CH 23

Duke, Please Repent! chapter 23

6. The Duke and the Imperial Palace Banquet (4)

After that, we gilded the boss we served, or gave or received it, giving or receiving it in response.

Meanwhile, Tustor was completely excluded from the conversation.

Not long ago, our bag; ..

By the way, I heard that an iron mine was discovered in the Countess of Ferrarius a while ago.

"Has the news already spread like that?

Hahaha, thanks to you, your work has increased so much."

It was very bright for the face of a person who said that his work had increased.

Rather, Tustor's speechless face looked similar to that of my mourner, who was struggling with being buried in the mountains of papers in Prasidus.

I heard that Prince Prasidus recently entered the scroll production business...

It's just an investment, an investment! It's still open.

"But it seems that most of them are income or depend on the horse tower.

it's a part In particular, a proper magic scroll is difficult to find even if you have money, isn't it?"

In the case of Magic Tower, magic reagents and scrolls are produced in order to generate stable profits, but only a limited quantity is always sold.

It cannot be said that there is no purpose of price control, but this is a matter of the characteristics of most wizards.

Dig into magic itself academically, realize its rationale, and develop your own abilities.

New magic items that were never before

I was very interested in creating and developing new fields.

On the other hand, in the case of scrolls and magic reagent production, the research process is accompanied at the beginning, but .

'Basically, it's just simple labor.'

If only the reagents were purified, the formulation could be passed on to the disciples, but the scroll is not good.

For that reason, the only cases where I fall for the scroll crafting industry are when I'm a geek, my mana sensitivity is low, or I need a rush.

'The latter two have no pride, so they are often made with a blow, so sometimes misfires happen?'

Solertia fell under the previous two. If you're a geek and have low mana sensitivity.

The innate sensitivity to mana was not very good, but fortunately, he preferred to analyze the existing magic academically and apply it to enchant the scroll.

It's a talent. Serpens also recognized it, so it goes without saying.

I don't know because I don't have enough knowledge, but according to the Duke's words, I think I'm quite capable.

Oh, if only Prince Prasidus said that...

"I should also tell my marquis in advance. When will we start taking orders?"

Once you secure a spare amount to keep in the store, you have to search for a store location...

It was like, unintentionally, before they even got to the site of Solertia's shop, they made a sale.

At this rate, word of mouth is spreading throughout the capital even before the store even opens.

'Aren't popular items sold out in one day?'

If you don't know, I'll tell you in advance.

Although the dormitory is in the same building, it is probably not polite to visit late at night.

'Would it be better to visit tomorrow after dinner after work?'

After talking for a while, eating simple things like finger food, one or two people were called by their superiors and left.

I also got a call from Serpens and said goodbye to them.

In particular, he did not forget to smile at Tustor once.

"Did the Duke have anything to eat?"

I'll be resting on the terrace over there.

I am the master of Serpens in this district.

'You probably haven't eaten that horse yet, so you're telling me to bring it yourself?'

I looked around and saw the assistant who was called out first.

They were also diligently packing and moving food to suit their superiors' tastes.

Everyone was talking, so they sat at the prepared table at the edge of the banquet hall and started eating in earnest.

'I don't know what Serpence likes yet, so let's take a look... .'

In both hands, Serpens had a plate of food worth eating and a plate of snacks for me to eat when I was getting full.

The door to the terrace he pointed to earlier

As I stood in front of him and called him, I heard a rattling sound through the opaque glass.

It must have been that he had locked himself up, waiting for someone to follow him.

The door soon opened, and Serpens took the plate. Then, in a small voice, he whispered, 'It's a drink, and immediately closed it.

'. .Does this make you feel nauseous?

While I was proud of the growth of Serpence, who now takes care of even drinks, I felt strangely uneasy as I remembered my older sister who made errands for me to eat.

'Still, you're doing serpenes with a paycheck, aren't you?'

I comforted myself in that way.

After standing in front of the door again, holding a glass of wine and whiskey in each hand, I was finally able to enter the cow terrace.

No, what kind of terrace is this?'

Both sides are blocked by walls, and the roof is also covered.

Only the front has a balustrade, so it's just a small room with a terrace in its name.

Except for being attached to the ground, Terra

It did not have any elements of a living room, so this place was neither a terrace nor a balcony nor a veranda or anything.

'Hey, it's perfect for telling secrets or taking bribes!'

If you keep your voice on the outside and lower your voice, you won't know what you're talking about even if you die.

