Chapter 171 – When Something is Too Convenient
Chapter 171
When Something is Too Convenient
Date : Day 16 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The atmosphere inside the reception room changed. The relaxed mood from only moments ago quietly disappeared.
Ina's amber eyes narrowed. Her cat ears stood upright, listening intently, while her tail, which had been lazily swishing until now, became completely still.
Beside Hyoren, Elise remained outwardly composed. Her expression revealed nothing. Only the faint, rhythmic twitch of her pointed ears betrayed that her mind was already considering countless possibilities.
And then, the last one, Jackey. He sat perfectly still. His eyes were unfocused, staring somewhere into the distance.
Remembering Ina's earlier order to keep quiet, he seemed to have taken it to heart. While his body was present. His mind appeared to be somewhere else entirely.
The silence lingered for several seconds before Hyoren finally broke it.
“Baron Guts...”
He paused, carefully choosing his words.
“Help?”
Hyoren looked directly at the Baron.
“Not trying to be humble, but… What kind of help would a noble like you require from lowly adventurers like us?”
As he spoke, his gaze briefly shifted toward Fiona.
Until now, he had been too focused on her elegant appearance to notice.
But looking more closely. She looked tired. Not physically exhausted. But mentally drained. Even beneath the carefully applied makeup, there was a faint weariness in her eyes.
It was the expression of someone who had just returned from a difficult battle.
His gaze wandered around the room once more.
Vesas remained standing behind the Baron, perfectly motionless. The maid waiting beside the wall hadn't moved an inch either. Both were so still they almost resembled part of the room itself.
Hyoren then looked toward his own party. Elise. Ina. Jackey. None of them spoke.
They had silently entrusted the conversation to him.
This might become troublesome. If the request is too unreasonable… Or if it binds the Freedom Party too tightly… We'll have to refuse.
Still… Having the goodwill of a frontier lord isn't something to dismiss lightly.
Hyoren returned his gaze to Baron Guts.
“But… If it is within our capabilities… We would be honored to help.”
The moment those words left his mouth—a quiet sigh of relief escaped from Fiona. It was so subtle that most people would have missed it.
Hyoren didn't.
Neither did Ina. The cat-clan beastkin's ears twitched in surprise as she glanced toward her Guild Master.
Baron Guts also relaxed slightly, sinking back against the sofa.
“Thank you...”
His voice carried genuine gratitude.
“We are truly in a difficult situation. To be honest… We did not know who else we could turn to if your party refused.”
Hyoren's eyebrows rose.
This might be more troublesome than I thought.
But, he had already promised to at least hear the request.
He gave a slow nod, silently waiting for Baron Guts to continue.
Baron Guts leaned forward slightly.
“Before I explain my request… I need to tell you a little about the circumstances of House Akela.”
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
“Tell me… Do you know about our family's tradition?”
Hyoren gave a slow nod.
Elise had already told him about the unique custom of House Akela. Unlike many noble houses, the Akelas ruled the kingdom's frontier.
The lord who governed this territory couldn't simply inherit authority. They also needed the strength to protect it. Especially against the Goblin King and the army it commanded within the Forest of No Return.
“Yes, Baron Guts. To inherit the house... the heir has to prove themselves as an adventurer?”
Baron Guts nodded.
“To be more precise… They do not necessarily have to become adventurers. The tradition is simply that the heir must prove they are strong enough.”
He made a small gesture with one hand.
“In the past… Our heirs demonstrated that strength through military service.”
His smile turned wry.
“But times have changed. The Four Great Nations no longer wage war against one another. So there are very few opportunities to distinguish oneself within the military.”
He leaned back against the sofa.
“Of course, the war against the Demon Army still continues. But to be assigned to the front lines… There is a minimum strength requirement. The army will not allow an inexperienced young noble with a low level to participate.”
He spread his hands slightly.
“So… The only realistic path left is becoming an adventurer.”
Hyoren slowly nodded.
“I see...So the tradition isn't about becoming an adventurer. It's about becoming strong enough.”
He smiled in understanding.
