Cck Cck Cck

  A single figure entered, eyes filled with irritation and a mouth arg into a snarl. The once merry atmosphere was now filled with tension, the only sound to be heard was the young man's resounding footsteps eg through the spacious entrance hall.

  His eyes swam left and right, looking at the unfamiliar figures before him as if he was sizing them up. There was no ge in his expressions, not even a hint of curiosity. He simply tinued his steps, not saying a single word and clearly in a bad mood.

  "Garret, where do you think yoing?" ［Gerald］

  The Mayor opened his mouth and the man's steps finally halted. The sharp-eyed young man then shifted his attention towards the former, unwillingness and distrust brewing in his eyes like some sort of wild beast.

  "Where else? I'm going to my room. Now then, if you don't have anything else to say, I'll be taking my leave." ［Garret］

  "Garret! We're not doalki! And what's with that attitude?!" ［Gerald］

  "What my attitude is is none of your business." ［Garret］

  The tension rose in the air even higher as the Mayor and the Young Master of the house exged words. The young man answered pretty calmly, but one could easily notice the sparks from their stares, rage tained within.

  "Garret, we are just worried about you. Where have you been?" ［thia］

  "Worry,...? Stop spouting such obvious lies. I know full well what all of you are like. You stop with this useless farow." ［Garret］

  "This brat...! When have you learo talk back to your mother?!" ［Gerald］

  "Gerald, calm down. There's o resort to violence!" ［thia］

  Now that thia has joihe fray, things have gotten more out of hand. Strong words were thrown here and there, the Mayor barely being held back by his wife. He wao give his son a good smag to make him return to his senses.

  It was such a sudden situation that her Grey, Yuna, nor Iris knew what to do. They simply kept quiet and assimited with the air, being nothing. They have entered a lot of quarrels, but not one as serious as heavy as the current o was quite suffog.

  Though, if there was ohing they noticed, it was that Garret's expression as he talked back to his parents was quiet off. It was stiff and his eyes were shifty, barely able to maintain a straight face. Rather, he was eveing.

  "Enough! I will not listen to your words any longer! I will make sure to expose all your corruption to the world! Mark my words!" ［Garret］

  "Corruption this! Corruption that! There's no such things!" ［Gerald］

  "Hah! I won't listen to your lies anymore! My eyes are already open!" ［Garret］

  "Stop talking and listen for a sed?!" ［Gerald］

  The exge got louder and fiercer, the father and the son both had irked veins popping on their heads. If thia wasn't there, one could only imagine what could have happened already. A csh of fists is not a far-fetched thought.

  "If you're so fixated that we are corrupt, why are you stayihen?!" ［Gerald］

  The Mayor finally delivered the decisive blow, and the moment it rang inside Garret's ears, he suddenly stopped, uue back. He stopped and thought of an answer, a face full of uainty showing clearly.

  "Umm... To gather evidence...?" ［Garret］

  "Gather evidence, my ass! You were the one who was retly meddling with the dots, weren't you?!" ［Gerald］

  "H-How did you know?!" ［Garret］

  "You damned brat! So it really was you! Get your ass over here so I give you a quick beating! e here!" ［Gerald］

  The exge tinued, and the Mayor's words had beore crass. The more they listehe more they uood, soon ing to a general clusion. It's not that Garret was being rebellious, he was just an idiot. A big and dramatie at that.

  Grey even had to check with his eyes, and surely enough, he saw no mali the young man. Rather, he was amongst the purest of the ones he had seen. So pure that it made his wonder even more how thied to where they are.

  "Lady Violet, this might e off as rude, but... I say it?" ［Grey］

  "Yes. I am all ears." ［Violet］

  "Umm... By any ce... Is your brother an idiot?" ［Grey］

  Straight and simple, Grey asked Violet as direct as he could. To which, the young dy's face quickly got frozen. She then started p about how to respond, but never did she deny Grey's words. He was right on the mark.

  "Well... Umm... It's a long story..." ［Violet］

  Slowly but surely, Violet then expined what really was happening before them, and it came to them with quite the hefty shock. Garret wasn't just any idiot, he was the biggest idiot there, even more than Julius who was already a severe case.

  Apparently, though Garret was a good-natured man, he is easily influenced by things he sees or hears about. Oime, he read a books about pirates and started doing things pirates would, evee a "crew"

  Thankfully, because of his good nature, he only "stole" petty things like broken hair pins or empty sheets of paper. Things which he soouro their owners with extravagant pensation one couldn't even imagine.

