The Girl with Paddle Number Four (1)
Two days after the meeting in which so much had been settled, Monday came around, and with it, lunch.
Ahead of the building auction set for the afternoon, Blow had taken a private room at the Edfolk restaurant in Caipol, with Skadi and Yulia beside him.
Yulia was dressed, as always, in a gown. Skadi, by contrast, had left her uniform behind for a crisp white linen shirt, and she looked more confident, more thoroughly at her ease, than usual.
"Quite an honor, Skadi, you joining us all the way through lunch."
"I told you I wanted to get close to the Saintess too!"
"Did you?"
"Of course I did! I'm someone who's contributing to the business of Blow Deblique, lord of Dusk Block!"
"...Lord of Dusk Block. The Saintess might call down her holy power."
"But it's true!"
"Well, even granting that. I don't believe I've actually received your investment money yet."
"You said you'd take it after the mee—the meeting first!!"
"Did I?"
"You said so on Saturday, and now you're quietly pretending you forgot!!"
"Truly, Young Master, you hardly seem like a man receiving an investment. Is that confidence as well?"
Yulia, who had been listening to the two of them in silence, slipped in with a smile, and Blow answered with a shrug.
"You could call that one of my talents."
"Your confidence is a fine thing to see, Young Master."
"Haa. Fine. You're great. You're amazing."
Skadi flung her head the other way, sulking as if she had thrown up both hands in surrender, and Blow let out a quiet little laugh at the sight of her.
"Skadi. What about your classes, though?"
"I get to meet the Saintess. You think class matters?"
"I'm asking because you said, back when we were drinking, that you had to go out for practicals."
"Mine don't start until Friday at the earliest. They go in order of grades."
"So Hervena must be in the middle of hers right now."
"Yeah."
"Young Master, even so, the room does grow a shade brighter when Lady Skadi is here. So this has worked out rather well."
"True enough. Even the first time we spoke with Cunsai, Skadi lightened the whole atmosphere."
"See!! I'm a helpful person too!!!"
Every time... this is a hundred times better than her fretting over whether someone like her could be of any use.
He liked the confidence in her voice and her face today, and he gave her a slow, deliberate nod.
"If you do well with the Saintess too, we ought to bring you along to seats like this now and then."
"Then do that!!"
"Young Master, this Yulia Edfolk will be waiting whenever you need her, so you must call for me, you know?"
"I know. But once you take the presidency next year, you'll be busy."
"Maybe I shouldn't have said I'd do it. The presidency."
At Blow's words Yulia's shoulders sank, as if she had taken offense.
She's been showing her feelings more honestly lately. If that's a good thing, then it's a good thing.
Embarrassed, Blow lifted the corner of his mouth in an awkward smile and drank his water. Yulia, watching him, covered her mouth and laughed, then indicated Marchen standing ramrod-straight behind her.
"Young Master, today is your first auction, isn't it? I'll help you in every way I can. Together with Marchen."
"It's my first. Do you think I can keep up?"
"If you hold to your principles and don't let yourself be swept away by feeling, you'll do perfectly well. You were born with an exceptional instinct, after all."
"Then I'll trust no one but you, my lady."
"Me too!!"
Skadi chimed in at once, and Yulia had been explaining this and that to the two of them for some time when the tap of a cane drew near, followed by footsteps, and a knock sounded on the door.
All three fell silent at once and rose. Marchen went quietly to the door and opened it with a gentle hand.
Aubio entered first, so neatly turned out that his usual plain look was difficult to imagine, and then Marta revealed herself, gentle as ever.
"Saintess."
"You must all be busy, and still you came. Thank you. Please, sit."
Marta's voice was warm, as if it meant to gather them in. She passed her cane to Aubio and took the seat across from them.
A brief round of greetings passed, and the first person Marta addressed was Skadi.
"Lady Skadi. We met briefly last time."
"Yes, Saintess! It was so short then. I can't tell you how much I regretted it."
"Then and now, you are truly a spirited person."
"When Blow said he was going to see the Saintess today, I badgered him and badgered him until he let me come!"
"Haha... I don't think I'm someone worth badgering quite that hard to meet."
"Not at all! I've heard from every side about the things the Saintess has done. They left such an impression that I simply had to meet you like this, even once!"
A smile was already spreading over Marta's face at that lively tone. The conversation was flowing so naturally that both Blow and Yulia privately counted it a relief, and then Marta turned toward Blow.
"Young Master Blow, is your body all right?"
"Thanks to your concern, both my body and my business are perfectly sound! I'd like to use this chance to thank you once more, Saintess."
"What did I do? It was Lady Yulia and the Marquis who worked so hard in so many ways."
"No, it was an enormous help! How long do you mean to stay in Caipol? I'd like to show you Hills as well."
"I'll likely remain here through next month, tending to my affairs and preparing to enter the magic school."
"I heard the Saintess would be enrolling at the academy in the Imperial Capital. Will you be entering as a fourth-year?"
"Yes. In truth I wanted to build everything up properly from the first year, but for now I'll simply have to go and do my best to keep pace, won't I?"
