VIO Ch 69 – Looking for a Scholar (III)

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Translator: mii

editor: chiizuholic

“Master, please don’t encourage Sir Cheval. A playboy like him will definitely forget me once we return to Leca,” Rille said, glaring lightly at Vio. 

Vio titled his head. “I wonder about that. I think when someone like him gets serious, they will love their partner with all of their heart and soul… Besides, since he’s a member of the Knights of Green Flash, you’d be marrying up. Plus, I’m sure Sir Cheval will cherish you. I think it’s a good proposition. But if you really hate it, I won’t say this kind of thing anymore.”

“I don’t hate it… I just don’t understand romance. Rather than getting married and so on, I would hate leaving Master more.”

Vio smiled wryly at Rille’s honest reply. “I’m happy to hear that, Rille. But if you keep saying that, you’ll miss your chance at marriage.”

“Even if I don’t get married, I have an older sister and two younger brothers. My family will be alright.”

“So Rille has two younger brothers? However, I’m not talking about your family, I’m talking about your happiness…”

“…? I’m always happy,” Rille said with a gentle smile. 

Vio couldn’t help smiling back. Then he snapped out of it and shook his head. That wasn’t what he meant… “Hmm, oh well. If you really don’t hate it, why don’t you try exchanging letters with him? You don’t have to immediately reject him.”

“If Master says so, then I’ll do it. Though, isn’t it ruder to make him wait for an answer when I don’t have any plans of marrying…?” Rille wondered.

Jill asked, “Rille, what would you do if Sir Cheval left the Knights of Green Flash and moved to Leca?”

“Huh?” Rille looked confused, but she gave it some thought. After a while, she gave a manly reply. “Right. I’d feel sorry if he were to go that far, so if that happens, I’ll take responsibility and marry him.”

Vio and Jill could only look at each other. Then Vio said, “I see. So Rille is someone who’d think of taking responsibility…”

Apparently, Rille demonstrated her seriousness even when it came to romantic affairs.

Jill chuckled. “It seems Sir Cheval might unexpectedly end up having his way after all, Young Master.”

“In that case, I hope they can love each other,” Vio said. He was a little worried, but he was glad that Cheval seemed to have some hope. He wondered how Legion would answer if it were him. However, the knight was riding his horse and following the carriage from behind, so he couldn’t ask.

Then, Rille looked like she just recalled something and said, “Ah, right. Master, can I go to the temple tomorrow? We managed to contact the priest who used to work at the temple in Nada town. My sister is planning for me to meet him tomorrow… I’m sorry, I forgot to inform you.”

“Tomorrow? Got it. It’s something I requested, so don’t hesitate to go. Besides, we’ll be going to meet the scholar, so you’ll be free until evening. But make sure to return before it gets dark. It’s dangerous for women to wander around alone in the royal capital.”

“I understand. Please don’t worry, I won’t be going alone. My sister and her subordinates will be with me.”

“Then that’s good.”

“And Master, my sister is stronger than me. She’s also good at spirit magic. So even if I only had her with me, we’d be alright.”

Then Rille explained with a cheerful smile that her entire family was proficient in martial arts.

Vio didn’t know how to respond to that. He could only vaguely say, “…I-I see. Rille’s family is amazing.”

At that moment, the carriage stopped.

“It looks like we’ve arrived at the inn,” Jill said. “Please wait for a moment. I will confirm our reservation.”

“Please.”

Jill promptly disembarked from the carriage. Vio watched him go, his thoughts on tomorrow’s schedule.

　　　　　****

The name of the inn was Rose Garden. Perhaps because nobles often stayed at this inn, the staff guided them to the uppermost room in a well-practiced manner.

Vio wasn’t particular about his room, but he was a son of the Lesserhains. If he stayed in a cheap room to save money, rumors would spread quickly. That was the unpleasant thing about the noble society.

If Rupheus were to hear about it, he’d definitely tell Vio it was shameful staying at a cheap hotel and would order him to stay in their family’s townhouse. Vio didn’t want that, so he decided to spare no expense for this.