“And in the current era… The safest and most practical way to prove that strength is by becoming an adventurer.”
Baron Guts picked up his teacup and took an unhurried sip.
After setting it back onto the saucer with a soft click, the maid quietly stepped forward. Without a single word, she refilled the cup before returning to her place by the wall. The seamless service barely interrupted the conversation.
“Now… Our eldest son, Richard, has already proven himself worthy.”
A proud smile appeared on the Baron's face.
“He reached Silver Rank in only four years.”
His gaze briefly shifted toward Fiona before returning to the Freedom Party.
“A rank that took both my wife and me five years to achieve.”
There was unmistakable pride in his brown eyes. Not the pride of a noble boasting about his lineage—but that of a father speaking about his son.
“By the time I retire… I expect he will have reached Gold Rank. The future of House Akela is secure.”
He looked at Fiona once more.
“He inherited my wife's talent with the sword… And some of my aptitude for magic.”
The Baron laughed.
“Perhaps I sound like a boastful father. But he truly is a prodigy as a magic swordsman. Hahaha.”
His smile remained as he continued.
“That is why I sent my second son, Guliver, to the Altaria Royal Academy. To study administration and governance instead of becoming an adventurer like his older brother.”
He chuckled again.
“Adventuring never suited him in the first place. Hahaha.”
Baron Guts relaxed against the sofa once more.
He casually picked up another pastry before taking a bite. It almost felt as though he was deliberately slowing the conversation, giving the Freedom Party time to digest everything he had said.
Or perhaps—he was simply waiting to hear Hyoren's thoughts.
Hyoren smiled politely.
“I see. The future of House Akela being secure is certainly a good thing.”
It was little more than a courteous response.
Behind the calm expression, however, his thoughts were moving rapidly.
My instincts are telling me this is only the prologue…
He's setting up his real request.
Elise had already told him about the Akela family before. Baron Guts had three children. Two sons. And one daughter.
All of them were currently away from the frontier.
If I remember correctly… His daughter is studying at some magic academy...
Hyoren briefly glanced toward Elise.
She noticed his gaze and tilted her head slightly in silent question. When Hyoren said nothing, she quietly returned her attention to Baron Guts.
And Elise mentioned she had some history with that daughter. Someone she always called "the brat."
Arianna Akela… Could this request be related to her...? But what is it… if i recall correctly, Martha said she was a prodigy… would such a genius not be recruited by the court mage?
Hyoren pushed the thought aside and focused once more on the Baron.
Baron Guts finished his pastry. He calmly lifted his teacup for another sip before setting it back down.
Then, he leaned forward again. The smile on his face gradually faded.
“Okay. And then… My last child… My daughter...”
His voice slowed.
“Arianna...”
He fell silent for a brief moment.
“She… Is the other reason I called you here.”
The room became noticeably quieter.
Beside Hyoren, Elise suddenly gasped.
“The brat...? Don't tell me… No… No...”
Her voice was barely above a whisper. Only Hyoren, seated beside her, could hear it.
Hyoren’s eyes narrowed slightly. He looked back toward Baron Guts.
“Pardon, Baron Guts… What do you mean… About your daughter?”
No matter how many possibilities he considered. He still couldn't guess what the Baron was about to ask.
***
Baron Guts fell silent.
The quiet stretched across the reception room. It wasn't an intentional pause to build suspense. It was the silence of a father searching for the right words.
For the first time since the meeting began, Hyoren saw uncertainty on the Baron's face.
Even Fiona's composure was beginning to crack. The corners of her mouth twitched repeatedly as though she were constantly suppressing the urge to curse.
One of her hands had unconsciously tightened into a fist.
The longer the silence lasted—the tighter it became.
Finally, Baron Guts let out a slow breath.
“Firstly… Let me tell you about my only daughter.”
A wry smile appeared on his face.
“She is a genius. To call her a genius may even be an understatement. She inherited my talent for magic...”
He briefly looked toward the window before continuing.
“But, she was way more talented than me… While I am only proficient in fire magic… She… Is a genius in four elemental magic.”
