Last Gun Alchemist

The maid of House Miles carefully placed the small chocolate bars onto a short white ceramic plate decorated with elegant blue patterns that intertwined with delicate pink flowers around the edges.

After making sure everything was neatly arranged, she carried the plate with both hands and gracefully walked back toward Lucy.

She stopped before her and lowered the plate slightly.

Lucy politely bowed before accepting it with both hands.

”Thank you.”

She smiled softly.

The maid returned the smile with a respectful nod before quietly stepping back to her original position among the other servants.

Lucy picked up one of the chocolate bars.

She slowly took a small bite, allowing the sweetness to gradually melt inside her mouth instead of hurriedly swallowing it.

The rich taste spread across her tongue.

Almost unconsciously...

Her free hand rose and gently rested against her cheek.

A satisfied smile slowly appeared on her face as she quietly enjoyed the snack.

This is really good...

She thought happily.

Not long afterward...

The male servant who had earlier informed Gena of her parents’ arrival returned to the waiting room.

His footsteps were calm and measured.

He stopped before Ezra and Blake before giving both young nobles a respectful bow.

”Sir Ezra. Sir Blake.”

He raised his head slightly.

”The Lord requests your presence.”

Blake immediately smiled.

He looked toward Ezra almost instinctively.

Ezra remained as expressionless as ever.

Without asking any unnecessary questions...

He simply stood up.

”Okay.”

He replied in his usual calm, flat tone.

He lightly adjusted the black gloves covering his hands before walking toward the exit of the waiting room.

Lucy looked down at the plate still resting comfortably in her hands.

There were still several chocolate bars left.

Her eyes lingered on them for a brief moment.

”...Ahh.”

She let out a reluctant sigh.

Leaving such delicious snacks behind honestly felt painful.

Without caring much about proper table manners anymore...

She quickly scooped as many chocolate bars as she could comfortably hold into one hand.

Only then did she hurriedly follow after her Master.

Blake smiled helplessly after seeing her actions.

Gwen quietly shook her head with a faint smile.

The four quietly followed behind the servant.

As they walked through the estate...

The peaceful atmosphere surrounding House Miles became even more apparent.

Rather than leading them toward the main mansion...

The servant guided them deeper into the beautifully maintained gardens.

The stone pathway gently curved between colorful flower beds and carefully trimmed hedges.

The refreshing scent of blooming flowers drifted through the cool afternoon breeze.

Birds quietly chirped among the nearby trees.

The entire place carried an atmosphere of calm dignity rather than overwhelming luxury.

Eventually...

They arrived before one of the estate’s large garden pavilions.

It was an elegant open-air resting place where nobles often gathered to drink tea, discuss family matters, or simply enjoy the fresh air while overlooking the gardens surrounding the mansion.

The pavilion itself had been beautifully constructed.

Thin yet sturdy metallic pillars supported the softly curved roof overhead.

Around those pillars...

Flowering vines naturally climbed upward, wrapping themselves around the polished metal.

Small blossoms gently swayed whenever the breeze passed through.

Sunlight filtered between the flowers, creating moving patches of light across the polished wooden floor.

Seated comfortably inside the pavilion...

Were Baron Miles and his wife.

The couple sat opposite one another with warm smiles on their faces.

Between them...

Gena energetically continued speaking without pause.

Both parents simply listened while smiling helplessly at their daughter’s excitement.

”...And then Ezra just looked at them like this.”

She imitated Ezra’s usual blank expression.

”It was so funny!”

Baroness Miles couldn’t help laughing softly.

”My Lord.”

The servant respectfully bowed once again after arriving.

”Our guests have arrived.”

Baron Miles gently waved one hand.

”Very well.”

The servant bowed once more before quietly excusing himself.

Ezra and Blake immediately stepped forward together.

”Greetings, Baron Miles. Greetings, Baroness Miles.”

The two young nobles politely bowed in perfect etiquette.

Behind them...

Lucy and Gwen also performed the proper maid’s bow.

”Young Blake of House Wellston.”

Baron Miles smiled calmly.

