Signing

Leus quickly replied

"Of course I will, I do my best to pay my debts, if you help me, I'll do everything I can to help you back."

Hearing that, Ignatius became visibly relieved

'Perhaps ... saving the Kingdom is possible.'

Ignatius had only a couple of questions left

'Just to understand his personality more'

"What do you think about killing people?"

It was a strange question, but Leus didn't mind it

"I think it should be avoided if possible. However, I learned that in this world, killing is necessary, either to prove a point or to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones."

"What do you think about killing for fun or experiments?"

Leus scratched his chin in thought and took a bit of time to answer

' ... I myself don't know the answers to such questions.'

Leus never thought about it.

'I mean ... obviously, it's morally wrong ... but in all honesty ... I don't care'

Leus took a moment to organize his thoughts and answer as honestly as possible.

"Well, I think it's morally wrong to do such things. However, and to be honest with you, I'm not a hero.

I don't care what others do as long as it's not someone I care about or something I see myself.

Hmm ... How to say that?"

Leus took a pause to put his ideas into words

"If I come across such situations, or if someone asks me to help, I'll do it, but I won't go searching for people to save, I don't care that much.

However, if you're asking if I would do such things, then no, I would never kill for fun, I also would not experiment on innocent people.

Master Arno told me to create a Moral Code, and I'm adhering to it."

Ignatius nodded, that answer was good enough for him, then he asked something even more strange

"Do you believe human life is important? Especially if it's being wasted for political reasons or the sake of other beings?"

Leus tilted his head

'What kind of a question is that?'

He didn't comment on the question as he felt that'd be rude, but he wanted more clarity

"Other beings, you mean non-humans? Like Beasts?"

Ignatius leaned back on his chair and explained

"Well, non-humans are many creatures.

They could be Beasts, they could be Humanoids, they could be Undead, they could be Demons, they could be Magical Creatures.

The specific type of the creature doesn't matter, what matters is the principle.

If you see a non-human consuming human lives, would that irk you?"

Leus looked at Ignatius with a raised eyebrow

'That's certainly a strange interview ...'

'And why do all his questions revolve around killing humans ...'

Leus pushed away these thoughts and began thinking of the answer.

It took him a couple of minutes to reach an answer.

"I believe the importance of human life depends on the situation.

I'm generally indifferent to conflicts between individuals or groups as long as it doesn't have anything to do with me.

People or creatures as a whole, can do what they want, I don't care.

However, if there's a systematic annihilation of human lives based on factors like race or material gain, I will probably feel a responsibility to oppose it.

In cases where non-humans are against specific human entities or ideologies, rather than humanity as a whole, then I don't care either.

Regardless of all this, I do not think that I'd put my life at a great risk to save someone I don't know."

Ignatius thought about all of Leus' answers and then said

"So basically, you want the world to be a better place only if it's not too troublesome for you. A good person when it is convenient?"

" ... To an extent, yes. I don't mind putting some effort into helping a stranger or improving his life, it's just that I won't go out of my way to do it.

So yeah, you can say it like that. I don't think that I'm a good person, I'm more like a selfish person with some morals and principles."

Ignatius just smiled bitterly

'Well, not exactly the hero we're looking for, but having hope is better than nothing, right? ... Maybe, someday... the Kingdom would be saved.'

Ignatius was done with his questions, so he asked

"Are you ready to begin the official meeting? If so, I'll call Fia and Sebastian"

Leus nodded

"Yes."

Ignatius' perception extended forward and he started searching for Sebastian in the Mansion, and within seconds, he found him a couple of floors below with Fia.

'*Sebas, bring Fia and return*'

Then he looked at Leus and said

"Does anyone else know of the fact that you're from another world?"

Leus shook his head

"No."

"Fine, let's keep it this way. Don't tell anyone, I won't either. Forget about our previous conversation."

"... Sure"

A bit of time passed then Sebastian walked into the room with Fia.

Fia walked until she stood beside Leus

"Sorry, something came up and we had to go"

Ignatius replied to her with a smile

"Not a problem, have a seat"

She sat opposing Leus and asked

"So, what have you two been talking about?"

Ignatius casually replied

"Nothing, just got to know his name and a couple of things about his family, we were waiting for you."

Fia nodded with a smile then Sebastian asked

"What would you like to drink?"

"Icy Lemonade" Replied Fia

"The usual" Replied Ignatius

They all looked at Leus and he didn't know what to say, so he said the first thing that came to his mind

"Sage Tea"

Sebastian couldn't even remember when was the last time someone asked for Sage Tea here

'It's probably never happened, I'll have to ask someone to bring it ...'

"Interesting choice, Young Man" He remarked before leaving

Leus was looking at Fia when suddenly he opened his eyes wide

'What the heck'

A purse materialized in front of her out of nowhere

'I didn't see her taking out a pouch or anything ...'

Ignatius noticed, or more accurately, felt his surprise and asked

"Is this the first time you see a space ring?"

"Space Ring?"

Ignatius nodded

"It's just like a pouch, but a ring, it's a lot more expensive and doesn't add any practicality to the item, but since women don't have pockets, they buy it."

'Buying a Space Ring to put a purse inside with items inside it ...'

It was strange but

'I guess rich people spend their money on all sorts of stuff'

'Actually, it's my fault for getting surprised, she has a herd of Stallions, having a magical ring shouldn't be that much of a shock, right?'

Fia didn't agree

"It adds a lot more practicality, it looks far better than a pouch."

" ... Right"

She took out some papers and a pen from her purse and gave them to Ignatius

"This is the contract, with an additional page"

Ignatius looked at the first page, then read the additional page

"I see, I take it you're not good at negotiating?"

Leus asked, trying to speak more formally now that they were no longer alone

"Why do you think so, Duke"

"Because this is the second best offer, if you would've bargained a bit you would have gotten the best one."

Fia looked at Ignatius with narrowed eyes, and Leus asked

"What's the difference between this one and the best one?"

"Not much really, extra time, benefits, and money, that's it."

Leus replied neutrally

"Then it doesn't matter, I don't want to depend on the contract anyway, I'll become stronger."

Ignatius said with a smile

"Nice spirits. Now sign it, we have a lot to talk about"

Ignatius pointed at the end of the last page and gave Leus a pen

Leus skimmed through the contract

'Basically a 5 years contract of everything Fia said, with an additional page of terms and conditions'

The page was long and had many details, so Leus asked

"What's this page about?"

Fia spoke casually

"Primarily, it says that you shouldn't expose the Mansion's classified information to outsiders and that you swear allegiance to the Inferno Family; In the sense that you won't conspire with other Dukes, or more generally, Royal Mages, against us.

Considering that you're joining as a Noble Inferno, then there really is nothing of serious importance."

Leus nodded

"Alright then."

He took the pen and tried to sign, but it didn't write anything

"Add mana into it, preferably Fire" Fia said

Leus added Fire Mana, and it began writing in a flaming-red color color

(Leus INFERNO)

Once Leus was done writing his name, the contract closed and two copies of itself appeared beside it, one on each side.

Fia took a copy and Ignatius took the original

"Keep a copy with you" Fia said

Leus took the copy and put it in his pouch.

Fia said with a smile

"Welcome to the family, Cousin."

Ignatius then extended his hand to Leus with a smile as well

"Welcome to the Red Mansion."