Battle for the Wise Man’s Seal (2)
“Ed Rothtaylor is worth using.”
The amount of food is large.
Princess Fenia who has a short mouth could not eat even half of it but with the authority of the royal family and all the dining table was always to the point where the upper legs broke.
I don’t think it’s such a waste but I have complicated feelings because I can’t afford a simple meal.
After finishing her meal Princess Fenia went towards the student center in the faculty building and found a suitable bench. Wooden bench with table near the square. There was no better place to bask in the sun.
Although she only sat down for a moment the servants accompanying her quickly brought a parasol to provide shade used the tea set they carried around to heat water using magic and quickly served hot tea.
“He appears to have some knowledge of the internal affairs of the Rosstaylor family. Right now they’re just keeping their heads down but with some cajoling you might be able to get them to open their mouths. “If you persuade him better he may be able to serve as a spy for Rosstaylor.”
Claire stood proudly with her back to her and gave a mantra to Princess Fenia who was drinking tea. The story that has been discussed since mealtime has not yet been concluded.
“… ”
There is some time until afternoon class.
Princess Fenia brushed her flowing platinum hair with slender fingers and suddenly looked up at the clear autumn sky.
Princess Fenia’s insight eyes scream at Crepin Rosstaylor.
It is said that although he acts like a benevolent and dignified nobleman there is a soggy and dark madness hidden beneath him.
However since there is no physical evidence of it I can’t really put my finger on it. However I am convinced that the wise man’s seal should never fall into his hands.
“The news is that the Rosstaylor family’s negotiation team will arrive at Aken Island sometime next week.”
“That’s strange. “The choice to sell the wise man’s seal was truly dishonorable so he would have wanted to keep it from being known to the outside world as much as possible. How did Crepin a third party know about that fact and dispatch a negotiation team?”
“That boy… Ed may have reported it. “He lives inside the university so he may have heard rumors.”
“Is there a reason for that? “He has been excommunicated from the Rosstaylor family so he no longer needs to be loyal to the family.”
“If I were in that boy’s shoes I would do whatever it takes to be recognized and return to my family.”
Claire said and nodded.
For the boy in the forest the glory of the Ross Taylor family was definitely something to miss. I heard that it’s not hard to survive day by day… You might want to go back to the days when you were full.
‘After being excommunicated he seemed to have become aloof from the rest of the world but perhaps the temperature difference from the time he lived as a noble was difficult to bear?’
Princess Fenia closed her eyes and felt ironic.
well. “Probably not.”
The answer came from somewhere else. When Claire and Princess Fenia turned their heads a girl with a familiar face walked over and sat down across from her.
The bewitching eyes and very mischievous corners of the mouth resemble a small devil full of mischief.
Her reddish-brown hair which was usually tied on one side and falling in front of her shoulders was spread out in abundance today. The robe hat would normally have been worn deeply hiding the expression beneath the shade but today it was comfortably left off.
The headband with a blue rose-shaped decoration harmonizes well with the reddish-brown hair creating a calm downright feeling.
Looking at her like that she looks like a girl full of charm rather than an unidentified vicious colossus.
However everyone here knows very well that if you are fooled by appearances you will show your teeth the moment you see a gap.
“I wonder if I can have the honor of sharing a teacup with the princess despite my lowly status.”
A wry smile.
“… ”
As Princess Fenia glared the servant brought out another cup of tea and placed it across from her.
The scent of the finest herbs wafted over them but in the end the two did not reach for the teacup.
Lortel Kecheln is the most powerful person in the Elte Chamber of Commerce and it is said that it is only a matter of time before she takes over as chairman once she gets older.
Because there was nothing planned for the conversation with her Princess Fenia was nervous for no reason.
“I am worried that this may be presumptuous but I really wanted to let you know that it is speculation that Senior Ed joined the Ross Taylor family.”
“That’s unexpected Lortel.”
Princess Fenia’s eyes narrowed. The image reflected in her pupil was that of Lortel pushing aside the hem of her robe and slowly reaching for the teacup enjoying its scent.
Princess Fenia decided not to bother talking about it.
