The first tea party held by the Ruelberta Family.

No, it wasn’t just a tea party—it had escalated to the level of a tea festival.

Countless types of tea, snacks, and even simple dishes to fill your stomach were prepared. The food neatly arranged on the long table made it look like a full-on buffet.

Of course, considering the wealth of the Ruelberta Family, you could say it was modest… but still.

Once the tea party preparations were complete, over 100 employees of the mansion took their seats.

I had told the head butler it was a tea party for the employees, but most seemed to have taken it as a joke.

Tristan was a figure of fear even among the mansion’s staff.

Even though I’ve become more approachable since taking over, to them, he’s still someone they wouldn’t dare look in the eye.

So, for Tristan to host a tea party for mere employees was naturally shocking.

They sat down, but their faces were filled with doubt as they glanced at me.

However, Wendy, her family, Albert, Vanessa, the Annihilation Maid, and others I’ve helped broke the tension by joining them.

Eventually, the employees, though awkward, managed to enjoy the tea party.

But I unintentionally dampened the mood again.

The reason I hosted this tea party today was to announce that I’ll be heading north on an expedition.

“Listen carefully. I’ll soon be leaving for the northern expedition. And…”

I explained that I’d be leaving in about a month and that I’d be taking overall command.

Even though my appearance has changed since losing weight, Tristan still carries an intimidating aura.

When I brought up such a heavy topic, the bright atmosphere darkened again.

“Sniff…”

Wendy, in particular, sniffled upon hearing the news of the northern expedition.

Seriously, anyone watching would think I’m going to my death.

Blanshe, sitting next to her, patted Wendy’s back.

“The Count will be fine, Wendy.”

“B-but he’s not going to fight, right…? Sniff…”

Wendy couldn’t hide her anxiety.

I’m sorry, but there’s no other way.

This was something I had to tell everyone eventually. Some of them will even be joining me on the expedition.

I calmly looked around at the attendees.

Their faces, diverse in gender and age, showed both fear and concern for me.

If something were to happen to me, their futures would become uncertain too.

Thinking that their fate rests in my hands made my shoulders feel heavy.

But at the same time, it also felt reassuring.

Wendy, the descendant of the Hero and a candidate to become the next Hero. Helga, one of the strongest in the original story. Albert and his granddaughter Vanessa, master craftsmen even in this otherworld. Rian, the vampire currently training with Aslan. The Annihilation Maids, once William’s murderous dolls. And finally, Maible, Helga’s mother and a notorious pirate.

This is a combination you couldn’t find even in the original story or the online game episodes.

With these named characters now under my command, the Ruelberta Family is entering an unprecedented era of prosperity.

Are you watching, Tristan?

I didn’t turn out as hopeless as you.

I felt like boasting, but then I locked eyes with a woman sitting right in front of me.

Ah, right. You’re not a member of our family, but you’re here too.

Bella, the silver-haired princess with the most aloof expression in the world.

I was glad she was here.

As if to dispel the dark mood I’d created, her radiant presence shone brightly. Perhaps it’s because she’s a wielder of light magic. Even just sitting there in a dress, she made the surroundings feel lively.

As soon as our eyes met, Bella turned her head away sharply. Still sulking, huh?

In the original story, Bella played a significant role, and in the online game, she fought alongside the people of this world against the players.

Though she’s prickly and arrogant, her righteous nature means she’ll gladly lend me her strength.

And then…

My gaze naturally shifted to the cool beauty next to Bella, Blanshe.

A victim of the experiments conducted by the Ruelberta Family and a former assassin, Blanshe.

She’s nearly as strong as Helga.

Even though she once sought my life, she now spares no effort in cooperating with me.

“Huh…?!”

But perhaps because she takes after her master, she also turned her head away sharply when our eyes met.

Is she sulking like Bella?

It’s a bit unsettling, but I trust you’ll cooperate too.

“Meow.”

A long-whiskered calico cat was loitering at my feet.

Of course. The sage, Myohail, had appeared, pretending to be a cat, lured by the scent of sweet treats.

At some point, Myohail had settled into our family like a guest, living in the villa with Wendy’s family.

After accepting Wendy as his disciple, he treated her like his own granddaughter.

