Surprise, relief, mockery, indifference, all kinds of emotions flashed in his siblings' eyes.
It felt like all the attention Finlay hadn't gotten since birth was now directed at him.
'At the very least, my perpetual air cosplay is gone.'
His rank in their eyes rose from nothing to somewhere above it.
Finlay calmly picked up his glass, and closing his eyes, took a slow, measured sip from it.
He, never one for extroverts in his past world and after more than a week in this world in almost complete solitude, needed to calm down from this unfamiliar attention.
Throwing all the stares out of his mind, he remembered his purpose.
'If the secret Hope told me about was true, then I have to get into this Great Wasteland no matter what.'
Becoming the Family representative on this expedition was the easiest path.
Even though he didn't like the word 'Night', and the word 'Ever' he disliked even more, he had to do it.
Otherwise, someday, Eternal Night would be the only thing left in this world as the dark future he had witnessed.
Opening his eyes, Finlay skipped everyone else and met his eyes with His.
Was it because of his identity as a Demigod?
As soon as he did, goosebumps ran through Finlay's body, like the sight of a top predator.
If he had to describe it, it would be…
Terrifying.
Blue eyes like a merciless sky, a cold stare like the sharpest sword, devoid of any feeling or emotion.
In Finlay, on the contrary, waves of strong emotions that had been slumbering deep within him began to awaken, along with it affecting his will to resist his Father, suppressing it and causing him to want to lower his gaze and bow his head as usual.
Soon only one thought remained in his mind.
I can't stand up to him.
Clenching his fists until his nails dug into his skin, he cursed to himself, not giving in to that inevitable urge.
Still, as merciless as it was, compared to the grim and despair of the future, it was still bearable.
Eventually he endured his Father's gaze without backing down.
Did a look of surprise appear in his eyes?
Ruden was still in his seat, not taking his eyes off Finlay.
Finally, he answered him.
"Denied."
...His decision came even sooner than expected.
"But Father, you said one of us could go represent our family, didn't you? I only took advantage of that while the others hesitated."
Deciding to be bold, he pointed out the obvious gap in his previous words.
"Denied."
...Despite this, his answer didn't change.
However, Finlay's determination hadn't faded one bit either.
"I insist, Father."
"Denied."
Once again, the same short answer.
Just as Finlay was about to take a more serious approach, help came from an unexpected direction.
"Let him do it."
Normally no one dared speak to Father in such a manner, so Finlay could tell without looking who it was without looking.
"Remy, my daughter, you know better than anyone that your brother lacks the skills for this task."
"I'll be there too, so it won't be a big deal."
"It's not just about his personal safety. As one of us, he carries more than just his life. On his shoulders rests the responsibility for the honor of our Family."
"...Then, as the Esterra have always done, set a Trial for him and let him prove it himself."
Ruden shook his head slowly.
"You are wrong, my daughter. The Trial must be earned, too. Those who do not even reach this level are not entitled to it."
An equally calm, but not without firmness, reply followed from him. Of course, even he hadn't expected her next words, pausing for a moment.
"...please… Father."
And Finlay himself was the most surprised of all.
Though he didn't know the exact reason, Remy had always refrained from directly addressing Father, using 'That Man' all the time. And it wasn't like their sibling relationship was so close that she was breaking it for him.
Was it just selfless help since it went so far? Finlay didn't know.
But still, she was the only one who took his side, so he felt a kind of gratitude towards her.
Tap tap tap tap.
Perhaps the daughter's pleas were a forbidden technique even against the Demigods.
In thought, my Ruden's finger struck the surface of the table several times.
Finally, meeting Finlay's gaze, he made his final judgment.
***
Walking down the empty corridors of the manor, Finlay rubbed his face.
Scraps of the meeting that had just ended were still flashing through his mind.
"A duel with a Family Knight..."
This was quite troublesome.
The very fact that it wasn't a Apprentice Knight or even a Junior Knight, but a fully grown Knight was like jumping into the sky from his current position.
'Father really doesn't want me to go.'
"Hey, Finlay."
A man's silhouette appeared in the dimly lit hallway. Finlay recognized him quickly.
"Ravilon."
The eldest son of the Esterra and the first candidate to become the next Head of the Family.
"What's that bitch planning?"
Setting aside all propriety, he asked Finlay bluntly.
'Who did he mean by 'that bitch'? My little sister?'
It was really annoying.
Should he kill him right now?
'Oh, yeah. I can't.'
When logic brought him back on track, he just stared at him, not answering anything.
"Oh, come on, Finlay. I'm not an idiot like the others to believe it was your personal idea to nobly sacrifice yourself in this Wasteland. First you arrived hand in hand with her, then you confronted Father together... I am almost touched."
The smile disappeared from his face as he repeated his question.
"So what's she planning?"
Overtly emitting his aura, he pressed down on me.
"Whether it's the Head of the Family seat or anything else... she won't succeed while I'm here."
"Haaaa… you can think whatever you want, but I have no freaking idea what you're talking about."
Finlay had indeed, as far as he could remember, never made any arrangement with Remy. Even what had happened today had been a pure manifestation of her will.
As the pressure around him reached its peak, Ravilon suddenly put it away, smiling instead.
"Haha...I see. I got you, brother."
Laughing, he waved his hand as if to lighten the atmosphere before leaning over to him and whispering in his ear.
"The main thing to remember is, any time you want to sharpen your practical skills before going into the Wasteland, we can restart our friendly sparring sessions as before, with the goal of deepening your skills."
After saying that, he straightened up and walked away, keeping a creepy smile on his face.
Of course, Finlay didn't feel anything from it. He wasn't attracted to guys.
But the friendly sparring he mentioned...
Finlay did participate in them.
Of course, of the friendly stuff there was only: friendly one-sided beating, friendly punching bag beating, friendly honing of skills on a moving target… and so on.
Though he had to admit that Finlay's skill at withstanding blows and healing his wounds had actually gotten deeper, reaching a whole new level.
Of course, that didn't negate his desire to punch that asshole in the face. And then another time. And again, again until his whole face looked like one big, creepy smile.