“I thought you hated me.”
“Oh my that’s unfair. Princess Fenia. Otherwise why would she come to give this mantra to the princess?”
Even slyness is a work of art.
“It is probably my father Elte’s fault not Senior Ed’s that Crepin Rosstaylor intervened in this seal negotiation.”
I beg your pardon?
Princess Fenia also heard rumors about Elte. The news was that her downfall was almost certain and she had lost almost all of her power.
It felt very uncomfortable to see Lortel his adoptive daughter look so carefree while her father was in such a corner.
“The reason Elte Company wanted to purchase the Sage’s seal was to sell it to Crepin at a higher price. It seems there was some sort of agreement between my father Elte Kecheln and Crepin Rothtaylor. “Well I had no idea.”
“… then..
“Well even though my father was overthrown there is no change in my plan to purchase the wise man’s seal. “The time and effort put into it by our Elte Company is amazing.”
Princess Fenia just sat quietly and listened to Lortel’s story. At some point the amount of talk had also decreased.
“The time has come to replace the ‘responsible person’ who will be responsible for the wise man’s seal so now may be the right time to negotiate the purchase. Our Elte Company will be busy too. “If you don’t come to your senses your seal will be taken away by the Rosstaylor family.”
“That’s strange. Isn’t the Elte Company planning to eventually purchase the Wise Man’s Seal and then sell it to the Ross Taylor family? In some ways the interests of the two groups seem to be aligned but why do the Elte Chamber of Commerce and the Ross Taylor family appear to be competing with each other to purchase the seal?”
that… . This is because I have no intention of selling the seal to the Ross Taylor family. “My current situation is a bit special so it’s better not to get too close to business partners that are connected to my father.”
Princess Fenia was speechless at those words.
“Anyway it was my father not me who made the agreement to sell the seal to the Ross Taylor family. Even so it was a contract concluded in great secrecy so appealing to Elte Trading Company now would have no effect. That is the reason why Crepin Rosstaylor personally negotiated the seal.”
“Why are you telling me this internal situation?” ”
“Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
After saying that Lortel smiled with his eyes closed.
The fact that Haksa’s finances are in dire straits and a plan to sell the wise man’s seal is being considered is insider information known only to those in the know. In addition I never imagined that he would completely reveal the true feelings of Elte Company and the position of the Ross Taylor family.
“Princess Fenia seems to want to keep the Rosstaylor family in check so it’s a win-win situation for us right? “If the Rosstaylor family is excluded I can take the seal which is good.”
“… ”
“We’re close friends. Ahhh. “We are friends and go to many of the same classes.”
It’s a smile like an awl. If you easily hold out your hand just because it looks useful you are likely to get stabbed.
Princess Fenia is already feeling it to the point where she is sick of it.
Lortel Kecheln and Fenia Elias Cloel… It’s like a relationship standing on two sides of a mirror and we probably won’t be able to understand and acknowledge each other until we die.
“Well I also thought that senior Ed could be harmed. “I’m worried about her as a junior.”
“That person… “You were worried?”
“I’m already a person who has separated from my family and am living a new life so wouldn’t it be unfair if I were to be misunderstood as being attached to the Ross Taylor family?”
Princess Fenia narrowed her eyes again.
There was no way this girl would think of helping someone out of pure good intentions so it seemed certain that she had another intention in defending Ed.
“But that boy… “It’s definitely worth using.”
At this point Ed is the only person who can know even roughly the internal circumstances of the Ross Taylor family.
In fact since he lived as a member of the Rosstaylor family for a long time it is highly likely that he possessed at least some information no matter how incompetent and arrogant he was.
However judging people only based on their use value and holding them and shaking them around like expendable goods… It’s not Princess Fenia’s style.
“You can ask for help from person to person and appeal to authority to give orders but… Nevertheless if you don’t open your mouth… ”
“If not… ?”
then… “There is no choice but to ‘use’ it.”
Although Fenia is the princess of charity who treats everyone with dignity she does not always fall into idealism and distort practicality.
If necessary there must be times when the heart can be cooled down. I didn’t know that fact.
