Kays Translations

Chapter 14: Meeting with the Marquis

Rest was fed cake like a baby bird and enjoyed the tea party, but... just as the small tea party was coming to an end, a man appeared.

"Hey, you must be Rest-kun."

The man wore a monocle over one eye and was well-dressed in a suit that exuded an air of sophistication. Despite his refinement, he had an indiscernible smile, and his ears perked up from the top of his head. A fluffy tail protruded from his rear, indicating he was some sort of beastman—perhaps a dog or fox.

Viola referred to him as "father," indicating that he was Marquis Rosemary, the owner of the mansion.

"Oh, excuse my intrusion. I'm Rest...!"

Rest hastily stood up from his chair, bowing his head firmly in greeting.

"Yeah, yeah, good job with the proper greeting. Quite different from your brother."

"Brother... You mean Cedric?"

"Yeah. I've talked to him before on the recommendation of honorary visdcount Ebern, but he was a rude kid who couldn't even bow properly to those above him. I wanted to believe he had become somewhat decent after being scolded by his father, but..."

"...My apologies for my brother's rudeness."

"No, I'm not asking for an apology from you. I heard about the incident in the forest from my daughters."

Marquis Rosemary sat down in the open chair.

The maid immediately brewed tea for the master and placed it on the table.

At the urging of Marquis Rosemary, Rest sat down on the chair again.

"I was asked to set up a meeting with his son because the girls will be taking the entrance exam for the same academy next year. I reluctantly made time to meet him, but I never expected him to take my daughters into the forest without any guards. He's certainly an excellent magician, but when it comes to his son, he seems to lose his objectivity. Thanks to that, I almost lost my precious daughters."

"............"

"Oh, don't make such a sorry face. You helped my daughters, right? As a father, I express my gratitude. Thank you."

Marquis Rosemary lowered his head. Rest hurriedly waved his hands.

"Please raise your head! This problem was caused by own familyI haven't done anything to warrant such thanks."

At first glance, Cedric seems to be entirely at fault. When the Marquis apologizes, it only makes me feel more sorry.

"No, no, that idiot... I mean, Cedric, and my daughters who followed him are also at fault. Here's a reward for you. Please keep it."

Rosemary-sama, raising his head, places a bag woven from high-quality fabric on the table. After obtaining permission and checking the contents, I found five large gold coins inside.

(These are large gold coins... I've never seen them before...)

Instinctively, Rest gulped. He knew of their existence, but these coins were currency that commoners would never have the chance to see in their lifetime. The value of one large gold coin was equivalent to 10 million Japanese yen. In other words, there were 50 million yen in this bag.

"...I can't accept such a large sum."

Restraining the impulse to reach for it, Rest moves the bag containing the gold away.

"Helping your daughters was just wiping up the mess of a foolish brother. I didn't do it for a reward. I'm not qualified to accept this."

Honestly, Rest desires money. Considering that he will become an adult next year and strive for independence, no amount would be enough.

However, even so, five large gold coins are a considerable sum. In this world, there is no such thing as a bank. Carrying around such a large amount of money is not feasible, and leaving it in the stable is also risky.

Thinking about the possibility of theft or having it confiscated by his father, Rest couldn't bring himself to accept it readily.

"Hmm... you don't have any greed. However, it would be troublesome for me if you didn't accept it."

Rosemary-sama maintains a calm expression, but his gaze subtly exerts pressure.

"If I can't properly repay my daughters' benefactor, it would bring shame to the Rosemary family. If you don't want the money, is there anything else I can do for you? Don't hesitate to ask; I'd like to repay the favor by helping you in some way."

“When you say that…”

When it comes to matters of personal honor, he can't just shake his head and dismiss it.

As he wracks his brain for something reasonable to request, he finds something just right that he'd like to have someone do for him.

"Oh..."

"Oh, is there something on your mind?"

"Well... in that case, there's something I'd like to ask for..."

Rest paused for a moment before talking about something he had wanted for a while.

"Could you please write me a letter of recommendation for the Royal Academy of Magic? I would like to take the entrance exam next year. In the commoner category."

Marquis Rosemary listened attentively as Rest made his request.

"I see... So, you want a letter of recommendation for the Royal Magic Academy? But why a commoner?"

"Yes, my father dislikes me and refuses to recognize me as part of the Ebern family, so I can't apply as a noble."

If he had the backing of his father, he could take the exam as a nobleman, but if that was not possible, he would have no choice but to take the exam as a commoner with the recommendation of someone who had social credibility.

"Hmm? I've looked into your background. You're the illegitimate child born to a maid, right?"

"...Yes."

"In that case, I can understand why Baron Ebern wouldn't want to acknowledge you as his son."

"Father! Please don't say it like that!"

“Rest-kun is not the one responsible!”

The sisters who were listening to the conversation cut in.

"No, no. I didn't mean to insult him. I just thought he might be capable of such a thing."

After being criticized by the girls on both sides, Marquis Rosemary hurriedly tries to fix it.

"Baron Ebern is a new noble. He holds only a title without any territory—a noble obsessed with the authority of his status. Even though they are close to commoners themselves, they cling excessively to their noble status. They look down on bastards and desperately try to incorporate the blood of major nobles."

Marquis Rosemary turned to Rest and bowed his head again.

"I didn't intend to insult you or your mother. I just chose my words poorly. Please forgive me."

"No, it's fine. It's a fact that I'm the child of a maid."

"Is that so? Well then, regarding the recommendation letter..."

"Please write it for him!"

"...My daughters are saying the same thing, so I'll write it."

Despite his subtle expression, Marquis Rosemary agreed to write the recommendation letter.

"Thank you very much... This really helps!"

With this, the conditions for admission to the academy were met. Of course, he still needed to pass the exams, but Rest was confident in his magical abilities, significantly surpassing Cedric.

"However... Before I write the recommendation letter, could you let me test your abilities?"

"….?"

"Father, what are you saying!"

"That's right! It's your way of saying thank you for saving me and my sister, right?"

Marquis Rosemary suddenly imposed this condition, prompting protests from his two daughters.

"Of course, I want to express my gratitude. But... writing a recommendation letter means that the Rosemary Marquis family will support you. If I recommend someone without sufficient strength, it would damage the family's prestige."

"But..."

"I hold the position of Chief Court Magician. I can't recommend you for entrance to the academy without verifying your abilities. Can you understand?"

"...Yes, I understand very well."

Rest nodded. If he unconditionally recommended the benefactor of his daughters, it could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

"I understand. What should I do?"

"What? It's simple."

Marquis Rosemary raised his right hand, and an elderly butler stepped forward.

"This man is my trusted subordinate and an excellent magician. From now on, I want you to fight him."

"Fight...?"

"Yes. There's no need to force a win. Just show that you have enough strength for our family to recommend you. Understand?"

"Yes... I understand. Please let me do it!"

If receiving a recommendation letter and taking a step closer to glory meant accepting this challenge, it was a small price to pay.

Butler of Marquis Rosemary, the head court magician, a trusted subordinate, and someone with considerable strength. It would also be valuable experience in interpersonal combat.

Rest accepted the marquis's proposal with joy rather than hesitation.

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