"I've heard the stories too, same as Skadi. You'll more than keep pace."
"I heard you were a fourth-year as well, Young Master. Wasn't that because you applied yourself?"
The words stung Blow, if only a little. At Caipol Magic School, so long as a student was not expelled, promotion came more or less on time as a matter of course. Graduation, in exchange, was notoriously difficult.
"Promotion? They hand that out when the time comes."
"Even so, it is proof that you attended diligently. As for Hills, let us match our schedules once Academia is over."
"So the Lunaria Orthodoxy is doing something for Academia as well?"
"Yes. As I understand it, the friars and the nuns are planning all sorts of things with great enthusiasm."
The talk of Academia had come as naturally as water finding its course. Yulia caught Blow's eye and leaned toward Marta.
"Saintess, may we propose what the Young Master and I have discussed?"
"By all means."
Yulia then summarized the heavy-drinking contest that had come up on Saturday. Marta listened closely, nodding all the while, and at last turned to Aubio beside her.
"If we proceed, will it cause any trouble?"
"No. If anything, I think it would be good. With the young lady's help, the event will run much more smoothly. And if this chance lifts the name of Pilsner Paulos a little higher, that would be a good thing as well."
"That's right. Production is set to increase even further next year, too..."
Marta and Aubio turned a soft smile on Blow as they said it. Catching what lay behind that smile, he spoke quietly.
"The Marquis told the two of you that I've taken charge of developing Roten, I take it?"
"Yes. Thanks to that, we were able to reach Caipol in time. I understand the Marquis contacted the archbishops of the Church."
"I see. I hadn't heard the details."
"We are truly counting on you. I will help in every way I can, in matter and in spirit."
If Roten were developed, the children of the orphanage would be able to make their nest there after the Blessing Ceremony, without having to go all the way to the Imperial Capital or to Caipol. That was the wish not only of those at the monastery, but of everyone in the Church who shared its purpose. Marta's voice held more earnestness than ever, and feeling it, Blow cleared his throat and answered calmly.
"I'll do my utmost and see it carried through properly. This Academia will be the beginning."
"Yes. If you need hands, please say so."
"I will."
The Saintess's leave had been given. All that remained was to see the thing done properly. He was setting the blueprint of Academia into place in his mind, piece by piece, and by the time the appetizers were laid before them, Yulia addressed Marta with care.
"Saintess, have you heard anything of those who were taken into custody?"
"Ah. The Black Wing, you mean. I haven't heard the details either, but they say there has been no real progress since Young Master Julbert was taken in."
"So they've shut their mouths?"
"Most likely... I believe the plan is to transfer them to the Imperial Capital."
"Ah. I heard that part in passing yesterday as well."
The moment Blow said it, Yulia's gaze and Skadi's snapped to him.
"You heard yesterday?"
"Yes. Lady Rosalyn and Master Getier of the Magic Bureau stopped by Hills. He looked as if his head were aching. They say the man won't open his mouth at all."
"Well, for Young Master Julbert, that would be best. If he keeps his silence until he reaches the Imperial Capital, his house will likely be able to help him once he's there."
"Would that even be possible? Master Getier seemed thoroughly angry."
"Ah. I only meant the barest minimum of consideration."
Yulia flicked a look at Blow as she said it. They were before the Saintess, and she seemed to be avoiding anything more precise.
So they mean to keep him just barely alive.
Neither Blow nor Marta added another word. The mood had sunk, and it bothered Skadi. She glanced at the Saintess, then carefully opened her mouth.
"Saintess, do you happen to like beer?"
"I am of the monastery as well. I enjoy it quite a bit."
"Aha! Then will you match yourself against this Skadi Hetaya?"
"You mean... you are asking whether I ought to take part in that beer contest myself?"
"Yes!"
Not a tasting. She means to seat the Saintess at a drinking bout?
Startled, Blow met Yulia's eyes. Aubio was no less thrown; he swallowed hard and watched Marta's face. Through it all, Skadi went on beaming at Marta as if nothing in the world were amiss.
Marta had even stopped her fork. She thought it over, then broke into laughter.
"Haha. Lady Skadi, with a voice that spirited, I imagine you drink very well indeed. Would I even be a match?"
"Haha! You won't know until we try! For reference, I drink about twice what Blow does."
Only twice? I'd have said three times at the least. And she really says things like that to the Saintess without blinking.
While Blow marveled, Yulia read the loosened air and added a word of her own.
"If the Saintess were to take part, it would be a wonderful thing!"
"It was a rather surprising proposal, truthfully. But since they will be using our monastery's beer, it seems right that I join as well. I think that much should be all right..."
"If you do participate, the square in front of city hall would be the better venue. The scale is likely to grow."
"Let us do so."
"Thank you for your consideration, Saintess."
Blow inclined himself to her, feeling the full weight of it. If none other than the Saintess took part, enormous attention would gather whether he pushed for it or not. Better, then, to aim for something sound and safe than to prepare some outrageous spectacle. Having settled that, he gave Skadi, who had raised the matter, a slow nod.
She answered with an easy smile, as if this much were only to be expected, cleared her throat, and spoke again in a bright voice.
