The carriage finally slowed.
"We've arrived."
Adrian opened his eyes.
"…Home."
The Ardent estate stood ahead.
Not as grand as Rosenberg.
But familiar.
"…Feels smaller now," Adrian muttered.
Kael stepped down first.
"…Or you've seen bigger."
"…That too."
Arrival
Servants rushed forward.
"Young Master has returned!"
The atmosphere shifted quickly.
Adrian stepped down casually.
"…Try not to make it sound like I conquered something."
"…You kind of did," Kael said.
"…I survived. That's different."
The Father
"Adrian."
A firm voice.
Adrian turned.
Baron Ardent stood at the entrance.
Calm.
But sharp.
"…Father."
He stepped forward.
"…I heard," the Baron said.
"…Rumors travel fast."
"…Some are exaggerated," Adrian replied.
"…Are they?"
A brief pause.
"…Not entirely."
The Baron studied him carefully.
"…You predicted an ambush."
"…You remained calm in battle."
"…And you contributed to resolving the situation."
Adrian shrugged slightly.
"…I got lucky."
"…Once is luck," the Baron said.
"…Twice is not."
Silence.
"…You've improved," the Baron continued.
"…I'll try not to disappoint."
A faint nod.
Not praise.
But acknowledgment.
[+10 Reputation: Recognized by Family]
The New Problem
The Baron's gaze shifted.
"…And who is this?"
Adrian glanced back.
The girl stood near the carriage.
Still cautious.
"…Found her on the road," Adrian said.
"…That is not an explanation."
"…She looked like trouble."
"…And you brought her anyway."
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…Reason?"
Adrian sighed.
"…She would've died otherwise."
Silence.
The Baron looked at the girl again.
"…Can you speak?"
No response.
"…Suspicious," he said calmly.
"…Probably," Adrian replied.
"…Still keeping her?"
"…For now."
Another pause.
"…Very well," the Baron said.
"…But she will be watched."
"…Fair."
Later – Private Talk
Adrian sat across from his father.
"…You've changed," the Baron said.
"…I've been told."
"…Don't get complacent."
"…Wasn't planning to."
The Baron leaned back slightly.
"…Our territory is not stable."
"…I figured."
"…If you wish to prove yourself…"
A pause.
"…Start here."
Adrian's expression shifted slightly.
"…That sounds like work."
"…It is."
The Girl (Later)
The girl had been given a small room.
Clean.
Simple.
Adrian stood by the door.
"…You're safe here."
She didn't respond immediately.
"…You don't trust me," he said.
Silence.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…You shouldn't."
That made her look up.
For the first time—
Properly.
"…But I'm not throwing you out," Adrian added.
"…So decide what you want to do."
She hesitated.
"…I…"
Her voice was weak.
"…Stay."
Adrian nodded.
"…Fine."
System Reward
[Reputation Reward Granted]
→ Kindness Acknowledged
Reward:
→ Basic Insight Lv.1 Acquired
"…What does that even do?" Adrian muttered.
Final Scene
Outside—
The estate moved as usual.
But things had changed.
Adrian looked out from the window.
"…New place. Same problems."
A pause.
"…Just bigger."