After hearing Princess Fenia’s answer Lortel’s expression hardened for a moment and then he suddenly raised his hand and quickly put on his robe hat.
He hid his face under the shade lowered his head and trembled intermittently.
“Lortel Kecheln?”
What kind of reaction is that? Have you been thinking about something?
Lortel kept his head down for a long time without any sign of paying attention to the confused Princess Fenia.
Soon a gorgeous-looking pigeon flew in and landed on Lortel’s shoulder. Nevertheless Lortel kept his head down for a while and then stretched out his hand toward the pigeon.
Oh my goodness… . From the head office there is a message… ”
When Lortel who was barely able to continue speaking with her voice trembling raised her head Princess Fenia was momentarily taken aback and Claire who was guarding next to her started bleeding.
Lortel was holding back the burst of laughter that was about to burst out.
“You’re deceiving me and taking advantage of me.”
Lortel unable to bear it any longer continues.
who? “Who?”
“You bastard! Such blasphemous… .! How dare you tell the princess that this place is safe now… !”
“Princess Fenia.”
Claire was furious but Lortel cut her off as if to show off.
Lortel Kecheln has already finished understanding the man named Ed Rothtaylor.
Although he is in a bit of a corner he still has no idea that Princess Fenia who has lived as a flower in a greenhouse could take advantage of him.
Normally I would have been secretly laughing behind the scenes as I watched Princess Fenia shoveling in the air.
“Princess Fenia. In this case we are allies. We must first drive out the common enemy called the Ross Taylor family from Aken Island. So I want to give you a very sincere mantra.”
“… ”
“Don’t try to take advantage of him half-heartedly. “Because there is a risk of being taken advantage of.”
Lortel said that and stood up taking his sword with him.
“Please understand this slight rudeness with generosity. “This advice comes from loyalty to the princess.”
“Where are you going Lortel?”
“There is someone I promised to meet. She came dressed up but she ended up using a robe for no reason and her hair was ruined. Ugh. “It is no longer polite to disturb the princess’s rest time so I will stand up now.”
Lortel bowed politely.
“Please rest in peace.”
“You must be held accountable for your rudeness right now princess.”
“It’s okay Claire.”
I don’t like asserting authority but what I just said was definitely rude. Princess Fenia wasn’t in a very good mood either but she had too many other things to think about.
Above all it feels like Lortel’s attitude toward Ed has changed dramatically.
Basically Lortel treats his superiors with courtesy on the outside but if you look inside he always tends to weigh the other person’s worth.
There was already confusion about Ed Rothtaylor’s intentions and evaluation.
Even after being excommunicated he has adapted to life at the academy surprisingly well has achieved quite excellent grades in various subjects and is often commented on as being a more sound person than expected.
Moreover if even the fox Lortel of the Elte Company gave such a warning doubts arose as to whether his insight had really gone astray.
“… .”
Then little by little a thick feeling rises in one part of your heart.
Ed Rosstaylor.
This is because it was Princess Fenia herself who excommunicated him. Even if he intended it the well-known fact does not change.
In the end the identity of the emotion flowing inside is guilt. However its size is small.
The difference in status is enormous and there is no special relationship between them.
If you are swayed by guilt for causing trouble to such people due to a momentary mistake in judgment it will only be an obstacle to your progress as a monarch.
A monarch must also know how to intentionally ignore even the slightest sense of guilt.
“Claire. I sent you a personal letter but please check it anyway. “I have to call Ed in time so he can visit the royal residence soon.”
In any case it is necessary to keep an eye on Lortel Kecheln’s movements. She’s really scary because she’s that girl.
Will I ever see that woman embarrassed or at a loss?
It seemed like such a distant story so Princess Fenia sighed.
The path of a monarch dealing with people was long and arduous.
*
“… What is it?
Lortel with a dumb expression on his face sat on the sofa in the living room. He looked completely embarrassed.
“That’s it.”
“Hello Lortel. “It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Yenika smiled and greeted me warmly. Her smile was so bright that it felt like flower petals were fluttering about.
