VIO Ch 70 – Looking for a Scholar (IV)

5 Comments

translator: mii

editor: sleepchaser

After Vio disembarked from the carriage at 10th Avenue, what greeted the eyes of the group was a haunted looking house.

Vegetables and flowers were crammed into the small garden up front.

Vio asked, “Jill, is this Dawn Samarelli’s house?”

“It should be so. The address is correct, but—”

At that moment, a boy around ten years old appeared beyond the rustic iron gate. He was crouching and playing with the mud, a small shovel in his right hand.

The boy had short hair the shade of damp earth. Big green eyes. At first glance, he looked like a girl, but the shorts made it much more likely he was a boy. With black wolf-like ears sprouting from his head, he was likely a wolf Locana.

“I’m sorry, but Father is currently checking up on a patient. He has an appointment today.” said the boy politely. “I think he will be back soon.”

His choice of words was elegant for a child living in the downtown area.

Admiration filled Vio’s heart. I guess his father is educating him well?

Then Vio asked, “Do you mind if we wait here?”

“Sure, but… if the patient needs urgent treatment, you should find another doctor…”

“Mister Samarelli is a botanist, isn’t he? What do you mean with ‘another doctor?’”

“Father is also a doctor. Are you from the shrine? You’re shiny, very beautiful!” The boy’s eyes sparkled.

“Shiny…?” asked Vio, tilting his head.

Legion said, “He’s probably talking about your hair color, Lord Violant.”

“Ahh, that? Is my hair color that rare?”

The boy shook his head. Then he pointed to an empty space and said with a smile, “This and that are shiny.”

“…Hm?” Vio didn’t know how to react. As he wondered whether the boy was teasing him or asking him to play with him, he heard a man say sharply, “Hey you! What are you doing to my son?!”

A bag in hand, a male wolf Locana with an unshaven beard ran their way. Legion quickly moved to stand in front of Vio.

“Ah, Father!” The boy smiled and innocently waved. “Father, welcome home! You have a customer.”

“Yuan! I told you to stay inside the house when I’m not home. And you shouldn’t talk to strangers.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to pick some herbs, but I found pests instead… So I got rid of them. Or else Miss Rosa is going to get angry at Father again.”

“You don’t have to worry about Rosa. She’ll scold me as she pleases anyway. Just listen to me properly, okay?”

“I’m sorry…” Yuan, who looked dejected, was as obedient as his appearance. He was very cute.

For some reason the interaction between father and son soothed Vio’s heart. But the spell was instantly broken; the man sent a glare at Vio and his group.

“I heard you’re a customer. What kind of business does a noble have in this place? If you’re telling me to send my son to serve the temple, then I refuse,” warned the man, shielding Yuan behind him.

As His Highness said, he hates nobles…

This was the first time Vio had met someone who hated nobles to such a degree. He flinched a hint.

In a mild manner, Jill said, “Young Master is looking for a talented botanist. We came to you for this matter.”

“I’ll speak, Jill. Legi, you stand back too,” Vio ordered. After they moved back in a hurry, Vio politely bowed. “Excuse me for suddenly visiting you. Please rest assured that I’m not here to talk about your son. Are you the botanist Dawn Samarelli?”

“Yeah… I am.” Vio’s attitude seemed to have bewildered Dawn. He looked at Vio with suspicion. “Who on earth are you? Unfortunately, I don’t know any nobles other than those nosy ones who wants my son to serve the temple.”

“Forgive my rudeness. I’m Violant Lesserhain. His Highness mentioned you to me. I’m looking for a talented botanist—”

“Go home!” yelled Dawn, expression frightening and fierce. “You’re a member of the Lesserhains, you say… I don’t want anything to do with the devil’s family!”

Surprised, Vio flinched.

“What are you saying?!” said Legion. “You’re being rude!”

But Vio tried to soothe him. “Stop that, Legi.” Inside, he felt disappointed. This man seemed to harbor ill feelings toward the Lesserhains. The way he had glared at Vio with those gray eyes made it clear that what lay within wasn’t as simple as hate.

“…I see. I heard you are capable, so I came here to see if you would want to help me with Leca town’s development. But it seems like we’re not meant to be. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry,” said Vio in a courteous manner, deciding to investigate this matter later. Perhaps his family had caused some kind of trouble regarding Dawn’s son. “Let’s go,” said Vio, urging Jill and Legion to return to the carriage.

Who would have known he’d be greeted by familiar faces?

“Master! What exactly happened here?” said Rille, approaching them with her sister Reina and two young priests.

“Huh? Rille, what are you doing here?”

“We were on our way to visit a former priest of the temple in Nada town…” said Rille, the picture of puzzlement.

Similarly, the word “former priest” surprised Vio. He turned to Dawn. “Eh? Are you talking about this man?”

Rille turned to Reina and asked, “Is that him, Sister?”

Reina nodded. “That’s right… What is happening here?”

All three of them exchanged glances in confusion.