The Sorset estate was once a southern region so obscure that even those well-versed in the Empire’s geography often didn’t know of its existence.
Now, however, it had grown so significantly that it earned the nickna "the Empire’s second capital," complete with nurous grand buildings that were once only seen in the capital, lending the estate a bustling atmosphere.
"Is that the Sorset mansion?"
"Truly, they say it’s the most magnificent mansion in the south, and you can see why even from a distance."
One of the sights that amazed visitors to the Sorset estate was the Sorset mansion itself.
After countless renovations and expansions, the mansion had beco more of a castle and was a must-see for anyone visiting Sorset.
Inside the mansion was the Sorset Workshop, a place that any manga enthusiast dread of seeing at least once in their lifeti.
Due to this, security around the workshop was incredibly tight, and outsiders weren’t allowed to approach, forced to admire it from afar.
And now, a man was walking toward the main gate of the Sorset mansion.
"Oh no! If he gets too close, the guards will catch him..."
Those who noticed the man murmured with concern, pitying his seemingly inevitable fate.
"Hmph! I’m a noble. What could possibly happen if I just take a quick look inside?"
A nobleman who had once spoken such words while trying to push past the guards and enter the mansion was promptly beaten with spears and thrown into the Sorset estate’s prison that very day.
"The Sorset Workshop is a treasure of the Empire. I grant the Sorset Marquisate full authority to punish anyone who intrudes here, regardless of their status."
This was the Sorset Security Law, proclaid by the forr Emperor, Leonious Bell, who was delighted by Rupert’s achievents.
Since then, several individuals who had tried to sneak into the mansion were harshly punished, and no one dared to approach recklessly anymore.
"Welco, my lord."
"You’ve been working hard."
Contrary to the crowd’s concerns, the man was warmly welcod and entered the mansion without any hindrance.
"Wait, could that be...?"
While employees of the workshop were allowed entry into the mansion, the polite attitude of the guards toward the man indicated he wasn’t one of them.
That ant he was either an invited guest or a mber of the Sorset family.
"That’s Richard, the Flaming Sword of Sleepy!"
"What? You an the greatest swordsman in the Empire?!"
Golden hair, blue eyes characteristic of the Sorset family, and a sturdy build a head taller than most n.
Without the signature greatsword he was known for, it had taken them a mont to recognize him. But he was undoubtedly Richard, the Flaming Sword, who had gained fa years ago by defeating all his opponents in a single strike during the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournant.
Now running an academy in the neighboring Sleepy County, Richard’s reputation as the continent’s top swordsman had spread far and wide.
"They say the academy might not rival the Imperial Academy in all fields, but its swordsmanship is unmatched."
Inspired by Rupert’s manga Van Helsing, boys who had once dread of wielding a flaming sword had grown into accomplished swordsn under Richard’s tutelage, further solidifying his na.
"I heard his wife is an elf. I’m so jealous."
"Still, elves used to only be seen in Sleepy County, and now you can find them throughout the Empire. There’s hope for us yet!"
Ten years ago, Sleepy County had been a near-ruin, but now, while not as prosperous as Sorset, it was unrecognizable from its past.
This transformation was thanks partly to support from the royal family and Sorset, but mostly to those who ca to learn swordsmanship from Richard and settled there.
However, the greatest credit for Sleepy’s revival belonged to the elves.
"I’ll go to Sleepy!"
The Crimson Warden elves who stayed behind to help rebuild Sleepy County beca a major attraction, even surpassing Sorset in tourist numbers at one point.
Though the number of visitors had decreased after official relations were established between the Empire and the elves, Sleepy continued to thrive.
"I will take over my father’s role and lead Sleepy County now."
Now, Lady Ronwood Sleepy, the daughter of the Count of Sleepy, had co of age and assud the title of lord, guiding the county toward a new era of prosperity.
*****
"Why is Ada at it again?"
"Welco, brother."
The mont Richard entered the mansion, he saw Ada sparring fiercely with Owen and made a comnt.
"Well, this is just how those two are," Rupert replied, seated calmly on the terrace, sipping tea as if accustod to the scene.
"Perhaps I should stretch myself out for a bit—"
"Stop. Brother, you’re not allowed."
"Hmph..."
Rupert firmly stopped Richard, who seed eager to jump in after watching Ada and Owen’s sparring.
"Have you already forgotten how you and Ada destroyed the workshop’s walls during your last match?"
"That was..."
