Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Generational Change (3)
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After the hellish reception finally came to an end, Lian regained a peaceful day at last.
He sat in his office, enjoying tea time.
The refreshing aroma of peppermint tea infused with honey-pickled lemon cleared his mind.
"Here are the documents you requested last time. Please review them."
"If you could approve the expenses for this case..."
"Mr. Lian, this one needs your signature by the end of the day."
Even during that brief respite, the papers piled up steadily.
Gazing at them, Lian set his teacup down slowly with a detached expression.
Resolving the Delico Matron's issue and handling the aftermath.
Then his marriage to Isabel.
"Ha. Haha..."
Facing the mountain of backlog from the fallout, all he could muster was a hollow laugh.
"...This still doesn't feel right."
He had achieved the marriage to the wealthy widow he had so desperately wanted.
Yet his life as her husband was far too hectic to enjoy the role of a pampered househusband.
"Yeah, it's about time to automate things."
"Pardon? Automate what?"
"It's a thing."
He had already placed several employees under him for that purpose, including the apprentice accountant Letty.
But it still wasn't enough.
For one, there were too many tasks only Lian himself could handle.
The root of the problem was that he had taken on too much to impress Isabel.
"Right. First things first, let's create some manuals!"
Systematic guidelines so others could handle things in his absence.
It was the first step toward a future of lounging around without a care.
That way, even if he accepted Leon's proposal later, he'd have some breathing room.
There was a saying that husband and wife were of one mind and body.
It applied in this country too.
Especially legally.
Through marriage, Lian now shared all legal rights with Isabel.
In other words, on paper, he was a full co-owner of the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House.
But it wasn't all good news.
Now, the dealings with nobles that Isabel had always shouldered fell to him as well.
Even the nobles Isabel had kept at arm's length out of discomfort were now constantly reaching out to him, deeming him more approachable.
Honestly, Lian found them annoying.
If there had been any real profit potential, Isabel would have jumped on it ages ago.
In short, all these probes were dead ends.
Unfortunately, they were nobles, and Lian was still just a commoner.
So he had to respond to each one and visit them personally.
'I really crave a status upgrade...'
And so, today again, Lian dragged himself to endure a sales pitch that was eighty percent self-aggrandizement from one noble.
"In the end, exploration and invention share the commonality of pioneering paths no one has tread before. That's why I personally dove into developing this new galley design."
"Oh, is that so?"
"So you shouldn't fear challenge either. No adventure, no success."
"Hmm, indeed. That's a valid point."
He let the noble's words flow in one ear and out the other.
All he pondered was how to reject him without causing offense.
But even that patience was starting to wear thin.
"I've greatly appreciated your insights."
"Oh? Then about investing in my ship..."
"I'm sorry, but that's not feasible. I'm just a coward who only invests in safe ventures."
"What...?"
Lian now understood on multiple levels why Isabel had been so curt with nobles.
"Did you even listen? You're passing up a chance to open a new trade route!"
"Yes, I did. And I agree with parts of what you said."
"Then why...!"
"There are just a few points I can't quite grasp."
With that, Lian pointed at the ship model on the table before the nobleman.
The model of the so-called new galley, personally designed by this self-proclaimed explorer and inventor.
As a model, it was a beautiful and impressive piece of art...
"First off, this new galley. It can actually be built as a real ship, right? Not just a model?"
"O-Of course! Are you doubting Madella's shipbuilding expertise?!"
As if.
Its design was excessively avant-garde, shaped like a dragon.
No consideration for physics whatsoever.
Especially the triangular sails tilted outward on both sides to mimic wings—pure monstrosity.
Without borrowing magic, no way that thing sails properly.
"The tale of the golden city is enticing. But to mine gold there, you'd have to displace the people living there, no?"
"W-Well, that's true..."
"Sigh. That's not something a person should do."
Lian waved his hands exaggeratedly and shook his head.
Most of what the man spouted was lies to begin with.
Even the contents of his boasted travelogue were full of fabrications.
He might have actually sailed to the distant southern continent.
But to Lian's eye, it reeked of tales stitched together from port tavern gossip.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give a positive response to your kind offer."
"Really? You'll regret it later!"
"I'm just a mediocre soul who can't keep up with a genius's ideas."
Lian rose swiftly and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for sparing your precious time, but I regret I can't give a favorable answer."
"W-Wait. It's late—have dinner together, and I'll share more adventure tales..."
"Apologies. I have a dinner engagement with my wife."
With that, he fled the blustering noble's mansion.
The sky had already grown quite dim.
