VIO Ch 66 – The Unbeknownst Creeping Shadow (IX)

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Translator: mii

editor: ASplashofMusic

Vio returned to the castle in the evening. Shortly after disembarking from the carriage in the carriage parking lot, he encountered Fion, the leader of the Knights of the Green Flash.

“Oh, Lord Violant. Do you feel better now? I find it astonishing that the court doctor actually let you go outside.”

With a wry smile, Vio replied, “Please rest assured, Sir Fion. I have received the doctor’s permission.”

“Is that so? Your boldness surprises me. You even dare to go out while you’re still entangled in this situation.”

“I have informed the doctor of my destination as well. I visited the Flower Palace today because I had arranged an appointment with my grandparents.”

“You visited the Emeritus King?” Fion’s eyes grew sharp. “That’s not very admirable of you. He’s already in poor health, so I don’t think you should bother him with such a troublesome matter.”

Confusion swept over Vio. “Excuse me, Sir Fion, but I believe you have misunderstood. I didn’t visit to tell him about Princess Liona’s incident. May I know what has made you this irritated with me?”

Legion had previously told Vio the case had been cleared up. Thus, he had no idea why Fion was angry.

Vio’s question caused Fion to flinch. Awkward, he cleared his throat. “…Nothing. I always act like this,” responded Fion in a lame manner. Then in a reluctant manner, he added, “His Highness the Crown Prince has announced the results of the investigation concerning the attack on Princess Liona. The suspicions on you have been cleared, so you are free to leave the castle.”

“Understood. Thank you for telling me. May I ask you for further details?”

“I’m afraid I will have to redirect you to Lantz. I have plans after this. I’m actually in a rush right now.” Afterward, Fion bowed and was about to leave. But all of a sudden, he stopped in his tracks as though he remembered something, after which he took something wrapped in cloth from his pocket. He unwrapped it and extended it toward Vio, asking, “Excuse me, but do you recognize this?”

“Huh?”

The object Fion presented was a silver amulet in the shape of a one-eyed owl.

Vio shook his head. “No… But if I’m not mistaken, the one-eyed owl should be the symbol of an ancient god, right? Uhh, the Goddess of Wisdom… is her name Sofia?”

“I see. Well, if you don’t know, then forget that I asked. And this is the Goddess of Wisdom Sophie.” After correcting Vio in an insulting tone, Fion rewrapped the amulet, pocketed it again, then left. His subordinate bowed to Vio, an apologetic look on his face, before following Fion.

The Goddess of Wisdom Sophie? I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before…

As Vio watched Fion’s figure fade further into the distance in an absentminded manner, he pondered over how that goddess’ name could be familiar to him.

With a bitter smile, Legion gently said, “Please don’t mind his attitude, Lord Violant. He can be… a bit uptight, but he’s a honest person…”

However, despite his attempt to cover for Fion, Legion also thought Fion had been too harsh on Vio.

“Oh, it’s okay, Legi. I didn’t really mind. It’s natural for someone of the Rosine family to be hostile to me. If I were him, I would also consider any Lesserhain an enemy,” said Vio, before walking toward the guest room. It was only when he had returned to his room that he finally remembered.

I saw that amulet in the manga! If I remember correctly, that’s the emblem of that sly fox’s… Earl Sarg Villan’s secret organization.

Vio changed from his outdoor clothes to his loungewear. Following that, he sat on a chair by the window to look at the sunny sky as he grew immersed in his thoughts.

The man who had attacked Princess Liona died after revealing Rupheus’ name. Thus, they also suspected Vio to be an accomplice in the attack, but now, those allegations had been cleared.

Because they knew that they had another enemy to face.

The amulet that Fion purposely showed him was shaped in the symbol of the Goddess of Wisdom Sophie, a one-eyed owl. In the manga, the members of Earl Villan’s secret organization would bring this amulet with them as identification of their own membership. As such, this also became the key item they use in order to identify their fellow members.

In the manga, Rupheus was also said to have attacked Princess Liona. This attack became the catalyst of Istiah’s war with Ruslan. But here, although Princess Liona was still attacked, it didn’t manage to kindle any hostility between the two kingdoms. The suspicion on the Lesserhains had been cleared.

After Vio’s thoughts reached that point, he finally connected the dots.

I understand now! The fire that Brother supposedly started in the manga is actually Earl Sarg’s nefarious trap!

If that truly was the case, then everything made much more sense now. Vio had never understood how the perfectionist Rupheus could make such a sloppy plan. But taking the Lesserhains’ less than stellar reputation into consideration, Vio could understand Sarg’s intention behind this plan, though somewhat poorly.

That man is skilled at inducing anxiety in people’s minds. Although allegations on Rupheus have been cleared, Sarg can instil suspicion among the people who have heard about the rumor due to the Lesserhains’ existing infamy. And he can nurture this suspicion day by day until it eventually explodes. 

What a terrifying man!

That’s s another discrepancy from the original storyline of the manga. Since the spark that kindled the war has disappeared here, what would happen afterward?

Vio’s heart violently pounded. It was troubling how everything seemed to be happening earlier than in the manga. Would this happen again once they reached the timeline of the manga? Or did Sarg have another reason to soil the Lesserhains’ already horrible reputation?

All of a sudden, Jill said, “Young Master, you look pale. Why don’t you take a nap until dinner?”

This brought Vio out of his reverie. “Ah, sure. I want to have a cup of tea as well.”

“I will prepare it at once.”

After Jill left, Vio released a sigh.

There’s no point in fearing the unknown. Since I don’t know what the future entails, I can only start considering possible courses of action once events have already gone into motion. But I still need to continue my preparations for the incoming war.

That was the conclusion Vio had reached.

****

At dusk, Rille’s older sister, Reina, walked along 10th Avenue, confidence evident in her every step. An attendant—a young priest—accompanied her.

“Miss Reina, this is where that person lives,” said the young priest as he pointed at a house.

The house was rather old and resembled a haunted house.

Reina’s features clouded over. “Is that so? Looks like he’s going through a tough time. As his former colleague, my heart aches for him.”

However, she immediately regained her composure. From outside the gates of the house, she called out, “Excuse me! Is anyone home?”

“Miss Reina, please wait. I will call him for you,” said the young priest. Afterward, he pushed the rusty gate open and ran to the front door. He reached for the metal knocker and curled his fingers around the ring. But he soon noticed it was so rusty it would no longer budge. So instead, he knocked the wooden door at once. “Hello, is Dawn Samarelli home? We’re from the temple. We’d like to talk to you.”

After a while, the sound of the door being unlocked could be heard. The door soon slightly opened, revealing the displeased face of the man inside the house.

The man said, “What sort of business does the people of the temple need from me now?”

The man glanced at the young priest with his gray orbs, causing the priest to stagger, slightly taken aback.

It was at that moment that Reina also entered the gate and walked toward the front door. “I’m sorry for bothering you at this late hour. My name is Reina Lentetta. Dawn Samarelli, I believe you had worked at the temple in Nada town, a part of the Lesserhains’ territory, four years ago. I want to ask you questions about that temple.”

After a brief silence, Dawn fully opened the door and beckoned them in. “Fine, come in. Sorry in advance, but I can’t offer you much hospitality in this poor place.”

The interior of the house was incredibly tidy. Truly unexpected after seeing the house’s destitute appearance from the outside.