatly over her shoulder.
“What is it, Hyoren?”
Hyoren smiled wryly.
“Nothing. Just some surprising... but probably irrelevant information.”
Elise looked at him for a second. Then she smiled knowingly.
“I see.”
She didn't ask any further questions.
If Hyoren considered it unimportant for now. She won't pry. Instead, she picked up another cookie while Hyoren quietly resumed reading.
Time passed almost unnoticed.
Page after page turned beneath Hyoren's fingers.
He read about Altaria's long conflict with the Theriarchic Union. Or about its unsuccessful campaigns against the Silverwood Enclaves.
The attempted coup led by the Second Prince after losing the succession. The brief civil war that followed before the rebellion was swiftly crushed.
Meanwhile, the reception room remained peaceful.
The temperature-control magic tool quietly kept the room pleasantly warm despite the winter outside.
The gentle rustling of turning pages. The occasional clink of porcelain. They were mostly the only sounds which could be heard from this room.
Whenever Hyoren emptied his cup, Elise silently poured another before returning to her own tea.
From time to time, Hyoren came across an interesting passage and shared it with her. The two exchanged small bits of conversation before he returned to reading once again.
Without either of them noticing. The hours quietly slipped by.
Outside, time continued its steady march.
Silver Luna had slowly begun its descent across the winter sky, its cold silver rays stretching longer and longer through the manor's windows. The shifting light quietly crept across the wooden floor before climbing the legs of the reading chairs and the nearby bookshelves.
It was almost time—to the appointed meeting with Baron Guts Akela.