Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 69: The Heroic Tale
It was the first family dinner we had shared in a long time. Grandfather and Grandmother were absent, but everyone was relieved to be together again.
“Brother Alex, has the academy suspended classes?”
“Yes. The suspected poisoner is dead, and the immediate investigation at the school is almost finished, so it should reopen soon.”
“Will it really be safe?”
Alex gave a troubled smile.
“For a while, I’ll commute from the townhouse instead of staying in the dormitory, and I’ll bring food prepared here. Most students whose families own townhouses are doing the same. The academy has approved it.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Everyone in the royal capital must have been frightened. Until the true mastermind was identified, no one knew what might happen next.
“We asked Julius and Rosalia to come despite the difficult journey,” Father said, “but while you’re here, you mustn’t eat anything prepared outside this house. It’ll be inconvenient, but you’ll obey.”
“I understand.”
“So do I,” Rosalia said.
The royal capital probably had many sweet shops unlike anything in the Heine Margraviate. It was disappointing that we couldn’t sample them, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. We would have to wait until the danger passed.
“How long will Grandmother’s memorial continue?” I asked.
“Probably until the end of the season.”
“She truly was important to the kingdom… Do you believe she was the intended target?”
The table fell silent. Father put down his knife and fork.
“She was the most prominent person among the dead, so it’s possible. Mother never named a formal successor or entrusted the full extent of her knowledge to the guild. Someone may have resented her for keeping her techniques private.”
“Did she ever mention an enemy or anyone who bore a grudge?”
Father shook his head.
Killing Grandmother wouldn’t transfer her skill to anyone. Her professional standing couldn’t simply be inherited either; a person had to earn recognition as a high-ranking magic pharmacist. The only immediately vacant prize might be her position within the guild.
“Did Grandmother hold an important guild office?”
“She was nominally vice guildmaster of the Magic Pharmacists’ Guild. But she lived in the Heine Margraviate rather than the royal capital and had little involvement in its daily affairs.”
“Could someone have wanted the vice-guildmaster position?”
“That possibility is being investigated. I don’t know whether the guild members realise that.”
Father sighed deeply, clearly disgusted.
Continuing would ruin our first family meal together, so I changed the subject.
“Dinner is excellent. The meals we ate on the journey were good, but the seasoning here is completely different.”
“The royal capital receives spices from all over the kingdom,” Alex said, accepting my obvious diversion. “There may be some you’ve never encountered.”
A dependable older brother indeed.
Many spices could be used in potions. Even salt was a useful ingredient.
“I would like to see them while we’re here.”
“The townhouse kitchen probably has most common varieties, but visiting a specialist merchant would be more interesting. They sell some very unusual things.”
Alex seemed familiar with the city. Perhaps he explored it on days when the academy was closed. I envied him slightly.
“If we can’t eat outside, I would at least like to visit the shops.”
“I can take you tomorrow. The academy will still be closed.”
“Brother Alex, I want to come too,” Rosalia said.
“Of course. We’ll all go together.”
Mother watched us with a smile.
“Rosalia seems even more attached to Julius than before. Did something happen while we were away?”
There was something frightening about her smile. Father raised one eyebrow at me.
I had done nothing wrong… probably. I had made several magic tools and defeated a Great Big Boar on the road. That last part might be difficult to explain.
Could I persuade Rosalia to remain silent? No. They would discover everything eventually.
“Big brother and I made many hot-and-cold air blowers to dry hair,” Rosalia announced. “He also built baths and showers for the knight order and defeated the monsters that attacked us!”
“Rosalia,” Mother said gently, “please tell me the entire story.”
“Of course!”
Thus began Rosalia’s heroic tale, with me cast as its protagonist.
She embellished a few details, but most of the account was true. Mother’s expression tightened when Rosalia described the Great Big Boar.
Father covered his face with one hand and looked towards the ceiling. Lionel had apparently told him most of it, but Father had planned to wait before informing Mother so that she wouldn’t worry.
“Julius, Lionel has already explained much of what happened. From now on, whenever you intend to undertake something unusual or dangerous, send me a letter first. Is that clear?”
“Yes…”
I had tried to improve the mood, yet somehow I had ended up in trouble again.
Naturally, the family also demanded a hot-and-cold air blower for the townhouse. I suspected one unit would soon become several.
Once again, this wouldn’t be an issue if Lionel was tight lipped. I mean, okay, yeah, be responsible and tell the father, BUT WHY WOULD YOU TELL ROSALIA
I think you forgot but Rosalia was there when that happened.