TYND 92

TL: Motokare

The reception of guests that began early in the morning continued well after sunset. House Falsen traditionally gave magic stones as return gifts to the visiting dignitaries during the harvest festival. This made the harvest festival the celebration with the most guests.

“The guildmaster and vice-guildmaster of the Diptys Maritime Trade Guild. They provided a considerable amount of fake fur during the last hunting competition.”

Listening to Zey’s whisper, Theon gestured for the newcomers to sit.

“It’s an honour to meet you, Your Grace. We’ve long wanted to pay our respects, but we’ve only now returned from our travels at sea.”

“Your Grace’s reputation is well known even on the seas. Thank you for protecting Araxys from Maton’s offspring.”

“I merely did what needed doing.”

The guildmaster and vice-guildmaster were siblings, their skin tanned from their work on the sea. After politely greeting Theon, they turned to his spouse beside him, with slightly excited faces.

“We greet you, Lord Rothy. My heart swells to see Araxys’s youngest archmage in person. May Seará always be with you.”

Unlike the expectant pair, both Rothy and the weasel in his arms were exhausted.

“I’m also pleased to meet you, and I hope the festival suits your taste…”

Taste? The siblings cocked their heads, then understanding dawned as they saw Rothy’s tired face. Theon observed how the siblings’ expressions changed.

Oh, poor thing… They said he looked young, but he really does look it… How can he be so lovely and adorable… The poor child must be so tired…

Their reactions were no different from all the previous visitors.

“Actually, my daughter’s an aspiring mage. Since she’s in her final semester, she couldn’t come with me this time. But she wanted to meet you so much, Lord Rothy. She made me promise to tell you about her. My daughter’s name is Kijay, and her life’s goal is to establish a mage organisation in the North.”

“Kijay Matrissha? The one graduating from the academy this eleventh month…”

“Yes! That’s right. You know her!”

Rothy had received reports on students from the North who aspired to become mages.

“I heard she was a model student with excellent grades at the academy. I was also told that various organisations approached her, asking her to join, but she refused them all for the sake of advancing magic in the North. I’m very happy that such fine talent is joining the North. I want her to know that I’m looking forward to her graduation.”

The siblings clamped their hands over their mouths, choking back their emotions. 

“Yes, we understand.”

“We’re greatly honoured.”

In the emotional moment, Theon lifted his hand. Ultje came forward and set a storage box containing magic stones on the table. That made the siblings’ eyes go round. It was obvious these weren’t one of the small magic stones typically given as visitor gifts. 

“You sent an entire ship full of fake fur for last year’s hunting tournament. That support made the event much grander. This is in return for that.”

“Your Grace, that wasn’t a donation. It was a business transaction for which we were paid. We can’t possibly accept something this valuable.”

“I’m aware you sent a greater quantity of fur than you were paid for. I also intend to use those fur at the hunting tournament every year, so think of this as an attempt to secure your goodwill for the future. You should accept it.”

“You mean you’ll keep entering wooden dolls in the competition?”

“Yes.”

The two of them naturally looked at Rothy since they knew the wooden dolls had been his idea. 

“Lord Rothy has made new history in the Zibiah Empire. In that case, our guild will gratefully accept your gift, viewing it as the start of a lifelong business partnership.”

After the warm exchange, the siblings turned and left the reception room. On their way out, the brother whispered to his sister.

“I think His Grace’s going to win against His Imperial Majesty.”

“I think so as well.”

Theon, knowing they were referring to the competition between hopelessly doting fools, smiled in satisfaction.

Guests continued to arrive after that.

In the Zibiah Empire, birthdays before coming of age were celebrated quietly with just family, except for the imperial household. The first birthday after reaching adulthood, however, was thrown on a grand scale to make up for all the quiet ones. Last spring, because of the emperor’s decree, Rothy hadn’t come of age, so his first ever birthday celebration had been cancelled. The nobles had already prepared birthday gifts to celebrate Rothy’s coming of age back then, and now they all brought those gifts with them on their visit.

Since rumours had spread widely that Rothy loved books, book gifts were the most numerous. Considering he was an archmage, many of them were scholarly texts on magic. There were also weapons like wands and staves, but they were more decorative than practical.

Perhaps because seventeen-year-old Rothy still seemed so young to them, there were quite a few toys and dolls as well. The number of items for his weasel was certainly not to be overlooked either. 

“Thank you so much… I’ll put it to good use.”

“You’ve given me something so useful. Thank you.”