"Ha, almost evening already..."
"Good work, sir. Heading back to the mansion now?"
"Yeah. Let's hurry."
Lian trudged wearily toward the mansion with his escorts.
He was swamped enough as it was.
It chafed that he had to waste time on known dead ends.
"Hm?"
"Something wrong, sir?"
Then.
A faint chattering sound from somewhere halted Lian's steps.
He looked up to meet the gaze of a crow peering down from a rooftop.
'Court Magician? Here about Leon's proposal?'
The crow flapped up and circled in the air.
As if beckoning him to follow.
"Hold on. Something came up."
"You sure? Madam Isabel hates when you're late."
Pablo, his escort guard, spoke with genuine concern.
The dinner with Isabel wasn't an excuse—he really had plans.
"It's fine. Worst case, I'll grovel for forgiveness."
But Lian turned to follow the crow's lead.
Guided by the crow, he arrived at the harbor.
Among the many ships docked at the pier.
A flock of crows circled above a particularly dark and dingy small galley.
"Corpses on that ship or something? Why so many crows... Huh? Mr. Lian?"
Lian headed straight for the ominous vessel.
Before the gangplank to the deck stood two burly sailors on guard.
Just from their rough looks, they screamed pirate.
But nine times out of ten, they were likely military.
"Lian of the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House?"
Lian nodded slowly.
"He's waiting below."
The sailor jerked his head toward the hatch to the hold and stepped aside.
His demeanor avoided naming who exactly.
The secretive guidance here screamed utmost discretion.
"You lot wait here."
"We're supposed to escort you."
"Can't do that."
The escorts glared fiercely at the shady sailors as they tried to board after him and were stopped.
"It's okay. Don't worry."
"But..."
Their eyes screamed suspicion at those dirty mugs.
Plus the eerie vibe from the crows circling the deck.
"...Understood. Please be careful."
They couldn't very well bar his way.
Ignoring their worried stares, Lian descended below deck, hand on his sword hilt.
"Heh heh heh. Come at last, magic hunter."
A table sat under the swaying lantern's dim light from the waves.
A shadow before it caught Lian's eye.
"First time meeting in person, Court Magician."
A mask modeled after an owl or some such bird, paired with a robe covered in black feathers.
For a moment, he thought it was just a large bird perched there.
What to call it.
Less wizard, more shaman in appearance.
And...
"Ceiling's low—hard to stand. Sit first."
Lian gripped his hilt tighter without realizing.
As the magician said, the low ceiling forced Lian to hunch.
The Court Magician's head nearly brushed the beams too—or so he thought, assuming he stood.
'A giant...?'
Surprisingly, the figure was seated.
"...If you'll excuse me."
"Need a drink?"
"No, I'm good. Not thirsty."
"Good. Got nothing prepared anyway."
"......"
Lian sensed it instinctively.
This Court Magician was a troublesome eccentric for sure.
"Enough with the sword hilt already. Scared of an old coot who just commands birds?"
"Should I spell out why I need to be wary?"
"Keh heh heh. Relax. Do I look like Francis's loyal dog?"
"Not in the slightest."
"No interest in your wife either. Or anyone else's business, for that matter."
Lian nodded slightly.
He had a rough sense of the Court Magician now.
Just using the title for magic research.
That bizarre attire suggested no worldly desires.
"Still, you lost a disciple because of me."
"So?"
"Pardon?"
"I just said I don't care about others' affairs."
Even his disciple was "someone else's problem."
Apparently, teaching Delico Matron was purely on the Lord's orders.
No interest in mentoring otherwise.
"Well, this time might be an exception? You've piqued my interest, magic hunter."
"It was just luck—that nickname's a bit much."
"Breezing through that old hag's years-long barrier. Dodging invisible spells. Precisely stabbing and destroying the magic seed hidden in her gut. All 'luck'?"
"...When you list it like that, yeah, it does sound off."
"That much false modesty will get you stoned in the streets."
The Court Magician clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Then he pulled something from his robes and set it on the table.
"One of these boxes holds a magic item. Guess which."
Out of nowhere?
Lian's gaze shifted from the half-masked face—hard to read—to the boxes.
The eccentric wizard's train of thought was tough to follow.
But this test? Too easy for him.
"You're lying. None of them have anything."
"Hee hee. Correct."
Clap clap clap—
The Court Magician clapped with long, bony, birdlike hands and grinned.
"You are the real deal."
Fresh vigor sparked in Lian's weary eyes.
The Court Magician seemed to know the truth behind his ability.