VIO Ch 38 – A Stroll Around the Royal Capital (II)

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Translator: mii

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

“Excuse me,” said Lantz upon entering Prince Ars’ office. Inside, he spotted Fion, the captain of the Knights of the Green Flash, standing before Ars’ desk. “Oh, should I return at a later time?”

“Don’t mind me,” said Fion. “Besides, I’m about to take my leave as well. Are you here to report about Lord Violant?”

“Thank you for your hard work, Lantz,” Ars said, accepting Lantz’s report. He then started going through it. “Setting things aside, you look rather happy. Do you have some plans after this?”

Lantz blinked, unable to comprehend why Ars had asked such a question. With Lantz keeping his silence, Ars then turned to him, suspicion clear on his face. “A date perhaps?”

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean. Where did this question come from?”

“There’s a smile on your typically expressionless face. I thought you might have scored a date today. However, as far as I can remember, you’re still single. When did you get yourself a lover?”

“I’m very sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness, but I don’t have a lover. I just received an opportunity to get my hands on some books that I’ve wanted to read. I planned on reading them after this…” explained Lantz, lifting the two magic textbooks in his left hand.

In that instant, all the interest drained from Ars’ face. “I see. So your lover’s a book… Is it that enjoyable?”

Lantz bobbed his head vigorously. “Yes.”

Ars released a sigh. But after he took a close look at the title of the books, his eyes widened. “Isn’t that Beryl’s Wind Magic Thesis Compilation? Excluding the original copy, only four books are available to the public. It’s amazing that you managed to get a hold of such a valuable text.”

“I borrowed it from Lord Violant.”

Fion appeared satisfied at that. “Keep it up. It’s good to make use of him during your surveillance.”

Lantz nodded once again. “Thank you for your kind words.” He found it helpful to maintain an image of a diligent person in everyone’s eyes, be it his captain or the prince. That way, they would let him use their resources, allowing him to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. Even so, getting Vio’s offer was truly a sudden stroke of good luck.

“Lord Violant was strolling around the castle garden earlier today, and I took that opportunity to idly chat with him. In the process, I’ve confirmed that Lord Violant truly does lack talent in martial arts as the rumors say.”

This brought a sarcastic smile to Fion’s face. “Even though he comes from a prestigious military family? I see why they call him incompetent now.”

“However, he seems to have a high aptitude for magic. The books he reads regarding magic are mostly of the intermediate and advanced level. He also told me that he liked drawing magic circles, so I believe he has expertise in this area as well.”

“Ars nodded, absorbed in thought. “I see.”

Lantz silently waited for any questions or curiosity on Ars’ part, but Fion interjected, “Rather than that, do you have any other useful information? Such as whether he intends to attend someone’s tea party or has connections with other nobles or merchants?”

“Lord Violant doesn’t seem to plan on attending any events other than the evening ball. He also told me that no one would be willing to form connections with him, the second son of the Lesserhain family living in a rural town….”

“…Lantz, are you becoming just like Cheval? Too afraid of the Lesserhains’ influence to speak the truth? All the information you’ve gathered don’t seem to have any value, do they?” said Fion, staring at Lantz with suspicion.

The sight of Fion’s sullen expression induced cold sweat down Lantz’s back. This was considerably bad for him. Not only would it affect his promotion, but he might even be demoted if things didn’t go well.

But before Lantz could reply, Ars said, “Stop it, Fion. Though, did he really say that no one will be willing to form connections with him because of that reason?”

“That’s correct, Your Highness.”

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“He underestimates himself too much… Although he’s the second son, his family is still headed by a duke. I’m sure many people see some benefit in associating themselves with him. Not to mention, he is incredibly beautiful. Countless people would want to marry him even if he doesn’t bring them any benefits. Though they mostly have ugly intentions,” Ars grumbled, frowning in displeasure.

Lantz had heard some rumors about that. Starting from ladies who preferred young boys to married women who wanted some excitement, it was a well-known fact that many people wished to experience some fun with Vio. Even men weren’t an exception. Since this was a topic often discussed among nobles, it was a good thing that Vio rarely appeared in social occasions.

Viola had hunted some of those people down, a terrifying smile in accompaniment. And Lantz could only say they deserved it.

“But I believe him,” continued Ars. “I also wondered why he had sat so close to the wall in yesterday’s evening ball. That’s where the low-ranked nobles congregate.”

