Chapter 107 – Skandal’s Bookmark (1)

Parencia, which developed into a commercial city with the establishment of the Academy, became the center of Penheim’s logistics distribution in conjunction with its geographical location.
From the raw materials for perfume such as gemstones and ambergris in the northern coal mining area above, to the spices and silk of southern Bahran below.
In just one day, the entry records and item ledgers of the castle gates where dozens of carriages passed through were piled up to half the height of the office desk.
Therefore, it was not just a day or two that Darling, the owner of Ruhilen, was busy.
Especially on Monday mornings when there was a regular meeting, her routine was mind-blowing.

“This year’s wheat production is expected to decrease by about 30% compared to the previous year. In particular, during the last invasion of Rochear, all the crops in the western granary area suffered from cold damage…”
“I’ve already received payment for that from Ice and Snowball, so that’s it. Give silver to Osenturi and buy food. “What is the salary situation of the academy guards?”
“It doesn’t seem like there have been any major problems since the owner of the business gave his advice to the chairman. However, some of the weapons are rusty and need to be replaced.”
“Figure out the quantity and submit it by tomorrow morning. Oh, and Bill?”
“Yes, matriarch.”

A conference room where executives from Ruhilen’s top companies gather in one place.
Those sitting at the long rectangular table each turned over documents and listened to Darling, who was seated at the head of the table.
Because she was cool-headed but not tyrannical, the air in her conference room was quite light even though it was busy.

While I was busy playing with my hands, there was only one thing to pay attention to.

“Not long ago, Ryan & Iron proposed a plan to ease taxes on some textile-related items according to a newly concluded commercial treaty… “Hey there.”
“Yes!? Four!!”
“Where are you looking now?”
“S-sorry!!!”

It was Darling, sitting with her legs crossed on a chair several times higher than everyone else’s so that everyone could look up at her.
Officer pointed out — Dalton’s fault was not looking at her eyes, but at the layer of cushions near her buttocks.
Never treat upper management like a child.
It was an absolute taboo that was tacitly observed among executives.

“After the meeting, let’s go for a surprise inspection at the blacksmith shop you’re running.”
“Ugh… !”
“You don’t like it?”
“Oh, no. All right.”

In an instant, a small silence passed in the frozen atmosphere.

“Phew, then let’s disperse…”
“Me, matriarch.”

At that time, Bill, who heard the servant coming in from outside, whispered softly to Darling.
Then, the woman whose face had been stiff just a moment ago burst out in joy and jumped down from her seat.

“Is it!? You came here? Just wait a moment! “I’m leaving right now!”
“I… Lord, our meeting is…”
“Hmm? “You, please wait until I return.”

Thud!

Dalton broke into a cold sweat as he saw Darling not taking his eyes off him until he closed the door and left.

“I almost got into big trouble.”
“Last time you said that Peterson looked like a doll, you ended up working the night shift in customs clearance for a month, right?”
“It’s better than being an idiot who got fired for giving Seruthia’s women’s clothes as a bribe and the size wasn’t right.”
“Damn, I had a lunch date…”

The stinging gaze of her colleagues was also harsh.

***

Even though Darling was busy, he came out immediately to greet me.
I was sorry for taking up your time, so I planned to finish my business right away and leave.

“I might go to Skandal in a week.”
“Well, it opened a little late this year. But why are you not a student?”
“If I were to be specific, it’s the princess’s escort. “Isn’t the Viscount going?”

Widely.
She said, putting down the teacup.

“I’m busy. “Especially this year, I have to write a graduation thesis.”
“Okay.”
“What did you get in return that makes you want to follow along?”
“I heard you were going to give me a title, but…”
“That’s funny. Even the student council president.”

Darling chuckled.
I also had the same thought.
What need do I have for a title? And no matter how much I am a princess, how could I just throw something like that around?
The territory of Penheim is not large enough to become a nobleman with just a few escort requests.

Therefore, Erzsebet’s intentions were varied.
He said to keep his enemies close, or it was an attempt to make me, who had caused a little friction until now, into his own person.
If the rumor went around that the princess’s bodyguard was the owner of a canteen, it would only be a laughing matter, and there was a high possibility that she would be awarded a medal even if she performed even a little.

Merit becomes a medal, and as medals accumulate, it soon becomes a title.
To the royal family, she said she would not be loyal to him.
What she meant was this.

“If you need power, I will give it to you. “What about Ruhilen’s position as the head of the injured party?”
“That’s it.”
“Or there is a way to become the hostess of a self-author.”
“It’s more than that.”

If it were a guard or other free knight, it would be a connection that fell from the sky.
The reason I accepted the invitation wasn’t just to impress Erzsebet.
Rather, I was interested in Skandal itself.
Of course, there are prerequisites before that.

“If Caroline Magdalena doesn’t pass her exam, I won’t go.”
“Are you worried too? Well, I heard a rumor that she has a beautiful appearance and that her breasts are quite large. Does it still suit your taste?”

It’s definitely not for that reason.
I cleared my throat and motioned to the servant next to me to get out of the way.

“What happened last time?”
“Um, you mean the doll? After asking the top of Ryan & Iron, I was able to get a rough outline. “The transformation magic was applied according to the design made here.”

I took the small business card she held out and looked at it.
A luxurious gold border is engraved on black paper.

“‘Vox’ doll workshop. “This place even has a brand name for business?”
“That’s right. But it’s not easy to find. “There are no official sales outlets anywhere in the kingdom, including Farencia.”
“Then how do you sell things?”

It’s quite strange.
However, Darling kindly explained to me that there are many cases like this.

