"This is… my family's crest?"
Evening had come, and etiquette class was nearing its end.
Inside the classroom, Eris's loud voice rang out in surprise.
Her emotion-packed tone almost made it seem like her shock could be conveyed solely through volume.
Beside the desk, under the bright candlelight of the hanging lamp, Edna remained radiant as ever, her smile seemingly welded to her face.
In this world where average life expectancy is low, a forty-year-old commoner would bear obvious signs of aging. But as a noblewoman, Edna had access to healthy food, regular rest, and no laborious work. Time is often gentler to the wealthy, and on her body, it had left very few traces.
—Her posture hadn't stooped, her demeanor was still dignified.
Only the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth had deepened—probably a side effect of constantly smiling.
Allen looked at Edna's ever-present smile and had this thought.
In the modern world, this would count as an occupational hazard.
He lowered his head.
In his field of vision, several heads were squeezed together, all crowding over a beautifully packaged book on the desk.
Completely blocking his view.
Allen twitched the corner of his mouth in frustration.
Damn it. I can't see a thing.
The Boreas family crest?
Neither the original novel nor the anime ever depicted it.
Even during his years in the royal capital, he hadn't seen it—not surprising, considering that under the nose of the king, nobles from all across the kingdom (and even other countries) gather there. In such a setting, the key to survival is downplaying your own family origins. Everyone's from a top-tier noble house—why show off?
Thus, the royal authority is emphasized, reinforcing the idea of collective identity under the crown, which is the heart of the royal court's power structure.
Officials wear Asura Kingdom insignia on their uniforms daily. Private attire is rarely seen.
And though Allen attended a noble school, education in the capital emphasized royal history. As for family history? That was something you were expected to learn at your own domain's school.
So—he'd never seen the crest before.
Now he was genuinely curious.
He took a deep breath and glanced at Edna, whose eyes were narrowed in a cheerful smile. Then he looked at the heads blocking his view.
It's normal for me to be curious…
But what about you two!?
The heads crowding in front of him included not just Sylphy's soft white hair and Rudy's brown crop—but also Ghislane's cat-eared head and Eris's bright red hair, all huddled over the book.
This was ridiculous.
"…Uh, Eris, Ghislane—why are you looking? Haven't you ever seen the Boreas family crest?"
"Nope!"
"Never."
Allen covered his face in anguish.
A loyal bodyguard who's been around for years and never seen the family crest?
Like some wandering servant who finally found a worthy master: 'If my lord doesn't reject me, I'll swear my allegiance and serve as your foster son!'
Ghislane, you are too loyal for your own good!
And you, Eris—aren't you the only child of Philip and Hilda, the heir of the house? How the hell have you never seen it?!
What a joke.
Doesn't etiquette class cover this?
Allen rubbed his face, trying to refocus, then looked up at Edna.
She smiled gently at him—graceful and composed.
Then… she averted her gaze.
Allen: "?"
He was about to ask what was going on, when he realized—
She wasn't just avoiding eye contact.
She was looking toward a bookshelf.
Allen followed her line of sight.
There was a dusty old history book there.
Suddenly, it clicked.
The Boreas family crest should be studied during history class.
As one of the four great noble families of Asura, Boreas belonged under royal court history—which meant it wasn't part of Edna's curriculum.
As for why Eris and Ghislane had never seen it, that too made sense.
This was supposed to be standard knowledge at noble schools. You studied it after learning national history.
But unfortunately, Eris was the kind of person who punched her way through noble preschool. If she'd actually learned anything there, she wouldn't still be struggling with basic reading and math.
And Allen himself, though he'd attended noble school and learned to read and write, had left before finishing royal history class—dropping out to train at the dojo like an orphan.
After Eris was kicked out of noble school, Philip took over as her history tutor.
But as Roa's mayor, he was swamped with work. Add in the fact that both Eris and Ghislane were essentially illiterate—learning history doesn't require writing, but it does require reading at the very least.
And clearly, Eris's reading skills weren't quite there yet.
So it was all shelved.
In the original story, before Rudy's arrival, Philip and Sauros hadn't even intended for Eris to become a refined lady.
In the timeline where Rudy never transmigrated, they simply threw her into the Asura Knight Order to support Ariel's claim to the throne. There, she earned the fearsome title "Red Lion" in the capital.
And that title had absolutely nothing to do with elegance or etiquette.
It came from Eris's punch-first, talk-later attitude.
Thinking of this, Allen blinked.
Weird…
As one of the top noble families, shouldn't their crest be everywhere in the mansion? Engraved on walls? Embroidered on clothing? Isn't it a matter of pride?
He lowered his gaze to look at Ghislane and Eris's outfits.
No need to confirm—his sharpened sensory training over the past six months instantly brought back his memories like a slideshow.
Eris, Ghislane, Hilda, Philip, Sauros.
Even the servants.
Not one of them ever wore anything with the Boreas family crest.
And, coincidentally…
Neither the original novel nor the anime ever mentioned such a thing.
Coincidence? Or deliberate?
Allen lifted his head and looked at Edna, voicing his question.
"Ms. Edna, isn't a family crest usually a symbol of a noble house's pride? Why don't we ever see one for the Boreas family…?"
At that moment, Edna's expression changed slightly. She interrupted him—not rudely, but uncharacteristically direct, her voice firm, carrying a trace of fervor. It startled Allen a bit.
"The Four Great Noble Houses of Asura all have their own crests, representing their honor and bloodline!"
"Each family's crest holds different meanings. Their shapes vary, but one thing is common—most noble crests feature fierce magical beasts or powerful animals. They symbolize valor, strength, nobility, and pride—surface-level 'glory.'"
"But…"
"Boreas is different."
At the same time Edna spoke, hurried footsteps sounded outside the window.
Steady, vigorous, one step chasing the next.
Even though it was nighttime, the pace brimmed with energy, as if fatigue didn't exist.
Allen didn't even have to turn to know—it was Sauros returning to the mansion. Though old, he often personally handled city affairs, just like Philip. He was a man of action.
In Allen's view, Edna's usual smile had vanished. Her expression was solemn.
"Other noble families focus on 'present' and 'past' glory. But the Boreas family looks toward the 'future.'"
"The existence of Fittoa in this land is not the goal of the Boreas family."
"The eternal continuation of Fittoa in this land—that is the true pursuit of Boreas."
(End of Chapter)
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