Translated by Appleot
Edited by Appleot
Episode 23
The Duke and the Imperial Palace Banquet (4)
After that, we mentioned our superiors, or honored them in response, giving and receiving between each other. Meanwhile, Turtos was completely excluded from the conversation.
“Not long ago, our…”
“Come to think of it, I heard that an iron mine was discovered recently in the Countess of Ferrarius territory.”
“Has the news already spread like that? Hahaha, thanks to that, our workload has increased dramatically.”
It was a very bright answer from a person who said that his work had increased. Rather, Turtos’s speechless face looked interesting, it was similar to that of mine, when I would be struggling in the mountains of documents in our Prasidus territory.
“I heard that Duke Prasidus recently entered the scroll making business…”
“It’s just an investment, an investment! It’s still not open.”
“But, apparently, most of them need a lot of money to buy since they depend on magic towers or someone making them. In particular, proper magic scrolls are hard to find even if someone has money, right?”
In the case of Magic Tower, magic reagents and scrolls are produced to generate stable profits, but only a limited quantity is always sold. It cannot be said that there is no price control, but this is a matter of the characteristics of most wizards.
Digging into magic academically, realizing its rationale, and developing your own abilities. They are interested in creating new magical items that had never existed before, and developing new areas. On the other hand, in the case of scrolls and magic reagent production, the research process is done at the beginning…
‘Basically, it’s just simple labor.’
Fortunately, the formulation could be passed on to the disciples, but the scroll wouldn’t be good if not studied properly. For that reason, the only cases where someone falls into the craft of scrolls are when they are a geek, having low mana sensitivity, needing money and power.
‘The latter two make people unhappy, so they are often made unproperly, so sometimes misfires happen?’
Solertia fell under the previous two. If you’re a geek and have low mana sensitivity. Her innate sensitivity to mana was not very good, but fortunately, she preferred to study the existing magic academically and apply it to enhance scrolls. It’s a talent. Serpence recognized it, so it goes without saying.
“I don’t know much because I don’t have enough knowledge, but according to the Duke’s words, I think it’s quite valuable.”
“Oh, if Duke Prasidus said so…”
“I should tell our marquis in advance. When will you start receiving orders?”
“Once we secure a spare amount to keep in the store, also after searching for a good store location…”
It was like, unintentionally, I was promoting Solertia’s shop before they even took the ground.
At this rate, word of mouth is gonna spread throughout the capital even before the store even opens.
‘Aren’t popular items sold out in one day?’
In case she doesn’t know, I’ll have to tell her in advance. Although her dormitory is in the same building, it is probably not polite to visit late at night.
‘Would it be better to visit her tomorrow after dinner when I’m done with work?’
After talking for a while, eating food, one or two people were called by their superiors and left. I also got a call from Serpence and said goodbye to them. In particular, I did not forget to smile once at Turtos.
“Does the Duke need anything?”
“…I’ll be resting on the terrace over there.”
I am a master in this area.
‘This guy probably hasn’t eaten yet, so you’re telling me to bring you food?’
As I watched, the aides who were called out first were also diligently carrying food to suit their superiors’ tastes. Everyone was chatting, so they sat at the table prepared on the edge of the banquet hall and started eating in earnest.
‘I don’t know what Serpence likes yet, so let’s try it evenly…’
In both hands, I had a plate of food worth eating for Serpence and a plate of snacks for me to eat since I was getting full.
Standing in front of the door to the terrace he had pointed to earlier, I called out to him and heard a creaking sound through the opaque glass. It must have been locked because someone was uncomfortable with other people coming in.
The door opened, and Serpece took the plate. Then he whispered ‘drink’ in a low voice and closed it immediately.
‘···This makes me feel wronged for some reason?’
While I was proud of the growth of Serpence, who now even cares for drinks, I felt strangely uncomfortable when I remembered my older sister who made me run errands like crazy.
‘Still, Serpence is ordering me by paying a monthly salary, isn’t that the case?’
In that way I comforted myself. I was able to enter the terrace only after standing in front of the door again with a glass of drink in each hand.
‘Huh, what kind of terrace is this?’
Both sides are blocked by walls and covered with a roof.
Only the front has a handrail, so it’s just a small room with a terrace in its name. It didn’t have any elements of a terrace other than being attached to the ground, so this place wasn’t a terrace, a balcony, a veranda, or anything else.
‘Well, it’s a perfect place for telling secrets or taking bribes!’
