Kays Translations

Chapter 26: Departure for the Royal Capital

When the snow had completely melted and greenery began to show across the ground, the day finally came for Brother Alex to leave for the royal capital.

Only Brother Alex and a few escorts would be making the journey. His luggage consisted of four large bags.

Personally, I didn’t think he needed to take that much. Everyone wore uniforms at the academy, and even if he went out on his days off, he couldn’t need that many clothes. If anything, all that luggage would just make his dorm room feel cramped.

“Alex, take care. Never conduct yourself in a way that would bring shame upon House Heine.”

“And be sure to write to us regularly.”

“Of course, Father, Mother.”

Brother Alex answered confidently. He was clearly looking forward to attending the academy. He was always telling Brother Cain and me little facts about the place, and thanks to that, even Brother Cain had started wishing he could attend the academy in the royal capital.

“Brother Alex, I’m looking forward to hearing all your stories!”

“Of course, Cain. I’ll record everything in my diary so that I don’t forget.”

“Brother Alex, this is a present from me.”

I held out a small bag. Brother Alex checked what was inside.

“These are… a healing potion and an antidote?”

“That’s right. You never know what may happen at the academy. With those, you’ll be all right even if someone stabs you in the back or poisons your food!”

“Ah, thank you, Julius. I’ll do my best not to need either of them.”

Father and Mother both narrowed their eyes suspiciously at Brother Alex. Apparently, they knew perfectly well that he had something of a reputation as a playboy.

I suspect that part of his personality comes from Father, but perhaps I’d better keep that thought to myself.

“Take care, Brother Alex! Don’t let any wicked girls deceive you, all right?”

“Uh, yes. I’ll be careful. Thank you, Rosalia.”

Brother Alex’s face twitched. As expected of Rosalia. She has such a sweet face, yet she says exactly what she thinks.

With that rather strained expression still on his face, Brother Alex’s carriage departed for the royal capital. Leaving now would give him more than enough time to reach the academy before the entrance ceremony. In fact, he would arrive early enough to enjoy a little freedom once he got there.

Come to think of it, life at the royal academy might be rather fun simply because there would be no parents watching over you. I would be attending the academy in the territorial capital, but I could understand why Brother Cain wanted to go to the royal capital.

A year passed after that. During that time, preparations for local horse racing continued steadily throughout the Heine Margraviate.

Unfortunately, I was both the person who had come up with the idea and the one placed in charge of it. As horse racing grew more popular, I only became busier. Someone, please replace me.

Then, one day…

“You’ve been unusually quiet lately, Lord Julius.”

“What do you mean, Lionel?”

“Lady Amelia instructed me to watch you closely. I was wondering whether you might be doing something in secret while appearing so quiet.”

Lionel said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world. That still hurt a little. Apparently, everyone considered me a troublemaker, even though that had never been my intention.

If anything, I’d done nothing but good things. Probably.

“Nothing in particular. I haven’t obtained any new materials, so I can’t make new potions. As for magic tools, I have no intention of becoming a magic-tool craftsman.”

“That’s unfortunate. Everyone expects you to create a new industry, Lord Julius.”

“Give me a break. I nearly became a stuffed-animal craftsman.”

The stuffed animals I’d given Mother and Rosalia had caused quite a stir. The trouble started when Mother proudly showed hers off to the ladies who came to tea at House Heine.

Naturally, people began asking for their own. Mother had me make several, and when the requests kept increasing, I finally handed the patterns over to a clothing shop patronised by House Heine.

The shop soon began producing stuffed animals of its own. Apparently, though, people still thought the ones I made were better, because requests continued coming directly to me. I refused them all.

“Ha ha ha! You truly are a young man of many talents. With such ability, you should never have trouble earning money.”

“Perhaps, but I intend to become a magic pharmacist. Everything else is merely a sideline.”

“As Lady Amelia says, you truly aren’t greedy, Lord Julius.”

Lionel laughed again. Greedy? Even if I had more money, I had almost nothing to spend it on. There was very little entertainment in this territory.

Hm? Entertainment?

“Lionel, there’s something I want to make. Is there any leftover wood nearby?”

“The knight order keeps timber in its storehouse. If you wish to use some, I can have it delivered to you…”

“No need. I’ll go there myself. Lead the way.”

“At once.”

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