Philip

"Hmph, let Zenith have a look at this letter later too!"

Ghislaine said to Radeus and Rudeus.

"Agreed!" ×2

Neither hesitated; the vote was unanimous!

Sigh, does this mean I won't get to see Sylphie for the next five years?

At least let me see her once a year! Isn't five years apart too long? What if Sylphie falls for someone else?

Rudeus thought worriedly.

Maybe Sylphie will already be married by the time you get back!

Radeus twisted the knife.

Looks like I can't let you live. Draw your sword!

Can you beat me?

As the two fooled around, the carriage gradually arrived at Roa's gates. This was a place unlike their village.

The town resembled Central Europe around the sixteenth or seventeenth century, with plenty of vendors selling things along the streets. Its bustle was simply incomparable to the countryside.

"This is my first time seeing a town like this!"

Rudeus excitedly took in everything around him, the novelty dispelling the sorrow of leaving home.

"Country bumpkin!"

Radeus would never pass up an opportunity to take a jab at Rudeus.

"Huh? Have you seen one before, then?"

"No, but that doesn't stop me from making fun of you!"

Radeus said with perfect conviction.

"What the Chovy!"

Before long, the two were led into an enormous mansion. Many of the maids inside were beast-eared women, while the men were, naturally, ordinary humans.

Hoho, this family has excellent taste. Beast-eared girls are the best!

+1!

A burly man who looked like a guard brought them cups and poured something that could have been either alcohol or a soft drink.

"Thank you!"

Both equipped with good modern manners, they thanked him.

They raised their cups and took small sips, discovering that it was juice, sweet and delicious!

While they were still enjoying their juice, someone resembling a butler opened the door, and a man who seemed to be the master of the house walked in.

"Hey there, you two!"

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Radeus (Rudeus)!"

The two greeted the man who looked like the master.

The man smiled at their well-behaved manner and said to them:

"The proper greeting between nobles is to step back with your left foot, extend your right hand, and then lower your head slightly!"

He demonstrated for them. The two exchanged a glance, then copied his movements.

"Yes, just like that. You both picked it up very well!"

"I'm Philip Boreas Greyrat, the mayor here!"

Radeus and Rudeus looked at the man before them and spoke through their mental link.

Greyrat?

Is he a relative of ours?

Probably?

"Paul and I are cousins, so I'm also your uncle!" Philip continued his introduction.

"Hello, Uncle!"

The two promptly went along with it and called him Uncle.

"Mm-hmm!"

Philip nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging his two nephews.

Whoa, is our family really this well-connected? We actually have a noble relative like this? Radeus marveled.

He had always felt that their family was no ordinary one, but he had never expected noble relatives. Perhaps he was actually the heir to some noble family himself!

The thought alone was a little exciting!

Rudeus was indulging in fantasies in his head too, unable to stop himself from chuckling.

"Back to business. How much did Paul tell you?" Philip asked them.

"If we spend five years teaching the young lady magic, you'll fund our studies at the Ranoa University of Magic," Rudeus said.

"You, not me. I'm a bodyguard at most!" Radeus hurriedly added.

He had no desire to work as a tutor. Even without using his brain, he knew how troublesome teaching a noble young lady would be!

Only Rudeus could be smiling about this. In his place, Radeus would have fled overnight.

Philip stared wide-eyed at Radeus and Rudeus, then glanced at the butler beside him, who also shook his head.

"Is that all?"

"Yes!"

Rudeus nodded.

"That fellow is as unreliable as ever!"

Philip shook his head helplessly.

"Never mind, let's leave it at that for now! I'll have you meet my daughter first!"

Philip led the two down the corridor toward where his daughter was.

"Still, Paul told me that you both became Water Saint Rank mages at five, and that Rad is even an Advanced Swordsman in all Three Sword Styles, just like Paul. That's truly impressive!"

Philip praised them.

"It's all thanks to our teacher's excellent instruction!"

For now, the two were still fairly modest.

Philip smiled. Achieving such strength at their age was not something excellent teaching alone could accomplish. These two possessed absurdly high talent.

They certainly were Paul's sons!

Before the two arrived, Paul had written Philip a letter, asking him to look after them, particularly Radeus.

He said that Radeus's talent for swordsmanship surpassed even his own, that he expected him to reach God Rank at the very least, and that Philip should give him more financial support. Rudeus's talent for magic was also exceptionally good; barring any surprises, he would reach Water King Rank in the future.

With this information, Philip had taken the matter extremely seriously. Not long ago, he had failed in his bid to become head of House Boreas, and his own son had been taken away by the main family.

With their talent, if he nurtured them well, the two would undoubtedly become the best trump cards in Philip's hand. Moreover, Paul was the eldest son of the Notos Family. Even having abandoned the Notos name could not change that fact.

In fact, the current head, Paul's younger brother, had a poor reputation within the family. Everyone agreed that he was inferior to Paul, and there were faint signs that they wanted Paul to succeed as head.

If he played this hand well, he could make a bid not only for House Boreas, but even for the Notos Family, which controlled the military!

At that thought, Philip could not help laughing. When you were in despair and your cousin suddenly tossed you an unbeatable hand, who could keep from laughing? The fact that he was not laughing like a madman already was the result of Philip's careful restraint.

Huh? What's going on? Why did he suddenly start laughing?

No idea. Maybe he thought of something good?

Radeus and Rudeus watched Philip, who had suddenly started laughing, with puzzled expressions.

"Ahem, Paul should have told you that my daughter is just a tiny bit headstrong, and only treats a very small number of people pleasantly..."

Philip held his fingers a tiny distance apart, a whole universe between them.

Oh no, it's definitely not a tiny bit. More likely a billion tiny bits!

The moment Radeus saw that gesture, he knew things were definitely not as Philip described. It looked like Rudeus was done for.

Good luck. Amen!