If you keep your voice toward the outside part and lower your voice, no one would know what you’re talking about even if they try. Even Serpence now was sitting facing the banquet hall, not outside.
“There seemed to be some dispute, what happened?”
As he already emptied the plate I had given him, Serpence picked up the cookie on my plate and ate it indifferently.
“Can I bring you some, Duke?”
“No, you don’t need to.”
Anyway, I was just bored with my mouth, so I got them. I pushed the plate towards Serpence so that I could be comfortable. All that remained in front of me is a man who picks up a fork, cuts a piece of cake and puts it in his mouth. Yes, eat a lot of sweets and secrete a lot of serotonin.
“There was a person I had interviewed with as a certain count’s aide before. Well, it wasn’t a big deal. Just jealousy?”
“If you look at Sir Rivelon, there are many close friends, but you seem to be making enemies too.”
“Isn’t the Duke also part of my friends?”
“…even if you don’t force yourself to be friendly with someone you don’t like, it’s better to be careful not to be too hostile.”
My question was lightly chewed, but does not answering the question mean positive?
Instead of answering, it feels like he’s worried about me and giving advice…
“I’m telling you in case you misunderstand me, I’m not worried, I’m saying don’t make me worry about useless things.”
“Isn’t that the same, what you’re worried about or concerned about?”
“It’s different. There’s a lot of attention around me, so you can’t make trouble, can you?”
Serpence just cut me off and denied it. Obviously, if I, as an aide, had an accident, his position as a superior would be in trouble. Still, you’re saying that if something goes wrong, you’re going to take care of it, right? If Serpence is in the background, there is nothing in the world to be afraid of!
“I’m not saying I’m going to cover anything, so be careful.”
“… you even read my thoughts?”
Serpence looked at me with a pathetic expression. It seems like I see that expression at least once a day these days, but why?
“Sir Rivelon’s expression is very revealing. It would be better to fix that in the future.”
“Isn’t that always me? It’s in front of the Duke, so it’s easy.”
“Where did the courtesy to your superiors go?”
“I left that on the train going down to the Duchy. Did you already forget that?”
“A single word is like running water.”
“Isn’t the Duke also starting to feel comfortable around me?”
At those words, Serpence seemed to hesitate and let out a big sigh.
“To tell you the truth, I’m not at all comfortable.”
“Yes? Why?”
“…it’s very unfamiliar to me to be honest about my thoughts and try not to be conscious of making facial expressions.”
It’s a little sad to see him touching his lips with his hand as if trying to check his own expression.
It’s to the extent that he has to work hard not to make up his face. How the hell has he been living for so long and with so many lies?
“···thank you?”
“It’s not that I was influenced by your past words, or that I’m working for it.”
I thank you for the effort, when I said thank you, Serpence looked at me with a look of what nonsense.
‘But why is he like that when I’m saying he’s making an effort?’
Is this my fault? I recently heard his story, so I can’t say anything.
“If you realized that the world you said is a funny thing to say…”
Serpence puts his finger between his cravat and shirt with a bothered look and pulls it, creating a slight gap. Then he takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly again.
“It’s just cooperation for now.”
The more I talk to him and get to know him, the more I don’t know what kind of person he is. Such thoughts may also be based on ideas that have been instilled since childhood. Even so, is it possible to maintain a super-determined ego?
‘Even if he has suffered enough to resent the world?’
As if to say that he wants to love such a world, his appearance is very sublime. I can’t believe this person killed someone else. He was so driven that he killed his parents. And why did you kill the former aide? Is the reason I expected correct? Then…
‘Why did he kill the original Zion?’
I don’t know if there are other truths I’m not aware of, or if this is his way to distract me. It’s like being trapped in a labyrinth.
“I understand roughly what the Duke wants to say. There are many things I want to say, but I’ll put it aside for now.”
“…if there’s nothing more to say, let’s go back.”
Serpence put the empty plates on top of each other and stood up. I also got up and waited patiently behind him who’s standing in front of the door leading to the banquet hall.
“Aren’t you going out?”
“When Lord Rivelron goes down to the estate this month, I hope that he will for sure find half of his courtesy that he left behind.”
“Huh? Why’s that all of a sudden?”
Serpence, who was looking down at me with skeptical eyes, motioned me toward the door lock.
“Ah···!”
I have to open it. When I came in, Serpence opened and locked it, so I forgot for a while. I smiled in embarrassment, unlocked the lock and opened the door wide.
The faint sound of music rang out loudly again.
