Chapter 29

・Summary of Characters So Far

Protagonist: Mentally unstable

Heroine: Mentally unstable

Companions: Mentally unstable

Final Boss: Mentally unstable

That's all!

『――f, you've got to be kidding me……!』

『What the hell is thisssss!』

『Grrrrrrrrr!』

That night, the local nobles supervised by Duke Hoehnheim all groaned in unison in their respective mansions. What was frustrating them was a sudden invitation that had arrived. It read:

“From this day forth, one month later, I will hold a party at my proud castle. All those who wish for the peace of this country, gather under the hero Rize Beibaron!”—and so on.

…The nobles thought, “Who does he think he is!?” They had heard the rumor that a man named Rize Beibaron had slain a dragon and saved the Jango territory, but they didn't want to be invited to a party by a lowly baron. Moreover, the nobles were unanimous in their belief that Rize didn't even own a castle and was lying. Only someone who was deliberately provoking them or a child who hadn't thought it through would send out such a ridiculous invitation. The nobles were certain it was the former.

They wanted to tear it up in a fit of rage, but since it was sent jointly by Duke Hoehnheim, they couldn't do that. After much deliberation, the nobles, their pens trembling with anger, wrote a reply:

“To our esteemed hero. Unfortunately, I and my eldest son are not in good health, so we will send our youngest child to the party. With your unworthy glory, please educate my foolish son.”

…It was a text filled with sarcasm. Though they hadn't coordinated, almost all the invited guests gave similar responses.

Since they couldn't refuse the invitation but didn't want to meet him, this was the only way. They would have their youngest child entertain the self-proclaimed hero. Moreover, if the worst happened and the evil people of the Beibaron territory, known for its poor conditions, attacked and injured them on the way to the party, it wouldn't be a problem if it was the youngest child. They wouldn't even mind if he died.

This was because, in the case of children of mages, the closer they were to the firstborn, the more magical power and talent they inherited.

When choosing the heir to the family, magical talent was more important than birth order. Occasionally, a second son might surpass the firstborn in talent, but it was absolutely impossible for a third son or lower to surpass the firstborn.

Furthermore, if the firstborn had an accident, the second son could serve as a backup, but any children after that were unnecessary. If, by chance, one of them ran away and had children with a common woman, creating a "mage commoner," it would be disastrous. It would affect the noble system of control over the common people through magical power.

Therefore, children beyond the third were often kept in a state of house arrest and allowed to live out their lives in a state of neglect. Even if they were from a wealthy royal family, they were often treated as parasites and abused.

『Hehehe… It's his first time going to a party. He'll be happy, I'm sure.』

『I should send a skilled knight with him just in case. It would be troublesome if he ran away during the journey… If that happens, I'll have the knight take care of him.』

『He was an accidental child, but he can be useful sometimes.』

The heads of the households, satisfied that the problem was solved, smiled to themselves in their respective mansions. They had no sympathy for the youngest children who were being sent to the worst territory.

This was the typical way of life for nobles in a country ruled by a mad king.

—Thus, one month later, the heads of the households forcibly sent their sobbing youngest children to Rize Beibaron.

However, they didn't know… They thought the Beibaron territory was just a desolate land, but it was now the base of the "Demiurgos Sect," a group of extremely radical and dangerous terrorists led by a mentally unstable woman. And Rize, the man in question, didn't care at all and had completely let them do as they pleased!

What would happen when they sent their neglected children there—later, the heads of the households would learn this the hard way…

I apologize for the delay in posting; I was working hard on the setting materials while crying. Perhaps I can make an even more outrageous announcement in the future…!

I look forward to your evaluations and feedback!