The luxurious parlor of the Sylvania branch of the Elte Company is used very little compared to its neat appearance.
There are very few VIPs who visit the store located in the limited space of Aken Island so if you use it four or five times a year you have used a lot. It is decorated so well but is not used so it is a waste from the perspective of looking at it.
Lortel and Yenica looked at each other and smiled exchanging well-wishes with the most humane smiles in the world.
sorry. I didn’t know that Ms. Yenica would come so I could only prepare two cups of rosemary tea from Pulan for her. Would you like some cold water?”
huh! are you okay! “It looks like there was a lot of it piled up in the store’s warehouse but since it’s for sale I guess they can’t give it to customers?”
“Yes that’s right! If you had told me in advance that you would come I would have really prepared. “I was only thinking about eating alone with senior Ed so my thoughts couldn’t reach that point.”
“I want to drink cold water. Yenika you drink it.”
Yenika smiled at that and said yes! Lortel took the teacup and sighed with half-moon eyes open wondering what was so strange.
“Well I checked the contents of the letter. From the looks of it it was a story about Elte.”
yes that’s right. “It looks like the Elte Chamber of Commerce is finished with the dismissal plan but they accepted the dismissal plan more coolly than expected so it seems like they have a plan.”
The climax scenario of Act 2 which goes from the battle for the wise man’s seal to the battle to subdue Glast has not changed in its broad outlines.
However it seems that there is a clear need to deal with the surprises of Elte’s early fall from office and Crepin’s participation in the military.
Crepin Rostaylor who wields the power of the evil god Mebula cannot be defeated at this point.
The story has to be ‘postponed’ for the second half when me and Tailly’s specs come up a bit more.
In the first place Princess Fenia who stands as the antithesis of Crepin and subdues him is very weak at this point.
Because he is checked by the 1st and 2nd princesses he cannot reach out to imperial power and he has not yet become student council president so he cannot raise his voice within the academy.
“I’m worried that I might end up in trouble with senior Ed. “That’s why she called me to make sure there was no problem.”
I see. Surely she must keep her wits about her because there is no telling what Elte will do if she is cornered.”
“Even so there are limits to what we can do with our weakened power. Oh that’s right. Would you like to bring some magic engineering supplies?”
After saying that Lortel opened the cabinet and took out a bunch of crystal balls quills for engraving magic books and ink.
“These are items that have had no transaction history for a long time so you don’t have to worry about taking them at all.”
“Lortel. Anyone can tell that these are new products with not a speck of dust on them? They say that giving away items for free is against merchant ethics and will be criticized.”
“Oh my Senior Yenika. You don’t have a keen eye for looking at things. “Look carefully. They are all defective items.”
When Yenika heard that she went to the cabinet and checked each item one by one. The crystal ball had a small crack the quill was broken at a corner and the magic ink was leaking from the package as the package was slightly open.
“Even if you look at it you created the defect on purpose! “It makes sense that such a shiny object would have such a flaw!”
“Well that’s not for me to judge. “In the end isn’t what’s important whether or not it’s something that can be sold?”
“… ”
“Well from Senior Ed’s perspective it would be important to know whether it would be helpful or not.”
When Lortel said that Yenica was completely speechless.
“Thank you but what’s wrong with getting this for free…” “You haven’t even paid for the magic engineering supplies you received last time.”
“Oh the payment has been transferred to the next contract. Paying all at once is easier for the recipient and the later you pay the easier it is for you right? “The more you push the payment due date the better.”
“That’s right but hasn’t the payment due date been pushed back for the fourth time already?”
“Well as long as you keep coming to renew your contract there won’t be much of a problem. “It’s a small amount from our perspective.”
Looking at Lortel who was smiling and tilting his head Yenica suddenly began to puff out her cheeks.
“Isn’t it easier for both of us to just quickly make the payment and end the contract? “If Ed wants to plan how to spend the remaining money he needs to throw away all the money he has left.”
“Isn’t that something that ‘we’ can discuss on our own?”
“Ah really!”
I laid down on the sofa again leaving behind Yenica who was stomping on the floor and bickering and Lortel who was slyly ignoring me.