Translated by Appleot
Edited by Appleot
Episode 23
The Duke and the Imperial Palace Banquet (4)
After that, we mentioned our superiors, or honored them in response, giving and receiving between each other. Meanwhile, Turtos was completely excluded from the conversation.
“Not long ago, our…”
“Come to think of it, I heard that an iron mine was discovered recently in the Countess of Ferrarius territory.”
“Has the news already spread like that? Hahaha, thanks to that, our workload has increased dramatically.”
It was a very bright answer from a person who said that his work had increased. Rather, Turtos’s speechless face looked interesting, it was similar to that of mine, when I would be struggling in the mountains of documents in our Prasidus territory.
“I heard that Duke Prasidus recently entered the scroll making business…”
“It’s just an investment, an investment! It’s still not open.”
“But, apparently, most of them need a lot of money to buy since they depend on magic towers or someone making them. In particular, proper magic scrolls are hard to find even if someone has money, right?”
In the case of Magic Tower, magic reagents and scrolls are produced to generate stable profits, but only a limited quantity is always sold. It cannot be said that there is no price control, but this is a matter of the characteristics of most wizards.
Digging into magic academically, realizing its rationale, and developing your own abilities. They are interested in creating new magical items that had never existed before, and developing new areas. On the other hand, in the case of scrolls and magic reagent production, the research process is done at the beginning…
‘Basically, it’s just simple labor.’
Fortunately, the formulation could be passed on to the disciples, but the scroll wouldn’t be good if not studied properly. For that reason, the only cases where someone falls into the craft of scrolls are when they are a geek, having low mana sensitivity, needing money and power.
‘The latter two make people unhappy, so they are often made unproperly, so sometimes misfires happen?’
Solertia fell under the previous two. If you’re a geek and have low mana sensitivity. Her innate sensitivity to mana was not very good, but fortunately, she preferred to study the existing magic academically and apply it to enhance scrolls. It’s a talent. Serpence recognized it, so it goes without saying.
“I don’t know much because I don’t have enough knowledge, but according to the Duke’s words, I think it’s quite valuable.”
“Oh, if Duke Prasidus said so…”
“I should tell our marquis in advance. When will you start receiving orders?”
“Once we secure a spare amount to keep in the store, also after searching for a good store location…”
It was like, unintentionally, I was promoting Solertia’s shop before they even took the ground.
At this rate, word of mouth is gonna spread throughout the capital even before the store even opens.
‘Aren’t popular items sold out in one day?’
In case she doesn’t know, I’ll have to tell her in advance. Although her dormitory is in the same building, it is probably not polite to visit late at night.
‘Would it be better to visit her tomorrow after dinner when I’m done with work?’
After talking for a while, eating food, one or two people were called by their superiors and left. I also got a call from Serpence and said goodbye to them. In particular, I did not forget to smile once at Turtos.
“Does the Duke need anything?”
“…I’ll be resting on the terrace over there.”
I am a master in this area.
‘This guy probably hasn’t eaten yet, so you’re telling me to bring you food?’
As I watched, the aides who were called out first were also diligently carrying food to suit their superiors’ tastes. Everyone was chatting, so they sat at the table prepared on the edge of the banquet hall and started eating in earnest.
‘I don’t know what Serpence likes yet, so let’s try it evenly…’
In both hands, I had a plate of food worth eating for Serpence and a plate of snacks for me to eat since I was getting full.
Standing in front of the door to the terrace he had pointed to earlier, I called out to him and heard a creaking sound through the opaque glass. It must have been locked because someone was uncomfortable with other people coming in.
The door opened, and Serpece took the plate. Then he whispered ‘drink’ in a low voice and closed it immediately.
‘···This makes me feel wronged for some reason?’
While I was proud of the growth of Serpence, who now even cares for drinks, I felt strangely uncomfortable when I remembered my older sister who made me run errands like crazy.
‘Still, Serpence is ordering me by paying a monthly salary, isn’t that the case?’
In that way I comforted myself. I was able to enter the terrace only after standing in front of the door again with a glass of drink in each hand.
‘Huh, what kind of terrace is this?’
Both sides are blocked by walls and covered with a roof.
Only the front has a handrail, so it’s just a small room with a terrace in its name. It didn’t have any elements of a terrace other than being attached to the ground, so this place wasn’t a terrace, a balcony, a veranda, or anything else.
‘Well, it’s a perfect place for telling secrets or taking bribes!’
