𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

With Albero’s sudden enthusiasm, the room was about to become agitated. . . . . .but Albero relaxed his stance.

Then, he made a playful jest.

ㅤ

“Just kidding. . . . . .even I’m not stupid enough to cause a ruckus in such a confined space.”

“. . . . . .Sit down.”

ㅤ

Esterize offered a sofa, so he sat down.

Seated on the sofa were Albero’s parents. And behind Esterize, A-Class Summoners were lined up. As he sipped tea brought by the servant, he thought they acted rather haughty.

Then, his father, Fragarach, who was sitting in front of him, spoke.

ㅤ

“Albero, how have you been. . . . . .lately?”

“What do you mean, ‘how’?”

“Well, are you. . . . . .well?”

“Yeah, sort of.”

“I see. Mmm. . . . . .”

ㅤ

Albero had absolutely no interest in his parents.

He felt there was nothing to talk about now. He didn’t even question why he was there.

Suddenly, his mother, Sally, clapped her hands.

ㅤ

“Oh! Actually, today, we came to celebrate Esterize’s promotion to Special A-Class. And, even if it’s a simple ceremony, we thought of conferring the title to Esterize. . . . . .and Albero, you should join the celebration too.”

“I’d rather get things over with quickly.”

“. . . . . .Um.”

ㅤ

Sally was at a loss for words.

Albero was utterly indifferent.

Just having a conversation was a step up from the treatment they used to give him.

Since his parents were right in front of him, Albero decided to listen.

ㅤ

“By the way. . . . . .the bounty for my demon subjugation should have been sent to you, right? I need it for managing my territory, so please send it to the dorm.”

“”?!””

ㅤ

Both parents began to sweat profusely. . . . . .Albero sensed something.

ㅤ

“You do know, right? Barrels filled with gold coins should have been sent to you. Even though he’s gone now, teacher Oswald should have approved and sent it to the Rushout family.”

“Ah, yes. . . . . .I think so.”

“Um, yes. . . . . .right.”

“Good. You haven’t embezzled it, have you? The reward I risked my life for!”

“”. . . . . .””

ㅤ

Albero spoke with deliberate intensity.

Using it for territorial management was a sudden idea, but he felt it might become necessary.

While he also has the reward for defeating Typhon, it’s always good to have more money.

What Albero didn’t know was that his father, Fragarach, had used his reward for mining development in their territory, and his mother, Sally, had used it for her boutique business.

As a final blow, Albero added,

ㅤ

“I’d appreciate an early refund. Princess Yorha knows about this, and after all, I am a Baron. There have been countless wars over debts between nobles.”

“Surely, you wouldn’t. . . . . .to your own parents. . . . . .”

“We’re. . . . . .family, right?”

“Family? After you two consistently ignored me?”

“”. . . . . .””

“Anyway, I’d appreciate an early refund.”

ㅤ

Then, Albero transformed his right hand.

ㅤ

“I don’t want to go to war, you know.”

“”!. . . . . .””

ㅤ

He lightly threatened them.

He certainly didn’t intend to wage a war. Even if the money wasn’t returned, it was fine.

These parents only see Albero’s 『achievements』 and 『money』. He no longer expects any familial affection from them, and even if they were to offer it, he has no intention of accepting.

When his conversation with his parents ended, Esterize spoke.

ㅤ

“Is it good now?”

“Ah, it’s a mock battle, right?”

“Yes, it’s a mock battle between the S-Class Summoner and us, the Peacemaker squad. It’s to improve our skills in preparation for the upcoming battle with the Demon Emperor.”

“I get it, I get it. So, we’re going to fight?”

“. . . . . .Yes.”

ㅤ

Albero interrupts, anticipating a long-winded explanation from Esterize.

Rashild twitches nervously, Fugil gives a wry smile, and the rest of the A-Class Summoners glare at Albero.

Esterize sits deeply in his chair.

ㅤ

“The rules are simple. Albero, you and our representative. . . . . .”

“Wait.”

ㅤ

At this point, Albero raises his hand.

Esterize stops speaking.

And then. . . . . .Albero made a proposal.

ㅤ

“Let me decide the rules of the mock battle.”

“. . . . . .What?”

“The rules are simple. All members of the Peacemaker squad come at me. I will face all of you alone. Of course, come with the intent to kill.”

ㅤ

Everyone is taken aback.

He continues further.

ㅤ

“Listen. Don’t hold back. I’ll be serious. Push me to my limits.”

“. . . . . .”

“That’s it. Oh, I mean everyone. Everyone in the squad. There are about a thousand of you, right?”

“. . . . . .”

“This place is too small, let’s go to the plains outside. The start is tomorrow morning. I’ll be waiting in the plains, so come to kill me. . . . . .well, that’s it.”

ㅤ

After saying that, Albero left without giving anyone a chance to argue.

The first to break the silence. . . . . .was Rashild.

ㅤ

“What a joke!! That guy. . . . . .who does he think he is!!”

ㅤ

It was pure, genuine anger.

Thus, the battle between the entire Peacemaker squad and Albero was about to begin.