– That’s still… Edgar…
– When your senior says that…
Once again a familiar sensation permeates my entire body.
It felt like swimming in water. There have been a lot of cases like this these days.
The surrounding sounds sound like distant echoes and the feeling of floating in the air in a state of weightlessness makes you let go of your mind for a moment.
Come to think of it there is still a lot of work to be done even after the visit to Elte Trading Company is over.
We need to quickly pack up the beef jerky that was dried in the camp before Lucy touches it.
The interior of the cabin also needs to be cleaned again. Final cleaning before putting in the chairs desk and bed frame.
You should also make a matrix for the bed. It may be difficult to make a modern matrix made of springs but it seems possible to make it fluffy by weaving fabric and filling it with feathers or other vague fabrics.
The fawn we caught the day before yesterday also needs to be cleaned. The process of tearing off the skin emptying the intestines then cutting each part and smoking it takes a lot of time.
I couldn’t even finish the intermediate magic introductory assignment for elemental science class. He still has a history of magic assignment to complete and he also has to prepare for next week’s Herbology class.
When I think about it I’m out of arrows. You should also make sure that the sportswear you will wear when jogging to school tomorrow is well dry. Work on the cabin windows also needs to be completed. We need to pile up more firewood before winter comes. We also need to find a way to preserve food throughout the winter. You should also know how to procure proper winter clothing.
– Ed Ed!
– Seniors?
As I slowly organize my to-do list I feel dazed again.
I felt like I was swimming in the water and felt my body sinking into the sofa little by little.
… .
… … .
[ You fall into a status abnormality! ]
*
That person seems to have come to his senses differently than before.
I just quietly attended class quietly completed my assignments and then returned home.
They say they got kicked out of the dormitory. How are they living? It would be difficult to find decent accommodation on such a remote island and you would be completely penniless.
Surprisingly I’m good at studying. I heard you’re a hard worker right?
I didn’t want to get close to him because it reminded me of his unlucky side in the past but I have to admit that he is sincere and regular.
When you think about it you wonder if you were such a bad person. Has awareness become somewhat diluted because so much time has passed?
Sometimes I see him in class and he doesn’t say a word. He really seems to be a person who only studies. What’s going on?
“Maybe he was a surprisingly upstanding person?”
You can change your mind and pretend to be a new person for up to a month at most.
Normally they would return to their true nature after about a month but for over half a year they had been living an absurd life in that camp.
“… ”
Private bedroom of the royal residence.
Princess Fenia sat alone at a grand private table and sighed.
Do I really have to admit it now?
The way he went fishing with an honest attitude at camp and the way he gave the correct answer without panicking during the battle to subjugate Glaskan. The reputation of students who say they are really focused on their studies. Lortel’s warning not to judge him carelessly.
Besides that intuition and small clues were constantly whispering to Princess Fenia.
Maybe your insight was wrong.
In that case his decision to kick out a healthy and healthy boy from his family and force him to survive in the forest penniless… Could this have gone astray?
Anyway I sent a personal letter to Ed and instructed him to visit the royal residence once through Claire.
Since it is an order from the royal family Ed will most likely come to the royal family’s quarters.
Only then will we be able to truly see through the man’s true intentions.
And if you say your judgment is wrong… Now let’s really acknowledge it.
“The princess.”
“Claire.”
As I was thinking that the guard captain Claire knocked on the door and came in. He must have come because he had something to report and it is obvious what it is.
“Have you set a schedule for tomorrow? What time is Ed Rosstaylor… ”
“The princess. “I guess he won’t be able to visit for a while.”
“Why? No matter what it’s a golden name… “If you’re going to refuse on a personal basis shouldn’t there be a reasonable justification for it?”
I don’t want to establish authority but in any case the orders given by Princess Fenia including a personal letter are in accordance with the imperial decree. If you say no there must be a reason.
“… “They say he collapsed from overwork.”
He has always been like an iron man.
I couldn’t help but believe my ears when I heard that news.
“I guess I reached my limit after trying too hard to survive and study. “He is currently in a coma.”
However even sincerity had its limits.