Now Serpense was not outside, but was sitting facing the banquet hall.

There seems to be some dispute, what's going on?

The plate he served as his share

As if I had emptied everything, Serpens picked up the cookies on my plate and threw them indifferently.

Can I bring you some, Duke?

No, you don't need it.

Anyway, I was just bored with my mouth, so I just ate it.

I just pushed the plate towards the serpent so that I could eat comfortably, so the person who said I didn't need it must have already gone home.

All that remains in front of me is a man who picks up a fork, cuts a piece of cake and puts it in his mouth.

Yes, eat a lot of sweets and secrete a lot of serotonin.

There was a person I had previously interviewed for a certain count's aide. Well, it wasn't a big deal. Just jealousy?

If you look at Lord Rivelon, there are many close friends, but they seem to make good enemies as well.

"Is the Duke also involved in that close person?"

...even if you don't force yourself to be friendly with someone you don't like, it's good to be careful about being too hostile.

My question was lightly chewed, but

Does not answering mean positive?

Instead of answering, it feels like he cares about me and gives advice... .

I'm telling you in case you misunderstood, I'm not worried, I'm saying don't make me worry about useless things.

Isn't that what you're worried about or concerned about?

It's different. There's a lot of attention around here, so you can't keep your hands on your feet, right?

Serpence just cut it off and denied it.

I'm sure the aide caused an accident

Otherwise, his position as a superior would be in trouble.

Still, you're saying that if something happens, they'll take care of you too, right? When Serpence is in the background, there is nothing scary in the world!

I'm not saying I'm going to cover anything up, so be careful.

" Do you even read your thoughts?"

Serpens looks at me with pathetic eyes.

It seems like you see that expression at least once a day these days, but why?

Sir Rivelon's expression is so good.

run out. It would be good to fix that in the future."

It's not always me, right? It's in front of the Duke, so it's easy.

"Where did the courtesy to your superiors go?"

You left that on the train going down to the Duchy. Did you already forget that?

One word is like running water:

"Isn't the Duke also starting to feel comfortable with me?"

At those words, Serpens seems to have stopped.

Then he sighed heavily.

To tell you the truth, I'm not at all comfortable.

Yes? Why?

It's very unfamiliar to me to be honest about my thoughts or to try not to be conscious of making facial expressions.

It's a little sad to see him stroking his lips with his hand as if trying to check his own expression.

You have to make an effort not to make up your face. How the hell has he been living for so long and with so many lies?

thank you?

It's not that I was influenced by your past words, or that I'm working for it.

I thank you for your hard work, so when I say thank you, Serpens looks at me with an expression that wonders what kind of nonsense it is.

'But why is everyone making such an effortless expression?'

Is this my fault? I just heard the story, so I can't say anything.

If you find out that it's a fun thing in the world you mentioned last time... Responsibility

From the thought that he might really want to save this continent, not just a persimmon. Then a little... .

Serpence put a finger between the cravat and the shirt with a cramped expression and pulled it, creating a small gap.

Then take a deep breath in, and breathe out slowly again.

It's just cooperation for that.

The more I talk to him and get to know him, the more I don't know what kind of person he is.

Such thoughts may also be based on ideas that have been instilled since childhood. Even so, is it possible to maintain such a sharp superego?

'Even if you have suffered enough to resent the world?'

It seems that he wants to love such a world, so his appearance is very sublime.

I can't believe this person killed someone else.

He was driven so much that he killed his parents. And kill the former aide

Why is it? Is it correct for what I expected?

than

'Why did you kill the original Shion?'

I don't know if there are other truths I'm not aware of, or if this is also his ruse to distract me.

It's like being trapped in a labyrinth.

I understand roughly what the Duke wants to say. There are many things that I want to say, but I'll put it aside for now.

If you have nothing more to say, just go back.

Serpens put the empty plates on top of each other and stood up. I also got up and waited patiently in the back of him standing in front of the door leading to the banquet hall.

"Aren't you going out?"

Lord Ribelon will go down to the manor this month], I hope you will find half of the courtesy you left behind.

Yeah? What's that all of a sudden...?

Serpens, who was looking down at me with a skeptical gaze, chin on the lock on the door.

Oh !

I have to open it.

When they came in, Serpens opened and closed them, so I forgot for a while. With a smile on his face, he unlocked the lock and opened the door wide.

The faint sound of music rang out again.