Kays Translations

Chapter 34: Trouble Gathers at the Summer Resort

“Apparently, the blueprints Julius released are available only to magic-tool artisans within the Heine Margraviate.”

“What? I never heard anything about that.”

“If Julius doesn’t know, then either Father arranged it behind the scenes, or the Magic Tool Guild is restricting access.”

I had sold the blueprints to the guild and left distribution in its hands. I had no idea what had happened after that.

Perhaps that was why Lady Fabienne had said the Starry Sky magic tool was difficult to obtain. Should I have investigated when she mentioned it?

“I assumed similar products would appear everywhere before long. I didn’t realise the design was being restricted.”

“Perhaps the local guild secured a monopoly in cooperation with the Magic Tool Guild headquarters in the royal capital.”

“So they’re putting profit ahead of spreading the invention.”

I was disappointed. I hadn’t expected them to act that way. If the tool remained expensive and scarce, far fewer people would benefit from it, and the development of magic tools as a whole would be slowed.

“By the way,” Alex continued, “the stuffed animals Rosalia carries are becoming popular in the royal capital too. I’ve seen several imitations, but none are as well made as hers.”

“Of course not. Big brother Julius made mine! I have a bear, a cat, a dog, and a sheep too!”

Rosalia boasted proudly. She looked exactly like a little sister showing off her brother. Alex seemed mildly taken aback.

Still, I would have to stop her from carrying a different stuffed animal everywhere she went.

Whenever they became dirty, cleaning them was my responsibility. Rosalia probably thought of me as her personal stuffed-animal cleaner. I didn’t mind helping, but I couldn’t freely use my Laboratory skill every time.

“Julius really can make almost anything, can’t he?”

“I simply have trouble refusing Rosalia when she asks me for something.”

I used that excuse to evade further questions.

Afterward, I eagerly listened as Alex described his classes and the academy curriculum. The dining hall served regional dishes from territories across the kingdom. Some were excellent and others were terrible, but trying them was apparently part of the fun.

Eating unfamiliar dishes that never appeared at home would certainly leave strong memories. Academy life sounded enjoyable.

On days off, Alex and his friends visited shops around the academy grounds and sampled popular sweets. They often invited girls to accompany them, so there was plenty of interaction between male and female students.

During the first term, the academy emphasised making friends and building connections. Aside from the entrance ceremony, there had been few major events. The second term, however, would include a school festival, a martial arts tournament, and a dance competition.

After hearing that, Brother Cain became determined to practice dancing more seriously.

He was already skilled at martial arts. If he improved his manners and dancing, he would be well prepared. It appeared he had discovered what he needed to work on.

I, on the other hand, had no intention of attending the royal academy. A school in the territorial capital should give me more freedom. I would rather spend my time improving the medicinal herb garden.

Even before Alex returned, the number of visitors to the Heine Margraviate had begun to rise. More knights were assigned to patrol duty, and because the order was always short-handed during the summer, additional guards had been hired.

Our improved relationship with the Adventurers’ Guild allowed us to recruit adventurers as temporary guards. Since they were already trained for combat, they could be deployed immediately.

I overheard Father tell Lionel that he wanted to use the same arrangement again the following year.

According to Abel, guard work during the summer season was one of the guild’s most popular requests because it provided adventurers with reliable income.

When I told him about the wyvern incident, he lamented that he had missed the chance to fight it. That was an adventurer for you.

At dinner, the household staff reported which nobles had arrived in the territory. Many prominent families owned summer villas here. Whenever a particularly powerful noble came to stay, Father was expected to greet them as lord of the Heine Margraviate.

“I see. So the royal family will visit this year. Their interest is probably the horse races. Word of them has spread through the royal capital.”

“Yes, my lord. Other territories have begun imitating the races devised by House Heine. It’s most regrettable.”

Good ideas were easily copied. There was no preventing that. We could, however, promote our territory as the birthplace of modern horse racing and maintain our lead through quality.

No other region had the same environment for breeding fine horses. Since racing began, competition among breeders had intensified, producing faster and stronger animals. Some horses were already being bought and sold for considerable sums.

When the people of the territory prospered, House Heine’s tax revenue rose as well. It benefited everyone, and I hoped the industry would continue to grow.

“The royal family isn’t our only important visitor,” the servant continued. “Marquis Mulan has also expressed interest in spending part of the summer here.”

“The Mulan family? I see. That will make matters busier. The Duke of Valletta will be here as usual, along with Count Robben.”

“Oh dear. This summer will be very busy indeed,” Mother said, her eyebrows drooping with concern.

She had probably already realised how much additional work awaited her.

I hoped none of it would involve me. Surely Brother Alex could handle the troublesome guests.

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