  As for what he is influenced by currently, they were all about heroes and things of the same nature. He especially likes ag like a hero in the shadows, exposing the dark secrets of the gover, to which he started suspeg his family for no reason.

  It has been going on for a couple months now, and ead every siime he gets home, he always lohed up from his "adventures of carrying out justice", just like now. Everyone is really worried about him.

  "I see... So that's the case, huh..." ［Grey］

  "This is the first time I'm entering these things..." ［Yuna］

  "The same goes for me as well. How do I put this... It's iing...?" ［Iris］

  Everyone was dumbfounded. After all, even children who role py don't get as engaged as Garret did. And even if they did, it would only st a couple days or so. The current one is a unique case.

  So unique, in fact, that Iris, who usually enjoys novel experiences, couldn't eve her thoughts straight. She was quite perplexed and lost about what to feel. If there is something, she feels empathy for others. She has simir experiences, after all.

  "Must be quite exhausting..." ［Grey］

  "I couldn't agree more, Yhness. He even ged his way of speaking just to fit the role. I don't know what to do anymore..." ［Violet］

  They had just met a couple moments ago, but everyone could feel Violet's worries. Especially Iris. It seems that having such a troublemaker in the family makes them grow more mature than people their age. It was a sad reality.

  "Lady Violet, I'm just curious... What books has Larret been reading?" ［Iris］

  "Well, there's many, but if I have to say... I think the ret oled 'The Brave Six' influenced him the most." ［Violet］

  "The Brave Six... It sounds familiar..." ［Yuna］

  "Of course. It's a book about Yhnesses and the other Heroes of Alfrione, after all! It's very famous!" ［Violet］

  Violet announced with excitement and eagerness, but the same couldn't be said frey and Yuna. They were frozen, eyes wide in shock as they tried to analyze what they just heard. As soon as they did, only a single sylble came out of their mouths.

  ""Eh?""

  Such a short response a, it taihe brew of emotions Grey and Yu at that moment. They couldn't even fathom what was happening anymore. Though they heard the possibility of such things, they never khey already existed. They were baffled to say the least.

  And so, Violet went on to expin the tents of the book, and as one would expect, it was one sprinkled with a lot of artistic liberties. Just like the py they've seen before, it was full of exaggeration and wild imagination.

  Especially the characters. They don't even know who they are anymore. The ones who were representing Grey and Yuotally different from who they were. It was no warret ended up in such a situation. It was the source of all evil.

  "That's enough! Garret, you better shut that mouth of yours this instant!" ［Gerald］

  "Tsk!" ［Garret］

  Finally, just as they were doalking, the argument was finally settled. No matter how hard Garret argued, his arguments were fwed, and so, though it took some time, the Mayor was able to secure victory.

  "I apologize that you have to witness such a disgraceful se, Yhnesses. I hope you find it in your hearts tive us." ［Gerald］

  "No, it's alright... Everyone has their own circumstances." ［Grey］

  "Un. There's o mind us." ［Yuna］

  "Thank you for uanding. You really are as generous as I've heard." ［Gerald］

  Grey, Yuna, and Iris really don't know how to feel about it, but they don't want to dwell oter any lohey unanimously decided to let the matter be and move along things. There was o waste any more time...

  "Garret, e here, and apologize to Their Highnesses." ［Gerald］

  "Tsk. Why should I apologize? I did nothing wrong." ［Garret］

  "Why you...! You really want to get your ass beaten, don't you?!" ［Gerald］

  ... Though it seems that the other two have different ideas. It hasn't even been a minute sihey stopped their previous argumehey are already starting a new ohe mayor's cheerful personality is now o be seen.

  At such a rate, they won't ever progress with what they were previously doing. And if they were going to live in the manor for a month, it would surely be troublesome to find themselves in such situations everyday. They o solve it as quickly as possible.

  "Stop talking about this nonsehis is madness!" ［Gerald］

  "I don't care if you call me mad! Only I be a judge of myself! That's what I learned from Lrey's words! I shall never falter!" ［Garret］

  Yep, they really o stop him. Grey especially wao shut his mouth at that moment. He doesn't even remember saying such a line in his whole life. It sounded cool but it just makes him want to die from embarrassment.

  "You...! Stop this disrespect! You're being impudent to Their Highnesses!" ［Gerald］

  "Hah! I only show respect to those who are worthy of it!" ［Garret］

  "Stop spouting nonsense! Just apologize already!" ［Gerald］

  "Sure! If they beat me in a duel that is! Only the strong deserve my respect! I will not lower my head otherwise!" ［Garret］

  Thankfully, the very source of the problem himself offered the solution already. They were all sure it was a quote from a book he just read, but no one wants to know what book it was. Grey and Yuna especially don't want to know whether it was "them" who said suonsense.