His voice carried the steady confidence expected from the head of one of Velcryon’s strongest Baron Houses.

”You are welcome within my household.”

He inclined his head slightly.

”I hope your father and mother are doing well.”

Blake immediately straightened himself.

”Yes, Baron.”

He answered politely.

”Although the debt has truly placed a heavy burden upon our family...Father continues working tirelessly to resolve the matter.”

His expression remained composed.

There wasn’t even a trace of panic upon his face.

Compared to the cheerful Blake Ezra and Lucy usually saw...

The young man standing before Baron Miles now truly resembled the heir of a noble house.

Lucy quietly noticed the difference.

So this is how Blake normally behaves around other elderly nobles...

She thought.

Baron Miles nodded approvingly.

”That’s good.”

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

”We’re all enduring difficult times after this unfortunate incident.”

He spoke reassuringly.

”But... We will overcome it.”

His calm confidence naturally eased the atmosphere.

”Thank you.”

Blake bowed once again.

Only after that...

Did Baroness Miles shift her attention toward Ezra.

She had been quietly observing him from the moment he entered.

A faint amused smile rested upon her elegant face.

”So...”

She finally spoke.

”You must be one of Ash’s newest rising stars.”

Her eyes carefully examined him.

”The young boy who ranked Sixth in the Trial of Steel... the creator of the Phantom Rolls... and also the little partner responsible for those two new firearms House Ashenlocke plans to release two months from now.”

She elegantly adjusted her posture while maintaining her gentle smile.

Ezra politely bowed.

”I am honored, Baroness.”

His answer remained as flat as always.

”Ha... ha... ha...”

Baroness Miles lightly covered her lips while laughing.

”My daughter wasn’t exaggerating at all.”

She looked toward Gena before turning back toward Ezra.

”You really do speak in an unbelievably flat tone. And...”

Baron Miles chuckled.

”...those eyes of yours really do resemble a dead fish.”

Lucy blinked.

She secretly looked toward Ezra.

Blake and Gwen both awkwardly smiled.

Neither of them knew whether laughing would be appropriate.

”Mum... Dad...”

Gena frowned immediately.

She lightly grabbed her mother’s arm.

”Stop teasing him.”

She protested.

Unfortunately...

Her words only caused both parents to laugh even harder.

The funniest part wasn’t even the joke itself.

It was Ezra.

Despite being teased directly...

His expression never changed in the slightest.

It was almost as though he hadn’t even realized they were joking about him, even though he did know.

That blank face remained exactly the same.

Baroness Miles gently shook her head.

”If my daughter hadn’t spent so much time explaining your personality to me...”

She smiled honestly.

”I probably would’ve mistaken you for a spoiled young noble.”

Ezra calmly nodded.

”That would be a reasonable assumption, Baroness.”

His answer remained perfectly polite.

At the same time...

Perfectly flat.

That only made Baron Miles laugh again.

”Please.”

He gestured toward the prepared chairs.

”Take your seats.”

The nearby maids had already arranged comfortable chairs before the tea table in anticipation of their arrival.

Ezra and Blake nodded once.

Without unnecessary ceremony...

They quietly sat down.

Behind them...

Lucy and Gwen naturally moved into position behind their respective masters.

The moment everyone settled...

Baron Miles looked directly at Ezra.

His expression gradually became much more serious.

”Ezra Ashenlocke...”

His voice carried obvious sincerity.

”I truly wish to thank you for taking care of my daughter.”

Before Ezra could answer...

Baroness Miles gently rested one hand against her cheek.

”Honestly...”

She sighed softly.

”I was terrified.”

She looked toward Gena with motherly affection.

”Our daughter is still such a baby.”

”Mother!”

Gena’s face immediately turned bright red.

She almost jumped from her chair.

The embarrassment spread all the way to her ears.

Baroness Miles simply smiled.

Ignoring her daughter’s protests...

She continued speaking.

”I kept imagining what would happen after she entered the Trial.”

She lowered her eyes.

”Thinking about her fighting children from Highline and Mainline families... children who had already received formal combat training from birth...”

Her fingers unconsciously tightened.

”I was terrified.”

