Chapter 76
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Violet's First Words - Episode 76
"Marin!"
I called out to Marin urgently.
"About giving me that stake—isn't this decision too hasty? These matters require careful deliberation."
Imagining what a 24% stake might be worth in the future sent a chill down my spine. 'This is exactly the kind of story that appears constantly in web novels. Characters who grow to despise each other over money and eventually become villains!' I had no intention of later regretting that Marin had given me such a substantial stake and then reproaching her for it.
"Ah, as I thought. I knew you might say something like that, Violet."
"Exactly, so I—" "But I can't give you any more shares! I've already given shares to Ash, so if I give you even a little more, my own stake drops below fifty percent. I want to maintain the largest stake in my boutique."
"That's not what I meant. You've already given too much. Please think this through carefully."
"Are you pitying me right now? Offering to let me use a house for free or something? Honestly, a businesswoman needs to be strong, but you're making me weak."
"...Is that what this is about? But Marin, I genuinely believe your boutique will succeed."
"Who doesn't know that? I'm a genius."
"...Well, that's true."
I felt a twinge of empathy at her words.
"Who said I work only for money? I work for my dreams. I told you—I'll do anything to spread beauty into the world."
Marin's eyes burned with sincerity. Overwhelmed by her conviction, I nodded quietly. 'I'll bring this up again later. Refusing further would be an insult to Marin.' I signed the documents Marin had written out on the spot. And so, without intending to, I made a successful investment.
* * *
Marin returned to the Bluehill Mansion. Peering into the Study where the door stood ajar, I found Ash composing a letter to be sent to Kaizeria.
"Ash... Brown apparently told Violet that I'm searching for a location to open a new shop. Did you happen to know about that?"
"How thoughtlessly you speak. Do you truly believe I harbored some sinister intent and orchestrated a scheme?"
"That's not quite it. The problem is that Violet is far too kind. She heard of my troubles and offered to provide an Everdin Family property at no cost."
"And you brazenly accepted it for free?"
"No, I agreed to transfer an equity stake instead."
"Then Violet will grow even closer to me now. Though we were already quite intimate."
"...It seems as though that was your very purpose all along. You promised to help considerably with the costs of opening my shop, yet insisted I find the building myself."
"You've accumulated some wealth from the rewards you received while serving my mother, haven't you?"
"That's true enough. But I didn't wish to start a shop just anywhere. However, the Everdin property was... perfect."
"No one loses in this arrangement, so it's worked out splendidly. Your master is busy, so be on your way."
"Yes, Ash."
Marin nodded, regretting that she had broached the subject at all.
"And stay close beside Violet and watch her carefully. Don't let her wander off anywhere. A friend is a most excellent restraint." "Well, calling it a restraint makes it sound rather nefarious, but I intend to treat my muse Violet well."
Marin answered thus after a moment's consideration. Ash let out a soft chuckle, his gaze already fixed upon his letter once more.
* * *
"...I was intending to send my application to the Knight Order."
Violet looked bewildered at the stack of envelopes piled before me. Brown, serving as my legal representative following the settlement, had issued a brief statement. In essence, it was a short announcement reporting that the settlement had concluded successfully and that I would henceforth be preparing to join the Knight Order. 'Brown had suggested that announcing my preparations to join the Knight Order would create a favorable impression.' Yet as a result, offers of recruitment had poured in from numerous organizations.
"Many of them are offering substantial signing bonuses."
Cyril, despite his busy schedule, took time to review the proposals I had received.
"My abilities haven't even been properly verified yet."
"Your abilities were verified the moment you stopped one of the Seven Calamities. They're after your renown. A knight order's popularity translates to profit."
Proposals had arrived from various knight orders, save for those under the strong influence of the Imperial Family or the Camelaine House, such as the Imperial Knight Order.
"An offer came from the Mage Tower as well?"
"Indeed. They're asking if you'd be willing to take lessons in Spirit Magic."
I was becoming increasingly familiar with Sylphir.
"Sylphir has been helping with ventilation every day, which is wonderful."
"You're using a spirit for ventilation?"
"Following Olive's advice, I summon them for an hour each day and ask them to handle simple tasks. So mostly they've been handling the ventilation..."
The method for increasing spirit affinity was simple—summon them frequently and request various favors. Thus summoned, Sylphir would tickle the edges of my ears while I read Seda novels, occasionally playing pranks before adjusting the surrounding air to perfect comfort.
"...A true genius is a true genius. With so much talent, I'm at a loss for what to cultivate."
Of course, I continued training with Olive as well. Olive had once cared for talented children like myself when he was held captive by a cult. Among them were Spirit Mages and swordsmen candidates who wielded mana. So he knew well what kind of training both required.
"This is a Mercenary Knight Order, but it was the most popular place last year. It was the Knight Order that Academy knight candidates most wanted to join."
Violet marveled as she looked through one of the stacked documents. Even renowned mercenary companies had subtly reached out.
"Read through all of them and be amazed."
Cyril said. And Violet discovered an envelope that had been buried at the very bottom. There was no sender's name written. Only at the center of the letter's seal was a black, elongated flower shape drawn. Above it was a small butterfly. It was a pattern as if the butterfly were taking flight near the flower. 'I feel like I've seen this pattern somewhere before.' Violet tilted her head. She opened the envelope immediately. The opening was similar to the other letters. It proposed a position as a regular knight. However, there was a notable section in the latter half.
<Our knight order possesses a method to make those with a constitution found in one in ten thousand—those with prodigious talent—even stronger. Among our senior knights, there is one who possesses the same talent as you. This will be a choice you will never regret. Shatra Holy Knight Order.>
The Shatra Holy Knight Order was exceptional. Though it belonged to the Empire, its roots lay in the Kaizerian Temple. And only those with character, background, and skill all combined could join. 'So there is someone in the Shatra Holy Knight Order with the same talent as me.'
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