Even though he’s usually indifferent to worldly affairs, he’d undoubtedly step up if Wendy were in danger.

With the members I’ve mentioned so far, we could handle the northern expedition and even take on the players… or so I thought, but that’s still a stretch.

The players I’ve seen in this world are no pushovers.

To face those ruthless beings, we’ll need to mobilize not just our family but the entire world.

The northern expedition is part of my plan to move this world. To see that plan through, I must personally conclude the northern expedition.

Thinking that far ahead made my shoulders feel like they were weighed down by a thousand pounds.

The fate of this world rests in my hands, and the pressure is no joke.

Can I really do this?

If I fail…

If I can’t save these people again…

What should I do then…?

“Ahhh?!”

“Whoa?!”

A strong gust of wind blew in from somewhere.

For a brief moment, chaos erupted as people were startled by the sudden wind.

Maids ran to catch the flying tablecloth, a butler wiped up spilled water, and guards grabbed decorative pots that nearly toppled over.

The sudden commotion made everyone laugh as they looked at each other, like a scene from a movie.

“Count.”

It was Helga, who had been standing behind me the whole time.

“It’s alright. We’re here.”

She brushed a leaf off my shoulder as she spoke.

As if to say, leave it all to us.

As if she were the representative of the employees.

I thought I was good at hiding my emotions thanks to ‘Patience,’ but strangely, she sometimes reads my thoughts like this.

Though she’s usually a bit of a goof, she’s more than qualified to be my right-hand woman.

I smiled softly.

“Yeah… you’re right.”

I’ll definitely protect all of you.

I made that promise to myself.

*

After explaining the northern expedition, we fully enjoyed the tea party.

Though no alcohol was involved, the employees all seemed in high spirits. It must have been exciting for them to enjoy such a break in the mansion during the day.

I left them to enjoy the tea party among themselves and moved to another location.

About 200 meters away from the garden where the tea party was held, by a small lakeside.

The reason I came here was…

“Pick up your sword, Count.”

Bella, who had somehow changed into a training outfit, tossed a wooden sword at me.

It was sudden, but it seemed the time had come for us to train each other, as we’d promised.

“D-don’t overdo it, you two…”

“What’s there to overdo? The outcome is obvious.”

“Yes. Our lady will obviously win.”

“Do people often call you crazy, Blanshe?”

“I’m often called honest.”

“Hehe… want to bet on who’ll win? How much?”

“It’s vulgar to bet money on a sacred match.”

“You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared.”

“You are.”

“I said I’m not sca—”

“Yes, next scaredy-cat. Wendy, who are you betting on?”

“Eek?! M-me?! I… um…”

Helga, Blanshe, and even Wendy had followed.

They were one thing, but Myohail, the Annihilation Maids, and Maible had also quietly tagged along.

It’s not like high schoolers coming to watch a fight…

“What are you doing? Pick up your sword.”

“…Alright.”

At Bella’s urging, I picked up the wooden sword lying on the grass.

“I’ll show you who’s the rabbit and who’s the turtle.”

Bella, clearly eager to spar, had even tied her hair into a ponytail.

Her slightly exposed nape looked alluring.

“Bella, who’s the rabbit and who’s the turtle?”

“Obviously, I’m the rabbit, right? I’m clearly superior.”

“In that story, the turtle wins.”

“……What a sneaky turtle.”

“It’s not sneaky at all.”

“The turtle won by being sneaky. It’s obvious.”

Now branded as a sneaky turtle, I could only shrug.

“Come on, Count. You attack first. I’ll gladly take it.”

“Wait a moment. Helga.”

“Yes!”

Helga quickly came over and took my coat.

As I handed her my tie, I realized my hair had grown quite long. It was getting in the way.

‘Come to think of it, Tristan had long hair when he was young…’

Seeing Bella’s ponytail reminded me of Tristan during the trials.

I brushed my hair back, recalling that memory, and tied it up with a hair tie from my pocket.

“Ah…”

“Whoa…”

“……”

Suddenly, everyone around me gasped in unison.

The atmosphere felt strange.

Why is everyone staring at me like that?

Bella froze as if in shock.

She’s in no state to answer.

I had no choice but to glance at Helga for an explanation.

Is my tied-up hair that weird?

Her response was something else.

“Count… I think I just wet myself…”