****
Despite its rather unrefined exterior, the castle’s interior was fully equipped and impressively appointed. Constructed from gray stone, the fortress remained robust and stately, even after the passage of many years. While its gardens lacked the vibrant, kaleidoscopic hues of the Demon King’s castle, they clearly bore the mark of meticulous daily care.
The carriage traversed the garden path and finally drew to a halt in the castle’s forecourt. It appeared that the arrival of a carriage was an infrequent event, for every gaze in the vicinity was drawn to the slowly advancing vehicle, fixated upon it with keen interest.
As the halted carriage door swung open, Paimon and Zephyr were the first to alight. Zephyr then extended a hand, offering an escort. Jeha, relishing the sensation of truly embodying the lord of a domain, grasped his hand and descended from the carriage.
“Welcome home, Master, at long last.” The butler intoned, bowing respectfully at the waist. Jeha gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the manor house that unfolded before him. Like the castle walls, the residence, constructed from matching gray stone, seamlessly integrated into the larger fortress. Whether it was the gray stone finish, echoing the overcast sky, or the distinctly antiquated architectural style, both the castle and the manor exuded a somewhat subdued, even somber, ambiance. However, Jeha found himself rather fond of it. In fact, this setting felt far more appropriate for a Demon King than the garish Demon King’s castle in the Demon Realm.
“Butler?” The main doors of the manor swung open, and a throng of people streamed out. It wasn’t an overwhelming number for the combined scale of the castle and the residence. The butler, having practically rushed forward, addressed the dozen or so individuals who were alternately glancing at him, the carriage, and Jeha’s entourage, his voice imbued with a solemn gravity.
“Offer your greetings,” the butler instructed. “Our Master, who journeyed to the Eastern Continent for his studies, has at last returned.” The dozen or so individuals exchanged utterly dumbfounded looks. In the interim, armored men, who had practically sprinted to keep pace with the carriage, now encircled the area. Their armor, though appearing quite ancient, gleamed with a polished luster, betraying the meticulous care it received.
“Butler,” one of the armored men inquired, his voice tinged with incredulity, “is that truly our Master?” The butler nodded solemnly. He then took a step towards Jeha, gesturing towards a man with streaks of white in his hair who stood at the head of the armored contingent, and proceeded with an introduction.
“This is Patrick,” the butler announced, “the Captain of the Belgar Knights and the esteemed head of the Campbell family, who has faithfully served the House of Belgar for generations.”
“Lord Campbell,” Jeha uttered, loosely mimicking the address he had gleaned from films and animations, accompanying it with a slight incline of his head.
“I am Patrick Campbell, Captain of the Belgar Knights,” the man declared. “I humbly beg your utmost pardon for presuming to ask, but are you truly His Excellency Marquis Lysine Belgar, the fourteenth head of the esteemed House of Belgar?”
‘Lysine?’ Jeha inwardly repeated the name he would soon have to adopt, then outwardly affirmed, “Indeed.” He extended his hand towards Lord Campbell, the family signet ring prominently displayed. Lord Campbell meticulously scrutinized the unadorned ring adorning Jeha’s thumb, and a look of profound emotion instantly swept across his face.
“Belgar Knights, we offer our respects to His Excellency!” Lord Campbell declared, his face grave as he knelt on one knee before Jeha. In swift succession, the other knights followed suit, dropping to their knees in a unified display of deference. Jeha looked down, observing Lord Campbell carefully take his hand and press a kiss upon the signet ring. The profound solemnity and earnestness of the gesture unexpectedly stirred a surge of emotion within his chest.
“I trust we shall work well together,” Jeha stated, maintaining a semblance of solemnity on his face. He then clasped Lord Campbell’s hand, gently helping him to his feet.
The gazes of the knights, now standing, remained uniformly fixed on Jeha’s face. Their eyes were relentlessly persistent, as though determined to etch every detail of the newly encountered head of the Marquis Belgar household into their memories. Feeling a slight burden from their intense scrutiny, Jeha turned his head towards the butler, who, quick to perceive the situation, raised his arm towards the widely opened entrance.
“You must be weary from your arduous journey, so please, enter and rest without delay,” the butler urged. “Though our preparations might have been somewhat rushed due to the sudden notice, rest assured that your Master’s quarters are, as always, meticulously arranged and perfectly clean.”
Jeha nodded and began to follow the butler, who led the way. Behind him, Paimon and Zephyr, followed by a throng of what appeared to be the castle’s staff, started to walk in their wake. Jeha, acutely aware of the myriad eyes fixed on the back of his head, strove to maintain a calm and magnanimous demeanor, keeping his posture as erect as possible. Becoming a Marquis as a human, he found, was considerably more nerve-wracking and taxing than his former role as the Demon King.
The interior of the manor proved to be a stark contrast to its rather unadorned exterior. The carpets that covered the floors were nothing short of opulent, and the chandeliers suspended from the high ceilings were the very acme of magnificence. The armor and sundry embellishments adorning the walls were not only tastefully arranged but also impeccably maintained, betraying no hint of dust or disarray.