If you keep your voice toward the outside part and lower your voice, no one would know what you’re talking about even if they try. Even Serpence now was sitting facing the banquet hall, not outside.
“There seemed to be some dispute, what happened?”
As he already emptied the plate I had given him, Serpence picked up the cookie on my plate and ate it indifferently.
“Can I bring you some, Duke?”
“No, you don’t need to.”
Anyway, I was just bored with my mouth, so I got them. I pushed the plate towards Serpence so that I could be comfortable. All that remained in front of me is a man who picks up a fork, cuts a piece of cake and puts it in his mouth. Yes, eat a lot of sweets and secrete a lot of serotonin.
“There was a person I had interviewed with as a certain count’s aide before. Well, it wasn’t a big deal. Just jealousy?”
“If you look at Sir Rivelon, there are many close friends, but you seem to be making enemies too.”
“Isn’t the Duke also part of my friends?”
“…even if you don’t force yourself to be friendly with someone you don’t like, it’s better to be careful not to be too hostile.”
My question was lightly chewed, but does not answering the question mean positive?
Instead of answering, it feels like he’s worried about me and giving advice…
“I’m telling you in case you misunderstand me, I’m not worried, I’m saying don’t make me worry about useless things.”
“Isn’t that the same, what you’re worried about or concerned about?”
“It’s different. There’s a lot of attention around me, so you can’t make trouble, can you?”
Serpence just cut me off and denied it. Obviously, if I, as an aide, had an accident, his position as a superior would be in trouble. Still, you’re saying that if something goes wrong, you’re going to take care of it, right? If Serpence is in the background, there is nothing in the world to be afraid of!
“I’m not saying I’m going to cover anything, so be careful.”
“… you even read my thoughts?”
Serpence looked at me with a pathetic expression. It seems like I see that expression at least once a day these days, but why?
“Sir Rivelon’s expression is very revealing. It would be better to fix that in the future.”
“Isn’t that always me? It’s in front of the Duke, so it’s easy.”
“Where did the courtesy to your superiors go?”
“I left that on the train going down to the Duchy. Did you already forget that?”
“A single word is like running water.”
“Isn’t the Duke also starting to feel comfortable around me?”
At those words, Serpence seemed to hesitate and let out a big sigh.
“To tell you the truth, I’m not at all comfortable.”
“Yes? Why?”
“…it’s very unfamiliar to me to be honest about my thoughts and try not to be conscious of making facial expressions.”
It’s a little sad to see him touching his lips with his hand as if trying to check his own expression.
It’s to the extent that he has to work hard not to make up his face. How the hell has he been living for so long and with so many lies?
“···thank you?”
“It’s not that I was influenced by your past words, or that I’m working for it.”
I thank you for the effort, when I said thank you, Serpence looked at me with a look of what nonsense.
‘But why is he like that when I’m saying he’s making an effort?’
Is this my fault? I recently heard his story, so I can’t say anything.
“If you realized that the world you said is a funny thing to say…”
Serpence puts his finger between his cravat and shirt with a bothered look and pulls it, creating a slight gap. Then he takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly again.
“It’s just cooperation for now.”
The more I talk to him and get to know him, the more I don’t know what kind of person he is. Such thoughts may also be based on ideas that have been instilled since childhood. Even so, is it possible to maintain a super-determined ego?
‘Even if he has suffered enough to resent the world?’
As if to say that he wants to love such a world, his appearance is very sublime. I can’t believe this person killed someone else. He was so driven that he killed his parents. And why did you kill the former aide? Is the reason I expected correct? Then…
‘Why did he kill the original Zion?’
I don’t know if there are other truths I’m not aware of, or if this is his way to distract me. It’s like being trapped in a labyrinth.
“I understand roughly what the Duke wants to say. There are many things I want to say, but I’ll put it aside for now.”
“…if there’s nothing more to say, let’s go back.”
Serpence put the empty plates on top of each other and stood up. I also got up and waited patiently behind him who’s standing in front of the door leading to the banquet hall.
“Aren’t you going out?”
“When Lord Rivelron goes down to the estate this month, I hope that he will for sure find half of his courtesy that he left behind.”
“Huh? Why’s that all of a sudden?”
Serpence, who was looking down at me with skeptical eyes, motioned me toward the door lock.
“Ah···!”
I have to open it. When I came in, Serpence opened and locked it, so I forgot for a while. I smiled in embarrassment, unlocked the lock and opened the door wide.
The faint sound of music rang out loudly again.
