Fareg Verminant was by no means a prominent historical figure.
He had inherited his house at a young age only to bear the heavy sin of betraying their motherland. For that, he had distributed his family’s entire fortune and the rights to their businesses to the citizens, reducing the Verminants to aristocrats in nothing but name. Even then, he continued earning money through manabeast extermination and donated all his earnings to the people and the surrounding small nations.
He was a person of character through and through, but alas, the sin of betrayal loomed like a large shadow over the Verminants’ history—a stain in their otherwise righteous background as Vegaltan knights. Because of this, Fareg Verminant’s philanthropic exploits were known only within the Verminant house. To Ariel, at least, he was a respectable ancestor of hers...or so she had believed until this moment, as she watched that very ancestor bicker and argue with a snickering countryside girl.
“Why, you wretched bumpkin! Not only did you call me here out of the blue, but now you’re even demanding my money?!” screamed the red-haired boy, Fareg Verminant.
“Oh dear, what’s the matter, Fareg?” Millis cooed. “Don’t you still owe me? Hmm? The son of House Verminant should at least have a bit of money to his name, no?”
“Of course I do—it’s called an allowance! For me, one person—not a whole tour group!”
“Hmm? Are you sure? Come on, jump for me—I’d better not hear any coins jingling in those pockets!” Millis grabbed the boy’s collar while cackling villainously.
“Aaargh, I knew it! I never should’ve gotten your help back then!” Fareg wailed, desperately shaking his head.
Ariel watched the scene play out with a strange sense of detachment. Perhaps, she thought to herself, that boy wasn’t actually her ancestor. Perhaps it was all a silly little joke—a prank, even.
“Wow. On closer inspection, you guys really do look alike, from your hair color to your eyes,” Raid mused, mercilessly striking down her meager hope.
Ariel hung her head. “Oh... Yes, you’re right... We do look alike...”
“So, what’re your thoughts after meeting your ancestor?”
“He is very...lively and spirited...!” she gritted out, realizing she had never struggled to choose her words as much as she did now.
Raid nodded. Then, he turned his head and called, “Hey, kid. Come here for a sec.”
“Ohh, Freeden! It’s good to see you back!” Fareg jogged over to them with a smile.
“What’s this? You done calling me a peasant?” Raid teased.
“Well, I’ve recently learned that it’s not good to call my teacher such names!”
“I really wish you’d learned that much earlier in your life...” Raid deadpanned.
Fareg cleared his throat. “So, why did you call for me? Could it be that you’ve already heard of my great exploit? While you were all gone, I contributed significantly to the subjugation of an ultra-sized manabeast. Are you going to praise me for that?!”
“Huh. First I’ve heard of it. Anyway, more importantly...”
“‘More importantly’?! Is my heroic episode truly of such little significance?!”
“More importantly,” Raid repeated, pointing beside him, “your descendant is here with us. Don’t you have a few words for her, as her venerable ancestor?”
“My...descendant?” Fareg’s dubious gaze followed Raid’s pointed finger and landed on Ariel. After no more than a short pause, he burst into a bright smile and placed his hand firmly on her shoulder. “Aha, I see—a descendant of the respectable House Verminant! Sir Dian told me that the First World is currently a thousand years ahead of our timeline, but it comes as no surprise that our outstanding lineage survives to this day. After all, it can’t be easy to snuff out the type of talent and excellence that birthed me!”
Raid chuckled. “High praise from your ancestor. Good on you, Ariel.”
“Please, Lord Raid, I can’t take any more—I feel like crying! Learning that my respectable ancestor was actually much like a certain...clown prince is too much for me!”
“What did you just call me, Ariel?!” Valtos snapped.
“Hang on! You speak as if I’m not a respectable man!” Fareg pointed out, indignant. “Shouldn’t a descendant be more reverent of her ancestor?!”
“Oh?” Valtos turned to him, eyebrow raised. “You’re quite the clever young man. Indeed, lineage is the most important of all! Naturally, I deserve the most respect, for I am born of imperial blood!”
“I have no idea who you are, but I strongly agree. My descendant should respect me!”
Ariel held her head in her hands and cried, “Nooo! Now there are two idiots...!” The sight of her ancestor and the former crown prince linking shoulders was giving her a headache—as well as an irresistible urge to punch them both.