“Ugh, you actually came.”
That was the first thing Zenita said as she opened the door.
“Thanks for the warm welcome.”
“Please make it quick and go back. It's a precious holiday.”
I smiled brightly at Zenita's words.
“Are you sure you can say that? Especially knowing what I'll be taking as the prize for our bet?”
“Ugh, w-well, this is our house. Do you think you can just take whatever you want in front of the entire Sandri family?”
“Oh? So you're not backing down from the bet?”
“W-well, it's not that, but something too expensive...”
Just then, someone appeared behind Zenita.
“Zenita, do we have a guest?”
The man Zenita called Father. I glanced at him for a moment.
While I was momentarily speechless, the man spoke first.
“I received your message. You said you were here for a home visit with Zenita. Please take good care of my daughter. I am Liberto di Sandri.”
“……I am Frondier de Roach. Miss Zenita is an exemplary student, so I have no need to worry.”
“That's good to hear. Come in.”
Saying that, the man entered the mansion. Zenita followed behind him, and I trailed after them.
They did. He resembled my father, Enfer.
At first, I really thought it was Enfer, their atmosphere was so similar. However, Liberto had a slightly gentler impression. Perhaps it was because his daughter, Zenita, was by his side, or maybe it was just his nature.
“Let's go to the dining room first. You haven't had lunch yet, have you?”
“No, I haven't. Thank you.”
I wasn't particularly hungry, but I hadn't eaten yet.
And I couldn't refuse a meal here. Besides, I wanted to learn more about the Sandri family.
When we arrived at the dining room, I sat in the seat I was shown to and looked around for a moment.
‘……It was grand from the outside, but the inside is even more impressive.’
From the paintings on the walls to the small fork in front of me, nothing seemed cheap. The paintings themselves were probably quite expensive, and as if not to be outdone, every inch of the room was lavishly decorated.
Even the servants moving about were incredibly neat and refined in their movements, indicating that they had received considerable training.
It was as if the entire mansion couldn't stand for a single spot to be anything less than extravagant. Every inch of the wallpaper, every corner of the window frame, was all ornately filled.
‘It doesn't suit the head of the family.’
Just based on his image, Liberto didn't seem like someone who enjoyed such extravagance. From what I could see here, his posture and movements were disciplined, and his physique and face showed signs of strict self-management.
If that was the case, was there a reason behind this lavishly decorated mansion? Some kind of intention behind it, rather than personal preference?
“I've heard a lot about you. You're the one who designed the three-dimensional map that's been the talk of the town lately, aren't you?”
Food was served, and Liberto was the first to speak.
“Yes, that's right. Thanks to the recognition I received for that design, I was able to enter Atlas.”
“A magic engineering designer as a teacher, that's unique. Many companies must have offered you better positions.”
When Liberto said that, I thought for a moment that he was suspicious of me, but judging by his expression, it seemed like a question purely out of interest.
I suppose even I would find it strange. Being a three-dimensional map designer and a teacher seemed rather unrelated.
“For me, those two things serve the same purpose. They're not that different.”
“Would you care to elaborate?”
I began to weaving a suitable lie.
It wasn't entirely untrue, though. Maybe 10% of it was based on real feelings.
“I created the three-dimensional map to save people.”
“Humanity is under threat from devils. Devils are cruel and just as intelligent as humans. I thought that in order to counter them, we needed a map that was accurate and could be instantly modified. It was the most urgent and important issue in the war.”
War. When I uttered the word, Liberto's expression changed. Even Zenita, who had been quiet beside him, made a subtle face.
“So, you're saying that teaching is for the same purpose?”
“Students are taught to fight for humanity's enemies someday. But they're ill-prepared. They undergo various training exercises and simulations, but they've never actually faced a real enemy.”
“Do you think a teacher can change that? The mindset of the students?”
“I can't guarantee it, but I have a bitter experience from my student days. I just hope other students don't have to go through the same thing.”
From living as a human sloth, to the conflicts with Indus and his gang, the fight with Renzo, the barrier of Tyburn and Yeranhes, and even the war with Manggot.
All of those were things that happened during my student days.
I couldn't possibly speak about them here and now, but I could confidently say that I had experienced more, and more terrible things, than any other student.
Liberto quietly stared into my eyes as I spoke, then said, “……If an ordinary twenty-year-old were to say such things, it would sound like nothing but boasting.”
He seemed convinced of something as he nodded.
“You really seem to have gone through something. You're different from others who are lost in peace.”
Honestly, I was a little surprised. I thought he would believe I was just spouting whatever came to mind.
In fact, until the war in the Terst Empire, my reputation hadn't easily changed, except among those who had seen what I could do. In Constel, I was known as the "human sloth," and to the outside world, I was just a "child who hasn't even reached adulthood."
Zenita suddenly spoke up.
“What's with this atmosphere? Let's just eat, Father.”
“Yes, you're right. Let's eat.”
Thanks to Zenita, the atmosphere lightened up, and we were able to enjoy our meal.
Of course, I preferred a comfortable atmosphere.
It made it easier to get to know each other and for the other person to open up.