VIO Ch 94 – The Hermit in Endsk (V)

3 Comments

translator: mii

editor: Juni, Sleepchaser

The next morning came, and still, Vio was unable to understand why Legion had been behaving strangely.

After a quick breakfast, Vio prepared to go meet the mage that Dawn was acquainted with. Liona and her group were planning to go for a walk in the town for the day.

“Lord Violant, Mister Dawn has come to pick you up.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

By the time Vio and his entourage arrived at the inn’s lobby, he saw that Dawn was already present, seated on a chaise lounge as he waited. Vio made his way towards Dawn, who noticed him and quickly stood, bowing.

“Morning, Dawn,” greeted Vio, “Where’s Yuan?”

“Good morning. Yuan is at my father-in-law’s house. Also, regarding the meeting venue…”

“I don’t mind talking to him somewhere else if he finds cleaning up for a visitor troublesome. We can go to a cafeteria, right?” Vio asked. 

Dawn shook his head with an apologetic expression. “My father-in-law doesn’t like places like that… I’m sorry. I was just about to say that the venue may make you feel cramped.”

“Ah, so he’s not a very sociable person. Okay, let’s go. Guide me there.”

Guided by Dawn, the group left the inn and headed towards the outskirts of Endsk’s shopping district.. They arrived at a gloomy and dimly-lit two-story building with a store on the ground level. It looked like it was about to collapse at any time.

It looks even more like a haunted house than where Dawn lived in the royal capital.

Vio was a little worried about the possibility of the roof collapsing, but decided that it wasn’t likely since people were living in the building. A bell attached to the top of the door rang when he entered the store, and Vio was greeted by a dimly-lit interior. Many items decorated the shelves embedded into the walls, and products were put out on display on desks. A few books were also for sale. 

So this was the so-called “magic store” Vio had heard of before.

Wah, it looks exactly like a witch’s house from a fantasy movie.

Vio was fascinated as he looked around. Then, he found a surprising item in one of the glass shelves. He cheered at the magic tool.  “Wow! You’re kidding, there’s no way I’m currently seeing this thing in real life!”

Dawn approached him and looked into the glass display case in puzzlement. “What’s so special about that? Isn’t that a kitchen utensil?”

“No way! It’s called a ‘Magic Condenser.’ You can get ten gold coins even if you sell it for cheap.”

“Ten gold coins!? Why is an amazing tool like that displayed in this place…?” responded Dawn, before he asked, “In the first place, just what is that machine?”

Vio explained, “There’s this filter-like thing here, right? This machine takes a small amount of magic power from the surroundings through here and fills the empty magic stone the user places under the machine.” 

Dawn stared at the machine, clearly unable to believe his explanation. “That kind of product exists…?”

Vio nodded. “I don’t know if it’s worth it though. It takes a lot of time to fill the magic stones, and the equipment itself is expensive. But you’ll find it in places where a lot of mages work. After all, their line of work makes magic stones a necessity.”

It took a lot of time for a “Magic Condenser” to be efficient, but it’s a little cheaper than buying a natural magic stone with plenty of magic power.

“Oh…? I heard that a young master from a noble family would come here today, but he’s surprisingly knowledgeable.”

Both Vio and Dawn looked away from the glass display. An old man had appeared from the door behind the counter of the store. He had sharp green eyes and  light brown hair with gray streaks. 

Dawn had an awkward expression, moving to protect the old man behind him as he introduced him to Vio. “Please pardon him. He’s my father-in-law…”

“Let’s just get this over with. I’m Zora Confield, I’ll have to decline your offer,” Zora, the old man, said mercilessly. 

Dawn arched his brows. “Father-in-law, you promised yesterday that you would at least listen to them first, didn’t you?”

“Hmph. I’m not free enough to go along with a noble boy’s game. Go home,” said Zora to Vio, before he looked at Dawn. “Ah, you can go home too. Leave Yuan here.”

“Huh!? I won’t give my son to you, you crazy dad!”

Read this at perpetualdaydreams.com

“How shameless, not letting me talk to my grandson even though I haven’t seen him for a long time! It’s a good thing that Yuan resembles my daughter more than he does you!”

Dawn and Zora began to glare at each other. 

“Are you two arguing again?” asked Yuan as he came out from behind Zora and into the store, giving the two adults an exasperated look. “…There are customers.” 

He went through the gap next to the counter and bowed towards Vio. “I’m sorry for my father and my grandfather. Grandfather said that he would properly talk to Lord Vio, but it seems like he forgot after he went to bed,” Yuan said, casually treating his grandfather as a forgetful old man.

Vio didn’t know if he should laugh, so he nodded for now. “I-I see…”

“I’ll try to convince him, so please come back again. I’m really sorry to make you come this far…” 

Even though Yuan was a child, he appeared quite mature when he apologized properly. 

Yuan then began to explain the situation to Vio and the others, saying, “My father and grandfather aren’t on good terms. I don’t think he likes the fact that Father married Mother…” he glanced at the two still glaring at each other. “It’s always like this every time they meet. They’re just like kids.”

“Ah, so it’s like that. Okay then. By the way, does your grandfather make these tools too?” asked Vio, gesturing to the magic tools in the glass displays. “He’s a mage, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. This store is famous to those in the know, and it’s still quite popular. The building’s appearance is a bit too much, though…”

“I see.”

That meant that Zora could make magic tools and items—a talented man, one who was very difficult to come by. Vio was suddenly motivated. It would be nice if he could persuade Zora to come to Leca town.

Our budget is a bit tight, but… it’s worth it. 

Although Zora’s attitude was blunt, his store showed that he was a pretty amazing person. Even just knowing that was worthwhile enough for Vio.

“Then once he’s willing to talk to me, can you contact me at the inn?” asked Vio.

“Yes, of course!”

Having ended their conversation, Yuan then saw them off with a polite bow as Vio and his entourage left the store.