~Chapter 35~
“I understand. You said he’s the son of a healer? Since I know someone, I’ll send a letter.”
Borbel packed up his doctor’s bag. He was about to leave when he suddenly turned back.
“Come to think of it, young Ruby used herbs to make medicine, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He said he learned it by watching others.”
It was the miraculous ointment that broke through not only the knights’ hearts but even the stone-hard heart of the old duke.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, not at all. Turning ointment into a patch was quite a creative idea, and the effect was excellent. The bruise ointment made from Abelita herb too. Honestly, I was impressed.”
One of Leviathan’s eyebrows lifted. His body, which had been leaning back in the chair, tilted forward.
“Well, they say in some kingdoms there’s ointment that heals overnight… Anyway, Ruby seems to have real skill.”
Borbel muttered, stroking his chin. But only two words echoed in Leviathan’s ears:
“Real skill. Creative idea…”
“Your Grace? Why that expression?”
Borbel frowned at the troubled duke.
“Could it be… Ruby is…”
With a deep breath drawn up from his chest, Leviathan’s face grew resolute.
“A genius?”
“Eh, that’s maybe too much… ugh.”
Borbel tried to object but suddenly buckled to his knees. When he turned, Adolf was standing there with a kindly smile.
“Adolf?”
“There was a fly. I swatted it.”
“…”
The look in his eyes blazed, as if saying: Do you want to live or not?
Borbel caught the meaning instantly. If he wanted long life, silence was safer.
“Ahem. Anyway… if Ruby is interested in herbs, may I teach him a little?”
“You?”
“Yes. With his basic herbal knowledge, learning healing arts would help a lot.”
“Hm.”
Leviathan narrowed his eyes. Borbel coughed loudly under the weight of that gaze.
“Of course, if Ruby knows any village herbal recipes from Eosia, I’d like to ask… but only if allowed. Would that be alright?”
Eosia was a land of many tribes, each with their own unique medical knowledge. What was known publicly was less than what was kept secret.
“You’re too easy to read, Borbel.”
“Well, if I get closer that way, maybe he’ll let me do a full check-up…”
“Hm. That excuse was good.”
Leviathan thought briefly, then nodded.
“If Ruby agrees, do it. But don’t push him.”
“Of course. Naturally!”
Who dared bring Ruby here? Not just anyone. Borbel wiped sweat from his brow and withdrew.
Leviathan then also ordered that the owner of the herb shop be investigated.
He was oddly excited.
Not because Ruby might be a genius.
But because here in the north, Ruby could do what he wanted.
And if he had talent too? All the better.
After finishing paperwork, Leviathan headed to the knights’ barracks. It was time to prepare for the spring subjugation.
“Ahh… when she comes running, calling ‘Daddy,’ it’s too cute.”
His steps froze.
“Even the portrait is amazing.”
“Those clothes too—so cute. Your wife is really skilled. Share your fabric supplier.”
Young knights’ voices continued as they polished their swords. Apparently, it was a small group of fathers in the Order.
“Can’t wait to get off duty and see my little girl~”
“I still don’t know how I ended up with such a treasure. Must’ve used up all my luck in this life.”
In the north, daughters were rare. Children were rare in general, but strangely, only boys were born most often.
Perhaps the gods had arranged it, since this land was plagued by beasts night and day.
Whatever the reason, girls were precious.
They were rarely given harsh duties.
Raising a daughter only to throw her into the bloody battlefield as a knight? That was nearly taboo.
That was why female knights were so few. Other lands might be different, but not the north.
“Alright, time for this month’s dues for the ‘Northern Knights with Daughters Club’—aka ‘Doting Dads Club.’”
“…What kind of name is that?”
…Such a group existed? Leviathan tilted his head.
“Quiet, all of you. Don’t let it slip in front of His Grace.”
That was Leon’s voice. He had been steadily polishing his sword beside them.
“Of course. Who’d brag about their daughters in front of him?”
“You crazy?”
The knights grumbled, voices bitter.
“….”
Leviathan leaned against the wall. Now it felt even harder to step out.
“So, Brad, you’re transferring to the capital’s Order?”
“…Yeah. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Having kids makes you selfish. I just want them in a safer place. But to you guys… I really am sorry.”
“It’s fine. Better to hear city noises than monster howls all day.”
“Yeah. If I could afford it, I’d move too.”
Their low voices offered comfort.
So that’s why Leon said reinforcements were needed.
Knights with families often moved to the capital’s townhouses. Their pay shrank to a quarter, but they bought safety and peace of mind for their loved ones.
“….”
Now it felt impossible to show his face.
Leviathan sighed and decided to delay preparations.
Suddenly, he missed Ruby.
“Where could he be?”
Without hesitation, he turned his steps.
Bang.
I threw open the magic stone shop’s door.
“He’s not here.”
Khalid Riork was nowhere to be found.
“Whoa!”
The clerk, who had been dozing at the counter, jumped up in surprise.
“Boss? You didn’t say you were coming.”
Since I couldn’t always be here, I had hired him temporarily. Of course, the shop didn’t make money, so Uncle was paying the wages…
“Need a magic stone today?”
“Nope. Not today. But have you seen a poor, handsome boy wandering nearby without a home?”
“A boy? No, haven’t seen one.”
So he hadn’t even come here.
“Ugh.”
I’d underestimated him. If he blocked me once, why not twice?
I kicked the floor lightly, fuming. The clerk cautiously glanced at me.
“Boss, did something… upset you? Sales are always bad, but cleaning’s been fine…”
“…”
I couldn’t just vent here and look like an awful boss.
So I forced a smile and pointed at a box in the corner.
“Thanks for your hard work. Send me another box of purple stones. And if that pitifully beautiful boy shows up, let me know.”
With his nod, I left the shop.
“Hazel! I’m done—”
My words stopped.
Because leaning against the carriage, twirling a jackknife with dazzling skill, was my maid.
“…”
Note to self: Never ask Hazel to cut my hair.
“Ruby! Finished your errands?”
“Uh-huh…”
Hazel came over beaming, smoothly flipping the knife closed with a snap. I was speechless again.
“…Why the knife?”
“Oh, just bored hands.”
Under the sunlight, her smile looked braver than ever.
Uncle, we’ve got prime knight material right here.
“Shall we go back?”
“Yes, sis.”
“Huh? Why so formal all of a sudden…”
With an awkward face, I climbed into the open carriage. Or tried to.
“Huh?”
Far away, a familiar figure appeared. My hand shot up before I knew it.
“Grandpa!”
“Ah, my sweet little peanut!”