Hyoren gave a small nod.
He had already heard that story from both Martha and Elise. A prodigy. One of the rare few people with high Attunement Levels on four elements.
Baron Guts continued.
“The problem was… She became fixated on something.”
He smiled helplessly.
“Perhaps it was because of the influence of my wife and me… Or perhaps because of her elder brother, Richard. But… She became absolutely determined to become an adventurer.”
His gaze slowly shifted toward Elise.
She visibly flinched. It seemed she had already guessed where this conversation was heading.
“She even caused quite a bit of trouble for your party member sitting over there five years ago.”
Baron Guts bowed his head slightly.
“Lady Elise. I have never properly apologized to you on behalf of my daughter. She undoubtedly caused you considerable trouble.”
His words were sincere.
“As the lord of this territory… I could not publicly apologize at the time. So… Allow me to do so now.”
Elise hurriedly shook her head, waving both hands.
“Please... Baron Guts. Don't call me Lady. I'm just a lowly elf. I'm not worthy.”
She took a small breath.
“And the b—”
She abruptly stopped herself. The nickname almost escaped by reflex.
“I mean... Lady Arianna wasn't truly troublesome to me.”
She quietly placed a hand over her chest, trying to steady her heartbeat.
Baron Guts smiled gently.
“I see. But I know what she did to you and your friend. There is no need to sugarcoat it. And for that… I sincerely apologize.”
Elise simply lowered her head in acknowledgement.
Baron Guts then turned back toward Hyoren.
“To continue… Our house does not follow strict patriarchy. A daughter may inherit House Akela as well. However… Richard had already proven himself. Our intention was never for Arianna to succeed me.”
He inhaled and exhaled briefly.
“With her extraordinary magical talent… She could have easily entered the Royal Court as a Court Mage.”
He slowly shook his head.
“But she continued insisting on becoming an adventurer.”
At that moment, Fiona finally spoke.
“That goddamn daughter of mine...”
The words escaped almost instinctively. Realizing it a heartbeat later, she closed her eyes briefly.
“...I apologize for the interruption.”
She immediately straightened her posture once more, forcing the mask of a refined noble lady back into place.
Baron Guts only gave another helpless smile before continuing.
“So… We gave her a condition. If she truly wished to become an adventurer… She would first attend an academy. And graduate with no less than an 'Exceeds Expectations' evaluation.”
He leaned back into the sofa.
“So, five years ago… We sent her to Aethellium Arcanum Academy. The most prestigious magic academy in Aethellium, the Academy City near the capital.”
He chuckled to himself.
“To be honest… We expected her to fail the entrance examination. We thought she would finally give up.”
He sighed.
“But… She passed.”
His smile gradually turned into another wry one.
“Then we hoped she simply wouldn't graduate with sufficiently high marks. Or… That after five years… She would change her mind.”
He slowly shook his head.
“But… No. She graduated with an Outstanding evaluation… And returned home… Five days ago.”
The pieces suddenly fell into place inside Hyoren's mind.
Five days ago—that was when Fiona had disappeared from the Adventurer's Guild. That was why Ina had been buried beneath mountains of paperwork. That was why Fiona herself looked mentally exhausted despite maintaining a composed appearance.
Everything—had begun when Arianna returned home.
And somehow, that chain of events had ultimately led to the Freedom Party being invited to Akela Castle today.
***
Silence settled over the reception room once again.
Elise couldn't find the words to speak. The mention of Arianna had brought back memories she clearly hadn't expected to revisit today.
Hyoren, meanwhile, quietly digested everything he had heard. The pieces were gradually coming together. Even so—he still couldn't see the Baron's true request.
Across from them, Jackey remained seated with his head tilted upward. His eyes had somehow wandered to the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. He was physically present. Mentally—he was still somewhere else.
It was Ina who finally broke the silence.
She turned toward Fiona. Her amber eyes narrowed. Her cat ears stood upright.
“So this is why you've been gone for five days... Guildmas.”
Fiona visibly flinched. Then she simply scoffed and looked away.
