Chapter 132: The Protection Stone Pendant

Liese and Lewis approached their grandfather. After Liese and the others greeted him and seemed to be talking about something, Lewis turned back towards Ren.

He beckoned him over.

“…Is he calling me…? Ah, right, I should go greet him too…”

Somehow, he had been watching as if it were someone else’s business, but he realised he should greet his grandfather, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. He pushed through the wall of people to make his way forward.

Seen up close, his grandfather looked large. The last time Ren had met his grandfather was when his eldest brother Ryan underwent the “Blessing Ceremony,” so it had been about five years. Even then, his grandfather had left an impression of being a large man, but he still felt large now—rather, his presence seemed to have only grown more imposing.

“Grandfather. It’s been a long time. I’m Ren, the third son.”

“Ren, is it… You’ve grown.”

(I wonder if Grandfather remembered me…)

Hearing his grandfather’s words, Ren looked up at him while thinking that. His grandfather held out a small leather pouch with a large, rugged hand.

“I hadn’t given you a gift for the ‘Blessing Ceremony’. It’s late, but let me give this to you as well, Ren.”

“…Th-thank you very much!”

Ren had never expected to receive a gift for the “Blessing Ceremony” at this point, so he reached out with slight confusion. Looking inside the leather pouch, he found a pendant with a light-blue magic stone. When he took it out, he saw that the highly transparent magic stone was adorned with delicate metalwork around it.

(…A gift for the “Blessing Ceremony”…)

Confusion and joy mixed together chaotically in Ren’s heart.

At the time of Ren’s “Blessing Ceremony”, his parents had been disappointed upon hearing his skill. He hadn’t received so much as a word of congratulations, let alone a gift. And now, he was receiving a celebratory gift for the “Blessing Ceremony”.

(I’m happy… But it also feels like, why now?…)

He looked around, still bewildered.

“It looks like everyone has one.”

Lewis was already wearing his and held up the pendant head to show it. Liese brought Royce along. Royce also greeted their grandfather and received the protection stone pendant.

“Grandfather, thank you very much!”

Royce, who had seemed uncertain when he arrived, broke into a smile.

“By the way…”

Grandfather looked around the area before turning his gaze to Lewis, Ren, and Royce.

“Lewis, Ren, Royce. The clothes you’re wearing are things from when I was a child.”

“Huh?”

“Especially the shirt Ren is wearing—I never liked those frilly parts… I never once put it on. I remember it well because it left an impression.”

“This shirt…”

Ren lifted the sleeve adorned with fluttering frills.

“It was Grandfather’s…”

“It was, once. Anyone who wishes to wear it may, but…”

Grandfather made an expression as if he wanted to say something more, then looked around the hall.

“…You’ve put on quite a large-scale event.”

“Of course. After all, a child bearing the ‘Swordsmanship’ skill has finally appeared in the Cream baronial house.”

His grandmother stepped forward half a step and spoke proudly. His mother nodded.

“Yes. We were greatly helped by your support, Mother.”

“…I see…”

Grandfather made an expression as if he wanted to say something, then averted his eyes. A slightly heavy atmosphere hung in the air around them.