Chapter 88: The Rosemary Marquis Family’s Get-Together

“Wow, that sounds like it was quite interesting! I wish I could have joined in!” 

That night, at the Rosemary Marquis’s mansion, in the drawing-room, Viola expressed her disappointment upon hearing about the day’s events.

The drawing-room was filled with members of the marquis’s household. Rest was there too, seated on the sofa as usual, flanked by the sisters.

After completing the monster subjugation in the Valerie territory, Rest was challenged to a race by young sorcerers. Racing on foot and through the air at top speed, Rest arrived at the Rosemary Marquis’s mansion with over a three-hour lead over the followers. 

Apparently, the young magicians, including Nick, who challenged Rest, received quite a scolding for their lackluster performance. It was only natural. They had challenged Rest, who had been recognized by the Rosemary Marquis’s daughters and approved by the lord and lady of the mansion, and had suffered a humiliating defeat.

“It seems the young magicians have become quite lax! I must personally give them some training!” 

These words of indignation came from the other half of the mansion’s master, Eillish Rosemary. She was a fierce and straightforward woman, akin to a warrior. Despite being the mother of the beautiful sisters, she was a graceful beauty herself, but she was the type to settle things with her fists. She couldn’t tolerate the incompetence of the young men serving the marquis.

“Oh… please go easy on them. They didn’t mean any harm.” 

Since then, Nick and the other young magicians who arrived late had come to apologize to Rest, bowing their heads.

“We apologize for our impudence!”

“We are truly sorry, sir!”

Defeated in the race by a significant margin, Nick and the others unavoidably realized something: that Rest was indeed a suitable candidate to become the marquis’s son-in-law and a man worthy of acquiring both Viola and Primula, the beautiful sisters. Their way of addressing Rest had changed from ‘you’ to ‘sir,’ and he had gained the trust of the young magicians serving the marquis.

“However, this is a separate issue! There can be no weak magicians under a great general… The Rosemary Marquis’s household doesn’t need weak nagicians!” 

Eillish declared, arms folded, showing no signs of changing her mind. It was decided that Nick and the others would undergo strict training.

“And… Father, is the issue in the Valerie territory resolved?” 

Primula asked.

“Oh, yes, everything’s fine.” 

Albert, who was sitting in a rocking chair, nodded in response.

“We were able to subjugate most of the locust imps that appeared in the Valerie territory. They may not be completely eradicated, but there shouldn’t be any problems for the rest of the year.”

No matter how many magicians were mobilized, it was impossible to completely eradicate monsters. Locust imps would eventually increase in number and ravage the fields again.

“The Valerie territory has a large grain-producing area, but it’s distant from the center, so it lacks in military strength. In that regard, we, who have many magicians, share common interests. We must continue to maintain good relations in the future.” 

There were two types of nobles: those who were active in the central area, serving at the palace, and those who remained in their territories. The Rosemary Marquis’s family belonged to the former category. Although they had their own territory, Albert, the head of the family, held the prestigious position of the chief court magician and was well-regarded by the king.

The Valerie family belonged to the latter category. They rarely visited the capital except for special occasions and focused on managing their territory. While local nobles had little political influence, they were actually quite wealthy because they spent less money in the capital. However, because they had fewer opportunities to employ talented individuals from the central area, they lacked military power.

“As the head of a noble family, you must interact not only with your own vassals but also with other nobles. Rest, you must remember that.” 

“Yes, understood.” 

Rest replied, nodding.

Until now, Rest had lived as a commoner, but eventually, he would have to learn such diplomatic matters.

(Maybe it’s worth considering joining the student council after all…)

Rest thought to himself.

Establishing a connection with the second prince, Andrew, would be beneficial for becoming a member of the Rosemary Marquis’s family. In addition to Andrew, there was Celestine, the daughter of the Duke, in the student council. It would be an opportunity to gain connections with the Crocus Duke’s family.

“If Rest joins the student council, I might join too. Celestine invited me.” 

“Um, me too. Celestine-sama asked me to join as a clerk…” 

Viola and Primula said such things.

I knew that the two of them also had interactions with Celestine even when Rest wasn’t around… It seems they were also invited to join the student council.

“Well, if you had told me sooner, that would have been nice.”

“If we said we were joining, Rest would have no choice but to join, right?”

“I thought about giving an answer after Rest decided…”

“I see…”

So they respected Rest’s decision.

Their consideration almost brought tears to my eyes, as always.

“Anyway… we’re staying in the territory until tomorrow. Let’s go shopping in town.”

“Viola, didn’t you go shopping today too?”

“It’s fine, even if it’s two days in a row! It’s different when we go together!”

“Oh, I’d like to go too. Right, Rest?”

Following Viola’s lead, Primula also invited him with upturned eyes.

Unable to refuse when they both asked, Rest nodded.

“Yeah, of course.” 

Rest accepted their invitation to go shopping together.

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