Leo woke to knocking on his door.
He sat up slowly, still groggy. The room sat in soft evening light. He had slept through most of the day.
The knocking came again, polite but steady.
"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. "I'll be right there."
Footsteps retreated down the hall. He stood, stretched, and felt the lingering ache from the voyage. The rest had helped. He freshened up quickly, pulled on clean clothes, and slipped the beads around his neck. The weapon stayed hidden inside them. He did not want to seem untrusting, but he also refused to sit defenseless.
He headed downstairs.
The Scarlet Anchor felt quieter in the evening, though the common room still hummed. Adventurers swapped stories over drinks while merchants wrapped up deals. The daytime rush had eased into a low, steady buzz.
An attendant waited at the bottom of the stairs and gestured down a side hallway. "This way, please."
They passed elegant tapestries bearing the First House insignia. At the end of the corridor, the attendant opened a pair of ornate double doors and stepped aside.
Leo entered.
The private dining hall felt smaller than the common room but much finer. Dark wood panels warmed the walls under the steady glow of enchanted lanterns. A long table sat in the center, laid with gleaming dishware.
Four people already waited.
Iori sat at the head, posture relaxed yet in full command. Daichi and Akane took one side. Takeshi and Yuki sat across from them. An empty chair waited between Akane and Yuki.
All eyes turned to him.
"Leo!" Akane's face lit up. "You're finally awake! We were starting to think you'd sleep through dinner entirely!"
Takeshi's voice came low. "Would've been an improvement."
Leo pretended not to hear and moved to the empty seat.
"Thank you, miss Akane," he said simply.
Akane beamed as he sat. Yuki gave a polite nod, then Daichi.
Servants brought out the food right away. Roasted meats, herbs on glazed vegetables, and fresh bread still warm from the oven. The smells hit hard after weeks of ship rations.
"Help yourself," Iori said simply, picking up her utensils.
The group started eating. For a moment only the clink of silverware and soft chewing filled the room.
Then Akane broke the silence.
"So you really won the Oni Hunt?" She leaned forward, eyes bright. "I mean, 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 smiled. "I got lucky."
"Luck too is part of one's own skill," Daichi said calmly while cutting his meat with precise strokes. "The hunt traditionally favors those with extensive training and preparation. How did you compensate for your lack of both?"
Leo met 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, then nodded. "Interesting. I take it you hunted alone then. Usually participants would work together, rely on tools and skill to win. But it seems your unconventional approach worked best."
"Unconventional is one word for it," Takeshi muttered.
Akane shot him a look but kept going. "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 worst details and kept his voice even.
Yuki spoke up, polite but careful. "It's admirable that Lady Iori has taken such interest in your development."
"She's been generous with her time," Leo said neutrally.
"Will you be attending the Jubilee?" Yuki asked.
"As part of Lady Iori's entourage, yes."
"I see." Yuki kept her expression 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 time."
"Various sources," Daichi repeated. "Do you travel often?"
"I have."
"Alone?"
"Usually."
Leo kept his answers short. He could not exactly say he had only been in this world for three weeks.
Daichi seemed satisfied and did not push.
The meal continued with lighter talk. Akane carried most of it, firing questions about his swords and his thoughts on Crescent Bay. She wore him out, but her energy felt real. Leo found himself relaxing a little.
Then Takeshi spoke.
"Tell me, Leo." His tone stayed casual, but the whole table went quiet. "What exactly do you bring to this delegation?"
Leo finished chewing. "I'm not part of the delegation. I'm traveling with it."
"Semantics." Takeshi leaned back. "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 kept going. "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 room grew colder.
Daichi stayed calm. "Lady Iori's judgment is her own."
"Of course," Takeshi said smoothly. "I would never question Lady Iori's decisions." His tone said the opposite.
Iori set down her utensils with a sharp click.
"Takeshi."
Her voice came out cold.
He turned to her. "Lady Iori?"
"If you have concerns about my judgment, voice them directly. Don't hide behind passive remarks."
Takeshi's jaw tightened. "I meant no disrespect."
"Then show none." Iori's gaze stayed locked on him. "Leo is here because I chose it. That alone should be sufficient explanation."
Silence stretched. Takeshi looked away first.
"Of course, Lady Iori," he said quietly.
The meal continued, but the mood had changed. Everyone spoke more carefully.
Leo kept his eyes on his plate and tried to ignore the weight of Takeshi's stare every time he thought Leo wasn't looking.
---
After dinner, they moved to the sitting area next door. Servants brought tea. The group settled into comfortable chairs around a low table.
Iori stood. "I have correspondence to handle before tomorrow. Leo, you can stay and get to know the others."
She left before he could answer.
He suddenly felt very exposed.
Akane immediately scooted 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 enchantments that help."
"That's so cool!" Akane's excitement bubbled over. "Most Oni stick to katanas, maces and clubs. Father would never let me 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 and set down her cup. She stepped closer to Leo and lowered her voice. "May I speak with you? Privately?"
Akane and Daichi politely turned their attention back to their tea.
Yuki led him a few steps away near the window.
"My brother isn't a bad person," she said. "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 looked 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 felt awkward, but honest. Leo appreciated it.
"I'll do my best," he said.
Yuki nodded, relief flashing across her face.
Then her brother's voice cut across the room.
"Yuki, we're leaving."
Takeshi stood by the door, not looking at anyone.
Yuki gave Leo an apologetic glance and hurried to join him. They left without another word.
Akane watched them go and sighed. "He's always like this when someone 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.
"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 warning away.
They talked about lighter things until an attendant appeared in the doorway.
"Master Leo? There's someone here to see you. A mage from the Adventurer's Guild."
Akane perked up. "A mage? What for?"
"Something Lady Iori arranged," Leo said, standing. "I should go."
Daichi nodded. "We'll see you tomorrow for departure."
"Bye bye!" Akane called after him.