June 21, 1346
The Sheffield Family estate was especially lively today, not only because the Guard Team that had survived alongside Altair's original father, Hard Sheffield, had returned.
More importantly, Leif Strauss, Altair's maternal great-uncle, had advanced to Sequence Four of the Hunter pathway and become a Demigod: an Iron-Blooded Knight.
Given the relationship between the two families, this meant that as long as Altair Sheffield was alive, no one would dare cause trouble for the Sheffield Family. Demigods lived for several centuries at the very least, unless someone killed them. They were the sort of people who became the founding ancestors of their families.
"Simon Blanco, what are your plans for the future?"
Altair looked at the tall, middle-aged man before her, who wore a black trench coat and a bowler hat, and asked.
Simon Blanco slowly shook his head. "Most of our little squad are residents of the Baron's lands, while a few came from the Orphanage funded by the Sheffield Family. Even if we disbanded, we wouldn't have anywhere good to go."
"On our way back, we discussed it and hoped Count Altair would set aside past grievances and let us keep our squad together."
Hearing Simon Blanco's words, Altair understood their choice.
The surviving members of the squad were all Beyonders, and simply weren't suited to returning to an ordinary life.
It wasn't hard for Beyonders to find work; everyone needed them. But anything involving the supernatural could cost you your life. Who would risk their necks for such a tiny wage? How much money was that per month, anyway?
They were already from the Sheffield Family. If they were going to sell their lives, they might as well choose a familiar former employer.
Besides, they had spent so long in the army that they'd become disconnected from the rest of society.
Altair looked at Simon Blanco and said, "If none of you wants to leave, then stay. You can ask Hahn to advance you some Gold Pounds during this time. For the next few days, you can remain in Bexland or go home to see your families and let them know you're safe. The Royal Summer Hunt begins in five days, so just come back before it starts."
Altair hadn't yet decided what to do with the squad, but had a clear destination in mind for them.
Most likely, she would send them all to the factory to keep watch over its security. The factory would play a major role in her future plans. As for security at home, who could be more loyal than her pets?
That evening, Altair went to her great-uncle Leif's home. Perhaps because he had become a Demigod, he seemed younger now—not in appearance, but in a way that was hard to describe. Perhaps that was the allure of the supernatural.
Since Leif Strauss was the absolute star of tonight's banquet, he was surrounded by guests and had no time to greet her.
So Altair entered the estate, informed the butler that she had arrived, then found a few people she knew and started chatting with them.
When she saw him coming over, Altair hurried forward to greet him. "Good evening, Uncle Leif. You're giving off more and more of a masculine charm these days."
As she said this, Altair thought of a joke: Drink the Hunter Potion, become the manliest man!
Looking at Lucius Sheffield, dressed as a girl—the original name of Altair—Leif Strauss felt some regret about his decision back then. He sighed and said, "Altair, I was only gone for a little over two months, and you've already made such a big splash. You even researched and produced New Gunpowder. It looks like my granddaughter might become the next Steam God Child, surpassing Emperor Roselle..."
Hearing all this praise, Altair didn't even blush. "Mostly, I was lucky. The family happened to have some old records on the subject. I organized them, and that's how I completed this invention."
Listening to Altair's modest explanation, Leif Strauss thought, You might fool other people about what your family has, but do you really think you can fool me? If there had been anything like that, that old fellow would have brought it out ages ago.
Leif Strauss knew Altair's family situation well, but since Altair herself had put it that way, he decided not to call her out.
He said without hesitation, "Even so, those records would've been no better than scrap paper without your ability to organize them."
"By the way, I brought back the gift your Uncle Charles prepared for you from the South Continent. I've already arranged for it to be sent to your carriage. Remember to take good care of them when you get back, and be careful. These are rare and precious gifts."
Altair had already learned that morning that Leif had returned from the South Continent.
Simon Blanco and the others had returned with her great-uncle, traveling with a military transport unit. If they'd made the journey back on their own, they'd still be out at sea.
Hearing about the uncle who existed only in her memories, whom she'd met only a few times in person, Altair grew curious and asked, "How is Uncle Charles doing in the South Continent? I heard it's become turbulent again. And he hasn't been back in many years. Will he be transferred to the North Continent this year?"
Altair's question made Leif fall into thought. When he came back to himself, he said, "It's been six years. Every time, I've gone to see him; he's never come back on his own. He ought to be transferred back. Then I can find him a wife and get him married."
It seemed the main reason Great-Uncle Leif had gone to the South Continent before advancing was to see Uncle Charles. Every advancement as a Beyonder was a challenge; failure meant becoming a Monster. Not everyone had a cheat like hers.
As for the part about coming back to get married, that had nothing to do with her. If Uncle Charles came to her then, she wouldn't acknowledge him.
"By the way, Owen said you'd all been waiting for me?"
"Yes, Uncle Leif." Altair nodded. "Once it had been made and its tests were complete, it couldn't just be locked away. You happened to be away, so I've been waiting for you to return so we could discuss building the factory."
"Ha... ha... ha."
Hearing this, Leif burst out laughing. "I can tell from your eyes that you already have a plan. You only held back because no one was here to support you directly."
Altair didn't feel awkward at having her little scheme exposed. "I do have plans for those inventions. But getting them started will require all the families to provide various kinds of help. I wouldn't have much chance of persuading them to join in if I approached them alone."
"So I thought I'd wait until you came back, Uncle Leif. Then I'd have someone to back me up."
Leif Strauss wasn't angry at her explanation. He only laughed and said, "You really are something. You handled this well. If you'd faced them directly, it would've been difficult to reach an agreement."
"Those old fellows can only secure more benefits for their families now. That would inevitably affect your interests and your plans."
"When the banquet's over, tell me what you have in mind, and I'll give you some advice."
Before you continue