Greyrat

The next day, after getting plenty of rest, Radeus, Rudeus, and Philip sat talking in the reception room, with Ghislaine listening nearby.

"Uncle Philip, there's something I don't understand. Leaving Eris aside, why was Rudeus kidnapped too?"

Radeus looked at Philip as he drank his tea and asked.

"People with the Greyrat family's blood in their veins have all sorts of uses!"

Looking at Radeus and Rudeus before him, Philip suddenly thought of something and continued.

"This is a good opportunity to introduce you to the Greyrat family."

"First, you know which country we're in, don't you?"

"The Asura Kingdom on the Central Continent, right?" Rudeus said.

"That's right, the Asura Kingdom. Do you know what position it holds on the Central Continent?"

"It's the most powerful human nation on the Central Continent, known as the greatest nation in the world, right?" Radeus replied.

Philip nodded, expressing his approval of both Radeus and Rudeus.

"You've studied well!"

"The Asura Kingdom is essentially an aristocratic state, ruled jointly by royalty and nobles."

"The most powerful noble force in the kingdom is the Greyrat family, which is divided into four high-ranking noble houses: our own Boreas, Paul's original family, Notos, and the Zephyros and Euros families."

"These four houses hold immense power within the kingdom. Notos controls the Asura Kingdom's military, and its current head is Pylemon Notos Greyrat, Paul's younger brother."

"Zephyros controls Asura's intelligence network and diplomatic channels, while Euros controls its finances and domestic bureaucracy. Boreas controls the Fittoa Territory, which serves as the Asura Kingdom's eastern bulwark. House Boreas has guarded the kingdom's eastern border for generations, defending it against threats from the strife zone and the eastern barbarians."

"So each of the four great houses has its own strengths, and their positions within the kingdom are unshakable."

"Incidentally, before your father Paul left his family, he was the heir to its leadership!"

Radeus and Rudeus were both astonished.

Holy chovy, did the two of them actually hold such high standing in the kingdom?

Paul had been the next head of the family before being expelled? Holy crap, that was kind of unbeatable!

So they were actually privileged second-generation kids!

Wait, did that mean Father had money and was screwing with me on purpose?

Rudeus suddenly realized that even after leaving his family, Paul couldn't possibly be penniless, given his former position as the next head of the Notos Family. Never mind that Ghislaine had once said that Paul, she, and Zenith had all belonged to an S-rank adventuring party.

You only just figured that out? That's why I didn't want to come in the first place, but I couldn't resist a Sword King!

Radeus pursed his lips.

Unbelievable!

"But getting back to the matter at hand, you understand, don't you? Publicly, we'll say Ghislaine resolved this incident," Philip told them.

"We understand. It's to publicize the fact that House Boreas recruited a Sword King, right?" Radeus replied.

"Exactly. You really are promising!"

Philip nodded and praised Radeus.

Just then, a noblewoman wearing a dark red dress entered through the doorway.

With the same vivid red hair as Eris, delicate features, and a chest possessing a powerful universal force of breast attraction, she was undoubtedly Eris's mother.

Did that mean Eris would reach that size in the future too?

Rudeus thought with a lecherous grin.

"Hilda, these two are Paul's sons. They'll be Eris's tutors," Philip explained to his wife.

At that, the two hurriedly gave Hilda a noble's bow.

"Hello, Lady Hilda. I'm Radeus (Rudeus)."

Hilda said nothing upon seeing them. She merely watched them quietly for a while, then walked straight out.

Judging by her expression, Radeus guessed that Hilda was displeased, but why? He couldn't think of a reason.

Did she dislike us?

Surely not? We haven't done anything wrong!

Radeus and Rudeus discussed it over their channel, unable to understand why Hilda had disliked them right from the start.

With their boss's wife disliking them as soon as they arrived, could they still stay here in peace?

Before they could work it out, not long after Hilda left, they heard a rough voice from the doorway.

"Are Paul's sons here?"

Was this what people meant by hearing someone before seeing them?

Then a nobleman who bore some resemblance to Philip walked in, his right hand resting on an exquisite black cane.

This must be Philip's father! the two guessed.

Having only just finished their noble bows, the two had no choice but to do it again.

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

Sauros couldn't help nodding at their greeting.

"To think Paul's sons would be so polite. Good, good."

Hey, hey, hey, just what kind of image did they have of Paul?!

Neither dared think any further, afraid their already shattered image of their father would crumble even more.

Alphonse, the butler standing behind Sauros, introduced him to the two.

"Lord Rudeus, Lord Radeus, the gentleman before you is Lord Sauros Boreas Greyrat, the current lord of Fittoa!"

"And my father!" Philip added.

Just as we thought!

Before either could speak, Sauros spoke first.

"I heard you two saved Eris. Is that right?"

"No, it was Ghislaine..."

Rudeus hurriedly spoke up.

"You brat, are you trying to deceive me?"

Sauros abruptly rose from his seat, looking furious.

Frightened, Rudeus immediately sold Philip out.

"Uncle Philip told us to say that!"

Well, damn, you've really mastered sacrificing someone else to save your own skin!

Radeus nodded inwardly. It seemed his teaching over the past few years hadn't gone to waste.

"Oh? Philip!!!"

Philip visibly trembled at the sound of his father's voice. He could already imagine what would happen next.

Was he that scared?

Watching Philip, Rudeus felt puzzled, but he soon learned why he was so afraid!

Philip approached Sauros and bowed, only to be sent flying by a blow the next second!

Holy shit, that brutal?

Both of them were stunned. Was this right?

"How dare you treat your own daughter's saviors like that, you brat!"

Philip quickly got up as though he hadn't been the one sent flying, resumed his proper manners, and explained to Sauros.

It took quite a while before Sauros finally forgave Philip.

"Rudeus, Radeus, you two are to teach Eris magic and swordsmanship. Eris said the magic you used, Rudeus, and the swordsmanship Radeus used have stayed in her mind."

Rudeus glanced at Sauros and felt that he and Eris were practically cast from the same mold.

So this old man was the one who'd been a bad influence on Eris!

"Of course, that's no problem, but shouldn't Eris ask us herself?"

Rudeus looked unafraid of authority, giving even Radeus a fright.

Was this kid's head that hard? Did he have Adamantine too?

"What did you say?!!"

Sauros hadn't expected the boy to be so stubborn either and immediately rose to his feet again.

"Do you intend to raise her into an adult who refuses to bow her head even when asking someone for a favor?"

Rudeus clearly didn't dare look at Sauros, yet he forced the words out anyway.

Badass!