  All that was o be done was to beat him into submission. Since he's easily influenced, a single beating would be enough. Grey was especially tempted to end the nonsense. He doesn't want te anymore.

  "Then, shall we head to the training grounds ale this, then?" ［Grey］

  "Hah? The training grounds? Are you challenging me?" ［Garret］

  "Well, yeah, but you back out if you want. I'm not f you or anything like that. It's totally fine byー ［Grey］

  "I accept your challenge! I wouldn't be a man if I didn't." ［Garret］

  Grey hadn't even finished his words but Garret had already taken the bait. With a personality like his, provoking him was as easy as taking dy from a baby. Just a little provocation and he was quickly accepted. It was too easy.

  "And remember this! I will not be going easy on you... That's a word from Lrey. Remember it well." ［Garret］

  Grey's eyes burned with an even more intense passion with Garret's words, fully fixed on crushing him as swiftly as he could. And he also made a promise to himself. If he ever met the author of the book, he'll surely have a nice long chat with them.

  Determination in their hearts, everyohen headed to the training grounds. They had just seen it long ago, yet never in his wildest imagination did Grey think he would be using it so soon. It was a wild turn of events.

  And strangely enough, though they knew just how powerful Grey was, her of the parents stopped the duel. Though they love their son dearly, it was time to put a stop to his antics. It was a relief Grey was there.

  Of course, as it was just an unofficial duel, they would only be using wooden swords. Grey would love to go barehanded, but with Garret's personality as it is, it would only be troublesome if he did. It was better to just go with the flow.

  "You back down now if you want. I don't want to hurt you," ［Garret］

  "Thanks for your , but there's no his will end quickly." ［Grey］

  "Hah. You sure have quite the mouth, don't you?" ［Garret］

  "Haha. I could say the same to you." ［Grey］

  They both looked like they were engaging in small talk, but iy, they were actually sizing up their oppo. Garret's eye keenly measured Grey in terms of physical build aimating what he should expect.

  As frey, there was no need. A quid he khat Garret was at F-rank. Though he's nothing pared to Eliza or Julius, it was a far cut above the rest. He could easily go toe to toe against a knight if given the ce.

  "Both sides ready?" ［Gerald］

  For their match, Gerald served as the referee. And in respoo his question, both Grey and Garret nodded in unison. They both distahemselves a few steps, then taking their stance soon after.

  "Then... Begin!" ［Gerald］

  There was o dilly-dally. As soon as Gerald gave the signal, Garrwt quickly kicked up a cloud of dust and luraight towards where Grey was. Swiftly as he could, he then lunged his sword towards his chest.

  Unfortunately farret, such simple teiques won't work on Grey. He doesn't eveo use his abilities, he simply reads the path of the sword and dodges it with as little movements as possible.

  Garret missed, but his attacks didn't die down. As soon as he missed, he quickly made a pilr of earth spring up from the dire Grey was evading, sooing back to his foot to lu arike. It itabsp;

  But there was o panic. Grey simply crushed the pilr with a kid parried Garret's swarret also tried to knee Grey's chest, but it was quickly stopped by the tter's other hand. It was a good bo.

  "Tsk!" ［Garret］

  Failing his attack, Garret quickly distanced himself from Grey, not that Grey would let him do just what he wanted. Grey swiftly gave chaseー or rather, he tried to, but suddenly, a small pitfall appeared in front of him.

  It was small, yes, but it was enough to make anyone go off bance. And just right in front of him, Garret quickly lunged back, readying his sword for a ssh. Unfortunately farret, Grey wasn't just anyone.

  Garret tried to perform a horizontal ssh, but before he could even strike, Grey then pnted his sword to the ground and used it t himself upward with a front flip. When the ssh was executed, Grey was no lohere.

  Befarret could even recrey then grabbed his wrist while he was still midair, and the very moment he nded ba the ground, he then proceeded tarret towards the ground.

  "Kugh!" ［Garret］

  A pained grunt echoed in the air, making Garret close his eyes. The moment he opened his eyes, his own sword was already poiowards him, just an inch away from his . The oute has been decided.

  "The match has ehe winner is His Highness!" ［Gerald］

  There was no time to waste. As soon as he saw his son was down for the t, the Mayor then quickly annouhe results of the match. It was Garret's loss through and through. A match which didn't even st a single minute.

