Marriage, out of nowhere? This doting dad? Something's off.
Sure, Ilia and I are engaged, but in the novel, that gets broken off. The future's changed, so predictions are tough, but bringing up marriage like this is odd.
Rayen doesn't approve of Ilia and the protagonist even after the protagonist saves her multiple times, earns a hero's reputation, and gains a title. For him to mention marriage after I saved her once is not normal.
He used to want to call off our engagement because he didn't like me. I can't take this at face value.
Is he testing me?
[Creator's Eye activated.]
[Name: Rayen Marcus]
[Traits: Iron Resolve lv4, Defensive Sword lv4, Herculean Strength lv3]
[Affection: -10 (Mild Dislike)]
As expected, Rayen doesn't hate me but doesn't like me either. His affection, probably at -20 before, must've risen due to this incident. Normally, it'd be rock bottom.
He's a bold man but a doting father above all.
So, my response…
"I'm ready to marry anytime."
"Pfft! Hey!" Ilia, mid-sip, spat out her soup, blushing as she called out.
"But you…" Rayen began.
"However!" I cut him off. "I'm not yet the heir to my house. My past as a wastrel means people still judge me harshly."
Rayen stayed silent, his expression calm, urging me to continue.
"To be a man worthy of Ilia, I'll change myself. I'll shift how people see me, become the Rox heir, and then take her hand."
Total bluff. Changing for a woman? I'm not a shonen manga hero. But my answer pleased Ilia and Rayen, softening the mood.
"Hmm…" Rayen covered his mouth, possibly hiding a faint smile.
"Anyone can say that. But your brothers are known geniuses, especially the second, a once-in-a-generation talent. Can you surpass him to become heir?"
"Of course."
I answered without hesitation, unfazed by his provocative test.
"Hahaha!" Rayen laughed heartily for the first time today.
"Not bad. You look promising."
Muttering to himself, he set down his spoon.
"One more question. Are you a wizard?"
"No. The rumors got it wrong."
"I figured. A Rox wouldn't be a wizard. So, what's your ability?"
"I mastered techniques from a grimoire."
Since it'd come out eventually, I told him the same story I gave the Rox Marquis.
"A grimoire, huh? If not a wizard, that makes sense. I didn't see it myself, but Ilia said it's impressive. Congratulations on your fortune."
"Thank you."
Knowing I don't use a sword, Rayen didn't press further. He's the type who respects strength, no matter the form.
"Before you arrived, I got a call from Willington."
"Oh?"
"Your reputation's already reached Rox. Someone used communication magic to inform him."
I expected my fame to reach him.
"What did the Marquis say?"
"He asked me to contact him as soon as you arrived."
"Can I use your communication room?"
"Of course."
Rayen nodded readily.
"Let's go if you're done eating."
"Yes. Thank you for the meal."
Too focused on reading Rayen, I barely tasted the soup.
"I liked what you said today. I'll be watching to see if you live up to it."
Pleased, Rayen gave a satisfied smile and left the dining hall.
Phew, that went well.
Beyond being my future father-in-law, Rayen has a much bigger role. I need to keep scoring points with him, and today I made a solid impression.
Ilia gave me an unreadable look before following her father out.
What's with her?
"Lord Yuren, to the communication room."
Regi led me to the third-floor communication room, where a wizard connected me to the Rox estate.
[Rox estate.]
"Marcus estate."
[What's the matter?]
"Lord Yuren Rox is here and wishes to speak with Marquis Willington Rox."
[Oh! We've been waiting. Connecting now.]
The communication felt like a video call, with a Rox wizard appearing on a monitor-like device. After a beep, Marquis Willington appeared.
[Yuren, you rascal!]
"I'm sorry."
[Are you hurt?!]
"Thankfully, no."
[You said you were buying weapons—why'd you fight orcs?!]
"I'm sorry. It just happened."
[Just happened? Does that make sense?! An orc warrior! Do you know how dangerous that is?!]
He must've heard of my rising fame but only cared about my safety.
"I'm truly sorry."
His concern made my nose tingle. It's been ages since I felt this.
[I heard you're fine, but I wanted to hear and see it myself. I wanted to come to you…]
"…"
I didn't expect such worry and was at a loss for words.
[They say you saved Ilia and killed the orc warrior. True?]
"Yes. I got lucky."
[Lucky, huh… Well, good. Did you get the weapons?]
"Got the weapons and a person."
[A person?]
"Yes, a skilled blacksmith."
He tilted his head, bemused.
[We'll hear the details when you're back. When are you returning?]
"Day after tomorrow."
[Good. Bring your brothers.]
"What?"
"Why's he suddenly telling me to bring my brothers?"
Willington Rox has three sons. My two younger brothers attend different knight academies.
"He could just call them himself."
The Marquis said he had something important to discuss and ordered me to bring them. I think I know what he wants to talk about.
The next morning, I brushed off Ilia and Rayen's attempts to keep me, citing Willington's orders, and left the Marcus estate with Giranox to climb a mountain in the territory.
"The path's clear."
"Yeah, lots of people use it."
The well-trodden trail, free of weeds and rocks, made the climb easy.
"Giranox, been here before?"
"Of course. Before opening my forge."
Giranox climbed familiarly, as if he'd been here often.
"Are you here to make a wish, Young Master?"
"A wish? No, I'm here for treasure."
"Treasure?"
"Yup."
Chatting with Giranox, we ascended slowly. As a tourist spot, it was crowded.
"With so many people, is there any treasure left?"
"Of course. The world's full of secrets."
"Oh! We're here, Young Master. That's the Dragon God Cave."
At the mountainside, people lined up before a massive cave.
"Still packed."
The Dragon God Cave, legendary home of a dragon god, had an entrance large enough for a dragon. Visitors came to pray to the ascended deity. Giranox probably prayed for his forge's success here.
"Not there."
"Huh?"
"That's all fake."
"Fake…?"
Unlike the wish-makers, I veered right, away from their line.
"Young Master, where are you going?"
"I told you, that's fake. We're here for treasure. Where is it…?"
Circling the cave, I searched for a specific mark.
A crescent-shaped hole…
After a while, I spotted a slightly tilted crescent hole.
"Is that it?"
Checking no one was around, I reached into the hole.
Click!
Inside was a handle, like a car door's. I gripped and pulled.
Rumble!
Grooo!
"W-What's that?!"
A faint vibration, noticeable only to me, preceded a rectangular hole big enough for one person to pass through.
"What's this hole, Young Master?!"
The wish-makers were just bowing to an ordinary cave. It has no connection to dragons or even snakes.
"The real treasure's in here."