Leo woke to knocking on his door.
He sat up slowly, disoriented. The room was dim, evening light filtering through the window, he’d slept through most of the day.
The knocking ca again, polite but insistent.
"Master Leo?" A voice called from the hall. "Dinner is being served in the private dining hall, lady Iori requests your presence."
Leo rubbed his face, pushing away the lingering grogginess. "I’ll be right there."
He heard footsteps retreat and stood, stretching. His body still ached from the voyage, but the rest had helped. He quickly freshened up, changed into clean clothes, wore the beads which now stored his weapon as he didn’t want to co off untrusting but also didn’t want to not be able to defend himself, and headed downstairs.
The Scarlet Anchor was quieter in the evening, although the common room still buzzed with activity, adventurers discussing quests, rchants finishing negotiations, the frantic energy of dayti had llowed.
An attendant waited near the base of the stairs and gestured toward a hallway Leo hadn’t noticed before. "This way, please."
They walked through a corridor lined with elegant tapestries bearing the First House insignia, stopping before ornate double doors. The attendant opened them and stepped aside.
Leo entered.
The private dining hall was smaller than the common room but far more refined. Dark wood paneling lined the walls, illuminated by enchanted lanterns that cast warm, steady light. A long table dominated the center, set with fine dishware that glead in the glow.
Four people were already seated.
Iori sat at the head of the table, her posture relaxed but commanding, Daichi and Akane occupied one side, while Takeshi and Yuki sat across from them, an empty chair waited between Akane and Yuki.
All eyes turned to Leo as he entered.
"Leo!" Akane’s face lit up. "You’re finally awake! We were starting to think you’d sleep through dinner entirely!"
Takeshi’s voice ca low, just barely audible. "Would’ve been an improvent."
Leo pretended not to hear and moved to the empty seat.
"Thank you, miss Akane," he said simply.
Akane bead at him as he sat, Yuki and then Daichi offered a polite nod.
Servants appeared with dishes, roasted ats, vegetables glazed with herbs, bread still steaming from the oven. The food slled incredible after weeks of ship rations.
"Help yourself," Iori said simply, picking up her utensils.
The group began eating, and for a mont, only the quiet sounds of the al filled the space.
Then Akane broke the silence.
"So you really won the Oni Hunt?" She leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. "I an, that’s just incredible! What was it like?"
Leo swallowed his bite. "Ehh it was very chaotic and dangerous, a lot of running was involved."
"What did you hunt?" Akane pressed. "I heard there were lightning lynxes this year!"
"That’s what I ended up facing."
Her eyes widened. "You took down a lightning lynx? Those things are insanely fast, and dangerous!"
Leo agreed, with a smile "I got lucky."
"Luck too is part of ones own skill, " Daichi said calmly, cutting his at with precise movents. "The hunt traditionally favors those with extensive training and preparation, How did you compensate for your lack of both?"
Leo t his gaze. " Well I did get a lot of help from the maids at the elder’s compound, before going in, but ultimately I just did my best to adapt and survive"
Daichi studied him for a mont, then nodded. "Interesting, I take it you hunted alone then, usually participants would work together, rely on tools and skillmanship to win but it seems your unconventional approach worked best."
"Unconventional is one word for it," Takeshi muttered.
Akane shot him a look but continued her questioning. "And the mana zone! We heard there were pirate attacks and sea monsters! What was that like?"
Leo gave a brief account, the fog, the pirates, the creatures, he left out the more harrowing details, keeping his tone matter-of-fact.
Yuki spoke up, her voice polite but asured. "It’s admirable that Lady Iori has taken such interest in your developnt."
It wasn’t quite a complint, but it wasn’t hostile either.
"She’s been generous with her ti," Leo said neutrally.
"Will you be attending the Jubilee?" Yuki asked.
"As part of Lady Iori’s entourage, yes."
"I see." Yuki’s expression remained pleasant. "The capital will be quite different from what you are used to, I imagine."
"I’m sure it will be."
Daichi set down his fork. "Where did you learn to fight, Leo? You seem like you were self-taught."
"Mostly, yes. I’ve picked up things from various sources over ti."
"Various sources," Daichi repeated thoughtfully. "You travel often?"
"I have."
"Alone?"
"Usually."
He tried not giving away too much about himself or implicate Iori, after all he couldn’t just say he’d only been in this world for three weeks, which is also roughly the amount of ti he’d held a weapon.
Daichi nodded, seemingly satisfied with the vague answers. He didn’t push further, which Leo appreciated.
The al continued with lighter conversations. Akane dominated most of it, asking questions about everything from Leo’s swords to his thoughts on Crescent Bay. She was exhausting but genuine, and Leo found himself relaxing slightly.