Ina let out a long sigh.
“At least you could've told me first...”
She rubbed her forehead.
“Sigh...”
Hyoren finally spoke.
“So… Lady Arianna returned home five days ago...”
He looked toward Baron Guts.
“Then what happened?”
He still couldn't grasp what the Baron's actual request was.
Baron Guts smiled faintly.
“Yes. She returned home five days ago.”
He paused.
“And the very first thing she said was… She wanted to become an adventurer…”
The Baron slowly shook his head.
Before he could continue—Fiona exploded. She abruptly rose from her seat.
“That fucking daughter of mine! The audacity!”
The elegant noble lady vanished in an instant. In her place stood the familiar Guild Master of Akela.
“She actually said…”
Fiona straightened her posture, perfectly imitating Arianna's refined tone.
“'Esteemed Mother, I want to start adventuring. Please allow me to go to the Adventurer's Guild.'”
Her expression immediately twisted again.
“I seriously wonder whether there's something wrong with that brain of hers! She rejected three!”
She raised three fingers.
“Three! THREE FUCKING INVITATIONS! To positions people would devote their entire lives trying to obtain! Even high nobles dream of entering those places!”
Her eyes were on fire.
“FUCK!”
The room fell silent.
Baron Guts merely smiled wryly. He gently placed a hand over Fiona's clenched fist.
“Fiona...”
That single word was enough.
Fiona's shoulders trembled. The anger slowly drained from her face. She took a deep breath. Then another.
Gradually, the composed noble lady returned. She quietly sat back down.
In the outburst, a few loose strands of her carefully arranged hair had escaped from the elegant bun.
Almost immediately, the maid waiting nearby stepped forward. Without a word, she gently adjusted the loosened braid. Her practiced fingers smoothed every stray strand back into place.
From a small pouch hidden within her apron, she produced a few cosmetics and expertly touched up Fiona's makeup.
The entire process took less than a minute.
Soon, Lady Fiona Akela once again appeared flawless.
The maid gave a respectful bow before silently returning to her place beside the wall. It was as though nothing unusual had happened.
Hyoren could only stare. The maid's professionalism was astonishing. Yet—what amazed him even more—was Baron Guts.
Just a gentle touch. One quiet word.
That was all it had taken to calm the raging Fiona.
For that brief moment, Hyoren finally understood.
Baron Guts truly was the husband of the wild and feral Fiona. Perhaps, the only man in the world capable of calming her so effortlessly.
The realization caught him completely off guard. And somehow—he found the sight strangely amusing.
***
Baron Guts finally spoke again.
“Fiona is right… My daughter graduated with an Outstanding evaluation from the most prestigious magic academy in the kingdom.”
He smiled wryly.
“For most students... simply graduating from Aethellium Arcanum Academy is enough to secure an excellent position.”
He gave a helpless chuckle.
“But graduating with Outstanding results... And mastering four elemental magic… She received three direct invitations.”
He slowly raised one finger.
“First. Aethellium Arcanum Academy itself. The Headmaster personally invited her to become one of its professors. She judged Arianna's high Attunement Levels to four elements and her mastery over them to be more than sufficient.”
A second finger rose.
“Second. She received a direct invitation from the Royal Court Mage. An institution where most applicants must first pass numerous aptitude examinations before they are even considered.”
Then he raised a third finger.
“And lastly… Duke Stalingter, the Field Marshal of the Altarian military, personally extended an invitation. He believed her magic could change the course of battles with the Demon Army on the front lines. A promising military career was laid before her.”
The Baron slowly lowered his hand.
“But… She rejected all three. She returned home instead. And said she had a promise to keep.”
Fiona clicked her tongue.
“Tch.”
Baron Guts simply continued as though he hadn't heard it.
His gaze slowly shifted toward Elise. The elf visibly flinched.
Hyoren tilted his head.
“She said… She had promised to go adventuring together with her very first teacher. Someone she deeply respected.”
His eyes remained on Elise.
“Elise of the Silentwood.”