“This room is pretty good,” Vio muttered, voicing out his thoughts. It wasn’t as great as the guest room at the castle, but the furnishings were excellent.

He then walked to the open window. This room was facing the inn’s courtyard, so he couldn’t see the main street. As the name of the inn suggested, there were red, white, and pink roses in full bloom in the courtyard. Their floral scent weaved through the muggy air. 

Vio sat on the chair by the window while Jill and the others carried the luggage in. Meanwhile, the maid attached to the guest room came to greet them.

Vio lightly returned her greetings and asked her to help organize the luggage.

While the maid looked like she was having a hard time carrying a heavy bag, Legion effortlessly brought in several of them many times. Then he asked for permission to check the perimeter and went out.

Vio decided to spend the rest of the day leisurely at the inn, only sending a letter to the castle to inform the prince of his current lodgings.

The next day, Vio immediately went to find the scholar with Jill and Legion.

“Rille is in charge of checking the situation of the temple in Nada town and finding someone to be our contact there,” Vio muttered to himself. “I’ve also requested my mother mediate things in Nada. What’s left is the botanist and the magician. There’s also the seeds and seedlings that I want to bring back to Leca town.”

In the swaying carriage, Vio counted the number of things on his to-do list with his fingers.

“I’ve already asked my grandparents for my mother’s and my sister’s protection… Jill, is there anything else I haven’t done?”

“There’s nothing else. And please leave the shopping to me, Young Master.”

“Okay.”

Vio had already walked around the market before, so he already knew what he wanted to buy. In addition, he told Jill to buy anything that piqued his interest without any reservation. Jill was an excellent butler, so it should be fine.

“The truth is, I want to personally find and bring the scholar to you as well, Young Master.”

“I only want to meet the person recommended by His Highness. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“I understand.” Jill nodded and looked at the list. “Most of them are scholars living on the 9th or 10th Avenue.”

“Is it that hard to make a living as a scholar?” Vio asked, curious. He wasn’t closely acquainted with any scholars, so he didn’t have a good reference as to the occupation. “It’s different from a private tutor, right?”

“Yes, you’re right. However, some of them do work as a private tutor while they conduct their research. Others earn money by writing letters for other people or doing transcriptions. Many scholars are also priests. In general, a scholar who’s a professor at an academy has a high status, and it’s certainly a good job, but… A scholar’s best bet is to skillfully find a patron and be able to research full-time,” Legion explained, glancing at the list in Jill’s hand. “That’s why an employment contract like this one will be highly sought after. I think we can tempt him with it, but…”

Vio could immediately guess what he didn’t say. “…It’ll be difficult since the patron is my family. Right?” he said with a bitter smile. 

Legion clenched his fist and declared, “I’m sure anyone will gladly accept once they get to know you, Lord Violant. It’ll be alright!”

“It’s just as Sir Legion said, Young Master. And after he reads this employment contract, he’ll understand that this is a good job position,” Jill said with a gentle smile.

“Hmm, I hope that’s the case.”

Vio couldn’t do anything unless he met and talked to this person.

I set the wage higher than average for the time being since he’ll have to go to a remote location… Will he accept it? I can’t really call the funds I’d provide abundant, but I’ll create a field for him to use for his experiments. If he gets good results, then we can apply it to the surroundings and put his research to practical use. Is this offer attractive enough?

Vio hoped to hire Dawn Samarelli because the man was good at cultivating herbs. If he could grow many medicinal plants, it would be easier for the people of Leca town to survive the long winter.

However, Vio’s main purpose was to increase the vegetables and grains that could be cultivated in cold regions like Leca. Right now, he was growing buckwheat and turnips which were resistant to the cold. If possible, he wanted to increase the variety.

Vio motivated himself as he thought of the name of the person he was about to meet.

Since he was going to fight with his brother Rupheus, he must first secure a firm foothold.