She honestly admitted.

”It frightened me more than I can describe.”

Then...

A warm smile slowly returned to her face.

”But... Our daughter came back.”

She looked proudly toward Gena.

”She truly survived. And... She returned home much stronger than when she left.”

Baron Miles quietly smiled as well.

The gentle pride reflected in both parents’ eyes naturally warmed the atmosphere beneath the flower-covered pavilion.

Gena slowly turned her face away.

She quickly raised one arm to cover her eyes.

”...Crying?”

Her mother immediately teased.

”No way.”

Gena answered almost too quickly.

She stubbornly kept her face hidden.

”I... I just got something in my eye.”

Lucy...

Blake...

And Gwen...

Watching the interaction between the three family members...

Couldn’t help smiling.

The warmth surrounding House Miles naturally reached everyone present.

They really are close...

The three quietly shared the same thought.

Ezra remained exactly as he always was.

He simply watched everything silently.

Without interrupting.

Without commenting.

His blank eyes quietly observed the peaceful family before him while allowing them to enjoy the moment together.

”I was honestly shocked by how much she had matured after returning from the Trial.”

The Baroness continued speaking, her gentle voice carrying the lingering emotions she had held inside for months.

She looked at Gena with eyes filled with both relief and pride.

”Before she left...”

She smiled bitterly.

”I had already begun preparing myself for the worst.”

Her fingers slowly tightened around the teacup resting before her.

”I even started asking around Britannia for the best hospitals.”

She lowered her gaze for a brief moment.

”Not because I thought she would lose an arm or a leg...”

She let out a quiet sigh.

”I was more afraid she might lose her sanity.”

The words came out much softer than before.

As a mother...

That had been the fear she carried every single day while Gena participated in the Trial of Steel.

She remembered countless sleepless nights.

Every morning...

Every afternoon...

Every evening...

She wondered if the next piece of news arriving at House Miles would announce her daughter’s death.

Or perhaps...

Something even crueler.

A daughter who had survived...

But no longer recognized her own parents.

Many children returned from the Trial physically alive.

Yet...

Not all of them truly returned.

Some became empty.

Some refused to speak.

Some broke down whenever they heard the sound of gunfire.

Others could no longer distinguish dreams from reality.

She had heard too many such stories.

That was not disclosed out loud, In all the rosey talk of glory and raising of the family.

Those who had suffered were never mentioned more than required.

That was why...

Every passing day had become torture for her.

The Baroness slowly exhaled.

”But...”

A warm smile gradually returned to her face.

”She survived.”

Her eyes once again rested upon Gena.

”And she came back... not only alive... but as a far more mature Gun Alchemist.”

Her voice carried unmistakable pride.

The frightened little girl who had once clung to her dress before entering the Trial...

Had returned standing straighter than ever before.

She smiled more confidently.

She spoke more thoughtfully.

She no longer acted only on impulse.

The changes were obvious to everyone within House Miles.

The Baroness slowly turned toward Ezra.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of noble pride in her eyes anymore.

Only gratitude.

”Thank you.”

She spoke sincerely.

”Thank you... for taking care of my only daughter.”

She gently bowed her head.

Beside her...

Baron Miles quietly followed.

He also lowered his head toward Ezra.

The pavilion instantly became silent.

Lucy’s eyes widened.

Blake froze.

Even Gwen couldn’t hide the surprise on her face.

The three unconsciously exchanged glances.

A Baron...

And the Baroness...

Actually bowed...

To someone younger than them?

Even among noble society...

Such a sight was almost unheard of.

Their gratitude had completely surpassed questions of age and status.

Although... Lucy recollected the Baron Wellston had done the same too.

Ezra remained calm.

He naturally stood from his seat.

Then...

He politely returned the bow.

”Your daughter also helped me greatly.”

His answer remained as plain as ever.

”It wasn’t something I accomplished alone.”

His voice carried neither arrogance nor false modesty.

He simply stated what he believed to be the truth.

Gena slowly lowered the arm covering her face.

Her eyes had already become slightly red.

She had spent the past few moments desperately trying not to cry in front of everyone.