“It was because of His Grace the Duke. He seemed to have ordered him to remain quiet in the corner.”

Ars’ frown deepened. Pretending not to notice that, Lantz changed the subject and said, “Lord Violant plans to take a walk around the castle town tomorrow during the day.”

“We might be able to glean some information during his stroll. Lantz, you must accompany him.”

Lantz nodded. “Understood. By the way, Sir Fion, do you know about the incident Lord Violant had experienced two years ago?”

“Yes. I heard it from the regular tradesman of the Lesserhains. Two years ago, a knight named Erik who had worked for them committed the act of betrayal. Since then, he has been on the wanted list. After that, Lord Violant left for Leca town for an extended rest. And according to Cheval, that man was his former guardian knight. I have no doubt that something happened between them.”

Fion nodded, finding great interest in this matter. Beside him, Ars pushed the bottle of black ink on his desk toward Lantz. “There’s also this. A year after Lord Violant’s arrival in Leca town, this commodity started to appear in the royal capital’s market.”

“Leca ink?” Lantz picked up the bottle and brushed his thumb against the label. Underneath the word “Leca” written entirely in capital letters were the words “Black Ink.”

This ink contained magic essence and was cheaper than ink containing the powder of spirit stones. Its characteristic trait was the slight tint of red in the black ink. It also wrote smoother and easier than the one made from spirit stone, so Lantz used it often.

“He also created candy that can recover one’s magic essence. Even if he has no talent in the military arts, he seems to have capabilities in business. I heard he invented this local specialty product when he was only thirteen. The more I learn about him, the more fascinated I am.”

“He probably took the credit for other people’s work. It’s a trick commonly used by his family,” said Fion with cold eyes.

In his usual flat tone, Lantz replied, “Sir Fion. I don’t believe he’s incredibly selfish just as the rumors say. At present, not once have I seen him raise his voice toward his servants or give them unreasonable demands.”

“He is merely feigning compassion in front of you and His Highness the Crown Prince’s messengers. He’ll reveal his true colors once he leaves the castle and your supervision. You’ll see what I mean tomorrow,” said Fion, his voice filled with bitterness and his displeasure evident in his eyes. Following his farewell to Ars, he left the office.

Ars flashed a similarly bitter smile. Lantz set the bottle of Leca ink down onto the desk, casting Ars’ smile a side-glance. “Your Highness. Do you doubt my words as well?”

Actually, Lantz felt rather nervous. If even Ars didn’t believe his words, his position would be in serious danger. But since he was appointed to act as the crown prince’s ears, he had no intention of telling lies in his report, let alone reveal personal bias.

Ars shook his head, calm. “No. You reported the same things as Cheval. Now that I think about it, Cheval had spent three weeks with him during their journey to the capital, and yet he hadn’t written down a single complaint.”

Ars had once considered it clear that Vio had managed to win over Cheval. But in retrospect, he might be wrong.

“Isn’t that… merely because of Sir Cheval’s thoughtless nature?” replied Lantz. But in truth, he was convinced that this wasn’t the case.

Cheval acted like a hooligan. If he disliked someone, he wouldn’t hold back in expressing it and exposing their true nature. Underneath a thin veneer of propriety was merely pure insult. If something unpleasant had actually happened during those three weeks, he would have exaggerated it with superficial politeness, filling the report with compliments that appeared pretty much written in sarcasm.

Despite all that, Cheval was an excellent judge of character. He had wandered from place to place, successfully exposing the true natures of numerous people. From Lantz’s perspective, he didn’t agree with how Ars disregarded the contents of Cheval’s report so easily.

Ars laughed. “It seems like you already got me. Since he had been with them for three whole weeks, I shouldn’t have written it off as thoughtlessness on Cheval’s part.” He smiled and lightly waved his right hand. “For now, continue with your observation until the next report. You are dismissed. Read those books to your heart’s content.”

“Yes. Please excuse me.” Lantz bowed toward Ars and subsequently exited the office. Upon reaching the hallway, he let out a sigh of relief, thankful that he hadn’t invoked Ars’ anger. Following this, he walked along the hallway with an expressionless face, as though nothing had happened. However, his footsteps were a little faster than usual.

He couldn’t wait to read the books in his hand.

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