Zich asked Trell, “You appear to be in a good mood. Shouldn’t you be a bit sadder since the possibility that I will succeed as the Count has disappeared?”

“Even if you cut all ties with the Steelwalls, I have watched you grow since you were young. Now, you have become someone that everyone looks up to. It’s like how people feel proud simply from the fact that a famous person was born in the same hometown as them, and I’m sure there aren’t many who can tell their grandkids what the dragon slayer was like in his youth.”

“I didn’t think you were the type to dwell in such matters.”

“Certainly not. I am also a normal person,” Trell laughed. As an old veteran who protected the Steelwall family from all sorts of evil schemes and plots, he was skilled at concealing his feelings on the outside. At least right now, there was sincerity in his words. But Zich knew Trell didn’t say this simply in celebration of his success.

“I see that you are trying to improve my impression about Steelwall by getting on my good side.” Zich would have scoffed if another person from Steelwall celebrated Zich’s achievements...