Richard, who had been teaching children in his territory, often lanted that he didn’t have many opportunities to unleash his full strength.
Given his abilities, there were only a handful of people across the Empire who could even co close to challenging him, and Ada was one of the best opponents he could have.
However, their sparring was already considered beyond human limits.
The last ti they dueled, one stray attack had collapsed the walls of the Sorset Workshop, leaving Rupert so exasperated he had grabbed both of them by the necks.
As a result, Richard was banned from sparring within the estate.
"By the way, why didn’t your wife and son co with you?"
"There was an issue in the tribe, so they went to check on it, and she took Oregon with her."
"That’s a sha. I wanted to see Oregon."
Rupert doted on Oregon, Richard and Syphris’s son.
"Uncle! I drew this!"
The Sorset bloodline seed to be one of extres—either extrely extroverted or extrely introverted.
Richard and Ada, for instance, couldn’t sit still for even a mont and were the embodint of extroversion.
anwhile, Rupert and Bradley Sorset were classic hobodies, who found the idea of leaving their house an ordeal.
Oregon, who had inherited the Sorset blood, fortunately or unfortunately, took after his grandfather and uncle, having a shy and introverted nature.
Instead of swordsmanship or adventure, Oregon preferred books and drawing, often following Rupert around the Sorset Workshop.
Rupert found him utterly adorable.
"Oh! Brother, you’re here?!"
"Yes, it’s been a while, Ada."
While Rupert and Richard exchanged a few words, Ada, having finished her sparring match, approached them.
"Stop bullying Sir Owen."
"Bullying? He likes it, you know?"
Rupert sighed at Ada’s shaless reply and glanced at Owen, who lay crumpled in a corner of the training yard, reminiscent of a certain character from Dragon Ball.
"Owen isn’t soone who would normally get beaten up so easily."
Owen had succeeded Sir Mulous, who had retired to spend his days peacefully tending the gardens with Bradley, as the head of Sorset’s guard.
It wasn’t rely his long service to the Sorset family that earned him the position, either.
"Owen, the knight of the Sorset family, is a hidden master."
Having reached the level of Sword Expert at a young age, Owen had now achieved a level of refinent that placed him among the strongest of his rank.
His impenetrable defense even earned him the nickna “Shield of Sorset,” a testant to his exceptional skills.
But—
"Ahhh!!! Why, heavens, did you create and also create Lady Ada?!"
His opponents were simply far too overwhelming.
In his circle were people like Richard, heir to the Sword Saint; Alain, a forr leader of an assassin organization; and Ada, whose fearso reputation as the “Fist King” preceded her.
"Among us, he’s definitely the weakest."
Every ti Rupert looked at Owen, this thought would inevitably cross his mind.
"By the way, where is Father? I need to greet him."
"He’s probably in the basent."
"Again?"
As Richard asked about their father, Bradley, Rupert responded as if the answer were self-evident.
"It’s ti for you to lead Sorset now."
After passing the title of family head to Rupert a few months ago, Bradley officially retired and was now living his happiest days.
"Rupert, this is one of our family’s heirlooms."
"Why does our family’s heirloom look so deadly?"
"I’m not sure either."
Bradley had started reacquiring heirlooms that the family had sold off during hard tis, such as practical-looking knives that were clearly not for decoration.
"This is what a noble mansion’s garden should truly look like..."
He also indulged his long-held dream of landscaping the mansion’s garden, fully embracing the leisurely life of a retired noble.
"Well, he’s earned it."
With Sorset now so wealthy they scarcely knew where to spend their money, Rupert didn’t object to his father’s newfound hobbies.
He was also deeply grateful to Bradley for taking on so many responsibilities before Rupert beca the family head, ensuring everything was in order.
"The young master has also arrived. Dinner is ready in the dining hall."
"Alain! You’re looking as healthy as ever."
"Haha, it seems this old man has nothing else to do."
Richard warmly embraced Alain, who had co to inform them that dinner was ready.
"Alain, what’s on the nu today?"
"Steak, Lady Ada’s favorite. Since the whole family is gathered for the first ti in a while, the chef put in extra effort."
"Let’s go!"
Just like when she was a child, Ada grabbed Alain’s hand and dashed toward the dining hall.
"I wish Alain would retire and rest comfortably."
As Rupert followed them with Richard, he couldn’t help but think this.
But—
"I wish to serve the young masters and lady until the day I die. That is my happiness."
Rupert couldn’t bring himself to stop Alain, who was adamant about dedicating his life to the family.
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