Chapter 61: Elf Island(1)
In the office, Barcus could once again be seen completely worn out. Despite managing to calm his wife down, he hadn't been able to properly rest or enjoy himself in the Dungeon. Upon returning home, he was immediately crushed under the heavy weight of reality: Barcus was a baron of vast lands, and that meant an endless flow of responsibilities. Things had become even more complicated thanks to Leon. The number of important documents requiring his attention had skyrocketed, and they simply didn't decrease, no matter how many hours he spent working — even if it was twenty hours a day.
"Haah... I wish I could retire," he sighed, staring wearily at the ceiling.
However, as he well knew, retirement was not a simple matter for a nobleman. To step down as the head of the family, he would need to pass the position to someone else within the family. But his eldest son, Nicks, was still studying at the academy. Until he graduated, the idea of changing leadership was out of the question.
On the other hand, Leon, his younger son, was technically already the head of a separate branch of the Bartfort family. At that moment, Barcus suddenly stopped to think:
"Wait a minute. Isn't Leon, being a viscount, supposed to be busier than me?" he muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
The reason Leon remained so free was both simple and slightly annoying. Two AIs, Luxion and Cleare, were assisting him. Despite their sarcastic nature and occasional teasing, they excelled at managing paperwork, freeing up an enormous amount of time for Leon.
Just then, Leon entered his father's office.
"Dad!" he called out, grinning widely.
Without even glancing up from his paperwork, Barcus grumbled irritably, "What are you shouting for, you brat? Can't you see I'm busy with these documents?"
"Oh, sorry, sorry!" Leon chuckled. "Hey, remember I promised you something before we went to the Dungeon?"
Barcus frowned, closing his eyes as he tried to recall. After a few seconds, his eyes opened, and he looked at his son. "Let's say I do."