“They are selling it to some nobles who want luxury goods. “In particular, in the case of Volks dolls, they strictly assign serial numbers to prevent them from being auctioned.”
“Then if you say you want to buy this, you can meet them. “What’s the problem?”
“I want to buy that…” … Talking is the problem…”

I was startled by Darling’s sudden action of trembling and lowering his head.
White gloved hands were clenched.

“All the dolls in the workshop are for children! Even noble families with children buy it! In order to be contacted by Volks, you must do it yourself! It’s a neighborhood room! “Isn’t this something we should talk about!!”

I really want that cute doll!

At the loud shout that echoed through the living room, the servant who had just left opened the door and looked out.
Indeed, that’s why you didn’t contact me first.

After lightly shaking his head and biting him, I grabbed Darling’s hand.

“Can’t I get it through contact information or other connections?”
“Even those who had already purchased it didn’t know. “The doll itself was not a demonic statue like it was back then.”
“Then there is only one way.”
“…”

Keeping your mouth shut is something you never want to do.
However, considering the severity of the situation, this was a problem that must be resolved.

“Darling, can you do it?”
“Ugh… !”

When I call his name, his whole body twitches like a cat.
Not just because it is my request, but because it is important to Darling himself.
Wisely, it is clear that she will choose to endure at least a small humiliation.

No, isn’t it a small shame?
Looking at her adult-like attire and her seemingly knowledgeable way of speaking and behaving, Darling himself seemed to be very concerned.

“I must get a doll.”
“Ahhh… It doesn’t work. Her own dignity, which she had built up throughout her life… !”

Her dignity is nothing.

“I will believe it. “Be properly prepared before returning to the academy.”
“Keuuuuu…”

I stood up, leaving Darling half sobbing.
Honestly, I thought she would look really cute if she held a teddy bear.

***

As Erzsebet said, a ‘Selection test for all grades for special training in the second semester’ was announced on the academic schedule bulletin board.
However, among the already difficult magic-related languages, runes and archaic words were very difficult to master.

— Oh, what should I do if I can’t go to Skandal this year?
— Except for a few good students, there is nothing to see.
— Still, if you go there and write a good report, you will get a lot of extra points on the Magic Tower entrance exam. Why is it only open in the second semester… I forgot all the gore.
— Then why not apply as an escort? Students in the engineering club are accepted if they have good grades.

It became quite a hot topic among students who came to the cafeteria, but most of them shook their heads in disappointment and walked away.
They seemed to know that the people selected were determined anyway.

“Boss, have you packed all your luggage?”

And Liv, who was first in the grade, slipped into it comfortably.
I’ve never heard her say she’s not good at something.
I was so confident that even though I hadn’t even taken the test yet, I was already smiling happily and even taking care of my luggage.

Adela must have been so tired that she crawled out of her icebox and declared to me:

“Teacher, I can’t come to the cafeteria starting tomorrow!”
“Why?”
“That’s because I’m going to study all night! “I will be among the 30 people and go to Skandal with you!”

Since Adella has shown remarkable growth recently, I also wonder if I should. I felt a sense of anticipation.
Although she still shows off her goofy charm, her talent was recognized by even Esthel as one of the best regulars in Rochear.

Even Liv, who was called a genius, felt a sense of crisis after awakening to her unique magic, and was unable to openly ignore it.
Or maybe he’s just looking at me.

“See you in a week, sir.”
“Are you really going to do it?”
“Of course. I already made a library membership card. “There are no rune-related classes in the first year, but you can read books.”
“…”
“I’m planning to make a study appointment with the princess as well. “I received a lot of help during my last midterm exam.”

Adela took a notebook and pen from the stand with extremely serious eyes.
She then gave me and Liv a confident smile and turned her pen handle.

“Teacher and senior?”
“Yes?”
“Meet me at the front gate.”

Again, again.

The sight of her disappearing with her blue hair waving was like a general’s triumphal ceremony ahead of her departure.
Suddenly, I wondered if this was what Rochear looked like, achieving only the victory that Esther had been so proud of.

Indeed, a master of magic, ruler of the North Sea, and recipient of the Order of Four Leaves.
The cold blood that flowed down her veins as she fought against her demons flowed freely through Adela’s hot heart.

***

So a week later.
The day came when the selection process was announced along with the test results.

“Seansaengniiiiim——! Haaaaa!! Don’t go!! “Don’t leave me alone!!!”
“…”
“…”

‘Ugh, then that’s right.’

Beside her, Liv and Erzsebet were looking at Adela crying as if she felt pitiful.
I quietly took out the keys to the store’s front door and the miscellaneous storage container that was used as food for the dogs from my pocket.

“I’ll be there soon, so take care. “I put price tags on all the items, so just take the money.”
“Hwaaa!! “On the inside!!!”

Noisy.

The number of people gathered at the front gate increased one by one.
Everyone had gathered by the time the Aquatic Park managers appeared from nowhere and left Adela on a cart.
Thirty students, escorts, and even Lehel, who rarely led this training.
As students began to line up for the final person check, Erzsebet nudged my side.

“Why?”
“Shh. Before.”

When she turned her head, Caroline, who had also passed the exam, was walking towards her.
Her sharp eyes turned round as if she was quite surprised to see me next to the princess.
But soon, it lightly brushed off its red hair and came closer to us.

“It appears that the saint was also skilled in languages.”
“I learned many things at the church. By the way… “It looks like you are quite friendly with this guy here.”
“It’s not you, it’s Louis.”
“Yes, whatever. I’m Caroline Magdalene… Uh?”

But the moment I took a step forward and was about to act as a guard, something strange happened.