  "Kugh... I still tinue..." ［Garret］

  "Garret, stop being so stubborn. You should know His Highness was going easy on you. If he were serious, the match would have been over in an instant." ［Gerald］

  "Agh..." ［Garret］

  Garret wao refuse his father's words, but deep down, he knew he was wrong. He easily accepted his mistakes a, soon standing up without a hint of anger in his eyes. He was calm as he bowed down his head.

  "I apologize for ag impudently in front of Yhnesses. I will accept gdly any punishments you bestow upon me," ［Garret］

  He was a man of his words. Having accepted his defeat, he then gave a proper and formal apology in front of everyohout holding any grudges. He may be an idiot, but he was an ho man who respects and accepts the truth.

  "Then... If that's the case, please stop doing these things that worry your family. That's the only apology I'll accept." ［Grey］

  "... Yes, I uand..." ［Garret］

  There was hesitation in his voice, but Garret still decided to accept Grey's ditions without any pints. After which, he then bowed down to their parents and quickly apologized for all the troubles he had caused.

  With that, all things have finally been resolved. Though they never expected to enter such a situation, it was still an iing experie the very least. Though they don't want any more troubles anytime soon.

  "Then, Lerald, should we tih our tour?" ［Grey］

  "Ah! Yes! As you wish, Yhness." ［Gerald］

  Of course, with all things finally settled, it was time for them to proceed with what they were previously doing. As if nothing happehey tinued with the tour, heading back to the mansion, leaving the others behind on their own.

  "Big Bro, you were really lucky back there, if it was any other people, you could have gotten severe punishments. You could have beeed." ［Violet］

  "Violet's right. Don't do anything like that ever again, you hear me?" ［thia］

  "Yes, I'm really sorry." ［Garret］

  Now that things have returned back to normal, the atmosphere between them is much lighter thahough one couldn't really say how long such peace would st. They could only hope Garret would be influenced by something good ime,

  "Still... His Highness was really strong. He didn't even break a sweat throughout all that. He's really amazing." ［Garret］

  "Of course, he is! He's Lrey, after all." ［Violet］

  "I see... Lrey, huh... Huh...?" ［Garret］

  Garret's mind immediately ran into an error at that exaent. He looked at his younger sisters with eyes of disbelief, asking with his facial expressions whether she was talking about who he was thinking about. To which, Violet nodded.

  "Ehh?! Lrey?! You mean one of the Heroes of Alfrione?!" ［Garret］

  "Of course. Who else would it be?" ［Violet］

  "Yes. His Highness just arrived this afternoon along with Their Highnesses, Princess Iris and Lady Yuna. Did you not know?" ［thia］

  "O-Of course, I didn't!" ［Garret］

  Answered Garret in the loudest and most shocked voice he could make. He then started running towards the mansion as fast as he could, not stopping for a break with a hurried and panicked expression pstered on his face as he brought his wooden sword with him.

  Where might he be going, one might ask? Well, to everyone else of course. He was running so fast, the halls received the loudest footsteps it ever did, every servant painted with shock as they saw him.

  "And this room isー" ［Gerald］

  "Yhnesses!" ［Garret］

  It hasn't even been a couple minutes sihey separated yet they had reunited once again. Faces full of bewilderment greeted Garret as he met them. Bewilderment that only got deeper as they saw the wooden sword on his person.

  "Is somethingー" ［Grey］

  "I have itted a grave sin towards Yhnesses! Please take my life as penany impudence! Let my blood wash away my shame!" ［Garret］

  "E-Eh? What's happー" ［Yuna］

  "Though it was true that I did not know of your identities before, it does not excuse the fact that I insisted on you! Worthless as it may be, I want to offer my life to the both of you and ask fiveness!" ［Garret］

  Everyone couldn't catch up with his train of thought. Before they even noticed, Garret was already kneeling on the ground and pointing the wooden sword towards his throat, ready to lu at any moment.

  Panig, everyone quickly stopped Garret from doing such a thing. They already knew he was an idiot, but his idiocy exceeded their expectations. He was even using a wooden sword fod's sake, one blunt and uo handle mana well.

  "Garret! What are you doing?!" ［Gerald］

  "Father, don't stop me! This is for the glory of the family!" ［Garret］

  "Glory, my ass! Stop this nonsense, you damned brat!" ［Gerald］

  His idioew no bounds, aill tried to it whatever stupidity he was thinking of doing. It took everyone a lot of effort to vince him to stop and even more effort to correct his mi, receiving a lengthy scolding soon after.

  heless, it was an iing experience for everyone, ohey would never fet even if they tried. Evehey don't want to experience such a thing again. It was just too troublesome to deal with.

  Haah... What a hectic day...

  CHAPTER 264 END