[Captain of the Guard, Seabas]
The Elf Kingdom, Aqua Vitae. Due to its location deep within towering mountains and dense forests, treacherous paths and powerful magical beasts blocked the way, so visitors almost never appeared.
Half of those who had visited the Elf country in the past were adventurers, and the other half were those seeking to seize the country.
Not once had anyone from an academy ever come to visit.
"...Honestly, they're difficult people to assess."
I furrowed my brow as I watched Glenn and Aoi walking ahead. A young Elf warrior lead the way. Glenn and Aoi walk behind him, and I position two swordsman-mages diagonally behind each of them. Then, maintaining a distance of about ten paces, ten members of the guard followed.
I don't know about other countries, but our guard force fought powerful magical beasts daily, so every single member was a seasoned veteran with abundant combat experience. We're strong enough to easily repel even large dragon species.
Rumor has it that Glenn Molt ranks among the world's top mages, but even so, this formation presented no problem.
Has it been several decades now? When word spread that Glenn had become a Marquis in a great power, it became a topic of conversation even within Aqua Vitae. Some mocked it, saying it was only within a human country after all, while others whispered that perhaps they accepted him and made him a Marquis precisely because he was a half-elf, not a full elf.
Eventually, the rumors shifted to talk of Glenn's birth.
According to the stories, Glenn came from a noble family, but it was discovered during his childhood that his father was human. Consequently, following the noble customs that value bloodlines, Glenn apparently had to leave the country.
Living as a half-elf within the kingdom must have been difficult, so this might have been for the best for him personally.
However, Glenn's mother remained in the country, placed under something like house arrest. The topic gradually faded from everyone's memory, but Glenn's family must have intensely disliked the rumors. The more Glenn distinguished himself and generated talk, the more people would ask why he rose to prominence in a human country rather than here in Aqua Vitae.
Glenn's mother must have endured painful, difficult days.
I know this because I too have a family member who was a half-elf.
Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if Glenn harbored clear hostility toward the Elf country.
With this in mind, I watched Glenn's every move with vigilant attention. The other one was supposedly just a human, and appeared to be around twenty years old. She could probably only use intermediate magic at best.
Glenn alone warranted our caution.
That's what I thought as I observed them, but Aoi seemed to hold the initiative.
"This is the residence of Councilman Steil, a third-rank noble and Senate member."
When our guide turned and announced this, Aoi, not Glenn, nodded and stepped forward.
"Thank you very much. Well then."
"W-we're going in already? Yes, I suppose so. We've come all this way, after all."
As Glenn showed signs of hesitation, Aoi nodded lightly and continued walking ahead.
"Of course. This is why we came."
With only these words, Aoi knocked on the noble's gate without any sign of intimidation. After a moment, the gate opened from within. A male steward appeared. Since the Steil family has produced generations of Senate members, they employed as many as ten servants. Ordinary nobles would have only two or three, so this demonstrated their prominence.
The steward held such an important position that even fifth-rank nobles had to treat him with appropriate respect.
I doubt a human would understand such Elf culture and customs, but Aoi politely bowed her head and greeted the steward.
"Nice to meet you. I am Aoi Konominato from Fiddiq Magic Academy. I have come to speak with the Steil family's son."
In response, the steward placed one hand on his chest and returned the bow.
"How polite of you... I am Pott, steward of the Steil family. Please wait a moment while I report your business to the head of the household."
Saying this, Pott bowed once more and returned inside the mansion.
"A steward is like a head butler, right?"
When Aoi confirmed in a quiet voice, Glenn nodded.
"It may vary by region, but generally that's the position."
"Does the steward himself come to attend to visitors because of Principal Glenn's presence?"
"No, it's simply that the Elf country lacks manpower. The population is small. The Dwarf country and Beastman country are the same."
"I see."
As the two conversed like this, the gate opened again. Pott and a female Elf appeared. Judging by how the steward followed one step behind her, she must be the lady of the Steil household.
"...I hear you wish to speak with Brest. What is your business?"
"Yes. I am Aoi Konominato from Fiddiq Academy. The matter is somewhat delicate, so I was hoping we might speak inside..."
When Aoi said this, the lady's eyes sharpened.
"We have neither the need nor the obligation to comply. Would you please leave?"
"No, your son has an obligation to listen. If you care about your son's future, you also need to hear this. If you prefer not to have us inside, we can speak outside instead."
The lady told us to leave in a cold, intimidating tone, but Aoi remained completely unfazed. The lady visibly showed irritation at this attitude.
"...Isn't this rude? Suddenly visiting our home and demanding to speak with us?"
"I apologize. However, this concerns an important matter related to Brest's future. We came from Fiddiq Academy specifically to discuss this. Please, I humbly request this."
Saying this, Aoi bowed her head once more. Seeing this attitude, the lady stole a quick glance in our direction. Then she straightened her posture and spoke.
"...If you have come all the way from a distant human country for my son's sake, I cannot simply dismiss you. A long conversation is difficult, but if it's just to hear what you have to say..."
When the lady responded, Aoi smiled and nodded.
"That's sufficient. Thank you very much."
Surprisingly, the matter concluded rather easily. Our guard force accompanying them likely influenced this. If she turned away someone claiming to have come from another country for her son's sake, that would appear too narrow-minded, she must have judged.
"...I have a small concern. May we also accompany you inside?"
When I confirmed this with Pott, he looked toward the lady.
"The guard wishes to accompany us inside..."
"Inside the house? Is that necessary?"
"...I understand Lord Glenn is an extremely capable mage. If we want to ensure complete safety, having the guard accompany us would be reassuring, I think."
"...Very well."
After this brief exchange in hushed tones, Pott turned toward us.
"Thank you for waiting. We welcome everyone's company. Please, this way."
Saying this, Pott lead us into the mansion along with Glenn and the others.
