TCAJTWTPOTA 33

Chapter – 33 

In the Name of Vargas

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—The mountain ridgeline was coming into view.
Jagged rock faces, hard and sharp like forged steel. Flags whipped violently in the strong winds above them.
Below, the jeweled city of Luminaria spread out like a glittering tapestry.

We were headed to Leon’s family estate.
When we asked for further upgrades to the Panzer, the craftsmen told us we needed permission from House Vargas.

“Hey, Sky… are we seriously doing this?”

Leon’s voice over the comm sounded calm—but tight, restrained.

“We don’t have a choice. If we want the Panzer upgraded, we need their approval.”

“…Yeah, I know. But still…”

Even the way his Panzer flew beside me seemed stiff.
It was like his piloting was giving away exactly how he felt inside.

(Even if he learned he was never actually “unwanted,” a lifetime of insecurity doesn’t just disappear overnight.)

In truth, Leon never had the achievements his two older brothers did.
That question he muttered back in the workshop—“Why me?”
Maybe the answer lay somewhere up ahead.

“Whew… this is kinda nerve-wracking.”

From the navigation seat, Mile exhaled anxiously.

“Leon’s parents… are they strict?”

“Well, they are a warrior family. Odds are pretty high, right?”

“Bet they’ve got huge bushy beards! No way I’m wrong!”

Nocti threw out a prediction with absolute confidence and zero evidence.

“They do have beards, though!”

Leon muttered back with a wry smile.
Nocti puffed out his chest triumphantly. “Told ya!”

While our silly conversation continued, the Vargas family’s private docking yard came into view.
More than ten airships were lined up in precise formation, uniformed personnel moving briskly around them.
At the top of the control tower, a golden lion banner snapped loudly in the wind.

“Young master!? Welcome home!”

The moment we landed, a butler-like man rushed forward and bowed deeply.

“Young master!?”

“Hah—‘young master,’ he says!”

(Nocti was practically rolling on the ground laughing. And honestly, I was barely holding it together myself…)

“Come on… I told you not to call me that.”

Leon dismounted and asked plainly:

“Is the old man in?”

“Yes. He is in his office in the main residence.”

“Got it. And these three and the critter are my classmates.”

“My, my… so they are the young master’s esteemed school companions. Thank you for looking after Master Leon.”

“Oh—no, he’s the one who helps us, really.”

We followed the butler toward Leon’s family home.

“So this is where Leon lives…”
“It’s huge!”

Mile and I were honestly impressed.

“As expected of House Vargas… truly a residence of status.”

Ayana observed with that refined eye of hers—definitely different from our perspectives.

“It’s just old,” Leon replied curtly.

We crossed a wide courtyard. Manicured trees, fountains, stone paths.
When the heavy doors opened, the interior radiated a stern, martial atmosphere befitting a warrior lineage.

Past the main hall, we reached the office door.

“Right this way,” the butler said, then knocked.

“Enter.”

A low, commanding voice answered.

Inside sat a massive man behind a desk—broad-chested, sharp-eyed, and sporting the impressive beard Leon had mentioned.
His very presence made me hold my breath for a moment.
Beside him stood a refined woman wearing a graceful smile—Leon’s mother, no doubt.

“…Old man.”

Leon stepped forward.

“I have told you countless times—call me Father when others are present.”

His father’s low voice filled the room, his brow furrowing deeply.

“But very well. It has been some time, Leon.”

Each word he spoke carried weight, like a spear cutting through the air.

“You left saying you would attend the Academy instead of the military… and now you return with companions at your side.”

Leon’s mother spoke with a gentle tone:

“Welcome to the House of Vargas. You must be Leon’s friends.”

Her smile was soft, yet her eyes were sharp—enough to make me straighten my posture instinctively.

“Y-yes. I’m Sky. This is Mile, Ayana, and Nocti.”

I introduced us without thinking—my voice may have cracked just a bit.

“…We’ve come today because we have a request.”

Leon’s voice was low, stiff. His usual laid-back tone was nowhere to be found.

The head of the family examined each of us with piercing eyes, like he was appraising prey.
I held my breath.

“And this request is… what?”

Leon clenched his fist and stepped forward.

“We’ve come to receive permission to upgrade the Panzer.”

His voice carried clear determination.

“To… upgrade the Panzer.”
A sharp glint flashed in the patriarch’s eyes.

“Then show me your strength. You should already know what the Panzer represents—‘Grai’ must have told you.”

His gaze flicked briefly to the master artisan badge on my chest.

“Yes… he did. Um, Father—”

“There is no need. You wish to know why the Panzer was entrusted to you, do you not?”

“…Yes.”

Leon’s eyes held a mixture of fear and hope.

“I will not tell you now. But when you complete the trial, I shall grant both the permission you seek… and the answer you desire.”

“…Understood.”

Leon answered with a complicated expression—disappointment and relief blended together.

His father exhaled silently, then continued:

“As for the trial—surely you saw the airships assembled in the yard?”

“Yes. Did something happen?”

“Abyssal beasts have appeared nearby and are threatening a village. I had planned to lead the operation myself, but…”

He fixed Leon with an unwavering stare.

“I have changed my mind. This time—you will command the squad.”

“Wha—!? Me!?”

“Yes. Lead the troops and slay the beasts.”

His father’s words hit like a hammer.
Leon lowered his gaze, fists trembling—then slowly looked up and met his father’s eyes head-on.

“…Understood. I will accomplish it. Without fail.”

There was no hesitation in his voice.
Even with years of insecurity and doubt still weighing on him—he was choosing to move forward.

—This was a battle for Leon to claim his own answer.