Looking at her parents...

Then at Ezra...

A bright smile slowly appeared.

She opened her mouth.

”Th-”

Before she could finish...

”This...”

An elderly woman’s mocking voice drifted across the peaceful garden.

”...is honestly hilarious.”

The elegant atmosphere beneath the pavilion instantly cracked.

”...On a rather disappointing level, Miles.”

The mocking tone echoed clearly along the stone pathway leading toward the pavilion.

Every pair of eyes immediately shifted toward the entrance.

Baron Miles’ expression hardened.

The Baroness turned so sharply that the chair beneath her produced a faint scraping sound.

”What are you doing here...”

Her eyes instantly filled with anger.

”...Terenza Orvain?!”

Her voice echoed throughout the garden.

Standing at the entrance of the pathway...

Was an elderly noblewoman dressed in an expensive crimson gown embroidered with intricate golden patterns.

A beautifully crafted designer folding fan partially concealed the lower half of her face.

Only her cold eyes remained visible.

Those eyes carried neither warmth...

Nor kindness.

Only amusement.

Behind her...

A maid quietly held a luxurious umbrella above her head despite the pleasant weather.

Two personal guards stood on either side of her.

Both remained expressionless.

Their hands rested upon the hilts of their weapons without moving.

Around the pavilion...

House Miles’ guards immediately became alert.

Several subtly shifted their footing.

Others instinctively moved closer toward Baron Miles and his family.

The atmosphere changed in an instant.

The relaxed garden now resembled a battlefield where neither side wished to draw the first weapon.

”I simply came...”

Terenza lightly waved her folding fan.

”...to see how my dear friends have been doing.”

Her smile remained perfectly elegant.

Yet...

Every word carried open ridicule.

Gena’s hands quietly tightened.

Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms.

Her already pale hands gradually lost even more color.

Ezra quietly noticed the movement.

His blank eyes briefly shifted toward Gena.

He calmly observed the anger she struggled to suppress.

Only after a brief glance...

Did he return his attention toward the elderly noblewoman standing across the pavilion.

So...

This is Baroness Terenza Orvain.

He silently observed her without saying anything.

”Friends?”

The Baroness of House Miles abruptly stood.

Her chair slid backward.

Her beautiful face had already become ice-cold.

”Who exactly are you calling your friend?!”

Her voice no longer carried the warmth of moments earlier.

Only anger remained.

Baron Miles immediately reached out.

His hand gently rested upon his wife’s wrist.

He didn’t speak.

He simply looked into her eyes.

The meaning behind his gaze was clear.

Calm down.

We have guests.

Don’t lose your composure.

The Baroness understood immediately.

Years of living together allowed them to understand one another without words.

She slowly inhaled.

Then...

Forced herself back into her seat.

Although...

The rage burning inside her heart refused to fade.

How could it?

The woman standing before them...

Was the very person responsible for the debt scandal threatening to destroy four Baron Houses.

The very same woman...

Who had completely shattered the friendship House Miles had once shared with House Orvain.

And...

There was something even worse.

Several Months earlier...

Gena had told them everything.

Everything Mina Orvain had secretly endured.

Everything Terenza...

Along with her disgusting younger brother...

Had done to that poor girl until she completely lost the will to continue living.

Those memories immediately resurfaced.

The Baroness’ fingers unconsciously trembled.

Gena’s eyes burned with undisguised hatred.

Even Baron Miles...

Despite maintaining his calm appearance...

Quietly clenched one fist beneath the table where no one could see.

He hated the sight of her just as much.

Unfortunately...

As the head of House Miles...

He couldn’t allow his emotions to control him.

Not while guests were present.

Not while every servant and guard watched.

Not while House Orvain held the advantage.

Terenza quietly studied every expression before her.

Then...

She smiled.

It was the kind of smile that only made others angrier.

”You really are beginning to irritate me...”

She lightly closed her folding fan.

”...Gloria.”

She spoke the Baroness’ given name with deliberate familiarity.

As though they were close friends.

As though none of the pain she had caused had ever happened.

The smile on her face never disappeared.