"Saintess, if you don't mind, I'd like to hear about the time you went to Dardiloa Island."
"Ah, of course. So, you see..."
Only then, in an atmosphere gone thoroughly soft, could Blow and Yulia properly cut into their steaks. Aubio watched his sister, grown talkative just as in the old days, with a look of quiet contentment.
Two hours after the meal with Marta, Blow, Yulia, Marchen, and Skadi had taken seats midway down the auditorium of city hall, where the auction was to be held.
People of every sort filled the chairs, making ready. Skadi was flipping through the catalogs of the day's lots, her eyes bright.
"I hope it starts soon!"
"You buying something?"
"Who knows! Whatever catches my eye. You?"
"The building across from our Hills."
"Ah, the one you mentioned earlier? What are you going to put there?"
"Not sure. Thinking of bringing Karlfeld's salon over. A bookshop would do just as well."
At that, Skadi turned her eyes back to the catalog like someone newly burdened with a decision. Yulia, who had been speaking quietly with Marchen, smiled at the two of them.
"It should begin any moment. The auctioneer has come up to the podium."
No sooner had she said it than the auctioneer—striking in his well-cut clothes, his hair oiled and swept back until it gleamed—rapped his gavel so the whole hall could hear. Every sound in the room died at once. He looked them over with an easy gaze and called out in a grave, carrying voice.
My thanks, first, to everyone who has graced this hall. I am Brand, the auctioneer charged with conducting today's sale! As you know, the lots run from Dusk Block all the way to the streets around city hall, and we will proceed swiftly, without delay. Now then—we begin with the first lot!
As he cried it, two assistants mounted the podium and, with practiced hands, set a sheet bearing a drawing of the building's exterior so the crowd could see it.
The first lot was the one printed at the very front of the catalog: a building at the end of the alley where Hills stood. It sat too far from the restaurant, and the usable space was narrow besides. Nothing about it stirred Blow's interest. So he spent the description watching faces and the temper of the room rather than the building itself.
Before long the auctioneer finished explaining the property's present use and its peculiarities, and his clear voice filled the hall again.
"The opening price for this building is seven hundred gold! The auction begins now. Bids rise by tens, and anyone offering higher, raise your paddle and call the sum. Then—we begin!"
Perhaps because it was the first lot, the room held still, everyone testing the water. Then a girl seated at the very front—pale blond, younger-looking even than Blow—shot her paddle up and called out in a clear, ringing voice.
"One thousand fifty gold!"
Raising it by half, right from the start?
Startled, Blow stole a glance at Yulia beside him. She, too, had not expected it; she and Marchen had both narrowed their eyes.
"Number four! One thousand fifty gold! Any higher?"
"......"
"One thousand fifty gold! One thousand fifty, one thousand fifty gold! Sold!"
The gavel came down with a bright crack. Every eye in the hall turned, as if by nature, to the girl with paddle number four, her shoulders bouncing.
"Yes!"
Well. She might simply have wanted that building very badly.
Yulia seemed to be thinking something similar. She looked at the girl and smiled, as if she found her charming. The smile did not last ten minutes.
"One thousand one hundred gold!"
"Nine hundred gold!"
"One thousand three hundred ten gold!"
Three in a row...
She advanced like a knight at full charge, and by the time every gaze in the hall had fixed on the girl with paddle number four, the auctioneer was at last introducing the lot Blow had been holding in mind.
"Now! The next lot is a property in Dusk Block, opening at seven hundred gold! To describe it—"
Blow, of course, was watching the girl. The shoulders that ought to have been bouncing had gone perfectly still.
Not coming in this time? Fine by me.
He had just begun to feel the relief when the auctioneer's clear voice rang through the hall once more.
"We start at seven hundred gold!"
Blow lifted his paddle at the opening, hoping the bidding might end there.
"Seven hundred ten!"
Unfortunately, an old gentleman seated ahead and to his left had raised a paddle as well.
Did he come in because number four didn't? There's still room. No matter.
"Seven hundred twenty!"
"Seven hundred thirty!"
"Seven hundred forty!"
"Seven hundred fifty!"
The price climbed, steady and swift. Blow had hoped it would die before the ceiling he had drawn for himself, eight hundred gold.
"Eight hundred ten gold!"
The old gentleman raised his paddle again.
Damn it.
The limit he had set was already behind him. He swallowed a sigh and had no choice but to lower his paddle.
"Eight hundred ten gold! We have eight hundred ten. Any higher?"
The old gentleman turned toward Blow with an easy smile. The look was almost teasing, and a hollow laugh escaped Blow the moment he met it. He pressed a hand to the sour twist in his stomach and meant to turn his attention to the other lots.
Then a high, ringing voice filled the hall again.
"Nine hundred gold!"
The paddle was up once more, and it belonged to the girl with number four.
"What in the world...?"
The old gentleman who had been bidding against Blow clutched his head in both hands and groaned. Blow, startled, looked to Yulia, whose eyes had narrowed to slits—and Skadi, who had been watching at her ease with her chin propped on one hand, curled the corner of her mouth into a grin.