Volume 6 Chapter 44 Sometimes What Others Say Resonates More Than What Family Says
Randy and his companions, having submerged the teleportation gate at the bottom of the Great River, enjoyed their long-awaited visit to his family home.
They planned to teleport to the capital of Braubelg the following day and were currently meeting with Clarice.
"Elder Brother! Why are you wearing training clothes again?"
"What's wrong with that? They are comfortable to move in."
Clarice puffed her cheeks in annoyance at Randy's shrug and said, "Please act more appropriately."
"Mother and Father should say something! This is an embarrassment for Victor!"
Both Alan and Grace were smiling wryly at Clarice's outburst.
This was because, having shown up in that outfit once, there was no need to cover it up anymore.
Instead, they gently pointed out that Clarice was overdoing it, but she firmly believed this level of effort was only natural and refused to listen.
"Seriously? What's normal about that flashy outfit? Are you trying to be a pop star?"
Randy furrowed his brow and lightly flicked Clarice's overly elaborate dress, commenting, "No, it looks more like a Western-style pop star, right?"
"Please stop! That makes no sense at all!"
Clarice was fuming and completely worked up.
She insisted that she was dressing to impress Madame, but to anyone else, it appeared as nothing more than a flashy display of her abilities.
(It's probably the pressure of having to stand alongside her ideals...)
Randy glanced at Liz and his parents, but all 3 only silently shook their heads.
It seemed that Liz had gently suggested that it was fine for her to wear her usual outfit, but the excited Clarice was not inclined to hear it.
(Even if she's mature for a 12-year-old, she is still a child...)
Still, Randy shot a disapproving glance at his parents, silently urging them to intervene.
Alan only responded with a wry smile, saying, "You remember what that was like, right?"
Indeed, having been reborn in this world and having done some cringeworthy things in his youth, he had nothing to counter that statement.
(Necessary experiences, I guess...)
This experience today might become a good memory after all.
With that thought, Randy let out a small sigh.
"Shall we go soon?"
"I'm so nervous, Elder Brother."
"Haven't you already met once?"
To Randy, who tilted his head in confusion, it was merely a meeting driven by admiration the first time, but now it was a greeting towards someone who would become both a business partner and a mentor.
Clarice was quickly rambling about how abnormal that was.
It was understandable.
The notion of "legend" was far too grand for a young girl from the countryside.
As a result, Randy's expectations were met with this Lady Gaga-style attire, which made it difficult for him to laugh about.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. No matter what happens, we will always be just ourselves."
At the abstract encouragement, Clarice pouted and said, "I don't understand what you mean."
Randy also pondered how to convey that, but he felt that no matter how much he expressed himself now, it probably wouldn't get through to her.
"You will understand eventually. When that time comes, you can bury your face in your pillow and remember today."
With a laugh, Randy bid farewell to his parents and asked Liz, who had been watching them, to use teleportation.
The place Randy and Clarice arrived at was the Marquis family mansion, or rather, a castle, in Heisenberg.
The atmosphere was still overwhelming in just the hall, but having grown somewhat accustomed, Randy felt a little more comfortable this time.
"Once we can analyze that teleportation gate, let's connect to Braubelg as well."
Randy, smiling happily, pointed to a corner of the massive hall, saying, "That weird object looks pretty nice."
"That's great. If we can do that, my parents would be able to visit easily,"
Liz said, smiling happily, but Clarice, hearing this, seemed a bit tense.
"Your Excellency and the others, in that small house?"
Clarice murmured, her face slightly pale, shivering at the thought of it.
Even if they were the parents of someone she admired as an older sister, they were the masters of this gigantic castle.
She likely felt that inviting them to her small family home would be highly inappropriate.
In addition to being a legendary designer, they came from noble origins in the kingdom.
Indeed, it seemed almost mismatched when compared to the modest appearance of Victor's residence.
"Elder Brother, we really need to make our house a bit more splendid."
In Clarice's eyes, filled with determination, Randy shook his head in refusal.
"No way?"
"And why not?" she pressed.
"Because there's no point in making it bigger."
At almost the same moment that Randy let out a sigh, Sebas, the steward of Braubelg, appeared silently.
Though Clarice looked unconvinced, she understood that it was not the right time to quarrel with her brother.
Reluctantly stepping back, Clarice received a gentle smile from Sebas.
"I have heard from my master that Victor's mansion was 'wonderful in a way that only Victor can achieve.'"
Suddenly smiling, Sebas prompted a response from Clarice, who bowed her head and said, "Oh, thank you."
"This way──"
Similar to before, the group, guided by Sebas, moved through the mansion, but this time it seemed they were going directly to meet the Madames, so the route differed from the last visit.
"Due to its nature, Braubelg often has opportunities to entertain guests from across the sea."
As Sebas spoke while walking, it was evident just from the imported items that decorated the corridor that the Marquis Braubelg family engaged in trade with various regions.
"Since there are chances to host people from different customs and cultures, we inevitably end up with many rooms for specific purposes."
Sebas turned back and, saying "for example," opened the large door visible at the end of the corridor.
"What's this... the smell of grass..."
"No way..."
It was no wonder Randy felt a surge of excitement.
"This is tatami, right?"
"As expected of Sir Randolph. You know your stuff."
Like Sebas, Liz was also unable to hide her surprise.
"Randy, you really know this?"
"Well, just a bit."
Looking at the tatami with envy, Sebas informed Randy that this was a traditional floor from a small island country named Homura to the east, where they had finally managed to establish a shipping route over the past 6 months.
This was indeed a new achievement from Lucian and the others, which even Liz was unaware of.
(Amazing. I knew it had to be there, but...)
As someone who used to be Japanese, the existence of a country that resembled Japan brought immense joy.
"Speaking of which, it seems my master sent some items from Homura to Sir Alan..."
"Huh? Is that true?"
Surprised, Randy glanced at Clarice, but she merely shook her head in silence.
(That jerk... It must be alcohol. He definitely plans to keep it all to himself.)
He decided he would definitely report it to Grace once he got home.
Or maybe he would use it as an excuse to have a sip of sake...
Just as Randy resolved such thoughts, Sebas began to guide them toward their destination, saying, "Now, let's go."
"Another reason why the Braubelg mansion is so large is to put business partners at ease."
After all, the size of a mansion is an easy way to show off one's wealth. Inviting potential partners to such an expansive estate lets them see just how successful the family is, which makes them more comfortable doing business.
"That said," Sebas continued with a faint smile, "the master often complains that the house is so big, it makes it hard to stay close to his family."
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