The moment those words were spoken—everything clicked inside Hyoren's mind.
The pieces scattered throughout the conversation finally came together.
So that's it...
He finally understood why the Freedom Party had been summoned.
The troublesome brat Elise had mentioned from time to time. The girl from five years ago. After graduating from the kingdom's most prestigious magic academy.
After rejecting every prestigious invitation placed before her—had returned home for one reason.
To fulfill the promise she had made to the woman she considered her first teacher.
To Elise.
Beside Hyoren, Elise slowly lowered her gaze. A deep scowl formed on her face. Even she seemed completely at a loss for words.
Hyoren couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
What kind of joke is this..?
Only this morning—Freedom Party had concluded they desperately needed a mage.
And now. A noble lady. A genius who has high Attunement Leves to four elements. A prodigy who had mastered four elemental magic. Had suddenly appeared before them.
He quietly shook his head.
...Isn't this a little too convenient?
Beside him, Elise finally found her voice.
Unlike Hyoren, however, there wasn't the slightest trace of amusement on her face. Only guilt.
“But... I never actually...”
She struggled to continue.
“That was only a passing promise...”
Her voice trembled.
“When... when Lady Arianna said she was leaving for the academy… When she said goodbye… She told me she would come back… And that we would go adventuring together.”
Elise slowly shook her head. Her silver hair gently swayed with the movement.
“I only nodded… And thought it was merely a childhood promise. A promise made by a fifteen-year-old girl… I believed… She would eventually forget about it.”
Her emerald eyes lowered.
“I never imagined… She would throw away… Such a bright future… Just for that...”
She lowered her head.
“I sincerely apologize… For my carelessness.”
Seeing the guilt weighing on her shoulders, Hyoren quietly reached over.
He gently placed his hand on top of hers. It wasn't a grand gesture. Just a silent reassurance that she didn't have to shoulder everything alone.
Baron Guts watched the exchange before smiling helplessly.
“We know you are not at fault. It is simply our daughter's stubbornness. Even we never imagined… She would be this stubborn.”
His eyes drifted toward Fiona. For just a moment—a fond smile appeared on his face.
“She truly is her mother's daughter. She inherited her mother's stubbornness.”
He chuckled.
“That has given me quite a few headaches over the years as well.”
Fiona visibly flinched. Though, she offered no rebuttal.
Baron Guts folded his arms.
“For the past five days… My wife and I have tried to reason with her. We explained that she was throwing away an extraordinarily bright future.”
He shook his head.
“That adventuring is a dangerous profession. That she did not have to walk the same path as Richard.”
He slowly shook his head.
“But she refused to change her mind. She even declared she would refuse to eat… If we did not allow her to become an adventurer.”
He glanced toward Fiona again. The Guild Master quietly looked away with another click of her tongue.
“Eventually… My wife and I came to the same conclusion.”
He sighed softly.
“We could do nothing except allow her to pursue the path she truly wanted.”
His gaze then settled on Hyoren.
“And after reading the reports about your party… And after discussing the matter with my wife… We reached another conclusion.”
A warm smile appeared on his face.
“We can entrust our daughter to your party without worry.”
Hyoren's eyes widened. He was surprised the baron trusted him so much.
“Baron Guts… Not trying to be humble… But is that truly alright? We're only a newly promoted Bronze-ranked party. We've hardly proven ourselves worthy of such trust.”
Baron Guts immediately shook his head.
“Please. If your party is not worthy… Then whose party is? You have already proven yourselves to be the strongest party currently operating in Akela.”
He continued without hesitation.
“And as for trust… Fiona herself told me something.”
A faint smile appeared on the Baron's face.
“She said… If Ina trusts someone… Then that person is undoubtedly trustworthy.”
Hyoren instinctively glanced toward Ina.
The cat-clan beastkin merely folded her arms and looked away with a small, embarrassed cough.
Baron Guts clasped his hands together.
“And besides… My daughter wishes to go adventuring with your party member. Elise. So the most logical solution… Is for her to join your party.”
He leaned comfortably against the sofa once more.