The corridors, too, presented a similar spectacle. Statues interspersed along the way radiated the unmistakable aura of priceless antiques, and luxurious carpets were laid at every turn, ensuring that one’s feet never touched the cold stone floor. Indeed, for a family reputed to be among the wealthiest, the manor house exuded an undeniable air of opulence from every conceivable corner.
They were ultimately guided to the Lord’s personal chambers. Jeha, as the butler offered his detailed explanations, toured the bedroom, the study—connected to the bedroom by a single door—and the reception room, each in succession. The butler’s assurance that the quarters were constantly maintained proved entirely accurate; the Lord’s residence felt warm and impeccably clean, as though it had been occupied just moments before.
The party ultimately settled into the reception room. As Jeha took the seat of honor, Paimon and Zephyr found their respective places, and Lord Campbell, too, occupied a chair. Once an attendant had entered, served fragrant tea and an assortment of refreshments, and then discreetly withdrawn, the butler himself poured the tea. Jeha lifted his teacup, took a sip, and allowed a contented expression to settle upon his features. Upon witnessing this, the butler’s previously rigid face visibly softened, a noticeable sense of relief washing over him.
“How much hardship you must have endured upon your long journey, Your Excellency,” Lord Campbell began. “Having departed in your youth and only now returned, I urge you to take a period of thorough rest and recuperation. Should you harbor any curiosity regarding the state of the domain, perhaps a tour of the territory would be in order. Your humble servant would be honored to personally escort you.”
Lord Campbell spoke, his face alight with fervent enthusiasm. The middle-aged knight seemed utterly overcome, his chest swelling with the realization that the day had finally arrived for him to personally escort his lord on a tour of the domain. After taking a moment to compose himself, inhaling deeply, Lord Campbell then turned his attention to Paimon and Zephyr, offering each a slight, deferential nod.
“I am keenly aware that both Baron Lanchester and Lord Belmon have endured considerable hardships while attending to our young Master for such an extended period. Indeed, beholding our Master’s splendid return, now fully grown, my heart swelled with such profound emotion that I confess I momentarily neglected to offer my greetings to you both.”
“It was nothing of the sort,” Zephyr replied, a smug expression spreading across his face. “To have been able to serve the Master at his side all this time has been nothing short of a personal honor.” His demeanor clearly boasted of his closer proximity to the Master. Jeha, observing Zephyr’s proud display, felt a faint blush of embarrassment.
“Even during your absence, Master,” Lord Campbell continued, “the affairs of the domain have been managed flawlessly, without the slightest error. The capabilities of the knight order have likewise been maintained without any deficiency whatsoever. But now that you have returned, it is time, I believe, for you to prepare to assume your duties personally. Is that not so, Butler?” Lord Campbell’s voice, brimming with eager enthusiasm, resonated powerfully through the room, though he didn’t seem to be speaking with intentional loudness. It was as if his very spirit overflowed with vigor. He presented the quintessential image of a fiercely loyal knight.
If left unchecked, Lord Campbell appeared poised to immediately summon the estate manager and every other official. Jeha subtly raised a hand, gently halting the excited knight, before he began to speak.
“It is truly commendable that the domain has been so well-managed even in my absence,” Jeha stated. “You have all exerted yourselves greatly. Now that I have returned, there is no immediate urgency. Since everything is functioning smoothly, there will be no need to arbitrarily alter or overhaul anything. Most importantly, I intend to depart the castle for a time and journey throughout the Central Continent.”
Lord Campbell’s expression shifted through several nuances. His lips twitched, betraying a multitude of unspoken words. Yet, before Campbell could articulate anything, the sharp-witted Zephyr swiftly interjected.
“The Master speaks truly,” Zephyr asserted. “It is a fact we have always been well apprised of through reports: the domain is flawlessly managed. Given that the Master has spent such a long time studying in the Eastern Continent, there is much he remains unfamiliar with regarding the current affairs of the Central Continent. For him to firmly establish his position as the future head of the House of Belgar, it would be most beneficial, I believe, for him to personally observe, comprehend, and experience the continental political landscape.”
‘Zephyr truly understands me too well,’ Jeha mused inwardly, offering a subtle nod.
“But…” Lord Campbell began, unable to restrain himself any longer, his lips parting to speak. Yet, the butler, who seemed to grasp the general context of the situation, swiftly interjected, cutting him off.
“Of course. There is no one within the House of Belgar who would neglect their duties or grow complacent simply because the Master is briefly absent from the castle. Is it not also a crucial endeavor for the future head of the family to personally tour the Central Continent and observe the various political landscapes, just as you desire? Rest assured, this butler will continue to manage the castle meticulously, ensuring the Master has no cause for concern.”
It seemed the butler held a significant position within the castle. Lord Campbell soon nodded in agreement. While a slight hint of a desire to object still flickered across his face, he refrained from voicing it.
“Nevertheless, you must be exhausted from your long travels, so at least rest within the castle for a few days,” Lord Campbell offered, his tone subtly persuasive rather than confrontational. A few days of rest would not be unwelcome. Jeha, in truth, was quite curious about the Belgar family’s domain.
“Very well,” Jeha conceded, and Lord Campbell’s face visibly brightened.