VIO Ch 85.1 – An Encounter on a Rainy Night (VII)

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translator: mii

editor: ASplashOfMusic

The amulet in Liselotte’s hand was the one Vio had found beside one of the assailants hiding in the ranger’s hut. According to her, Cheval had brought it back to their carriage and showed it to her.

“I apologize, My Lady, but I’m not all that familiar with what this amulet represents. All I know is that this belonged to those people who attacked us near the hut. Well, I also do know that it’s a popular talisman among mercenaries and gamblers, which is why many of them would often be seen wearing one. I’ve been seeing similar amulets rather frequently these days.” Troubled, Vio took a small breath. “My Lady, did you attend His Highness’s birthday celebration? Did you perhaps ask me this after hearing the rumors?”

Many people who had heard the rumors grew curious and wanted to personally verify them. Vio speculated that Liselotte might be one of them.

If she’s heard of my family’s bad reputation, then I can understand her distrust in me, but… Am I still being suspected for the attack on Princess Liona? I’m starting to hate that sly fox.

The attack should be Sarg Villan’s doing. Just like in the manga, he was a cunning man.

Liselotte lowered the amulet and instead asked, “Who are those attackers?”

“As of now, I don’t know. But I suspect that their employer is someone with a personal grudge against me after I embarrassed them in the past, and they sent those bandits to exact revenge on me. However, I can’t be sure whether those bandits were telling the truth about their employer or not. My family also has its fair share of enemies, so it’s not uncommon for me to encounter attacks like earlier.” Keeping a calm composure, Vio told Liselotte, “My Lady, I have answered all your questions so far. However, I have no plans of satiating your curiosity any further. Today’s affairs have severely exhausted me. You should rest as well.”

“Oh… Did I anger you?”

“The experience was unpleasant, but you’re not the one at fault here. I’m just annoyed that someone wanted to entrap me… But I guess it can’t be helped. I was born into nobility. Anyway, I wish you peace and good luck.”

Afterward, Vio rose to his feet and took his leave. He didn’t wish to stay and chat about such dull things with her any longer.

“Young Master.”

“Jill, I will take a breather outside.”

“Yes…”

As Vio left the ranger’s hut, Jill approached Liselotte with the tea set Rille had prepared.

“Pardon me, My Lady. My Master is very tired today… He hates seeing such bloody scenes. What happened earlier in the day must have upset him. In any case, please have a sip of this tea. It works well as a pain reliever.”

“Thank you. And I apologize for asking those insensitive questions.” Liselotte then took a sip of the tea. Surprised, she muttered, “My, this is delicious.” Took another sip.

Jill bowed to her before exiting the hut and chasing after Vio. Liselotte stared at their receding figures with interest.

After leaving the ranger’s hut, Vio visited the stables adjacent to it. There, Legion and Hauser were busy grooming the two horses and the donkey.

Upon noticing Vio’s arrival, Hauser asked, “What’s wrong, Young Master?”

“Hm… I just wanted to take a breather.”

Hauser laughed. “I guess you do look pretty exhausted,” he said, then let Vio touch the horses.

In an anxious tone, Legion said, “Did something happen?”

Vio exhaled a sigh and couldn’t stop himself from complaining, “That Lady Liselotte seems to have heard the rumors about me during her stay in the royal capital. She asked me whether I knew anything about those bandits. I left after hearing that. Ah, my head hurts. I already have my hands full with my fight against Brother, and now this happened…”

It was then that Vio caught sight of two young men grooming the horse in the neighboring stall. They should be Liselotte’s coachman and knight.

Vio pretended to not have noticed them. He cleared his throat and straightened his back.

Then at that moment, the rapid clopping of hooves resounded in the air. It seemed to come from the highway. Upon shifting his gaze in the general direction of the highway, Vio caught sight of several knights rushing toward the hut Vio and Liselotte’s entourages resided in. They carried a flag containing a coat of arms with a large crow.

Vio’s face twisted in a frown. “Speaking of the devil.”

“You sure have been unlucky today, Young Master.”

“I wouldn’t say that my misfortune has only manifested today, though.”

“Ah, pardon my intrusive words.”

“Mister Hauser,” Legion lightly warned.

Judging from the flag, this squad of knights was a part of the Ravens, Rupheus’ private army. They seemed to have approached them after seeing their carriages.

“We are the knights in patrol. Where are you from, and what do you have in your carriages?” They yelled toward the ranger’s hut. Since they were still unaware of whether the people inside were suspicious or not, they appeared tense and alert.

Jill came out and bowed to the squad leader. ”Good day, Sir Rasil. You are still hard at work even in this rainy weather, I see.”

“Oh, Mister Jill! Please excuse us. Does your presence here mean that these carriages belong to Lord Violant?”

“That’s right. However, the black carriage is owned by a noblewoman from Ruslan. Her name is Lady Liselotte Bianca.”

Rasil dismounted his horse and acted politely. “I see. Forgive our insolence. We came here because the villagers reported that some people were illegally occupying a hut.”

“They should be pertaining to this ranger’s hut. Earlier in the day, we were attacked by a group of bandits here. We managed to capture some of them. Let me lead you to them later on.” 

“Understood. On another note, may I ask for an audience with the younger brother?”

Vio once again frowned. He didn’t know the intention behind Rasil’s interest in meeting him. The knights in the Ravens had always been rather cold to him. But Vio should step up and accept in case Rasil had something important to discuss with him.

“I’m here. What’s the matter?”

“Oh, were you watching from there? Worry not. Aside from the illegal trespassing issue, there are no other problems. I desired to have an audience with you simply because it’s been two years since we last met.”

Rasil and his three subordinates walked up to him, taking off their helmets which were all decorated with a black feather.

Vio had no choice but to leave the stables. Legion quickly followed him.

When Rasil and his team caught sight of Legion, they burst into laughter.

“Well, well… Isn’t this Legion? The one whom Lord Rupheus dismissed after just three days?”

“You sure are lucky to have found a new employer.”

“That’s right. Otherwise, everyone would be watching you compete in the arena by now.”