Kays Translations

Chapter 410: Getting Permission to Go to the Forest

At dinner, House Mulan’s servants guided us to a dining hall spacious enough for the entire party. Axel and Ijidol were naturally present.

From the day’s conversations, I gathered that Axel and Ijidol had come as members of Caro’s circle of friends. They trained alongside the knights and mages at the royal castle, and that connection explained why the two commoners were welcome here.

This also meant Marquis Mulan knew about Caro and Axel’s relationship. If he continued to welcome Axel despite that knowledge, his intentions were clear. The only people who had failed to notice were the pair themselves. I began to feel sorry for Ijidol, who had been swept along with them. Hang in there.

Once dinner was under way and the conversation had settled, I raised the matter of the herb garden. Marquis Mulan immediately looked troubled; as expected, the proposal for everyone to enter the forest concerned him.

“I have no issue with creating an herb garden in the yard, but is there no way around going to collect the herb seedlings? Even if the number of monsters has returned to previous levels, I wouldn’t want anything to happen.”

“Oh my, are you not aware? Julius here is a skilled fighter who can take down a wyvern. He could defeat a Forest Wolf with just a flick of his finger.”

That was a dramatic exaggeration, but not entirely wrong. I would not even need to move to defeat one. Not that I intended to demonstrate; Ijidol would badger me endlessly about the magic involved.

I had told my friends about the wyvern incident, but had not expected Marchioness Mulan to hear the story as well. Perhaps she collected every interesting rumour that reached the household. Maybe life simply lacked excitement.

“Seeing as you’re not denying it, I suppose you really could take them down with just a flick of your finger.”

“Oh, come on, Axel. That’s not true.”

I denied it with a smile, but everyone still looked unconvinced. Why?

Well, at least I had played my part. If they said no, then that was that. I would just have to give up on going with everyone. Just as planned.

“Julius just smirked! That is the face he makes when he plans to go alone!”

“What sort of face is that, Ijidol? I am not making it!”

“Ijidol is entirely correct. That is the face of someone plotting something.”

“E-Even you, Fabienne?! That’s not true at all!”

Fabienne narrowed her eyes, and I quickly looked away. It was fine. They had not uncovered my plan yet. Then I noticed Nero giving me the same half-lidded stare. Perhaps it was not fine after all.

The Marquis of Mulan let out a thoughtful groan.

“Even if Julius-sama is strong, I can’t allow him to go alone. It can’t be helped. I will permit this on the condition that knights from the Mulan family accompany you.”

“Thank you, Father!”

Caro’s beaming smile softened Marquis Mulan’s expression. Fathers seemed weak to their daughters in every noble house; my own family was no different where Rosalia was concerned.

It looked like we would all be going to the forest together. I would need to make proper preparations. It would still take some time before we could obtain the seedlings. In the meantime, I should focus on getting the herb garden ready.

The knights would plan the route and escort formation, allowing us to travel through the safest available areas.

Afterwards, I consulted Marchioness Mulan about where the herb garden should be established.

“I have a request for you, Julius-sama. Would you be willing to hear me out?”

“Of course. Please, go ahead.”

“I am considering appointing a resident magic pharmacist. Would you be willing to instruct him?”

I knew it. My assessment had been correct. The herb garden would not go to waste, and House Mulan would presumably acquire the necessary equipment in due course. Since I would be staying with them for some time, I had no objection to teaching their candidate.

“Of course, I don’t mind. I don’t know how much my abilities will be of use, but I will do my best.”

“Hahaha, what are you saying? Axel and Ijidol have told me that you are an outstanding magic pharmacist.”

I looked sharply at Axel and Ijidol. Both stared into the distance. I would have to question them later about exactly how much they had revealed. While I was at it, I should find out how far Axel and Caro’s relationship had progressed.

Surely… they had not progressed further than Fabienne and me, had they?

“What sort of person is the magic pharmacist?”

“He is my second son. He attends the academy in the royal capital and will return during the summer holidays.”

“Leon is a serious and quiet child, but he seems to struggle with making friends. I would be happy if you could get along with him.”

“Of course.”

House Mulan had two sons and two daughters. The eldest son was serving as a diplomat, while Lady Hilda appeared to be staying with the Eastern Margrave’s family and would probably marry into that house.

The second son, Lord Leon Mulan, was the same age as Brother Cain and attended the Royal Academy. Caro travelled between the royal capital and the territorial capital, escorted voluntarily by Axel and Ijidol, although Ijidol seemed to have been dragged into the arrangement.

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