Then Takeshi spoke.
"Tell , Leo." His tone was casual, but the table went quiet. "What exactly do you bring to this delegation?"
"What does that even an?" Leo thought, finishing chewing before answering. "I’m not part of the delegation, I’m traveling with it."
"Semantics." Takeshi leaned back in his chair. "You’re sitting at our table, eating our food, under our protection. Whether you claim the title or not, you represent our interests."
"Takeshi," Akane started, "don’t—"
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. "I’m simply curious. A human commoner with no family, no connections, no apparent background, traveling under First House protection." He paused. "It raises questions."
The temperature in the room seed to drop.
Daichi’s voice remained calm. "Lady Iori’s judgnt is her own."
"Of course," Takeshi said smoothly. "I would never question Lady Iori’s decisions." His tone suggested otherwise.
Iori set down her utensils with deliberate precision. The small sound cut through the tension like a blade.
"Takeshi."
Her tone, very cold.
He turned to her. "Lady Iori?"
"If you have concerns about my judgnt, voice them directly. Don’t hide behind passive remarks."
Takeshi’s jaw tightened. "I ant no disrespect."
"Then show none." Iori’s gaze didn’t waver. "Leo is here because I chose it, that alone should be sufficient explanation."
The silence stretched. Takeshi looked away first.
"Of course, Lady Iori," he said quietly.
The al resud, but the atmosphere had shifted, conversations beca more careful, more asured.
Leo focused on his food and tried to ignore the weight of Takeshi’s stare whenever he thought Leo wasn’t looking.
After dinner, the group moved to a sitting area adjacent to the dining hall. Servants brought tea, and the delegates settled into comfortable chairs arranged around a low table.
Iori stood. "I have correspondence to handle before tomorrow. Leo, you can stay and get to know the others."
Before Leo could respond, she left.
He felt suddenly exposed.
Akane imdiately shifted closer. "So, dual-wielding! I’ve never seen anyone use swords that large with both hands. How do you even manage the weight?"
"Practice," Leo said. "And the blades have enchantnts that help."
"That’s so cool!" Akane’s enthusiasm was infectious. "Most Oni stick to katanas, maces and clubs. Father would never let try anything different, too ’improper’ for the lady of one of the great houses ." She rolled her eyes. "Everything’s about tradition with him."
"Tradition has its place," Yuki said gently.
"Sure, but so does innovation!" Akane looked at Leo. "You don’t seem constrained by tradition."
"I don’t have much tradition to be constrained by," Leo admitted.
"Lucky," Akane muttered.
Yuki stood, setting down her cup. She moved closer to Leo, her voice dropping. "May I speak with you? Privately?"
Akane and Daichi tactfully focused on their tea.
Yuki led Leo a few steps away, near the window. She kept her voice low.
"My brother isn’t a bad person," she said without preamble. "He’s just... protective, of traditions, of the houses and of Lady Iori."
"I’m not a threat to any of those things," Leo said.
"I believe you." Yuki’s expression was earnest. "But Takeshi doesn’t, He sees you as an unknown variable in a situation that should be straightforward. It makes him... difficult."
"I’ve noticed."
"Just be careful around him. Please." She hesitated. "I don’t want unnecessary conflict."
It was awkward but sincere. Leo appreciated the effort.
"I’ll do my best," he said.
Yuki nodded, relief crossing her face briefly. Then her brother’s voice cut through the room.
"Yuki, we’re leaving."
Takeshi stood near the door, not looking at anyone.
Yuki gave Leo an apologetic glance and hurried to join her brother. They left without further acknowledgnt.
Akane watched them go, then sighed. "He’s always like this when soone gets close to Lady Iori."
"Close?" Leo raised an eyebrow.
"Well, not close-close, but you know. Favored." Akane shrugged. "Takeshi’s had feelings for her since we were kids, everyone knows it. She’s never reciprocated, but that doesn’t stop him from being territorial."
Daichi cleared his throat aningfully.
"What? It’s true!" Akane protested.
"It’s also not our business to share," Daichi said mildly.
"Fine, fine." Akane turned back to Leo. "Anyway, don’t let him get to you, he’s all talk"
"Dangerous nonetheless," Daichi added quietly. "Takeshi is a skilled warrior, don’t underestimate him."
Leo filed that away.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics until an attendant appeared in the doorway.
"Master Leo? There’s soone here to see you. A mage from the Adventurer’s Guild."
Akane perked up. "A mage? What for?"
"Sothing Lady Iori arranged," Leo said, standing. "I should go."
Daichi nodded. "We’ll see you tomorrow for departure."
"Bye bye!" Akane called as he left.
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