VIO Ch 87 – An Encounter on a Rainy Night (IX)

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translator: mii

editor: Sleepchaser

 

In the middle of night, Vio lay in bed wide awake, unable to catch the coattails of slumber.

I’m tired, but I can’t sleep for some reason…

Slowly, he raised his body. The room was pitch black, but he could make out his servants sleeping. Since Liselotte and her retinue were also resting on the other side of the room, Vio left the hut in silence, making sure not to wake them up.

Legion, who stood in front of the door to stand guard, noticed Vio. He gave him a slight bow. The magically-lit lantern illuminated the area around the entrance. Seeing the drizzle of the rain from the corner of his eyes, Vio hastily shut the door. Thanks to the overhanging roof and the three steps of stairs, the area around the entrance was kept dry.

“May I help you?” asked Legion.

“I can’t sleep. Can I stay here?”

“Yes, of course.”

And so, Vio sat next to the door. Right beside Legion.

“You look tired.” Legion’s voice proved soft. Reflected how anxious he was. “Are you sure you’re fine not taking a rest?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m too tired, but I’m not sleepy at all. Anyway, do you always stand like this at night?”

“Yes, I’m keeping watch. Don’t worry, I take turns with the butler and Hauser.”

“That’s good to know,” Vio simply replied, turning his gaze toward the rain. Mixing with the sound of the rain was the cry of an owl.

“Are you worried about what happened during the day?”

“…A bit, but it has passed. The Ravens will handle the rest. While I don’t like them, they’re reliable at their job. Leaving this matter to them should be fine.”

“I see… But I have something in my mind.” 

Vio shifted his gaze to Legion. The other party wore a stern look as he continued, “Cheval is interested in the amulet. He’s a sloppy guy, but he has a good nose when it comes to investigations.”

“Right. I’m curious why he’s taking it back with him. If it has something to do with the incident in the castle, why an amulet of Sophie, the Goddess of Wisdom?”

Such a question had left Vio’s lips without his conscious knowledge, in part because he had been wondering about this since he read the manga.

Legion looked at him, cutting a puzzled figure. “…What do you mean?”

“I know that criminal groups share the same mark to identify their peers, but isn’t using a tattoo a better choice? And why are they choosing the amulet of an ancient god?”

“Maybe… because they can make an excuse that it’s just a talisman? Many mercenaries and gamblers bring those around. If they have tattoos or accessories of their unique mark, they won’t be able to make an excuse in an emergency.”

“I see. I thought it was a faith or a gathering of evil spirits, you know? I guess I was overthinking it.” Vio laughed at himself for confusing himself. “Forget it. Rather than thinking about something we don’t understand at all, preparing for the winter is our top priority.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’ll be nice if the walls are repaired by the time we return.”

“Yeah. It’s about time of harvest… Ah. That troublesome man is coming soon, huh?”

“Who?”

A loud sigh left Vio’s lips. “The steward of the duke’s main residence. He’s coming to check the tax reports. I really hate him… So, so much.”

“Since Lord Violant went that far to emphasize that, he should be the worst person ever.”

“Huh? You didn’t meet him in Nada town? It’s Garry Peterson.”

“He was away at that time,” said Legion. “I was told he’d be introduced to me later on. But in the end, that never happened.”

“That’s good. Not meeting him is the best choice. To simply describe him… It’s like he was born to make others unhappy,” said Vio, growing depressed as he remembered that man. Vio liked living in Leca town, but once that steward arrived, it would be as if there were eyes on the mansion at every second.

“But we have Legi this year. It’s going to be interesting.”

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“Why so?”

“Don’t worry if you don’t get it. Just make sure to show your serious side to Gary.”

Legion sighed. “…I understand.”

With Legion’s extremely serious side, he could strike a nerve of the Ravens. Thus, Vio might see something different this year. He started wishing that that gloomy event would come a bit quicker, wanting to see that steward’s face turn pale from Legion’s reckoning.

They had nothing to say anymore, so Vio stopped talking. Still not feeling drowsy, he gazed blankly at the rainy scenery. 

It made him feel nostalgic.

Nada town was a place where it rained in the summer and snowed in the winter. Vio didn’t like the dim and damp rainy season, but it fuelled his nostalgia. If Vio had to describe his hometown in one word, it would be this: rainy.

They sat side by side for a while, when suddenly, Legion asked Vio in wonder, “Is that a lullaby?”

“Hm…? Did I sing?”

“Yes. Your voice was soft, but I could hear it at this distance. I’m sorry.”

“No…” Vio’s cheeks burned when he realized what had happened. He wasn’t very good at singing, so it was embarrassing to have anyone hear him. Even if it was just him humming.

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“It was a hymn of the rain. My mother often sang it to me on rainy days instead of a lullaby. I remember it that way.”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard it,” said Legion. “I only know the harvest hymn.”

“You mean the song dedicated to the Great Spirit, right? This one is different. It’s a song that honors the blessings of the rain. I don’t know the details, but that’s what Mother told me. Ah, sorry for making you listen to it. I’m tone-deaf, so I have been making sure not to sing.”

“No way. You were great.”

“No need to compliment me. I’ve been told to be quiet since my voice is grating,” Vio muttered.

Legion frowned. “Let me guess. It was Lord Rupheus who said that?”

“You got it right.”

“I think he’s is great at noticing other people’s talents,” Legion replied in annoyance. Even so, Vio didn’t think he was good at singing either, so Rupheus was right in this case.

“If you like, please teach me that song in your spare time. I will play it with lute if you want me to.”

Vio asked, “You can play a lute?”

“I don’t remember too clearly, but I was probably taught a little in the past to be a knight well-versed in music.”

“Then sure. I will teach you, so play it for me. I’m sure there are instruments left by my grandfather in the mansion,” Vio said. Then he laughed. Noticing Legion’s puzzled expression, Vio said with a carefree tone, “I think Legi is amazing.”

“I said I learned it to become well-versed in music, but I’m only good at lute.”

“That’s not what I mean. The fun things in my daily life have increased. So… you’re amazing.” 

When Vio looked up, Legion appeared embarrassed, his face bright red. He quickly turned his face away. “…It’s my honor to please you.”

“Mhm.” Vio looked back toward the forest. His thoughts wandered to the storeroom in the mansion. His paternal grandfather was a big fan of hunting. On the night of the hunting tournament, he held a banquet and served his prey to the guests. Since he held them so often, and grew exposed to music each time, he gained an interest in playing musical instruments.

But now that no one enjoyed playing them anymore, the instruments were left unattended. Vio didn’t know if they were still usable, but looking for them should be a good idea.

“Lord Violant, why don’t you take a rest soon? Lying down on the bed might help.”

“I’m not sleepy yet, but I’ll do that. Remember to play the lute for me, Legi. It’s a promise.”

“Yes, it’s a promise.”

After that, Vio stood, taking the hand Legion held out to him. As he lightly wiped off the dust on his clothes and touched the door, it happened.

A rustle of grass from the woods.

“It’s too early to call it a night. How about having a chat with me a little longer?”

“Huh?” Surprised by the voice, Vio looked back only to see a man in armor standing in the shade of a tree. Even though no one had been there just a few moments ago.

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