In this world, the blood of most nobles that were proud of their ancestry and had been honoring and passing down their traditions for centuries was really no different from everyone else's.
It was often used merely as a reasonable excuse for superiority over the inferior rabble, which, in the eyes of most, were ordinary people.
But even here there were exceptions. There were special Families with unique bloodlines.
Those whose blood literally elevates them above all others: making them stronger, tougher and more resilient, turning their bodies into living weapons.
True Nobility.
That was the title of these Families. And among them, the Great House of Esterra was at the very top.
Living killing machines, one-man armies capable of turning entire battles. Those who were listed as 'Special Warfare Resources' and whose presence could decide the outcome of a war.
Or as they were nicknamed by the common folk, Blood of the Demigods.
***
As soon as they reached the Main Dining Hall of the Family, Remy opened the door wide without hesitation, entering with him.
In that brief instant, all eyes of those present fell on them.
Well, on Remy, to be exact. No one paid any attention to Finlay.
'Looks like I'm cosplaying air again today.'
It was something very familiar to Finlay's past, so he didn't even waggle an eyebrow.
In the hall, at a long obsidian wood table, devoid of any decoration, sat his siblings who had come before him.
They had similar features in their appearance – fair hair and blue eyes – the hallmarks of the Esterra blood flowing through their veins.
Finlay looked around at them, starting at the seat farthest from the head of the table.
Rhea, the youngest daughter of the Family.
Rudyard, the youngest son of the Family.
Raymond, the fourth son of the Family.
Russell, the third son of the Family.
Ravilon, the eldest son of the Family.
And finally, at the head of the table,
Ruden Esterra, Head of the Great House of Esterra and the strongest Demigod of this Era... and also my Father.
With white hair and eyes the color of clear sky, he sat at the head of the table, emitting a calm aura.
With his looks just over 20, while he was around his older sons, it was easy to confuse which one was the parent and which one was the child.
Ravilon, the eldest son, who sat closest to Father and looked faded at best in his presence, reprimanded Remy as soon as she entered.
"You're late. Even if I don't mind your antics... you still have to consider that the Head of the Family is here and not waste his time, my dear sister."
"Then you shouldn't waste it even more with your words, Ravilon."
Remy walked over and took the empty seat, completely ignoring his further reaction.
'She's definitely got balls.'
Grinning to himself, Finlay walked through as well, taking a seat to her left.
From that moment on, as if a curtain had closed, a tense atmosphere hung in the dining hall.
Despite the hot dishes on the table and the appetizing smell around them, none of them touched them.
Considering how long it had been since all the direct Heirs had gathered in one place, it was no surprise. And to be honest, aside from Family Dinners, a rare event that required everyone's presence, they didn't have many occasions to see each other.
Under the soothing light of the candles, a cold silence hung between them like a sharp blade. And of course neither of them wanted to be the one to interrupt it.
Tap tap tap.
In that silence, the quiet sound of a finger hitting the surface of the table echoed clearly in everyone's ears. As if on cue, all attention fell to the head of the table where their Father sat.
"A messenger from the Imperial Family arrived yesterday."
As always, Ruden got straight to the point.
"A new Wasteland has opened up in the South of the Empire near the Elven capital. And yesterday, it was confirmed to be the Great Wasteland."
If the first words had caused a spark of expectation and anticipation in them, this only made their faces darken.
"The Great Wasteland...? Father, are they sure of that?"
"Over 37 years... huh... That hasn't happened since the Era of the last Hero, has it?"
"Father, what does the Oracle say about this?"
Some were hesitant, some were quick to accept it, and some wanted more information.
One by one, the direct descendants voiced their opinions before Ruden's calm voice carried through the hall once more.
"Yes, this is the first Great Wasteland in the last 37 years personally confirmed by the Imperial Family. There was no significant information in the Oracle about this Great Wasteland, only two words, 'Night' and 'Ever'."
His words echoed in everyone's ears, completely changing the air around them.
If this was indeed the Great Wasteland, then it was an event that would affect all Noble Houses, without exception.
And of course, the Esterra were among them, too.
Moments later, their concerns were confirmed.
"Due to this, the Emperor has issued a decree to assemble an Expedition to conquer the Great Wasteland and for each Family to send their support under their banner. One of you must go there to represent our Family."
Despite the warm lights and the many delicious dishes on the table, a somber atmosphere engulfed the room.
In normal times, it would have been fine for any of them to participate in the Expedition and further establish the power of their Family in the hearts of others, but now was too wrong a time for that.
The multitude of swords hanging on the walls now gave off an even more eerie gleam, and the fluttering candles cast shadows on their faces.
In that heavy silence, full of unpleasant forebodings, when no one could say anything.
'Yum, yum, yummy.'
...Only one person felt none of these things.
Chewing with great gusto on a leg of roast meat, Finlay couldn't have been more pleased.
After over a week of starvation and hardship in the dystopian future of this world, even though he had traveled back in time and his body was now satiated and healthy, his mental hunger had gone nowhere.
And now it has reached its peak.
Of course, the manners and etiquette enshrined in his very bones prevented him from doing so like a rude, hungry barbarian.
He cut his steak slowly and gracefully, with all the manners befitting a nobleman, taking his time to savor its flavor.
'Whoa, that's amazing.'
Finishing his portion of roasted meat he couldn't help but exclaim in his heart.
The meat was well done and the crispy vegetables and sauce made it even more delicious, almost divine.
The bad memories, the stress, the residual regrets of not getting to eat that monstrous Hog he'd been hunting for so long, all of it was slowly dissolving into him with each bite into that juicy meat.
'Is that what it means to belong to one of the noblest Families in the world? I fear I may become addicted to it.'
Finlay took another look at the amazing food in front of him.
Even if others weren't paying attention to it, how could he let these beautiful dishes go to waste?
That would be the greatest sin of all.
'...By the way, my little sister isn't going to eat that, is she?
His gaze fell to the uneaten dishes in front of Remy, and then to her cold face, devoid of any appetite, before he began to slowly eat her portion as well...
While Finlay was enjoying his first normal meal in this world, someone broke the tense silence in the hall.
"By the way, where's Raherion?"
Indeed, one of the seats at the table was empty, devoid of the presence of its owner.
"Raherion is still on the Pilgrimage and cannot be here. But given that sister Remy has also returned, he should be here within the next couple days."
Soon Ravilon, in a father-like manner, explained in a calm voice.
"Tsk, that freak."
"Now that you've reminded me, isn't Remy going to be part of this Expedition into the Great Wasteland as part of the Special Assignment Squad?"
As soon as he said that, all eyes shifted to her, gauging her reaction. However, the answer came from the other side.
"She will. But only as part of the Special Assignment Squad, so she cannot represent our Family. And even if she could, she alone won't be enough for the task."
The words of the Head of the Family once again confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
Nobody else said another word, but they all shared similar thoughts, silently shifting their gazes from each other.
Not one of them thought of refusing or not going, for from the moment their Father said it, it was already carved in stone.
"I'll go."
Finishing his little sister's portion of meat, Finlay announced his desire.
And for the first time since he entered, all eyes focused on him.