“Wow… this outfit’s so adorable. It’ll look great on Chi-chi.”

The morning of greeting guests had left Rothy tired, but he still smiled brightly and reacted with genuine delight each time he received a gift. And during breaks in between, he would flip through the book gifts.

“This had a sequel. Theon, this novel has two main characters, and one of them was conscripted into the Human-Demon War when he was eight. He had to fight without even getting to eat his favourite bread. It’s so sad…”

“I see.”

Rothy trotted over with a book and handed it to Theon, who would pretend to read through it.

Theon. I got a book. Look.”

The first time Rothy brought him a book, Theon hadn’t understood. He had wondered what he was supposed to do, and if Rothy wanted him to read it aloud. Now, however, he deftly took the book and listened appreciatively as Rothy recounted the plot. He knew now that Rothy simply wanted to share his joy over the gifts.

“The last guest of the day is entering.”

A servant announced from outside the door. This time, Ultje and Zey offered no additional explanation about this guest. For there was no need.

“Good day. Your Grace, Lord Rothy. It’s been a while.”

“Tsudeyfa!”

The person who entered with narrowed eyes curved in a lazy smile was none other than Tsudeyfa, guildmaster of the assassin guild Bluetri. However, he hadn’t come as the Bluetri guildmaster, but instead as the guildmaster of an information guild, one of Bluetri’s many fronts. 

“Thank you for the invitation. But my goodness, Lord Rothy, you look exactly the same as when I last saw you. Growing youths are supposed to shoot up day by day…”

“You look the same as back then too, Tsudeyfa…”

“Well, I’ve finished growing.”

“If you look carefully, I’ve grown too. Definitely… there are places where I’ve grown.”

“Perhaps you’re not eating or exercising enough? I trust His Grace’s taking proper care of our youngest archmage?”

Without a reply, Theon scowled. He had invited Tsudeyfa because of the mutual help they had offered each other last year, but now he regretted it as the man had immediately prodded a sore spot.

“Perhaps my gift’s inappropriate since you’re still so childlike.”

The vice-guildmaster who had entered with Tsudeyfa presented a rectangular box. Ultje received the long box from him and handed it to Theon. 

“It’s a birthday gift for Lord Rothy. I’m afraid I forgot to prepare a gift for Your Grace.”

Theon ignored Tsudeyfa and opened the box.

“This is…”

Rothy craned his neck curiously to get a look.

“Wooooow~”

Theon took out the contents and held it up.

“It’s a really pretty blade…”

Rothy’s eyes were sparkling with admiration. It was a one-handed dagger with the length of his forearm. The sheath was decorated with various jewels, and it was extremely light in weight. Meanwhile, the hilt was made of synthetic leather that’d been magically treated to enhance its grip.

“It’s a dagger specially made just for Lord Rothy. It’s been cursed so that the blade cuts anyone except its owner.”

Before handing it to Rothy, Theon drew the blade first.

Schwing

The surface of the blade was sleek and clean, and its design looked like it’d withstand the passage of time. 

Screeing!

Chi-chi, who’d been nestling in Rothy’s arms, immediately grew wary. It’s alright, It’s alright. Rothy quickly petted the weasel to calm it down.

Theon then return the blade to its sheath. 

“I thought you dislike such things?”

“A mage should at least have a dagger for self-defence. I’ve got one myself.”

“It’s still too dangerous for Rothy.”

“I told you the blade won’t cut Lord Rothy. And he’s seventeen years old, isn’t he? It’s not dangerous. Since Your Grace happens to be Araxys’s strongest swordsman, you could teach him swordsmanship yourself.”

“Rothy doesn’t need to learn any swordsmanship.”

“Hmm, but Your Grace, it seems Lord Rothy doesn’t share the same opinion?”

Rothy, who’d been staring intently at the sword, was startled and shook his head, though his eyes were wavering.

“I won’t accept it unless Theon allows it.”

“……”

Theon hesitated before holding out the dagger’s hilt to Rothy.

“Don’t draw it. Just try holding it.”

“Mmm.”

Rothy took the blade with both hands while looking like a small child who’d been given a toy for the very first time. 

Wowowow~ 

He marvelled as he swung the blade around. Rothy’s physical strength was very low, so the fact he could grip and swing it like this confirmed it really had been specially crafted for him.

“It’s so light… Woow… It’s so pretty and light.”

Theon flinched every time Rothy swung the blade. Even though it was sheathed, it felt like he’d handed a magic stone bomb to a child.