“And to be honest… After meeting you in person today… I am even more convinced. I can entrust my daughter to your hands.”
He smiled warmly. His brown eyes radiated calmness.
“Not trying to brag… But I have always been rather good at judging people. Haha.”
***
Hyoren could no longer think of a polite reason to decline. Continuing to object would only risk insulting the sincere trust Baron Guts had placed in the Freedom Party.
He slowly bowed.
“If that is the case… Then the Freedom Party would gladly welcome Lady Arianna.”
Straightening his posture once more, he met the Baron's gaze.
“As the party leader… And as the party's tank… I promise that no danger or injury shall befall your daughter.”
Silence followed.
Baron Guts looked directly into Hyoren's eyes. His brown irises met black ones.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. It no longer felt like a conversation between a frontier lord and an adventurer. It felt—like a father silently judging whether the young man before him was worthy of protecting his precious daughter.
Hyoren didn't avert his gaze. He simply met the Baron's eyes with quiet determination.
Several heartbeats later, Baron Guts smiled. He gave a satisfied nod.
“It would seem the reports were accurate. And my own assessment was correct. I can see the determination in your eyes.”
He chuckled softly.
“But do not worry. A few scratches and wounds are simply part of an adventurer's life. We are not the sort of parents who would blame you over every little injury.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. The warmth in them was still present. Yet behind it was the unmistakable firmness of a father.
“Unless… You deliberately allow harm to come to her.”
The room became quiet again. Then, just as quickly, the seriousness disappeared. Baron Guts smiled once more.
“But judging from your accomplishments… Especially your battle against the Servant of Gidol… I do not believe I have much to worry about. Hahaha.”
***
The atmosphere inside the reception room finally softened once more.
The fireplace crackled quietly, its gentle warmth filling the room while the cold silver light of the three moons filtered through the tall windows, blending with the chandelier's magic lights. For the first time since the conversation had turned serious—the tension had eased.
Across the room, Jackey was still absent-mindedly staring at the chandelier overhead. Whatever thoughts occupied his mind remained a mystery to everyone else.
Ina, meanwhile, appeared calm. Yet every so often, her amber eyes drifted toward Fiona. The meaning behind those glances was unmistakable.
Five days. Five whole days.
Even without saying a word, her complaints seemed to travel directly through her gaze. Fiona, however, simply pretended not to notice.
Beside Hyoren, Elise had practically sunk into the sofa.
Relief was evident on her face. At least—Baron Guts hadn't blamed her for Arianna's stubbornness or for throwing away such a promising future.
Even so, the relief was quickly overshadowed by another emotion. Dread. Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly. If Arianna is still the same brat she remembered—her peaceful days are over.
Without saying anything, Hyoren gently rested a hand on her arm. The simple gesture carried no words. Only reassurance. After a few moments, Elise's trembling gradually eased.
Seeing everyone settle down again, Baron Guts smiled.
“Okay then. I believe it is time for my daughter to enter the spotlight. And to finally meet the Freedom Party.”
He turned his head slightly.
“Vesas. Please.”
The head butler, who had stood motionless throughout the entire discussion, gave a dignified bow.
“Understood, my lord.”
Without another word, Vesas turned and walked toward the door.
His polished walking cane tapped softly against the carpeted floor as he moved with measured confidence. Despite carrying it, he never appeared to rely upon it. Reaching the door, he quietly stepped outside.
The reception room door closed with a soft click behind him.
Silence returned. Only the gentle crackling of the fireplace disturbed the stillness. No one spoke.
Each person waited in quiet anticipation.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed from beyond the corridor. Steady. Unhurried. Growing closer with every step.
Then, the door slowly opened once again.
Standing beyond the doorway—was the person destined to become the newest member of the Freedom Party. A genius mage. A prodigy with extraordinary attunement to all four elemental Aethells.
A graduate of the kingdom's most prestigious magic academy—Aethellium Arcanum Academy. The young woman who had rejected three prestigious positions. The young woman who had abandoned a brilliant future to keep a childhood promise.